The Kansas City Chiefs’ season hasn’t gone as planned. The franchise tied the Jacksonville Jaguars with the worst record in the National Football League finishing 2-14. The team made national headlines for all the wrong reasons. And the position of quarterback remains an uncertainty heading into the offseason.
It’s hard to imagine finding a bright spot in a year that’s been mired in tragedy and poor football, but sending five players to the Pro Bowl may be just that. The Chiefs also own the No. 1 pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, which will be held on April 25-27.
“A well-deserved reward,” former Kansas City head coach Romeo Crennel said. “There is a bright spot in the season that we have guys people respect the way they play, the way they conduct themselves.’’
The five players that garnered the respect of their fans, coaches and fellow players are safety Eric Berry, running back Jamaal Charles, Punter Dustin Colquitt, linebacker Tamba Hali and linebacker Derrick Johnson. Colquitt, Hali and Berry get the nod as starters.
Jamaal Charles may have been the brightest spot for the Chiefs this season. He not only led all AFC running backs in rushing yards (Including Pro Bowl starter Arian Foster), he is now the NFL all-time leader in career rushing average with 5.69 yards per game, after tearing his ACL for the second time last year.
“I feel real honored this time going, especially after the ACL (injury), the second time; I just feel blessed and the light is shining on me right now.”
Punter Dustin Colquitt should feel blessed as well. The nomination of Colquitt has left NFL aficionados scratching their collective heads. Colquitt wasn’t even in the top 15 in punting average or net punting in the NFL. It’s perceived, however, he received the nod because the Chiefs offensive was so inefficient, and had only 34.2 percent of his punts returned.
“I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to represent the Chiefs in Hawaii and I’m excited,” Colquitt said. “It’s my first time. Everything’s going to be new and exciting.”
Colquitt should be thankful the Chiefs offense was unproductive as it was, because AFC punters like Bryan Anger (Jaguars) and Mike Scifres (Charges) could have very well beaten out Colquitt for the Pro Bowl selection.
Safety Eric Berry had 86 tackles and 13 assists this season, but only produced one interception. Berry has been solid against the run, but there are plenty of safeties that are considered to have had better seasons than Berry – including Chargers safety Eric Weddle. Berry alluded to this notion when he stated, “I wasn’t even expecting it.”
Although most savvy NFL viewers believe Berry hasn’t done enough to earn a starting Pro Bowl nomination, it’s always a joy to see a player who appreciates the opportunity to surround himself with heroes from his childhood.
“I’m excited about it. It’s just a good time being with my family in Hawaii and getting to meet all the players, all the guys I play with on Madden and watched growing up,” Berry added. “One thing is, I’ll probably play harder just because I know it’s more relaxed, but I’m probably going to play harder.”
Linebackers Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson have had very productive seasons this year. Hali, who returns to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive year, grabbed 9 sacks and 51 tackles in 2012. However, there’s and argument to by made that he’s not even the best outside linebacker on his team. Fellow teammate Justin Houston had one more sack and fifteen more tackles than Hali this season, but that doesn’t cheapen being recognized by the players and coaches as elite.
“It’s an honor. The players see you as an elite player and the coaches are definitely worried about you each week, when you come in and play other teams,” Hali said. “So, it’s an honor to be voted consecutively to go to Hawaii.”
Hali’s counterpart Derrick Johnson earned his spot on the Pro Bowl roster. Johnson has been one of the most consistent players on the Chiefs roster this season — with 125 tackles, 2 sacks and 4 defended passes. He’s shinned bright on a Chiefs squad that’s been atrocious as whole this year, while remaining humble in doing so.
“It’s a great deal of respect to be voted in to the Pro Bowl, this is my second year. As a player, you want your work to speak for itself on the field, without talking or boasting about it,” Johnson stated. “So, people have recognized the way I’ve played this year and it’s a credit to the guys around me.”
