The National Football League announced that five Philadelphia Eagles were selected to the Pro Bowl, which will be played on Sunday, January 25, 2015, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
LT Jason Peters (7th Pro Bowl selection, 5th as an Eagle)
RB LeSean McCoy (3rd Pro Bowl selection)
LB Connor Barwin (1st Pro Bowl selection)
C Jason Kelce (1st Pro Bowl selection)
Return specialist Darren Sproles (1st Pro Bowl selection)
Notes:
· Peters became the 13th Eagle and first offensive tackle in team history to earn 5+ Pro Bowl selections
· Since Peters earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2007, the only offensive tackle to earn more during that time span is Cleveland’s Joe Thomas (8 Pro Bowls)
· McCoy, who ranks 5th in the NFL in rushing yards in 2014, is now tied with Timmy Brown and Bill Barnes (3 apiece) with the most Pro Bowl berths by an Eagles running back
· Barwin, who ranks 4th in the NFL in sacks (14.5), became the first Eagles linebacker to earn a Pro Bowl berth since Jeremiah Trotter did so following the 2005 season
· Kelce became the first Eagles center to gain a Pro Bowl bid in 47 years, since Jim Ringo earned the 10th and final Pro Bowl berth of his career following the 1967 campaign
· Sproles, who leads the NFL in punt return average (13.7), became the third Eagles return man to earn Pro Bowl honors, joining DeSean Jackson (2010) and Timmy Brown (1980)
Quotes from Eagles Pro Bowl selections:
Connor Barwin
On being selected: “I think it’s a huge honor. It’s special because of the recognition from your peers, the coaches and the fans. I’m just fortunate to play in the defense that I play in and to play with the guys I play with. That is what allowed me to have the success that I had this year.”
On how the improved play of the entire defense helped him earn the honor: “It shows we’re a good defense and I wouldn’t be recognized if I didn’t play with the other 20 guys who play defense on this team who hold me accountable every day, who have made me a better player and really allowed me to do what I can do on the field because of the work they put in.”
On being the only player selected on the Eagles’ defense: “This obviously isn’t the goal for us, but hopefully next year we can be an even better defense and a couple of more guys can be recognized in the Pro Bowl.”
On the improvement in his game from originally joining the team in 2012: “I think it was a growth for me as a player working with (outside linebackers coach) Bill McGovern and understanding what I did well and really (defensive coordinator) Bill Davis understanding what I do well and putting me in situations that allowed me to have success whereas that was rushing from the outside, rushing from the inside, running games with Trent Cole or Vinny Curry or Fletcher Cox, sometimes even dropping. It kind of left offenses on their heels not knowing where I was coming from or how I would be coming.”
LeSean McCoy
On making his second straight Pro Bowl: “It means a lot. It means a lot for my fellow teammates and guys helping me out getting back in the Pro Bowl. You know, it’s a blessing that some people might take for granted. It’s so hard to get in, especially after this hard season, its ups and downs. I’m happy for my linemen to help me get in and it’s truly an honor.”
On Jason Peters and Jason Kelce joining him in the Pro Bowl: “Oh man, I’m extremely excited for Kelce. JP, he’s used to this. Kelce, I think he’s overlooked, man. A guy that can play and do the things that he can do, a lot of people can’t do that and I’m happy for him that he got picked. I’m definitely going to mess around with him and enjoy it with him.”
On Darren Sproles making his first Pro Bowl: “We talked about it, I know he’s happy about it. He’s a heck of a player and it’s about time that he got a chance to be in the Pro Bowl. He deserves it. He’s been a boss since he stepped in the league and I’m happy for him. And we’ll definitely have some fun times.”
Jason Kelce
On being selected: “I think that it’s obviously a tremendous honor to be voted into the Pro Bowl. These things … it doesn’t change the fact that the season’s very frustrating, and for me personally I don’t put too much of a huge deal onto this. I think these individual accolades really, in the grand scheme of things, don’t mean too much.”
On earning the honor one year after a contract extension: “Obviously I was hurt for part of the season, so I didn’t really put forth the performance that I wanted to this year, to be quite frank. I think that the Pro Bowl, a lot of that had to do with how I was playing before the injury, and last year I kind of built up a reputation, I think, among my peers, among my fans and among the media.”
On LeSean McCoy’s second-straight nomination: “Everybody knows LeSean is one of the best running backs in the league. He’s extremely difficult to tackle in the open field, and he’s a nightmare for opposing defenses to try and game plan for. That hasn’t changed. I think that LeSean McCoy is still, and this is obviously not just our opinion anymore, that LeSean McCoy is still one of the best in the league.”
On being a former sixth-round pick, now a Pro Bowl selection: “Where you’re drafted is only part of the story. I’ve had nothing but great coaches, with (offensive line coach) Jeff Stoutland and the whole offense that we run here. It helps exploit my athletic ability and my ability to make some blocks down the field and I think that’s what catches people’s eye a lot.”
Darren Sproles
On being selected: “It means a lot. It doesn’t mean as much as going to the Super Bowl, but it is an honor though. This is an honor that also should go to the guys up front. They did a great job for me.”
On being a first-time selection after 10 NFL seasons: “It still matters after all of these years. You always want that on your résumé.”
On the impact of the Eagles’ special teams: “This is the first time I’ve ever been on a team where special teams made such a huge impact. I feel like this team has players who take pride in it. And talent too. I think it’s those two things that have made us so good.”
Jason Peters
On whether his seventh Pro Bowl selection will merit Hall of Fame consideration: “I haven’t thought about it. I take it year by year. I’m going to work and try to be the best player I can be every year. That really hasn’t hit home. I just show up and play.”
