On Friday night, the NFL announced its pool of 86 players to chosen in the first-ever Pro Bowl draft. Highlighting the announcement were the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, both of whom, will be represented with a league high eight player representatives.
After squabbling over ideas on how to rejuvenate the Pro Bowl following lackluster performances in recent years, the NFL decided to shake things up by taking a page out of the NHL’s all-star game playbook.
In this year’s new format, the pool of 86 players will be drafted on to two teams run by Hall-of-Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders, respectively. A major change for the league, considering the game has been played conference against conference (AFC vs. NFC) for the past 43 years.
Another major wrinkle to the game will be the new custom jerseys put out by Nike, just for this game. Gone are the days of the NFL’s old red and blue jerseys in favor of something more new, futuristic white and platinum colors.
The draft will be held on Jan. 21 and 22 in Kapolei, Hawaii, about 20-minutes west of Aloha Stadium where the game will be played four days later. Here’s the group that made it to draft day.
Quarterback:
Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, Phillip Rivers, Russell Wilson
Nothing wrong with this group, but there is a strong possibility two of these fellas will be playing in a bigger game in February. Leading the question to be, who are their replacements? Nick Foles? Ben Roethlisberger?
Running Back: Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs, Matt Forte, Frank Gore, Marshawn Lynch, LeSean McCoy, Adrian Peterson
Another excellent group but a tough pill to swallow for Alfred Morris. Lost in the Redskins’ collapse is Morris’ 1,200+ yard season.
Fullback: Marcel Reece, Mike Tolbert
A couple flashy fullbacks who have contributed well for their teams, but what about the bulldozers of old like the Chiefs’ Anthony Sherman or Niners’ Bruce Miller?
Wide Receiver: Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Josh Gordon, A.J. Green, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Demaryius Thomas
The funny thing here is that the league leader in catches isn’t in this group. Redskins’ Pierre Garcon leads the league with 107 receptions. The Patriots’ Julian Edelman and Marshall’s teammate Alshon Jeffery could have also supplanted Marshall or Thomas and his Peyton Manning aided numbers.
Tight End: Jordan Cameron, Vernon Davis, Jimmy Graham, Julius Thomas
No-brainer here. With Father Time finally catching up with Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, and Jason Witten, this quartet along with the Patriots Rob Gronkowski (if he’s ever healthy again) prove to be the NFL’s future at the evolving position.
Tackle: Brand Albert, Jason Peters, Tyron Smith, Joe Staley, Joe Thomas, Trent Williams
Really hoped to see Jordan Gross’ name on this list, but with these six stalwarts it’s tough to argue.
Guard: Jahari Evans, Ben Grubbs, Mike Iupati, Logan Mankins, Louis Vasquez, Marshal Yanda
The Saints and Ravens are 25th and 28th in rushing offense, respectively. How they managed three of their combined four starting guards is beyond me. Grubbs and Yanda could easily be supplanted for the Packers Josh Sitton and Lions rookie Larry Warford. Strength of name may have favored Grubbs and Yanda this year.
Center: Ryan Kalil, Alex Mack, Mike Pouncey, Max Unger
Mack fully earned his spot and gives the Browns their fourth Pro Bowler on offense. Yup, that just happened.
Defensive End: Greg Hardy, Cameron Jordan, Robert Quinn, Cameron Wake, J.J. Watt, Mario Williams
Wake’s appearance is completely name based. Wake wasn’t even the top d-end on his own team. Oliver Vernon had more tackles and sacks than Wake. Hardy, looks to be more of a nod to Carolina’s great season as both Vernon and the Pats Chandler Jones have really come into their own.
Defensive Tackle: Gerald McCoy, Haloti Ngata, Dontari Poe, Justin Smith, Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Williams
Disappointment sets in here. Ngata and Smith are terrific, just not Pro Bowl caliber this year. Who is? Any of the Jets front line — Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison, Muhammad Wilkerson,Titan Jurrell Casey, or Cowboy Jason Hatcher. All five went far and beyond this year.
Outside Linebacker: John Abraham, Ahmad Brooks, Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Robert Mathis, Terrell Suggs
Abraham gave something Arizona has been desperately needing, a pass rusher off the edge. A position switch and still puts up 11.5 sacks is impressive, even more so when you are 35-years old. Brooks is the one blemish here. Derrick Brooks, Jr. aka Lavonte David should’ve been on the list.
Inside Linebacker: NaVorro Bowman, Vontaze Burfict, Luke Kuechly, Patrick Willis
Did you really think the Niners dynamic duo wouldn’t make it? The voters nailed it here. Burfict is a great story. Undrafted to Pro Bowler in two years.
Cornerback: Brandon Flowers, Brent Grimes, Joe Hadden, Patrick Peterson, Darrelle Revis, Richard Sherman, Aqib Talib, Alterraun Verner
The voters got another one right here. All had premier years. Grimes, made arguably the biggest splash out of the group, making the team after missing the entire 2012 season with a torn Achilles.
Free Safety: Jairus Byrd, Earl Thomas, Eric Weddle
Weddle didn’t have his best season but still these three round out the cream of the crop in 2013 at free safety. Byrd, could be in line for a major payday after making the Pro Bowl in a contract year.
Strong Safety:Eric Berry, Kam Chancellor, Troy Polamalu
It’s hard to argue why a future Hall-of-Famer shouldn’t make the Pro Bowl, but here’s a shot. Polamalu, didn’t have his best season. Not to say he isn’t invaluable to Pittsburgh, he’s just getting old. Antoine Bethea, of the Colts, and T.J. Ward, of the Browns, could easily have been put in ahead of Polamlu.
Special Teams: Punters Brandon Fields and Johnny Hekker, kickers Matt Prater and Justin Tucker, returners Antonio Brown and Dexter McCluster, and special teamers Justin Bethel and Matthew Slater.
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