With the conference championship games in the books and the Super Bowl matchup determined, some players who previously weren’t on the Pro Bowl roster now will have the opportunity to go to Hawaii and represent their teams.
On the NFC side, Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin will be replacing 49er Frank Gore. On the offensive line Saint Jermon Bushrod and Packer Josh Sitton will be replacing 49er lineman Joe Staley and Mike Iupati. Not surprisingly the 49ers also have several defensive players that need to be replaced, as half of their starting defense was on the Pro Bowl roster. Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, Navarro Bowman, Donte Whitner, and Dashon Goldson all need replacements. Detroit Lion Ndamukong Suh, Redskins Ryan Kerrigan and London Fletcher, and Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington will fill the holes on the defensive line and at linebacker, but replacing the safeties for the NFC squad has yet to be addressed. A notable addition is Fletcher, who served as a Pro Bowl alternate for 10 straight seasons until his first appearance in 2010. Since then, this will be Fletchers 4th straight appearance, and could be his last since he is considering retirement.
On the AFC side, fewer holes needed to be filled since the Ravens did not have the number of Pro Bowl players the 49ers did. On the offensive side, Buffalo Bills running back CJ Spiller will replace Raven Ray Rice, and Marcel Reece of the Raiders will replace Vonta Leach. This will be both Spiller’s and Reece’s first Pro Bowl appearance. On the defensive side, Haloti Ngata will be replaced by Kyle Williams of the Bills. A replacement for free safety Ed Reed has yet to be announced by the NFL, strangely similar to the void at safety for the NFC’s current roster. The two likely replacements for Reed would be San Diego Charger Eric Weddle or Buffalo Bill Jairus Byrd. Further, Ravens kick returner Jacoby Jones will be replaced by Cleveland Brown Josh Cribbs.
While the Pro Bowl does not get much credit as being a competitive game, to some of these players it can mean a lot. It gives many players their first chance to attend the event, and is something all the players get to enjoy with their families. It also gives some players a chance to show a national audience some of their talents, something players from many teams only get a chance to do a couple times a year. The game is what the fans see, but much more goes at the Pro Bowl that we don’t see. Some fans may not take the game seriously but getting elected is a big deal for the players. I mean they get to go to Hawaii for a week with their families. Would you take that right now? Considering the current temperatures around the country, I’m sure many of us would.
Written by Tom Hicks
