This afternoon the NFL announced the players going to the Pro Bowl, snubbing three New York Jets player that should have a ticket to paradise.
By Jeff Jarboe
Several teams stand in the way at the moment but the point remains, the Jets have come a long way. After having only Nick Mangold and Antonio Cromartie voted to the Pro Bowl last year, the New York Jets will be represented by five players in 2015. Brandon Marshall (6th), Darrelle Revis (7th) and Muhammad Wilkerson (1st) were voted in, while Nick Mangold (6) and Chris Ivory were selected as alternates.
Marshall, Revis and Wilkerson all deserved to be voted in with the way they’ve played this year, and I’m glad that Mangold and Ivory snagged a ticket to Honolulu as alternated, even though Mangold should have been in the top four.
The problem is, there are at least three other players on this new and improved Jets roster who are deserving of a ticket to Hawaii too.
1. Eric Decker
I understand why Decker didn’t get voted in–there are simply too many stellar wide receivers in the AFC (one of which lines up next to Decker on Sundays) who are deserving of a spot.
But, he wasn’t selected as a reserve either!
72 catches (16th), 930 yards (22nd) and 10 touchdowns (7th), and this guy isn’t good enough to be an alternate? Travis Benjamin and James “I Wear Hoodies Under My Pads” Jones make it as alternates, but Decker doesn’t?
Come on now.
2. Calvin Pryor
This one I understand a little bit more, because he was injured for a chunk of the season.
But if people went back and watched every game that Pryor was healthy for, they’d notice how good he really is.
In 11 games this season, Pryor has 61 total tackles, six pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one interception. Not to mention all of the big hits this guy throws around (see Wk. 13 vs. OBJ, Wk. 12 vs. R. Matthews) and the pressure he brings on safety blitzes.
You may not have made it this year Calvin, but a trip to Hawaii is in the near future.
3. David Harris
Another strong year and another Pro Bowl snub for The Hitman.
In nine seasons, Harris has yet to be voted to a Pro Bowl. And, it’s really too bad. He may not be putting up the numbers that he did early in his career, but Harris has had another strong year after re-signing as the Jets play caller on defense. He currently has 88 total tackles, three pass deflections, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
At the very least, this guy deserved to be an alternate, especially when you consider the fact that every starter at the position was from the NFC.
Give the AFC some love and more importantly give the Hitman some love!