NFL Pro Bowl Roster 2015: Captains and List of Available Players to Be Drafted: For much of the 1990s, debate raged in NFL circles about whether Cris Carter or Michael Irvin was the best receiver of his generation. More than a decade after both men retired, their football acumen will again be tested—only this time off the field as Pro Bowl captains. Irvin and Carter, who were named captains for the fantasy-style draft in July, were given their list of potential selections on Tuesday when the NFL announced Pro Bowl selections from each conference. “Being voted to the Pro Bowl was always a tremendous honor for me,” Carter, who currently works as an analyst for ESPN, told reporters in July, per NFLs Kevin Patra. “Last year, players really seemed to be excited about the new rules and the Pro Bowl draft format. Im excited to be a part of it this year.” The selections were based on voting from fans, players and coaches—each receiving one-third of the vote total. And, for the most part, the choices made by the football collective shouldnt come as much of a surprise. On the defensive side, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt looks like a surefire first-round pick for either Irvin or Carter. Watt is currently second behind the Kansas City Chiefs Justin Houston with 17.5 sacks, a number thats all the more amazing because Watt plays a 3-4 defensive end on most downs. The former Wisconsin star has also added 72 tackles and has even gotten some MVP buzz after lining up at the tight end spot for three touchdowns. “It’s amazing,” Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs told the Houston Chronicles Brian T. Smith last week. “If you look at the guy’s numbers, it’s like there’s no way in the world this is possible. I be thinking I be reading a misprint. … It’s just ridiculous. Like, come on. Come on. Really? For a defensive guy (to have) numbers like that, I’ve never seen a guy with so many stats.” While Watts Texans are eliminated from playoff contention—a big reason why some believe he wont win the MVP—hes surrounded by fellow defenders with Super Bowl aspirations. New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis, Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons are just a few of the stars selected who hope they never have to make the trip. Revis, in his first season with the Patriots, has returned to near-peak form under Bill Belichicks tutelage. Now a six-time Pro Bowler, Revis ranks second behind only the Seattle Seahawks Richard Sherman in Pro Football Focus coverage snaps per reception metric (subscription required). The Patriots, who have struggled defensively in more recent seasons, are ninth in Football Outsiders defensive DVOA in large part thanks to their secondary improvements. Revis, Sherman and Co.—whether on the same or opposite sidelines (or in the game at all)—will all look to stop powerhouse offensive selections who were a little more difficult to whittle down than the defensive side. Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Brady, all healthy and perhaps the three most popular players in the NFL, were locks from a quarterback perspective. But separating the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Andrew Luck, Tony Romo, Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan—each franchise stars who have at times looked fantastic and at others less so—proved far more difficult. In the end, the remaining three quarterback slots went to Luck, Romo and Roethlisberger. Luck is second behind Manning for the NFL lead with 38 touchdowns, while Romos most efficient season ever has garnered some MVP buzz. Hell yeah, he is. Hes the MVP, Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant told reporters, per NFLs Dan Hanzus. Look at the performance. Hes giving em hell in December. Icing on the cake. Give it to him. Hes doing a hell of a job. The Cowboys three-headed offensive monster of Romo, Bryant and DeMarco Murray will all make the trip should Dallas miss out on a Super Bowl run. Theyll be joined by tackle Tyron Smith, guard Zack Martin and center Travis Frederick, who help lead perhaps the NFLs most feared offensive line. Murray, who leads the NFL with 1,745 rushing yards, is joined by an eclectic group of backs. Pittsburghs LeVeon Bell is the only rusher who can stake claim to Murrays all-around back crown, while the likes of Marshawn Lynch and LeSean McCoy were also honored from the NFC in a near-annual tradition. Wide receiver, though, was undoubtedly the most difficult position to pare down. Bryant, Pittsburghs Antonio Brown, the Denver Broncos Demaryius Thomas, the Atlanta Falcons Julio Jones and the Green Bay Packers Jordy Nelson were locks. After that quintet, though, everything else was up in the air. Fifteen different wideouts have more than 1,000 receiving yards, and nearly all of them went about it in a different way. Odell Beckham Jr. has been one of the few shining bright spots in a lost New York Giants season, but his 79 receptions, 1,120 yards and 11 receptions have come in only 11 games played; does he get credited for slamming a full seasons work into three-quarters of a campaign or penalized for missing the first month? Golden Tate blasted career highs and helped keep the Lions offense afloat without Calvin Johnson, but hes scored four times and has sputtered down the stretch. Leaving both off the roster will undoubtedly create snub talk, which is always pervasive in any All-Star format. DeAndre Levy, Fletcher Cox and Matt Forte are a few others who very easily could have been named over more questionable or high-profile choices. Of course, theres a good chance this will all work itself out come January. Carter and Irvin do not select their respective rosters until Jan. 21, a time at which Super Bowl participants, injured players and injured players will have long been taken off the rosters. So, when discussing snubs in the coming days, remember one thing about all else: Their chance is almost certainly coming. Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter. Read more NFL news on BleacherReport #NFL #ProBowl #BreakingNews
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 02:13:30 +0000
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