The NFL will announce the Pro Bowl selections in about an hour on NFL Network. Now, I could really care less about the Pro Bowl because I feel that it's too big a risk for a serious injury. I'll never forget the highly overrated Roy Williams' cheap shot on Marvin Harrison (I think it was Marvin, anyway) a couple of years ago, which is why dirty players like him shouldn't been in the Pro Bowl (thank the Lord Williams isn't in the Pro Bowl this year).
However, on the other hand, I like to see my Panthers get some respect and make it to the All-Star Exhibition. But, unfortunately, the Pro Bowl vote is placed too highly on the fan voting. It's nice to reward fans for buying tickets, increasing ratings, buying jerseys and other memorabilia. But, fans, for the most part, are just biased and want to see their favorites in the game. Again, it's honorable for the NFL to this for their fans, but when the Washington Redskins who have tanked late in the year have the most players voted in with the fan vote, you realize that it's a bunch of bull.
Take DeAngelo Williams for example. He's been a scoring machine this year, leading the NFL in total touchdowns and as been a key part of Carolina's 11-3 run so far this year. He'll likely get snubbed for Clinton Portis. Williams is averaging a ridiculous 5.5 yards per carry on his way to 1229 yards, 14 rushing TDs, and even added 2 more through the air to give him 16 total TDs on the year. Let's compare that to Clinton Portis, who's a Redskin and subject to the unreal Washington voter turnout. He's had a pretty good year, truth be told. But, he has less than half the TDs (7) that Williams has and the only real advantage for him is yards (1337), but you don't win football games on yards, you win by scoring which Williams has significantly scored more than Portis. He's also averaging a whole yard less than Williams per carry (4.6). If Williams isn't in the Pro Bowl alongside Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner...something is seriously wrong.
About the only 2 locks for the Panthers (and they could still miss out) are WR Steve Smith and DE Julius Peppers. Smith, despite missing the first 2 games, has over 1200 receiving yards, but he hasn't found the endzone that much this year (6). But, Smith has been instrumental in setting up short yardage TDs for Williams and Stewart, just see the Green Bay game again to know what I mean. Peppers is having a bounce back year and has been a tear with 12.5 sacks and and 5 forced fumbles.
Some players that will get snubbed for sure later on today are as follows: MLB Jon Beason, the heart and soul of the defense and among the league leaders with 122 tackles and has added 3 INTs as well. CB Chris Gamble, who has been a shut down corner this year despite the Panthers giving up big yards in the passing game of late. He's had several dropped INTs, so he'd be a lock if he could hold on to the ball more (which is surprising, as he played WR a lot in college). I also think that John Kasay will get snubbed, his only miss this year was a 54 yard attempt.
So, there you have it. It's entirely possible that the 11-3 Carolina Panthers could have as few as 1 or not send anybody to the Pro Bowl all together. Let's hope that the Players and Coaches can help the Panthers along and next year, let's hope that the Redskins homers aren't anywhere near computers!
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