Pro Bowlers as it Stands Today

by bleedbluegold03 on Nov 16, 2011 9:26 AM CST

After a 9-0 start and strong play by many individuals I thought it would be interesting to ask which players fans thought had a chance to make the Pro Bowl this year.

(You know, the game that no player wants to play and guys like Vince Young can end up getting with enough defects?)

What I am really interested to hear is if people believe Jordy Nelson has a legitiment chance to make the Pro Bowl and how that could affect his price tag this upcoming offseason. As you'll see I am of the opinion that his play so far definitely makes him Pro Bowl worthy (thanks Mr. Rodgers) but still believe he would give us a substaintial home discount so he can continue to play with America's best Quarterback.

My predictions (8 total) after the jump:

---Offense---

Aaron Rodgers: I'll save you all time reading but not arguing this at all.

Scott Wells: Has had a very strong, reliable season and would benefit from the Packer's potential #1 seeding as defending Super Bowl Champs.

Josh Sitton: See Scott Wells

Greg Jennings: The top Wideout on the NFL's best offense. 7th in the league in yards and tied for 3rd in TDs. It's incredible the amount of production he can produce even in such an open offense.

Jordy Nelson: 13th in yards (with 17 less receptions than Jennings) and tied for 3rd in TDs. This is my biggest stretch as while he is 5th in yardage and 2nd in TDs for the NFC, he does not have the name recognition that might allow Desean Jackson or Hakeem Nicks slip in. I still think he's developing reputation as big play reciever on the nation's best team will put him over the top though.

---Defense---

Charles Woodson: The man never tires. Tied for first in passes deflected for CBs, with 5 INTS, a FF and a touchdown. The DDriver of the Pack's defense.

Desmond Bishop: Ole reliable. Bishop is quietly the anchor of this defense for the front 7. He currently ranks 4th overall in tackles with 5 sacks (more than anyone else above him in tackles) and 1 FF. Just another great example of TT and McCarthy making the right move with the right player.

---Special Teams---

Mason Crosby: Easily having the best year of any kicker to this date.

---Close but no Cigar---

JerMichael Finley: Could be a Pro Bowler on another team but simply too many other TEs (Gresham, Witten, Petegrew, Davis) for him to make it this year. Name and team recognition may help his case.

Tramon Williams: His bum shoulder has kept him from being the top 10 CB he was in the playoffs last year. Here's to him hopefully regaining that level of play in the 2nd half.

John Kuhn: I have no ideas on FBs other than maybe one makes it a year, can anyone make a case for or against him?

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Comments

There won't be any Packers playing in the Pro Bowl this year.

by Charlie Kelly on Nov 16, 2011 9:31 AM CST via mobile reply actions 8 recs

This ^

by mike_o on Nov 16, 2011 2:11 PM CST up reply actions

My thoughts...though hopefully NONE of them play in it!

Rodgers - Yes (duh)
Wells - No (no one really knows him and our line isn’t regarded highly enough in the league)
Sitton - Yes
Jennings - Yes (Should make it, but has to beat out some bigger name brands like Fitzgerald and Smith and hope that some cowboy WR doesn’t slip in there)
Nelson - No (Not a chance he makes it in my book. Its a popularity contest and I don’t see a second WR making it)
Woodson - Yes (easy lock)
Bishop - No (He might deserve it but I don’t think anyone really knows who he is outside of here, which is fine with me)
Crosby - Maybe, but he’s got some tough competition. Gould, Bailey, Hanson and Akers
Finley - No, behind Graham, Gonzo, and Witten
Williams - Doubtful, but could make it on reputation from last year’s playoffs. Probably hasn’t earned it this year.
Kuhn - Best shot of the last three you listed IMO. He scores TDs and people notice that.

You missed:
Matthews - How could you miss him. The stats won’t matter, he’s a lock! I assume this was an oversight?

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 16, 2011 9:46 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

re: Jennings

The best Cowboy WR right now is Laurent Robinson and he has no chance. Roddy White and Hakeem Nicks are having relatively down years. Maclin and Desean are not living up to the hype in Philly. Fitz, and Megatron are locks in the NFC with Jennings and Smith as the probable backups (If Jennings doesn’t have bigger fish to fry).

"I agree but dont agree"

by juggernaut400 on Nov 16, 2011 10:20 AM CST up reply actions

The Cowboys comment is more due to the size of their fanbase and willingness to vote for their guys regardless of their actual performance. I could see Austin getting a lot of votes even though he’s barely done anything over there lately.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 16, 2011 1:02 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

The Philly players might get in due to the fans just voting for their own team no matter what...

but really if its about popularity, I don’t think there is another team with big name stars on it where they have actually fallen out of favor more than the Eagles.

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Nov 16, 2011 1:23 PM CST up reply actions

Nnamdi should make it and he’ll deserve it. Outside of him, maybe Shady McCoy, that is about it for that team. They both earned it, others could make it based on name value.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 17, 2011 8:48 AM CST up reply actions

I was being true to stats

That’s why I have Bishop and Nelson in and Matthews out. That being said it’ll probably be flopped

Ring Out Ahoya!

by bleedbluegold03 on Nov 16, 2011 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, but its not about stats its about performance.

Jordy really doesn’t have a chance, it’ll be:
Calvin, Fitz, Jennings/Smith, and then a bunch of other guys. I can’t see Jordy getting even close. Outside of GB most people are probably just noticing him after the Monday night game. Not to take away from what has been an AWESOME year for him, he’s just not going to make it.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 16, 2011 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

I could see Jordy being named as an alternative, like Hawk did last year. And players do get named and credit (for what it’s worth – better contract?) for being named to the team, even if the don’t play in it because of other and better commitments.

by MikeDB on Nov 16, 2011 1:51 PM CST up reply actions

others that might get in

Matthews-probably very likely to get in
Raji-People love him after last year’s playoffs..might get in based on that
Burnett-Very outside shot, but hes got decent numbers altho our secondary has been getting torched

by tmoneyttime1 on Nov 16, 2011 10:22 AM CST reply actions

If Raji had a history of making it, he might be possible, but honestly he hasn’t done any thing really this year to warrant consideration.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 16, 2011 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

Raji

If he has about 5 sacks, which he could easily get, Raji is a lock. Last years performance is going to really help alot of Packers. That along w/ winning the SB, and being the best team in the NFL hands down, is going to really boost the Packers up a notch, even it the numbers aren’t quite as good as last year for some guys (Raji and Matthews in particular).

My guesses: Rodgers, Jennings, Finley, Wells, Raji, Matthews, Woodson and Williams. Sitton isn’t having a very good year but Wells is and I think he’s getting some attention around the league to get a nod. What other NFC Center is gonna make it over Wells?

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Nov 16, 2011 8:31 PM CST up reply actions

It seems that pretty much everyone had Wells on the All-Pro team at midseason.

Sitton may have a chance because of the attention that he got last year as well.

"I'm here to talk about the economy today -- about the need to get four quarters of strong, consistent performance. That wasn't another Jay Cutler joke, I swear. It could be, but it's not."

by Kuhl on Nov 17, 2011 12:37 PM CST up reply actions

Jordy Nelson's already re-signed

To a four-year, $13.989 million contract. Unless you’re already looking to the next contract . . . in which case, Pro Bowlers can always use their “honor” as leverage in negotiations. In terms of keeping guys motivated, looking for respect, and contract negotiation, I’d be plenty happy if NO Packers made the Pro Bowl.

My opinion on O-linemen: Pro Bowl voting always seems to be a year behind. So my guess is that Sitton makes it this year based on his outstanding performance last year (too many nagging injuries have hurt his play this year). And Wells might make it next year due to his play this year.

"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous."
— Hunter S. Thompson

by I voted for Kodos on Nov 17, 2011 11:21 PM CST reply actions

Yeah that is very true about Oline. Plus the voting starts early in the season and the guys that look good early don’t always look good at the end.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 18, 2011 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

Offensive Line

I went online and voted on the Pro Bowl. When I get to the offensive line, I really have very little to go on for making a decision. I watch 2-3 games each week, always the Packers and a couple other games. Unless an offensive lineman really stands out, I don’t know which guard or center is having a stellar year. For the other positions (except ST player) I have at least a good idea of who is playing well, even if I haven’t watched many of their teams’ games. In the AFC I ended up voting for a lot of Texan linemen since they have two backs who are gaining lots of yards, and Schaub didn’t get sacked much. I figured they must have good linemen, but I don’t which ones are more deserving.

by MikeDB on Nov 18, 2011 11:12 AM CST up reply actions