Sunday, November 27, 2005
Guys who should make the Pro Bowl (but probably won't)
In all sports there's always a big to-do about who doesn't make an all-star team. It's the ultimate sin as far as snubs go. Fans hate it because they know it's political, coaches despise it because a player who really put in the effort and had a breakout year gets passed over, and players hate it because it gives them one more thing to do before really enjoying the off-season.
I dislike the notion of letting fans vote-in the players they'd most like to see, because rarely does that mean they're the players most deserving of the all-star nod. Take Penny Hardaway several years ago. He played only a handful of games in the season's first-half due to injury, but started the All-Star Game because of fan support and Internet voting. Michael Vick's candidate for this already, even though his performance will likely get him in. Then there's Nomar Garciaparra, who's tally got sky high because of some kid's devout online support (I think more than 30,000 votes, a small percentage of which MLB let count).
On that note, here are five players on the offensive side of the ball whose on-field brilliance should nab them a free trip to Honolulu come February, but might sadly miss the cut:
I dislike the notion of letting fans vote-in the players they'd most like to see, because rarely does that mean they're the players most deserving of the all-star nod. Take Penny Hardaway several years ago. He played only a handful of games in the season's first-half due to injury, but started the All-Star Game because of fan support and Internet voting. Michael Vick's candidate for this already, even though his performance will likely get him in. Then there's Nomar Garciaparra, who's tally got sky high because of some kid's devout online support (I think more than 30,000 votes, a small percentage of which MLB let count).
On that note, here are five players on the offensive side of the ball whose on-field brilliance should nab them a free trip to Honolulu come February, but might sadly miss the cut:
- Joey Galloway, Buccaneers - the former Seahawk and Cowboy has found new life in central Florida in his tenth year, and finally got his wheels back. He's been the rock of a Tampa Bay offense that's sputtered through quarterback and starting running back changes, and a disappointing sophomore season for Micheal Clayton, who he's mentoring.
- Warrick Dunn, Falcons - for the second straight year the smallest man with the biggest heart has amassed over 1,000 yards on the ground and established the ATL as a run-first team.
- Drew Bledsoe, Cowboys - with Daunte Culpepper and Donovan McNabb out due to injury, Vick will likely start, so Bledsoe, who's had better years, still deserves the nod.
- Reggie Wayne, Colts - he literally is John Taylor in Indy's scheme, and that's a total compliment. Excluding last season's record-setting year by Peyton Manning, Wayne's on pace to have a breakout campaign.
- Willis McGahee, Bills - the man puts up numbers. 'Nuff said.
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