Thoughts on the Patriots Pro Bowl Selections

by Greg Knopping on Dec 27, 2011 7:34 PM EST in Opinion/Analysis

The Pro Bowl teams are officially set. The Patriots, as we previously noted, have eight Pro Bowl selections. Here are some additional thoughts on the announcement:

Aaron Hernandez got snubbed. While Antonio Gates is having a decent year, Hernandez' numbers are significantly better. I guess that's the harm in playing with Rob Gronkowski, who is having an All-Pro, record breaking year and received his first Pro Bowl selection tonight.
Logan Mankins seemed to have gotten in on reputation alone. Of course, that happens in the NFL all the time, especially with the Pro Bowl. It's not that Mankins is having a bad year, he just isn't performing at the level that he usually does.
Meanwhile, Brian Waters, in his first year with the Patriots, gets a very deserving Pro Bowl selection. Got to love what he's done for the Patriots at right guard after all those years on the left side with the Chiefs.
Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Rob Gronkowski were all the "guarantees" for the Pro Bowl roster as I discussed earlier. They've all had great, even historic seasons for the Patriots.
I thought there was a chance that Kyle Arrington would get into the Pro Bowl because of his seven interceptions - that was not the case. Arrington, however, isn't what I would call a "snub." He's a good player, but not a Pro Bowler.
Feel-good story for Matthew Slater. He hasn't really been a consistent performer at receiver or safety this year, but he has been really solid in kick coverage. It's a nice little surprise to see him get the Pro Bowl honors.
Vince Wilfork gets his fourth Pro Bowl selection in the last five years. He hasn't had the greatest season, but has done a nice job adjusting to the 4-man line and increased playing time, and has come away with four takeaways and a career high 2.5 sacks.
Andre Carter really deserved this Pro Bowl selection with his 10 sacks in 13 full games. Carter was a pass rushing phenom for the Patriots this year, but unfortunately will have to be replaced on the Pro Bowl roster due to the quadriceps injury that had him placed on Injured Reserve last week.
Ultimately, while the Pro Bowl is really just a designation and doesn't represent any culmination of season-long goals, for us fans, it's a great way to see our favorite players honored, and it's nice to see New England get so many selections. The eight total selections is tied for most in the league with the San Fransisco 49ers, who led the NFC in selections.

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Comments

They will be in Indy, not Hawaii. Period

Boy I am such a homer

Thad Castle: Which one of you assholes stuck his finger in my asshole?

by cruelangelT on Dec 27, 2011 8:23 PM EST reply actions

A small quibble with your description of Wilfork's season.

I would label this his most heroic season as a Patriot. He’s done more for the team than ever, playing out of position constantly, absolutely leading the team in a transition to an entirely different defensive philosophy and playing with egoless devotion to whatever gameplan the staff has presented. For a man his size to play the minute he has this year should redefine the mental picture most people have of an athlete. He is an elite performer who has nevertheless utterly subsumed his individual prominence to the ethos of “team.” I challenge you to find another athlete at his position who is both as capable and as workmanlike. From where he was — a key cog of one of the best defensive lines in football with Seymore and Warren — to where he is — the only reliable man at the front of a beseiged defense — Wilfork has led from the front.

So much is made of the help we do or do not give Brady, but when are we going to start asking, “When are we going to get Vince some help?” The man has earned it, this year more than any other.

"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."

by JohnHannahRules on Dec 27, 2011 9:15 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

The only issue with Wilfork this year has been his conditioning

He does more than should be asked for him, but a man his size shouldn’t be playing 75 snaps per game. There have been times, against the run, where he’s gotten pushed back in one on ones that he would normally win. Personally, I’d rather get 50 great snaps out of Wilfork than 70 good ones. But maybe that’s just me.

by Greg Knopping on Dec 27, 2011 10:03 PM EST up reply actions

I have no doubt

that if he’d known from the outset that 70 was the target, his conditioning would have reflected that. It’s a new role, one I wasn’t convinced he’d be able to sustain, that has grown out of necessity. None of the free agents we brought in to help panned out like we thought they would, and the stock-on-hand spent most of the year hurt or quickly got hurt. Had any of that happened, you’d have gotten the great 50.

"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."

by JohnHannahRules on Dec 27, 2011 11:27 PM EST up reply actions

well said

by ill! on Dec 28, 2011 2:32 AM EST up reply actions

Slater

Matt Slater is my favorite pick among these. The guy is a beast on special teams and although he is hardly used on the offense his contributions are huge. I’m not sure where the Patriots ST rank but i’m sure it’s gotta be at least top 10 if not top 5.

Slater was talked about a lot on this site last year as a guy who should probably be cut but his promotion to Captain speaks a lot about him. I don’t think we’ll hear about Slater being cut next year. The dude is a beast. congrats to him.

I just wish Hernandez would get recognized maybe this will motivate him. I fucking love the Patriots, every position, game, player, event, is awesome.

by Slim Rickins on Dec 27, 2011 9:36 PM EST reply actions

I think Mayo should also have made it

and probably would have if voting doesn’t inexplicably close in week 14 or whenever it is. It annoys me that Ray Lewis continues to make the pro bowl every year based purely on his reputation. To me, Mayo is better than either Lewis or Derrick Johnson.

As for Arrington, while he isn’t what you’d call a “pro bowl player” as you point out, he was having a pro bowl calibre season – 7 interceptions and he’s also held up excellently in coverage all season. I think he should have made it over Champ Bailey, but he was probably punished for being part of the last ranked pats pass defense

by j-ace on Dec 28, 2011 1:24 AM EST reply actions

The AFC is really weak in FSs

It’s always Ed Reed and some jag FS. Eric Weddle is the 2nd best FS in the AFC? Really? I mean Eric Berry is one FS that is legitimately an elite player But Eric Weddle is no elite player. He was exposed in coverage when we played the Chargers, got beat all day.

Taylor Price will be the starter by the end of the season (Said before Training Camp)

by Chris Kole on Dec 28, 2011 8:01 AM EST reply actions

you made a great point

even without mentioning the name of that Brandon Itacklemyteammate dude

Thad Castle: Which one of you assholes stuck his finger in my asshole?

by cruelangelT on Dec 28, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed about Hernandez not getting the nod over Gates

I guess there’s some bias in voting for big name “stars” weather they have performed this year or in past years.
Hopefully Herndo can stay healthy for an entire season and produce like the stud that he is.
In the end its just an accolade, another feather in one’s cap, another bargaining chip come FA.
Let’s hope none of them have to actually play in this game due to the following weeks implications

GFY

by TFBismywingman on Dec 28, 2011 10:09 AM EST reply actions

Moving the Pro Bowl to the week before the SB

was the nail in the coffin as far as being an interesting game.

I do like the fact that the AFC starting offensive lineup is basically the Patriots with guest appearances by the Steelers and Ravens.

by dudebro on Dec 28, 2011 12:13 PM EST reply actions

Seeing Slater picked thrilled me

And you know that it wasn’t the fans that voted him in. That just goes to show the amount of respect he has from the coaches and players around the league.

by Crizzle12 on Dec 28, 2011 3:15 PM EST reply actions

BB got some bad press with some of his free agent signings

But in the end he signed two new pro bowlers! Plus Mark Anderson and even a long snapper who might stick around for more than one year. I’ll even forgive the Shaun Ellis signing if he manages to show up in the playoffs.

Congrats to Matt Slater especially. Even if he isn’t necessarily the most useful receiver on offense, he’s a true team player. He’s the kind of guy who I love to see on the Pats roster, and I’m really happy for him.

by Aluminum Penguin on Dec 28, 2011 10:59 PM EST reply actions