The 5 Most Undeserved NFL Pro Bowl Nods Of 2015
By Erik Lambert
Dec 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) before the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Every years it’s no different. The NFL Pro Bowl voting is going to get it wrong somewhere and the 2015 version is guilty too. Here are five names who probably shouldn’t be going to Hawaii.
Calvin Johnson (WR, Detroit Lions)
It’s really hard to say this about Megatron because he still is one of the best in the game, but the fact of the matter is the year he’s had (1000 yards, seven touchdowns) was topped by 12 different receivers. Throw in the fact that the Lions are going to finish with a losing record and it’s another classic case of the name outdistancing the production.
Biggest Snub: Allen Robinson of the Jacksonville Jaguars (1,141 yards, 13 touchdowns).
Jason Peters (OT, Philadelphia Eagles)
Somebody should really point out the fact that Jason Peters missed time during this season with injury and hasn’t really played all that well since he returned. He’s allowed two sacks, which is good but also has committed eight penalties. It hasn’t been the best year by his standards or in truth the Pro Bowl standards either.
Biggest Snub: Cordy Glenn of the Buffalo Bills (fewer penalties, fewer hits on QB, more snaps played)
Alex Mack (C, Cleveland Browns)
Has anybody registered the fact that the Cleveland Browns are really bad this year? Quite frankly Alex Mack, who is a Pro Bowl player in fairness, didn’t play like it. No fewer than 17 other centers gave up fewer sacks than he did (4) and he also allowed 22 pressures on the quarterback. What is so stellar about that?
Biggest Snub: Joe Berger of the Minnesota Vikings (fewer sacks, fewer hurries, fewer penalties)
DeMarcus Ware (OLB, Denver Broncos)
This guy is going to be a Hall of Famer one day and he certainly started out 2015 as a runaway Pro Bowl favorite. That said, he was hampered by a back injury that has caused him to miss some games for the Denver Broncos and he hasn’t notched a sack since he returned in week 14. Other outside linebackers have played more snaps and been more productive.
Biggest Snub: Whitney Mercilus of the Houston Texans (8 sacks, 39 tackles, 1 penalty)
Kam Chancellor (S, Seattle Seahawks)
From a leadership and enforcer standpoint, there is no denying the impact that Kam Chancellor has on football games for the Seattle Seahawks. That being said, the NFL Pro Bowl should be about production for a season, not reputation. Chancellor missed the first part of the season over a contract dispute and his numbers don’t reflect that of being one of the best safeties of 2015.
Biggest Snub: Kurt Coleman of the Carolina Panthers (73 tackles, 7 interceptions)