by Michael DeLuca
Ask any Eagles fan who the most impressive Philadelphia player has been this year and undoubtedly the name returned will be DeSean Jackson. Yet, Jackson may watch as several of his teammates are named to this year’s Pro Bowl at 7:00 p.m. eastern tonight on NFL Network (the naming of the team, not the game itself) and he is left out in the cold.
Asante Samuel is a no-brainer, he’s made the last two Pro Bowls and is having arguably his best season as a professional with nine interceptions and fewer big plays allowed than years past. Samuel’s counterpart, Sheldon Brown, is also in the mix but with Samuel and Green Bay’s Charles Woodson, who’s making a push for defensive player of the year, locked in, there’s only one spot left and I’ve got a sneaking suspicion it goes to Arizona’s Dominique Rodgers Cromartie. Andy Reid apparently realizes how close this one may be as well, as he has begun to lobby for Brown, saying “I’d love to see him in it, I think he deserves to go. Sheldon has had a heck of a year.”
Trent Cole has made one Pro Bowl already, albeit as an alternate, and should be heading to his second. His 12.5 sacks tie a career best and the fact that he has accomplished this with little help from the opposite side should get him the nod.
Leonard Weaver is a player that should make the team but may be sleighted. Only one fullback is selected for each conference and Weaver’s competition is Jason Snelling of Atlanta, who accumulated most of his stats while lining up at halfback in placed of an injured Michael Turner.
David Akers has returned to prominence after several subpar seasons and should claim the one kicker’s spot on the NFC team.
Jason Peters is likely to make the team, though he has been injured and underwhelming this season. There just aren’t many great tackles in the NFC and each team selects four. I’d make an argument for Winston Justice, who’s been arguably the Eagles best offensive linemen this year, but it’s not going to happen and few would listen. The Osi Umenyiora fiasco may continue to haunt him throughout his career.
This brings us back to DeSean Jackson who, on the surface, would seem like a lock. Larry Fitzgerald is in, there’s no need to look at the numbers. Miles Austin, Steve Smith, and Sidney Rice are Jackson’s primary competition. Austin’s emergence has really vaulted the Cowboy’s offensive attack and he’d be very difficult to leave off the roster. Sidney Rice has become Brett Favre’s favorite target and has made some spectacular grabs and tremendous strides in his third season. I think he gets a spot. Steve Smith of the Giants started the season with a bang but has fizzled down the stretch, as have his Giants. He’s a possession receiver and doesn’t possess the big play ability of Jackson, who leads the entire NFL with 18.7 yards per catch. Despite having 36 less receptions than Smith, Jackson only trails him by 43 yards receiving and has two more touchdowns. D-Jack should get the nod, but it’s going to be close. If Smith is given the spot, Jackson may be given the special teams spot…but he deserves better!
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