Pro Bowl Bums

OK, not bums exactly. The Pro Bowl rosters were released yesterday, and as usual, some names just leap out as being undeserving.

Jason Peters OT, Philadephia Eagles

Somehow, Peters has acquired the reputation of being a great offensive tackle. He hasn't been good since 2007, his last good season with the Bills. In 2008, he wanted a new deal, was as resilient as wet toilet paper, and almost got poor Trent Edwards killed. This season, he's been league-average. And now he's starting in the Pro Bowl, and Donald Penn of the Buccaneers, the best OT in the NFC, will sit at home.

As an aside, Penn is better than Jonathan Stinchcomb of the Saints, and Bryant McKinnie of the Vikings, both of whom are going to Miami. McKinnie got eaten alive by Julius Peppers in week 15, but that was after Pro Bowl voting closed. He's lucky. If he'd done that in week 12, he'd have had no chance. Stinchcomb is above-average, but is that what the Pro Bowl is about?

Asante Samuel CB, Philadelphia Eagles

I honestly swear to you, I don't have a hate on for the Eagles - actually, I think they've overcome some difficulties to have a great season, especially on offense. Asante Samuel making the Pro Bowl is purely a selection based on numbers - he has 9 interceptions. That's great, but the stats don't show that Samuel is an ineffective, arm-tackling half-asser when playing the run, and that his love of jumping routes means he gets beaten by double moves on a fairly regular basis. I suppose it comes down to my personal preference for bump-and-run corners like Nnamdi Asomugha of the Raiders, but I'd like any defensive player on my team to be able to tackle. It doesn't seem like a lot to ask. Either Samuel's teammate Sheldon Brown, or Brent Grimes of the Falcons would have been better real-life choices.

Ray Lewis LB, Baltimore Ravens

This one is purely a reputation pick. Lewis made it to age 34 without showing any signs of decline, which is thoroughly remarkable for a high-impact player like a middle linebacker. 2009, though, was the year age started to take its toll, and it has been reflected in the overall play of the Ravens defense. It's not a unit to be feared anymore, despite having all its major pieces still in place, particularly in the front seven. Lewis is still a good player, and one I'd want on my team for many reasons, but 2009 was not a year where he reached a  Pro Bowl level of performance. Although you probably haven't seen a lot of him, Kirk Morrison of the Raiders has been quietly excellent all season, and although he couldn't have replaced Lewis (wrong conference), it's scandalous that Washington's London Fletcher still hasn't made a Pro Bowl. The guy is the Redskins D, no matter what certain fat, underperforming nose tackles might think.

Notes
Not sure about DeAngelo Williams - he's great, but I think Frank Gore of the 49ers is more important to his team, and has made a bigger impact on their overall record this year... I know it's sacrilege, but does Adrian Peterson really deserve it? He's been less than stellar in recent weeks, thanks to the pass-first play calling... You probably won't find a bigger Wes Welker fan than me, but I think Randy Moss is more important to the Patriots - without him, Welker wouldn't be looking at 130+ receptions this year. Moss clears out the safeties and opens space for Welker underneath. Plus, Moss has played hurt all season... Jake Long: good, but not great yet... Ed Reed has missed quite a few games, and has been less than his usual self due to injuries - is he Pro Bowl material this year? I say no, but Brandon Meriweather can justifiably feel cheated to miss out... Last one: Giants LB/special teamer Chase Blackburn should be in there, he's a difference-maker who plays ridiculously hard. Every special teams coach in the league would love to have him. He makes plays on defense, too...