HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to all. Hopefully 2009 will be as entertaining as 2008 in reference to sports. As most of you all know, when New Years comes, it's time to make resolutions. Instead of sharing my own resolutions with you all, here are some of the resolutions I have for some of the fine athletes that rule professional football.

ADAM "PACMAN" JONES: A year without getting arrested.

DARREN SPROLES: A year that you will actually be able to showcase your ability on more than just 3 plays a game.

CALVIN JOHNSON: A year that your individual talent will be enough to get your Lions a win.

AARON RODGERS: A year that you won't have to live in Brett Favre's shadow. Wait, that will never happen.

TERRELL OWENS: A year that you don't turn your back on your team.

MIKE SINGLETARY: A year that you don't have to pull your pants down in front of your team as a last resort to get them pumped up.

BRETT FAVRE: A year that you retire, and stick with your decision. Great career, but your finished.

ELI MANNING: A year that you are finally out of your brothers shadow.

CHAD PENNINGTON: A year that you finally get some respect as an NFL quarterback.

MICHAEL VICK: A year that the team you were supposed to lead doesn't make the playoffs while you are in jail.

DONAVAN MCNABB: A year that you don't have any controversy surrounding your job security in Philadelphia.

JOHN HARBAUGH: A year that turning your team around from the bottom of the AFC North to a wildcard playoff birth will get you Coach of the Year honors.

DEANGELO WILLIAMS: A year that 1,500 yards rushing and 20 total TD's will get you in the pro-bowl.

LARRY JOHNSON: A year that you refrain from a contract-squabble and domestic disputes involving females.

VINCE YOUNG: A year that you actually have a clue (physically and mentally) on what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.

JAY CUTLER AND PHILIP RIVERS: A year that you guys don't have a rift that has the content that's similar to a middle-school gym class.

ANDY REID: A year that your weight doesn't fluctuate like a pregnant woman.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

 

Coaching Casualties and more..

It's about 48 hours after the last whistle blew on the 2008 regular season, and already three coaches have been canned. Here's what I think about all of them.

1. Detroit coach Rod Marinelli

Good defensive coach, and an even better guy. However, there is NO WAY a coach can let his team go 0-16 in a season, and still make a case for keeping his job. Well, his Lions team captured that illustrious record Sunday, and Marinelli was fired Monday. If there is the right way to go 0-16, Marinelli's Lions did it. They never gave up, and were competitive until the very end. But in this league, being competitive doesn't win you games, and in direct relation, doesn't keep you your job. 

2. Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel

What a difference a year makes. This time last year, the Browns finished their season 10-6, just a game out of the playoffs. And with that came excitement and expectations. Pro-bowlers Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow were supposed to get Cleveland to the playoffs for the first time since 2000. Instead of landing the city of Cleveland a trip to the playoffs, those three players landed on the injured-reserved list, and the Browns ended up going 3-13. Shockingly, It wasn't that the Browns missing the playoffs got Crennel fired. It was the way it happened. Fights in the locker room, players speaking out, not scoring an offensive touchdown in the final 6 games of the season, now that's something that might get a coach canned.

3. Jets coach Eric Mangini

Not sure what to think about this one. Two season with a winning record, but the collapse of the 2008 season is what most likely sealed his fate. The Jets started 8-3, and were poised for the post-season. However, losing 4 of their last 5 games, New York found themselves on the outside of the playoff picture, looking for someone to blame. To me it was either "Blame Mangini" or "Blame Favre". In the Jets perspective, it's alot easier to blame a young, in-experienced coach, than a first-ballot Hall of Fame Quarterback.  

Other Coaches Who I Predict Will Get the Pink Slip

1. Bills coach Dick Jauron

2. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards

3. Rams interim coach Jim Haslett

4. Raiders interim coach Tom Cable

Other Coaches Who Should Get Fired, But Won't

1. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips

2. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio

3. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan

4. Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden

PLAYOFFS!!

Week 17 is over, and the playoffs are set. If you look at my last two posts, it seems that my improbable prediction (9.1 percent chance of happening according to Las Vegas) actually came true. In all honestly, I really did think that Houston was going to beat Chicago. Houston was 5-2 at home this season before Sunday (two losses were against Tennessee and Indy) and the matchups against the Bears seemed to favor the Texans. However, my prediction of Oakland beating Tampa Bay, i'll admit, was solely based on optimism for the Philadelphia Eagles to get into the playoffs. It was the breakout performance by Raiders RB Michael Bush (177 yards, 2 td's) that made me look like a genius, and gave the Philadelphia Eagles a chance to grab that last playoff spot.  And did they ever...

  Sunday's Eagles game was one of the most satisfying experiences I have had watching sports in some time. Not just because the Eagles clinched a playoff birth, but that they did it against the Cowboys, in the process knocking Romo, TO, and the rest out of contention for the post-season. There are many things that you can take from the 44-6 spanking from the Cowgirls, but before saying that the Eagles are destined for the Super-Bowl, I'm going to follow my conventional wisdom, and say that the Birds should take it game-by-game. Here are three things that I take out of this game/the season up to this point.

1. The Eagles need to resign Brian Dawkins, Quintin Mikell, Correll Buckhalter, and one of the aging tackle tandem of Jon Runyan and William "Tre" Thomas. All are free agents after this season, and have played a huge role in Philly's playoff push.

2. The Cowboys need to fire Wade Phillips. In the NFL, the head coach needs to have full control of his team. When the owner is on the sidelines talking to the players half the game, and the quarterback exerts his control on the team when he sends the punting unit that the coach sent on back to the bench on 4th down, that's a clear sign.

3. Both Donavan Mcnabb and Andy Reid will be on the Eagles sidelines next year. Mcnabb put up a career high in passing yards with over 3,900, passed for 23 TD's, rushed for 2 more, and played his first 16 games season since 2003. For Andy Reid, his playcalling may be suspect, his time-management may be among the worst in the NFL, but he wins. He's lead the Eagles to the playoffs in seven of the last nine seasons, and since he's been coaching the Eagles, his winning percentage is 3rd among active coaches. Those ahead of him are Bill Belicheck and Tony Dungy. That's pretty elite category.

After week 13, the San Diego Chargers were 4-8, and were one loss away from being eliminated from playoff contention. Four wins later, the last of them the AFC West Division clincher over the Broncos, the Chargers are rolling into the playoffs as the four seed, with a home game against the Colts hanging in the balance.  A great matchup right here. Two of the hottest teams in football playing, and some analysts are saying that the winner of this game will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Could be true, but not so fast. Rivers, LT, Sproles, and Gates are indeed dangerous, and Manning is the best player in the NFL, but do not discount the Titans and the Steelers, two teams who have clearly been class of the AFC this year. 

Congratulations to the Ravens, Falcons, and the Dolphins. Three of the worst teams in the league last year, now with rookie coaches, are in the playoffs. Between Miami's Tony Sporano, Atlanta's Mike Smith, and Baltimore's John Harbaugh, it's so tough to tell who has done more for his team, let alone organization. My personal opinion is that it's Sporano. He took a 1-15 team from last year who was destined for a rebuilding year, and led them to an 11-5 record and an AFC East title. Not to mention he did it with not one proven player on offense,  a quarterback who was allegedly finished because he couldn't throw a ball over 40 yards, and a defense that just lost there two long-time leaders (Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor) to trades. 

Predictions and Analysis on Coaching Casualties to come later this week..

Week 17 Picks

Half-Hour till kickoff, and the picks are in.

1. Atlanta over St. Louis

2. New England over Buffalo

3. Kansas City over Cincinnati 

4. Green Bay over Detroit

5. Indianapolis over Tennessee

6. Giants over Minnesota

7. Carolina over New Orleans

8. Pittsburgh over Cleveland

9. Eagles over Dallas

10. Houston over Chicago

11. Baltimore over Jacksonville (Barely)

12. Washington over San Francisco

13. Arizona over Seattle

14. Jets over Miami

Game of the Week

15. San Diego over Denver

Upset of the Week

16. Oakland over Tampa Bay

Top 10 Football Movies

During this Christmas break, I had the pleasure of alot of down-time, due to the fact that I don't celebrate the holiday. Sleeping was big, the House marathon on USA took up alot of my time, and I went to go see the movie Milk. Along with those activities, the movie The Replacements seemed to be on HBO in endless amounts for that 2 day span. That got me thinking, is The Replacements among the best football movies every created?

My Top 10 Football Movies

1. Any Given Sunday

2. Remember the Titans

3. Rudy

4. The Longest Yard (Original)

5. Friday Night Lights

6. Varsity Blues

7. The Program

8. Invincible

9. The Longest Yard (Remake)

10. Jerry Maguire

Honorable Mention: We Are Marshall

A Boring Holiday

Yup, it's Christmas day, and all the sports action we have today is a couple meaningless NBA games (kudos to the Lakers for taking down the Celtics). No NFL, not even any college bowl games. It's so bad, i've been subjected to watching 4 hours of House on USA, and I went to go see the movie MILK today. Kinda of a weak day, but there are some things of note to talk about.

Apparently, Mike Singletary is going to be the new coach of the 49ers. Members of San Francisco's organization removed the "interim" tag from his title. Good move here for San Francisco. Laid back coaches such has Dennis Erickson and Mike Nolan have proven to be unsuccessful with the 49ers. Now an intense, defensive-minded coach, that has no fear of dropping his pants in front of his entire team to make a point, that's should be something new.

Not on a football note, it's taken an entire 48 hours, but now the Mark Teixiera signing to the New York Yankees has finally hit home. This is just absurd. One week after signing 2 players for a combined 240 million in 24 hours, the signing of this premiere 1st basemen will make 4 of the top 5 highest paid players in the Yankees locker room. If they win the world series, they are going to be labeled as cheaters. If they don't, it will make a mockery out of Major League Baseball. Sounds like a lose-lose situation.

That's all for today. For those who celebrate Christmas, you have 3 hours and 28 minutes. Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

First of all, I just wanted to wish all you readers a happy holidays. It's been an eventful year in sports, especially football. In the spirit of the holidays, with it being the season of giving, here is my predictions of NFL award-winners when the season is over.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Atlanta QB Matt Ryan

The first award is the toughest this year. So many impact rookies this year, ranging from quarterbacks Ryan and Joe Flacco, to running backs like Matt Forte, Steve Slaton, Chris Johnson, and Jonathan Stewart who have been so key to their teams success. Wide receivers Eddie Royal and DeSean Jackson have had great years as well, and offensive tackles Jake Long and Ryan Clady have both given vital contributions of their teams offensive line play. As tough as it is, for what has transpired in Atlanta over the last year, for the Falcons to in the playoffs this year after that debacle is incredible, and Matt Ryan is the reason for it. However, if the Chicago Bears end up making the playoffs, Matt Forte might make this race even close.

Runner(s) Up: Forte, Johnson

Defensive Rookie of the Year: New England LB Jerod Mayo

Not nearly as competitive as the last award, and Mayo certainly deserves it. The top 10 pick from last year has lived up to the hype, making over 120 tackles, good for 9th best in the league this year. The rookie out of Tennessee has been a stable in the starting lineup for New England all year, and with all the injuries to Patriots defense, Mayo has become a leader quickly, and is one of the major reasons that New England has a chance to make the playoffs come Week 17.

Runner(s) Up: Tampa Bay CB Aqib Talib

Offensive Player of the Year: New Orleans QB Drew Brees

First of all, this is not the most valuable player award. This is the player that has had the most impact statistically and to his team from an offensive standpoint. You can't deny that Brees is not worthy of this award.  However, it's tough to justify that Brees is even the best candidate in his own conference, as Arizona QB Kurt Warner and Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson have both had outstanding season. I just think Brees slightly gets the nod. Just a smidge over 400 yards away from Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record, Brees has been moving through the record books all year, and when all is said and done, he may have that record. He's leading the NFL in yards, NFC in touchdown passes, and is 5th in the league in quarterback rating. He's the second quarterback in history to average over 300 yards passing a game for an entire season, and even though his 586 passing attempts are most in the league, his completion percentage is 4th in the NFL. That's downright impressive.

Runner(s) Up: Houston WR Andre Johnson, Peterson, Warner, San Diego QB Philip Rivers

Defensive Player of the Year: Dallas LB DaMarcus Ware

Toughest award to decide this year. So many candidates, but only one award. Ware's 20 sacks are tops in the league, but not far behind is Miami LB Joey Porter with 17.5, Atlanta DE John Abraham with 16.5, and Pittsburgh LB James Harrison with 16.5. It's hard to compare Ware with players like Safeties Ed Reed and Troy Polumalu, who each have had tremendous years in the secondary, ranking at the top of the interception list with 7. The difference between Ware and them is that Ware is unquestionably the Defensive Player of the Year on his own team, while Reed, Ray Lewis, and Terrell Suggs jostle for that position on the Ravens and Polumalu is on the same team has Harrison and James Farrior, who has also had a tremendous year. 

Runner(s) Up: Reed, Polumalu, Porter, Harrison, Lewis

Most Valuable Player: Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning

Some people think this is a tough decision, but it's a no brainer for me. No player has meant more to his teams success than Manning. Coming off 2 knee surgeries in the offseason, Manning came back from injury too soon, and his team struggled. Now healthy, Manning and the Colts have won 9 straight games to clinch a wildcard spot, with all the injuries to pro-bowl players like RB Joseph Addai, WR Marvin Harrison, C Jeff Saturday, and S Bob Sanders. Manning statistically is having a great season as well, just 90 yards away from his 9th 4,000 passing yard season., and his 26 touchdowns rank 4th in the NFL. However, the stats don't say the story, without Manning, the Colts don't win a game this year. Manning is the best quarterback in the NFL, yes, even better than last years winner Tom Brady. By the way, where has Brady been all year?

Runner(s) up: Ryan, Brees, Dolphins QB Chad Pennington, Eagles RB Brian Westbrook

Other Awards

Comeback player of the year: Arizona QB Kurt Warner

Newcomer of the Year: Atlanta RB Michael Turner

Breakout Player of the Year: Houston WR Andre Johnson

Coach of the Year: Miami's Tony Sporano/ Atlanta's Mike Smith

Goat of the Year: New York WR Plaxico Burress

Punching Bag of the Year: Detroit Lions

Luckiest Player of the Year: Philadelphia WR Hank Baskett (he's marrying a playboy playmate)

Happy Holidays

Week 16 Recap and Playoff Predictions

What a season it's been in the NFL this year. No Tom Brady, No Michael Vick, injuries, accidental gun shots, bounties, we've had it all but another reoccurance of Spygate. 16 Weeks down, 1 to go, and five of the twelve possible playoff spots still out there to be obtained. It's going to get interesting. Before I make of playoff prediction, here's the 5 stories that truly define the 2008 NFL regular season in a nutshell.

1. Plaxico Burress and the New York Giants

The incredibly talented, incredibly stupid Giants wide receiver has spend more time in the news than on the actual playing field. Suspended for 2 games for a violation of teams rules, 2 more for injuries, and then missing the final 4 games of the regular season for because of an accidental shooting at a New York nightclub. It's actually been quite comical. However, Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin, Earth Wind and Fire, and the rest of the Giants have clinched home-field advantage in the NFC. The road to the superbowl goes through the Meadowlands. Yuck.

2. Adam "Pacman" Jones, T.O, and Dallas Cowboys

Oh Pacman, nine crimes later, still had the nerve to assault his team-appointed security guard at a hotel. A 4-game suspension and a month-term in alcohol rehab later, he's back to returning punts for the Cowboys. When will Roger Goodell learn? On the other hand, it wouldn't be a good season in the NFL without T.O drama. The 34 year old veteran WR still happens to involve himself in petty high school drama, this time surrounding his "Quarterback" Tony Romo and his all-pro TE Jason Witten. T.O is well on his way to ruining his 3rd NFL team, this one possibly ending with a fired coach, and another season gone by with the Dallas Cowboys not winning a playoff game. Can't say I'm upset.

3. The Vickless Falcons

Their franchise QB in jail, their coach abandoned them, and the Falcons are now in the playoffs. That defies logic. It's the truth, the team that nobody gave a chance is now is the most dangerous team in the NFC. First-year coach Mike Smith, Rookie QB Matt Ryan, and long-time backup RB Michael Turner have done the damage, but it's been a team effort. With all that's been going on in the NFL and all the negative publicity, this is most definitely the feel-good story of the 2008 season

4. Donavan Mcnabb 

And back to the negative publicity. Here's 10 years of drama condensed into one game against the Ravens this season. Mcnabb has a bad first half, and after 4 pro bowls, 4 NFC Championships, and he's benched for second-year QB Kevin Kolb, down 3 points against the league's best defense. The image of Mcnabb in his windbreaker watching his team get pulverized is etched in my memory for eternity. For two whole days, fans and media were going back and forth analyzing Mcnabb's future with the team that took him #2 in the 1999 draft. He's now back to starting, responding pretty well to adversity with a 3-1 record in his last 4 games, and a quarterback rating over 100, but the question still resides...Where will #5 play next year?

5. Injuries

If there were a time to make an all-injury team instead of an all-pro team, the injury team would be stacked this year. Of course Tom Brady would be at the quarterback position, Burress being the #1 receiver, Champ Bailey as the shutdown cornerback but which of the 6 Broncos running backs put on injured reserve would get the starting nod at running back?

Projected Playoff Picture

NFC

1. Giants

2. Panthers

3. Vikings

4. Cardinals

5. Falcons

6. Eagles (In because of a week 17 win vs. Dallas, and Tampa Bay's collapse will be complete with a loss against Oakland)

AFC

1. Titans

2. Steelers

3. New England (Jets will win against Dolphins, New England will also win, Patriots get tiebreaker)

4. Chargers (Bye, Bye, Mike Shanahan)

5. Colts

6. Ravens

Hopefully, I'm right.

The Games That Matter...

To start things off, what a game tonight in Dallas. As much as it was a defensive battle the first 3 quarters of the game, the exact opposite of that occurred in the 4th. Dallas's defense did a pretty decent job keeping them in the game for the first 45 minutes, canceling out the sub-par performence of Tony Romo and the rest of the Cowboys offense. However, once the Romo, T.O, and Whitten started clicking, something just froze with the Cowboys D. If you don't believe me, just look at the two 75+ yard runs that they gave up to Willis MaGahee and Leron Mcclain in the waning moments of Saturday's game. If the Dallas fans need some closure and want to pinpoint a reason why they didn't make the playoffs, and how they lost a coach in the process, just look at those two plays. Can't say I'm not happy though, Jerry Jones deserves every bit of this.

My 16 Quick thoughts/predictions for Week 16

1. Peyton Manning is this years MVP.

2. DaMarcus Ware, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, and Troy Polumalu are four of the greatest defensive players I have seen at their positions

3. The Chargers will keep their playoff hopes alive by beating a beat up Tampa Bay team, giving Atlanta and Philadelphia an chance to control their own destiny for the NFC Wildcard Spots.

4. The Chargers effort will be wasted because Denver will beat a depleted Buffalo team, and will clinch the AFC West.

5. Romeo Crennel is as good as fired.

6. So is Wade Phillips.

7. The Panthers, not the Giants, will clinch home-field in the NFC this week.

8. The Giants should still be the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

9. Three rookie running backs with 1,000 yards rushing in one season, that's pretty impressive. 

10. None of them are the best rookie running back in this years class, as Carolina's Jonathan Stewart has all the tools (size,speed,strength) to be a premiere back in this league for years to come.

11. Detroit WILL get a win..............Next Year.

12. Rod Marinelli seems like a great guy and a great coach, but for a guy who has lost his last 22 straight games, he needs a fresh start.

13. Who will win the AFC East? Favre's Jets? Belicheck's Patriots? Parcells's Dolphins? 

14. My Prediction: New York Jets (Favre in the playoffs is just downright entertaining)

15. Game of the Weekend=Titans vs. Steelers: The battle for AFC home-field advantage is going to be the perfect description of football. Pittsburgh is not dominant, but something about them this year seems destined. I got the Steelers.

16. Philly at Washington will be a good game. I'll be there, Section 450 row 7 in FedEx field. Nothing like the nosebleeds to enjoy a NFC East Rivalry.

MVP Prediction and more..

A little blurb for today before I go back to studying for my last final exam. Seriously, who puts an exam at 5:30 P.M on that last possible day of finals? Cruel and unusual punishment it is

Big win for the Colts against the Jags last night. Down 10 points in the 3rd quarter against a conference foe, thursday night's showdown between the two teams screamed "trap game" for the Colts. Well trap game it wasn't, and 361 passing yards and 3 TD's later, Peyton Manning helped clinch the Colts the fifth spot in the AFC Playoffs, not to mention a possible second NFL MVP award. No team has meant more to his team resurgence than Manning (besides Tony Romo), and during the Colts current 8-game winning streak, Manning's quarterback rating is over 110, and his 19 touchdowns during that time span is tied for 1st in the NFL. Point blank, he is hands down the best quarterback in the NFL, and is the sole reason his Colts are the most feared team going into the playoffs. Right now, he is this years MVP.

Other Candidates

Kurt Warner: His team has faded as of late, but the Cardinals clinched their first NFC West title, and Warner is the main reason why. 

Matt Ryan: A rookie, really? Philadelphia product Matt Ryan has played like a season-veteran all year, and if the Falcons can clinch a playoff spot just a year after the Michael Vick debacle, Ryan should get some major consideration.

DeMarcus Ware: I hate the cowboys, but Ware is the best defensive player in the NFC, possibly in the NFL. If you don't believe me, look at his 19.5 sacks this year, against mostly double-teams. If Ware can break Michael Strahan's record of 22.5 sacks in a season, and the Cowboys win their final 2 games to make it into the playoffs, Ware's stock goes up.

The Rebirth of the Blog

Readers,

For a variety of reasons, over the past two months or so it's been obvious that I have not written in my blog. Busy, of course I am, i'm a college student. Lazy, I admit, little bit of that also. In the back of my mind i've thought "when am I going to start doing the blog again?", and time and time again i've resorted to pushing that thought back a day. That's why I'm sitting here, months later, writing an intro for the blog I didn't keep up on. It took a certain situation for me to realize that reasons like "being busy" or "lazy" are not even close to being substancial excuses on why I didn't continue writing. Pulling the "life is short" card is not my taste or style, but let my three seconds of being corny go, so I can say that it really is true. Why refrain from doing something you enjoy so much because of a busy schedule or laziness when so many others don't have the luxury of doing so because they can't, not because they want to. I love writing about sports, so that's what I am going to do. The Blog is back.

Pro Bowl All-Snub team

QB: Phillip Rivers (Honorable Mention: Chad Pennington)
Reason: A career year for Rivers it has been, which is highlighted by his #1 QB Rating in the NFL. It seems like he is being penalized for his team underachieving at 6-8, but truth be told he is the only reason why the Chargers have a chance to win the AFC West. His 3515 yards passing and 28 TD are among the top 5 in the NFL, something that the two Pro-bowl quarterbacks chosen ahead of Rivers, Brett Farve and Jay Cutler, could not achieve. 

RB: Steve Slaton (Honorable Mention: Matt Forte/Brian Westbrook)

Reason: 2008 is the year of the rookie running back, and Slaton is a big part of that. The 3rd round draft pick from West Virginia is as electrifying as he was in college, and his productivity for the Houston Texans is one of the main reasons why they are charging towards their first winning season in franchise history. His 1124 yards rushing is 3rd in the AFC, almost 200 yards ahead of Miami RB Ronnie Brown, who was selected ahead of him to the pro-bowl. His combined yardage totals and touchdowns are more than fellow rookie RB Chris Johnson. The difference is, Johnson is on a winning team, and he is going to Hawaii, Slaton is not.

WR: Greg Jennings (Honorable Mention: Randy Moss)

Reason: Hard to provide an argument here, as all four receivers chosen to the pro-bowl in the NFC are deserving. Boldin's touchdowns and Fitzgerald's yardage totals are both far superior to Jennings, and Roddy White and Steve Smith have similar statistics (White's are better), but are respectively leading their teams into the playoffs (for now). Jennings, on the other hand, is playing on a team that is 5-9, but his breakout season cannot go unoticed. His 1153 yards and 8 TD's would send him to the pro-bowl in most years, and if he keeps it up, his trip to Hawaii may come sooner rather than later.

TE: Owen Daniels (Honorable Mention: John Carlson)

Reason: This was an easy one. Antonio Gates is the reserve pro-bowl TE for the AFC for one reason. REPUTATION. There is no way the voting committee can justify another reason. His 60 catches for 714 yards are both better than Gates, and he's always been a better blocking TE than Gates, because simply, Gates doesn't know how to to block.

Offensive Line: No one

Defensive Line: John Abraham (Honorable Mention: Trent Cole/Darnell Dockett)

Reason: This is tough. Both Justin Tuck and Jared Allen are very deserving. With that said, Abraham's 15.5 sacks are impressive, but what's more impressive that he's been doing it facing the double teams that Jared Allen can't face because of the Williams brothers inside at defensive tackle. Abraham is by far the defensive MVP for his team (Falcons), something that arguable when discussing Tuck (Giants) and Allen (Vikings)

Linebacker: London Fletcher (Honorable Mention: Jonathan Vilma)

Reason: After finding out about his pro-bowl snub, Fletcher went to the media (always a bad choice) defining himself as the Susan Lucci of the NFL. He also went onto the say that his statistics meriting NFL Hall-of-fame credentials. He obviously hasn't learned anything about the media in his 10+ years in the NFL. The sad thing is, he's right.  His 84 solo tackles are 4th in the NFC (almost 30 more than Tampa Bay LB Derrick Brooks, who was voted in ahead of Fletcher), and he's the anchor of the Redskins defense.

Secondary: Quintin Mikell (Honorable Mention: Jermaine Phillips)

Reason: At the safety position, Mikell is versed in both roles (Free and Strong). With all due respect to Eagles Safety Brian Dawkins, he's one of my favorite all-time players and is still going strong at the age of 35, but his level of play has diminished a bit, and his counter-part in the secondary Mikell had a better all-around year. Dawkins, like Antonio Gates, was voted in because of reputation, but the Eagles know who is the better safety (I hope).

That's it for today.  Lets go Jags.