They may be ready to make a serious run at the Super Bowl, but for the Steelers, for the most part they are going to be shut out of the Pro Bowl on February 8th in Hawaii. The Black and Gold have just three players on the AFC squad – LB James Harrison, Safety Troy Polamalu are starters and LB James Farrior is on the team as a backup.
The Steelers have the best defense maybe in the last 7-8 years in the NFL, but it’s evident from the votes and the selections that they look at the team as more of a team defense then 1-2 players always standing out. LaMarr Woodley could have gotten a nod, and Ike Taylor is having a very good season as well.
On offense, the AFC is going with Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Jay Cutler at QB. This is clearly a snub against Ben Roethlisberger, who I personally think has had a better season than both Favre and Cutler.
mark
December 16, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I think that is exactly right about the defense being a “team” effort.No question that the players that are going deserve it and I agree that Woodley and Taylor have strong cases also. I think Ryan Clark also deserves consideration but the biggest snub on defense I think was Aaron Smith! He is playing at a very high level and everyone sees the differance when he is healthy and on the field. On the other side of the ball, Ben should have gotten consideration because of the year he is having against the toughest schedule in the league. He has been incredible in the past month facing some very tough defenses! Jeff Reed could have been a pro bowler as well as Mewelde Moore for his contributions and Hines Ward for being Hines Ward. I mean Favre and Faneca are going because they are Favre and Faneca right? I hope the Steelers look upon this as disrespect and go out there and run the table! I understand that this team is not looking for extra motivation, believe me they do NOT need it. I am so looking forward to Sunday at 1 p.m. This is a real battle for supremecy and pro bowl snubs can fuel the fire!
greg
December 16, 2008 at 5:38 pm
what about hines as a reserve receiver? he has a better yards per catch avg. than welker and 4 more touchdowns than welker, and only like 150 less total yards. i’m sorry but i take that as a complete “f*$# you” to hines from the league. if i was hines ward, i would be extremely pissed off and ready to take it out on some opposing defensive players. hines is consistently one of the best possession receivers in the league, a great personality, and someone who generates a good deal of the publicity for the nfl (which they love). i honestly don’t get it. the pro bowl is ridiculous and i hope the steelers use it as motivation to worry about the only bowl that really matters anyway.