Bucs Snubbed by Pro Bowl

On a day just two removed from the Bucs winning the NFC South, they have zero players elected to the pro bowl. Are you kidding me? The Bucs have one of the best defenses in the league, not to mention their division, and yet not a one made the Pro Bowl. It’s the biggest rip off since George W. Bush was elected President. I want to take a look at some noteworthy Bucs:

Barrett Ruud Stats:

• 108 Tackles (one of only 20 players in the league with at least 100 tackles)
• 3 Forced Fumbles
• 2 Fumble Recoveries

But it’s not just his numbers that make him a primary candidate. He is the leader of this defense, a quality that is too often overlooked.

Derrick Brooks Stats:

• 103 Tackles (one of only 20 players in the league with at least 100 tackles)
• 3 Forced Fumbles

Brooks has been a Pro Bowl favorite for years. How he’s overlooked this year is beyond me.

Ronde Barber Stats:

• 57 Tackles
• 1 Sack
• 2 Interceptions (1 Touchdown)
• 1 Forced Fumble
• 2 Fumble Recoveries

Again, Barber is a Pro Bowl favorite, but nobody payed any attention to him.

Jermaine Phillips Stats:

• 77 Tackles
• 4 Interceptions
• 1 Sack
• 2 Forced Fumbles

Greg White Stats:

• 24 Tackles
• 8 Sacks
• 7 Forced Fumbles
• 2 Fumble Recoveries

How do you not take numbers like that?

Jeff Garcia Stats:

• 2,224 Yards Passing
• 64% Completion Rate
• 12 Touchdowns
• 4 Interceptions

Not that I have a problem with Matt Hasselbeck, but I don’t think he was really deserving of his selection. Brett Farve and Tony Romo, yeah. But Hasselbeck? Garcia has missed two games due to injury, or else his numbers would be better. They’re still good considering Tampa’s run-first mentality. I would have taken Drew Brees over Hasselbeck.

Earnest Graham Stats:

• 877 Yards Rushing
• 313 Yards Receiving
• 10 Rushing Touchdowns

The best part about Graham is that he started the season as a third-string running back. He had always been a third-stringer. He comes off the bench about halfway through the season, and he puts up these numbers. Marion Barber as the third running back? That’s the biggest joke. Barber puts up measly stats as half of a running back combination, and he’s been doing it all year. Graham has only been doing it about half of the year, and he came off the bench to do it, never having been a full time starter.

Joey Galloway Stats:

• 985 Receiving Yards
• 6 Touchdowns

Not glorious stats, but his name can still be considered. He is 15 yards shy of a 1,000 yard season, and he’s almost sure to get it with two games left. I agree with the choices at wide receiver, but Joey can still be considered someone who was snubbed.

While leaving out guys like this, I can see why the NFC has been crushed in the Pro Bowl the past couple of years. Shame on the players, coaches, and fans who snubbed these men. Don’t be surprised if the NFC falls again this year.