Pro Bowl Roster: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Cassel Snubbed By Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan
With Week 17 NFL Power Rankings and Mock Drafts stealing the headlines, the Pro Bowl Roster, per usual, have flown under the radar.
No one really watches the event, which will be played in Hawaii the week prior to the Super Bowl, but the roster selections are certainly worth noting for the snubs and guys who didn't deserve their spots.
The Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald and Tennessee Titans' Chris Johnson were three of the highest-profile names who missed the cut, but were they snubbed?
Here's a list of the guys who deserved to make the team, and who they should replace.
Snub: Aaron Rodgers
1 of 10
Aaron Rodgers is second in the NFL in YPA (8.26), third in QB Rating (101.9), sixth in passing touchdowns (27), and seventh in yards (3,693), despite missing nearly two full games due to a concussion.
His efficiency stats (YPA, QB Rating) are among the best in the league, and he shouldn't be penalized for being concussed.
Who Rodgers Should Replace: Drew Brees
2 of 10
Brees has thrown 22 interceptions this season. Rodgers has thrown 10, and only one since Week 7.
Sure, Brees has thrown five more touchdowns, but does that really make up for his 12 extra picks?
Who Rodgers Could Also Replace: Matt Ryan
3 of 10
Aaron Rodgers is the second-best quarterback in the NFC.
So while he should replace Brees and Ryan, Rodgers should remain on the roster as the third quarterback. If the choice was between Rodgers and Ryan, the Packers would win out.
Rodgers' stats are far superior, and the only difference is that Ryan's team has had more success. But this isn't the MVP ballot, it's the Pro Bowl.
This is about individual performance, and Rodgers is the clear winner.
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Snub: Matt Cassel
4 of 10
Cassel is 5th in the NFL in QB Rating (98.8), and has thrown for over 3,000 yards with 27 TD and just 5 INT.
Who Cassel Should Replace: Peyton Manning
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Matt Cassel: 27 TD, 5 INT
Peyton Manning: 31 TD, 17 INT
Is there even a question which quarterback is having the better season?
Don't let the names fool you.
Snub: Ahmad Bradshaw
6 of 10
Sixth in the NFL (among RBs with 200-plus carries) in yards per carry average, at 4.6.
Sixth in first downs (61), eighth in yards (1,213), second in 20-plus yards rushes (13) and 10th in TD (8).
All despite the presence of Brandon Jacobs.
Who He Should Replace: Steven Jackson
7 of 10
Jackson's selection is a joke.
His 3.7 ypc, is as bad as every full-time running back in the NFL's who isn't named Marshawn Lynch or Cedric Benson.
Snub: Chris Johnson
8 of 10
Second in the NFL in 20-plus yard runs (13), third in the NFL in rushing (1,325) and fourth in TD (11).
All on a completely one-dimensional offense.
What's not to like?
Who He Should Replace: Maurice Jones-Drew
9 of 10
Jones-Drew is having an incredible season, and is the main reason the Jaguars still have a chance at the playoffs.
But he has one less yard rushing and six fewer touchdowns than Chris Johnson, His yards per carry average is also one-tenth of a yard worse.
So while it's not a huge difference, Johnson has the edge in every category.
Comments
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What do you think?
Who got snubbed and who didn't deserve to make it?
Voice your opinion in the comments.
Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud
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