NFL Pro Bowl Voting 2011: LeSean McCoy's Absence Shows How Meaningless Vote Is

Very little has gone right for the Eagles this season. They've been nothing short of a mess all season. 

One of the only bright spots on the team has been running back LeSean McCoy. Actually, McCoy has been more than a bright spot. He's been an absolute star. 

Yet, according to the most recent votes, he's not even in the Top 2 NFC running backs. So, let's take a look at the numbers that should tell this story. The ones that are racked up on the field.

Adrian Peterson

Attempts	Rushing Yards	Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns
186	872	11	16	125	1

Matt Forte

Attempts	Rushing Yards	Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns
203	997	3	52	490	1

LeSean McCoy

Attempts	Rushing Yards	Touchdowns	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns
242	1,172	14	45	310	3

Now, if we're voting based on lifetime achievements, both Peterson and Forte have McCoy beat. But if we're looking at this year alone, it's clearly McCoy. 

As vital as Forte has been to the Bears' offense, look at those touchdown totals. That's a problem. 

Peterson's obviously a great rusher, but he doesn't have the receiving stats of either Forte or McCoy. So, the overall value just isn't there, not in 2011 anyway. 

But this is just one more problem in a long line of them. In any sport, voting on the All Star Game (or Pro Bowl) is just about who's had the greatest career. Sometimes it's not even that. How often do we see players get voted in based on what market they play in, or where they come from? 

McCoy's omission from the Top 2 is just another glaring flaw that shows how little these votes actually mean. 

And no, I am not an Eagles' fan. You would be hard pressed to find a person enjoying their 5-8 record more than I am. This is not a homer complaining. 

The fact of the matter is that when the Pro Bowl is played, McCoy is the only logical starting running back for the NFC. He's the complete package of yardage, touchdowns, and versatility. You can't reasonably ask for more from a back. 

Yet, he is on the outside looking in, and it's doubtful that that will change. If the NFL has any desire to even try to push the Pro Bowl as a game that we're supposed to care about, they need to find a way have the participants be the season's best players.

If that's not the case, it's fine. But let's quit trying to act like these games mean anything. Without the best players receiving the honor of going to and starting the game, it's clearly meaningless.

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