Steelers 2015 Pro Bowl: Who Got Snubbed?
The Steelers saw five of their own this week get selected for the NFL’s 2015 Pro Bowl. The list seems a little thin, and there are some potential snubs going on.
If your like me, the Pro Bowl is but a shell of what it once meant and stood for. The game is rather meaningless – the fans know it, and the players certainly play like it’s a backyard pickup game than pro athletes strapping on the pads and helmets. The NFL might as well just name an All-Pro team and scrap the game because that’s all the Pro Bowl means – the recognition of being selected.
Fan voting skews results, and some deserving players fall through the cracks at certain positions.
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Here’s who made the Pro Bowl this year for the Steeler:
RB Le’Veon Bell
A good list, but as I said earlier, a little thin – on defense of all places. Here’s who I think should have received a hard look from fans, players, and coaches.
James Harrison
Nov 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) in pass coverage against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Saints won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Hard to imagine that James Harrison would be part of a Pro Bowl conversation after leaving the team over a year ago, but here we are. Putting his season into context among other linebackers and other teammates, Harrison’s pass defense and run defense rank right up there among these other Pro Bowlers on defense. He’s played almost a third of the snaps than his counterpart Jason Worilds and other top LB’s across the league.
Remember, he didn’t hit the field until Week 4 and missed two weeks in 14 and 15. Six sacks, 13 QB hits, and 13 QB hurries in just 10 games is pretty impressive. He’s one of the better graded LB’s. In fact, he’s better than most of the other OLB’s who got the nod for the Pro Bowl – Connor Barwin, Eagles; Tamba Hali, Chiefs; Justin Houston, Chiefs; Clay Matthews, Packers.
Snubbed? Maybe not. After all, all of those LB’s selected have more sacks than Harrison. However, from a metrics standpoint, Harrison stands out.
Cameron Heyward
Oct 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) hits the arm of Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Andrew Luck(12) during a pass attempt in the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 51-34. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Does this defense get overlooked because the secondary is so bad? The team is 10-5 after all and looking to jump to 11 wins if they can defeat the Bengals in what is essentially the AFC North Championship Game. The defense has put together very solid performances – especially up front. Cameron Heyward is directly responsible for that.
The young man is a disruptor in the run and passing games. He flat out abuses his blockers at times making them look pedestrian in their efforts. Is he as good as JJ Watt? Absolutely not. That guy is on another planet of being awesome. But, Heyward’s efforts and production are Pro Bowl worthy.
Like his teammate Harrison, Heyward grades out better than most of the other defensive linemen who were selected for this year’s Pro Bowl. He only has 6.5 sacks on the season, which is in the middle of the pack. Shouldn’t the Pro Bowl be more than about stats?
That’s what makes these selections so difficult and so aggravating when they are made public. In order to capture the skill and execution that goes into a season, one would need to watch a lot of game film. I don’t think that happens with many fans… even coaches or players.
Snubbed? I will have to tip my scale a little bit here in Heyward’s favor that he should have been selected over some of these exterior guys who benefit from a 4-3 scheme like Mario Williams. Don’t worry, if Heyward stays on track at the pace he is for improving, he’s going to be in many Pro Bowls in the years to come.