Thoughts On The Pro Bowl Picks

Five Broncos will be going to South Florida in February to play in the Pro Bowl; Bailey, Dawkins, Dumvervil, Clady, and Marshall. But D.J. Williams didn't make the cut. That should be a big a deal as Vincent Jackson not making it. In 15 games this year Williams has 111 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He has had a great year, and is a strong force in the middle of the Broncos defense. Another player who deserved a AFC roster spot is Matt Prater. The 25-year-old is tied for the second most field goals in the NFL. He also has about every other kickoff go for a touchback. So why didn't Prater make the Pro Bowl? Because the player he is tied with, Nate Kaeding, has had a Brilliant season. The Charger place kicker's long this year is 55 yards, and he has a 90.6 field goal percentage rating.

The five Broncos who did make it couldn't be more deserving.

Ryan Clady is in his second year, and has already broken sacks allowed records. Clady was totally snubbed from Hawaii last year, and it is great to see him making the Pro Bowl this year. Clady is a complete beast.

Brain Dawkins will be playing in his 8th Pro Bowl this year, which is no surprise to Bronco fans. B-Dawk has 108 tackles, 2 picks, a forced fumble, and a couple fumble recoveries. I would hate to be a back or receiver in the open field with Brian Dawkins. Many of the NFL's best hits of the 2009 season have come from #20 - Dawkins.

Champ Bailey earned his 9th Pro Bowl selection after another season of just doing what he does. Bailey has a forced fumble and 3 interceptions. But what really makes me think he is the best corner in the NFL is his skill in run support. Often Bailey is assigned to the opposing teams best WR, to follow him all day. Yet, he still has 72 tackles, many of them he recorded after shedding a block, and bringing down a tail back in the open field.

Brandon Marshall has had a career year. Marshall is finishing his third straight 100+ catch season. Added to that he has 1,120 yards and 10 scores. Numbers like that will easy get you to a Pro Bowl. What makes his numbers even more impressive is the fact that he did it all without Jay Cutler.

Elvis Dumervil is definitely the most deserving of all the Broncos that are going. Doom has 17 sacks (leads the NFL) and 4 forced fumbles. Dumervil has been underrated his entire career, so I'm very excited that he is finally getting the recognition he should have gotten since his rookie year. In 2007, Elvis piled up 12.5 sacks, but missed out on the Pro Bowl due to Dwight Freeney getting in with his 12.o sacks. In just 44 officially started games, Doom has recorded 43 sacks! He's young, he's amazing, and now he's a Pro Bowler.