Six Dallas Cowboys Earn Pro Bowl Bids: Who Got Snubbed?
Over the weekend, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Indianapolis Colts to win the NFC East crown and secured themselves a place in the playoffs. On top of that great news, Dallas received even more great news. On Tuesday, six Cowboys received invitations to this seasons’ Pro Bowl.. Those six players are: quarterback Tony Romo, running back DeMarco Murray, wide recevier Dez Bryant, center Travis Frederick, tackle Tyron Smith and rookie guard Zack Martin.
Both Romo and Murray are believed by many to be league MVP contenders; so their inclusion on this list was expected. So was Bryant’s, as the young wide out currently leads the NFL in receiving touchdowns (14). And the fact three of the Cowboys’ starting five offensive lineman were also invited to the Pro Bowl only confirms that Dallas possesses the best O-line in the NFL.
One obvious Cowboys’ player who got snubbed is veteran tight end Jason Witten. The fact that Witten is on pace to record his lowest reception total in the last ten years probably has something to do with it (currently at only 60 catches). But the 11th year veteran is considered to be the best overall tight end in the NFL. And his excellent blocking skills, which have helped both his running back and offensive line achieve success this season, should have earned him a bid again this year.
Dallas did not have one single defensive player named to the Pro Bowl this season. The defensive player with the best chance was probably inside linebacker Rolando McClain. The former two-time retiree has recorded 81 total tackles, two interceptions and a sack in 13 games in his first season in Dallas. That’s huge considering the 25-year old McClain was away from football for nearly two years!
If it wasn’t for a groin injury at midseason, the former first round bust could have easily made this list. But McClain is still a great candidate for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Who else do you think got snubbed this season? Tell us in the comment section below.
The entire list of Pro Bowl players selected is located below.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Tom Brady, Patriots
Andrew Luck, Colts
Peyton Manning, Broncos
Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Tony Romo, Cowboys
Wide receivers
Antonio Brown, Steelers
Dez Bryant, Cowboys
A.J. Green, Bengals
T.Y. Hilton, Colts
Calvin Johnson, Lions
Julio Jones, Falcons
Jordy Nelson, Packers
Demaryius Thomas, Broncos
Tackles
Ryan Clady, Broncos
Jason Peters, Eagles
Tyron Smith, Cowboys
Joe Staley, 49ers
Joe Thomas, Browns
Trent Williams, Redskins
Guards
Jahri Evans, Saints
Mike Iupati, 49ers
Kyle Long, Bears
Zack Martin, Cowboys
Josh Sitton, Packers
Marshal Yanda, Ravens
Centers
Travis Frederick, Cowboys
Jason Kelce, Eagles
Nick Mangold, Jets
Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers
Tight ends
Jimmy Graham, Saints
Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
Greg Olsen, Panthers
Julius Thomas, Broncos
Running backs
Le’Veon Bell, Steelers
Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
Arian Foster, Texans
Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks
LeSean McCoy, Eagles
DeMarco Murray, Cowboys
Fullbacks
John Kuhn, Packers
Marcel Reece, Raiders
DEFENSE
Defensive ends
Calais Campbell, Cardinals
Robert Quinn, Rams
Cameron Wake, Dolphins
DeMarcus Ware, Broncos
J.J. Watt, Texans
Mario Williams, Bills
Interior linemen
Marcell Dareus, Bills
Aaron Donald, Rams
Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers
Dontari Poe, Chiefs
Ndamukong Suh, Lions
Kyle Williams, Bills
Outside linebackers
Connor Barwin, Eagles
Elvis Dumervil, Ravens
Tamba Hali, Chiefs
Justin Houston, Chiefs
Clay Matthews, Packers
Von Miller, Broncos
Inside linebackers
Luke Kuechly, Panthers
C.J. Mosley, Ravens
Lawrence Timmons, Steelers
Bobby Wagner, Seahawks
Cornerbacks
Vontae Davis, Colts
Brent Grimes, Dolphins
Joe Haden, Browns
Chris Harris, Broncos
Patrick Peterson, Cardinals
Darrelle Revis, Patriots
Richard Sherman, Seahawks
Aqib Talib, Broncos
Free safeties
Tashaun Gipson, Browns
Glover Quin, Lions
Earl Thomas, Seahawks
Eric Weddle, Chargers
Strong safeties
Kam Chancellor, Seahawks
T.J. Ward, Broncos
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punters
Kevin Huber, Bengals
Pat McAfee, Colts
Kickers
Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
Adam Vinatieri, Colts
Punt returners
Devin Hester, Falcons
Darren Sproles, Eagles
Utility
Justin Bethel, Cardinals
Matthew Slater, Patriots