Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
The Pro Bowl rosters were released yesterday, an event so exciting that the NFL made them public on a Tuesday afternoon, when the only news story that could rival it was Mark Teixeira getting really, really close to signing somewhere. For those not familiar with the Pro Bowl (welcome to America, sir), these “rosters” serve as a list of players who will be receiving some sort of Christmas bonus from their respective teams of varying worth based on the incentives spelled out within their contract. In exchange, the players must go to Hawaii after a grueling, painful season has concluded and risk injury in a meaningless game for the amusement of up to about 12 or 13,000 fans. It’s a give-take.
Inevitably, players who may deserve a bonus for their hard work are left off the list every year. The bossmans can only give out bonuses to 80 of the NFL’s more than 1,600 players. For whatever reason, this causes fans (and writers), who do not care whatsoever about the actual Pro Bowl game itself, extreme anguish. The players centered around this outcry are more commonly referred to as “snubs.”
The snub that has created the most hearts to bleed this year is Philip Rivers, the quarterback of the most disappointing team in the NFL. There is a good case to be made for Rivers to earn a bonus over Brett Favre, who was voted onto the Pro Bowl roster. On one hand, Rivers has more passing yards and TDs than Favre, along with a higher QB rating and less interceptions. On the other hand, who in the hell cares?
The only thing more annoying and pointless than complaining about Pro Bowl snubs is power rankings, and that’s only because power rankings happen every week. I have no idea why any fan would care whether or not a player makes the roster of a game that said fan won’t even watch. If anyone should complain about snubbery, it should be the player himself for being robbed of his contract bonus. T.O., I’m looking in your general direction.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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That picture of Rivers is reason enough for me to not want him in the Pro Bowl. What a tool. I wonder if he is still running his mouth now that the Chargers are 6 – 8.
by ChiAdam on Dec 17, 2008 12:26 PM EST reply actions
Does Rivers have great stats because he is one of the three best QB’s in the AFC or because he got double shots of the Raiders, Cheifs, and Broncos along with games against Cinci and Cleveland? I think the latter more than the prior.
by doublebogie on Dec 17, 2008 12:54 PM EST reply actions
I agree completely—- complaining about pro-bowl snubs is on par with whining like those hags do on The View. Everyone can’t make the roster.
And until the NFL starts using power rankings to determing who makes the playoffs, then they are useless as the so-called "Sports Journalist" who write them…they’re just articles for a writer with nothing else to do besides give their useless opinions. (See Don Banks from SI.com. I can’t believe that guy has a job as a sports writer. seriously.)
by Oh no, they killed Kenny on Dec 17, 2008 2:07 PM EST reply actions
ChiAdam, to answer your question, YES, Rivers is still running his mouth. And another reason why statistics lie: Rivers had great stats for the recent win over Kansas City. 34-for-48, 346 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT. But that doesn’t include the TWO FUMBLES, the pump-fake that flew out of his hand, the late throws to his targets that turned easy plays into tough catches (that earned Chambers a concussion) or long gains into catch-and-get-crushed-immediately.
Rivers is totally over-rated. Heart of a lion, rah-rah the troops, lead them into battle. Whatever. Try throwing a second and a half earlier, make decisions faster, and win the game in the first half for a change.
Both Rivers and Gates shouldn’t be there. Gates is finally semi-healthy, but his production is way off last year’s pace. But punter Mike Scifres is the best punter in the League. He should be going to the Pro Bowl.
by SanDiegoMark on Dec 17, 2008 5:25 PM EST reply actions
You should recycle that "Phillip Rivers, he’ll make your head quiver" kid rapper before the Chargers are off for the year.
by L'etat, c'est moi on Dec 17, 2008 6:22 PM EST reply actions
As a huge Giant fan, I love the fact that Rivers is upset. I remember when Eli came into a "hostile" stadium and the Giants got whacked by a couple of TDs. Then the Chargers went 12-4 and everyone thought the Eli trade was the stupidest thing since new coke. Well, who’s laughing now, Phil?
by Bluestone9 on Dec 20, 2008 9:57 AM EST reply actions
I love reading posts from fans that only know football from listening to what the media says or don’t know their facts.You’re right Rivers does have the highest QB rating in the league, tied for the most TD’s and has the highest TD to INT ration in the league. I don’t even have to go in to his 4th qrt rating or his 3rd down conversion which are at or near the top. To say he isn’t a good QB when he has more wins in the number of starts he has had then nearly every other QB should show he can play. I don’t think Gates should be going that should have been Dallas ClarkAs for saying he likes to talk anyone that was at the Denver game and actually watched it knows that Cutler was the one running his mouth off the whole time and all Rivers did was say "atta boy" to the defense when they stopped Denver (Granted he said it looking right at Cutler). As for running his mouth off at the fans last year when they beat Indy at Indy yea he shouldn’t have done that.As for the user that said his stats are padded because they play in the AFC West the same thing can be said of Cutler and you should look over the schedule before you write something because they didn’t play Cleveland or Cinci this year. No they played teams like Pit, Indy, Mia, NE, NY, Car, and Atl…all teams that are in the playoff hunt ,oh and they play TB next and of all those games they lost most of those games on the last play of the game.That being said they are the biggest disappointment this year in football, remember this though…had the ref not blown the call in Den they would have the same record and tied for first with either winning the division if they beat TB making the last game a non issue, or if losing to TB they would be playing the final game of the season with a win and they get in.So while they may be the biggest disappointment this year don’t pin that on Rivers.
by mixelplick on Dec 21, 2008 12:16 AM EST reply actions
rivers sucks.
give LT the damn ball.
by sorum84 on Dec 23, 2008 7:16 PM EST reply actions
Rivers sucks and is a total homo…
by Swankattack86 on Dec 24, 2008 9:12 PM EST reply actions
Rivers, the thing is he is a good football player. that being said i hate him…
by Swankattack86 on Dec 24, 2008 9:13 PM EST reply actions
Phillip Rivers is the dude that has led this team to the playoff a couple of times after Drew Brees left via free agency and has been on many levels of statistical comparision a top 10 QB on so many stat charts as well has led SD to where many view Eli Manning could of but may not have b/c of the talent that is bestoyed upon him in NY and there never ending source of finicial influence and media hype.
by corrupted79s on Dec 25, 2008 5:36 AM EST reply actions
Rivers is a punk and not well liked in and out of the NFL, the pro bowl is as much a popularity contest as anything else. I would not vote for him and nobody I know would.
by guffeetax on Dec 27, 2008 2:24 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, I’ll bet 90% of all you dudes talkin’ that smack about how much Rivers suck would take’em over your wack-a$$ QB’s any day of the week.
Furthermore, damn the pro-bowl snub, Philip should be the MVP frontrunner. (32-11…no one is even close to that ratio)
by alphamale79 on Dec 28, 2008 1:43 AM EST reply actions
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