Pro Bowl Snubs

Yesterday the 2012 Pro Bowl rosters were announced. After having a good year and making the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, the Lions were expected to have a few extra helmets roaming around Honolulu but the fans felt differently.Calvin Johnson will be the only Lions player playing in the Pro Bowl.

Number 81, who's having a career year, deserved the nod. He's caught 85 passes, gained 1,437 yards, and pulled down 15 TDs and there's still one game left. But Calvin shouldn't be the only Lion headed to Hawaii.

One other Lion that should be in Hawaii is Cliff Avril (36 tackles, 11 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles). Cliff is having a great year. Since being drafted in 2008, he has increased his sack total every year. It's not just about the stats though. He's made key plays in every Lions win this year. But look at who made the team at defensive end, there's no way he could've made it over them. Jason Pierre-Paul had 15.5 sacks, Jason Babin had 18 sacks, and Jared Allen had 18.5 sacks. Hard to argue that he should've been selected over one of them. Cliff is getting real comfortable in this defense and should have another good year next year. As long has he re-signs, I truly expect the see him in Hawaii this time next year.

The Lion that should definitely be there with Calvin is the man that throws him the ball, Matthew Stafford. It might be redundant, but this kid is having a career year. How could he not with Calvin having one? With one game remaining, he's racked up 4,518 yards and thrown 36TDs. No way he would be selected over Rodgers and Brees, but he should've been selected over the "other Manning". Granted Eli is having a good year too, throwing for more yards (4,587) but less TDs (26). But that doesn't tell the story. Eli has been up and down this season. Good one week, down the next. Stafford has been clutch all year, bringing the team back from 14 point deficits 4 times this season.

But if the Eli selection wasn't enough, Newton and Romo were selected as alternates before Stafford. Not only did Stafford beat both of them this season but he had better stats. Romo threw for only 3,895 yards with 29TDs. While Newton threw for 3,893 yards with just 20TDs. Stafford not being selected upsets me. But think about it, would we rather see him in Indy or Hawaii?