Sporting News Agrees - Clady Robbed!

by hoosierteacher on Dec 18, 2008 2:09 AM MST Comment 17 comments

A very good write up in The Sporting News by Albert Breer makes the case for several players who where snubbed for the Pro Bowl. Clady's case is air tight.

I like many of the points the author makes for many of the players. One thing I really like is his acknowledgment that stats don't paint the entire picture. Sometimes the play of a key position (like Wilfork - NT Pats; Robbins - DT NYGs; Dansby - OLB Cards) can make other players look good around them, while not being flashy themselves.

I get the case for Rivers, but see a case against him too. Character has knocked a lot of so-called "greats" off the list this year, and Rivers acts like a spoiled child.

Still, as I've pointed out elsewhere, I'm not going to pout about Clady.

Rookies don't often get the nod.
He will be going to the Pro Bowl for years to come anyway.
Cutler and Marshall deserve our support for being named, and we shouldn't ignore them out of spite for Clady's lack of recognition.

Did the Pro Bowl voters take name recognition over talent? Sure. (Favre and six other Jets is so ridiculous that it SCREAMS east coast bias). Clady knows how good he is, and more importantly, the Broncos management understands how good he is. That's really what matters. Clady will be very rich, very respected by his peers, and have job security for years to come. And yes, he'll be in the Pro Bowl many times before he retires.

Anyway, take a read at the linked article. It's got some sound thinking behind it, and deserves a look.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Rivers has good statistics, but....

his on field persona is so ridiculous. Rivers , a key contributor for such a large marketing machine (the NFL, not the small market Chargers) should be able to project more marketability. Peyton Manning provides a good example of marketability.

Maybe Rivers could do ads for Exlax, he is always grimacing or shouting about something.

The future looks so bright that we're going to need blue and orange sunglasses!

by Arctic Bronco on Dec 18, 2008 3:34 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

The thing is, the Pro Bowl is terrible...

I mean Clady should’ve gotten in and he deserved it, but who really cares? Does anyone actually watch the Pro Bowl? If so, why?

by SethGrandpa on Dec 18, 2008 5:24 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I totally agree

For the love of the animals. 24

by Earthtiger24 on Dec 18, 2008 9:45 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's the thing

If Jay is smart, I am sure he is paying for a trip to Hawii for all his O-linemen, so I am guessing that would be reward enough for me, a trip to Hawii and not have to practice or play in the game.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Dec 18, 2008 9:45 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I can't say I completely agree

with his assessment of Clady:

being every bit the player No. 1-overall pick Jake Long has been

I think he has been every bit the player that Jake Long is and so much more. I find it hard to believe that Long has anywhere near .5 sacks and only 3 penalties called against him (I’m not sure where to find the stats).

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"Superman wears Peyton Hillis pajamas" - FlaBronco

by DesertBroncoFan on Dec 18, 2008 11:37 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

He's much better than Long

Long is athletically limited, and is never going to be better than average in pass-protection on the left side. He simply lacks the lateral movement skills that Clady has. Long is outstanding as a run-blocker, and profiles as a Right Tackle type who plays on the Left. This is similar to Ryan Harris, who is a Left Tackle type, who plays on the right.

Clady is the total package, and has the natural athleticism to potentially be the best player who ever played the position. I realize that that is a bold statement, but he has literally been the best in the business from the first game he played. I’ve heard that Anthony Munoz was too, though I was very young then, and don’t know firsthand. Nobody in my 22 years of watching football has ever done it, though.

Clady’s athleticism, nastiness, and clear ability to learn quickly put him on a track for unprecedented greatness.

"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy

by TedBartlett905 on Dec 18, 2008 11:51 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Dec 18, 2008 12:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

+100

My image is the Circa 1960-’61 Broncos home uniform sock. Some what folk lore to me ... but referred to as the clown sock by my Dad.

by YellowStoneBronco on Dec 18, 2008 1:55 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

His assesment of Clady is in a different context.

He’s saying that that Clady has been at least as good as the guy selected to go, meaning, he’s no worse. Because he believes that Clady should be the one going, his remark is somewhat facetious. He’s really saying Clady is better.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Dec 18, 2008 1:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

HT, what exactly is "east coast bias'?

The Pro Bowl is voted by the fans, it isn’t anyone’s fault that New York has a population of about 20 million people. Of course they going to get more votes than Denver who has a population of 588 thousand as of July 1st 2007. As for Miami, they have 5.4 million people, so again more fans to vote for their team. Living on the East Coast, I do understand and totally agree that the major city teams on the East Coast get more press, I understand “East Coast Bias” but from the press, not the Pro Bowl. It’s the fans vote, we just got outnumbered.

by Steve O' on Dec 18, 2008 2:51 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

and I'll add

if the vote was held strictly by football people “in the know” ie coaches, players, scouts, coordinators, then we would see the best players at their position and not a “hey I heard of him” vote.

by Steve O' on Dec 18, 2008 2:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The answer is simple.

First, from what I’ve read, the players know as much as we do about other players they vote for. Most of them rely on the main stream media (which is based in NY), and most of them ask their buddies who they are voting for. (I’ve read this in several interviews). This means that a 1/3 of the vote comes from the big market teams out east (fans), and a 1/3 comes from players who are more focused on their own games. The coaches may be the best determination, but they are only a third of the vote.
Bottom line, most players (not just fans) rely on the media for their votes.

Really now, can you honestly justify 7 players from the NY Jets?

A lot of players make it on name recognition (we both know this to be fact). The addage is also true that many players are late to get to the bowl, but also late to leave (this is because the media is behind those in the know about who is great or not). The media latches onto to a lot of players who are big names well past their prime.

Frankly, I’m not even comfortable with fans and players voting at all (and I hate that the media is involved directly in the Hall of Garbage). Ideally, 32 coaches would get together for a weekend, and wheel and deal who they think is deserving. Each team has one vote that way, bot most coaches are going to be fair and voting blocks would likely overule the coaches who would be homers.

Just my opinion.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Dec 18, 2008 4:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

No you can't justify 7 players from the Jets

Other than saying that it is because they have over 20 million people in New York City, some of whom are Jets fan’s, than you have millions more out on Long Island, than you have all of New Jersey. The Pro Bowl is a popularity contest, sorry but Denver will never win that battle.

Does that make it right, no. But I can’t say it is biased, again I simply think we were out numbered.

by Steve O' on Dec 18, 2008 9:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Everyone in Jersey

that I know are Giants fans and can’t stand the Jets.

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"Superman wears Peyton Hillis pajamas" - FlaBronco

by DesertBroncoFan on Dec 19, 2008 1:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I get that the high number of east coasters give the vote to a lot east coast teams.

But my point on bias is different. 2/3 of the vote comes from fans and players, both of whom get most of their info from the media. That media is based primarily in NYC.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Dec 19, 2008 2:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

IMO

the worse Jet Pro bowl pick is Favre. Yes I get all the BS love on him, BUT he doesnt deserve it. But as long as that clown keeps playing he will get a nod. I hate all all-star voting and selection process (especially the hall of no broncos). I would just as soon abolish this BS game. Nobody really wants to play. When its all said and done both Clady and Champ will be pro-bowlers (seeing the are both first alternates)

somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong

by broncfanstuckinsd on Dec 19, 2008 12:17 PM MST reply actions 0 recs