Tag: 2022 Pro Bowl

Studs and duds from the 2022 Pro Bowl

Here are our studs and duds from the 2022 Pro Bowl.

The NFL’s annual all-star game has finally devolved into a slopfest. In the first half alone, the quarterbacks threw six interceptions. Fans were also treated to drops, missed cues and no tackling effort at all. In the end the AFC beat the NFC, winning by a score of 41-35.

Here are our studs and duds from the 2022 Pro Bowl.

Watch: Hunter Renfrow catches TD in Pro Bowl, doing for Mac Jones what he does for Derek Carr

Watch: Mac Jones enjoys spoils of Hunter Renfrow in Pro Bowl doing what he usually does for Derek Carr

For the most part the NFL Pro Bowl is unwatchable. But there are some good moments in there. Hunter Renfrow supplied one in the third quarter for the AFC. And Raiders fans may recognize what he did to make the TD catch.

Mac Jones rolled right, extending the play and saw Hunter Renfrow trying to make himself available to him. Jones made a clutch throw just around defenders and Renfrow made the catch in the back of the end zone.

Renfrow is known around the league for his route running. But for the Raiders, he’s also known for being the guy who will break off his route and get open when his quarterback tries to extend a play.

Here’s a good example in the team’s win over the Colts late last season:

This catch set the Raiders up for the game-winning score on a Daniel Carlson field goal to beat the Colts 23-20.

That wasn’t even the first time in that game that Renfrow broke off his route to get open for Carr on the run. He scored a touchdown earlier.

Panthers great Luke Kuechly has to figure out ‘what’s next’

During Saturday’s Pro Bowl festivities, Panthers great Luke Kuechly said he misses the game and will have to figure out what’s next for him.

Ever since his retirement following the 2019 campaign, Luke Kuechly has (inadvertently) started a waiting game with the Carolina Panthers faithful. And two years later, they’re still waiting—waiting for the franchise great and fan favorite to make his inevitable return as a coach.

The former seven-time Pro Bowler joined this week’s all-star festivities in Las Vegas, Nev. as a Legends Captain for the NFC. During Saturday’s practice, Kuechly caught up with Kayla Burton of the NFL Network and left his possibilities open.

“I miss the game,” Kuechly told Burton. “I worked with the Panthers last year, 2020, in the scouting department. It was a lot of fun. I learned a lot. And, now, there’s a couple of things I’ve always wanted to do trip-wise, so that’s what this fall was about.”

Kuechly stepped down from his role as a pro scout in May of 2021. When addressing his decision, the 30-year-old said he was looking forward to getting out on hunting and fishing trips and spending time with friends and family.

“Now that fall’s over, I gotta put my nose down and figure out what I’ma do next,” he then added.

And whatever “next” means—whether it’s a return to the game in some capacity or a return to the wilderness—there may eventually be a headset waiting for him in Charlotte.

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2022 Pro Bowl: Russell Wilson throws game’s sixth interception of first half

Russell Wilson has the latest.

Turns out nobody is taking the 2022 Pro Bowl seriously, least of all the quarterbacks. With the exception of the Chargers’ rising star Justin Herbert, the QBs who have taken the field have all been extremely careless with the ball, resulting in a flurry of ugly turnovers.

The tone was set early by Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, whose first pass of the game was deflected and nearly picked off by Maxx Crosby of the Raiders. Murray ended that possession with a pick-six to Colts linebacker Darius Leonard, anyway. With a few minutes to go in the first half, both teams have combined for six interceptions. Russell Wilson has the latest.

That’s Wilson’s second pick of the game, but the first was not his fault. That  pass was deflected off the hands of 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

Anyway, if this is the way the Pro Bowl is going to be played the NFL would be better off just cancelling the whole thing. Embrace the skills competitions and add more of them.

Update:

The AFC leads 28-21 at halftime.

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The Pro Bowl’s understandable lack of tackling had NFL fans annoyed

It’s two-hand touch out there, for good reason.

The Pro Bowl stinks.

As an honor for some of the NFL’s best players, it kinda works. Stars get recognized for their contributions by fans, players, and coaches to boost Hall of Fame resumes and add a little extra cash to their contracts. A few scrubs slide in from time to time, especially at quarterback when alternates are selected. Even so, most of the players who wound up in Honolulu, or Orlando, or 2022’s destination Las Vegas are worthy standouts.

But the action on the field it’s the dinner theatre version of an actual football game. It’s bad football played by good players who have no interest in putting their bodies on the line yet again in an exhibition. As such, most players go through the motions (Nick Chubb is a notable exception).

No one’s particularly interested in tackling or blocking because, well, that’s what the last 17+ games were for. The Pro Bowl, with no incentive to perform well, is more about sweating out hangovers than replicating meaningful football.

Which is how you get plays like this:

Fans and players have noticed the low-stress environment in Vegas.

Watch: Titans’ Kevin Byard records INT in 2022 Pro Bowl

Titans safety Kevin Byard notched an interception in the 2022 Pro Bowl.

Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard has recorded an interception during the 2022 Pro Bowl in Las Vegas.

Byard is making his second-career Pro Bowl appearance this year after being the leading vote-getter at his position. He is joined by other Titans such as defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, outside linebacker Harold Landry and left guard Rodger Saffold, all of whom were injury replacements.

During the second quarter with the game tied at seven, Byard picked off a deep ball from Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and recorded a healthy return afterwards. He then lateraled it to Indianapolis Colts corner Kenny Moore to pick up some extra yards.

Byard, who also received his second career All-Pro nod, recorded five picks in 2021, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL, and the most he had recorded since the 2019 campaign.

If you’re interested in catching the rest of the Pro Bowl, you can tune in to ESPN or ABC to watch.

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Russell Wilson robbed of touchdown by 2 drops from NFC team at 2022 Pro Bowl

The AFC leads the NFC 14-13 going into the second quarter.

Sometimes there’s only so much a quarterback can do. Seahawks star Russell Wilson is going through it today at the 2022 Pro Bowl. Wilson is the third NFC QB to make an appearance in the game after Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins both threw interceptions.

Wilson led a drive into the red zone but came up with nothing thanks to a couple of drops from his receivers.

First, Justin Jefferson of the Vikings dropped a pass that hit him in the numbers.

Then, 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk had one bounce off his fingertips and into the hands of Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson.

The AFC leads the NFC 14-13 going into the second quarter.

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Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs beats out 3 Pro Bowl WRs for ‘Best Catch’

Trevon Diggs went between the legs and did a front flip to top Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, and his own brother Stefon in the contest. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Nothing about the Pro Bowl or the accompanying skills competition counts for anything but bragging rights. But that’s apparently enough for a couple of Cowboys making their first appearance at the all-star event.

On the same night when Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons beat out the league’s fastest man- the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill- in a foot race, it was a Cowboys defensive back, not a wide receiver, who surprisingly walked away with first place in the Best Catch contest.

As the lineup for the Best Catch competition was announced Thursday night at Las Vegas Ballpark, there was definitely a feeling of “one of these things is not like the others.” Along with Hill, Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, and Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs… was Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs. The possibilities that could come from a good old sibling rivalry were obviously just too rich for the NFL to pass up.

Trevon played receiver for part of his college career at Alabama, before coach Nick Saban famously convinced him to switch to defense. But while the 2021 interception champ has shown impressive hands in his two pro seasons, pitting him in a catch contest against the three whose sole job it is to catch passes felt unfair.

Only, that is, until the balls started flying.

A panel of three judges (including David Tyree and Santonio Holmes, both of whom know something about making an impressive grab) would hand out scores. Each player’s total would come from two receptions: one with a prop, and one without.

Trevon’s non-prop catch came between his legs as he sailed through the air, snaring a Kirk Cousins pass with one hand against the back of his thigh and drawing it up into his body- never using his other hand- as he crashed to the padded mat with possession.

The younger Diggs brother earned a 96, 100, and 100 from the judges for the effort.

Stefon did a one-handed sideline stab, Hill tried to re-create Tyree’s Super Bowl helmet catch, and Jefferson brought one ball through his legs while catching a second to close out the first round.

Despite their receptions, Trevon took a slight lead into the second round, where props were allowed.

Stefon started by making a catch while spotlighting the Buffalo tradition of crashing through a tailgating table (which was draped with Trevon’s jersey). Jefferson went off a trampoline, grabbed a ball from the Vikings mascot as he flew overhead, and caught a pass while airborne with his other hand. Hill donned a cheetah-print coat, launched himself off the trampoline, caught a high pass, and attempted to slam-dunk the ball through his son’s waiting arms as he landed.

All a fun show, but it was Trevon’s second catch that brought the house down. Taking a throw from Russell Wilson, he vaulted off the trampoline and did a full front flip, catching the ball while upside down and then completing the 360.

Even after his unanimous scores of 100-plus were rounded down, Diggs- the cornerback– was crowned the winner of the Best Catch competition over the three Pro Bowl receivers.

“I had to represent for all my DBs out there,” Diggs said afterward. “They say that we can’t catch. It’s a new age; we can catch.”

Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore admitted back in December that Diggs has lobbied for doing it in a game.

“There are a number of defensive guys that are trying to get on the offensive opportunities here,” Moore told reporters. “Trevon has been selling [the idea]… So we’ll see.”

The front flips and between-the-leg business are stunts that will likely never come up during an actual game. But Diggs showed off a jaw-dropping skill set Thursday night, one that just might finally convince Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy to draw up a few routes for him here and there.

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First Pro Bowl selection ‘a great honor’ for Renfrow

Former Clemson star Hunter Renfrow will make his first career Pro Bowl apperance this Sunday in his own NFL team’s stadium – Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders’ third-year receiver took the field Thursday for the first day …

Former Clemson star Hunter Renfrow will make his first career Pro Bowl apperance this Sunday in his own NFL team’s stadium — Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Raiders’ third-year receiver took the field Thursday for the first day of Pro Bowl practice at Las Vegas Ballpark and met with the media there.

Renfrow talked about earning his first Pro Bowl nod and finding out he was selected to join the AFC roster as an alternate to the Pro Bowl.

“I found out during the season and then I found out maybe two or three weeks ago that I would be an alternate for Ja’Marr [Chase] or Tyreek [Hill] were probably going to play in the Super Bowl so I’d probably be up,” Renfrow said, via Raiders.com. “I was excited because it’s something that’s going to be attached to your name forever. It’s not why you play the game. I didn’t dream of playing in the Pro Bowl – I dreamed of winning a Super Bowl playing, having fun with my teammates but it’s a great honor and an added superlative.”

Renfrow is excited to team up with fellow stars on the AFC roster, including the aforementioned Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

“Just watching the Kansas City guys is going to be fun,” Renfrow said. “With Tyreek and how fast he is and [Travis] Kelce and how he can improvise. But really all of them. They’re all at the top of their game and they’re all the best of the best. So, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from them.”

Renfrow also commented on his new head coach, former Patriots offensive coordinator and former Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, who was introduced as the Raiders’ new head coach on Monday.

“He’s an unbelievable coach. I’m excited to work with him,” Renfrow said. “I talked to him, he called me after he got the job and just said how excited he was and I feel the same way. What he’s been able to do with slot receivers – and receivers in general – hopefully we can just build and take off where we were last year.”

Renfrow recorded career highs and ranked among the top 10 in the league in receptions (103) and receiving touchdowns (nine) this season. He also led the Raiders in receiving yards with 1,038, becoming the first Raiders receiver to record over 1,000 receiving yards in a season since 2016.

Renfrow became just the third player in franchise history to record 100-plus receptions in a single season. He is also just the second wide receiver to record both 100-plus receptions and 1,000-plus receiving yards in a single season.

You can watch Renfrow in the 2022 Pro Bowl this Sunday at 3 p.m. on ESPN/ABC.

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

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Panthers’ Brian Burns, Stephon Gilmore arrive at 2022 Pro Bowl

Panthers representatives Brian Burns and Stephon Gilmore hit Vegas on Thursday to kick off this weekend’s 2022 Pro Bowl festivities.

There’s not much to be celebrated about the Carolina Panthers’ 2021 campaign. After all, what’s really left when the team goes 5-12 with seven straight losses to close out the season?

Well, what was left were two noteworthy distinctions—Pro Bowl nods for defensive end Brian Burns and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. For Burns, it was his first. And for Gilmore, it’s only his fourth straight and fifth overall.

But, regardless of how many times they’ve done it, it’s always worth taking the experience in. Here’s how Burns and Gilmore hit the Las Vegas scene to kick off the weekend’s all-star festivities.