Tag: Pro Bowl

Steelers dominate Pro Bowl fan vote at 6 positions

The Steelers defense could be well represented at the Pro Bowl this year.

The fanbase of the Pittsburgh Steelers is huge. They are fanatical. They are Legion. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Pro Bowl fan vote. Voting ended today and the Steelers had the top vote-getters at six different positions. Voting has ended and these guys are all on top at their respective positions.

Center Maurkice Pouncey

Defensive tackle Cam Heyward

Outside linebacker T.J. Watt

Inside linebacker Devin Bush

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick

Special teams Tyler Matakevich

Here’s the full breakdown of the top vote-getters by position.

The biggest surprise among these votes when it comes to Pittsburgh is along the offensive line. With all due respect to Pouncey, he hasn’t had his best season. In fact, I’d probably say Pouncey has been the third or fourth-best offensive lineman on the team.

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49ers dominate fan voting for Pro Bowl

49ers fans came up big in the Pro Bowl voting behind an 11-3 football team.

The 49ers’ hot start to the 2019 season was rewarded with an outpouring of support in the fan voting portion of the Pro Bowl selection. They had six players lead the NFC in fan voting at their position.

Here are the 49ers who led their positions in votes received:

FB Kyle Juszczyk — 384,200 votes
TE George Kittle — 340,624
DE Nick Bosa — 358,911
DL Arik Armstead — 273,403
CB Richard Sherman — 259,476
RB Raheem Mostert — 113,638

Bosa led all defensive players in votes received, and was the only defender to eclipse 300,000 votes.

Mostert is a special teams pick, although his productivity as a running back late in the season would’ve warranted Pro Bowl consideration had he gotten consistent work all season.

Fan voting counts for one third of the selection process, so there’s no guarantee that all six of these players get a final Pro Bowl nod. Coaches ballots and player ballots each count for one third of the vote.

There aren’t any egregious inclusions among the 49ers players fans voted for, so it’s entirely reasonable all six punch their tickets to Orlando.

For Sherman it would be his fifth trip. Juszczyk would get his fourth and Kittle his second. Mostert,  Bosa and Armstead would all be first timers.

If things go San Francisco’s way, their number of Pro Bowlers won’t matter a ton because they’ll be playing in the Super Bowl and missing the all-star exhibition. Still, getting the recognition for individual performances on one of the NFL’s top teams would be another positive sign that the 49ers are moving in the right direction.

Texans’ DeAndre Hopkins finishes fan voting as AFC’s top WR Pro Bowl vote-getter

Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is heading to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time, as he finishes as the AFC’s top WR vote-getter.

DeAndre Hopkins, the people’s wide receiver.

With fan voting for the 2020 Pro Bowl wrapped up, the Houston Texans wide receiver stands as the most popular at his position in the AFC. Hopkins finished the fan voting stage with 275,684 votes to get him to Orlando in February of 2020.

“Nuk” is now guaranteed to make the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his seven-year career and third year in a row. He will do so as an AFC starter, which the NFL will announce on Tuesday.

Though his numbers aren’t perhaps as gaudy as 2018, Hopkins’ campaign is well worth another Pro Bowl nod. In 14 games, the 27-year-old has 99 receptions for 1,142 yards and seven touchdowns. The reception mark is second in the NFL, behind the New Orleans Saints’ Michael Thomas.

Whether or not Hopkins attends the Pro Bowl is unknown, however. Though he has earned the honor thrice before, he has only been once. Players can opt-out of attending.

Michael Thomas, multiple Saints lead positions in Pro Bowl voting

New Orleans Saints star Michael Thomas was joined by Vonn Bell, Marcus Williams, Wil Lutz, and Deonte Harris in 2020 Pro Bowl fan voting.

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The NFL has closed fan voting for the 2020 Pro Bowl, and multiple New Orleans Saints players led their positions in votes earned in the NFC. They include:

  • Michael Thomas, wide receiver. 371,365 votes
  • Vonn Bell, strong safety. 98,449 votes
  • Marcus Williams, free safety. 93,593 votes
  • Wil Lutz, kicker. 106,747 votes.
  • Deonte Harris, returns specialist. 84,085 votes.

Thomas and Lutz are not shocking selections — if anything, it would be insulting to see them overlooked by fans. But it’s a bit of a surprise to see Bell and Williams make the cut, given the reputation the Saints defense still has as a leaky unit despite its recent successes (and Williams’ ugly errors under the spotlight). The inclusion of Harris, a rookie out of a small school who’s turned into a huge asset for the Saints, is terrific to see.

However, being featured on this list doesn’t guarantee a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster. Ballots from players and coaches are each being submitted, and they’ll count for two-thirds of the total tally against the fan vote. It’s likely many Saints players still make the cut, but it probably won’t be all five of the names ranked highly by fans. Other Saints could make it in as alternates, though everyone would rather they all be preparing for the Super Bowl instead.

The NFL will announce the official Pro Bowl rosters on Tuesday, so keep an eye out for that reveal. Here’s the full position-by-position breakdown:

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Saints mourn death of famed ‘Dome Patrol’ linebacker Vaughan Johnson

Former New Orleans Saints LB Vaughan Johnson passed away Thursday, leaving a legacy filled with ‘Dome Patrol’ memories and four Pro Bowls.

The New Orleans Saints lost a great member of the black and gold this week, after former linebacker Vaughan Johnson passed away after battling kidney disease. He was 57, and is survived by his wife and children.

Johnson was a key piece of the famous “Dome Patrol” Saints defenses of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, having played alongside Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, and the late Sam Mills. Johnson represented the Saints in four Pro Bowl appearances, including the 1992 Pro Bowl in which all four linebackers were invited — the only time it’s happened in the history of the NFL’s all-star game.

Having starred at North Carolina State in college, Johnson was initially drafted not by the NFL, but by the then-competitor United States Football Legaue, joining the Jacksonville Bulls in 1984. The Saints claimed his rights in the NFL’s supplemental draft of USFL and Canadian Football League players, and he signed with New Orleans after the USFL folded in 1986.

While Jackson was the unquestioned star of the group and Swilling the most athletically-gifted, Mills and Johnson were the glue and no-nonsense pros who kept the group together. Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio was the Saints’ linebackers coach during the “Dome Patrol” era, and he described Johnson to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen as, “He was a great teammate, loved by everyone. He was a ferocious hitter and great all around ILB. And feared by the RBs in the league when he played. Ask Roger Craig.”

Johnson was remembered by other peers like Hall of Fame kicker Morten Andersen, who praised the linebacker’s kind nature off the field and ferocity during games in equal measure. Andersen bid his old teammate farewell and asked that Johnson greet Mills, who died in 2005, when they meet again.

It’s a sad day for the Who Dat Nation. But it doesn’t have to be. Johnson created many memories for long-time Saints fans, and it’s past time for the Saints to recognize their contributions. Late owner Tom Benson and living legend Steve Gleason have bronze statues in their likeness outside the Superdome, and an effigy of Mills guards the Carolina Panthers’ stadium (his second team) to this day. Renovations are already planned for the Superdome, set to begin in 2020; wouldn’t it be great if statues of Johnson, Mills, Swilling, and Jackson joined them to greet fans someday, sooner rather than later?

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Joe Horn among 10 ex-players charged with defrauding NFL health care plan

Former New Orleans Saints WR Joe Horn was charged with Pro Bowl RB Clinton Portis and several peers by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn found himself in hot water on Thursday, when the U.S. Department of Justice charged a group of 10 retired NFL players with defrauding a league health care plan. Unlike the other former players in this group, Horn is being charged with a bill of information after agreeing to cooperate with government authorities. Other names on the list include former Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis and his Washington Redskins teammates Carlos Rogers, Robert McCune and John Eubanks. A handful of other ex-NFL players round out the group.

According to the charges detailed in the DOJ report, retired NFL players including Horn submitted fraudulent claims totaling $3.9 million, with the league reimbursing $3.4 million of them between June 2018 and December 2018. Claims were made for expensive medical equipment in the range of $40,000 to $50,000 such as cryotherapy saunas, hyperbaric chambers, and electromagnetic therapy devices, but that equipment was never purchased.

Horn is charged along with the other defendants on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, but nine individual counts of wire fraud and nine different counts of health care fraud are also on the table. Penalties for these counts are as steep as 20 years in prison and up to $250,000.

It’s a developing story, and one worth watching as prosecutors proceed forwards. Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski held a press conference to announce the charges, saying, “Ten former NFL players allegedly committed a brazen, multimillion-dollar fraud on a health care plan meant to help their former teammates and other retired players pay legitimate, out-of-pocket medical expenses. Today’s indictments underscore that, whoever you are, if you loot health care programs to line your own pockets, you will be held accountable by the Department of Justice.”

This is certainly a disappointing turn for Horn, who played 103 of his 165 career NFL games with the Saints. He was one of the team’s most prominent players in the early 2000’s, though he lasted only 10 games once Saints coach Sean Payton was hired in 2006.

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On 31st birthday, Russell Wilson says he wants to play until he’s 45

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson reiterated on his 31st birthday that he hopes to play in the NFL until he is 45.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, celebrating his 31st birthday on Friday, reiterated to media members that he hopes to continue playing football until age 45.

“That’s just what I feel like I can do,” Wilson said. “It’s my eighth season I feel like I’m just getting started. I feel like I haven’t done anything yet. That’s a good feeling. I’m fortunate to be able to play every game and be out there every play. I just feel really young and more vibrant than ever. Arm feels great, mind feels better, heart feels even better than that. Got a great organization, great people around me. I’ve just invested in my body, my mind, making sure my mind is ready to go every week, every season and in the offseason.”

Wilson may not feel like he has done anything yet, but five Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl ring is certainly not nothing. He’s also on an MVP pace so far this season, and is all but a lock to make his sixth Pro Bowl appearance as well.

Wilson takes inspiration from a handful of athletes, from a variety of sports, for his longevity goals.

“My favorite athlete is [former Yankees shortstop] Derek Jeter, I just remember when he retired playing 20 years for the New York Yankees and tipping his hat,” Wilson continued. “I think that 20 years is kind of in my head. I got a long ways to go. Eight years in and I feel better than ever. And then obviously seeing Tom [Brady] do it, I’ve gotten to know Tom over the past several years, just talking to him and seeing where he’s at. I think for me it’s realistic and I feel great.”

Wilson has had a profound impact on the game of football, as a mobile quarterback who has bucked the trend by being injury-free and not seeing his performance decline as he aged.

If he is able to play into his 40’s, he will not only be a surefire Hall of Famer, he’ll have cemented his legacy as a trendsetter for dual-threat quarterbacks.

For now, Wilson will hope to celebrate his birthday weekend with a win over Minnesota on Monday night, which would bring the Seahawks to 10-2 on the season.

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UT News: November 29, 2019

An exciting weekend of Volunteers sports is now upon us, with the men’s basketball team traveling to Florida to take on the Florida State Seminoles, while the football team gets geared up for their final game of the regular season on Saturday. …

An exciting weekend of Volunteers sports is now upon us, with the men’s basketball team traveling to Florida to take on the Florida State Seminoles, while the football team gets geared up for their final game of the regular season on Saturday. Meanwhile, a handful of VFL players are on the Twitter NFL Pro Bowl ballot, just waiting for your vote.

Vols basketball face FSU

The Tennessee men’s basketball team takes on the Florida State Seminoles tonight in the 2019 Emerald Coast Classic held in Niceville, Fla. The Vols will face FSU in their semifinal game inside The Arena at Northwest Florida State College.

Tennessee is coming off a strong defensive effort against in a win against the Chattanooga Mocs, and look to keep their season-opening win streak alive. The match will be the ninth time the two teams have faced each other on the parquet, with their most recent meeting coming way back in 1989. The Vols lead the all-time series, 5-3.

A victory on Friday night would improve the Volunteers to 6-0, their best start since 2010-2011, when they came out of the gates with seven-straight wins.

Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on the CBS Sports Network and can be heard on local Vol Network affiliates.

NEXT: Tennessee wraps up regular season vs. Vandy

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3 former Seahawks among 25 Hall of Fame semifinalists

Former Seattle Seahawks Steve Hutchinson, Ricky Watters and Edgerrin James are among the 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Hall of Fame.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame reduced the list of 122 modern-era nominees to 25 on Tuesday, and three of the eight former Seattle Seahawks remain: guard Steve Hutchinson and running backs Ricky Watters and Edgerrin James.

The original class of 2020 ballot also included quarterback Dave Krieg; running backs Shaun Alexander and Chris Warren; center Ray Donovan; and punter Jeff Feagles.

Hutchinson is the likeliest of the trio to gain Hall of Fame status this winter, having finished as a finalist in each of the past two years. The guard was a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro in his 12-year career.

James only appeared in seven games for the Seahawks in the 2009 season, rushing 46 times for just 125 yards. He is 13th all-time in rushing yards, however, and has a decent chance of hearing his name called this year.

Watters’ success came primarily as a member of the 49ers, but he did post four quality seasons with Seattle from 1998-2001, rushing 994 times for 4,009 yards and four touchdowns.

A Pro Bowler in each of his first five NFL seasons, Watters is 24th all-time in rushing yards and 22nd in rushing touchdowns.

The ballot will be pared down again, this time from 25 to 15, and they will be announced in January. The final ballot with five inductees will be announced the Saturday before the Super Bowl. As part of the Hall’s special 20-member class of 2020, they will be joined by 10 “senior” players (who have been retired for more than 25 seasons), three “contributors” (neither a player nor coach) and two coaches.

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2020 Pro Bowl fan voting: 5 Saints players lead the NFC at their positions

Five New Orleans Saints players lead the 2020 Pro Bowl in voting at their positions for the NFC, including longtime punter Thomas Morstead.

Voting for the 2020 Pro Bowl is in full swing, and the New Orleans Saints are proving to be a popular pick. The NFL announced Wednesday that only two teams have garnered more total votes (the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens), and five different Saints players lead their position in fan votes for the NFC. Here is who is paving the way for New Orleans:

  • Wide receiver Michael Thomas (206,882)
  • Free safety Marcus Williams (40,403)
  • Kicker Wil Lutz (43,425)
  • Punter Thomas Morstead (37,038)
  • Kick returner Deonte Harris (35,310)

On top of that, Thomas is leading the league at wide receiver in Pro Bowl votes earned, with a healthy lead on Houston Texans star DeAndre Hopkins (162,584). The days of Thomas being overlooked and underrated on the national stage are behind us: he’s being recognized as the all-world talent Saints fans have known him to be.

It’s impressive to see three Saints special teams aces being so highly considered, including both kicking specialists and Harris, the rookie returner. Morstead is playing the best football of his long Saints career, and he’s rightfully being praised by fans around the country. You love to see it.

Remember, the Pro Bowl has reverted back to its original format with team representing the AFC and the NFC; they’re no longer using the pick-em format to build teams in the days before the game. So, for now, at least five Saints players are on the NFC Pro Bowl roster — though players and coaches  have not yet cast their own ballots.

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Saints players by accessing the official Pro Bowl ballot at this link.

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