Learning the 9-2 Ravens have six players leading their respective positions in voting for the Pro bowl is no surprise, but the list of names is a change from the past with linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs missing large portions of the season with injuries.
Free safety Ed Reed, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, and fullback Vonta Leach each made the Pro Bowl last season for the Ravens and are once again leading their respective positions in the voting. Joining them are cornerback Cary Williams, strong safety Bernard Pollard, and kick returner Jacoby Jones when the latest voting totals were released on Wednesday.
Often maligned by Ravens fans, Williams has played better as the season has progressed and is tied for the AFC lead with four interceptions. Pollard leads the team with 82 tackles this season with the perennial leader Lewis being sidelined for the last five games with a torn right triceps. Neither defensive back has been selected to the Pro Bowl in their respective careers.
Jones appears to be the favorite in the AFC to go to Honolulu as a kick returner after being named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season. He has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and his 63-yard punt return for a touchdown was the difference in the Ravens’ 13-10 win over Pittsburgh two weeks ago.
The news of Reed and Ngata leading their respective spots is no shock, but their underwhelming performances — at least by their incredible standards — would leave their inclusion up for debate. Reed is an eight-time selection to the game while Ngata has been named to the last three Pro Bowls. Leach is a two-time Pro Bowl selection at the fullback position, one coming in his first season in Baltimore and another with Houston in 2010.
Ngata leads the team with 219,581 votes and is followed in order by Williams (141,660), Leach (127,610), Reed (84,017), Jones (80,278), and Pollard (57,875).
Voting continues through Dec. 17, and teams will be announced on Dec. 26. The Pro Bowl will be played on Jan. 27, 2013 in Honolulu.
The AFC and NFC teams are selected based on voting by players, coaches, and fans with each counting for one-third of the final outcome.
Ngata, Reed, four other Ravens leading way in Pro Bowl voting
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
Podcast Audio Vault
Share the Post:
Right Now in Baltimore
Back in the Hammerjacks groove with Ace Frehley of KISS in 1990
The legendary guitarist reflected on Kiss's merchandising over-commercialization and his past substance abuse issues. Frehley expressed openness to a Kiss reunion if given equal production control.
The Maryland Crab Cake Tour schedule for the holidays is here:
There's no place like home for the holidays and no one more makes us feel more warm and welcome during December than our incredible sponsors, friends, supporters and local businesses that power us up all year-round. The Maryland Crab Cake…
Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray talks baseball at 2000 All Star Game as Rick Sutcliffe busts in on Nestor
During his stint at Sporting News Radio, Nestor broadcast live from the field in Atlanta's Turner Field at the Major League Baseball All Star Game. It's not every morning that a fly guy like McGrath can mix baseball and music…