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.
8
Paid Advertisement
Podcast Audio Vault
88Paid Advertisement
Share the Post:
8Paid Advertisement
Right Now in Baltimore
The Ravens go on the clock with Pick 14 and then move to 'Super Bowl' time
The purple land of hopes and expectations begins on Thursday night with the NFL Draft. Luke Jones and Nestor get you ready for a myriad of draft possibilities and outcomes for Eric DeCosta and the Baltimore Ravens under rookie head coach Jesse Minter. We'll be picking and opining all weekend as spring hopes remain eternal in Owings Mills.
When will the frozen Orioles bats thaw this spring?
Sure, it's not the lineup that manager Craig Albernaz envisioned back in Sarasota in February but the Orioles need to figure out how to stop striking out and start hitting with runners in scoring position. Nestor Aparicio and Luke Jones discussed the Birds' struggles, including a five-game losing streak and scuffling through Kansas City waiting for the roster to get healthier and more productive.
Who can Orioles really count on to "pitch" in as innings add up?
Is there an "ace" in the starting rotation deck for the Baltimore Orioles? Sure, we all believed that Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish would make it look easy and that Shane Baz would pitch to his contract and Chris Bassitt would stabilize the staff and Zach Eflin...and then the season began. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Birds' pitching depth and scraping by on any win possible in Kansas City.
888Paid Advertisement
