Jacoby Ford is the best return man in the AFC. Brad Smith is the best special teamer on that list though.
I haven't slept in about 3 weeks awaiting this announcement. Lord knows how I'll make it thru the next month.
Mariani deserves it. He's the only guy on the list catching punts. I know some people don't care about that, but I feel like a return specialist should be capable of returning punts and kicks. Three very, very good kick returners right there, though. Al Davis only needed to draft 37 players before his "fast=win" philosophy paid off again: Ford is going to be a special player.
Mariani, Smith, and Ford were all good options, really the only options. Mariani has also been a very good punt returner with a touchdown returning back there, too. You could make a strong case for any of the 3. Mariani is the best pure return man, Ford is the most impactful player with his speed, Smith is the best all-around player. Can't go wrong with any of them.
Pro Bowl voting has always been silly. Look at Brandon Meriweather being voted to the Pro Bowl this year. He is not particularly good and he is in a rotation at safety with Patrick Chung, James Sanders, and Jarrad Page.
Big deal.....gimme 2 weeks from now.... i "B. Smith at the 30!....the 20!...the 10!!!...touchdown, New York Je......." OP: that "Pro Bowl snub" scenario involving B. Smith=NYJ? ....or the above?...
Hell yes, it's true. What's the big knock on the Pro Bowl? "It's a popularity contest." More accurately, it's equal parts popularity contest and informed evaluation. Team owners, player agents and general managers put much more stock in popularity than do fans. It's not all about the rings; it's about the jerseys, too. Take a look at the Jets "Big Four" this past summer. Brick, Mangold, Revis and Harris. Three pro bowlers, three paydays.
