The NFL announced their Pro Bowl rosters for 2019 last night, with three Eagles players being named to the celebratory event. Zach Ertz, Brandon Brooks and Fletcher Cox will be representing Philadelphia in Florida on January 27th, but there were several other names who should be joining them.
Jason Kelce:
Alex Mack and Max Unger were the two centers given the opportunity to play in the Pro Bowl this year, but this should have been Kelce’s third Pro Bowl. The glue of the offensive line, Kelce, in my opinion, has had his finest season yet. His ability to get to the second level and make crucial blocks to open the run game has been present more than it ever has been previously and his athleticism jumps off the screen like a running back’s would. I can’t think of another center in the NFL who can make the blocks that he can, or at least make them look so dreamily simple. Kelce is a pro bowl talent and it’s not up for discussion.
Malcolm Jenkins:
With 88 tackles to his name already, Jenkins has already recorded his second best statistical season as an Eagle, with two games to spare. That’s even more staggering considering that the Eagles secondary has at times missed every single starter. Jenkins has been the cog keeping the defense churning, coming down in run support and making absolutely pivotal tackles to keep games alive. Jenkins has been invaluable to the Eagles defense and has been the heartbeat pumping leadership through the veins of the younger, more inexperienced players.
A perfect example would be where after being brutally attacked by the Giants early on, Jenkins went to Jim Schwartz and recommended simplifying the defense and revoking responsibilities from the guys outside. The result, was a win.
Or, the much simpler question is this. ‘Is Malcolm Jenkins more deserving of a Pro Bowl appearance than Harrison Smith?’ Yes.
Cameron Johnston:
I don’t care what anyone says, Johnston has been, at times, the Eagles most valuable player. On all of those broken offensive three and outs, it’s been Johnston punting an average of 48.5 yards (second in the NFL) to somehow pin the opposing offense back and give defenses a chance. It’s been Johnston who leads the NFL in net punting yards. Somehow, this doesn’t qualify him for a Pro Bowl appearance, which is actually worrying.
Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
