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It was revealed on Tuesday night that the Philadelphia Eagles will be sending six players to the 2018 Pro Bowl.
But the reality is it should’ve been more.
The feeling here is that three Eagles players got badly snubbed: Jason Kelce, Brandon Graham, and Kamu Grugier-Hill. (Note that they were all named alternates.)
JASON KELCE
After two down years, Kelce has been an absolute stud in 2017.
It’s apparent when you watch the tape. There just aren’t many blockers who can get out in space and make plays the way Kelce can.
Pro Football Focus has Kelce ranked as their No. 1 overall center in the NFL this year. And he’s actually their No. 1 overall offensive lineman regardless of position!
The two players that made it in over Kelce were Alex Mack of the Falcons and Travis Frederick of the Cowboys. They rank No. 2 and No. 3 by PFF this year, respectively. So it’s not like they’re bad. It’s just that Kelce has been better.
Kelce got snubbed so bad I’m starting to wonder if the voters are all trash cans.
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) December 20, 2017
Kelce was robbed though pic.twitter.com/VVCrl3glni
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) December 20, 2017
BRANDON GRAHAM
The thing about Kelce being snubbed is that he’s already been there before. Not saying that makes the snub OK, just saying it’s hard to feel as bad for him compared to a guy who’s never been there. Case in point: Brandon Graham.
It’s crazy how Graham has never been a Pro Bowl to this point in his career. He doesn’t always have the gaudiest sack numbers, but it’s clear he consistently has a big impact when you turn on the tape. He’s both at great generating pressure and stuffing the run.
Here’s how Graham compares to the three defensive ends who made it in: DeMarcus Lawrence, Cameron Jordan, and Everson Griffen.
Graham: 30 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, 1 defensive TD
Lawrence: 34 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, 4 forced fumbles
Jordan: 41 tackles, 10 sacks, 12 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception
Griffen: 30 tackles, 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
You can see here why Graham’s sack total played a part in him getting left out. But there’s no question he’s a Pro Bowl caliber player.
BG never having been to a Pro Bowl is an example of why it’s kind of an arbitrary deal. Great football player.
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) December 20, 2017
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL
Kelce and Graham are the two Eagles snubs everyone is throwing around. But only here at BGN can you find someone talking about one of the worst Pro Bowl snubs of all: Kamu!
Seriously, though, Grugier-Hill should have made it. Budda Baker was named as the special teams guy over him. Let’s compare their stats.
Baker: 12 tackles, 3 assist
Kamu: 10 tackles, 2 assists, 1 FF, 1 punt block
Baker has two more tackles and one more assist, sure, but Kamu has made more impact plays.
And the stats don’t account for the fact that Grugier-Hill had to replace Jake Elliott as an emergency kickoff specialist during the Cowboys game! Despite having no formal experience in such a role, Kamu nailed one of his kickoff attempts for a touchback. The other ones were pretty good, too.
It would’ve been fun to see Kamu go to the Pro Bowl.
JALEN MILLS
I don’t think Mills is a snub. Safe to say he feels differently, though.
3rd team alternate for the pro bowl?
— Jalen Mills (@greengoblin) December 20, 2017
Say less!
DISRESPECTFUL! https://t.co/Z2suZZuIPW
— Jalen Mills (@greengoblin) December 20, 2017