Alfred Morris Snubbed

Alright, I'm a Redskins fan. Die-hard. I love the team more than I like any other sports team, period. If I were a player in any sport, I wouldn't love my team as much as I love the Redskins. But anyone who has ever had a single discussion with me about football, knows I can keep it real about the NFL as much as anyone.

All homerism aside. Alfred Morris was easily the biggest snub in this year's NFL Pro Bowl. Don't get me wrong, there are some other big snubs, even Dez Bryant, who easily could have been named in place of Victor Cruz. This, once again, proves that the Pro Bowl is just a popularity contest. But to my point...

Alfred "Alf" Morris ranks among running backs as follows:

(NFL; NFC; Rookies)

Attempts - 302: 3rd; 2nd; 1st

Yards - 1,413: 4th; 3rd; 1st

Yards Per Carry - 4.7: 4th; 3rd; 1st

Yards Per Game - 94.2: 4th; 3rd; 1st

Touchdowns - 10: T-5th; T-3rd; T-2nd

First Downs - 71: 4th; 2nd; 1st

20+ Yard Runs - 7: T-8th; T-4th; 2nd

I'm not crazy, right? Look at where he ranks, league-wide, in 7 of the most major categories. He ranks way ahead of Frank Gore (who was selected) in almost every single category. Gore takes an edge in receiving, but it's nowhere near what Gore has done in years past. Many fans will say Gore's contributions have helped solidify his team to more wins; but I'll point them in the direction of Alfred Morris' best games (within his own division, for wins) whereas the 49ers have been less than spectacular within the NFC West.

A little off topic (not really, but sort of), I went on a rant on Twitter yesterday after reading that the NFL and Roger Goodell feel as though the level of play in the Pro Bowl isn't up to par with NFL games. First of all, the Pro Bowls of late have been scoring machines, especially by the offenses. Everything the NFL and Roger Goodell and the competition committee have done over the last 8 or 9 seasons have been to get the game to be played exactly like the Pro Bowls are. Limited contact. High scoring. It's their dream. So what's the problem? But I have a theory as to why the Pro Bowl isn't everything it's cracked up to be on paper; the players put in aren't always the most deserving. It's all about namesake. If the NFL wants to make the Pro Bowl a little more respectable, they'll start sending the All-NFC and All-AFC teams out, and then whoever is left on the All-Pro 2nd & 3rd Teams, and then perhaps a few alternates based on who barely missed making those lists.

I know it's fun for fans, players, and coaches to vote on the Pro Bowl but in reality, it hasn't worked in sending the best rosters to Hawaii. It's time to make a change, so that the clearly more deserving guys like Alfred Morris, don't get snubbed on a well-deserved trip and recognition.