Early pro bowl nominees

**LukeDaniel** · 10-21-2011, 12:37 PM

In my opinion, the following Ravens are playing at a Pro Bowl level

C Birk
RG Yanda
RB Rice
QB Flacco (After Brady, he's in the mix for one of the two other spots with Fitzpatrick, Rivers, and Hasselbeck)
K Cundiff
DT Ngata
LB Johnson
LB Lewis
LB Suggs
CB Webb
S Reed

That's 12 who I think are playing at Pro Bowl Level in 2011.

As far as who I think makes it:

Yanda
Rice
Reed
Ngata
Suggs
Lewis
Reed

Webb is playing as well as any CB in the AFC outside of Revis. I think we see Finnegan/Bailey/Joseph getting the not over him though.

**RedSkins Fury** · 10-21-2011, 12:41 PM

I would love for Flacco to step it up enough to get picked.

**Captain Silver** · 10-21-2011, 12:42 PM

Birk? Uhhhm yeah, I don't think he's been all that.

**wickedsolo** · 10-21-2011, 12:42 PM

For the offense:

Yanda & Birk definitely. Birk is playing extremely well. McKinnie could make it if he has a really solid 2nd half of the season. He's a big reason why the offense has done pretty well this far.

I think if Flacco and Boldin continue on the path that they're on right now, I could see Boldin getting a bid and I could see Flacco getting a bid, but honestly Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, and Ryan Fitzpatrick kind of have the edge in the AFC at the moment, IMO. The Bills are the new hot item, so I think they will be looking to put as many Bills as possible in the Pro Bowl.

Rice, definitely.

Leach, definitely.

Defensively:

Ed Reed & Ray Lewis are locks no matter what.

Haloti Ngata, definitely. Who's better than him in the AFC? He and Suh are easily the two most dominant DT's in the league right now.

If Suggs can get to 10+ sacks I think he'll go.

Webb has a real good shot, especially if get can get another pick 6 or two.

JJ should get a bid. He really is one of the best OLB's in the NFL.

I could also see Terrence Cody getting some love.

**wickedsolo** · 10-21-2011, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Captain Silver

Birk? Uhhhm yeah, I don't think he's been all that.

Birk has been arguably the most consistent OL'man this season so far.

I doubt he beats out guys like Mangold, but what other center in the AFC is really playing better than him right now? Dan Connelly with the Pats? Eric Wood with the Bills?

**Mike B** · 10-21-2011, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Captain Silver

Birk? Uhhhm yeah, I don't think he's been all that.

I think he has been very good. He is playing in the center of basically a brand new line and is doing well.

**Mike B** · 10-21-2011, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by LukeDaniel

In my opinion, the following Ravens are playing at a Pro Bowl level

C Birk
RG Yanda
RB Rice
QB Flacco (After Brady, he's in the mix for one of the two other spots with Fitzpatrick, Rivers, and Hasselbeck)
K Cundiff
DT Ngata
LB Johnson
LB Lewis
LB Suggs
CB Webb
S Reed

That's 12 who I think are playing at Pro Bowl Level in 2011.

As far as who I think makes it:

Yanda
Rice
Reed
Ngata
Suggs
Lewis
Reed

Webb is playing as well as any CB in the AFC outside of Revis. I think we see Finnegan/Bailey/Joseph getting the not over him though.

Good List and I agree with the guys you have making it.
Two that will probably not get on and should are JJ, who has been terrific and Webb, who IMO is developing into a top flight corner. The Ravens D is loaded.

**LukeDaniel** · 10-21-2011, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Eric Wood with the Bills?

Great pick. Highly underrated. I still don't think he's as good as Birk though, but is certainly in the conversation. If you ask me who the 2nd best C in the AFC under the age of 30 is right now, Wood is the guy I think of first before Pouncey even crosses my mind.

Another Bill that I think is horrifically underrated is Kyle Williams. Outside of Ngata and Suh, he might be the 3rd best interior D-lineman in the league. Williams at least made it as a Pro Bowl alternate last year I believe.

**LukeDaniel** · 10-21-2011, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

.

I could also see Terrence Cody getting some love.

I had considered Mt. Cody, but I don't know that I'd consider him a Pro Bowl caliber player until he is able to increase his number of snaps. He's a bulwark as a run stopper, but he needs to show me an ability to contribute something---anything---in pass defense before I'd deem him PB worthy.

Kudos to him though. Last year at this time there was some genuine concern among many of us as to what type of pro he would be. I think we can see now that, as long as he continues with this lower-weight approach to football, he will be a good one for a while.

**Corey** · 10-21-2011, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Birk has been arguably the most consistent OL'man this season so far.

I doubt he beats out guys like Mangold, but what other center in the AFC is really playing better than him right now? Dan Connelly with the Pats? Eric Wood with the Bills?

Pouncey would get it just because he's a Steeler.

**EdReed4HOF** · 10-21-2011, 01:29 PM

It wouldn't be a stretch at all to think Flacco gets in as an alternate. He's on pace to throw for over 4,000 yards.

**Captain Silver** · 10-21-2011, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Birk has been arguably the most consistent OL'man this season so far.

I doubt he beats out guys like Mangold, but what other center in the AFC is really playing better than him right now? Dan Connelly with the Pats? Eric Wood with the Bills?

He's been in 3 games. One of which was pitiful St. Louis and the tackles he's faced aren't exactly world beaters. I see him get pushed around by bigger lineman, but I find him being in the Pro-Bowl discussion a little purple shaded.

**Carey** · 10-21-2011, 01:30 PM

I dont see Webb getting in...Revis is a lock, Ike Taylor is playing great. Champ Bailey is still playing at a high level, Courtland Finnegan as well, Brandon Flowers, Stanford Routt, Jonathan Joseph(before Boldin scorched him some) all guys i see ahead of him of the top of my head, and im probably missing some others. I think Webb would probably have to get 8 picks or something to crack that bunch because no matter how well or how bad you play as a cover guy if you get alot of picks your a lock for the Pro Bowl lol, ask Deangelo Hall.

Besides that i'd say def Ray, Ed, Sizzle, Ngata, Yanda, i could see Boldin sneaking in.

**Mike B** · 10-21-2011, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Captain Silver

He's been in 3 games. One of which was pitiful St. Louis and the tackles he's faced aren't exactly world beaters. I see him get pushed around by bigger lineman, but I find him being in the Pro-Bowl discussion a little purple shaded.

Birk has started every game. He has played well.

**dandrews** · 10-21-2011, 01:43 PM

I agree with your list of who you think is going to make it. I'd like to see Birk make it though, he's playing out of his mind.

**Captain Silver** · 10-21-2011, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Mike B

Birk has started every game. He has played well.

My bad, had him confused with pre-season. I still don't see the pro bowl though.

**Mike B** · 10-21-2011, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by LukeDaniel

I had considered Mt. Cody, but I don't know that I'd consider him a Pro Bowl caliber player until he is able to increase his number of snaps. He's a bulwark as a run stopper, but he needs to show me an ability to contribute something---anything---in pass defense before I'd deem him PB worthy.

Kudos to him though. Last year at this time there was some genuine concern among many of us as to what type of pro he would be. I think we can see now that, as long as he continues with this lower-weight approach to football, he will be a good one for a while.

Good post....I really do not think Cody is ever going to be a pass rusher type that shows up with sacks but in fairness to him, he is not contributing more in Pass D because of the schemes we run. We go (correctly so) with the lighterand faster lineman (kruger (LB), McPhee, and even Jones, in passing situations. I have seen a lot of growth in Cody as he is now a force coming down the lines and pushing two guys back into the pocket when the other team does pass. I watched the jets and Texans games a few times and noticed Cody occupying 2 interior lineman on numerous occassions. He does collapse a pocket. His prescence allows Ngata and Ray to wreak havoc.
He is developing into a Goose role.

**acisking** · 10-21-2011, 02:30 PM

I can't see anyone in the AFC beating out Vonta Leach for the FB position. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Billy Cundiff repeat at kicker, especially if he keeps getting touchbacks.

**Mike B** · 10-21-2011, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by acisking

I can't see anyone in the AFC beating out Vonta Leach for the FB position. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Billy Cundiff repeat at kicker, especially if he keeps getting touchbacks.

Great call on Leach. He is probably a sure thing at FB. I love watching him lead Rice through the hole. Instant Impact would be a good nickname for him.