OWINGS MILLS – Punter Sam Koch was arguably the Baltimore Ravens’ biggest Pro Bowl snub.
However, Koch is still planning on going to the NFL’s annual all-star game in Hawaii.
Koch and his wife were invited to attend the game as guests of kicker Billy Cundiff, who parlayed his breakthrough season into his first Pro Bowl selection.
“That’s the good news,” Koch said.
Along with fullback Le’Ron McClain and offensive guard Ben Grubbs, Koch was named a first alternate for the Pro Bowl.
Koch was beaten out by Oakland Raiders punter Shane Lechler, who was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time and for the fourth year in a row.
“Lechler’s been there, well-deserving of it,” Koch said. “He’s a great punter. It’s hard to beat out a great punter. He’s got great numbers. I wish we could be there, me and Billy, but the good thing is Billy’s going to be taking me.
“Absolutely it’s an honor to be a first alternate. So, I will take that if things don’t work out with Lechler and they call me up. That’s even better. It’s a great honor."
Lechler is averaging 47 yards per punt. Koch ranks second in the league with 37 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, ranking seventh with a 39.0 net average.
He averages 43.0 yards per punt.
“Sam Koch, for sure, has had a Pro Bowl year,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Some of the things Sam does are unrecognized by the voters sometimes. He doesn’t have a huge gross, but he kicks directionally, he puts it out of bounds 40, 45 yards on a pretty regular basis. The pooch punting has been phenomenal. I would say he’s deserving.”
McClain didn’t hide his disappointment at not making it to the Pro Bowl after being named a starter the previous two years.
McClain was ranked first in the fan balloting in the final days.
“Oh yeah, very disappointed about that, but I can’t do nothing about it,” McClain said. “I got no control over it. My team’s winning now, so I’m just looking forward to the Bengals and getting this 12th win.”
Instead of McClain, Houston Texans fullback Vonta Leach is heading to the Pro Bowl for his work blocking for Arian Foster, the leading rusher in the league.
“All props to Leach,” McClain said. “I’m just so hard on myself. I feel like I’m supposed to be in there, hands down. I think it’s been my best year blocking-wise. Me not touching the ball like I’d like to, that’s another thing.
“But I’m good with it. It’s something to build on. I’m trying to get to Dallas, so hopefully I wouldn’t have been playing in it anyway.”
Grubbs is an alternate for the second year in a row.
It didn’t help his cause that the running game wasn’t as productive this year and the offensive line allowed 36 sacks.
“I’m definitely appreciative of being recognized,” Grubbs said. “That definitely makes me feel good. At the same time, my goal every year is to be a starter, and anything less than that, it’s something I’ll continue to work at.”
Harbaugh said he believes Mason should be in the Pro Bowl.
“I don’t understand why Derrick Mason doesn’t make the Pro Bowl more,” Harbaugh said. “He’s the best route runner in the National Football League.”
Mason is a two-time Pro Bowl selection, but his statistics don’t stack up with the elite wide receivers.
“It doesn’t matter, man,” Mason said. “It bothered me maybe eight years ago. That’s when it probably bothered me, seven years ago, six years ago. Now, it is what it is. As long as I come in this locker room and do what I need to do, as long as opposing defenses and coaches come up to you after the game and they respect what you do, that’s all that matters.
“The guys they voted in had very, very good seasons. [Anquan Boldin] had a very good season, and he’s my running mate on the other side. Our ultimate goal was not the Pro Bowl. Our ultimate goal is the Super Bowl. So hopefully none of the guys will be playing in the Pro Bowl.”
