The votes are in and four Baltimore Ravens will be representing the purple and black at the 2014 NFL Pro Bowl in February in Hawaii.
On Friday evening the league announced that kicker Justin Tucker, linebacker Terrell Suggs, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and right guard Marshal Yanda were selected.
Tucker, who was voted the team MVP by members of the Baltimore media was honored about his selection to his first ever Pro Bowl.
“What an incredible honor it is to be recognized like this by the players, coaches and fans of the NFL,” Tucker stated on the team’s official website.
“I am truly blessed to represent such a world-class organization, the Baltimore Ravens, and all of our fans who make up Ravens Nation. I will forever be thankful to the Ravens for giving me a chance to come in and compete for a job after going undrafted last year.
“My gratitude extends to so many who have aided me on this journey, especially John Harbaugh, Jerry Rosburg, Randy Brown, Morgan Cox, Sam Koch and all my teammates. I am truly blessed and very thankful for this.”
Suggs will make his sixth Pro Bowl Appearance coming on the heels of his 10-sack season, his fifth campaign with at least 10 QB takedowns. Suggs also is the Ravens all-team leader in sacks with 94.5 as he looks to add to the mark heading into the final week of the season.
“This is awesome, and I have to thank God for blessing me again,” Suggs stated.
“I also have to thank the most amazing fans in the world for voting. I can’t thank them enough. I also want to thank coach Harbaugh and my teammates for the constant push, and I must give a special credit to coach [Ted] Monachino for the outstanding coaching. But most of all, I have to thank my brother, Haloti Ngata, for being a great teammate and an even better friend.”
Earning his fifth career Pro Bowl honor Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata has produced 46 tackles, 1.5 sacks (-12 yards) and three passes defensed in 14 games after being banged up for most of last year.
“I’ve been blessed with so much, and I’m very thankful to be recognized as one of the NFL’s top players,” Ngata said. “I’m also thankful for my teammates and coaches who have helped me get there. But more than anything, I want to thank my wife and kids, who make my life easier off the football field by being so supportive.”
Marshal Yanda is sort of the head scratcher of the Ravens that were selected. The Ravens run offense has been anything but stellar this season and the pass protection has been shoddy at best. While Yanda is the best offensive lineman the Ravens have, 2013 has been his worst as a professional.
The Ravens will also have two alternates for Pro Bowl in Vonta Leach and Jacoby Jones.
Under this season’s new selection format, participants were chosen without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players. Selected players will be assigned to teams through the Pro Bowl Draft, which will air on Jan. 22, 2014 (8 p.m. ET, NFL Network).
Each roster this year consists of 43 players per squad. The kick return specialist has been eliminated and replaced by an additional defensive back, a move that derailed Jacoby Jones’ efforts to repeat as a Pro Bowl nominee.
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