The NFL announced Tuesday that two Baltimore Ravens were voted to the Pro Bowl for their standout performances during the 2015 season. P Sam Koch and G Marshal Yanda have been selected to play in the NFL’s annual All-Star game on Jan. 31, 2016, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
For the third-consecutive year, players were chosen without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players. Selected participants will be assigned to teams through the Pro Bowl Draft, which takes place on Jan. 27, 2016.
Below are the Ravens’ 2015 Pro Bowlers:
P SAM KOCH (1st Pro Bowl Invite)
Entering Week 16 this season, Koch’s net punting average (44.0) ranks No. 1 in the NFL, while his gross average (47.7) stands fourth. At 44.0 yards per kick, Koch is threatening the NFL record for net punting average in a season (44.2 by Johnny Hekker in 2013).
Koch also dominated the league in 2014, producing the NFL’s No. 1 net average (43.3) and No. 3 gross average (47.4). (Both marks were career highs and Ravens single-season records.) Koch, who has not missed a game in his 10-year NFL career, has played in a franchise-record 158-consecutive contests. Since 2006, when he was drafted by Baltimore in the sixth round, Koch’s 275 punts inside the 20 rank fourth in the NFL.
“This has definitely been a long time in the making,” Koch stated. “A lot of hard work and practice have gone into this. I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from family in Baltimore – my wife, Nikki, and kids, Ryan, Braxtyn, Kamdyn and Gianna – and our family in Nebraska. I want to thank my coaches – John Harbaugh, Jerry Rosburg and Randy Brown – for all they have done by believing in and helping me. There is also the support from our great fans, because without their votes, this dream probably wouldn’t have come true.
“Last, but certainly not least, I must give a ton of credit to my teammates, especially Morgan Cox, Brynden Trawick, Kyle Juszczyk, C.J. Mosley, Terrence Brooks, Albert McClellan, Zach Orr and Anthony Levine [Sr.]. They are the frontline guys who work their tails off – in addition to all the gunners we’ve had this year – to make sure we’re the best punt team in the league.
“This is a very surreal and exciting moment for my family and me. I can’t wait to represent the Ravens in Hawaii.”
Since the 2008 Baltimore arrival of head coach John Harbaugh and special teams coordinator/associate head coach Jerry Rosburg, the Ravens have had five different special teams players earn Pro Bowl honors: ST Brendon Ayanbadejo (2008), K Billy Cundiff (2010), RS Jacoby Jones (2012), K Justin Tucker (2013) and Koch (2015).
G MARSHAL YANDA (5th Pro Bowl Invite)
This marks the fifth-consecutive Pro Bowl invite for Yanda, who was selected by Baltimore in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. The nine-year veteran has played in 129 games (118 starts) during his career, marking the third most among offensive linemen in Ravens history (Jonathan Ogden – 177 and Mike Flynn – 133). Prior to the 2015 campaign, Ravens’ season ticket holders voted Yanda one of the Top 10 players in the franchise’s 20-year existence.
“Football is the ultimate team sport, and you don’t do anything in this league on your own,” Yanda said. “I want to thank the coaches and my teammates for helping me along the way. We all grind together with the goal of achieving greatness.”
Over the past two seasons, Yanda has anchored an offensive line that has allowed a league-low 41 sacks. In 2015, Baltimore has permitted just 22 sacks, ranking as the NFL’s fourth fewest.
THIRD ALTERNATES
Two Ravens were named Pro Bowl third alternates, meaning they could be invited to play in the game if players on the Pro Bowl roster are unable to attend due to injury or an appearance in Super Bowl 50:
FB Kyle Juszczyk
Juszczyk’s 34 receptions rank as the most by an NFL fullback this season. Additionally, he has posted career highs in receiving yards (248, second among fullbacks) and receiving touchdowns (three, tied for most among fullbacks). Selected by Baltimore in the fourth round of the 2013 Draft, Juszczyk has played in 46-consecutive games, producing the longest active streak among NFL fullbacks (tied with KC’s Anthony Sherman).
ILB C.J. Mosley
The second-year Mosley, who earned 2014 Pro Bowl honors during his rookie campaign, ranks second on the Ravens in total tackles (94, behind LB Daryl Smith’s 110). Mosley has also posted three sacks, six passes defensed, eight quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries (including one returned for a 41-yard touchdown).
