Pro Bowl Explanation Needed

by footstock on Jan 21, 2011 4:39 AM EST

I need some help in understanding how the pro bowl works with regard to alternates or substitutes for injured players.

Matt Cassel was an alternate but will now be on the team replacing an injured Tom Brady. Tramon Williams is now on the team replacing an injured Assante Samuel.

My question is does a player who plays in the game as an alternate get credit career-wise as a "pro bowler" or not? What I mean is when they say someone is a 5 time pro bowler, does that mean he was selected or that he could have made the game as an alternate fill-in 5 times?

If he does get credit as a pro bowler, then does the player who he filled in for (like Brady) get credit for a pro bowl too even though he did not play?

It seems that if both get credit as a pro bowler, then the amount of pro bowler's per year would be increased by 25% or so.

This has been on my mind for a while, so I appreciate your insight.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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Yep...

I believe Roy Williams received a probowl berth because of a drop out.

I believe the NFL has a list to which the order each player was voted… as one drops out, the next on the list gets in.

by CLF on Jan 21, 2011 7:21 AM EST reply actions

and yes...

Suh is getting a probowl on his record, even though he’s not playing.

by CLF on Jan 21, 2011 7:22 AM EST up reply actions

I don't think they get the credit unless they actually play.

Stefan Logan, for example, is an alternate as a return man, but since he’s not actually gonna play in the game I doubt he’ll be considered a “former Pro-Bowler.” I could be wrong, but I’m fairly certain alternates that don’t actually make it into the game don’t get credit for being a Pro-Bowler.

So basically, if you’re an alternate and get in due to injuries you’ll get the “Pro Bowler” title, but if you’re an alternate that doesn’t end up making it in, you won’t.

by motown313 on Jan 21, 2011 12:07 PM EST reply actions

they are not pro bowlers

They are pro bowl alternates

That is my understanding. I may be the w word

by Scotty G on Jan 21, 2011 1:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

lol...

In order to be considered a Pro Bowler for a given year, a player must either have been one of the initial players selected to the team, or a player who accepts an invitation to the Pro Bowl as an alternate; invited alternates who decline to attend are not considered Pro Bowlers. Being a Pro Bowler is considered to be a mark of honor, and players who are accepted into the Pro Bowl are considered to be elite.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Bowl

The only way a player would not be considered a pro bowler… is if they flat out tell the NFL that they aren’t coming… Obviously in Suh’s and Brady’s case(as well as many others)…. they are still considered “Pro bowlers” as injury has prevented them from participating.

by CLF on Jan 21, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

Not necessarily

The way I read your posted quote is EVERYONE initially voted in are considered pro bowlers whether or not they attend the game. The only ones NOT considered probowlers are the invited ALTS that decline. The initial guys that decline because of injury or playing in the super bowl are still considered pro bowlers due to they were the initial selections.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Jan 21, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions