2015 Pro Bowl Re-draft: 7 vs. 7 with No restrictions
By Dan Salem
The best part of the NFL Pro Bowl is the draft, but Michael Irvin and Cris Carter got it wrong. Time to re-draft the 2015 Pro Bowl. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.
TODD:
The 2015 NFL Pro Bowl is upon us. Cue ho-hum hooray.
The most exciting part of the Pro Bowl nowadays, thanks to their hockey-stealing tweak, is the fantasy roster draft where players get chosen, regardless of conference.
Michael Irvin and Cris Carter participated in the official draft on Wednesday, selecting the teams to make up the actual game. However, they could have done better. We can do better. I mean, how could Irvin have taken his captains pairing over J.J. Watt and Antonio Brown?
Let’s do this right. We are going to have our own draft of a starting lineup for the Pro Bowl, limiting things to 7 vs. 7 to keep it fun. Pick seven on offense and seven of defense, no position limits. No captains or allegiances or any of that fluff either. I’ll start us off.
TODD: With the first pick, I will take J.J. Watt. No-brainer here.
He’s the best player in the NFL.
DAN: Excellent first pick.
I’m going with the next best weapon here, wide receiver Odell Beckham.
With arguably the top three quarterbacks all out it no longer matters who is throwing him the ball. He’ll score all day on your sorry team.
TODD: Wow yeah, it’s crazy but I think I agree that ODB has become the most sought-after offensive weapon in the NFL, especially for purposes such as this game. I’m sticking on the defensive side with Clay Matthews as my second pick.
His ability to play middle linebacker this season was astounding for someone who’s such a tremendous pass rusher. Give me that versatility over any of the other backers or rush ends.
DAN: I see how it is, stacking the defense. Well, bring it. I’m taking DeMarco Murray, easily the best running back in the game with Bell, Lynch, and McCoy all sitting out.
TODD: Antonio Brown.
DAN: Continuing the offensive onslaught. I’m taking Jimmy Graham.
TODD: Damn, he was going to be my next pick. Now I might have to skip tight ends altogether. I’m taking Randall Cobb here. Make things impossible for you on the outside.
DAN: A fine selection. I’m taking A.J. Green, continuing my offensive onslaught.
TODD: I’ll take the best cover corner available in this thing, Vontae Davis.
DAN: Time to fill out my defense a bit. I’m grabbing the monster that is Mario Williams to crush all hopes you have of running the ball.
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TODD: Jamaal Charles.
DAN: Von Miller thank you very much.
TODD: With many of the better quarterbacks unavailable, it’s time to select the best signal-caller in the Pro Bowl for my team. His ability to scramble adds another dimension to my team as well.
Give me Andrew ‘The Giant’ Luck.
DAN: Let’s see how he likes throwing against my next pick. Patrick Peterson is all mine.
TODD: Jordy Nelson. Now Andrew Luck will know how great Aaron Rodgers usually has it in the wide receiving corps.
DAN: He won’t have much time to throw with my next pick running him down. Cameron Wake.
TODD: Eric Weddle.
DAN: Elvis Dumervil. How do you like me now?
TODD: I like you just fine because your roster is not going to be able to play effective defense in a 7 vs. 7 format that limits pass rushing! I’m going to take this time now to select my offensive lineman though.
I debated for a while about who to pick but ultimately decided on Tyron Smith.
DAN: Taking things three wide on offense. Emmanuel Sanders.
TODD: Antoine Bethea.
DAN: Stocking up in the secondary is a smart move. Before I name my signal caller, I’m grabbing the lynchpin of the offensive line. Nick Mangold at center.
TODD: Calais Campbell.
DAN: Glover Quin.
TODD: I don’t care for any of the tight end options at this point.
Although grabbing a fourth wide receiver is tempting, I’m going to go double backfield instead, pairing C.J. Anderson behind Luck with the already selected Jamaal Charles.
DAN: Finalizing my defense with a savvy veteran for leadership. Antonio Cromartie.
TODD: My last pick will also be a member of the defensive backfield. Rounding out my roster will be Aqib Talib.
DAN: My final pick is the most important one, quarterback. I wrestled with who to select, ultimately going with current performance over career based bias.
Tony Romo will lead my Pro Bowl team to victory.