The 2016 Pro Bowl roster was announced last night then came a flurry of articles about Pro Bowl snubs. Despite having one of his best statistical seasons of his career, Eli Manning not only failed to make the roster, but he was also mysteriously missing from the list of snubs.
While the Pro Bowl game has become a joke, the selection definitely looks great on the resume. Since the Pro Bowl has been moved to the weekend before the Super Bowl, a lot of initial selections don’t get to play, so the majority of snubs get to suit up anyway. Odell Beckham made the original roster while Josh Brown and Dwayne Harris were named first alternates. All that said, I get the feeling Eli will be left in the cold – literally – again this January.
Thus far, Eli has career-highs in completion percentage, touchdowns thrown, touchdown percentage, passer rating, and QBR. His interception percentage is the lowest it’s ever been. His interception total is second lowest among complete seasons (he didn’t play every game his rookie year in ’04).
Eli is 5th in the league in passes completed and attempted and 6th in the league in passing yards. He’s tied for 3rd in the league for most touchdowns tossed.
Inside the Iggles
But, the rosters are only allowed 6 signal callers. Which one of these slingers would you replace?
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
There’s no question Brady, Newton, Palmer, and Wilson belong. If Rodgers and Roethlisberger had losing records, do they make it?
A lot of people believe Andy Dalton should’ve been selected since he has a 106.2 passer rating. You know who has a high passer rating? Tyrod Taylor.
The debate is moot as I’d imagine 2 of those quarterbacks will be in the Super Bowl, meaning Dalton and one other would be named alternates. I’m holding on to a string of hope that Eli makes the trip, but it’s looking more like his efforts will go unrecognized.
The big knock on Eli is that he wouldn’t be able to put the numbers he does without Odell Beckham. Yet, Brady’s got Gronk, Big Ben’s got Antonio Brown. Cam has Greg Olsen. That argument would support guys like Rodgers and Wilson who – many say – are performing without top threats despite having guys with potential like Randall Cobb and Doug Baldwin or Jimmy Graham.
Do you think Eli deserves to be in the Pro Bowl?