DeMeco Ryans quarterbacks an Eagles defense that has held opponents under 21 points in 10 of their last 11 outings, yet despite playing at an All-Pro level, the middle linebacker was a Pro Bowl snub.
It's fitting that LeSean McCoy, leading the league in rushing, and franchise left tackle Jason Peters who has paved the way for him this season were elected to the Pro Bowl, but there were several Eagles worthy of the honor that were snubbed.
Nick Foles leads the NFL in passer rating (118.8), which is higher than elected quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. The second-year signal caller, playing in his second offense as a professional, has also tossed 25 touchdowns and only two interceptions in one of the more efficient performances in league history. He was chosen as an alternate, but the 24-year old's performance merited being selected as a starter.
Meanwhile, DeSean Jackson – also chosen as an alternate – with one game remaining has already posted a career high 1,304 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. The six-year veteran is ranked in the top ten in receiving yards, yards per catch and receiving touchdowns but was only chosen as an alternate. Both Jackson's numbers and prior reputation should have been enough to push him across the finish line.
Center Jason Kelce was chosen as a second-alternate, as was Evan Mathis. Both players have strong cases to have been voted into the All-Star game. Kelce, winner of the team's Ed Bloch Courage Award, has made a strong comeback from a devastating knee injury in 2012 and anchored the offensive line which has been in tact for all but a few snaps this season.
On the defensive side of the football DeMeco Ryans will likely be an All-Pro again, for the first time since being traded to the Eagles in the spring of 2012. Ryans has posted 120 tackles and two interceptions this season while anchoring a defense that not only underwent a transformation from a 4-3 front to a 3-4, but has also held opponents to 21 points or fewer in 10 of it's last 11 games.
Finally, punter Donnie Jones has been twice named NFC Special Teams Player of The Week and has helped the Eagles win the field position battle this season while averaging 44.7 yards per punt. He was beaten out by Brandon Fields and Johnny Hekker.
Matt Lombardo is the Editor-In-Chief of Eagledelphia and also an on-air personality on 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Join the conversation and follow Matt on Twitter.
