Tuesday night the NFL announced the starters and alternates for the 2011-12 Pro Bowl which takes place the week before the Superbowl in Hawaii.
For the Lions, wide receiver Calvin Johnson was named a starter for the NFC squad while quarterback Matthew Stafford, safety Louis Delmas and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh were named as NFC alternates.
Upon the announcement, a good number of Lions fans voiced their displeasure over Stafford’s apparent snub, especially considering Eli Manning of the New York Giants ended up getting the nod.
But do Lions have a legitimate gripe?
Absolutely.
Matthew Stafford has more touchdown passes than manning (36-26), less interceptions (14-16) and a better quarterback rating (96.6-90.3). Manning does have slightly more passing yards but when you factor in the Lions having two more wins than the Giants under Stafford and Detroit having a sure spot in the playoffs there really is no doubt that Matthew Stafford probably should be in the Pro Bowl over Manning.
My question to Lions fans though is why even gripe and why even worry about Stafford not being picked to play in a game that has become more of a Broadway play than an actual football game? Eli Manning was picked over Stafford for much of the same reasons that Michigan was picked over Michigan State to play in the Sugar Bowl and that’s revenue. Manning plays in a huge New York City market that could potentially bring in more viewers to a Pro Bowl that has greatly suffered the past several years in terms of ratings. Again this scenario is very similar to the BCS choosing Michigan based off their larger fan base and better chance at generating revenue over their in-state rival Michigan State.
Manning being chosen over Stafford doesn’t necessarily mean that he is a better quarterback much like Michigan going to a BCS bowl game doesn’t mean they’re a better team than State.
If fans are really worried about the recognition that Stafford may be losing out on based off him not going to a dog and pony show in the Pro Bowl, worry about whether or not he gets selected to the NFL All-Pro team which truly represents the best in the league.
Ref: NFL.com, AP (image)
