Steelers FS Ryan Clark Headed to First Pro Bowl, Replaces Ed Reed
by Neal Coolong on Jan 26, 2012 9:30 AM EST
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PrintWhile the contingent of Steelers players initially selected to play in the 2012 Pro Bowl dwindled a bit when SS Troy Polamalu (neck) pulled out, the additions of OLB James Harrison and FS Ryan Clark almost make it better.
It was announced Wednesday that Clark will replace Baltimore's Ed Reed in the game, making it the first Pro Bowl appearance of Clark's career.
Harrison has been to every Pro Bowl since 2007, though not being voted onto this one. He will replace 2011 Defensive Player of the Year, Terrell Suggs.
Clark led the league's top scoring defensive team with 100 tackles, and had an interception and a sack. Harrison only played in 75 percent of the Steelers games this season, and finished the year with nine sacks and two forced fumbles - both were the lowest totals since he became a full-time starter in 2007.
The Pro Bowl isn't given much validity anyway. Baltimore, losers of the AFC Championship game last weekend, had Suggs, Reed, RB Ray Rice and DT Haloti Ngata all pull out of the game for various reasons. Under the new format, which has the Pro Bowl played the weekend between the conference championships and the Super Bowl, many - if not all - of the players on teams losing the conference championship pull out due to injury, or, in Suggs' case, due to an "undisclosed" reason.
Interestingly enough for Steelers fans, the one player many expected to miss the Pro Bowl due to injury is QB Ben Roethlisberger. He looked far from healthy over the last several games of the season, leading to a disappointing 29-23 loss at Denver in the first round of the playoffs. Since Patriots QB Tom Brady won't participate (Super Bowl participants are excused from the Pro Bowl), Roethlisberger will start for the AFC in the Pro Bowl, with Phillip Rivers and rookie Andy Dalton backing him up.
The next replacement at QB in the AFC is Tim Tebow.
Maybe Roethlisberger is just not going to give Tebow the satisfaction of playing in a Pro Bowl.
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Congrats Ryan
Good to see you getting the recognition you deserved this season, even if you weren’t technically voted in….
"Leave the gun. Bring the Canolis."
Congrats Mr. Clark, well deserved
"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin
Congrats to Ryan, but the Pro Bowl has become a damned joke....
….if Tebow is next to get in, who’s after him? Kellen Clemens, or maybe Donovan F. McNabb? Why not bring back Boomer, Danny, and Jaws?
Roethlisberger has no damned business doing anything now but resting and healing.
Years ago, during a torrential rainstorm and lightning outburst, the Steelers and the college all-stars left the field in Chicago, and the game was suspended. It was never played again. Nobody misses that game.
They ought to do the same thing with the Pro Bowl.
The season is too long. The players are too banged up. Nobody gives a tinker’s dam who wins the game, and sooner or later, somebody’s going to suffer a career ending injury.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
You know the game is pretty much like Flag football These days
So I don’t think there will be any career ending Injuries. I am not a fan of the Pro Bowl I do not want it to go away. I think the Players should have some kind of accolade for being really good at there position. I do get excited to see how many Steelers have made it to the game. I don’t know how to fix the game but getting rid of it would be a players. I dont know if they do it but they used to have a skills challenge with the QB’s Kickers and other position’s. I loved those and the fastest man in the NFL challenge.
by lshaffer_69 on Jan 26, 2012 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
Different sport, but Ray Fosse's career was basically ended in a baseball All-Star game....
…..when Pete Rose leveled him at home plate. Fosse was an all-star catcher for the Cleveland Indians going into that game, but was never the same afterwards. And Dizzy Dean may have also suffered an arm injury in an all-star game.
I agree, it’s much like flag football, and I imagine that’s what Lord God King Roger Goodell and his band of suitcase-totin’ lawyers want the NFL to become. But it’s still football, and there are still players who go all out, and there are some who may bear grudges. And some jerks. There are always scores to settle.
Hell, guys get hurt in practice….sometimes simply by stepping the wrong way. They should be resting, licking their wounds, and getting ready to resume training in March.
If Ben wants to take Ashley to Hawaii – which would be a very nice thing but entirely their own business – they can buy a couple of business class tickets, enjoy those comfortable seats with the footrests and the 55 inch pitch – and visit the Aloha State. It’s a wonderful, wonderful place, even though Aloha Stadium is a dump and it’s falling apart. Get place lunch and shave ice (with ice cream and beans), but stay away from the poi. It tastes like a very cheap grade of wallpaper paste. Hawaii is for lovers. Not for NFL football.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
The Pro-Bowl is a PR stunt more than anything so I can imagine there is quite a lot of pressure from the main office for the players to appear even if it’s contrary to the best interest of the athletes. And besides it’s a good opportunity for Ben to work on his public image. It’s also probably the last opportunity that he is going to get in the next couple of years since he’ll be playing in the SBs now that we got rid of Bruce ;).
Are they aware
that by bringing Clark in , they wont have anyone back there to cherry pick interceptions?
by indianasteelers on Jan 26, 2012 11:36 AM EST reply actions
I would hope that Ben's decision to play...
…is not based on something so churlish and petty as
just not going to give Tebow the satisfaction of playing in a Pro Bowl. I don’t see it.
However, I do wonder what his decision to play, if he does, will be based on: is it (1) “because I want to”; (2) “I want to play with my other teammates”; (3) “I’m a competitor”; (4) “Its just a flesh wound”
High ankle sprains are worse than a break; they take an inordinate amount of time to heal completely; I would hope Ben is taking next season into consideration when he decides whether to play or not.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
How about (5)it’s February and instead of going home to Ohio he wants a free trip to Hawaii
by jedmiller71 on Jan 26, 2012 12:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Going to Hawaii is fine...
…he can go but not play.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
I think that's pretty much what he's doing
He wants the recognition, and he’ll play a few series and let Rivers play a few series. Then let the rookie play the rest of the time.
by Neal Coolong on Jan 26, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
And when B.J. Raji rolls over Ben's left ankle
I’m sure we’ll all be thrilled that Ben got his “recognition”.
by lakerschamps on Jan 26, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
Calm down.
He’s barely going to play in a game when no one really even tries anyways. He’ll be fine.
"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."
Give the guy a break
He earned the right to play in that game, every one of those guys is risking the same thing he is. They all could blow an ACL which is worse than Ben hurting his ankle a little bit more. Plenty of time until mini-camp.
He deserves (this year) to play in the game, let him get out there, throw the ball a few times and take a seat. No harm in that.
If Ben’s ankle explodes in the game, I’ll write an article stating “LakersChamps was right about everything…except the Lakers aren’t champs.”
by Neal Coolong on Jan 26, 2012 8:10 PM EST up reply actions
Hahaha, promise?
Yes, you’re probably right, but after the way this season blew up with injuries, as a fan I just want to see the injured players do nothing but get healthy.
And really, when you think about it, had Ben not been injured couldn’t you see the Steelers in the Super Bowl right now? The two road games would have been rough, but there was no dominant team in the AFC this year. For awhile it was Baltimore, then the Steelers, then Baltimore, and finally the Patriots. But this Patriots team was nothing like the ‘07 team (relative to the Steelers), or the ’04 team, for that matter. It was anyone’s year this year, barring… fateful injuries to indispensable players (or too many players, which of course is the counter-argument to my point: the Steelers were too beat up even with Ben, but then so were the Giants).
Clearly I’m over-reacting, but that’s because it’s hard to stomach that the Steelers have fielded bona fide Super Bowl-caliber teams two years in a row. The proverbial window never stays open that long—next year Ben has to be healthy for the playoffs. If Tom Brady can do it, and Aaron Rodgers can do it, and little Manning (same age as Ben) can do it, then Ben must, too.
/end rant. Commence sundae eating.
by lakerschamps on Jan 26, 2012 8:51 PM EST up reply actions
I agree, I think the Steelers may have had a shot if not for the injuries. However, Ben getting injured any further doesn’t really affect their ability to play in the Super Bowl.
We’ll worry about the ankle next year, and hopefully a new offensive philosophy can get him to absorb fewer hits.
by Neal Coolong on Jan 26, 2012 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
Free trip to Hawaii for someone with Ben's salary...
…is like my getting a free sundae at a Dairy Queen. Sure it’d be nice, but in a scenario analogous to Ben’s injury situation, the nearest Dairy Queen is 10 miles away, and my car has a bald tire that’s ready to blow.
So, uh, maybe not so big a deal after all.
by lakerschamps on Jan 26, 2012 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
mmmm.....sundaes......and blizzards.
Must have.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
I rather not have blizzards mentioned at this time of year
With the neighbourhood DQ* closed for the season, the only blizzard I can get would require a lot of shoveling afterwards.
- This isn’t totally true as there is a DQ at the local shopping mall as well.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 27, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
About time
He has been one of the most under appreciated defensive players in the game since he became a Steeler…recognition well deserved
by ibleedblackandgold1 on Jan 26, 2012 12:38 PM EST reply actions
Suggs is Busy
Rember what Suggs said in December: "I have no intentions of playing in the Pro Bowl… I plan on being in practice with my teammates…getting ready for the Super Bowl"
I have access to the full quote which is: "I have no intentions of playing in the Pro Bowl…hopefully I’ll be two weeks into the off season, unless Yates throws three interceptions or something. I plan on being in practice with my teammates getting a little coaching on tailgating like in those beer commercials. Last year it was a mess, Flacco kept taking dumps, making Ray do all the work, Reed kept picking the cherries of my sundaes. We’re a long way from where we need to be chips and dipwise in …getting ready for the Super Bowl"
HA!
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVACUjHn6yU
What has to happen to get Ike to the Pro Bowl this year, I wonder?
Who's laughing now, O Line??? Ben Roethlisberger (from the Podium) to his O-Line and the world in Superbowl XLIII
Worldwide complete and total memory erasure of January 7, 2012!
by steelers-chicago on Jan 26, 2012 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ben should NOT be allowed to play
http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/01/25/big-ben-ankle-swollen-but-alright/
No, no, and no. If I’m Steelers ownership, with a 9-figure investment in a player who is hardly the model of health and smart life decisions, I but the kibosh on this immediately.
This is a high ankle sprain—not a sore pinky. Make the smart and professional decision and just watch from the sideline.
Perspective...
Hey, as long as the guy isn’t spending his offseason on a motorcycle playing chicken in the Southside, we should count our blessings.
A picture was posted of Ben enjoying the beach and taking pictures with fans; his ankle looks AWFUL.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
Link plz?
"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ben-Roethlisberger-BigBen7com/122621564488599
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
Holy shit his ankle looks disgusting.
"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."
A lot more swelling than I expected after not playing/practicing for 3 weeks. I’m certainly not a physician though and have no idea how long an injury like a high ankle sprain takes to go back to normal. It just surprised me.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
Honestly,
It has become a farce. There are guys who clearly deserved to be in and yes I think Clark played well enough to be selected. I also thought that keisel should have been sent as well. This honestly has become a distraction to the superbowl. I would prefer that the league push this game back after the superbowl.
Impose your will.
Love it
I hope Harrison and Clark can manage to make it through the game without getting fined.
I loved the last line
Maybe Roethlisberger is just not going to give Tebow the satisfaction of playing in a Pro Bowl.
There is now reason that Tebow deserves to be in this game. Winning is not a part of the Pro Bowl. It is being the best at his position and Tebow is last in all of the QB’s
The Pro Bowl, Presented by Eugene Ionesco
Theatre of the Absurd.
Tebow. All-pro!
Scaramouche! Sainte Nitouche!
Go take a douche!
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
For those wondering what the hell Homer was just posting....
Eugene ionesco was a playwright and exponent of some avant-garde crap called the Theater of the Absurd. One of his “classics” was The Bald Soprano. In it, people yell and scream all kinds of nonsense. A couple of “strangers,” a man and woman, meet and discover they have many similarities and coincidences in their lives…and then they realize they are married. High brow nonsense crap like that.
The “Scaramouche! Sainte Nitouche! Go take a douche! I’ve been goosed!” exchange between the Smiths and Martins is, for some reason, a famous part of this stuff. It makes about as much sense of Tebow! All-Pro! Simply absurd.
Not since we thought Bart was a genius and we took him to see opera have I been so bored.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Upon further review, I have been even more bored watching past Pro Bowl games....
…..and my Duff intake during those games provides clear, conclusive, and incontrovertible evidence of that fact.
Hell, I’d rather watch Brian Boitano’s Health Food and Figure Skating Extravanganzzzza on one of the other channels than watch guys fake it and not try to block a PAT.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Whatever happened to the old Pro Bowl, anyway?
Used to be a huge honor, now players are looking for excuses to stay home.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
The Pro Bowl got Tebowed....
…nuff said.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
A lot of things are like that now. I think how high salaries have gotten plays a part in it at least a little. No one wants there 20mil/year QB risking further injury for nothing. I really think they should just get rid of it. As I’ve mentioned before, I wasn’t even interested in it as a kid, and that’s when I’d eat up ANYTHING football related.
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
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