Andrew Luck Selected First Overall in Pro Bowl Draft
By Evan Reller
January 22, 2014; Ko
With the first pick in the 2014 NFL Pro Bowl Draft, Team Sanders selects Andrew Luck, quarterback, Indianapolis Colts.
Rather than sticking with the standard AFC-NFC format from past years, the NFL decided to mix it up for this season’s Pro Bowl. All the players would be drafted by NFL legends Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice.
Sanders went first and selected Luck and Panthers QB Cam Newton. Rice countered with Saints tight end Jimmy Graham and Eagles running back LeSean McCoy.
The draft format, while an interesting concept, was done in a very odd way. The draft started Tuesday with defensive tackles, guards, forwards, fullbacks, and special teams being selected. They also selected captains on that first day with Rice taking Saints QB Drew Brees and Rams defensive end Robert Quinn while Sanders took Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles and Texans defensive end JJ Watt.
Colts long snapper Matt Overton was taken in the first night by Team Rice. The first night seemed to remove all the players not considered “skill” positions.
The bulk of the draft took place the following night.
Robert Mathis was initially taken by Team Sanders, ensuring that he wouldn’t have to hit his team’s franchise quarterback. However at the end of the draft he was traded to Team Rice, setting up the possibility of Mathis running down Luck.
“I got traded so maybe (I’ll have to hit him),” Mathis said.
Chuck Pagano and his coaching staff will be in charge of Team Sanders while Panthers coach Ron Rivera will head up Team Rice. With the current roster, Pagano might actually be able to run his ground and pound offense he deeply desires.
Pro Bowl Rosters:
TEAM RICE
QB: Drew Brees, Saints; Philip Rivers, Chargers; Alex Smith, Chiefs.
RB: Matt Forte, Bears; LeSean McCoy, Eagles; DeMarco Murray, Cowboys.
FB: Mike Tolbert, Panthers.
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals; Josh Gordon, Browns; Alshon Jeffery, Bears; Brandon Marshall, Bears.
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Falcons; Jimmy Graham, Saints.
C: Ryan Kalil, Panthers; Nick Mangold, Jets.
OG: Jahri Evans, Saints; Ben Grubbs, Saints; Evan Mathis, Eagles.
OT: Jordan Gross, Panthers; Tyron Smith, Cowboys; Joe Thomas, Browns.
DT: Marcell Dareus, Bills; Jason Hatcher, Cowboys; Kyle Williams, Bills.
DE: Cameron Jordan, Saints; Robert Quinn, Rams; Cameron Wake, Dolphins.
ILB: Vontaze Burfict, Bengals; Derrick Johnson, Chiefs.
OLB: John Abraham, Cardinals; Justin Houston, Chiefs; Robert Mathis, Colts.
S: Jairus Byrd, Bills; Eric Reid, 49ers; Antrel Rolle, Giants.
CB: Antonio Cromartie, Jets; Brandon Flowers, Chiefs; Joe Haden, Browns; Alterraun Verner, Titans.
PR: Dexter McCluster, Chiefs.
ST: Justin Bethel, Cardinals.
K: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots.
P: Johnny Hekker, Rams.
LS: Matt Overton, Colts.
TEAM SANDERS
QB: Nick Foles, Eagles; Andrew Luck, Colts; Cam Newton, Panthers.
RB: Jamaal Charles, Chiefs; Eddie Lacy, Packers; Alfred Morris, Redskins.
FB: Marcel Reece, Raiders.
WR: Antonio Brown, Steelers; Dez Bryant, Cowboys; A.J. Green, Bengals; DeSean Jackson, Eagles.
TE: Jordan Cameron, Browns; Jason Witten, Cowboys.
C: Alex Mack, Browns; Mike Pouncey, Dolphins.
OG: Kyle Long, Bears; Logan Mankins, Patriots; Marshal Yanda, Ravens.
OT: Branden Albert, Chiefs; Trent Williams, Redskins; Duane Brown, Texans.
DT: Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers; Dontari Poe, Chiefs; Ndamukong Suh, Lions.
DE: Greg Hardy, Panthers; J.J. Watt, Texans; Mario Williams, Bills.
ILB: Luke Kuechly, Panthers; Paul Posluszny, Jaguars.
OLB: Tamba Hali, Chiefs; Brian Orakpo, Redskins; Terrell Suggs, Ravens.
S: Eric Berry, Chiefs; T.J. Ward, Browns; Eric Weddle, Chargers.
CB: Brent Grimes, Dolphins; Tim Jennings, Bears; Patrick Peterson, Cardinals; Darrelle Revis, Buccaneers.
PR: Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings.
ST: Matthew Slater, Patriots.
K: Justin Tucker, Ravens.
P: Brandon Fields, Dolphins.
LS: J.J. Jansen, Panthers.
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