| 30 December 2009
The Lions announced outside linebacker Julian Peterson was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
No, I'm not kidding.
From the Detroit Lions' own blog:
Head Coach Jim Schwartz announced after Wednesday’s practice that veteran linebacker Julian Peterson has been named a Pro Bowl alternate for this year’s game in Miami.
Schwartz: “We did have one alternate – Julian Peterson got voted as an alternate. A lot of times that stuff comes to light as you get closer to the Pro Bowl when you get injuries or people that get out of the game for certain reasons. Julian has been there before and has had a good season for us.”
As usual in any kind of Pro Bowl voting, past production and former reputation count heavily. Too heavily. Peterson was once a legitimate Pro Bowl player...5 years ago.
Let me ask you all something. Does anyone remember Peterson making any sort of major impact on the Detroit defense in 2009? Has he played anywhere near Pro Bowl caliber anytime this season?
Anyone?
Didn't think so.
Peterson has been OK, at best. He's filled a position of need adequately. Doesn't make him a candidate for the Pro Bowl, though.
If a linebacker was needed, and absolutely had to come from Detroit, then Larry Foote should have gotten the call, as he leads the team in tackles. But even Foote being named an alternate is a stretch...not near as big as Peterson, but still a stretch.
If any Lion was going to get some sort of Pro Bowl recognition, it should have been rookie safety Louis Delmas. He's the only impact defender on the Lions' roster. The only defender who made game changing plays. The only defender to put points on the scoreboard. The only defender other teams will have to game plan for on a weekly basis.
Now that sounds like a Pro Bowl caliber player to me.
Naming Peterson a Pro Bowl alternate was the easy thing to do. Naming Delmas as a Pro Bowl alternate (at the very least) would have been the right thing to do.
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