2010 All Stars: Projecting Pro Bowlers
by David Fucillo on Jul 5, 2010 7:00 AM PDT
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Yesterday afternoon Major League Baseball announced rosters for the 2010 All Star Game, to be hosted down in Anaheim. The Bay Area is represented by Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson of the Giants, and Trevor Cahill of the A's. Big congratulations are certainly in order for those guys.
In the meantime, I thought that since we're in the midst of projecting rosters, why not take a look ahead to the 2011 Pro Bowl. There is a whole season of football to be played, but that doesn't mean we can't project who will have big seasons. The 49ers have a whole host of talented players that will be looking to make the Pro Bowl. Last year, the 49ers sent TE Vernon Davis, Patrick Willis and Andy Lee as starters, and then Frank Gore and Justin Smith as injury replacements.
Who could the 49ers send this season? We break down some of the options after the jump.
Patrick Willis and Vernon Davis are clearly two of the obvious choices heading into the 2010 season. Willis could very well be a Pro Bowler until he retires, or at least for most of the coming decade. He's dominating at the inside linebacker position, and I see no reason for him to lose his iron grip on a starting position.
Vernon Davis finally brought it all together in 2009 and will be looking to build on that in 2010. He might lose some looks to Michael Crabtree, but I'd imagine he'll find a way to put up some filthy numbers once again. He'll face tough competition from the likes of Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez, among others, but Davis is as talented as any TE in the NFL.
Andy Lee was also a starter, and I'd like to think he'll be back in 2010 for another strong year. At the same time, I'd like to hope that a strong year from the 49ers would lessen the chances Andy Lee makes the Pro Bowl. However, even with a strong performance by the rest of the 49ers, I'd imagine Andy Lee will continue to excel punting for the team. Even if his total number of punts goes down (we hope), he can still nail that net average.
Frank Gore made the team as an injury replacement in 2009, and with the improvement of the offensive line, I'd like to think it should only improve his chances in 2010. He put together a strong 2009 averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and if he can stay healthy, he could put up some strong numbers.
Michael Crabtree will be getting his first full season of action, and given how strong his performance was in 2009, what's to stop him from stepping up even further in 2010? Of course, when you've got guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White and DeSean Jackson, among others, wide receiver remains a tough position in which to break through.
The big question is whether Alex Smith could put together a Pro Bowl type of performance. I'm certainly not holding my breath, but crazier things have certainly happened.
On defense, Justin Smith will certainly be looking to break through again. The problem for Smith is that he plays a position (3-4 DE) that requires a lot of grunt work that doesn't get recognized by the fans. I think we as 49ers fans will definitely have to step up in the voting process for Smith.
Two other 49ers defensive players could very well work their way into consideration: Dashon Goldson and Shawntae Spencer. Goldson is entering his second full year starting at free safety and has proven to be a playmaker. He led the team with four sacks, was second in tackles, and even managed a couple sacks. If he can add a few more interceptions, he very well could be a reserve on the NFC Pro Bowl team.
Shawntae Spencer is a guy who, like Justin Smith, quietly goes about his work. He quietly emerged as a starter last season and while he only had two interceptions, he put together some excellent work at the cornerback position. He'll need more of the flashy stats to make the Pro Bowl, but I could certainly see him as an injury replacement.
If the 49ers can turn into the playoff squad many of us think is so close to developing, it will be because certain members of the team step up and emerge as top performers in the league. Who could some of those players be?
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Andy Lee
Lechler is pretty tough competition with an avg over 50. But with Campbell as the starter he may get less work.
Also Andy’s return yards ‘should’ drop pretty noticeably. He had the highest in the league last year.
Are we THERE yet?
Lechler is in the AFC
No competition there.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Jul 5, 2010 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions
No problem
Keep a watch over that brain though.
Sometimes they don’t come back.
:P
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Jul 5, 2010 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Aubrayo Franklin
He should have been an Pro Bowler last season. He’s my pick this year besides Willis and Davis.
"Even the Swedes are getting mad."-Randy Hahn
"It's very cozy in the sin bin."-Randy Hahn
good call
I’d forgotten about Franklin. So easy to sometimes forget about nose tackles.
by David Fucillo on Jul 5, 2010 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Alex Smith could have a Pro Bowl type of season
But with all the haters in the media, I find it difficult to see him making it even if he has better numbers than say, Manning or Brees and company. People are quick to say that Vernon Davis has arrived, but they seldom mention that Smith is the one who got him the ball. Davis also dropped 2 easy TD passes by Smith, that I can recall.
I believe that it all depends on the overall record of the team. More wins means more attention to the players for Pro Bowl consideration. If the team can reel off 13 wins, then Heitmann and Staley could see some love along with A. Franklin.
If they can get 11-12 wins I see
Goldson
Spencer
Franklin
Gore
Sheets (joking)
Crabtree
J.Smith
I see as locks no matter the record
Willis
V.Davis
Lee
If the Niners win 13, then A. Smith should get considerable attension.
It would be nice to have 8-9 guys go.
Talor Mays
I’ll put one out there that many may not agree with but I say Mays will make it his first year in the League just as Lott and Willis did…that’s right you heard it here first…
Bold.
I like it, but I don’t think Mays plays enough to earn the votes. I do expect him to play well when he is on the field, though.
"The principle is competing against yourself. It's about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before." ~Steve Young #8
by Young_To_Rice on Jul 5, 2010 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
I think Roman goes down
and Mays never looks back. I don’t know if he’ll be a 1st year pro bowler but 2nd year yes I think.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jul 5, 2010 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Roman? I think you mean Michael Lewis
Dashon, Mays, and Bamm Bamm will get the record for most decapitations in one season
by MichaelClutchtree on Jul 5, 2010 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Alex Smith, Crabtree, VD, Gore, Iupati on offense
Willis, J. Smith, Ahmad Brooks, Franklin on defense.
Andy Lee and Ted Ginn on ST.
11 Niners go to the Pro Bowl
Gimme 1 round!
Mr. Fucillo,
next May please learn Chinese. You don’t have to write it, but you must speak it with confidence & know what you have learned inside & out. Oh yea, you have FOUR months to do this. May – September. Then the next year we are going to change everything to Italian. Same time length. Next year Japanese. Do this for five years in a row. Oh I forgot one more thing. You have a different teacher each time, with his own way of teaching.
I will sit back & grade YOU on YOUR performance. I will not take in consideration that you had tongue surgery & did not talk for a year & a half. Nor the different language’s that you have to learn every year. Do you catch my drift, Sir?
Give that man a break! He has an O line now. TE, WR, & even a RB to throw to that can CATCH & RAC. As you know, those two Brama Bulls that we got & if that mule can kick like it talks (Byham) they will make all phase’s of OUR game much, much better.
As you can tell that one line in your blog about A. Smith is what set me off! I wonder how good Smith’s first five years would have been if he had the same chances as Montana. Same coach, same OC.
That’s my two cents.
"Moving Forward."
by L. J on Jul 5, 2010 1:46 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Fooch is not a hater
Tim is a hater. Copy paste this for him sometime.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jul 5, 2010 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions
huh?
Have you read any of my other posts about Alex Smith? I’m not saying that I think Alex Smith will struggle. Rather, I’m simply saying I don’t expect a Pro Bowl performance. Please do a search of my numerous other posts on Alex Smith and you’ll see that I’m an Alex Smith fan.
by David Fucillo on Jul 5, 2010 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions
You've got to admit though...
That was a great comment
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Jul 5, 2010 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions
true
I love when people refer to me as mister. His comment is certainly very serious. I’d give it props, but he’s been a member since February, and I know I’ve written at least a couple Alex Smith posts in that time.
by David Fucillo on Jul 5, 2010 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions
The reason I just became
a member in Feb. (my B’day mounth) is I got my first ‘puter in Nov. On line in Jan. Yea i’m slow!! ha-ha
"Moving Forward."
+1 for 'puter.
I don’t know why but I think it’s hilarious. Also, I liked your post above. Good stuff.
I can't wait for Mango's sig to say "0 days to go".
Alex Smith doesnt need to have his honor protected.
I think Smith is going to come out this year and shut up some of his critics. They have steadily brought in more and more talent around Alex, and the Offense looks to be much improved over last season. If Smith does not improve his game over last season, then the Niners are in trouble anyway. Lets hope that Alex finally has the situation where he can succeed. He has receivers, an consistent running game, and now a young and improving offensive line. There should be no problems with the Offense this year. We need the Offense to stay on the field more, and have less 3 and outs overall this season. If the OL (and Gore) stays healthy and keeps improving, then that should give Smith more time to throw with the play action pass. Hopefully Smith worked on his footwork for the drop back. He needs to be under center a majority of the time. GO NINERS !!!
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
No I am not,
foosball4949. But if you or anybody else feel the same way about Smith, well let me put it to you like this, “If the shoe fits wear it!”
"Moving Forward."
I'm a little confused
I’m a cautious smith supporter who (from what I gleaned from your post) feels exactly the same way about his situation as you do
Who is Tim?
Where is this tiny Tim at. Let me at him! I’m tired of all these Alex heaters! This is the first year that he will be reading out of the same Book. It’s not that he is my favorite QB. I don’t think he is a GOAT. I just believe in giving him a FAIR chance.
"Moving Forward."
Had to remind me of the MLB All Star game
How does the MLB leader in strikeouts with a sub 3.00 ERA not make it?
And why the [site decorum] is Kinsler on the roster?
As for the 49ers: I’d say Vernon Davis, Lee, Willis, Franklin, J. Smith, Spencer, Heitman and maybe Jennings make it.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
Fooch,
Excuse me if you are a supporter, or at least like me, “lets see how he does in the same Book for two years in a row for the first time in his NFL life.” I just can’t stand all the Alex haters. I did not say doubters. Doubters I can understand. Haters………..
"Moving Forward."
that's fine
You’re entitled to your opinion, as is everybody.
One thing, could you please use the reply button when posting a comment in response to somebody else’s comment? In a small thread like this it’s not the end of the world, but in bigger threads it makes it really difficult to follow the discussion.
by David Fucillo on Jul 5, 2010 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
also...
Just to show you what I’m talking about, this post is from two days ago.
by David Fucillo on Jul 5, 2010 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh yea, I read his rederick
& my jaws were so locked I could not talk or eat for the rest of the day.
As far as reading your post, I read everything on NN. I just don’t comment all the time.
You & the rest of the crew keep up the good work!! Weather I agree with what whoever says.
"Moving Forward."
is this guy on an acid trip or just high
Dashon, Mays, and Bamm Bamm will get the record for most decapitations in one season
by MichaelClutchtree on Jul 5, 2010 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Here's how I grade it
Certain locks
Vernon Davis
Andy Lee
Patrick Willis
Strong contenders
Justin Smith
Aubrayo Franklin
Frank Gore
On the Bubble
Dashon Goldson
Ahmad Brooks
Alex Smith
I don’t think there’s any way Spencer goes, nor do I think that Crabtree will go unless he has a 1500 yard season. Brooks has the possibility of making if he improves on his sack numbers from last year. Goldson could do it if he plays the whole season like he played the last three games of 2009. Smith could possibly make it but I think that even if he does have a Pro-Bowl caliber season it will take another one like it before people start paying attention.
Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority
No one will make the Pro Bowl....
because the Niners will be playing in the SUPERBOWL!!!! :)
by sanfranfanmdk on Jul 5, 2010 3:57 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Excellent point
Thanks for bringing that one up.
by David Fucillo on Jul 5, 2010 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Very nice
That didn’t even occur to me.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Jul 5, 2010 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm surprised I had to scroll down that far to get that comment
Still, Davis, Willis, Andy Lee, and Gore are the only Niners I’d guess could be Pro Bowl bound.
"Lord, beer me strength."
This is a very wise post.
Why would our players be at a game with no meaning when they have a championship game to attend! I will be pulling for the Niners to have PB Selections but have everyone too busy to go to Hawaii because the Niners season will still be going! That would be the most awesome
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
Locks:
Andy lee
Patrick Willis
Strong Contenders
Vernon Davis
Frank Gore
Justin Smith
Franklin
No one else I really see fit. Alex Smith will likely never go to the Pro Bowl no matter how well he does
Dashon, Mays, and Bamm Bamm will get the record for most decapitations in one season
by MichaelClutchtree on Jul 5, 2010 9:54 PM PDT reply actions
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