Life of a sports guy: Watch out for Pro Bowl QB rooks
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- Published on Saturday, 28 January 2012 15:26
Derek Brown
Daily Elk Citian
To be able to play in an NFL Pro Bowl it takes a lot of talent and great statistics. So it comes as no surprise that Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers were named as the starting quarterbacks. But what is eye opening is that two rookie quarterbacks will be making their way out to Honolulu.
Because Brady is in the Super Bowl he will not be playing in the Pro Bowl, which opened up a spot on the AFC team that Andy Dalton will fill. The Cincinnati Bengal rookie quarterback out of TCU helped the Bengals to grab a wild card spot. As the Cincinnati playoff run did end after one game it is certainly something to build on. For a rookie quarterback to come to Cincinnati and lead them to the playoffs is incredible, but the fact that he will be playing in the Pro Bowl is an accomplishment all to himself. Dalton threw for 3,398 yards and completed 58.1 percent of his passes. While his 20-13 touchdown to interception ratio is not incredible, the guy had a 80.4 QBR. Only age and time can fix Dalton's poor playoff performance against the Texans. Dalton went 27-42 in their playoff game, but threw three interceptions and had zero touchdowns. The Bengals have found what they need to be successful, and it's an experienced Dalton that only time will give them.
On the NFC team the younger Manning will also be playing in the big game and Panther quarterback Cam Newton will be flown to Honolulu. Newton had an incredible rookie year even though the Panthers went 6-10. Newton, a dual threat quarterback showed the world why he won a Heisman and National Championship. The rookie passed for over 4,000 yards and completed 60 percent of his passes. He threw 21 touchdowns, but threw 17 interceptions. The 22-year-old out of Auburn rushed for 14 touchdowns and had over 700 yards rushing. Truly a great way to begin his NFL career. Now he's a Pro Bowl quarterback and will go into his second year in the league. Newton had 22 turnovers in the 16 game season, something that really needs to be limited.
For Dalton and Newton it must be a great feeling to be playing in Honolulu with the best quarterbacks of the year, including Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, and Philip Rivers.
Derek Brown is The Daily Elk Citian sports editor.
