December 19, 2017
Six members of the 12-2 Philadelphia Eagles have been selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl, the National Football League announced on Tuesday night: quarterback Carson Wentz, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, safety Malcolm Jenkins, tight end Zach Ertz, right tackle Lane Johnson, and right guard Brandon Brooks.
Obviously, Wentz won't be playing in his first Pro Bowl, and it remains to be seen if any other Eagles are playing on January 28, 2018 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Teams who make it past the divisional round of the playoffs are exempt from playing.
Wentz, who led the NFL in touchdowns (a single-season franchise record) through 13 games before tearing his ACL, is one of four Eagles selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time – Ertz, Johnson and Brooks are the others.
“It's rewarding. I think any person wants to see the 'hard work' pay off, but at the end of the day I've had catches and yards and touchdowns before but I've never had a team like this," said Ertz, the first Eagles tight end to make the Pro Bowl since Chad Lewis made three straight from 2001-03. "The ultimate goal is to win football games in this league. If you don't win, nothing really matters. That's what's been so rewarding this year. I've been a really big contributor on a really good football team. I think that whole process has been really fulfilling.”
Ertz is tied for second among NFL tight ends in receiving touchdowns (8) and ranks fourth in receiving yards (719).
Then there's the right side of the offensive line, where Johnson and Brooks have been holding it down for the NFC's most potent rushing attack despite key injuries on the left side.
"I was excited, but I come from a unit where we all are straight brothers," Brooks, a weekly contributor to PhillyVoice this season, said. "So it’s not like an individual accolade. It’s [offensive line coach Jeff] Stoutland coaching me up, getting me right, refining my technique and things like that. Playing alongside Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce helps tremendously and Carson [Wentz] playing well and making plays. So although it’s kind of an individual honor I wouldn’t be able to do it without playing in between these two guys and guys making plays in the backfield too.”
Added Johnson, "I think Brandon and I play really well together. A lot of his success determines my success and vice versa. I'm so happy for him. He definitely deserves it, really good player."
For Jenkins, who leads the Eagles with 107 tackles (75 solo), including nine for a loss, this is his second selection in the last three seasons. So far this year, he has 12 passes defensed, two interceptions and one sack this season. Cox, who earned his third-straight Pro Bowl selection, is currently, fourth among NFC defensive tackles in sacks (5.5).
Center Jason Kelce, defenseive end Brandon Graham, cornerback Jalen Mills, kicker Jake Elliott and special teams standout Kamu Grugier-Hill were named as alternates.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice Sports
