7 Falcons selected to the NFC Pro Bowl team
Falcons special teams player Eric Weems was selected to the Pro Bowl team along with six other players.
FLOWERY BRANCH – The league’s fans, players and coaches recognized the special season the Falcons are having by placing seven players on the NFC Pro Bowl team on Tuesday.
Quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Roddy White, running back Michael Turner, tight end Tony Gonzalez, fullback Ovie Mughelli, defensive end John Abraham and specialist Eric Weems were named to the team. The Falcons are 12-3 and have the best record in the NFC.
The players, while flattered by the honor, are hoping that they will not be available to play in the game, which is set for Jan. 30 in Hawaii.
The game will be played the week before Super Bowl XLV. If the Falcons, who have clinched a playoff berth, reach the league’s grand game the players will be exempt from playing in the all-star game.
Matt Ryan stepping into a throw against Seattle. (Associated Press)
This is White’s third straight Pro Bowl selection.
Gonzalez has now made the Pro Bowl 11 times, but this is his first selection in the NFC.
For Abraham, who is second in the league in sacks with 13, this is his fourth Pro Bowl selection. He was passed over in 2008 despite sitting a franchise-record with 16.5 sacks.
Turner was selected in 2008.
Ryan, Mughelli and Weems were selected for the first time.
Weems, a former undrafted free agent from Bethune Cookman, leads the teams in special teams tackles with 16. He’s also the punt and kickoff returner. Chicago’s Devin Hester was selected as the returner and Weems as the specialist.
Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time. (Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com)
White was Weems’ biggest supporter.
“He’s done a terrific job of just going down their and making plays,” White said. “(Against Tampa Bay) he made a real big play with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter to help us out. It was really the momentum changer in the game that gave us that spark that we needed to win down the stretch.”
Weems was named the NFC special teams player of the week after his franchise record 102 yard kickoff return against Tampa Bay on Dec. 5.
Ryan, who was named the rookie of the year in 2008, is having his best season. He’s completed 335 of 539 passes for 3,469 yards. He has 26 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a passer rating of 89.9.
White thinks Ryan should be a candidate for the league’s most valuable player award.
“He’s doing a good job of leading the team,” White said. “It’s a quarterback driven league so they usually win it. I think our guy should win it.”
Abraham was the lone player from the Falcons’ defense to make the team. Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, who leads the team in tackles with 142, was beaten out by Chicago’s Brian Urlacher and San Francisco’s Patrick Willis.
Also, defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux was considered a strong candidate. Detroit rookie Ndamukong Suh, Dallas’ Jay Ratliff and San Francisco’s Justin Smith were selected as the interior linemen.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter
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115 comments Add your comment
Joe Tess Fish House
December 28th, 2010
11:25 pm
Flacons looked like poo last nite
Rex D
December 28th, 2010
11:41 pm
Hopefully the AP will redeem Brent Grimes by naming him All Pro, which is actually tougher to make. Brent Grimes has played exceptional football and deserves honors this year.
Thomas
December 29th, 2010
12:19 am
I thought Babs would have been named but I suppose somebody had to be left out and it was Babs. Every year some deserving players are left out, however I am sure Babs like the other guys likes the recognition but hope they will be on a greater mission.
Mel
December 29th, 2010
12:55 am
So proud of the ENTIRE TEAM!!!!!!!
DR. FALCON
December 29th, 2010
12:56 am
HARVEY DAHL AND JUSTIN BLALOCK ARE TOP 5 INTERIOR LINEMAN IN THE LEAGUE! THEIR CONSISTENCY IS MEASURED AGAINST THE LIKES OF HALOTI NGATA, JOLL, IN GREEN BAY AND OTHER TOP DT’S! DAHL REMINDS ME OF BILL FRALIC! CURTIS LOFTON LEADS THE TEAM WITH 142 TACKLES, AND HE’S NOT IN? WHATEVER!!!!!!
Saints1Fan
December 29th, 2010
1:08 am
This is a big accomplishment for the Falcon players. They put in the hard work and sweat to be rewarded. Way to go.
Now that we have gotten that out of the way, Falcon fans can still go to Dallas to watch their players play. Just not in the Big Dance because that will be the Saints.
falconfan 24-7
December 29th, 2010
1:25 am
Congrats future Super Bowl Champs.We should have had 10 make it.
How many Aints made the squad?
OHIOdirtybird
December 29th, 2010
1:29 am
Love how Seen and Joe Tess like to show up after a saints win…..too funny to me….But Congrats to all the pro bowlers for the dirty birds, Agree with most here though, Grimes deserves to be in there but its ok…..let him take it as motivation into the post season!!!….BRING ON DOME FIELD ADVANTAGE!!!!!!…..LETS GO FALCONS, RISE UP!!!
falconfan 24-7
December 29th, 2010
1:35 am
Dree Brees has thrown an interception in 10 straight games. Aaron Rodgers should have made it over Brees. It ought be an investigation.
MississippiFalconFan
December 29th, 2010
1:44 am
My Father-in-Law lives with me and is a huge Saints fan and has been pretty mute most of the year, I mean they did lose to just about every team that the Falcons beat but last night he had to run his big mouth like they had just won the Super Bowl again! To all you Aint Fans go put your bags back on because you will NEVER win another Super Bowl! 3 players selected to the Pro Bowl and you are the defending Super Bowl Champs LMFAO!
Bird Droppings II
December 29th, 2010
1:47 am
The Aints had three selections. We had seven. The players, fans and coaches got it right. We are better in all phases of the game.
Falconfan 2
December 29th, 2010
1:53 am
The selection is the first of Ryan’s three-year career. Ryan has thrown for a career-high 3,469 yards and a career-best 26 touchdown passes through 15 games. He has completed 335 of 539 pass attempts for a career-best 62.2 completion percentage and posted an 89.8 passer rating in 2010. The third-year pro out of Boston College has led the Falcons to an NFC-best 12-3 overall record and engineered six game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime this season. Ryan was named the NFC Player of the Month in November.
Falconfan 2
December 29th, 2010
2:01 am
This is validation that we need to go all the way. We will keep the number 1 seed and run the table. We can beat the remaining teams in the playoffs.
Chicago (2 Seed) We have beat them the last two years in the Dome.
Philidelphia (3 Seed) Will not make it to the Second round.
Seattle or St Louis( 4 seed) Blew out both this year.
aints (5 Seed) will not make it to the second round.
Packers (6 Seed) will beat them again.
Falconfan 84
December 29th, 2010
2:04 am
The Aints have no class.
AtlxPat
December 29th, 2010
2:25 am
I’m very surprised that we got that many in on the ballot, but i think our offensive line got snubbed. I think the numbers were something around 3rd most blitzed in the NFL, and least sacked in the NFL. those guys deserve much credit for our success!
Big Daddy
December 29th, 2010
3:05 am
Congrats to the Falcons for their selections. This is a validation of the front office, owner and coaching staff as well as the players for their performance. 7 players selected is outstanding and I hope none get to attend as the players who are participating in the Super Bowl are exempt from participating.
MR ZIZZLE
December 29th, 2010
4:29 am
Congrats guys! I think Grimes should have been there as well but 7 players is great! Too bad none of them will play! They will be in the Super Bowl!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 29th, 2010
4:47 am
7 sounds like a good number. I don’t think they necessarily picked the right 7 (more linemen, less skill position players) but the team with the best record in the conference deserves that high a number.
hop
December 29th, 2010
5:32 am
well deserved,but our defense needed to be better represented with grimes and lofton especially.
dean
December 29th, 2010
7:32 am
Nice performance by that “NFC Pro Bowl Starter” in Philly last night. Yeah. Right.
fan
December 29th, 2010
7:41 am
I am so proud of the falcons its show what good ownership,good management,good coaching hopefully the other professional teams in atlanta will fellow suit
Prof
December 29th, 2010
7:58 am
C’mon, let’s pass the hat so D. can pay an editor.
1) “despite sitting a franchise-record” – how about “setting”
2) “leads the teams in special teams tackles” – how about “the team”
3) “just going down their and” – how about “down there”
For a “professional writer,” this is pathetic.
Super Flying Falcons
December 29th, 2010
8:06 am
Congrat’s to the super7 Atlanta Pro Bowler’s. Go take care of the Carolina Panther’s. N.F.C. SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP, HERE COMES THE ATLANTA FALCON’S.
Scott
December 29th, 2010
8:28 am
The Falcon Nation is proud of all of our 7 All-Pros AND the entire team !!
CONGRATS TO ALL OF YOU…
NOW LET’S WIN THE SUPER BOWL !!!
GOOOO FALCONS !
Mike is back
December 29th, 2010
8:33 am
DLed, Great Stuff…OUR GUYS DESERVE IT!!
I agree with RW on Ryan…how can Matt not be a candidate for MVP…leading a team with the best record in the NFC…that’s top shelf stuff. lol
Cathy
December 29th, 2010
9:17 am
BRENT GRIMES was SNUBBED!!!!
ctfalconsfan
December 29th, 2010
9:20 am
Question:
Would it have been disrespectful to Carolina to go ahead and drop down the 2010 NFC Championship banner after our loss on MNF!!
ctfalconsfan
December 29th, 2010
9:20 am
NFC SOUTH I meant..
ctfalconsfan
December 29th, 2010
9:22 am
Good loss by Philly last night hopefully that will focus ATL on not over looking Carolina.
WE BEAT THE sAINTS IN THE pLAY-OFFS BEFORE AND WE CAN DO IT AGAIN IN A FEW WEEKS!!
Walker, Texas Ranger
December 29th, 2010
9:27 am
Our CB is one of the best.
ctfalconsfan
December 29th, 2010
9:32 am
Hey DOL..
Question, why, with 5 starters going to the Pro Bowl on offense, does our offense struggle to score?
1 TD against aints, san fran, clev
0 TD vs PITT
2 TD vs Phl and GB
The amount of talent on our offense is being held down because of Mularkey’s poor play calling and overall game plan. We have TOOOOOO much talent not to be a TOP 3 offense in the NFL.
Our Defense has 1 pro bowler and those guys don’t have nearly as much talent as our offense yet they are playing well above there heads.
joewhite
December 29th, 2010
9:43 am
Congrats now lets the main title that counts world champions.
Hamp
December 29th, 2010
9:54 am
What The cheeze and crackers why didnt Grimes make the Pro bowl
HeadCheese
December 29th, 2010
9:58 am
Great job Falcons. And Grimes should be there with you.
Zoomie
December 29th, 2010
10:42 am
Congratulations to the selectees. There are more pro bowl-level players on the Falcons that didn’t get selected. Seven is a great number, though. All of you guys (and I mean the whole team) have earned this honor. Congrats again (but I hope you won’t actually be playing in the bowl game . . .).
gcs
December 29th, 2010
10:49 am
Jonathan Babineaux is the most underrated DL in the NFL.
Ndamukong Suh is good but the most overrated. The press just loves him for some reason.
.
Ron
December 29th, 2010
10:50 am
Great for these 7, only wish someone (maybe 2) on the O-Line would have been selected.
myra
December 29th, 2010
10:54 am
Congrats to all who made pro bowl.
Lets hope that those guys and the rest of team are in Texas gettin ready for the Super Bowl. Not the Pro Bowl. Go to WORK Get It DONE.
myra
December 29th, 2010
10:59 am
ctfalconsfan:
Great points. How can our entire offensive ‘playmakers’ be pro bowlers and we cant score? Head scratchin…
willdave
December 29th, 2010
11:10 am
Congratulations to the seven Falcons selected to the Pro Bowl. I do believe this is by far the highest number of their players to receieve this honor in one season. Keep in mind that normally, despite how good their record might be, the Falcons are lucky if just one of their players is selected. So this is yet another huge breakthrough for this amazing team.
We let the Aints have a game the other night. They needed that game way more than we did. Nothing wrong with letting our neighbors to the west hold on to some false hope just a little longer. Everyone knows that the division and NFC home field advantage are ours after the Carolina Kittens come to town this Sunday. So enjoy this late Christmas present while it lasts, all you Aints fans.
Falcons 4 Real
December 29th, 2010
11:23 am
I’m happy Matty, Ovie and Weems got the nod when I wasn’t sure they would but dissapointed that Grimey didn’t. Why Brees was chosen over Aaron Rodgers is a mystery to me.
ATL Fan
December 29th, 2010
11:38 am
Really glad that Weems didn’t get overlooked. He has been making plays all year. His cover skills have been phenomenal. I wasn’t sure he would be picked but was sure he deserved to be.
MountainDawg
December 29th, 2010
11:57 am
Good showing by the Falcons. I can’t believe Cleveland’s RB Hillis & Pats WR Wes Welker aren’t did make the Pro Bowl! Hillis is a complete powerhouse for the Browns.
Hey Atlanta Fans
December 29th, 2010
12:04 pm
Saints aren’t worried about getting players on the Pro Bowl team because their players won’t be able to play in it anyway. I am glad you all are so excited to 7 players selected I wish it was 22 .It’s going to give the Falcan’ts fans something to do the weekend before they have to watch the Saints win the Super Bowl.
atl
December 29th, 2010
12:07 pm
it’s now wednesday and mike mularkey is still trying to shove a square peg into a round hole!
FalconFan
December 29th, 2010
12:16 pm
I am so glad that the Falcons lost Monday. Now if and when we play the Saints in the playoffs we won’t need to hear that there is no way the Falcons can beat the Saints 3 times in one season. I look FORWARD to the next game in the playoffs if the Saints make it past the first round. The results will be another step in making it to the Super Bowl. Maybe we won’t fumble on the 1yard line this time. Its a shame we won’t get to see any of the Falcons in the Pro Bowl. They will be in Dallas preparing for the Super Bowl.
Mike
December 29th, 2010
12:42 pm
Congrats, I am disappointed to see however that Lofton and Grimes are not on the list.
the voice of truth
December 29th, 2010
1:19 pm
Grimes was robbed,,he’s gonna be All-Pro,,mark my words,,Deangelo Hall makes the pro bowl…who the hell votes for this stuff..I’m really pissed,,here’s a guy who plays his ass off all year and they pick Hall.Nobody from Washington should be in the pro bowl.
b17211
December 29th, 2010
1:35 pm
I’m a Falcon fan but Matt Ryan is overrated. He just hasn’t lived up to the hype yet. Aaron Rodgers is a more deserving Pro Bowl pick. He means more to his team winning and losing as Michael Turner’s rushing means to the Falcons offensive success.
Northern Bird
December 29th, 2010
3:02 pm
Awesome to have 7 guys selected for the pro bowl !!
These boys deserve it. I love seeing Olvie on this list, the guy is committed to being a #1 FB and has worked super hard to get there.
Lofton, you time will come, you are overdue, no doubt. Grimes, keep it up, yours will come also.
Go Falcons !!!!!!!!!!!