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3 Colts Make Pro Bowl Despite Disappointing Season, Missing Playoffs
(By Joel A. Erickson)
https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...r/77398680007/
1) l Quenton Nelson, the team’s stalwart left guard, made his 7th Pro Bowl in 7 seasons, a remarkable pace for any offensive lineman and a reflection of Nelson’s dominance over the years.
Nelson is the 20th player to make the Pro Bowl in his first seven seasons in the league, 13 of those players are in the Hall of Fame -- Jim Brown, Dick Butkus, Lou Creekmur, Joe Greene, Franco Harris, Merlin Olsen, Mel Renfro, Les Richter, Barry Sanders, Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, Joe Thomas and Patrick Willis. Of the other six, four aren't eligible yet (Aaron Donald, A.J. Green, Tyreke Hill and Patrick Peterson.)
2) l Jonathan Taylor, the team’s best offensive weapon, made his second Pro Bowl for a season in which he’s rushed for 1,254 yards, currently 7th in the NFL, and scored 10 touchdowns. Taylor’s season has also been marred by a couple of high-profile mistakes, notably fumbling before crossing the goal line in Denver, but he has also been the driving force for the offense down the stretch.
3) l Middle linebacker Zaire Franklin was named to the first Pro Bowl of his career. Franklin leads the NFL with 165 tackles, and he’s added 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles despite struggling in coverage at times.
ALTERNATES: l Indianapolis defensive tackle
l DeForest Buckner, lwho ranks second on the team in both sacks (6.5) and quarterback hits (13) despite missing essentially 6 games due to a high ankle sprain, and veteran center
l Ryan Kelly, lwho has 4 previous Pro Bowl nods but missed 7 games this year, are alternates.
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