Despite five starters in Pro Bowl Games, one Vikings player is arguably the biggest snub
One of the tough parts about covering the entire National Football League is that it's difficult to know the ins and outs of every team. there are many nuances and context within each team that can get missed because there just isn't enough time in the day. That rings true for the Minnesota Vikings. They […]
One of the tough parts about covering the entire National Football League is that it's difficult to know the ins and outs of every team. there are many nuances and context within each team that can get missed because there just isn't enough time in the day.
That rings true for the Minnesota Vikings. They were very well represented on the Pro Bowl Games roster with six players (five starters) and seven alternates. Only two teams had more with the Baltimore Ravens (nine) and Detroit Lions (seven) with the Philadelphia Eagles also tied at six.
With all of the Vikings included in the Pro Bowl game, there was still one glaring omission.
Minnesota Vikings are well represented at the Pro Bowl Games
These are very well deserved
Vikings ILB Blake Cashman a major snub
Let's get this out of the way. Vikings inside linebacker Blake Cashman is the biggest Pro Bowl Games snub.
Let's start with the incredible travesty of how they still do the voting. Defensive ends and outside linebackers are still different but they are all given to edge rushers. They should be in one group with off-ball linebackers being in one group.
With that said, there are only two off-ball linebackers made the Pro Bowl Games from the NFC:
- San Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner
- Philadelphia Eagles LB Zack Baun
The issue here isn't so much that Cashman should be above either Baun or Warner. It's that he should be either:
- Included with them as the third linebacker
- Listed as an alternate
Neither of those things occurred.
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One of the elements that put Cashman over the top is how vital he is for the defense. Going into Sunday's game win against the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings' defense was among the most important defenders in the league.
Cashman isn't the best player in the league, nor is he at his position, but the Vikings defense is just on a different level when Cashman is in.
One of the main reasons is how Cashman thrives playing in all phases.
- 24 pressures: T-4th
- 4 PBUs: T-3rd
- 2 Batted passes: T-3rd
This play exemplifies so much of what Cashman does for them.
Cashman is such a patient and explosive player. He waits patiently with his eyes up and on the quarterback before exploding quickly once he reads the play. He causes an interception on the play and it's one of many where he's made a huge impact.
The one element where Cashman doesn't get enough love is as a pass rusher/blitzer. he's been incredible in that area, especially as a blitzer. The Vikings love sending him on all kinds of blitzes: as a crasher, looper, and my personal favorite: delayed.
The final element that should be considered is the importance of the player to the team. The Vikings are undefeated at 13-0 when Cashman starts the game. They are 1-2 when he doesn't play. That element is why I believe the Vikings will beat the Detroit LIons on Sunday night.
The Pro Bowl Games need to fix the procedures they have, because Cashman should be a Pro Bowler this season and it's honestly a travesty he's not even an alternate.
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