2014 Pro Bowl Unconferenced Ballot: Special Teams Players

The NFL Pro Bowl will no longer be played between the AFC and NFC. Instead, players will be chosen  regardless of their respective conference. Each position has a certain amount of players that will be selected, with the hope that the best players will make the game, no what conference they play in will. Further description of the new Pro Bowl voting and how the players will be split between Deion Sander's team and Jerry Rice's team is explained via http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot:

"The NFL's top two vote-getters on offense and defense become team captains for Deion Sanders' team and Jerry Rice's team. In a fantasy draft style setting, the captains pick from the voted all-stars to form the teams. And when the stars are realigned, it's teammate versus teammate in the new Pro Bowl: Unconferenced." 

Special Teams:

Kicker (2)


Justin Tucker, Ravens

Matt Prater, Broncos

Punter (2)

Jon Ryan, Seahawks

Dustin Colquitt, Chiefs

Punt/Kick Returner (2)

Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings

Jacoby Jones, Ravens

Special Team Specialist (2)

Matthew Slater, Patriots

Justin Bethel, Cardinals

NFL Opening Night 2013: Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos Preview

The Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens visit Sports Authority Field to battle the Denver Broncos in the 2013 NFL season-opener in a rematch of last year's dramatic AFC divisional round playoff game. Denver was on their way to hosting an AFC Championship game last January, before safety Rahim Moore inexplicably blew his coverage, leaving Jacoby Jones wide open for a 70-yard touchdown with 31 seconds left, forcing overtime and an eventual 38-35 win. The rest is history as the Ravens went on to beat the New England Patriots in the Conference Championship and then took down the upstart San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl, claiming their second Lombardi trophy in franchise history.

            The Ravens will look to become the first team to repeat as champions since the Patriots won three Super Bowls in four years (2001, 2003, 2004). If the Ravens are to repeat, it will come with a noticeably different supporting cast as the champs endured a major roster overhaul in the offseason.

            That being said, let’s look at the key additions and departures for both the Ravens and Broncos.

Baltimore Ravens

Key Additions:  Chris Canty (DT, NYG), Elvis Dumervil (LB, DEN), Rolando McClain (LB, OAK), Michael Huff (S, OAK), Brandon Stokley (WR, DEN) Matt Elam (S, Rooke), Arthur Brown (LB, Rookie)

Key Losses: Anquan Boldin (WR, SF), Matt Birk (C, Retired), Paul Kruger (LB/DE, CLE), Ray Lewis (LB, Retired), Cary Williams (CB, PHI), Dannell Ellerbe (LB, MIA), Ed Reed (S, HOU), Bernard Pollard (S, TEN) Ma'ake Kemoeatu (DT, FA)

 Denver Broncos

Key Additions: Wes Welker (WR, NE), Louis Vasquez (G, SD), Shaun Phillips (DE, SD), Sylvester Williams (DT, Rookie), Montee Ball (RB, Rookie) Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB, PHI)

Key Losses: Elvis Dumervil (DE, BAL), Brandon Stokely (WR, BAL) Willis McGahee (RB, FA), Dan Koppen (C, Torn ACL)

Prediction

The Broncos have long awaited their chance to get some sort of revenge versus the Ravens. Peyton Manning and company would love to start the opposing Ravens season out on a losing note. Denver is loaded on offense, especially with the addition of Wes Welker as the team’s star slot receiver. Baltimore made some nice additions in the offseason; still, the team certainly regressed with Ray Lewis, Anquan Boldin and Paul Kruger all now departed. I am picking the Broncos to win tonight and start what could be an unforgettable season for the franchise in style, taking down the defending champions.