Malcolm Jenkins Among Pro Bowl Replacements

James Anderson via Flickr

NFL

Eagles’ Malcolm Jenkins Among Others Named Pro Bowl Replacement

It was announced on Tuesday that Eagles’ safety and captain, Malcolm Jenkins, had been named to the Pro Bowl. Jenkins will replace New York Giants’ safety, Landon Collins who was originally selected. The 2019 Pro Bowl will be Jenkins’ third of his career.

Jenkins just finished his fifth season in Philadelphia after playing five seasons in New Orleans. He has also won a Super Bowl in each city. Last season, Jenkins had two interceptions and was credited with eight passes defended. Additionally, Jenkins had 69 combined tackles with 57 solo tackles.

This season, Jenkins found himself in the nickel position assisting the front seven in the short game defense. After a series of injuries in the secondary, Malcolm became a jack of all trades the last two years for Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz.

This season, Jenkins only had one interception returned for 25 yards, and eight passes defended. However, Jenkins had three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one sack, and 97 combined tackles, 79 solo tackles.

While the Eagles’ defense finished at 22nd overall, Jenkins had one of his best seasons, behind 2015, this year. Had the Eagles’ defense met expectations, he likely would have been named a Pro Bowler back in December.

Pro Bowl Replacements

Due to injuries, personal matters, or postseason play, every year several Pro Bowl nominees decline the offer to play in the NFL’s biggest showcase of talent. As the game nears, a host of replacements have signed up to take their place in January’s big game.

AFC

• WR: Antonio Brown (PIT) replaced by JuJu Smith Schuester (PIT)
• G: David DeCastro (PIT) replaced by Joel Bitonio (CLE)
• QB: Philip Rivers (LAC) replaced by Andrew Luck (IND)
• RB: Phillip Lindsay (DEN) replaced by Lamar Miller (HOU)
• DL: Jurrell Casey (TEN) replaced by Kyle Williams (BUF), Geno Atkins (CIN) replaced by Brandon Williams (BAL)

NFC

• WR: Julio Jones (ATL) replaced by Mike Evans (TB)
• TE: Zach Ertz (PHL) replaced by Austin Hooper (ATL)
• OLB: Khalil Mack (CHI) replaced by Olivier Vernon (NYG)
• MLB: Luke Kuechly (CAR) replaced by Leighton Vander Esch (DAL)
• SS: Landon Collins (NYG) replaced by Malcolm Jenkins (PHL)

Pro Bowl History

From 1938 to 1942, the league hosted the “NFL All-Star Game.” In 1950 the “NFL Pro Bowl” began and ran until 1969, the merger happening in 1966. The current format began in 1970 when the two teams were separated by conference with the AFC facing off against the NFC.

During the turn of the 2010s, commissioner Roger Goodell was leaning towards getting rid of the Pro Bowl due to the lack of attention and seriousness he felt it generated. Several changes were made to the rules and format after the Players’ Association fought to keep the game.

From 2013-2015, in attempts to create some excitement around the game, the league broke the conference format and instead had Team Rice and Team Sanders. Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders were the alumni captains of the respective teams. In 2016, the Pro Bowl reverted to its original format of AFC vs. NFC.

Before 2017, the Pro Bowl was in Hawaii at the Aloha Stadium every year since 1980, but two. The NFC leads the overall series, 22-21.

Game Information

The American Football Conference (AFC) will be coached by Anthony Lynn and the Chargers’ coaching staff. Jason Garrett and the Cowboys’ coaching staff will be leading up the National Football Conference (NFC). The game will take place in between Conference Championship weekend and the Super Bowl.

Date: Sunday, January 27th

Time: 3 pm EST

Location: Orlando, Florida

Channel: ESPN/ABC

Photo Credit

Featured Image courtesy of James Anderson

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