Another Pro Bowl-caliber season for Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, and another Pro Bowl snub.
This time, Fletcher was passed over for a rookie linebacker -- on his own team.
Ouch.
Can someone call the Academy and get this guy a lifetime achievement award ASAP?
Instead of Fletcher, Skins rookie LB-DE Brian Orakpo will pack his bags for South Florida to be Washington's only representative in the Pro Bowl, which is being moved from its traditional home field in Hawaii.
Wait a minute... it's not in Hawaii anymore? Well then London didn't want to go anyway. Yeah, that's it!
So why Orakpo over Fletcher? Let's look at the stats: Fletcher leads the team with 134 total tackles, including 89 solo jobs, as well as an interception. Orakpo has recorded 48 total tackles (35 solo) to go along with 11 sacks, which are tied for the team lead with Andre Carter.
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Fletcher's 134 total tackles are tied for second in the league with Carolina's Jon Beason behind only Patrick Willis' 147 for San Fran. As for Orakpo, his 11 sacks tie him for seventh-most in the NFL (Denver's Elvis Dumervil leads all with 17) and are the most by any rookie in the league (one ahead of Clay Matthews in Green Bay).
While tackles are terrific, it seems that sacks are sexier. And when you think of sexy, you think Pro Bowl selection, of course.
Despite his sudden sexiness, Orakpo made sure he gave props to his mentor after learning he was selected as a backup outside linebacker to starters Lance Briggs and DeMarcus Ware.
"I still feel great about it," Orakpo told reporters after the rosters were announced. "But when you look back at it, Fletcher, he's done so much for me, I'd trade spots with him anytime because of what he's done for me. ... I'd trade my spot with him any day."
It's good to hear a rookie talk like that. It can only mean good things for his future -- which will probably include a lot more Pro Bowl selections.
Oh, sorry London. No hard feelings, right? We're sure you'll get the nod one of these years...
