Three former NC State stars will be packing their suntan oil in February, as their stellar play was rewarded with a well-deserved trip to Honolulu for the annual AFC-NFL Pro Bowl. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers, St. Louis wide receiver Torry Holt and Arizona strong safety Adrian Wilson were all selected to the teams, announced yesterday.
In his first year as a starter, Rivers has thrown for 2,976 yards and 18 touchdowns through 14 games, with a completion percentage of 62.8 and only eight interceptions. The Chargers are 12-2 this year, with Rivers ranking fourth in the AFC in passer rating, fourth in touchdown throws and fifth in passing yardage.
Interestingly, Rivers made the Pro Bowl while the New York Giants’ Eli Manning did not. The two will forever be linked due to a draft day trade in 2004, when San Diego selected Manning first overall and the Giants picked Rivers fourth. New York then traded the rights to Rivers and three draft picks to the Chargers for the rights to Manning. Two of those draft selections, linebacker Shawne Merriman and kicker Nate Kaeding, were also named to the Pro Bowl this year along with Rivers. How’s that trade working out for you, New York?
Making his sixth Pro Bowl appearance, Holt eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the seventh straight year. In 14 games, he has 80 receptions for 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 13.1 yards per grab. He’s tied for second in the NFC in receiving scores, tied for third in receptions and fourth in receiving yards. He’ll start for the NFC squad in Hawaii.
Long considered one of the game’s top safeties, Wilson finally earned his first selection to the Pro Bowl this year. A season ago, he was snubbed after establishing an NFL record for sacks by a defensive back with eight. This year, he has registered 76 tackles, four sacks, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries for the Cardinals. Amazingly, he has two 99-yard returns for touchdowns on the campaign, one on an interception and one on a fumble. He’ll line up as the starting strong safety for the NFC.
The total of three alumni in the Pro Bowl game puts NC State in a tie for second-most among colleges this year. Congratulations to these former Pack standouts and good luck the rest of the way …
2 comments:
Imagine a world where Rivers throws to Holt. I'd like to live in that world.
Dude ... no kidding. *sigh*
If they were both playing in the same conference and Rivers could throw to Holt during the game, it would make it almost worth watching.
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