Pierre-Paul, Cruz, and Snee Named to 2013 Pro Bowl
Depending on what happens on Sunday, the Giants may or may not have a chance to represent in the post season this year. However, they’ll be represented in the 2013 NFC Pro Bowl.
Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, receiver Victor Cruz, and right guard Chris Snee were named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad tonight following a two-month voting process that consisted of input by the fans, players, and coaches.
Pierre-Paul, the only Giant to be named a starter, had finished third in the fan voting with 295,672 votes, behind Jared Allen of the Vikings, and John Abraham of the Falcons.
Pierre-Paul , the Giants’ first-round draft pick in 2010, had his breakout season last year, recording 16.5 sacks , the fourth highest total in team history. While his production hasn’t come close to that total – this year he’s only recorded 6.5 sacks – Pierre-Paul, who has started 26 of the 47 regular-season games in which he’s played has established himself as more of a complete defender against both the run and the pass.
Pierre-Paul currently has 177 total tackles (128 solo) 26.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
“Just like last year, I would much rather not play in the game because I want to be with my team at the Super Bowl,” Pierre-Paul said, “but it’s a great honor to be selected among the best in the NFL at my position.”
A former first round draft pick in 2010, this is Pierre-Paul’s second straight Pro Bowl berth.
Cruz, who last year made the squad as an alternate despite having his breakout season for the Giants, will be going to his first all-star game, albeit as a backup.
Cruz, who will be a restricted free agent, has appeared in 34 games in three seasons, 22 of which have been starts. He has 164 receptions for 2576 yards and 18 touchdowns.
His best season, of course, was last year when he set new franchise marks with 82 catches for 1,536 yards. This year, with one game to go, Cruz has already matched his 82 catches from last season and his nine touchdowns.
In the post season last year, he started all four games, finishing with four catches for 269 yards and a touchdown. Cruz, an undrafted free agent who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, was the recipient of the Giants’ first touchdown score in Super bowl XLVI against New England, a 21-17 Giants win.
“I’m honored and humbled to be selected,” Cruz said. “It really is a dream come true for me. The Pro Bowl is a great individual achievement, but I know I couldn’t have been named to the Pro Bowl without the support of my teammates. Eli (Manning) is one of the great quarterbacks in the game. He has done so much for my career. Right now, I’m really focused on going out Sunday and our team playing as well as it can, getting a great team win against the Eagles and hoping we get the opportunity to further our season.”
Snee, a former second round draft pick by the Giants in 2004, has started every game in which he’s played, 137 regular season and 11 post season, at right guard. His 137 regular season starts played is the second highest total among active players, behind David Diehl’s 152 games and just one more than quarterback Eli Manning, who was also acquired in 2004, who has 136.
Snee, who will go in as a reserve, will be appearing in his fourth Pro Bowl assuming he doesn’t bow out due to a nagging hip injury he’s been trying to fight through. He had been voted to three straight all-star games from 2008 through 2010, and, along with former center Shaun O’Hara, became the first Giants offensive linemen to be selected to three Pro Bowls since center Bart Oates was selected in 1990, 1991 and 1993.
“It’s always an honor to be selected to the Pro Bowl,” Snee said. “It doesn’t quite feel right, coming off of our last two performances, but it is an honor because you’ve earned the respect of your peers, the coaches and, of course, the fans.”
Snee is the first Giants offensive lineman to make four Pro Bowls since Rosie Brown, who made 9.
Kicker Lawrence Tynes was named a first alternate. QB Eli Manning and KR David Wilson were named second alternates at their respective positions, and C David Baas and S Stevie Brown were named as fourth alternates.
