Green Bay Packers center Jeff Saturday was named to the 2012 NFC Pro Bowl roster on Wednesday, but it would be hard to argue that the veteran offensive lineman truly deserved his sixth career Pro Bowl nomination. Saturday was benched by Packers coach Mike McCarthy and replaced by Evan Dietrich-Smith in Week 16 -- just days before Saturday was honored as a top NFC performer this season -- so the Pro Bowl nomination made for awkward conversation the following day.
Packers C Jeff Saturday ‘disappointed’ in his Pro Bowl selection
Green Bay Packers center Jeff Saturday was voted to the NFC Pro Bowl roster just days after losing his starting job to Evan Dietrich-Smith, and he didn’t feel too good about the whole situation.
Jonathan Daniel
Saturday started the first 14 games of the season for the Packers in 2012, and he handled both the demotion and the ill-timed accolades with aplomb. He offered his public support to Dietrich-Smith before Week 16, and then he told reporters that voters got it wrong because they overlooked a more deserving teammate on the offensive line for the Pro Bowl (via ESPN-Wisconsin):
"Obviously, it's always an honor. Anytime you get to go to the Pro Bowl, it is an honor and you appreciate everyone - the players, coaches and fans - that voted for you. As an offensive lineman, it is nice to get the award.
"I am disappointed for Josh Sitton; I think he should be there. It is disappointing for me, for him. I would love to be able to pass it to him. He is a tough player and has played very well all season. I respect the heck out of the way he has played and it has been fun to play next to him."
The Packers' offensive line has allowed the fourth-most sacks in the NFL this season (46), so perhaps no player on that unit deserves recognition. John Sullivan of the Minnesota Vikings probably deserved Saturday's spot, and if you're interesting in discovering which players were snubbed during the selection process, be sure to check out SB Nation's list of NFC players who deserved an invitation to Hawaii but came away with nothing.
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