NO BOWLING PARTY
Fox’s squad shut out as Hicks, Howard don’t make Pro Bowl roster
HICKS, HOWARD LEFT OFF PRO BOWL ROSTER AS TEAM GETS SHUT OUT AGAIN
Before he began his greatest season to date, defensive end Akiem Hicks shared a secret. He said in August that he had a “goal board” in his bedroom that listed, among other aspirations, a Pro Bowl appearance.
Hewas reminded of the board Saturday after the Bears’ ars’ 2010 loss to the Lions. “I also had 10- 4,” he e said. The Bears, alas, are e 4- 10. Hicks’ Pro Bowl goal oal was dealt a blow Tuesday - night, too, when, along with the rest of the Bears, he was left off the 44- man n NFC roster — at least t initially. Roster spots s often open up for injury y replacements, and d Hicks and running g back Jordan Howard could be chosen between now and the Jan. 29 all- star game in Orlando, Florida.
Coach John Fox, who once said he preferred Super Bowlers to Pro Bowlers, likely will leave eave Chicago at the end of the season on with none of the former and only y a few of the latter. In three seasons together, Fox and general manager Ryan Pace have had a grand total of zero players named to the Pro Bowl on its selection night. Three eventually got in as injury replacements— then- tackle Kyle Long after the 2015 season and guard Josh Sitton and Howard last year. Of the three, Pace can take full credit for only one: Howard, whom he stole in the fifth round of the 2016 draft. Long was selected by ex- GM Phil Emery. Sitton had reached three Pro Bowls with the Packers before signing as a free agent the first week of the 2016 season. Mired in last place in the NFC North for the last 35 weeks of the NFL season — with at least two more guaran guaranteed— the Bears have become beco a perennial doormat. doormat Such rosters deserve serve little all- star attention. Injuries have only added adde to the Bears’ drought. After making three consecutive Pro Bowls, Long finished f the last two t seasons on injured reserve. He’s joined on this year’s IR by two Pace first- round picks: wide receiver Kevin White and outside side linebacker Leonard ard Floyd. If Hicks and Howard ard aren’t taken as alternates, altern the Bears will miss m the Pro Bowl entirely enti for the first time tim since February 1999. 19 Pace signed Hicks to a two- year contract in March 2016 and was so impressed by the first season that he gave Hicks a pre- emptive contract extension — worth $ 48 million over four years — on the eve of this year’s opener.
Hicks has proved to be a wise investment. In addition to his on- field dominance, Hicks’ ebullient personality fits the team’s preference for locker- room harmony. He seemed the most likely player to be voted in by the equally weighted triumvirate of fans, players and coaches as a reward for his breakthrough season.
Appearing in every game, Hicks has a career- high eight sacks — an impressive figure considering his run- game responsibilities in a 3- 4 scheme. He has two fumble recoveries and 48 tackles.
The Rams’ Aaron Donald, the Eagles’ Fletcher Cox and the Buccaneers’ Gerald McCoy were the three interior defensive linemen chosen. McCoy has been fighting a biceps injury — a potential way into the game for Hicks, who, as a 3- 4 defensive end, is considered an interior lineman for Pro Bowl purposes.
Howard, the first Bear to start his career with consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more rushing yards, ranks third in the NFC with 76.4 yards per game.
Despite his quiet demeanor — Howard is a reluctant interview subject — his workmanlike performance has earned at least some respect around the league. He hasn’t missed a game since he was — amazingly, in retrospect — rendered a healthy scratch in the 2016 season opener.
The Rams’ Todd Gurley and the Saints’ tandem of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara made the team. They all figure to make the playoffs. Super Bowl participants don’t play in the Pro Bowl.
Howard, like the rest of the Bears, will certainly be available.
NOTE: Bears guard Kyle Long tweeted a picture of himself Tuesday in a hospital bed after having neck surgery. Long wrote that he had an “important procedure that will lead to much relief and success.” The picture shows him wearing a neck brace.