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In a year in which a roster filled with relatively anonymous players has produced a .500 record, it's to be expected that the Buffalo Bills are only sending one player to Hawaii. The NFL announced the Pro Bowl rosters today, and Bills tackle Jason Peters will start for the AFC squad.
Peters has now started nearly a year and a half at left tackle for the Bills after taking over at the position for Mike Gandy mid-way through the 2006 season. The former undrafted free agent came into the league as a member of the Bills' practice squad - as a tight end. Now, nearly four years later, Peters has been recognized as one of the two best exterior linemen in the AFC. He has headlined an improved Bills line that has cut its sack allowances nearly in half (47 in 2006, 23 to this point in 2007) and has not given up a sack in the past three weeks. The unit has also been the catalyst of a revamped rushing attack featuring Marshawn Lynch and, more recently, Fred Jackson.
Peters will bookend with New England's Matt Light as a starter. The interior starters consist of New England's Logan Mankins, Indianapolis' Jeff Saturday and Pittsburgh's Alan Faneca.
Other Pro Bowl hopefuls from the Bills included LB Angelo Crowell and K Rian Lindell. Crowell is quietly enjoying the best season of his career, leading the Bills in tackles with 113 and adding 2 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. Chris Brown of the team's official site believes Crowell deserved a shot as well. Lindell set a franchise mark by connecting on 17 consecutive field goals this season, and has connected on 21 of 24 overall. He lost out to the Titans' Rob Bironas, who has enjoyed a spectacular 31-of-35 season, including connecting on 8 field goals in a victory over Houston earlier this season.
From the official site comes some great quotes from Peters' coach, Jim McNally:
"He just has to continue to play," said McNally. "The only person that can stop Jason Peters is himself. His ability is limitless."