NFL legends Michael Irving and Jerry Rice are ready.
The two former game changing wide receivers have their rosters prepared for the annual celebrity fun fest, known as the Pro Bowl. Both chose a former Alabama wide out that reminded them of their playing days. Irving went with Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons), a physical specimen that dominates defensive backs. Rice chose Amari Cooper (Oakland Raiders), a skilled route runner who studies defenses.
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For Jones, Sunday will be his third taste of Pro Bowl action adding to prior invites in 2012 and 2014. He finished 2015 with 1,871 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 136 catches. Jones stands as the lone receiver in NFL history with at least 130 catches and 1,800 yards in the same season.
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Cooper’s transition from college to pro was simple.
He earned his first Pro Bowl invite, after totaling 1,070 yards receiving and six touchdown on 72 catches. His output made him the first rookie in Oakland history to post a 1,000-yard season and the first wide out to have 1,000 yards since Randy Moss in 2005. Sunday’s game should be fun as fans and media personnel prepare for the Super Bowl. ESPN will air the contest at 6:00 p.m. (CT).
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
