The Lack of Respect for Fletcher-Baker

Once again, Bills middle linebacker London Fletcher-Baker (pictured right) has been shown a huge lack of respect by being left off of the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Year after year, the diminutive linebacker has consistently been one of the league's best performers at his position. He is a fantastic team leader. He plays hard, he is supremely intelligent, and he overcomes his small stature to be a dominant force in the league. Yet he has never been invited to Hawaii.

This year's snub may be Fletcher-Baker's biggest disrespect yet. Consider the following:

- London has 131 combined tackles, ranking him third in the league behind Miami's Zach Thomas (147) and Houston rookie DeMeco Ryans (137).

- London is tied for second in the league in tackles with 95. He trails Ryans (115) and is tied with Chicago's Lance Briggs at 95.

- London is tied for the league lead in interceptions among linebackers with 3. He is tied with the likes of Brian Urlacher (Chicago), Donnie Edwards (San Diego), and Mike Vrabel (NE).

- London is one of two linebackers in the league to score two touchdowns this season. Fletcher-Baker returned a Tom Brady fumble for a TD in Week One, and then picked off a Brett Favre pass and took it to the house in Week 9. The only other linebacker to score twice this season is Cowboys pass rusher and Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware.

- London is tied for third in the league with 9 passes defensed this season. He trails Briggs and Washington's Marcus Washington with 10, and is tied with Thomas, Nick Barnett (Green Bay), Bradie James (Dallas) and Shawn Barber (Philadelphia).

- London is the only middle linebacker in the league who starts on a defense that has four rookies in its starting lineup. Kyle Williams (5th round), Keith Ellison (6th round), Ko Simpson (4th round) and Donte Whitner (1st round) give Buffalo the youngest defense in the league. Fletcher-Baker is responsible for getting this young group lined up and in position to make plays. No other linebacker has to deal with that pressure.

What has Denver's Al Wilson Done?
Not convinced yet? Then simply put, you shouldn't be watching football, much less voting for the Pro Bowl rosters. The voting system for these rosters is a farce - how else can you explain Denver's Al Wilson making the roster over Fletcher-Baker? Let's compare the two:

- Fletcher-Baker's 131 combined tackles leaves him with 36 more than Wilson, who has 95.

- Fletcher-Baker's 95 tackles leaves him with 20 more than Wilson, who has 75.

- Al Wilson has not recorded an interception this year. He has not recovered a fumble, and he has not scored a touchdown. He has forced one fumble - a number matched by Fletcher-Baker.

- Fletcher-Baker's 9 passes defensed gives him 5 more than Wilson, who has altered just four throws this season.

- Denver has two second-year starters on defense in cornerback Darrent Williams and safety Domonique Foxworth. Denver starts no rookies on defense.

- Led by Wilson, Denver's star-studded defense ranks 13th in the NFL in total defense, giving up 322.9 yards per game. Led by Fletcher-Baker, Buffalo's rookie-laden defense ranks 14th in the NFL in total defense, giving up 325 yards per game.

There is only one logical explanation for Fletcher-Baker's absence in Hawaii: he plays in Buffalo. The Bills are shown little to no respect by national media, and it appears that this time around, London is the main "beneficiary". What a joke.

Aaron Schobel Reacts
Finally, to wrap it all up, here's what Bills Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Schobel had to say about London's snub:

"I'm very upset. A lot of guys on our defense played so hard. What he's done over his career you think he'd get a shot." (Quote taken from Schobel's interview with BuffaloBills.com's Chris Brown)

Yes, Aaron. You would think he'd get a shot.