London Fletcher was stung by being left off the NFC Pro Bowl roster Tuesday, but he wasn’t surprised.
“The bottom line,” he said, “is we need to win more games.”
That was the consensus at Redskins Park on Wednesday as players and coaches discussed the fact no Redskins were named to the NFL’s all-star game the for the first time since 1993.
New England and San Francisco — teams with double-digit win totals — have eight representatives. The Redskins, in contrast, were bound to be overlooked largely because of their 5-10 record.
They were one of four teams without a representative. Tennessee is 8-7 with an outside chance of making the playoffs, but Buffalo and St. Louis have six and two wins, respectively.
“A lot has to do with winning,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “A lot of players know that when they’re voting on the Pro Bowl that they didn’t have Pro Bowl years, but they’ll take it.”
Fletcher, who played in the game the past two seasons as an alternate, is a first alternate again this year despite leading the NFL with 162 tackles. He also has 1.5 sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles.
By comparison, Chicago’s Brian Urlacher, who was named to his eighth Pro Bowl over Fletcher, has 92 tackles, no sacks, three interceptions and no forced fumbles.
“He’s a perennial Pro Bowl player,” Fletcher said. “He’s still a good football player. That’s just kind of how it is. I’m thankful for the players and the fans and the coaches who did vote for me.”
Fletcher bristled at the suggestion he was overlooked because he’s not more flamboyant on the field.
“I play the game the right way, play the game with passion each and every play,” he said. “I prepare each and every week the same. The other guys also have some pretty big reps. I’m not gonna do something that’s not my personality just to draw attention to myself.”
Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander also had a strong case to be the NFC’s special teams representative, but he lost out to Chicago’s Corey Graham. The Redskins have a strong coverage unit, and he consistently garners praise from analysts and opposing coaches.
“I actually voted for [Graham], so if anybody deserves to go it’s him,” Alexander said. “You just got to continue to work as a player, continue to work on your craft and become dominant to where it’s not even a question as to whether or not you should be there.”
Alexander is one of the Redskins’ five Pro Bowl alternates. Linebacker Brian Orakpo said he is one, and 106.7 The Fan reported punter Sav Rocca is one. Shanahan would not disclose the names.
Receiver Robinson promoted
Sixth-round rookie receiver Aldrick Robinson was promoted from the practice squad Tuesday because an undisclosed team wanted to sign him to its active roster, Shanahan said.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
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