Two Titans selected for Pro Bowl honors, six more named as alternates

The NFL announced the 2019 Pro Bowl rosters tonight and two Titans made the cut.

Punter Brett Kern was chosen for the third straight year and deservedly so. He’s the best punter in the game and it’s not particularly close in my opinion. Kern is 4th in the NFL in punting average at 47.5 yards per punt, 3rd in net punting average, and he leads the league with 34 punts downed inside the 20.

Kern’s third Pro Bowl appearance ties Delanie Walker and Taylor Lewan for the second most Pro Bowl selections as a Titan among current players. Jurrell Casey leads with four.

The other selection to this year’s all-star event is running back Derrick Henry. He ranks second among all players in rushing yards with 1,329, a career high, and he’s tied for 3rd with 13 rushing touchdowns. Henry also leads the league with a whopping 1,095 yards after contact per PFF charting.

This is Henry’s first selection is certainly deserved as well. He’s been the engine behind the Titans offensive resurgence.

The Titans also had six players named as alternates:

• QB Ryan Tannehill
• S Kevin Byard
• CB Logan Ryan
• DL Jurrell Casey
• LG Rodger Saffold
• LS Beau Brinkley

Byard and Ryan have good arguments as snubs. They’ve both been excellent for the Titans this season.

As alternates, these players could get elevated to the Pro Bowl if other players at their position end up dropping out due to injury or participation in the Super Bowl.

It would be the first career appearance for Tannehill, Saffold, Ryan, or Brinkley. Byard would be looking at his second appearance while Casey would extend his streak to five straight years if he gets promoted.

It’s hard to argue that Tannehill should have been selected over the guys that are going — Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Deshaun Watson — but his inclusion as an alternate is telling about how well regarded his performance has been this season.

Congrats to Brett and Derrick for the very deserving honors!