Eagles Honor All Pro Selections

By Alex Smith, Eagles.com

Defensive end Fletcher Cox might have been snubbed when it came to the Pro Bowl, but he received just recognition for his breakout 2014 season on Friday when he was named a second-team All-Pro by The Associated Press along with linebacker Connor Barwin, tackle Jason Peters and returner Darren Sproles. Other Eagles who merited consideration were: tackle Lane Johnson, guard Evan Mathis, centerJason Kelce and linebacker Mychal Kendricks.

Outside Linebacker Connor Barwin: First All-Pro Selection

In 2013, defensive coordinator Bill Davis referred to Connor Barwin as the “Jack of all trades” of the Eagles’ defense, because he was versatile enough to fill a lot of different roles. In 2014, Barwin was still as versatile as ever, but he was also able to attack opposing quarterbacks at a higher frequency. As a result, Barwin finished tied for fourth in the NFL with a career-high 14.5 sacks, earning his first-career Pro Bowl nomination. He earned 11 votes for All-Pro, which was tied for third with Denver’s Von Miller.

• Led the NFC with 14.5 sacks
• Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Month in November thanks to 6.5 sacks and 24 tackles
• Recorded 11 tackles and 3.5 sacks against the Panthers in prime time during Week 10
• Season Stats: 83 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 21 hurries, two forced fumbles

Defensive End Fletcher Cox: First All-Pro Selection

Cox was a flat-out monster in his third NFL season as he emerged as one of the top young defensive stars in the NFL in 2014. Though his stats and name recognition may have limited him to being a sixth alternate for the Pro Bowl this season, those who know the game will tell you that Cox is a force to be reckoned with for years to come. Cox earned All-Pro five votes at defensive end and two at defensive tackle.

• Finished fourth on the Eagles with 14 quarterback hurries and tied for first on the team with three fumble recoveries
• Recorded a career-high 13 tackles vs. Seattle in Week 14
• Scored his first-career touchdown against Jacksonville in Week 1 on a 17-yard fumble recovery
• Season Stats: 70 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 14 hurries, 3 fumble recoveries and one fumble recovery

Tackle Jason Peters: Sixth All-Pro Selection

It was a season of change along the offensive line as 10 different Eagles started at one point or another. However, Jason Peters remained the dominant rock at left tackle as the only offensive lineman to start all 16 games. Since missing the entire 2012 season with an Achilles injury, Peters has played in all 33 games (including playoffs) and regained his status as one of the truly elite players in the entire game. He’s been named to consecutive Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams. Peters earned 12 All-Pro votes.

• Since earning his first Pro Bowl nomination in 2007, the only offensive tackle in the league with more is Cleveland’s Joe Thomas (8 to Peters’ 7).
• Peters was named to the USA Football All-Fundamentals team, a collection of 26 NFL players who exhibit exemplary football techniques for young players to emulate.
• Helped running back LeSean McCoy gain over 1,300 yards for the second-straight season to earn Pro Bowl honors. The Eagles set franchise records this season for points, touchdowns, gross passing yards and the 6,348 yards of total offense was third in team history.

Returner Darren Sproles: First All-Pro Selection

It didn’t take Sproles very long to make an impact in his first season in Philadelphia following a trade from New Orleans this past offseason. He broke off a 49-yard touchdown run against Jacksonville in season-opener to help kick start the Eagles’ offense and he never looked back. For his efforts, the 11-year veteran was also named to his first Pro Bowl in 2014. Sproles earned 15 All-Pro votes.

• Along with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Sproles was one of only two players to have received three conference Player of the Week Awards in 2014 (two NFC Special Teams POW & one NFC Offensive POW)
• Led the NFL with a 13.3-yard punt return average and was the only player to have returned two punts for TDs in 2014
• Season Stats: 324 rushing yards, six rushing TDs, 364 receiving yards, 491 punt return yards and two return TDs