THREE RAVENS NAMED TO PRO BOWL
The NFL announced Tuesday that three Baltimore Ravens were voted to the Pro Bowl for their standout performances during the 2014 season. OLB Elvis Dumervil, rookie LB C.J. MosleyandG Marshal Yandawere selected to play in the NFL's All-Star game, which will be held on Jan. 25, 2015, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (8 p.m. ET, ESPN telecast).
For the second-consecutive year, participants were chosen without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players. Selected players will be assigned to teams through the Pro Bowl Draft, which takes place on Jan. 21, 2015. (Click here for more information on Pro Bowl and roster rules.)
Below are the Ravens' 2014 Pro Bowlers:
OLB Elvis Dumervil (4th Pro Bowl Invite)
Helping Baltimore register the NFL's third-most sacks (45), Dumervil has set single-season franchise records in sacks (17) and sack yardage (-127.5) to earn his fourth Pro Bowl honor. The nine-year veteran has 90 career sacks, which rank third among active players since 2006. He also has seven multi-sack performances in 2014, bringing his career total to 29 such games (tied with DeMarcus Ware for the league's second most since 2006).
"This is a humbling experience," Dumervil said. "First of all, I want to thank God, because without Him, this would not be possible. So many people played a part in this, and I just want to thank them all – my teammates, our great coaching staff and our tremendous fans. To be able to represent the Ravens organization and the long tradition of great defensive players here is very humbling.
"I also credit Terrell Suggs for helping me this season. A lot of what I've been able to do is a result of the attention he garners on the opposite side. He's an incredible player who is having another outstanding year, and it's an honor to play with him."
Dumervil (17) and Suggs* *(11) have combined to produce the most sacks (28) among any NFL duo this season. Dumervil's 17 rank as the league's third most entering Week 17, while Suggs has posted his sixth-career double-digit sack campaign.
LB C.J. Mosley (1st Pro Bowl Invite)
The first-ever Ravens' rookie to earn Pro Bowl honors, Mosley, Baltimore's 2014 first-round draft choice (17th overall), is the NFL's only player with at least 115 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions this season. Named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month in October, Mosley tops his class with 122 tackles (seventh in the NFL). He also owns two of the Top 3 tackle performances by a rookie in Ravens history, including a career-best 14 stops at Indianapolis in Week 5.
Mosley has helped anchor a Baltimore defense that's allowed the league's third-fewest rushing yards (86.9 ypg) and produced a streak of 25-consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher (the NFL's longest active stretch).
"First of all, I thank God for the position I am in," Mosley stated. "I also give many thanks to the Ravens organization, especially Mr. Ozzie Newsome and Mr. [Steve] Bisciotti for trusting me and bringing me here to play for such a great team. I wouldn't be in this position without [inside linebackers] coach "Wink" [Don Martindale], Daryl [Smith], Albert [McClellan] and Arthur [Brown], who have all taken me under their wing and helped me get where I am. With Daryl specifically, it's meant so much having a person and player of his caliber next to me throughout my first NFL season.
"Also, a huge 'thank you' goes out to Ravens Nation for welcoming me. I am honored and humbled."
G Marshal Yanda (4th Pro Bowl Invite)
The eight-year veteran earned his fourth-consecutive Pro Bowl, continuing to serve as a stabilizing force in Baltimore's trenches. With Yanda's blocking efforts, the Ravens have allowed 18 sacks this season, ranking as the NFL's second fewest. Behind Yanda, QB Joe Flacco is on pace to set career highs in several categories, as he's already posted 25 touchdowns (tied with the 2010 season), while completing 62 percent of his passes (322 of 519) for 3,674 yards.
Yanda has also helped lead the way for RB Justin Forsett, whose career-high 1,147 rushing yards rank sixth in the NFL. Baltimore has rushed for 126.0 yards per game (the league's seventh most) and posted an NFL-best 21 runs of 20-plus yards.
First Alternates (Five)
Five Ravens were named Pro Bowl first alternates, meaning that if a player on the current Pro Bowl roster is unable to play due to injury or an appearance in Super Bowl XLIX, the first alternate would be elevated to the team.
RB Justin Forsett
Forsett has produced the NFL's best rushing average (5.3 ypc) by a running back this season, setting career marks with 1,147 yards (the league's sixth most) and eight touchdowns.
RS Jacoby Jones
Jones' 30.9 kickoff return average in 2014 ranks as the NFL's second-best mark entering Week 17. In the Ravens' Week 9 game at Pittsburgh, he recorded a 108-yard kickoff-return touchdown, the third of his career and longest in the NFL this season.
FB Kyle Juszczyk
Juszczyk has tallied 182 receiving yards and one touchdown on 19 catches, also serving as a lead blocker for Forsett and the NFL's seventh-best rushing offense (126.0 ypg).
P Sam Koch
Koch has placed 44.4 percent (24 of 54) of his boots inside the 20-yard line, producing the NFL's third-best mark this season. He also sports the league's No. 1 net punting average (43.5), while his 47.4 gross average ranks second.
OLB Terrell Suggs
Suggs has 11 sacks this season, registering the sixth double-digit sack campaign of his 12-year career. A force in stopping the run as well, Suggs has helped Baltimore allow the NFL's fourth-fewest rushing yards (86.9 ypg) and a 3.6 yards-per-carry mark (ranking fifth best).
