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ALAMEDA – Raiders fullback Marcel Reece was named to the Pro Bowl squad, the NFL announced on Tuesday evening. This marks the third straight time that Reece has been named to the NFL’s annual all-star game.
The game will be played at the Super Bowl site in Glendale, Ariz., a week be for the league championship game.
Rookie outside linebacker Khalil Mack and free safety Charles Woodson were named alternates to the squad. So many players bow out – Super Bowl entrants never play in this game, and conference championship participants aren’t locks, either – that both defensive players could end up playing in the game.
Reece is already in despite a down season statistically. He has 20 carries for 74 yards and 34 catches for 235 yards. Those yardage totals are the lowest in seasons where he has played more than two games.
Reece is a popular player in a niche position, which certainly helped him in the voting process.
Mack made a strong push to be included on the main squad. He was dominant against the run and pass. Pro Football Focus rates him the NFL’s best 4-3 outside linebacker. He has 73 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble. He also has 16 tackles for losses, meaning 21 percent of his tackles have come behind the line of scrimmage.
Woodson has enjoyed a career resurgence at age 38. He has 106 tackles, four interceptions, eight passes defensed and a sack.
