Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith, along with his coaching staff, will lead the NFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl on Jan. 30. Along with Falcons players Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Ovie Mughelli, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, John Abraham, and Eric Weems, plus alternates Tyson Clabo and Matt Bryant, the Falcons contingent will make quite a presence in the annual all-star game.
It’s a consolation prize after the team’s disappointing postseason exit, but it’s also a reward for a great regular season. With Birds all over the NFC sideline, Falcons fans are going to be more likely to watch this game than any other Pro Bowl ever. Not that anybody watches the Pro Bowl.
This is only the third time Falcons coaches have been selected to coach the Pro Bowl. Jim Mora’s staff did the honors in 2005 against Bill Cowher’s, and Norm Van Brocklin took on Tom Fears in the last-ever pre-merger Pro Bowl.
No word yet on who will coach the AFC.