January 25, 2014; Honolulu, HI, USA; Team Rice quarterback Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs (11) shakes hands with alumni captain Jerry Rice (right) during the 2014 Pro Bowl Ohana Day at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
I know it wasn’t the Kansas City Chiefs on the field last night. I know it was the Pro Bowl and it was Team Rice against Team Sanders. I know all of that. It didn’t matter to me. I made wings and drank beer like it was the Chiefs playing. And play they did! The 10 Chiefs players who ended up at the Pro Bowl were the stars of the night and not only did they represent themselves well, they represented the Kansas City Chiefs well. For that, I thought it appropriate to do one final edition of “Earning Their Arrowheads” for the 2013 season.
Arrowhead #3: Dontari Poe, DT
January 26, 2014; Honolulu, HI, USA; Team Sanders defensive tackle Dontari Poe (92) carries the ball during the 2014 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The fact that Poe was in the Pro Bowl was a testament to how far the young man has come in one season. He was a beast during the regular season and last night, he was a beast during the all-star game. Nothing is better than a defensive lineman coming up with an interception. But, when that defensive lineman can run a 4.9 40-yard dash, it makes things that much more interesting. Poe nearly found the end zone. He came within seven yards of paydirt. I wanted him to score so bad so we could see a “fat guy touchdown dance” but we didn’t get there. Either way, great job, Poe!
Arrowhead #2: Alex Smith, QB
January 26, 2014; Honolulu, HI, USA; Team Rice quarterback Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs (11) is pressured by Team Sanders defensive tackle Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (93) during the 2014 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Team Rice defeated Team Sanders 22-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
For a quarterback who wasn’t initially invited to the Pro Bowl, and was picked last — actually he wasn’t picked, he was the last guy standing so he was sent to Team Rice — Smith didn’t fair too badly. When asked about being “Mr. Irrelevant” for the first every Pro Bowl draft, Smith was pretty coy. “Who doesn’t want to be in there when the game is on the line.” He was referring to the fact that since he was the third and final QB taken, he would be playing at the end of the game. As fate would have it, the game was on the line and Smith expertly led his team down the field, hitting receivers Josh Gordon and Brandon Marshal for big gains before finding running back DeMarco Murray on a short screen — sound familiar? — for the 20-yard game-winning touchdown. Smith had the TD pass, one interception and 116 yards passing. Not too shabby for the guy who wasn’t supposed to be there.
Arrowhead #1: Derrick Johnson, ILB
January 26, 2014; Honolulu, HI, USA; Team Sanders tight end Jordan Cameron of the Cleveland Browns (84) is defended by Team Rice linebacker Derrick Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs (56) in the second quarter during the 2014 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Johnson was the other guy who wasn’t supposed to be at the Pro Bowl and didn’t get an invite until after San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman was injured during the NFC Championship game. Johnson made the absolute most of his opportunity after being snubbed during the first go-round of Pro Bowl voting. D.J. proved early on that even though he and star running back Jamaal Charles may be teammates during the regular season, he wasn’t about to let the elusive Charles slip past him, as he laid the wood to the back early on. That set the tone for the game and Johnson’s play and he didn’t let up. He ended the game with nine tackles, a huge shot in the backfield and a forced fumble. His play culminated in him being named the Defensive MVP for the Pro Bowl. Definitely worth an Arrowhead in my book.