No Saints make Gil Brandt’s Pro Bowl starting lineup

In what must surely have been a last-minute scramble for the NFL’s prolific Pro Bowl voting campaign, NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt overlooked the entire New Orleans Saints roster when listing his starting lineup for the 2017 Pro Bowl.

Sure, we’ll give Brandt a caveat: he didn’t publish a full ballot for the AFC and NFC teams. Instead, he submitted a trimmed-down list of 22 starters and a few deserving alternates. But the fact that not a soul on this very good Saints team made the cut is painful. Words hurt, said or unsaid.

Future Saints Hall of Famer Drew Brees was eschewed in favor of the injured Carson Wentz, quarterback of the fraudulent Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who failed to complete a single pass to closed-mouth wide receiver Brandin Cooks while throwing two interceptions in his general direction.

At running back, Los Angeles Rams firebrand Todd Gurley and Pittsburgh Steelers star Le’Veon Bell were both recognized ahead of Saints Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Gurley is averaging half a yard less per carry than Ingram, and Bell is riding a mediocre 3.9-yards per carry.

On defense, Brandt doesn’t offer any recognition for Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan or rookie phenom Marshon Lattimore. He offers - well-deserved - nods to Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Calais Campbell, Minnesota Vikings leader Everson Griffen, and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Joey Bosa instead.

Lattimore is surpassed by Arizona Cardinals cover corner Patrick Peterson as well as the Jaguars’ tandem in A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey.

Here’s hoping the real Pro Bowl results aren’t reflected by Brandt’s questionable choices.