Sure, Trent Cole was named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad in 2007. However, Cole was added as an injury replacement.
That's not necessary this year. Cole was one of six Eagles named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad on Tuesday.
"My next goal, the one for next year, is to be a starter. I like to set goals for myself," Cole said. "It's great to be back ... It's a fight every year. There are a lot of great players. There are other guys who are well-deserving."
Cole is fourth in the NFL in sacks this year with a career-high-tying 12.5, which is the same amount he had in 2007. Cole has been relentless on opposing quarterbacks with at least a half-sack in 11 of the team's 15 games this season, including the first six games. And he's produced despite facing the opposing team's best tackle along with added help on a week in, week out basis.
And some of Cole's biggest moments have come during the team's six-game win streak. Just last Sunday, Cole came through with a clutch sack as the Broncos were rallying against the Eagles. On Denver's first offensive play of the fourth quarter, Cole beat left tackle Ryan Clady to sack quarterback Kyle Orton for a loss of 6 yards. The Broncos went three-and-out and punted the ball away.
In the shootout win over the Giants on Dec. 13, Cole forced the Brandon Jacobs fumble that was scooped up and returned 60 yards for a touchdown by Sheldon Brown.
A stat that is just as amazing is that Cole is second on the team with 90 tackles behind only Quintin Mikell. He is also first on the team with 26 QB hurries.
Cole forced another fumble in the season opening win at Carolina that was recovered and returned by Victor Abiamiri for a touchdown.
Since 2006, Cole has 42 sacks which is third in the NFC behind Dallas' DeMarcus Ware (56.5) and Minnesota's Jared Allen (51). Cole has 12 career multi-sack games and 47 career sacks since he was fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati in 2005. In just five seasons, Cole is fifth in franchise history in sacks. No Eagles draft pick has had more sacks in his first five seasons than Cole.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 8:07 p.m., December 29
