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Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro is on-site in sunny Arizona to bring you behind-the-scenes access from the Pro Bowl ...
LB Connor Barwin is no stranger to bringing down Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray
Darren Sproles made the Pro Bowl as a returner, but he was used quite often in the pass game as an underneath option for the quarterbacks
The Eagles players aren't the only ones in action tonight. Alicia Marie is representing the Eagles Cheerleaders in Arizona
The teams are set as the Eagles wear their Pro Bowl jerseys on picture day
Alicia Marie is showing why she was selected by her teammates to go to the Pro Bowl
The stage was set for the Pro Bowl draft
Pro Bowl team captains Chris Carter and Michael Irvin await the coin toss from Troy Vincent
The MVP trophy is getting shined and polished
Eagles fans are out in Arizona supporting the Pro Bowl players
The fans are having a blast!
G Evan Mathis, C Jason Kelce, LS Jon Dorenbos and K Cody Parkey are dressed for the occassion
RB Darren Sproles meeting with some of the members of the media
K Cody Parkey getting stretched out
RB Darren Sproles and LS Jon Dorenbos in their team picture
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This is the third in our series of Player Diary entries from the Pro Bowl in Arizona. Today: long snapper Jon Dorenbos
This is my second Pro Bowl experience and it's nothing less than awesome. One, to get the respect from your peers and to gain the appreciation for what you've and then to get the recognition of being chosen to play here is special, and for me to come out here and represent the Eagles and meet so many great guys from around the league and to play in the game, it's something I don't take for granted. To even be mentioned among players of this caliber, let alone have it happen twice in my career, it's unbelievable. I never thought, growing up, that I would be in a Pro Bowl.
I'm here as a "need" player, chosen by the coaching staffs. I think players from around the league and General Managers should vote on the position for the Pro Bowl, but they don't. So the respective coaching staffs pick the two long snappers, me and L.P. Ladouceur from the Dallas Cowboys. I'm playing for Team Irvin, coached by the Cowboys staff, and they've made it so fun and productive for all of us. Team Carter is coached by Baltimore's staff, so to have John Harbaugh and Juan Castillo here makes it even more special.
I don't really care how I get here, the fact is that I'm here and I'm appreciative. I'd much rather be preparing for the Super Bowl, but that's not the case. This is the next best thing. I'm one of those guys who feels that your glass is either half full or half empty, and I'm just glad I have a glass. I love being here. I'm at a great resort, Nike game me a suitcase full of stuff and I'm like, "Are you kidding me?" I don't take anything for granted. Compared to the rest of the world, we have absolutely nothing to complain about.
From a football standpoint, we make sure we have a meeting once we get to Arizona to go over schematics and get on the same page. I'm working with Kevin Huber from the Bengals, who is the holder, and with placekicker Adam Vinatieri, who is a legend. His career is remarkable. Kevin has had a great career. Being with those two guys has been really fun.
We've had some community work, a Play 60 event, and we've practiced and for the most part we've all relaxed, gotten to know each other and celebrate being here.
One thing that is interesting is that a lot of players want to talk about Chip Kelly and what it's like to play for him and some of the things he brings as far as training. There is definitely an interest in him. From my standpoint, I believe completely in what he does and the people he surrounds himself with and those he brings to the organization. He's a forward-thinking guy who knows how to keep us fresh as a football team. I love him. These two seasons with Chip have been so much fun, and I know we're going to have more success moving forward. !
