Pro Super Bowl voters got it right with Billy Cundiff

Too often we concern ourselves with perceived snubs when the Pro Bowl rosters are announced every year. It's a flawed system, one that doesn't always send the most deserving players to Honolulu (or Miami or whatever they play it nowadays). But the Pro Bowl voters -- fans, players and coaches -- nailed it when they selected Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff to his first Pro Bowl.

Cundiff unceremoniously became the Ravens' kicker midway through the 2009 season when Steve Hauschka became the mayor of Shank City. Cundiff was a reliable replacement, but when the team signed Shayne Graham in the offseason, it seemed unlikely that Cundiff would keep the job.

One strong preseason, 24 regular-season field goals and an insane number of touchbacks later, Cundiff is going to the Pro Bowl with one heck of a feel-good story.

“I am humbled, as this is such a great honor,” Cundiff said in a statement. “This is the result of having great teammates and coaches surrounding you. ... I worked my butt off to prove to our coaches that they made the right choice, and hopefully, this gives them a little gratification.”

Ravens coach John Harbaugh, special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg and the rest of the coaching staff definitely made the right choice. I said all along that the Ravens would go with Graham. I shanked that one, but hey, I have never touted myself as an expert on special teams.

In my defense, though, I'm not the only one who didn't see this remarkable season coming -- especially all those touchbacks. Entering the 2010 campaign, Cundiff had recorded just 11 touchbacks in 70 games. He has booted 38 through 15 games and is two touchbacks against the Bengals from tying Mitch Berger's NFL record. Am I the only one who thinks Cundiff's right leg should be tested for performance-enhancing drugs? (I'm kidding, of course. Well, kind of.)

“This is a testament to Billy’s hard work and determination,” Rosburg said in a statement. “Billy has shown incredible perseverance throughout his career, and he has always remained dedicated to becoming a great kicker in the NFL. I believe that the other players in this league not only respect what he has done, but also how he has done it. He never lost faith in himself.”

One more thought: Cundiff has been pretty accurate on field goals this season, putting 24 of his 27 attempts through the uprights. But make no mistake, Cundiff locked down this honor because of his dominance in the field-position game. I think it's pretty cool that voters took notice of that.

So if you are complaining in the lunch room about Sam Koch getting snubbed or how Le'Ron McClain was disrespected, make sure you give voters credit for getting at least one selection right.