NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Titans safety Kevin Byard leads the NFL in interceptions, and he also currently leads all free safeties in Pro Bowl voting by fans.
He admitted he's surprised, but happy about it.
Something else is also surprising to Byard:
Titans punter Brett Kern currently leads the NFL in punting average (51.5) and in net yards (45.6), but he's currently behind Oakland's Marquette King in the fan voting portion, which counts one-third. King is third in the NFL in average (49.1) and second in net (44.2).
"If Brett Kern doesn't get in the Pro Bowl this year, it would be a travesty," Byard said. "The impact he is having on our games, flipping the field, he has been great. He is definitely playing at a Pro Bowl level. But fan voting only counts a third. Hopefully fans will vote (for him), and I think the coaches and players will vote him in.
"He's been doing great this year, and I'll be surprised if he's not a Pro Bowler."
As of Wednesday, only four Titans ranked in the top 10 at their respective positions in Pro Bowl fan voting: Byard (1st), Kern (2nd), tight end Delanie Walker (7th) and linebacker Wesley Woodyard (10th).
Fan voting for the 2018 Pro Bowl will continue online and on web-enabled mobile phones HERE until Thursday, December 14. NFL players and coaches will cast their votes on Friday, December 15.
Pro Bowl rosters will be announced on Tuesday, December 19 live on NFL Network's Pro Bowl special "NFL Total Access: Pro Bowl Players Revealed."
Linebacker Brian Orakpo thinks the size of the Nashville market hurts the Titans in the fan voting.
"Our market is not as big as other markets, so that's why you see things like that happen," Orakpo said. "If (Kern) played in New York or some other city, he would definitely be No.1. But he is definitely deserving with the year he's been having."
Titans players take the field for Wednesday's practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Gary Glenn)
