Jordan Mailata did not make the Pro Bowl, but this consolation prize is just as good:

Mailata looks like he’s nine feet tall in this video. Poor Zach. Looks like the photo of Muggsy Bogues standing next to Manute Bol.

This is a nice gesture, though. Mailata seems like a guy who is frequently available and makes time for the scribes in the locker room, which, if you think about it, is a conduit to the fans. He generally seems to be open and honest and communicative.

What’s more, is this could be the beginning of the PFWA handing out numerous awards every year. Some ideas:

  • The Howard Eskin Waterboy Award: presented to the media member who does the best job of kissing the organization’s ass
  • The Meaningless Fucking Training Camp Stats Award: they just pencil Eliot in as the winner every year
  • The Nick Saban Rat Poison Trophy: this is given to the player who ignores the most media questions
  • The “Words are Coming Out of His Mouth but He’s Not Actually Saying Anything” Award: a fierce battle between Kellen Moore and Mike Groh for this one
  • The One Sentence Answer Trophy: presented to Vic Fangio
  • The Shouting Over Each Other Award: handed to the media member who does the best job at getting their questions in
  • The Excellence in Blogging from Home Award: we accept this honor, thank you very much
  • The Big Dom Paisan Award: given to a beat writer of Italian heritage who shows exemplary work ethic and attitude
  • The Bob Lange Defuser Trophy: awarded to the media member who does the best job breaking up a postgame scuffle between coaches
  • The “Probably Shouldn’t Have Said Anything” Prize: given to Brandon Graham