Jared Cook has been excellent this season. The veteran has set career highs in all major statistical categories, and ranks near the NFL's best in catches, yards and touchdowns by a tight end.
The Raiders have campaigned for Cook to make his first Pro Bowl roster, with head coach Jon Gruden as his biggest champion.
"If he doesn't make the Pro Bowl," Gruden said, "there should be an investigation."
It's apparently time to assign a special prosecutor. Cook was left off the original Pro Bowl roster, which was announced on Tuesday evening. Center Rodney Hudson might've been even more deserving – he hasn't allowed a sack all season -- but he too was left off the original roster.
Cook and Hudson would qualify as snubs on a good team, but it's hard to fault voting fans, coaches and players for failing to recognize players on a really bad team.
Cook, Hudson and left guard Kelechi Osemele were named alternates for the annual all-star game, which will be played on Jan. 27, 2019 in Orlando, Fla.
Both Hudson and Osemele were named to the original Pro Bowl roster the past two seasons. This wasn't Osemele's year, considering he has already missed five games due to injury.
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Cook has never made it, and was honest about his desire to be named an all star.
Travis Kelce and Eric Ebron were named as AFC tight ends. Maurkice Pouncey and brother Mike Pouncey were named as the AFC's centers.
It's entirely possible that all three Raiders alternates will end up playing in the game. Players drop out of the game regularly once the season ends, and Super Bowl participants are not eligible to play with the championship game scheduled a week after the Pro Bowl.
