Sitton says 2nd team All-Pro selection 'means a lot'
For the third time in his career, Green Bay Packers left guard Josh Sitton was selected as a second team All-Pro by a panel of Associated Press voters.
Sitton was the only Packers player named on the first- or second-team All-Pro lists released Friday. He started all 16 games for the Packers this season, the fourth straight season he hasn't missed a start.
Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda and Pittsburgh Steelers guard David DeCastro were voted to the first team. Sitton was joined on the second team by Arizona Cardinals guard Mike Iupati and Dallas Cowboys guard Zach Martin.
It's the second straight season Sitton has been voted as a second team All-Pro. The 2008 fourth-round pick was also a second team All-Pro in 2012. Sitton was also voted to the Pro Bowl for the third time this season, joining quarterback Aaron Rodgers, inside linebacker Clay Matthews and first-alternate fullback John Kuhn.
“Any time you can do something on a high level and be consistent with it,” Sitton said, “I think that’s what you’re looking for. I’ve been fortunate over my career to have some success, and I’ve been able to stay healthy. I think that’s been the biggest thing.
“It means a lot. Any accolades you get always mean a lot. The biggest one is winning the Super Bowl. I think that’s everybody’s No. 1 goal. Then you have your personal goals, and it’s always one of them.”
Sitton is certainly paid like one of the league’s best players at his position. His average annual salary of $6.75 million is the fifth highest among NFL guards, according to Over The Cap. Sitton has rewarded the Packers' financial commitment with consistently superb play.
In 15 games as a left guard this season, Sitton allowed three sacks. His 12 total pressures were the second-fewest among NFL guards, according to Pro Football Focus.
Sitton's consistency has been especially important this season. The Packers have had their preferred five offensive line starters only seven times in 16 games. Sitton is the only Packers offensive lineman to start each game this season. His final start of the year came at left tackle, where he replaced injured starter David Bakhtiari.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Sitton will play left guard this week when the Packers travel to Washington for their NFC wild-card playoff game.
“I’ve always prided myself on making sure I’m out there,” Sitton said. “It’s something that I’ve always made a point of. Sometimes it’s tough when you’re playing with four or five or six different lineups. I think offensive line is a very unique position in the fact that you need five guys to be on the same page all at once. You need to be on the same page, you need to have that chemistry, and you build that over the season.
“That’s what we were able to do last year because we were able to stay healthy. That’s something, unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do this year because of injuries. But we’ve got a chance to get healthy for the playoffs and make a little run here.”
rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood