Earl Thomas headed to Hawaii for Pro Bowl

Published on December 28, 2011 by Tacoma News Tribune (Feed)     

The Pro Bowl drought for the Seattle Seahawks is over.

For the first time since 2008, a Seattle player will travel to Hawaii to play in the annual NFL all-star game.

With the Pro Bowl team announced this afternoon, Seattle second year pro safety Earl Thomas has been voted onto the team. Thomas was named as an alternate in his rookie season last year.

Thomas is second on the Seahawks in tackles with 92, has two interceptions on the year and anchors a secondary that ranks fourth in the NFC in total pass defense.

Thomas is the first Seattle safety voted to the Pro Bowl since Darryl Williams made the team in 1997.

The Seahawks also have five players who are alternates: cornerback Brandon Browner (first), safety Kam Chancellor (first), fullback Michael Robinson (first), running back Marshawn Lynch (second) and punter Jon Ryan (third).

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. (AP photo)

A mild surprise, Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch did not make the team. Currently, Lynch is fourth in the NFC in rushing with 1,118 yards on 266 carries for a 4.1 per carry average. He’s also scored 13 touchdowns on the year and is fourth in the NFC in scoring.

Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy, Chicago’s Matt Forte and San Francisco’s Frank Gore were voted to the team as running backs.

Players are picked by a combined vote of fans, coaches and fellow players.

In anticipation of today’s announcement, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was asked about some his players making the team on Monday.

“It’s good stuff,” Carroll said. “For all the hard work and for everybody, we’ll take pride in some guys getting on that if we can get there.

“We certainly have some guys that are worthy of that and they’ve had some great seasons and all. I can’t imagine Marshawn can’t be a part of this deal. He’s had a great football season.”

Seattle sent players to the Pro Bowl for eight straight seasons from 2001 to 2008. Former offensive tackle Walter Jones and linebacker Julian Peterson were the last Seattle players to go to the Pro Bowl in 2008.

Last year the Seahawks were the only team in the NFC West to not have a player on the Pro Bowl roster, even though they finished as division champs.

The 2012 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 29, and televised live on NBC at 4 p.m. Pacific time from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

via Earl Thomas headed to Hawaii for Pro Bowl | Seahawks Insider.

Tags: Brandon Browner, coach pete carroll, Darryl Williams, Earl Thomas, Fellow Players, Football Season, Frank Gore, Fullback, head coach, LeSean McCoy, Michael Robinson, Mild Surprise, pro bowl, Rookie Season, Running Backs, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, Star Game, Straight Seasons, Team Thomas, Walter Jones