QB Tom Brady, LB Dont’a Hightower, FS Devin McCourty, and ST Matthew Slater have been nominated to the 2017 Pro Bowl. All four members of the New England Patriots are team captains.
The Pro Bowl is on January 29, 2017 8pm ET, ESPN, in Orlando. Hopefully the Patriots will be too busy preparing for the Super Bowl to participate.
Brady has reached the Pro Bowl for the 12th time in his career, tying OG John Hannah for the most nominations in franchise history. Brady leads the AFC in passer rating and has the fewest interceptions in the league.
Hightower has been nominated to the 1st Pro Bowl in his career. Hightower is fourth on the team with 64 tackles, has 2.5 sacks, and 2 passes defended. He is considered the heart of the New England defense that ranks 1st in the league in points allowed.
McCourty has earned his 3rd Pro Bowl nomination. His other two nominations came in 2010, as a cornerback, and in 2014, as a free safety. McCourty has been the best player on the Patriots defense over the second half of the season.
Slater has made his 6th straight Pro Bowl. Slater admits that teammate Nate Ebner probably deserves the nomination more, but Slater is the team leader that breaks down the post-game huddle and serves as one of the best gunners in the NFL.
RB LeGarrette Blount, who ranks 1st in the NFL in touchdowns, did not make the Pro Bowl. He was edged by Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell, Titans RB DeMarco Murray, and Bills RB LeSean McCoy.
CB Malcolm Butler missed out on the Pro Bowl to a quartet of AFC West cornerbacks. Broncos CBs Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, Chiefs CB Marcus Peters, and Chargers CB Casey Hayward made the roster.
RT Marcus Cannon and FB James Develin could have made strong arguments, too.
Congratulations to the four Patriots that made the Pro Bowl. Who do you think was snubbed?