Starting with 2007, the Browns have had multiple Pro Bowl players three years in a row. Six were selected after '07, three after '08 and two after '09.
View full sizeJosh Cribbs hasn't had a big season on special teams, but his past successes have earned him the fans' vote so far for this year's Pro Bowl. Will the Browns have multiple representatives? Tony Grossi breaks down the candidates.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Guessing which Browns might win Pro Bowl recognition used to be an exercise in futility.
From their rebirth as an expansion team in 1999 through the 2006 season, the Browns sent exactly one player to the post-season all-star game. That was linebacker Jamir Miller after the 2001 season.
But starting with the fluky, 10-win season in 2007, the Browns have had multiple Pro Bowl players three years in a row. Six were selected after '07, three after '08 and two after '09.
That trend should continue this season.
Fan balloting is no exact indication of how the final teams will be picked, of course, but the early returns are encouraging to the Browns. Left guard Eric Steinbach and return specialist Josh Cribbs were the leading vote-getters at their positions in the first results released by the NFL.
Steinbach has never made the Pro Bowl in seven previous season, three with the Browns. The fact he showed up No. 1 in the first batch of voting on nfl.com may be a case of astute voting, ballot-stuffing, or both. He certainly shares credit in the Browns' revived running game.
Cribbs' placing obviously is an example of high-visibility name recognition garnered over his last four seasons. He's rewritten record books, been on the ESPN highlight reels and earned two Pro Bowl berths.
Cribbs is winning votes on reputation alone because this obviously has not been a great year for him. But reputation goes a long way, and a few TDs down the stretch could make him a legitimate choice by the end of the year.
It's just that other Browns are more deserving. Here's a look at the other possible Pro Bowl candidates on the Browns:
• Left tackle Joe Thomas: OK, so John Abraham ate him up and Seneca Wallace paid for it with a high ankle sprain. But his reputation (three Pro Bowls in three years) could overcome one really bad game. And other than Baltimore's Michael Oher, name another tackle that's a slam-dunk?
• Running back Peyton Hillis: He's sixth in yards (774) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (eight). He'll need a big finish to knock four of the following out of the mix: Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Arian Foster, Jamaal Charles, Rashard Mendenhall and Ray Rice.
• Fullback Lawrence Vickers: He has more highlight blocks than perennial winner Le'Ron McClain. After he knocked hard on the door last year, it just might open.
• Nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin: He's deserving, but will need more opposing coaches to talk him up like Rob Ryan to gain recognition. There's unbelievable competition in Haloti Ngata, Vince Wilfork, Casey Hampton, Richard Seymour and Terrence Knighton.
• Linebacker Scott Fujita: He was playing at a Pro Bowl-caliber before his knee injury. Missing four to six games cost him any chance. Fujita was fifth in voting among outside linebackers. He's the only other Browns player to crack the top five at his position.
• Long snapper Ryan Pontbriand: He's made it two times and always is a candidate to be named by the AFC coaching staff. Special teams coaches know he's among the best.
Fan voting continues on nfl.com through Dec. 20. Players and coaches vote on Dec. 22-23. Supposedly, each vote counts one-third toward the total. Teams are announced on Dec. 28.