Left tackle Joe Thomas is the only Brown voted to the Pro Bowl, but seven others are named alternates.
View full sizeJoe Thomas is the first Brown to make four consecutive Pro Bowls since cornerback Frank Minnifield in the late 1980s.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Reputation goes a long way in Pro Bowl voting and it certainly didn't hurt Joe Thomas.
The Browns' left tackle was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl in four years. He was named a starter along with Jake Long of Miami.
"I'm really excited," Thomas said. "It's a great honor to be able to represent the Cleveland Browns in my fourth straight Pro Bowl. It never gets old."
It was a mild surprise because some believed that Thomas was not playing up to his usual high standard in pass protection. But Thomas maintained he improved on his whole game, plus as a run-blocker this year, evidenced by the breakout season turned in by running back Peyton Hillis.
Hillis, third in the NFL with 13 touchdowns and ninth with 1,164 yards rushing, was not among the three backs chosen for the AFC team. The winners were Maurice Jones-Drew of Jacksonville, Arian Foster of Houston and Jamaal Charles of Kansas City.
Two Browns who won the fan vote in online balloting -- left guard Eric Steinbach and kick returner Josh Cribbs -- did not make the final cut. The vote among fans, players and coaches comprise the total vote.
Hillis, Steinbach and center Alex Mack were named second alternates. Cribbs, special teamer Ray Ventrone and fullback Lawrence Vickers were named third alternates. Rookie cornerback Joe Haden was named a fourth alternate.
Any or all could go to the Pro Bowl in Honolulu on Jan. 30 if others selected ahead of them drop out because of injury or otherwise cannot attend. The Pro Bowl will be played one week ahead of the Super Bowl. That will open up other spots because players on the Super Bowl teams will not play in the Pro Bowl.
Thomas is one of 19 Browns to earn Pro Bowl honors four or more times. The last to earn four consecutive Pro Bowls was cornerback Frank Minnifield following the 1986 through '89 seasons.
Thomas was the third overall pick of the 2007 draft. He has not missed an offensive snap since joining the Browns.