BY NICK ST. DENIS
The 2014 Pro Bowl selections were announced Saturday evening, and 11 AFC-Easters made the cut.
The New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins led the division with four apiece, and the Buffalo Bills ended their three-year drought without players making the initial roster, getting three in this time around. The New York Jets, meanwhile, saw no players named to the initial Pro Bowl team for the first time in the Rex Ryan era, though they had three alternates.
Here's the team-by-team breakdown:
PATRIOTS
Quarterback Tom Brady, left guard Logan Mankins, cornerback Aqib Talib, special-teamer Matthew Slater.
Alternates:
None.
Analysis:
Brady, who has made the absolute best of a less-than-ideal situation in the pass-catching department, is a no-brainer, as is Talib, who is a first-time first-teamer in the All-Star game. Slater has also established himself as one of the best special teams players in the league, and Mankins has lived up to his reputation as a Pro Bowl guard. He's a safe bet. Stephen Gostkowski has had a stellar year, but so have a handful of kickers. Devin McCourty has made a big turnaround at the safety position and could have a case made for him.
DOLPHINS
Cornerback Brent Grimes, defensive end Cameron Wake, punter Brandon Fields, center Mike Pouncey.
Alternates:
None.
Analysis:
Grimes' berth on the roster is extra-special for the veteran corner given the fact that he missed nearly the entire 2012 season to injury. He deserved it. Wake, meanwhile, has actually had a down year by his standards and could just as easily have seen his spot to go a more-deserving Muhammad Wilkerson of the Jets. Still, Wake's production through the second half of the season was good enough, and he's by no means a bad pick. Tight end Charles Clay could have been a wildcard choice, though he'll get in sooner than later if he continues to progress the way he has this year.
BILLS
Defensive end Mario Williams, defensive tackle Kyle Williams, safety Jairus Byrd.
Alternates:
None.
Analysis:
Kyle Williams is quietly (well, not really) having a fantastic season on the interior of a pretty good defense. Mario Williams has been up and down on a game-by-game basis, but when he's been good, he's been really good. Byrd ousted McCourty for the last safety spot, having put together a solid year after missing the first five games to injury. Linebacker Kiko Alonso could be considered a snub, though he cooled off after an incredibly hot start to the season. Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus' name has also come up in the left-out department.
JETS
None.
Alternates:
Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, center Nick Mangold, cornerback Antonio Cromartie.
Analysis:
The Jets were severely lacking in talent this season, so their absence from the Pro Bowl isn't shocking. However, Wilkerson is the best player on arguably the best defensive line in the NFL, so he can easily be considered a snub. Kicker Nick Folk also is having a near-perfect season, but competition is tight at his position this year. Cromartie's appearance as an alternate is a head-scratcher, but Mangold's isn't.
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