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For the first time since 2008, a Seattle player will travel to Hawaii to play in the annual NFL all-star game.
When the league announced the teams on Tuesday, Seattle second-year pro Earl Thomas was one of three safeties selected to the NFC squad, joining San Francisco’s Dashon Goldson – a former University of Washington standout – and Arizona’s Adrian Wilson. Thomas was named the starter at free safety, and Wilson is the starter at strong safety.
Thomas, a former University of Texas star, was an alternate last season as a rookie. This season, he is second on the Seahawks in tackles with 92, has two interceptions 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 in 1997.
“Dream come true – Pro Bowl baby,” Thomas said via Twitter. “Thanks to all my teammates.”
The Seahawks also had five players announced as alternates: cornerback Brandon Browner (first alternate), strong safety Kam Chancellor (first), fullback Michael Robinson (first), running back Marshawn Lynch (second) and punter Jon Ryan (third).
Players are picked by a combined vote of fans, coaches and fellow players.
On Monday, in anticipation of Tuesday’s announcement, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was asked about some of his players making the Pro Bowl.
“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.”
Lynch being left off the list was a mild surprise. He’s fourth in the NFC in rushing with 1,118 yards on 266 carries, an average of 4.1 per carry. He’s scored 13 touchdowns and is fourth in the NFC in scoring.
Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy, Chicago’s Matt Forte and San Francisco’s Frank Gore made the team as the NFC running backs. Forte and Adrian Peterson – the likely first alternate ahead of Lynch – have been placed on the season-ending injured reserve list, which could open up a spot for Lynch to make the team.
Seattle sent players to the Pro Bowl for eight straight seasons from 2001 to 2008. Offensive tackle Walter Jones and linebacker Julian Peterson – both now former Seahawks – were Seattle’s last Pro Bowl players, in 2008.
Last year, the Seahawks were the only team in the NFC West not to have a player on the Pro Bowl roster, even though they won the division.
This year’s Pro Bowl will be Jan. 29 in Honolulu.
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 eric.wiliams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
INSIDE
This year’s Pro Bowl selections, B2
Seahawks’ past Pro Bowl selections, B8
SUNDAY
Seattle (7-8) at Arizona (7-8), 1:15 p.m., Ch. 13, 1240-AM, 1030-AM SEAHAWKS’ Next OPPONENT
ARIZONA CARDINALS
1:25 p.m. SUNday, University of Phoenix Stadium, GLENDALE, ARIZ.
Against the Seahawks: This is the 26th time Seattle will play Arizona. The Cardinals hold a 13-12 edge in the series, although Seattle has won the past three games, including a season sweep last year. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals earlier this season at CenturyLink Field, 13-10.
Stats and stuff: After starting 1-6, the Cardinals have won six of their past eight games. A key for Arizona has been improvement on defense. With Tacoma native and UW product Ray Horton leading the way as the team’s defensive coordinator, the Cardinals have held teams to just 18 points per game over their past eight contests. … Arizona running back Beanie Wells is finally living up to his enormous potential, rushing for more than 1,000 yards for the first time in his three-year NFL career. Wells has 1,047 yards on 245 carries (4.3 yards per carry), along with 10 touchdowns this season. … Starting quarterback Kevin Kolb is uncertain for Sunday’s game because of lingering concussion symptoms that have forced him to miss the past two games. Second-year pro John Skelton would get his seventh start this season if Kolb can’t go. … It’s difficult to discuss the Cardinals without mentioning do-everything receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who’s having another impressive season. Fitzgerald leads Arizona with 71 receptions for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns – his seventh 1,000-yard season in his eight years in the league.
Quotable: “We want to win this game. It’s a pretty significant achievement for this team, after starting 1-6, to get back to 8-8. I think it means a lot, and that’s the way we’re going to approach it.” – Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt on playing Seattle this weekend.
CARDINALS’ SCHEDULE
Sept. 11 Cardinals 28, Panthers 21
Sept. 18 Redskins 22, Cardinals 21
Sept. 25 Seahawks 13, Cardinals 10
Oct. 2 N.Y. Giants 31, Cardinals 27
Oct. 9 Vikings 34, Cardinals 10
Oct. 16 Bye
Oct. 23 Steelers 32, Cardinals 20
Oct. 30 Ravens 30, Cardinals 27
Nov. 6 Cardinals 19, Rams 13
Nov. 13 Cardinals 21, Eagles 17
Nov. 20 49ers 23, Cardinals 7
Nov. 27 Cardinals 23, Rams 20
Dec. 4 Cardinals 19, Cowboys 13
Dec. 11 Cardinals 21, 49ers 19
Dec. 18 Cardinals 20, Browns 17
Dec. 24 Bengals 23, Cardinals 16
Jan. 1 Seattle
Eric D. Williams, staff writer
