2012 NFL Pro Bowl: Seattle Seahawks Starters, Subs and Snubs

Fan voting for the 2012 Pro Bowl wasn't overly kind to the Seattle Seahawks. They made up some ground in the other two areas, but landing only one player on the initial roster seems a bit thin for this team.

Seattle has issues on offense, but the ground game has thrived over the second half of the season.

The Seahawk defense has become one of the best in the NFC. It's a top-five unit in the NFL relative to rushing and scoring defense, and its pass defense has steadily improved in 2011.

What is surprising is how well the team has performed overall without production from a lot of high-priced free agent acquisitions or high-profile draft picks. For that reason, I'll be reminding readers of how the Seahawks acquired each of their top performers.

Pete Carroll and John Schneider have engineered an impressive turn with the talent pool in Seattle. The result is the end of a two-year drought of landing bodies on the Pro Bowl roster.

Julian Peterson and Walter Jones were the last representatives in the 2009 game.

Starter: Earl Thomas, Free Safety

How acquired: 14th selection in the 2010 NFL draft

It is only fitting that the second-year free safety is getting the recognition he deserves. He was snubbed from the 2011 Pro Bowl, even though his credentials should have had him added as a replacement for Nick Collins, who was a bit preoccupied preparing for the Super Bowl.

Instead, strong safety Roman Harper, who was abused by the Seahawks in their playoff matchup, was given the nod.

This omission was rectified in 2012.

Despite a dropoff in interceptions in 2011, Thomas has elevated his game relative to run support. His speed and field presence have made him an integral part of one of the best run defenses in the NFL.

This should be the first of many Pro Bowl bids for Thomas, who appears ready to take over the throne of best free safety in the NFL once Ed Reed starts to act his age.

Earl Thomas: Career Stats

SEASON	GP	TACK	FF	FR	INT	TD	PD	TFL
2010	16	76	1	0	5	0	7	1
2011	15	92	0	2	2	0	6	5
Career	31	168	1	2	7	0	13	6

Sub: Kam Chancellor, Strong Safety

How acquired: Fifth-round draft pick in the 2010 NFL draft

To be clear, just because a player is a "sub" doesn't mean he isn't a snub, too.

I started the 2011 season claiming the Seahawks have the best young safety tandem in the NFL. Somewhere along the way, it became clear that it was only appropriate to take "young" out of the mix.

Kam Chancellor had a tough road to make the 2012 Pro Bowl roster. He was also a fifth-round draft choice, which kept him off most radar screens.

Chancellor was a first-year starter on what most believed to be a bad defense...both of which are marks against a player.

The problem, though, is the Seattle Seahawks are not a bad defense. Quite the opposite, actually, landing in the Top 10 in yards allowed and fifth in points per game.

The only other NFC team that can boast those numbers are the San Francisco 49ers. They landed three players on the starting Pro Bowl defense and one backup.

Part of Seattle's success on defense is certainly solid coaching and great schemes. But the players on the field have to be able to execute the plans, and few players do it as well as Chancellor.

I don't want to take anything away from Adrian Wilson. He is an athletic freak, combining the skill sets of a strong safety and a linebacker. However, so is Chancellor.

Chancellor's versatility made him a risk to be moved to linebacker in college and the NFL. At 232 pounds he'd be a bit undersized to be playing in the middle, but combined with his speed, he is a dominant force in the secondary.

Statistics don't tell the entire story, but they are certainly important.

It shouldn't be ignored that Seattle had the second-best defense in the NFC. Chancellor has already become the most feared strong safety in the NFC, both in terms of the hits he administers and the coverage skills he possesses.

The following stat lines demonstrate why Chancellor is a sub that was snubbed by the Pro Bowl.

Player	GP	TACK	SOLO	AST	SACK	FF	FR	INT	PD	TFL
Chancellor	14	89	69	20	1.0	3	1	4	12	2
Wilson	15	62	46	16	0.0	1	0	1	12	7

Sub: Marshawn Lynch, Running Back

How acquired: Traded from Buffalo Bills for a 2011 fourth-round draft pick and a 2012 conditional pick

Many will believe that Lynch was the biggest snub on the Seahawks roster. That argument can certainly be made, but I have less heartburn with Frank Gore and Matt Forte being given the nod over Lynch than Wilson over Chancellor.

The fact that Lynch is the second alternate is what is really head-scratching.

Lynch and the Seahawks offense had a rough start to the season. 

It was expected, though, as Seattle had a new scheme, new offensive coordinator, new offensive line coach with new blocking schemes and seven new starters.

Lynch had just 141 yards rushing in the first four games...a figure he eclipsed against the Philadelphia Eagles and almost matched in Dallas.

Lynch became the first players to rush for 100 yards against the 49ers in two seasons, and he is the only player to score a rushing touchdown against them in 2011.

Over the last eight games, Lynch has 855 rushing yards and six 100-yard performances. 

Lynch has also given fans several highlight-reel runs in 2011. While none can match his playoff romp at the start of the calendar year, his "Whack-a-Mole" run against the Eagles was equally impressive.

While LeSean McCoy certainly deserves top billing in the NFC, it is hard to argue that another running back has done more to earn the second spot. Forte was well on his way prior to his injury, but Lynch has been step-for-step with Gore in 2011.

TEAM	GP	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FD	Rec Yds	YFS
Lynch	14	266	1,118	4.2	47	13	59	207	1,325
Gore	15	275	1,202	4.4	55	8	51	114	1,316
Forte	12	203	997	4.9	46	4	40	490	1,487

Sub: Brandon Browner, Cornerback

How acquired: Free agent, formerly playing in the CFL

Brandon Browner had a rough start to his "first season" in the NFL. While not considered a rookie because he spent time in the Denver Broncos training camp after leaving college early, Browner did need some time to get accustomed to how little contact the NFL allows against receivers.

Browner was flagged early and often this season, which is one of the few negatives about his game. He also has challenges with the faster elite receivers in the NFL, but most corners do.

As he became more familiar with how officials would limit contact, and as officials became more familiar with him making big plays, the frequency of penalties dropped.

Browner already holds the Seahawks' single-season record for interception return yards. He has managed 220 yards on his six interceptions, including two for touchdowns. This eclipsed Dave Brown's 1984 record of 179 yards on eight picks.

Browner stands an excellent chance at making the final Pro Bowl roster. Charles Woodson is listed as a starter and will miss the Pro Bowl if his Green Bay Packers make the Super Bowl.

The other starter was a player I had targeted that the Seahawks should consider as a lower-priced free agent acquisition. Carlos Rogers ended up in San Francisco, that will likely be the two-seed in the NFC.

The Chicago Bears' Charles Tillman is the reserve. He is a nine-year veteran who is active as a run-stopper. Tackles aren't usually a good stat for a cornerback, as they generally come after a receiver has caught a pass against him. But Tillman excels with this mark.

There is no compelling story for Tillman making the roster ahead of one of the Seahawks' cornerbacks.

Browner is an important cog in the Seahawks secondary. Three of the four starters could be in the Pro Bowl in 2012. The fourth, Richard Sherman, would likely be an alternate and on my snub list had he started the entire season.

Let this serve as notice that Sherman deserves an "honorable snub mention" for his excellent play over the last 10 games of the season.

PLAYER	STARTS	TACK	SACK	FF	FR	INT	YDS	TD	PD	TFL
Browner	15	52	0.0	0	0	6	220	2	20	1
Sherman	10	49	0.0	1	0	3	12	0	16	0
Woodson	15	74	2.0	1	1	7	63	1	17	2
Rogers	15	39	0.0	0	0	6	106	1	18	2
Tillman	15	93	1.0	3	2	2	44	1	11	3

Sub: Michael Robinson, Fullback

How acquired: Signed after being cut by the San Francisco 49ers following the 2010 training camp

Seeing Michael Robinson named as a first alternate is a pleasant surprise for the Seahawks. The fact that the starter is John Kuhn of the Green Bay Packers means there is a very good chance a player that was cut from an NFL roster last season will be a Pro Bowl player for the Seahawks.

Robinson's contributions on special teams have been significant. However, his play at fullback was difficult to accept for the first season-and-a-half in Seattle.

However, in the last 10 games, Robinson has looked like a different player.

Robinson has added some bulk for the Seahawks, which likely helps him with power blocking. But there is more to it than that. Seattle has changed its entire approach to running the ball and asking Robinson to blow open holes is part of why the Seahawks have had success.

Robinson has also been used as a receiving target on occasion, logging nine receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Sub: Jon Ryan, Punter

How acquired: Free agent after spending two seasons with the Green Bay Packers

Jon Ryan isn't likely to see the sidelines of the Pro Bowl, even though he is arguably the best punter in the NFC. He is the third alternate, and punters don't generally pass up the opportunity to play in the Pro Bowl.

Andy Lee is one of two punters with a longer average than Ryan and will be the Pro Bowl punter unless the 49ers find their way into the Super Bowl. Lee averaged 50.5 yards per punt, compared to 46.8 yards for Ryan. In their September matchup in San Francisco, Ryan averaged 48.9 yards on seven punts.

One area keeps Ryan from making the "snub" list. In 2010, he had just two punts find their way into the end zone. That number jumped to eight in 2011, which is too many touchbacks.

It is easy to forgive a few touchbacks, such as the 77-yard effort in San Francisco or the 71-yard punt in St. Louis. However, he had two in Cleveland and two the following week against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Those were critical in terms of field position in close games.

Snubs: Chris Clemons, Defensive End

How acquired: Seattle sent Darryl Tapp to Philadelphia for Chris Clemons and a fourth-round draft pick

Chris Clemons was listed as a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles. Pete Carroll liked his pass rush abilities, though, and targeted him for the team's "Leo" defensive end.

Clemons lacks the pedigree and overall presence to get the consideration he deserves for the Pro Bowl. His 11 sacks are the seventh-best in the NFC. 

It is difficult to argue that Clemons deserves a spot above Jared Allen (18.5 sacks), Jason Babin (18) or Jason Pierre-Paul (15.5). However, he should have been given consideration as an alternate.

Clemons plays well against the run and the pass. He also has five passes defensed, one of which was tipped for a Red Bryant interception.

Snub: Red Bryant, Defensive End

How acquired: Fourth-round draft pick in 2008

Red Bryant was a forgotten defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks. Prior to the 2010 season, Gus Bradley and the defensive coaches suggested that Carroll move Bryant to defensive end.

The results have been amazing, as the Seahawks have had one of the best run-stopping units in the NFL over the past two seasons when Bryant is in the lineup.

Bryant can cover half of the offensive line with Brandon Mebane playing the one-technique defensive tackle spot.

It is difficult to argue that Bryant should be in the Pro Bowl as a run specialist. There are more complete defensive ends out there that are more deserving.

However, they do keep a spot for players that bring elements to the table that the NFL wants to recognize. Aside from a kick and punt returner, there is a slot for special teams player.

Bryant has four blocked kicks on the season, allowing consideration for the special teams representative for the NFC.

Snub: Brandon Mebane, Defensive Tackle

How acquired: Third-round pick in the 2007 NFL draft; re-signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2011

With 54 tackles on the season, Mebane is one behind Justin Smith for the lead among NFC defensive tackles. Smith is listed as a starter in the Pro Bowl.

Joining Smith as a starter is Jay Ratliff (35 tackles, 4.0 sacks), with B.J. Raji (21 tackles, 3.0 sacks) as the backup. While Raji had an excellent 2010 season, his production in 2011 has fallen off...significantly. 

Mebane helps bring the nasty to the Seahawks defense and is a better selection than Raji for the 2012 game. Perhaps the only thing keeping Mebane out of discussions is his lack of production with sacking the quarterback.

That is short-sighted, though, as sacks from interior linemen are often the result of defensive schemes. Perhaps Gus Bradley can work out a few kinks to help Mebane punish opposing quarterbacks a few times in 2012 and get him the Pro Bowl recognition he deserves.