Cleveland Browns: 5 Potential Pro Bowlers in 2011

The Cleveland Browns have had difficulty sending players to the Pro Bowl during the last decade. But that may change with a promising young team and an easy schedule in 2011.

Offensive linemen Joe Thomas and Alex Mack represented the Browns in last season’s Pro Bowl and are likely to make another trip to Honolulu this season. But they won’t be the only Browns to go if the team continues to play well.

Here are five Browns who could be headed to the Pro Bowl at the end of the season.

Ahtyba Rubin

Defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin began making an impact for the Browns during the second half of 2010, and he has continued to play at a high level this season. Rubin has collected 2.5 sacks and 16 tackles in the first three games and could emerge as a dark horse candidate for the Pro Bowl if he can remain productive.

The Browns defense is ranked third in the NFL with 11 sacks, and they are well on their way to eclipsing the 29 sacks they had in 2010. Rubin, who is tied for the team lead in sacks, has played a huge part in the improvement of the Browns’ pass rush and has paved the way for Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard to have strong rookie campaigns along the defensive line.

Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas has been the best player for the Browns since they returned to the NFL in 1999, and the four-time Pro Bowler will likely earn his fifth selection this season.

The Browns have only given up three sacks this season, which is third best in the NFL. Much of that has to do with the protection quarterback Colt McCoy has received from Thomas.

Alex Mack

The Browns have not had any negative rushes when they have run up the middle this season, and third-year center Alex Mack can take plenty of credit for that.

Mack was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season, and one thing working in his favor for another trip to Hawaii is that offensive linemen tend to make multiple Pro Bowls during their career. It would take an injury or an unforeseen drop off for Mack to be passed over for another selection.

That won’t happen because Mack is continuing to develop into one of the better centers in the NFL and should be a mainstay for the Browns during the next several years.

Josh Cribbs

It was tough sledding for Josh Cribbs in 2010, whose numbers sharply dropped from his Pro Bowl season in 2009. But Cribbs has been strong as a kick returner in 2011 and is just a few big returns away from possibly making another Pro Bowl.

Cribbs has averaged 34 yards per kick return and 13.8 yards per punt return in 2011, both of which are improvements from a year ago. Teams will likely continue to kick to Cribbs now that the NFL has amended the kickoff rules. And that will give Cribbs more chances to make plays in the return game.

Joe Haden

Second-year cornerback Joe Haden has avoided a sophomore slump by maintaining a strong physical presence in the Browns’ defensive backfield. Haden, who made noise as a rookie with six interceptions in 2010, has already broken up six passes, recorded a sack and a tackle for a loss in 2011.

He has yet to record an interception, but part of the reason for that is because quarterbacks are not throwing the ball toward him as much as they were in 2010. A trip to Honolulu could be in store for Haden if the Browns continue to play well for the rest of the season.