New England Patriots: Analysis of Players Selected and Snubbed in 2012 Pro Bowl

Many who follow the New England Patriots have long commented that Bill Belichick misses Scott Pioli. That might be true to a degree, but with the team sending eight players to the Pro Bowl, that talk might have to be put on hold.

In fact, the eight players New England is sending to the Pro Bowl is tied with the San Francisco 49ers for the league's most.

Yes, the Pro Bowl is just as much a popularity contest as it is a true gauge of talent, and many players make the Pro Bowl a year too early or for one year longer than they should have.

Thus, as always, there are some players who should have made the Pro Bowl, and others who shouldn't have.

Where do the eight Patriots selectees stand?

Quarterback Tom Brady

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What a wild ride it's been for Brady. It started when he became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 400 yards in the first two games of a season (followed shortly by Cam Newton).

This is Brady's seventh Pro Bowl selection, and his fourth consecutive when not counting the '08 season in which he tore his ACL in the first game of the season.

It's been one of Brady's personal best seasons, but as he nips at the heels of Dan Marino and Drew Brees, it's also an historic season.

The Pro Bowl was never in question for Brady.

Tight End Rob Gronkowski

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When Rob Gronkowski took the NFL by storm in 2010, he did it largely based on his large frame.

When he broke into the record books with 15 receiving touchdowns, he did it with route running, and of course, that large frame.

The Brady-to-Gronkowski combination has been prolific, with the two connecting on 82-of-111 attempts for 1,219 yards, 15 touchdowns, two interceptions and a passer rating of 141.5.

Gronkowski could go down as one of the great tight ends in NFL history, but either way, he should be remembered as the greatest tight end of the 2011 season without question.

Wide Receiver Wes Welker

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Again, Wes Welker's Pro Bowl nomination was never in question. ESPN's Mike Reiss points out that Welker felt his selection in 2010 was dubious on the basis of his league-leading 13 drops.

Though he has 11 drops this year, those have come in a higher number of targets.

Frankly, it'd be difficult for anyone to argue Welker doesn't deserve this nomination. With his performance, he became just the third receiver in NFL history to post 1,000 yards receiving and 100 receptions in four seasons in his career.

Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison are the other two, and Welker has done it in just five seasons.

If Welker's performance in 2011 wasn't enough to secure him a new contract in New England, you'd be hard pressed to convince me why.

Left Guard Logan Mankins

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Copout? Maybe. But has Mankins' season been that special?

Mankins leads the Patriots with eight penalties and hasn't been the dominant guard the Patriots have come to expect this season. 

But can you name another guard in the AFC that's worthy of a Pro Bowl?

Heck, can you name another guard in the AFC at all?

As mentioned earlier, it's sometimes a popularity contest, and although Mankins hasn't had a dominant season, he's still good enough to be considered one of the best of the group.

Right Guard Brian Waters

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Coming from someone who was skeptical of the Brian Waters signing when it first happened, he has to be considered one of the two best free-agent signings for the Patriots in a long time.

Even at the age of 36, he proved to be an upgrade over the retired Steve Neal, having been the stalwart for an offensive line that has seen a lot of injuries this season. He even helped out with protection calls and snap counts when the Patriots were starting Nick McDonald at center a few weeks back.

A guy who can be counted on like that is a guy who's more than worthy of a selection to Honolulu.

Defensive End Andre Carter

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Carter, of course, is the other great free-agent signing of 2011 for the Patriots. It's a shame he'll miss the playoffs, because New England's postseason hopes may have rested firmly in his hands.

His team-leading 10 sacks came in the first 14 games of the season before he suffered a knee injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the season and the playoffs.

But it wasn't just his pass rushing that earned him this spot. He was a rare three-down defensive end, stuffing the run just as effectively as he rushed the passer.

Where his 2012 season is headed remains uncertain, but his 2011 season is more that deserving of a selection to the Pro Bowl, even if he doesn't get to make the trip.

Defensive Tackle Vince Wilfork

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Whether Wilfork Island exists or not isn't the matter of debate. The fact of the matter is, Wilfork did more this season than he's done in years past both in terms of his production and his role in the defense.

The team depended on him for more than they ever have.

According to Pro Football Focus, which has been tracking snap counts since 2008, Wilfork has 920 snaps through Week 16 after having just 832 in 2010 through the full season.

He has around the same number of tackles as he usually has, and he's also found himself in the right place at the right times this year, making plays on four balls with two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Special Teams: Matthew Slater

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This article by ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss tells the story of what Slater had to go through to even get on the field, much less get selected to the Pro Bowl.

His nine special teams tackles rank second on the team to Tracy White, and he's played on every special teams unit on the field.

Slater may never have contributed much as a receiver or a returner, but being voted to the Pro Bowl on special teams is a good indication that he has found his place on the team.

That's a pretty great story for a guy who, as Reiss points out, was battling for a roster spot just over a year ago.

Snub: Aaron Hernandez

The Patriots pulled off a rare coup with both of their tight ends claiming the top two spots in Pro Bowl voting for the AFC, but Hernandez didn't make the final cut due to the coaches and players getting two-thirds of the voting pie.

Chargers tight end Antonio Gates got the vote over Hernandez. Was he truly deserving? The Patriots tight end has better stats across the board, with 72 receptions for 772 yards and six touchdowns to Gates' 59 receptions, 672 yards and six touchdowns.

Although Gates is still one of the better tight ends in the league, this might be an instance where a player goes to the Pro Bowl a year longer than they probably should.

The way Hernandez has played this season, it's only a matter of time before he gets his turn, as well.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik onTwitter.