Six Seahawks earn Pro Bowl honors

For the second straight season, the Seahawks had six players named to the Pro Bowl roster, which was just announced by the NFL.

Making the cut this year are Russell Wilson, Max Unger and Marshawn Lynch on offense, and Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas on defense. Three Seahawks were also named Pro Bowl alternates: kicker Steven Hauschka, left tackle Russell Okung and Golden Tate, who was named as a punt returner.

Of Seattle’s six Pro Bowlers, only Sherman is a first-time selection. He was a rather significant snub last year, being left off the team despite playing well to earn first-team All Pro honors, a more selective group.

Only the 2005 and 1984 Seahawks, who each sent seven players to the Pro Bowl, have had more players selected than this year and last year’s teams. Only Kansas City and San Francisco, which each had eight players selected, have more Pro Bowlers.

Unlike past seasons, which featured an AFC vs. NFC format, this year’s Pro Bowl will feature captains drafting players from the total pool of players, so theoretically you could see Russell Wilson testing Richard Sherman deep, or Earl Thomas trying to tackle Marshawn Lynch.

Of course, the Seahawks hope none of their players are actually playing in the Pro Bowl, which takes place in Honolulu on the Sunday before the Super Bowl.