Patriots Pro Bowlers: Why these seven players made the roster
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As you have probably heard by now, seven members of the Patriots made the 2016 Pro Bowl. In this article, we’re going to break down why each of these seven players earned the honor.
If you’re interesting in reading about the Patriots players who were snubbed, give Cyrus Geller’s article a look.
Alright, let’s start with the leading vote-getting.
7. Tom Brady
Surprise, surprise. MVP finalist and general superhero Brady made the Pro Bowl thanks to another banner campaign for the 16th year veteran.
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Brady is pacing all quarterbacks with 4,405 yards of passing through 14 games. That speaks for itself. Brady is also completing 64.3 percent of attempts, his highest rate since the 2011 season. Similarly, Brady’s touchdowns (35) and quarterback rating (103.8) are his best since the 2011 season. If he tosses five touchdowns in the remaining two regular season games, it will be Brady’s second-highest season total in his career, behind only his 50 in 2007.
Brady could give a hoot about the Pro Bowl, however. Earning the honor is nothing new for the future Hall of Famer, and plus he’s more interested in the other Bowl.
Next: 6. Gronk
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6. Rob Gronkowski
Gronk made the Pro Bowl on account of being the best tight end in football. His 11 Gronk spikes rank fifth among all pass catchers, and second only to Tyler Eifert in the tight end category. However, he’s got all tight ends beat with a yards per catch average of 16.2. Contributing to that impressive figure was Gronkowski’s 76-yard catch and run against the New York Giants, the longest touchdown of his six-year career.
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The J.J. Watt equivalent on offense, Gronkowski is the reason that defensive coordinators don’t get much sleep the night before playing the Patriots. You can respect Gronkowski by double-teaming him, but that opens up opportunities for other players in the Patriots’ passing game; you can plug your safety on him, but it’s more likely than not that Gronk will prevail in a one-on-one matchup.
Just like Brady, Gronk doesn’t care much about the Pro Bowl. He’s more interested in corralling another ring now that he’s got a taste of winning it all.
Next: 5. Malcolm Butler
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5. Malcolm Butler
If you had predicted at this time last year that the little-known undrafted rookie behind Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, Logan Ryan and Kyle Arrington on the cornerback depth chart would make the Pro Bowl in 2015, no one would have believed you. But sure enough, Butler has been one of the best defensive backs in football this year, backing up his Super Bowl XLIX heroism and earning a Pro Bowl berth.
Butler stands out from the typical Patriots cornerback with his talkative and energetic demeanor on the field. He plays with fire, never backing down from a challenge. What’s more important is the confidence he plays with, and that’s helped him contend with the likes of Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. this season.
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Butler has been getting his hands on passes all season, as evidenced by his 15 passes defended, which is tied for ninth among all defensive players. He’s also nabbed two interceptions, indicating that he can make the big play, too.
The Patriots couldn’t be more excited with Butler right now. Honestly, one could make the case that he’s been better than Revis this season.
Next: 4. Jamie Collins
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4. Jamie Collins
That Collins made the Pro Bowl despite missing an entire month speaks volumes about his growing stardom. 2015 has truly been a career year for Collins, highlighted by his 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles (tied for most in the league) and this outstanding block of an extra point back in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts:
Collins is the complete package as a linebacker. He boasts blazing speed for a 250-pounder along with excellent run-stuffing ability, making him the ideal dance partner for Dont’a Hightower at inside linebacker.
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Without a doubt, Collins is one of the most athletic players in the entire league on both sides of the ball. Earlier today, this writer went so far as to wonder if the Patriots should implement Collins in the offense as a tight end every now and then.
The Patriots may not have had a first round pick in the 2013 draft, but they made an excellent decision by drafting Collins the first time they went on the clock in the back end of the second round.
Next: 3. Chandler Jones
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3. Chandler Jones
The main reason why Jones earned a Pro Bowl berth is his career year in the sacks department, where he has recorded 12.5 quarterback takedowns as well as four forced fumbles. The 12.5 sacks rank fourth in the league behind Khalil Mack (15.0), J.J. Watt (13.5) and Ezekiel Ansah (13.5), and the four forced fumbles are tied for the league lead with Collins and a handful of other elite defensive players.
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Jones’ outstanding season has been characterized by four multiple-sack performances: a hat trick against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2, 2.5 sacks in the Deflategate-weighted showdown with the Colts, and a pair of sacks each against the Miami Dolphins before Halloween and the Titans just last week.
In the first few seasons of this decade, the Patriots badly needed an elite pass rusher. Now that Jones has broken into star territory and made his first Pro Bowl, it’s safe to say that they found what they were looking for when they nabbed Jones in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Next: 2. Gostkowski, 1. Slater
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2. Stephen Gostkowski, 1. Matthew Slater
Since Gostkowski and Slater are both special teamers, they get grouped together in this slide. That’s not to take away from either of their accomplishments, of course.
By connecting on 30 of 32 field goal attempts thus far, Gostkowski earned his third straight and fourth total Pro Bowl nod. The Patriots’ all-time leading scorer accomplished a number of feats over the course of the 2015 regular season.
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Against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3, Gostkowski set a record that we can safely say will never be broken when he booted through his 423 consecutive extra point dating back to his rookie season of 2006. Two weeks later, Gostkowski tied Adam Vinatieri’s franchise record when he drilled a 57-yard attempts at AT&T Stadium. Gostkowski was the difference in the Patriots’ thrilling win over the Giants when he nailed a 54-yarder to make the score 27-26 with just one second remaining.
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Gostkowski is quite possibly the best at his position in the game, giving the Patriots not only the best quarterback and tight end in football, but also the best kicker.
Moving on to No. 18, Slater made his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl thanks to his outstanding special teams ability. In a season that has been fraught with special teams errors, Slater has been one of the few constants, tearing it up on punt coverage like always.
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There isn’t a more exemplary player on the roster in terms of the Patriot Way than Slater. The Patriots are lucky to have him.