The rosters for the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl were announced Tuesday, and the San Francisco 49ers will be well represented. The Niners’ eight players is tops in the NFC, matching the eight New England Patriots selected, which is the most of any AFC team.
Four of the eight are on the defensive side of the ball, including lineman Justin Smith, linebacker Patrick Willis and cornerback Carlos Rodgers, who were named starters. Safety Dashon Goldston is also among the four. Willis has made the team each of his first five seasons in the league.
Offensive lineman Joe Staley will start at one of the tackle positions, while Frank Gore was one of three running backs (LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte) chosen.
Punter Andy Lee and place kicker David Akers round out the eight. Lee leads the league in yards per punt and makes his third Pro Bowl team. Akers, in his first year with the Niners, set the NFL record for most made field goals (42) last week.
Ten other Niners were named as alternates.
The Oakland Raiders received three bids to the AFC team – line man Richard Seymour, punter Shane Lechler and place kicker Sebastian Janikowski.
New England’s Tom Brady was selected as the AFC’s starting quarterback. Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers received the same distinction for the NFC.
Rosters could change between now and the game, which is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2012 in Honolulu, one week before Super Bowl XLVI.
Check out the entire Pro Bowl rosters.
