49ers’ Bowman and Staley returning to Pro Bowl

Bill Belichick never has been big on individual accolades.

Following Tuesday night’s Pro Bowl announcement, we have been graced with two straight days of your most typical Pro Bowl banter: Guys are sliding in on name recognition alone, the best young players aren’t getting in unless they are alternates, etc., etc. His 2015 season has been one to remember despite the fact that Miami has been a raging tire fire for most of the season with two different defensive coordinators and a pair of head coaches. “It’s a great honor to get that respect from your teammates and guys around the league”, DeCastro said as the Steelers (9-5) prepared for their game Sunday at Baltimore (4-10). “Every team, every player, everybody’s got their snubs or whoever you think should have gone, but to have David go for his first time I think is just great”. New England leads the series 57-52-1.

Since defensive players have fewer stats than offensive players, and defensive stars are more likely to accumulate the few stats that they can achieve (i.e., sacks and interceptions) when playing with a lead, it’s not surprising that voters chose defensive players on better teams.

There also was a bit of history, too, always a favorite subject of the Patriots boss.

Belichick credited the wealth of Pro Bowlers to an informed scouting system, prudent drafting and an element of luck. “Nobody else had done that. I had Clay [Jr.], but that’s as an aside, kind of a special thing”. Belichick initially indicated that Matthew Slater had tied his Hall of Fame father Jackie, but it turns out, the father ended his career with seven Pro Bowl berths.

Apparently, I’m not the only person that feels this way.

“It’s humbling when your hard work gets acknowledged”. “We’re excited about his future, but I think it comes down to maybe what the special teams roles are (on game day)”.

Reminded that all the selections have been Patriots their whole careers, Slater seemed a little surprised, “Wow”.

“Exciting”, Jackson said Wednesday, two days after signing with his third National Football League team.

Now he’s back. Bowman thanked his peers for recognizing “how dedicated I was to get back to a high level of play. When you win, good things happen”.

Davis, who became the first known player to return from three ACL surgeries, has had Pro Bowl-caliber seasons previously.

“I think he’s way more deserving than to be the first alternate”, quarterback Blake Bortles said. “A lot of players in this locker room that deserve to be honored. Cherish the moment and just keep moving forward”.

There was no official word, though Gronkowski presumably was in Rhode Island attending the funeral of his friend, Dana Parenteau, who died last week.

Also missing from practice were linebacker Jonathan Freeny, who continues to recover from the dislocated hand he suffered in Houston, and practice squad defensive back Brock Vereen. He was listed as limited. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Devin McCourty.