Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Brady again bails on Pro Bowl, plus other changes

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Voting for Tom Brady for the Pro Bowl is starting to seem like a moot point.

The New England Patriots quarterback declined his invitation to Honolulu once again this season, making it a decade since he's actually appeared in the game.

The 36-year-old has participated in the event only twice in his 14-year career despite being awarded the honor nine times, pulling out the majority of the years for injury reasons or if the team was in the Super Bowl.

The last time Brady took the cross-country trip was back in 2004, throwing a total of nine passes that included an interception. Before that, it was 2001, where he threw a total of five passes. He threw an interception in that game too.

Also pulling out this year for the Pats was cornerback Aqib Talib, who suffered a game-ending injury against the Denver Broncos.

He was replaced by New York Jets corner Antonio Cromartie. There are three other Patriots, however, that will appear in the game Jan. 26 -- left guard Logan Mankins, special teamer Matthew Slater and kicker Stephen Gostkowski as an alternate.

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was also a late addition in place of Justin Smith of the San Francisco 49ers, as was Jets center Nick Mangold, who will take the place of the Seattle Seahawks' Matt Unger.

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