Pro Bowl will be Patriot-less as seven players opt out

The New England Patriots were well represented in this year's Pro Bowl selections. Too bad none of them is going.

A total of seven players were selected for the Jan. 31 game in Hawaii, and a loss to Denver last Sunday left open the possibility that some, if not all, would actually play despite the fact that a majority of starters around the league have already dropped out.

New England's squad followed suit though, and all seven players — Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Malcolm Butler, Stephen Gostkowski, Jamie Collins, Chandler Jones and Matthew Slater — bailed on the cross-country trip, according to WEEI.com.

More than 30 players have already declined to participate in the annual all-star game, making an already meaningless game even easier to sleep through on Sunday.

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Bills' D-line, Brady-Gronk duo highlight Pro Bowl nods

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The Bills may not be going to the playoffs, but their D-line is headed to Arizona.

Three of Buffalo's front four -- Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams and Mario Williams -- were selected for the 2015 Pro Bowl in Glendale, which takes place Jan. 25. The trio were three of 11 players selected from the division, a list that includes New England's offensive duo of Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Four AFC East'ers lead Pro Bowl voting

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The Buffalo Bills' defense has seen quite a turnaround in a year's time. Its hard work has paid dividends not only on the field, but also in the Pro Bowl voting.

Veteran defensive end Mario Williams and rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso, the leaders of Mike Pettine's defensive system, currently lead all-star voting at their respective positions.

Alonso, who is second in tackles and near the top of the league in interceptions, leads all inside linebackers with more than 188,000 votes. Williams, who's currently third in the league in sacks with 11, is behind only Houston's J.J. Watt in defensive end voting and has garnered more than 185,000 votes.

Bills shut out of Pro Bowl, Jackson injury didn't help

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Thirteen players from across the AFC East will be shopping for new luau shirts this week as the NFL released the rosters for the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Bills players, however, will have to settle for new winter jackets.

Patriots tie for league's most 2012 Pro Bowl nods

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Patriots tied the 49ers for number of 2012 Pro Bowl players with eight.

Quarterback Tom Brady, receiver Wes Welker, tight end Rob Gronkowski, defensive end Andre Carter, guard Logan Mankins, guard Brian Waters, defensive lineman Vince Wilfork and special teamer Matthew Slater made the bill, as was announced by the NFL Tuesday.