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Three Steelers named to Pro Bowl

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Three Steelers were named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday and at least one of the names might surprise.

No, we’re not talking about Antonio Brown. The Steelers’ top wide receiver was considered a given on the team. He leads the league in receiving yards and is second in receptions, two behind leader Julio Jones heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.

Guard David DeCastro being named to his first Pro Bowl also wasn’t a huge surprise. The Steelers rank second in the league in total offense and the offensive line has been a big key to that effort.

The surprise was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger being named to the team. Roethlisberger leads the NFL in passing yards per game, but missed four full games and parts of three others with knee and foot injuries.

That’s not to say that Roethlisberger doesn’t deserve to go, but it is surprising.

Two players I believe were snubbed this year: right tackle Marcus Gilbert and defensive end Cameron Heyward.

DeCastro has been more than solid this season for the Steelers, taking on some of the best interior linemen in the game. But Gilbert has allowed one sack this season despite facing Carlos Dunlap (twice), Justin Houston, Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil. He’s been outstanding.

Heyward, meanwhile, is the glue that holds the Steelers defense together. He’s got a team-high seven sacks this season and is as good against the run as any defensive end in the league.

In the end it could all turn out to be a moot point. As Steelers PR director Burt Lauten wrote on Twitter Tuesday night, he hopes none of the Steelers are playing in the Pro Bowl. If that’s the case, it will be because they are playing in the Super Bowl.

And that’s a realistic possibility for this team despite having just three Pro Bowl selections.

It’s all about the team. And in the case of the Steelers, the sum of the parts is pretty darn good.

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