The 2011 Pro Bowl rosters will contain some familiar names on the defensive side of the ball for the AFC. From top to bottom, we're seeing a lot of faces we've seen before in the Pro Bowl. Dolphins LB Cameron Wake, the NFL's sack leader, is the new face in this group but after that we've seen them all before.
2011 Pro Bowl Rosters: AFC Defense Looks Familiar With Dwight Freeney, Vince Wilfork, Others
Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are starters for the second consecutive year. Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork is also in for the second consecutive year as is Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. Also on the team last year was Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. They both return this year. Ed Reed (seven Pro Bowls) and Troy Polamalu (six Pro Bowls) round out the experienced secondary. Steelers' James Harrison and Ravens' Ray Lewis join Wake as the AFC's linebackers.
Wit the exception of one of the defensive ends, and possibly Ray Lewis and Cameron Wake, it’s hard to see how this team will be much different next year. These are young, consistent players that will probably be dominating the AFC team for a lon time.
The common themes are playing on a great defense -- Steelers, Ravens and Jets are well represented -- and having experience as a Pro Bowler. As a whole, the AFC 14 first-time Pro Bowlers but not many of them are starters.
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