I have to say I'm really excited to be able to announce that Patrick Willis, Vernon Davis and Andy Lee will be representing the 49ers at the 2010 Pro Bowl in Miami. Bamm Bamm, The Disease and arguably my favorite 49er (if you've been at the site for a while you shouldn't be surprised by that) are all exceedingly deserving of these selections. The Cardinals punter Ben Graham was solid, but I'm psyched Lee was given the nod.
In addition, RB Frank Gore is a first alternate, DE Justin Smith is a second alternate, and Michael Robinson (special teams) is a second alternate. It's a shame Aubrayo Franklin didn't make the alternate list, but maybe that'll be extra motivation next season for him. I'll add a link in a bit to the entire NFC roster, but for now head over to NFL.com/ProBowl.
The following info was provided by the 49ers.
Willis becomes the first 49ers player to make it to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons since Ronnie Lott kicked off his career with four straight appearances starting in 1981. He currently leads the team with 166 tackles to go along with four sacks and career-highs of three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three forced fumbles and 12 passes defensed. According to NFL statistics, Willis leads the league in tackles with 147. He has led the team in each of his three seasons with the 49ers, starting all 47 games played since being drafted in the first round (11th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Mississippi.
Davis is having a career-year, leading the team with career-highs of 72 catches, 876 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 12 touchdown catches and 876 are the most by a tight end in franchise history, and he trails only TE Antonio Gates (2004) for the most touchdown receptions by an NFL tight end in a single season. Davis has played in 55 games (53 starts) since being drafted in the first round (6th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Maryland.
Lee leads the NFC and ranks second in the NFL with a 47.7 gross punting average and 41.4 net punting average. A 2007 Pro Bowler and All-Pro, Lee has a chance to break his own single season franchise record in both gross (47.8 in 2008) and net average (41.0 in 2007) in this weekend's season finale. He has played in all 95 games since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh.