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The NFL released the rosters for the 2013 Pro Bowl and the 49ers have their share of deserving candidates and a mixture of expected and unexpected snubs. Rosters will change plenty between now and January 27, but for now, the 49ers Pro Bowlers include:
ILB NaVorro Bowman
OT Joe Staley
FS Dashon Goldson
SS Donte Whitner
RB Frank Gore
OLB Aldon Smith
DT Justin Smith
OG Mike Iupati
ILB Patrick Willis
From that group, Goldson, Iupati, the Smith Brothers, Staley, Whitner and Willis were named as starters. In addition to the starters and reserves above, the 49ers had numerous alternates selected, including:
OG Alex Boone
OLB Ahmad Brooks
OT Anthony Davis
TE Vernon Davis
C Jonathan Goodwin
P Andy Lee
CB Carlos Rogers
ST C.J. Spillman
Big congratulations to everybody, but especially so for first time Pro Bowlers NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith, Mike Iupati and Donte Whitner. Although Whitner has been doing great work for the 49ers, he has been a relatively under the radar guy. None of these four players is a surprising inclusion this year, but it's cool to see a veteran like Whitner gain a certain measure of recognition at this point in his career.
I am a little bit disappointed we didn't so more of the 49ers offensive line in the lineup, but they received plenty of recognition via the alternates as well. The entire offensive line received some form of recognition. Given the run game dominance, this is not at all surprising.
Here is a quick rundown of each player selected as a starter or reserve, courtesy of the 49ers PR department:
Bowman is making his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He leads the team with a career-high 180 tackles, while adding 2.0 sacks, five tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and five passes defensed. A first-team All-Pro selection in 2011, Bowman ranks fourth in the NFL with 276 tackles since 2011, according to game book statistics. Bowman has played in 47 games (32 starts) since being drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Goldson, who is making his second consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl, was selected as a starter. He leads the team with three interceptions, while adding 106 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and a career-high 11 passes defensed. Goldson has played in 80 games (63 starts) since being drafted by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Gore, who earns his fourth Pro Bowl appearance, has rushed for 1,146 yards and seven touchdowns on 238 carries (4.8 avg.) this season, to go along with 25 receptions for 213 yards and one receiving touchdown. It marks Gore's franchise-record sixth 1,000-yard rushing season. A Pro Bowler in 2006, 2009 and 2011, Gore has played in 115 games (101 starts) since being drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Miami by the 49ers.
Iupati makes his first trip to the Pro Bowl as a starter. He is part of an offensive line that helped the team rush for 2,362 yards this season, ranking fourth in the NFL. The 2,362 rushing yards rank seventh in franchise history and are the most by San Francisco since 1998 (2,544). Iupati and the offensive line were awarded the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award in Weeks 5, 7 and 12. He was originally drafted by the 49ers in the first round (17th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
A. Smith was selected as a starter in his first Pro Bowl appearance. Smith has set the 49ers franchise record with 19.5 sacks this season, which currently ranks first in the NFC and second in the NFL. The second-year pro has also recorded 80 tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception and one pass defensed. Since 2011, he has registered 33.5 sacks, the most by any player in their first two years in NFL history. He has played in 31 games (15 starts) since being drafted in the first round (7th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Missouri.
J. Smith, who was selected as a starter, earns his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance after making his first trip in 2010. He ranks third on the team with a career-high 130 tackles, to go along with 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed. He also leads the team with 83 quarterback pressures and 56 quarterback hits. A free agent acquisition by the 49ers in 2008, Smith has played in 189 games (185 starts) since being drafted in the first round (4th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals out of Missouri.
Staley, who was selected as a starter, is making his second consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl. He is part of an offensive line that helped the team rush for 2,362 yards this season, ranking fourth in the NFL. The 2,362 rushing yards rank seventh in franchise history and are the most by San Francisco since 1998 (2,544). Staley and the offensive line were awarded the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award in Weeks 5, 7 and 12. He was originally drafted by the 49ers in the first round (28th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Whitner is making his first career Pro Bowl appearance. Selected as a starter, the seven-year veteran ranks fourth on the team with 112 tackles in addition to a career-high two forced fumbles, one interception and five passes defensed. A free agent acquisition by the 49ers in 2011, Whitner has started 96 of 99 since being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round (8th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Willis becomes the first 49ers player to make it to the Pro Bowl in each of his first six seasons in franchise history. Selected as a starter, he currently ranks second on the team with 164 tackles to go along with 0.5 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 9 passes defensed. Willis has started all 91 games in which he has appeared since being drafted by the 49ers in the first round (11th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft.