Finally!!
The Seahawks, after enduring two years without sending any one player to the Pro Bowl, the only team in the NFL to do that, are back in, baby!
Free safety Earl Thomas was named a starter for the NFC team this year, breaking Seattle out of the slump. San Francisco 49er and former University of Washington Husky Dashon Goldson will back him up and they'll be joined by Adrian Wilson of Arizona at strong safety. Earl may not be the only representative for the Seahawks though, as Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner, and Michael Robinson were named first alternates.
With Chancellor, Browner, and Mike Rob as first alternates, all three players stand a good chance of actually playing in the game. Carlos Rogers and Charles Woodson are the starting cornerbacks, and both have a good chance of playing long into the playoffs, perhaps even in the Superbowl. If this is the case, it's possible one of them will not play or opt out. Browner, a CFL star prior to being signed by the Seahawks this season, would be in.
Same story goes for Pro Bowl starting fullback John Kuhn, who just so happens to be on a team, the Packers, that are favorites to make it all the way to the Super Bowl. If that happens and Kuhn doesn't play, Michael Robinson, a waiver-wire addition by the Seahawks in 2010 from the Niners, would be next in line to take the trip to Hawaii. Kam Chancellor, a fifth round selection in 2010, would be next in line if Adrian Wilson doesn't make the trip.
Marshawn Lynch was also named a second Pro Bowl alternate, and is sitting behind LeSean McCoy, Matt Forte, Frank Gore, and another alternate that hasn't yet been announced. Matt Forte is on the injured reserve and won't play in the game, making Lynch the de facto first alternate. Frank Gore, similarly to Carlos Rodgers, could be playing deep into the playoffs and considering his health issues from the season, may opt out of the game regardless. If that happens, it looks like Lynch would be in.
Finally, P Jon Ryan was named third alternate for the team. I'm not sure who is in front of him, but it's unlikely they'll all opt out.
All in all - I don't want to say it's likely that this happens, but there's a decent chance we could see Thomas, Browner, Robinson, and Lynch in Hawaii this season. At worst, it'd make the game a little more enjoyable to Seahawks fans.
For more on the Seahawks, check out Field Gulls!