Filed under: Dolphins, AFC East, Pro Bowl
This is always the time when players who were selected to the Pro Bowl begin pulling out for different reasons and the alternates get to move up. So it was no surprise to hear via ESPN's Tim Graham on Wednesday that two starters for the AFC -- Miami Dolphins left tackle Jake Long and Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson -- were giving up their spots in the 2011 Pro Bowl to be played Jan. 29 in Hawaii. They are being replaced by two New England Patriots -- Matt Light and Wes Welker.For Long, this is the second time in three years he will have to miss the game as the shoulder and knee injuries he dealt with during Miami's 7-9 season took their toll and will require surgery. When the former No. 1 overall draft pick found out he had been selected as a starter last week he was adamant that if at all possible he wanted to play. Long has made the Pro Bowl all three years he has been in the league, as an alternate in 2008 and as a starter each of the last two seasons.
The 6-foot-7, 315-pound former Michigan standout made the trip to Hawaii as a rookie and enjoyed the experience so much that he was looking forward to the return trip. But just like last year, when he had to pull out to take care of his knee and gave way to D'Brickashaw Ferguson of the New York Jets, Long had to put his personal health first so he can be ready for 2011.
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