Five members of the Jacksonville Jaguars were named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad - QB Mark Brunell, OT Tony Boselli, WR Jimmy Smith, PK Mike Hollis and P Bryan Barker. In addition, three Jaguars were named as alternates - WR Keenan McCardell, OT Leon Searcy and DE Jeff Lageman.
Boselli, Hollis and Barker were voted to the squad as starters, while Smith and Brunell are backups.
The five players named to the squad represents a high for the Jaguars. Last year McCardell became the first Jaguar to be voted to the Pro Bowl, and then Brunell and Boselli, who were alternates, joined McCardell by playing in the game. Brunell was named Most Valuable Player of last year's Pro Bowl game after leading the AFC to an overtime victory.
Hollis and Barker are the fourth kicking tandem in AFC-NFC Pro Bowl history. The others are: Indianapolis' Cary Blanchard and Chris Gardocki (1997), L.A. Raiders' Jeff Jaeger and Jeff Gossett (1992) and Kansas City's Jan Stenerud and Jerrel Wilson (1971 and '72).
Here's a look at the Jaguars' five Pro Bowlers:
· Brunell has started the Jaguars' last 12 games after recovering from a preseason knee injury. He ranks third in the AFC in passing with an 89.0 rating, the highest of his career. He has completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,721 yards, 16 touchdowns and only six interceptions (the second-lowest interception percentage in the league).
· Boselli is widely regarded as the best offensive tackle in the NFL. He has started 11 of the Jaguars' 14 games, missing three last month with a sprained ankle. He has allowed only one and a half sacks all season.
· Smith is second in the AFC with 74 receptions, third with 1,180 receiving yards and third with a 15.9-yard average per catch. He has six 100-yard receiving games so far, second in the league, and four touchdowns.
· Hollis leads the AFC in scoring with 118 points. He has been successful on 27 of his 32 field goal attempts and all 37 extra points. He had a streak of 16 consecutive field goals earlier this season, and his 27 field goals are the second most in the AFC.
· Barker leads the NFL with a 45.9-yard gross punting average and a 39.7 net average, which is only two-tenths of a yard away from the league record. He has placed 25 of his 58 punts inside the 20, which is tied for the most in the AFC, and has only six touchbacks all season.
The three alternates could be added to the Pro Bowl squad in the event of other players not being able to play due to injury or other reasons. Searcy is the first alternate at offensive tackle, Lageman is the second alternate at defensive end, and McCardell is the third alternate at wide receiver.
