WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Jaguars general manager Gene Smith

"I'm so proud of this group of players, as each one sets the example for others to follow.   Pro Bowl recognition is a tremendous achievement and speaks volumes for the commitment they have made, as well as their teammates.  These are outstanding players and even better people. All of these players are very deserving of this recognition and are exceptional representatives of the entire Jaguars organization and the city of Jacksonville."

Jaguars special teams coordinator Russ Purnell

(on Montell Owens) "Montell is very deserving of this honor.  He's a tireless worker, but more importantly he's a great human being. Every day he brings passion, work ethic, a very strong focus and great attention to detail.  He has all the tools, speed, strength, explosiveness and great toughness. He is a team leader on and off the field. It has been a privilege to coach this young man."

Jaguars tight ends coach Rob Boras

(on Marcedes Lewis) "I am very excited for Marcedes.  His work ethic and commitment to improve in all areas; weight room, classroom and the practice field have been exemplary, and have paid dividends for not only himself, but most importantly the Jaguars.  It is great to see that his performance has been recognized by both his peers and the fans.  He is not only a special player, but also a special person."

Jaguars running backs coach Earnest Byner

(on Maurice Jones-Drew) "His strongest quality is his mental toughness.  He's smart, has a never give up mentality, always fighting, he really pushes himself past limitations that other people have especially when he's dealing with some nicks and injuries that could have thrown him off.  He wants to be there every day.  When he's not, he feels like he is letting other people down.  He carries his emotions and those emotions are what drives him to be one of the best in the league."

(on Jones-Drew being named a starter) "Even when I was in Tennessee that defense knew what they were going up against.  The respect has been there and this just verifies how everybody feels about him.  When he said 32 teams passed him up, now those teams are showing the respect that he deserved then and he deserves now."

(on Montell Owens) "Montell has the ability to play any position asked at a high level. Sometimes the execution of his assignments on game day seem supernatural. The quality that stands out to me is the mental strength he has to take his abilities to a level that is respected around the league."

PRO BOWL TIDBITS

• With 707,913 votes, Maurice Jones-Drew finished second among AFC running backs in fan voting and ninth in the NFL.  Marcedes Lewis compiled 350,039 fan votes, the second-most among AFC tight ends.  
• Montell Owens also sees action at fullback and ranks third in the NFL among fullbacks with 64 consecutive games played.  The 64 consecutive games played are the most by any current Jaguar.
• Jones-Drew, Lewis and Owens all joined the Jaguars in 2006. 
• Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio has coached 11 different players who have earned a total of 17 Pro Bowl selections during his stint as a position coach, coordinator and head coach.  Jones-Drew (2009, 2010), Fred Taylor (2008), David Garrard (2009), Marcedes Lewis (2010) and Montell Owens (2010) are the five Jaguars that have made the Pro Bowl while playing for Del Rio.
• Owens is the seventh player to earn Pro Bowl honors under the tutelage of Jaguars special teams coach Russ Purnell (Mike Vanderjagt, Indianapolis, 2003; Matt Stover, Baltimore, 2000; Jermaine Lewis, 2001; Rick Tuten, Seattle, 1994; John Henry Mills, Houston, 1996; Craig Hentrich, Tennessee, 1998).
• Jaguars running backs coach Earnest Byner has guided a Pro Bowl running back the last three seasons including back-to-back seasons as a starter.  Byner served in the same capacity for Tennessee with running back Chris Johnson who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2008 and 2009 (starter). 
• The AFC and NFC squads are based on the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches.  Each group's vote counts one-third towards determining the 43-man rosters for the AFC and NFC. The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its all-star teams. It was the first professional sports league to offer online all-star voting in 1995.

JAGUARS IN THE PRO BOWL

P Bryan Barker

OT Tony Boselli

DE Tony Brackens

QB Mark Brunell

QB David Garrard

LB Kevin Hardy

P Chris Hanson

DT John Henderson

PK Mike Hollis

RB Maurice Jones-Drew

S Carnell Lake

TE Marcedes Lewis

CB Rashean Mathis

WR Keenan McCardell

ST Montell Owens

OT Leon Searcy

WR Jimmy Smith

DT Marcus Stroud

RB Fred Taylor

DT Gary Walker