Five Seahawks make Pro Bowl

Left tackle Russell Okung and center Max Unger were not only named to the Pro Bowl for the first time, but they were selected as starters.

Safety Earl Thomas was chosen as a backup safety, Marshawn Lynch a backup running back and Leon Washington was named the NFC’s specialist.

The most surprising omission from the Seahawks was cornerback Richard Sherman, who is tied for No. 2 in the league with seven interceptions and has been widely considered one of the best coverage cornerbacks in the league this season.

While he would not be eligible to play in the game were he to be suspended, the fact he had not been suspended prior to Wednesday’s announcement means that his exclusion was the result of the voting, which includes fans, coaches and players.

The fact that Sherman was No. 3 in fan voting among NFC cornerbacks means that it was the vote of the league’s coaches and players that was responsible for the fact he wasn’t one of the three cornerbacks chosen for the game.

Seattle’s five Pro Bowl selections this season matches the number of Seahawks who appeared in the game last year.

However, you can expect that number to grow before the game is played.

Last year, Thomas was the only Seahawk named to the Pro Bowl when the rosters were initially announced but Lynch, S Kam Chancellor, CB Brandon Browner and FB Michael Robinson were alternates named as injury replacements.