Giants, Jets will send 3 players each to Pro Bowl
The Giants' Saquon Barkley runs the ball during the second quarter against the Titans at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Giants and Jets have combined to win only nine games this season, but they will send a total of six players to the Pro Bowl.
The NFL announced on Tuesday that three Giants made the list: rookie running back Saquon Barkley, safety Landon Collins and placekicker Aldrick Rosas, with Collins and Rosas named starters.
For the Jets, second-year safety Jamal Adams was selected along with return man Andre Roberts and placekicker Jason Myers.
It is Collins’ third consecutive selection, but he will not play because he had shoulder surgery on Dec. 12. He missed last season’s game because of a broken arm.
Michael Thomas (special teams) and Olivier Vernon (outside linebacker) are first alternates from the Giants.
Odell Beckham Jr. is a second alternate at wide receiver despite leading the fan vote among NFC receivers. Fans count for a third of the vote, as do coaches and players.
Barkley is the first Giants running back chosen for the Pro Bowl since Tiki Barber in 2006. Barkley said in a social media video, “That’s such an honor, especially being a rookie, first time ever making it to the Pro Bowl. It’s something I dreamed about as a little kid. I just want to thank everyone who voted. I really appreciate you guys. I really appreciate the love and support.”
Collins is the first Giant selected to three Pro Bowls in a row since Beckham from 2014-16.
Adams, the sixth overall pick in the 2017 draft, was considered a near-lock as one of the league’s best young defensive backs.
Adams vowed last season that he would not miss another Pro Bowl. After being selected he took to social media, where he thanked fans for their support and said, “I told you guys I would never miss another Pro Bowl, and tonight I made my first one. Go Jets.”
Roberts has been among the league’s kick-return leaders, and Myers has made five field goals of 55 or more yards.
Adams, Roberts and Myers had not previously made a Pro Bowl roster. The Jets had no Pro Bowl selections the last two seasons.
The Pro Bowl will be played Jan. 27 in Orlando, Florida.
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
