Killer Bs, Ryan Shazier among Steelers' eight Pro Bowlers; Heyward snubbed

By Jeremy Fowler

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/

December 19, 2017

The Pittsburgh Steelers had eight players named to the Pro Bowl. Here's a look at who was selected and who wasn't selected.

SELECTIONS

Antonio Brown, WR, sixth Pro Bowl: Brown makes his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl after vaulting into the MVP conversation with 101 catches, 1,533 yards and nine touchdowns, though his calf injury slows that campaign. Brown was the third-leading vote-getter overall.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, sixth Pro Bowl: After a slow start to the season, Roeethlisberger has jumped to No. 2 in passing yards with 4,025, surpassing the 4,000 mark for the sixth time in his 14-year career. Sixteen of his 26 touchdowns have come in the past six games.

Le'Veon Bell, RB, third Pro Bowl: Bell beat Tom Brady for the league's most Pro Bowl votes with more than 855,539 votes. He leads the league in rushing with 1,222 yards and adds 80 catches for 627 yards.

Chris Boswell, K, first Pro Bowl: Boswell, an unofficial fourth member of the Killer B's, has four game-winning kicks this season, and his 91.7 kicking percentage (33-of-36) is tied for fourth in the NFL.

Ryan Shazier, ILB, second Pro Bowl: Shazier, who suffered a severe spinal injury in Week 13, has been one of the league's best inside linebackers over the past few years. He finished the season with 89 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Alejandro Villanueva, LT, first Pro Bowl: Villanueva has stabilized the left side of the Steelers offensive line in his third season as a starter, helping Pittsburgh rank fourth in total offense.

David DeCastro, OG, third Pro Bowl: Pro Football Focus has ranked DeCastro the league's best-performing guard for much of the season. DeCastro appears well on his way to a second All-Pro season.

Maurkice Pouncey, C, sixth Pro Bowl: Pouncey is the emotional leader of the Steelers offense and Roethlisberger's closest friend on the team. He has rebounded from a severe 2015 ankle injury to regain Pro Bowl status.

SNUB

Cameron Heyward, DE: Heyward is the first Steelers player to record 10 sacks since 2010. He's a team captain, and with Shazier out, he's clearly the best player on Pittsburgh's fourth-ranked defense. The defensive end category is loaded, but Heyward should still be in the Pro Bowl.