CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have three players who will participate in this year's Pro Bowl. Joe Thomas and Gary Barnidge are on Team Jerry Rice while Alex Mack is on Team Michael Irvin. Give them a hand for being chosen and for actually showing up to play in the game.
These days, a player being selected does not guarantee actually playing in the game. Because it is played before the Super Bowl, Pro Bowlers on the Super Bowl teams don't participate for obvious reasons. Also, injured players don't participate. But there are more and more players selected that fall into another category -- those who just don't feel like playing.