National Football League

Did Browns fans stuff the Pro Bowl ballot box?

Published Dec. 20, 2014 6:08 p.m. ET

Lindsey Foltin

The Browns probably aren't going to the playoffs this year, but they hung around a lot longer than most people expected. With a current record of 7-7, Cleveland has exceeded expectations this season with rookie head coach Mike Pettine running the show and Brian Hoyer under center.

So what's even more surprising than Cleveland's .500 record? The number of Browns players among the top vote-getters on this year's Pro Bowl ballot.

Just hours before voting closed on Wednesday night, the Browns had a total of nine players among the leading vote-getters at their positions. That's right, nine out of 38 possible spots on offense, defense, and special teams.

As voting entered the home stretch, offensive tackle Joe Thomas, guard Joel Bitonio, linebackers Paul Kruger and Karlos Dansby, cornerback Joe Haden, safeties Donte Whitner and Tashaun Gipson, special-teams standout Johnson Bedemosi and punter Spencer Lanning were all at the top of Pro Bowl ballot.

And here are the top Pro Bowl vote-getters by position, featuring Gronk and Gostkowski. No love for Revis or Slater pic.twitter.com/vBCzQ9STgF
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) December 17, 2014

How do the Browns stack up against some of the other NFL powers? Green Bay was second with five players (Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Jarrett Bush, Josh Sitton and John Kuhn). The eight current division leaders combined had 10 players among the leading vote-getters, with Arizona, Detroit, Cincinnati and Indianapolis having none.

The fan vote is just one-third of the selection process. Players and coaches make up the other two-thirds of the vote, meaning the fan vote leaders don't necessarily get in. Last year, 13 of the 38 leading vote-getters from the fans did not end up making the team.

The official selections will be announced Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

So while Cleveland will once again have to wait till next year -- a phrase that has become all too familiar -- to see its playoff hopes come to fruition, fans will have at least one game to look forward to once the regular season ends.

(H/T The Big Lead)