Five Cowboys Voted To Start In Pro Bowl

With five players selected as starters to the Pro Bowl, the Cowboys have one Pro Bowl player for each of their five victories so far this season, and are sending more starters to the Pro Bowl than any other NFL team.

Tight end Jason Witten, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, center Andre Gurode and nose tackle Jay Ratliff will all start for the NFC in the Pro Bowl in Hawaii on Jan. 30. Mat McBriar will be the punter.

The NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles have only two starters and kicker David Akers.

This is the seventh consecutive Pro Bowl nod for Jason Witten, the sixth-most appearances by a player in team history. Ware and Gurode each received their fifth nomination, while it is the third honor for Ratliff and the second for McBriar.

Here's what the Jason Witten had to say:

It's a huge honor to be selected, and I’m very humbled by it,” Witten told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I have been fortunate enough to play in several Pro Bowls, but I am still humble because I know how many great players there are in this league. I was hoping for a better season for our team, but individually you try to be one of the best at your position.

DeMarcus Ware reflects on the fact some Cowboys were individually recognized despite playing one of the most disappointing seasons in recent franchise memory.

"I take pride in being consistent in what I do, and this is just a great honor," Ware said. "Obviously, we wanted to do better as a team, but this is a nice way to be recognized individually."

McBriar said in a statement that he is looking forward to going to Honolulu.

"I’m really excited, and it’s an awesome feeling," he said. "I was very happy when I got the call. It’s extra special for me since I went to school there, and I get to catch up with some of the people I went to school with. The first time was a really neat experience, I’m going to make the most of it again."

The full Pro Bowl rosters can be found here. In case you were wondering, here are the ProFootballFocus.com (PFF) rankings and gradings for each player:

Hat tip to Chandus for the fanshot.