Gronkowski, Gostkowski Make AP All-Pro First Team; Jamie Collins Makes Second Team
By Matt Dolloff
BOSTON (CBS) -- After finishing another stellar regular season, both tight end Rob Gronkowski and kicker Stephen Gostkowski made the Associated Press All-Pro First Team for the Patriots. It is Gronk's fourth time making the First Team and Gostkowski's second.
Perhaps more notable is the inclusion of Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins on the AP All-Pro Second Team, his first selection. Collins emerged as a legitimate weapon on defense and one of the most dynamic all-around linebackers in the NFL, making the cut despite missing four games in the middle of the season with an illness.
It may surprise some Patriots fans that Tom Brady was not selected to either All-Pro team after leading the NFL in passing touchdowns with 36. Brady got beat out by the Panthers' Cam Newton on the First Team and the Cardinals' Carson Palmer (again) on the Second Team. But you'd be hard-pressed to find a reason why Newton or Palmer weren't worthy of the award.
Although you may find these individual awards meaningless (at least, compared to Lombardi Trophies), All-Pro honors are something players should be proud of receiving. It's one of the league's biggest ways to recognize the very best at their position, and the AP agrees with New England fans on Collins' ascension to the elite.
Check out the full list of First Team All-Pros at Pro Football Talk.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.