Two Miami Dolphins are among the leading vote-getters in fan voting for the Pro Bowl, the NFL's end-of-season All-Star game.
According to tallies released by the NFL Wednesday, Dolphins left tackle Jake Long and punter Brandon Fields lead all players in votes at their respective positions. Each conference sends four offensive tackles and one punter to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl.
Long is a four-time Pro Bowler, having made the AFC team in each season of his career thus far. Though he has struggled this season (giving up 4 sacks and 9 quarterback hurries), the former first-overall draft pick's reputation and recognizable name have surely helped with fan balloting.
Fields, in his sixth season since the Dolphins selected him in the seventh round of the 2007 draft, has never made the Pro Bowl. So far in 2012 he is averaging 50.5 yards per punt, by far his career high and second in the NFL behind San Diego's Mike Scifres (who averages 50.6 yards per punt). If he holds his average, he would have the sixth-best season average in NFL history.
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The fan ballot comprises one-third of the Pro Bowl selection process, along with player and coach balloting. The NFL will announce results and full rosters on Dec. 26 on the NFL Network.
The Dolphins had two players on last season's AFC Pro Bowl team, wide receiver Brandon Marshall (who won the game MVP award) and nose tackle Paul Soliai. Long did not participate due to injury.
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Besides Long and Fields, defensive end Cameron Wake, center Mike Pouncey, safety Reshad Jones, and return specialist Marcus Thigpen could make the Pro Bowl. They will have to get plenty of votes from players and coaches, though, since none lead their position in fan voting.
