Not since late, great Hall of Famer Gene Hickerson (1966-1971) and defensive back Frank Minnifield (1987-1990) had a Browns player been selected to four consecutive Pro Bowls, until left tackle Joe Thomas on Tuesday. Thomas has blocked for three different 1,000-yard rushers: twice for former NFL running back Jamal Lewis in 2007 and 2008, and once for Peyton Hillis who has 1,164 yards with a week left this season. For Thomas, going to the Pro Bowl never gets old. "I'm really excited," said Thomas told Matt Florjancic of ClevelandBrowns.com. "It's a great honor to represent the Cleveland Browns in my fourth straight Pro Bowl. It never gets old. It's such a great honor, such a great week to be out there with the best in the NFL and it never gets old. That's for sure." The Browns will have seven alternates: Offensive linemen Alex Mack, Eric Steinbach and Hillis are the second alternates. Wide receiver and kick return specialist Joshua Cribbs, special teamer Ray Ventrone and fullback Lawrence Vickers were selected as the third alternates, while rookie defensive back Joe Haden was named a fourth alternate. "I think there was a number of guys that definitely deserved it and I was disappointed some of them didn't make it, namely Alex Mack, Eric Steinbach and Peyton Hillis, I thought should definitely have been on there," said the supportive Thomas. "You never know how the voting's going to go; it's always a little crazy." Source: NFL Fanhouse
