Seattle earns four nods despite record

While the Seattle Seahawks might not be playing their best football, they continue to earn the respect of their peers, coaches and fans.

That became evident Tuesday, when the NFL announced that four Seahawks were among the players who have been extended Pro Bowl invitations. Only the Chicago Bears, with seven, had more players named to the NFC roster.

Walter Jones, Mack Strong, Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu are all making return trips to Hawaii, although this is Peterson’s first selection as a Seahawk.

Jones was the least surprising Seahawks choice. He’s been selected to six previous Pro Bowls and continues to be listed on the short list of the best offensive linemen in football. Although Jones is not having his best season – he has given up seven sacks – he is widely regarded as the best left tackle in the game.

Jones tied Steve Largent for second in team history in Pro Bowl selections. Cortez Kennedy, with eight, is the all-time leader.

Strong, 35, also made the Pro Bowl in large part because of reputation. He was a first-time selection last year, when he paved the way to Shaun Alexander’s record-setting season, but has not been as consistent as a blocker in 2006.

Strong has put up some of the best statistics of his career, with 147 rushing yards (27 less than his career best) and 28 receptions (one less than his career high).

The selections of Peterson and Tatupu mark the first time in team history that two Seahawks linebackers have been selected. Tatupu leads Seattle with 104 tackles, while Peterson has a team-high nine sacks.

Tatupu has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two NFL seasons, while Peterson made two previous appearances as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, running back Shaun Alexander and injured center Robbie Tobeck are among the returning Seahawks Pro Bowlers who did not get invited back this time around.

Kicker Josh Brown is the most obvious Seahawks player who had Pro Bowl-type season but did not get invited. Brown matched a league record with four game-winning field goals this year. But he ranks sixth among NFC kickers in points scored (95).

Wide receiver Darrell Jackson is tied for second in the conference with 10 touchdown receptions, but his 63 catches rank 16th in the NFC.

Former Seahawk Steve Hutchinson, with the Minnesota Vikings, was among the other NFL players invited to the Pro Bowl.

This marks the fourth year in a row in which the Seahawks have had three or more selections.