Pro Bowl Voting: Bryce Baringer Second Among Punters

NFL Pro Bowl voting is underway. Wednesday was the first glimpse at how early is going. For the New England Patriots, rookie punter Bryce Baringer is the only player getting much love.

It is not hard to imagine that a team with a 2-10 record is not getting a lot of consideration for the Pro Bowl. The offense is breaking records for ineptitude thus far. Although the defense has performed well, they have not put up numbers in the two categories that catch the eye of voters.

New England amassed 24 sacks so far this season. Only four NFL teams have fewer so far this season. The Patriots have intercepted six passes, more than only the Tennessee Titans’ three.

Last season the New England Patriots only had one player selected for the Pro Bowl, Matthew Judon. This year Judon was injured in the Patriots fourth game of the season. Judon remains tied for the team lead in sacks (4.0, with Christian Barmore and Ja’Whaun Bentley) despite missing the last nine games.

Bryce Baringer ranks third the NFL in punts (63). His average punt of 47.6 ranks fifteenth, and his net average of 41.7 ranks twentieth. Baringer leads the NFL (tied) for punts inside the 20-yard line, with 28. He has kicked only five touchbacks.

Aside from Bryce Baringer, the only other Patriots player currently in the top 10 of voting is Matthew Slater. The 10-time Pro Bowl selection is currently ninth in the voting among special teams players.