Cincinnati, OH -
Wide receiver A.J. Green completed the Cris Collinsworth double Tuesday when he became the first Bengal rookie to be named to the Pro Bowl in 30 years.
Three days after he broke Collinsworth's club rookie record with 1,031 yards, Green followed him to the Jan. 29 Pro Bowl as the only Cincinnati player voted to the AFC team. But with Andy Dalton selected as first alternate, the NFL's most productive rookie-receiver combo of the past decade may very well be headed for a Hawaiian reunion.
Green is the first rookie receiver voted to the Pro Bowl since the 2003 season, when Anquan Boldin of the Arizona Cardinals made the list.
Green has played in 14 of the Bengals' 15 games, missing one due to injury, and he leads the team in receptions (63), receiving yards (1,031) and touchdowns (seven). He leads the NFL this season in catches of 35 or more yards (11).
"As I've said before, A.J. is the best first-round draft pick that I've ever been around," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis in a press release. "He has shown the other players in this league, and the fans, that he deserved this honor. I have not seen a receiver better than he is at getting to the ball."
Pro Bowl spots are determined based on voting by players, coaches and fans, with each group's vote having equal weight. Green was third in fan voting.
Besides Collinsworth, other Bengals rookies in the Pro Bowl have been wide receiver Isaac Curtis (1973) and cornerback Lemar Parrish (1970). Additionally, four Bengals rookies were in the American Football League All-Star Game: linebacker Bill Bergey in 1969 and center Bob Johnson, running back Paul Robinson and tight end Bob Trumpy in 1968.
Courtesy: Bengals.com
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WCSC, a Raycom Media Station. 
