Let's start on defense with Vrabel, the 11-year veteran who makes his first Pro Bowl appearance. He leads the team with 9 1/2 sacks, the second-highest total among AFC linebackers.
"I'm so excited for a guy like Vrabel, for the simple fact that I feel like he's a guy who has been overlooked in this league for so many years," Harrison said. "He's a guy that prepares, a consummate pro. He's a smart, intelligent guy who has underrated ability and is constantly making plays all over the field. He's the type of guy you are truly, truly happy for because he doesn't seek the individual accolades."
Then there is Samuel, whose six interceptions lead the Patriots and are tied for fourth in the NFL. He has been credited with 16 passes defensed, the top total on the team and fifth in the league. A four-year veteran, he made his first Pro Bowl.
"Best corner in the league in my opinion," Harrison said. "I think week in and week out, people are starting to understand this guy is something special. He's a guy I've seen come from the bottom, who has worked his tail off in the offseason to get to where he's at. He's a guy with tremendous instincts who makes plays everywhere."
While Samuel's playmaking skills are easy to spot, Wilfork's work is a bit tougher to detect because he usually is lined up directly over the center. Now in his fourth season, the 6-foot-2-inch, 325-pound Wilfork has helped control the line of scrimmage as the Patriots rank fourth in the NFL in yards (289.9) and points allowed (16.6). This is his first Pro Bowl selection, and his contract calls for a $400,000 bonus for the honor.
"He just goes out there and does his job," Harrison said. "He's not out there parading for anything. He has so much ability and is a team-first guy, just a great guy."
Perhaps no one personifies that team-first approach more than Brady, who set a franchise record for quarterbacks with his fourth selection.
"Best in the game," Harrison said flatly.
Brady is at the tail end of the best statistical season of his career, his 45 touchdown passes the third-highest total for a season in NFL history. He also leads the NFL in passing yards (a career-high 4,235) and completion percentage (69.2).
