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It may not be the best year in Pittsburgh, but there are still some notable Steelers individual players who could pick up some league-wide recognition Wednesday when the league announces the 2013 Pro Bowl rosters.
Steelers' center Maurkice Pouncey was the only Steelers player to receive the most votes at his position in the AFC. Selection to the Pro Bowl roster consists of a one-third vote from the fans, the players and the coaches, and while it isn't necessarily guaranteed leading the fan vote at a position gets a player into the Pro Bowl, it's a pretty good indicator, top to bottom, of who will make the team.
For as bad as things got for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger since returning from injury in Week 14, odds are outstanding he'll be named to the team - either during tonight's selection show, or as a replacement for an injured AFC quarterback or the Super Bowl participant.
The Pro Bowl is played the Sunday of the week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl, and the Super Bowl participants do not play in the Pro Bowl, but are still selected.
With Tom Brady and Peyton Manning (the AFC's leading vote-getter) assured Pro Bowl spots, but neither having participated in a Pro Bowl game for several years now, Roethlisberger may end up being the starter for the AFC.
While he'll be unable to participate due to a knee injury suffered in Week 16 against Cincinnati, Steelers tight end Heath Miller will likely be selected to play in the game. Arguably the game's best all-around tight end, Miller had 71 receptions for a career-high 816 yards and eight touchdowns. Those stats finished second, first and second, respectively, in the AFC.
On the defensive side of the ball, safety Ryan Clark appears to be the best bet the Steelers have of one of their defensive players being selected to the team. With a very tight competition between Clark and San Diego's Eric Weddle (neither of whom play a traditional free safety), and the slanted fan vote that put Baltimore's Ed Reed on top of the rest of the AFC's safeties (absolutely ridiculous), Clark could miss out. He wasn't selected last year, but was an injury replacement.
It would be odd to not have a Pro Bowl selection on the league's top pass defense, and Clark has been the most consistent player in its secondary.
It's also possible Lawrence Timmons could be named to the team. Timmons led the Steelers in interceptions (three) and had 100 total tackles for one of the AFC's best defenses.
Cornerback Keenan Lewis has an outside shot, but is definitely more likely to be named as a replacement - should that opportunity arise. Denver's Champ Bailey led cornerback fan voting.
Which Steelers do you feel deserve to be named to the 2013 Pro Bowl team?