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FOXBOROUGH, Mass .– New England Patriots cornerback JC Jackson, who leads the NFL with six interceptions, was added to the fan ballot for the Pro Bowl on Wednesday after being initially left out.
Fan voting for the Pro Bowl began on Tuesday, and Jackson’s absence created a buzz on social media, highlighting the process by which players land on the ballot.
The NFL is asking teams to submit 11 attacking players, 11 defense players and five special teams for the ballot. The Patriots, as is their standard procedure over the years, initially submitted their basic defense with seven forwards and four defensive backs. Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore and veteran Jason McCourty are starting at the cornerback, so Jackson was not on the roster the Patriots originally submitted.
But the Patriots contacted the NFL on Wednesday morning and requested a switch to a nickel defense, removing a linebacker and adding Jackson.
Pro Bowlers are selected based on a combination of fan votes and coaches and players votes. The NFL announced on Tuesday that this year’s Pro Bowl will not be played as usual and will instead be virtual in Madden NFL 21.
That doesn’t diminish the value of being selected as a Pro Bowler for some players, such as Jackson, who is in his third season in the NFL and is expected to be a restricted free agent after the season.
After Jackson recorded his sixth interception of the season in the 23-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens, he drew praise from coach Bill Belichick.
“He has a really good talent for finding the ball,” Belichick said. “He has good hands, quick hands and the ability to locate and catch the ball without seeing it completely.”
Jackson said, “I’m a playmaker, man. I know how to play the ball really well. When I go up for the ball, I become the catcher.”
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