While they were shut out on the first team, three Browns were deemed worthy of second-team recognition for the NFL's All-Pro squad, the Associated Press announced today.
Wide receiver Braylon Edwards, kick returner Josh Cribbs--both recently named to their first Pro Bowl--and kicker Phil Dawson were awarded second-team spots on the AP's 2007 All-Pro Team.
Edwards and New England's Wes Welker each received three of a possible 50 votes in joining Indianapolis' Reggie Wayne on the second team. New England's Randy Moss was a unanimous selection for the first team, while Dallas' Terrel Owens received 32 votes.
Cribbs received 8 1/2 votes, placing well behind Chicago's Devin Hester's 40 1/2 as the first-team kick returner.
Dawson received 5 votes, again well behind Tennessee's Rob Bironas and his 41 votes.
The one glaring absence on the first and second teams? Not a single offensive lineman on one of the best units in the league was deemed worthy enough for recognition.
The closest, and perhaps most deserving, was Joe Thomas. The rookie offensive tackle received 9 votes, which was fifth-most behind New England's Matt Light (26), Walter Jones (18), Flozell Adams (14) and Jason Peters (12).
In perhaps the most stunning and downright asinine result, Browns' guard Eric Steinbach, arguably one of the top three interior linemen in all of football, received one single, solitary, lone vote.
One. Vote.
Seven other guards from both the AFC and NFC were named ahead of Steinbach: Minnesota's Steve Hutchinson (36), Pittsburgh's Alan Faneca (21), New England's Logan Mankins (18), Dallas' Leonard Davis (13), San Diego's Kris Dielman (4), Philadelphia's Shawn Andrews (3) and the New York Giants' Chris Snee (3). New Orleans' Jahri Evans also received one vote.
The only other Brown to receive consideration was Lawrence Vickers, who received one vote at the fullback position.
The threesome of Edwards, Cribbs and Dawson are the first AP All-Pros since Jamir Miller in 2001, and the first time the club had more than one named since 1994: Tony Jones, Michael Dean Perry and Eric Turner.