ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --On Wednesday, the Broncos were pleased to find out five players were headed to the 2013 Pro Bowl.
But with so much talent on both sides of the ball, coaches and players quickly pointed out a few teammates that might have been snubbed.
"I think every head coach in the league is biased towards his own players," Head Coach John Fox conceded. "I think we've had some excellent performances by a lot of players, not just the ones that made the Pro Bowl. But again, you can only vote so many guys in."
The Broncos' five Pro Bowlers tied for fifth-most in the league. The San Francisco 49ers (9), Houston Texans (8), New England Patriots (7) and Baltimore Ravens (6) were the only teams with more all-stars.
One name Broncos players continued to bring up was linebacker Wesley Woodyard. Though he placed second among AFC outside linebackers in fan voting, he didn't make the Pro Bowl roster or list of alternates.
Fellow linebacker Von Miller called that fact "crazy." Defensive end Elvis Dumervil agreed.
"In my eyes, I feel he is a Pro Bowler," he said. "I thought he has had a tremendous year. He did a great job and he has been a good captain, too. I always believe good things happen to good people and he will get his eventually."
Woodyard is the team's leading tackler and one of just three players in the league to notch at least three sacks and three interceptions this season. Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio said that it might take one more year of that type of production to get Woodyard the recognition he deserves.
"Sometimes it takes that extra year of doing it before those outside of our organization are convinced, but he's played awfully well for us," Del Rio said.
Cornerback Champ Bailey shared those sentiments, and threw fellow cornerback Chris Harris' name into the list of snubs.
"He's made some big plays this year and some big wins and I think next year, he'll just keep grinding away," Bailey said. "The sky's the limit for that guy."
Another player that missed the cut was wide receiver Demaryius Thomas -- though he was named a first alternate for the AFC's roster and has a good chance to make the final squad, since all four receivers ahead of him are also on playoff teams.
Thomas admitted that he was "a little disappointed" he didn't make the team, but doesn't plan to use it as motivation. He'll just keep working hard to help his team win.
His offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy, had his back.
"I'll take Demaryius with me any time," McCoy said. "He is one of the best in the business and he deserved to be there, but hey, there are only so many spots. There are a lot of good football players in this league and the voting takes care of itself. Unfortunately, some guys get left out, but I'll take Demaryius any day."
In the end, if the Broncos make the Super Bowl, no one from Denver will be headed to Honolulu.
That's some consolation Miller is taking for Woodyard, his linebacking teammate.
"I think being a Pro Bowler is great, but defensive MVP for the Super Bowl would be even better," he said.
