The honors keep rolling in for Patriots special teamer Matthew Slater, who Friday was named an Associated Press first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career.
Slater received 14 first-place votes to edge teammate Nate Ebner by two votes. Ebner was a second-team selection, one of six New Englanders to receive that distinction.
Also named to the second team were quarterback Tom Brady (who finished a distant second to Atlanta’s Matt Ryan, 29-15), right tackle Marcus Cannon, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, cornerback Malcolm Butler, and safety Devin McCourty.
Slater earned his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl nod last month and earlier this week was named winner of the Bart Starr Award for outstanding character and leadership on and off the field.
Before being named to the Pro Bowl, Slater had campaigned for Ebner to be the selection.
“I think Nate deserves it.,’’ Slater said Dec. 20, hours before the team was announced. “The way he’s played this year, I haven’t really seen anybody playing the way he’s played.
“I’m always happy to see my teammates have success and ultimately for the team goal. I think that’s what matters most for all of us. When a guy works hard and he deserves it, you definitely pull for him.’’
Ebner, who spent his summer representing Team USA in rugby sevens at the Rio Games, led the NFL with 19 special teams tackles and recorded a forced fumble.
Slater, who is widely considered the gold standard at the gunner position, had six special teams tackles.
Patriots fullback James Develin — though he was listed as “Matt’’ in the totals — received three special teams votes. Rob Gronkowski, who is on injured reserve, still received one vote at tight end.
Cannon had the finest season of his six-year career, starting 15 of 16 games and consistently enveloping pass rushers while also excelling as a run blocker.
Bill Belichick praised Cannon’s consistency and contributions Thursday.
“He shows up to work every day. He’s totally team oriented. He does whatever you ask him to do,’’ said the coach. “We ask him to do a lot — play both tackles, play guard. He never blinks.
“He just tries to do whatever he can do to help the team and works as hard as he can. I think he has a lot of respect in that locker room.’’
Pulling back
Brady has been using his head to protect the rest of his body, particularly since taking a hit from Seattle safety Kam Chancellor Nov. 13.
He has been managing a knee/thigh injury since that game. Part of that management has been skipping midweek practices — a practice the veteran isn’t thrilled about, but knows is prudent.
“I think as a player you just have to try to be smart,’’ Brady said. “You obviously want to practice because you want to be prepared to play, but sometimes if you overdo it, you’re not feeling as good as you want to on Sunday when you are playing.
“I think after 17 years I have a pretty good balance for those things. I’m the type of person who likes to practice a lot. I’ve also been around long enough to know you have to be smart, too. It’s just trying to find that right balance.’’
You can’t argue with the results. Brady has been superb since returning from his four-game suspension. He has completed 291 of 432 passes for 3,554 yards with 28 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions — a league record TD/INT ratio of 14.0.
Still, something about those numbers still irks Brady.
“Those two that I threw? I wish I wouldn’t have thrown those,’’ he said with a slight smirk.
Paying up
LeGarrette Blount was fined $18,231 for his facemask penalty against Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in last Sunday’s 35-14 win. The two had several heated exchanges during the game and afterward Blount called Suh a “dirty player.’’ The possibility exists that the two could butt heads again next Saturday . . . Speaking of butting heads, Julian Edelman was not fined for his head-butt of Miami corner Bobby McCain. He was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct . . . The Patriots Charitable Foundation is raffling off a VIP experience (four tickets, field passes, and parking) for next Saturday night’s divisional round game. For info, go to www.patriots.com/community.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.
