Bengals added to Pro Bowl after Patriots advance

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From wire reports and ESPN.com Updated 11:04 AM Monday, January 23, 2012

CINCINNATI — Three Bengals — quarterback Andy Dalton, defensive tackle Geno Atkins and tight end Jermaine Gresham — have been added to the AFC squad for next Sunday’s Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Sunday.

Dalton and Atkins were both first alternates in last month’s voting, and Gresham was a third alternate. All three will replace New England players who were removed from the squad when the Patriots won the AFC Championship and qualified for Super Bowl XLVI.

Dalton will replace New England QB Tom Brady, Atkins will take the spot of Patriots DT Vince Wilfork, and Gresham will replace Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski. Two alternates voted ahead of Gresham are not available for the game, the league announced.

The Bengals now have four players headed for the Pro Bowl. Wide receiver A.J. Green was voted to the AFC team last month.

Payton Award finalists: San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers, Baltimore center Matt Birk and Chicago cornerback Charles Tillman are finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

The award will be presented Feb. 4 in Indianapolis, when The Associated Press announces the winners of its annual NFL honors, including Most Valuable Player.

The only league award that recognizes a player’s community service as well as his playing excellence, the Walter Payton winner will have a $20,000 donation made in his name to his favorite charity.

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