Gostkowski named All-Pro

It's kicker to fine season for Patriot

There shouldn't be any more questions as to whether the Patriots have confidence in kicker Stephen Gostkowski. If you can't trust a first-team All-Pro, whom can you trust?

One season after coach Bill Belichick elected to go for it on fourth and 13 rather than allow Gostkowski to attempt a 49-yard field goal in the Patriots' 17-14 loss to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, Gostkowski yesterday was named an Associated Press All-Pro.

Gostkowski was the lone Patriot on the 27-member first team, receiving 28 of a possible 50 votes from a national panel of media. He beat out John Carney of the Giants, who earned second-team honors with 13 votes. Gostkowski was among 15 first-time selections.

"It is an extreme honor to be mentioned as one of the best kickers in the NFL for this season," wrote Gostkowski in an e-mail. "There are so many good kickers in the NFL that are just as deserving, but it is a proud moment to say I am an All-Pro."

While Gostkowski appreciated the honor, he made it clear he would trade it for a chance to still be playing this weekend. The Patriots didn't reach the playoffs despite winning their last four games to finish 11-5.

"It is kind of bittersweet that a good individual season was cut short [from] a team standpoint," wrote Gostkowski, who also was named to his first Pro Bowl this season. "I was hoping to be able to help the Pats in the playoffs. It was a great year for myself and the team that was disappointing when it was cut short."

Wide receiver Wes Welker, who like Gostkowski will represent the Patriots at the Pro Bowl in Honolulu Feb. 8, was a second-team All-Pro selection. Welker, who was second in the NFL with 111 receptions, finished fourth in the balloting with six votes, behind first-teamers Andre Johnson of the Texans (45) and Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals (21), and fellow second-team selection Steve Smith of the Panthers (16).

In his third season, Gostkowski led the NFL in field goals (36 in 40 attempts) and points (148). The 36 field goals set a franchise record, erasing Tony Franklin's mark of 32 set in 1986.

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was scheduled to interview yesterday for the Rams' head coaching vacancy. He previously interviewed for the Browns' job that was filled by former Jets coach Eric Mangini, and sat down with the Broncos in Providence last Sunday.

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.