Zero2Cool
14 years ago
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/01/18/nfl-all-pro-team/index.html#ixzz1BUbpxXhU 

For the past few years, I've been one of Julius Peppers' biggest critics. For a guy who is compared so often to Reggie White, Peppers, I thought, should be producing more than 10 sacks a year, which was his eight-season average in Carolina. And when the Bears signed him in March for, in essence, $1 million per game, I thought: They'll be disappointed in his production for that money.

Though Peppers had but eight sacks this year, he had a huge impact on a defense that went from 21st in the league in points allowed in 2009 to fourth this year; from 4.3 yards per rush last year to 3.7 this year; from 29 touchdown passes surrendered last year to 14 this year. He pushes the pocket. He buzzes around the quarterback. He makes other guys -- Israel Idonije, Tommie Harris -- better.

There's no question the return of Brian Urlacher at the pivot point of the defense has been a significant addition, but Peppers has been the most important reason the Bears have become the Monsters of the Midway again, and that's why he's my defensive player of the year.

I considered Clay Matthews long and hard for this award, and it was close. Midway through the season, Matthews was the guy. But then I saw Peppers beat a wounded Jake Long for two of his three sacks against the Dolphins, and saw how he pushed Bryant McKinnie around on the Monday nighter in Minnesota. He's the John Stockton of the Bears defense, the guy who makes everyone around him better.

That's the headline of my awards. Here's my ballot. Keep in mind that the playoffs mean nothing; the balloting is for regular-season play only.


Awards
MVP: Tom Brady, QB, New England. Stopped being a race when Mike Vick had his non-factor final two weeks.

Coach: Bill Belichick, New England. Narrowly over Raheem Morris of the stunningly 10-6 Bucs, because Belichick oversaw the revamping of his offense with a great personnel and coaching job, winning 14 games.

Executive: Scott Pioli, GM, Kansas City. Again, narrowly over the Bucs' Mark Dominik, whose team played 13 rookies in winning games at season's end. But Pioli's draft (strong character players and impact rookies), and the Chiefs winning the AFC West, gave him the edge.

Offensive player: Tom Brady, QB, New England. Hard to beat out a guy with 36 touchdowns against only four interceptions.

Defensive player: Julius Peppers, DE, Chicago. Matthews and Cameron Wake my 2-3.

Offensive rookie: Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis. Played every snap and had a better season than Mark Sanchez (look it up), and still I strong considered Steeler center Maurkice Pouncey, who played like an eight-year vet from August on.

Defensive rookie: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit. Ten sacks with the amount of focus and pressure that was on him? Amazing. Edged Devin McCourty. Though I have McCourty as one of my corners and Suh not on my D-line, Suh had a better year than McCourty.

Comeback player: (tie) EJ Henderson, LB, Minnesota; Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia. Comeback player can mean coming back from anything -- injury, jail, whatever -- and I realize Vick was on the team last year and just didn't play much. I was solid on Henderson all along, but Vick's resurgence was so compelling and so great that I had to include him.

All-Pro Offense
WR: Calvin Johnson, Detroit; Roddy White, Atlanta. Sorry, Brandon Lloyd and Reggie Wayne. You're both deserving. I just loved the year Johnson had in scraping together 77 catches and 12 touchdowns with subpar quarterbacks throwing to him.

TE: Marcedes Lewis, Jax. Over Antonio Gates because Gates missed so much time.

T: Jake Long, Miami; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore. I went tough at tackle. Two warriors here, particularly Long, who played so much of the year with a torn labrum.

G: Ryan Lilja, K.C.; Rich Seubert, Giants. Seubert's here, edging Brandon Moore of the Jets, because I thought he had a superb year of versatility. Seubert started 7 games at center, so it is difficult for me to exclude someone who played 16 games at the guard position, but he was such a versatile fireman for the Giants, he definitely deserved a place on this team.

C: Alex Mack, Cleveland. Doubt this? Watch the job Mack did on Vince Wilfork in the Browns' beatdown of the Patriots.

QB: Tom Brady, New England.

RB: Arian Foster, Houston. Won the rushing title and caught the ball well out of the backfield. Even so, I thought long and hard about Jamaal Charles here.

FB: Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta. Blocks as well as any fullback in the game. Huge edge for Michael Turner.


All-Pro Defense
DE: Vince Wilfork, NE; Julius Peppers, Chicago. Wilfork played everywhere on the Pats' line, and played everywhere well.

NT: Kyle Williams, Buffalo. No other nose man is the combo pile-pusher and backfield invader that Williams is.

DT: Jonathan Babineaux, Atlanta. Love how he moves so powerfully through guard-tackle and guard-center holes. He's one of the long-overdue guys to get credit for the Falcons' defense.

OLB: Clay Matthews, Green Bay; Cameron Wake, Miami. Two tremendous pass rushers who don't take plays off. Pretty hard to not put Terrell Suggs somewhere on this team, but these guys, I thought, were two of the most dangerous rush 'backers in the league this year.

ILB: Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh. Represents James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley here. Could have picked any of the three. Love the way Timmons moves sideline to sideline and covers as well as any other inside 'backer.

MLB: Ray Lewis, Baltimore. Don't believe the hype that this is it for Lewis. He played great this year.

CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland; Devin McCourty, NE. McCourty makes it because Darrelle Revis was just OK for much of the middle part of the year because of his bad hammy, and because I thought Brandon Flowers had a so-so end of the year. Tramon Williams also very close here.

FS: Chris Harris, Chicago. Edged Nick Collins of the Packers. The Bear-turned-Panther-turned-Bear-again is a strong open-field tackler and had big picks against the Eagles and Vikes.

SS: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh. Missed two games and had a couple in which he had little impact because of his ankle/Achilles issues. Still the most instinctive safety in football.

Let the arguments begin.

"Peter King" wrote:


UserPostedImage
longtimefan
14 years ago
Was this the NFL awards or something else?
Pack93z
14 years ago
No.. Peter Kings .. was discussed on Mike and Mike.. kind of poorly done on their part.

AP will be released Jan 25th.



Awards

MVP: Tom Brady, QB, New England. Stopped being a race when Mike Vick had his non-factor final two weeks.

Coach: Bill Belichick, New England. Narrowly over Raheem Morris of the stunningly 10-6 Bucs, because Belichick oversaw the revamping of his offense with a great personnel and coaching job, winning 14 games.

Executive: Scott Pioli, GM, Kansas City. Again, narrowly over the Bucs' Mark Dominik, whose team played 13 rookies in winning games at season's end. But Pioli's draft (strong character players and impact rookies), and the Chiefs winning the AFC West, gave him the edge.

Offensive player: Tom Brady, QB, New England. Hard to beat out a guy with 36 touchdowns against only four interceptions.

Defensive player: Julius Peppers, DE, Chicago. Matthews and Cameron Wake my 2-3.

Offensive rookie: Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis. Played every snap and had a better season than Mark Sanchez (look it up), and still I strong considered Steeler center Maurkice Pouncey, who played like an eight-year vet from August on.

Defensive rookie: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit. Ten sacks with the amount of focus and pressure that was on him? Amazing. Edged Devin McCourty. Though I have McCourty as one of my corners and Suh not on my D-line, Suh had a better year than McCourty.

Comeback player: (tie) EJ Henderson, LB, Minnesota; Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia. Comeback player can mean coming back from anything -- injury, jail, whatever -- and I realize Vick was on the team last year and just didn't play much. I was solid on Henderson all along, but Vick's resurgence was so compelling and so great that I had to include him.

All-Pro Offense

WR: Calvin Johnson, Detroit; Roddy White, Atlanta. Sorry, Brandon Lloyd and Reggie Wayne. You're both deserving. I just loved the year Johnson had in scraping together 77 catches and 12 touchdowns with subpar quarterbacks throwing to him.

TE: Marcedes Lewis, Jax. Over Antonio Gates because Gates missed so much time.

T: Jake Long, Miami; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore. I went tough at tackle. Two warriors here, particularly Long, who played so much of the year with a torn labrum.

G: Ryan Lilja, K.C.; Rich Seubert, Giants. Seubert's here, edging Brandon Moore of the Jets, because I thought he had a superb year of versatility. Seubert started 7 games at center, so it is difficult for me to exclude someone who played 16 games at the guard position, but he was such a versatile fireman for the Giants, he definitely deserved a place on this team.

C: Alex Mack, Cleveland. Doubt this? Watch the job Mack did on Vince Wilfork in the Browns' beatdown of the Patriots.

QB: Tom Brady, New England.

RB: Arian Foster, Houston. Won the rushing title and caught the ball well out of the backfield. Even so, I thought long and hard about Jamaal Charles here.

FB: Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta. Blocks as well as any fullback in the game. Huge edge for Michael Turner.

All-Pro Defense

DE: Vince Wilfork, NE; Julius Peppers, Chicago. Wilfork played everywhere on the Pats' line, and played everywhere well.

NT: Kyle Williams, Buffalo. No other nose man is the combo pile-pusher and backfield invader that Williams is.

DT: Jonathan Babineaux, Atlanta. Love how he moves so powerfully through guard-tackle and guard-center holes. He's one of the long-overdue guys to get credit for the Falcons' defense.

OLB: Clay Matthews, Green Bay; Cameron Wake, Miami. Two tremendous pass rushers who don't take plays off. Pretty hard to not put Terrell Suggs somewhere on this team, but these guys, I thought, were two of the most dangerous rush 'backers in the league this year.

ILB: Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh. Represents James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley here. Could have picked any of the three. Love the way Timmons moves sideline to sideline and covers as well as any other inside 'backer.

MLB: Ray Lewis, Baltimore. Don't believe the hype that this is it for Lewis. He played great this year.

CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland; Devin McCourty, NE. McCourty makes it because Darrelle Revis was just OK for much of the middle part of the year because of his bad hammy, and because I thought Brandon Flowers had a so-so end of the year. Tramon Williams also very close here.

FS: Chris Harris, Chicago. Edged Nick Collins of the Packers. The Bear-turned-Panther-turned-Bear-again is a strong open-field tackler and had big picks against the Eagles and Vikes.

SS: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh. Missed two games and had a couple in which he had little impact because of his ankle/Achilles issues. Still the most instinctive safety in football.

Let the arguments begin.


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Pack93z
14 years ago
Covering all bases.. lol.

Pack93z: Listened to the same piece...
Jan 19, 2011 08:48.07

Zero2Cool: Yeah Shawn, mike and mike.
Jan 19, 2011 08:46.33

Zero2Cool: Wade, read below for example one.
Jan 19, 2011 08:42.14

longtimefan: 8 shouts on DPOY....shouldnt there be a thread if your intentions are to make threads? not being a smart ass...what qualifies as to much shouts on one topic, and what doesnt?
Jan 19, 2011 08:41.40

Pack93z: AP awards being released the 25th of Jan
Jan 19, 2011 08:35.57

Pack93z: url
Jan 19, 2011 08:32.09

Pack93z: On Mike and MIke? If so.. yes it was Peter Kings
Jan 19, 2011 08:30.10

Zero2Cool: Wade, considering I have tried that path before and all it did was lay a welcome mat for others to disrespect my intentions.
Jan 19, 2011 08:28.43

Zero2Cool: It was Peter Kings DPOY? I got in my truck and they said Peppers won DPOY, Bellicheck with Coach of the year. Didn't hear "whos" though.
Jan 19, 2011 08:27.33

Pack93z: Peter Kings
Jan 19, 2011 08:27.06

Pack93z: Peppers got King DPOY.
Jan 19, 2011 08:26.59

GoPack1984: Where did you hear Peppers got DPOY? I heard the awards will be announced next week.
Jan 19, 2011 08:24.56

Wade: so how come you keep clearing the shout?
Jan 19, 2011 08:19.21

Zero2Cool: CLeared shout table. I heard Julius Peppers got DPOY, Brady MVP
Jan 19, 2011 08:06.38

"Shoutbox" wrote:


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Zero2Cool
14 years ago
with that last comment i wonder if he chooses some just to rile people up lol
UserPostedImage
Packers_Finland
14 years ago
Brady MVP by Peter King? SAY IT AIN'T SO!?

I think he should win it too, but was there ever any question as to who King was gonna pick for that?

Also Julius Peppers? Not in the top 15 defenders in my opinion this year. He's not even among his own team's two best defensive players (who are Lance Briggs and Charles Tillman).
This is a placeholder
Zero2Cool
14 years ago

Covering all bases.. lol.

"Pack93z" wrote:



I don't think with some here that is remotely possible, another reason I'm thankful for the lack of "site rules".


I was surprised about Peppers getting the defensive player of the year. I didn't see that one coming.
UserPostedImage
Pack93z
14 years ago
Another writers look at it..


One Man's All Pro Votes
 

The two most difficult positions to pick All-Pros for are outside linebacker and guard. But the reasons are entirely different. At outside linebacker, there is a glut of talented players, several more than you can squeeze onto an All-Pro team. At guard, there really arent any true standouts in the NFL these days. There isnt a lot of separation between the best guards in the league and the below-average ones.

Here is how my All-Pro ballot shakes out.

QuarterbackTom Brady, Patriots. Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers would have been strong contenders in another season, but Brady really blew away the competition this year. Of course, that was before the playoffs began. Votes had to be cast then.

Wide receiversCalvin Johnson, Lions and Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs. You could have gone a number of ways here. Tough to argue with Roddy White, and Reggie Wayne is a consideration every year. Brandon Lloyd merited a look. Mike Wallace and Greg Jennings are personal favorites. And Andre Johnson probably is the most talented of all. But Bowe scored 15 touchdowns despite getting virtually all of the attention from opposing defenses. And Calvin Johnson is the NFCs version of Andre Johnson. The Lions kept changing quarterbacks, and Johnson was the only constant in their passing game.

Running backsArian Foster, Texans and Jamaal Charles, Chiefs. Foster may have meant more to his offense than any non-quarterback meant to their offense. And Charles 6.9 yard average per carry is the bomb.

FullbackOvie Mughelli, Falcons. He was a hammer on lead blocks for Michael Turner, and he helped keep Matt Ryan clean all year.

Tight endMarcedes Lewis, Jaguars. Antonio Gates probably gets this spot if he didnt miss so many games. Jason Witten was tough to ignore too. But this was a good year to take notice of Lewis, an old fashioned tight end who blocks better than he runs, but still can make tough catches.

Offensive tackleDBrickashaw Ferguson, Jets and Andrew Whitworth, Bengals. Jake Long and Joe Thomas are solid, solid players are were strong considerations. But Ferguson pass protects as well as anyone. He gave up only two sacks all year according to STATS despite frequently being left on-on-one with the opposing teams best pass rusher. Whitworth was named the Bengals MVP, and for good reason.

GuardBrandon Moore, Jets, and Josh Sitton, Packers. Moore was very consistent in all phases of his game, and is a premier run blocker. Sitton was the best blocker on the Packers line. Chris Snee of the Giants also as a worthy candidate.

CenterNick Mangold, Jets. He may have been better one year ago, but he still was as good as any center.

Defensive endJulius Peppers, Bears and Jared Allen, Vikings. For much of the season, many people were wondering why these two guys werent getting more sacks. But they were both rushing the passer exceptionally well and helping to create opportunities for others.

Defensive tackleHaloti Ngata, Ravens and Ndamunkong Suh, Lions. Ngata really came into his own this season, adding some pass rush to his incredible run defense. And Suh was a force right from the start.

Outside linebackerClay Matthews, Packers and DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys. Matthews is the one lock. The second spot was up for grabs between Ware, Cameron Wake, Tamba Hali, James Harrison and Terrell Suggs. I gave it to Ware because he led the league with 15.5 sacks even though he didnt play on a team that had as many pass rush opportunities as most.

Inside linebackerBrian Urlacher, Bears and A.J. Hawk, Packers. Tough to argue against Ray Lewis ever. But Urlacher was outstanding. Im really surprised he hasnt gotten more attention for his overall game. And Hawk was the best-kept secret in the league.

CornerbacksDarrelle Revis, Jets and Tramon Williams, Packers. Revis is a rubber stamp candidate. Williams is another player hardly anyone knows about, but he came on strong this season to edge out Oaklands Nnamdi Asomugha on my ballot.

SafteyTroy Polamalu, Steelers and Ed Reed, Ravens. This was the easiest choice. No contest, really.

PunterShane Lechler, Raiders. His combination of leg strength and touch is unbeatable.

KickerBilly Cundiff, Ravens. He set a record with 40 touchbacks, and was darned good on field goals too.

ReturnerDevin Hester, Bears. Teams changed their game plans because of him on a consistent basis, and he frequently still made them pay.


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago
I still maintain that the Patriots' offensive line is far more valuable to the Patriots' success than Tom Brady. He just stands back there. Against the Jets, I counted plays on which he had 8 seconds. Behind that line, Aaron Rodgers probably would have been contending for 4800 yards and 40 touchdowns, and that's not even taking into consideration his rushing ability.
UserPostedImage
Greg C.
14 years ago
Whoah! That second guy picked A.J. Hawk as an All-Pro inside linebacker--one of the two best in the league. A.J.'s had a very good year, but I wasn't expecting him to show up on anybody's All-Pro team.
blank
Users browsing this topic
    Fan Shout
    Zero2Cool (8h) : Both LB Quay Walker and Rookie DB Micah Robinson have passed their physicals
    Zero2Cool (9h) : Happy to see site feels more snappy snappy
    Zero2Cool (9h) : No sir. I did not.
    dfosterf (9h) : You didn't get free childcare when you were at work?
    wpr (10h) : These guys make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Pay for their own childcare.
    dfosterf (11h) : 2nd issue. Number 1 issue was no gameday childcare. 1 of 3 teams not providing it
    Zero2Cool (11h) : Suppose if locker room is main issue, we sitting pretty
    wpr (11h) : I thought so Mucky. In those useless player polls GB always rates high overall. Locker is a part of it.
    Mucky Tundra (12h) : Wasn't the locker room just updated like 6 or 7 years ago?
    Zero2Cool (12h) : I have forum updated on different site. We'll see how this one goes before going to that
    Zero2Cool (13h) : Elgton Jenkins has a back injury, is expect to end contract dispute
    wpr (15h) : It's funny the PA complained about the locker room. It wasn't that long ago it was top shelf. Things change in a hurry.
    wpr (15h) : The site is much more better.
    Zero2Cool (15h) : NFLPA report said Packers lockerroom needed upgrade. Whining bout where you change?
    Zero2Cool (15h) : I saw that and thought it was kind of lame.
    dfosterf (15h) : Packers new locker room is pretty awesome. Great for morale, imo
    Zero2Cool (16h) : Shuffled things on the web server. Hope it makes it faster.
    Zero2Cool (16h) : Other times, it's turtle ass
    Zero2Cool (16h) : Sometimes it's snappy, like now.
    beast (17h) : I feel like it's loading at the top of the next minute, or something like that.
    beast (17h) : Also the thanks/heart takes FOREVER to load, and posting in the shout box takes three times FOREVER!
    beast (17h) : Thanks for saying something, I thought it was slow, but assumed it was on my end
    beast (17h) : Thanks for saying something, I thought it was slow, but assumed it was on my end
    Zero2Cool (18h) : Yeah, I noticed that too. Is it slow for PackerPeople.com too?
    wpr (18h) : I don't know what you IT guys call it but the page loading is very slow for me today.
    Zero2Cool (18h) : SSL might be settled now.
    Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Still working through SSL cert issues
    wpr (23-Jul) : Glad to be back
    Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : I think PH original finally working.
    dfosterf (22-Jul) : Can tell you are having a fun day Kev
    Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : Yep, I had to manually move them. It'll fix itself after more posts.
    Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : Same deal with the songs/videos thread, says you replied last but when I go there it's what I posted earlier is last
    Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : I had to manually move three posts.
    Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : But when I go it, Martha's is the last reply
    Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : Still a little screwy; it shows on the main forum that you were the last person to reply to the Jenkins trade thread
    Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : Host issues, been crazy day
    Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : Connect 4?
    Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : Connecting to new database
    Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : What the hell
    beast (22-Jul) : Packershome going to the Whiteout unis again
    Zero2Cool (21-Jul) : Oh wait, they got Cam Ward. 1st overall right? haha oops
    Zero2Cool (21-Jul) : They could send Packers a 1st for a QB they are familiar with
    Zero2Cool (21-Jul) : Titans QB Will Levis to have season-ending shoulder surgery
    Zero2Cool (19-Jul) : Their season did kind of start there, so 🤷
    dfosterf (19-Jul) : Eagles put an engraved Brazil flag on their super bowl rings
    Zero2Cool (18-Jul) : Benton unsigned no more
    Zero2Cool (17-Jul) : That's good analysis, yes you are getting old. It'd a blessing!
    dfosterf (14-Jul) : *analysis* gettin' old
    dfosterf (14-Jul) : One of the best analyisis I"ve ever watched at this time of an offseason
    dfosterf (14-Jul) : Andy Herman interviewed Warren Sharp on his Pack a day podcast
    Please sign in to use Fan Shout
    2025 Packers Schedule
    Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
    LIONS
    Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
    COMMANDERS
    Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
    Browns
    Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
    Cowboys
    Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
    BENGALS
    Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
    Cardinals
    Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
    Steelers
    Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
    PANTHERS
    Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
    EAGLES
    Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
    Giants
    Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
    VIKINGS
    Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
    Lions
    Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
    BEARS
    Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
    Broncos
    Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
    Bears
    Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
    RAVENS
    Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
    Vikings
    Recent Topics
    27m / Around The NFL / beast

    1h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    3h / Around The NFL / Mucky Tundra

    6h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

    7h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    7h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    18h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

    23-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    22-Jul / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

    22-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    22-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    20-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    20-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    18-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    15-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    Headlines
    Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.