AP All-Pro Team
 

Shocking. Peyton isn't starting the first team, Drew Brees is.

5 Chargers, 4 Bears. Adalius Thomas making the team. Chad Johnson also made the team which I don't believe he deserved to.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2724228

LaDainian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor and Champ Bailey capped superb seasons by unanimously making The Associated Press NFL All-Pro team announced Monday.

Tomlinson, San Diego's record-setting running back, also won the AP Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards. Miami end Taylor was the Defensive Player of the Year.
Bailey tied for the league lead with 10 interceptions even though opponents tried to avoid throwing to the Broncos cornerback's side of the field.

"My whole idea to go out on a Sunday is to be a pain in the butt for the other team," said Taylor, who had 62 tackles, 13½ sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, two interceptions -- both returned for TDs -- 11 passes defensed, 10 fumbles forced and two fumbles recovered.

"If I can be a pain in their butt and give somebody a headache, then more times than not, it's going to work out well for myself."

It worked out so well for him, Tomlinson -- who set NFL records for points with 186, touchdowns with 31 and TDs rushing with 28 -- and Bailey that they received all 50 votes from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL.

Two others, both Chicago Bears, came close to sweeping the vote. Devin Hester, who set a league mark with six kick returns for touchdowns, was the only rookie on the team, earning 48½ votes. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, a repeater from last year, got 48.

In all, the Chargers had the most All-Pros with five: Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates, fullback Lorenzo Neal, defensive tackle Jamal Williams and linebacker Shawne Merriman, who made it despite serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's steroids policy. Merriman still wound up with a league-best 17 sacks.

The Bears were next with four All-Pros: Urlacher, Hester, center Olin Kreutz and kicker Robbie Gould.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees edged the Colts' Peyton Manning 25 votes to 24 for the quarterback spot. It was the first time since 2002 that Manning was not the first-team quarterback.

Brees engineered the turnaround in New Orleans from 3-13 to 10-6 and an NFC South division title.

He was joined on the All-Pro squad by Saints second-year tackle Jammal Brown.

Kansas City's Larry Johnson was selected in the backfield with Brees, a former Charger, and the two San Diego backs.

The wideouts are Marvin Harrison of Indianapolis and Chad Johnson of Cincinnati.

Another Bengal, tackle Willie Anderson, is on the offensive line, where he's joined by Philadelphia guard Shawn Andrews and Pittsburgh guard Alan Faneca.

Taylor anchors a defense also featuring end Carolina end Julius Peppers, Minnesota tackle Kevin Williams, Baltimore linebacker Adalius Thomas, Miami linebacker Zach Thomas, Jacksonville cornerback Rashean Mathis, Philadelphia safety Brian Dawkins and Baltimore safety Ed Reed.

"It means a lot," said Adalius Thomas, a first-time All-Pro. "It's a tribute not to myself, but to a lot of the guys up front. I don't think you could have a good linebacking corps without good defensive linemen. That's a tribute to Kelly Gregg, Haloti Ngata, Trevor Pryce and all those guys and the other linebackers, Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs."

Buffalo's Brian Moorman is the punter.

Repeaters from 2005 are Gates, Chad Johnson, Anderson, Faneca, Jamal Williams, Urlacher, Bailey and Moorman.

In all, there are 18 AFC players and 10 from the NFC.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

NO TE? WTF?

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

I didn't copy the list. But Gates made it. He's a TE.

Offense

Drew Brees QB Saints
LaDainian Tomlinson RB Chargers
Larry Johnson RB Chiefs
Lorenzo Neal FB Chargers
Marvin Harrison WR Colts
Chad Johnson WR Bengals
Jammal Brown T Saints
Willie Anderson T Bengals
Shawn Andrews G Eagles
Alan Faneca G Steelers
Olin Kreutz C Bears
Robbie Gould K Bears
Devin Hester KR Bears

Defense

Jason Taylor DE Dolphins
Julius Peppers DE Panthers
Jamal Williams DT Chargers
Kevin Williams DT Vikings
Shawne Merriman OLB Chargers
Adalius Thomas OLB Ravens
Brian Urlacher MLB Bears
Zach Thomas MLB Bears
Rashean Mathis CB Jaguars
Champ Bailey CB Broncos
Brian Dawkins S Eagles
Ed Reed S Ravens
Brian Moorman P Bills

It's not on the list but in the article it clearly states Gates is one of 5 All-Pros from the Chargers.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

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NO TE? WTF?

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In all, the Chargers had the most All-Pros with five: Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates

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Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

Not really any objections here. They did a fine job except for leaving Peyton off the team. I would've gone with Adrian Wilson over Brian Dawkins though. Rashean Mathis is a beast, but Pac-Man needs some love.

EDIT: They got the wrong Williams at DT. Should've been Pat.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

what do we think of the WR choices? did Marvin have an all-pro season, was he getting in off name, or was there just no one good enough to bounce him? maybe yes to all 3?

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

Marvin and Wayne had great years, as did Chad Johnson. At this point I don't know who you'd consider the #1 WR on the Colts as the Chiefs had Surtain on Wayne most of the game it seemed.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

They have zack thomas listed as a bear for some reason.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

Marvin really played well to end the season.

He was #2 in Yards, #3 in Reps and #2 in TDs.

Chad was #1 in Yards, way down the list (like 15th) with 7 Tds and decently in Reps.

Steve Smith could have arguments but he was bad at the end of the season and missed games at the start. TO dropped way too many balls.

The only 2 I could possibly see bumping Chad or Marvin are Reggie or Driver this year. If Colston stayed healthy throughout the year he could probally also be in teh arguments. I think Coles was picked by Dr-Z of CNNSI.com. Holt could also have arguments but was only good at times.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

Not that Marvin or CJ were bad choices, but Houshmandzadeh, Roy Williams, Lee Evens could all get some consideration too I think...

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

Was Pac-Man that great of a cover corner? I know he i-cepted a few passes of which he returned a bunch. He was a great punt returner? But is he even near the level or Bailey as a cover guy?

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

Manning gets screwed again.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

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I would've gone with Adrian Wilson over Brian Dawkins though.

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Wilson should be in over Ed Reed.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

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Was Pac-Man that great of a cover corner? I know he i-cepted a few passes of which he returned a bunch. He was a great punt returner? But is he even near the level or Bailey as a cover guy?

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I would say no one is very close to that level right now. I'd probably have Terence Newman or Pac-Man as the #2 though, not Mathis.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

Brees over Manning is absurd.

Brees - 276.1 ypg, 26 TD's, 11 INT's, 96.2 rate, 64.3%

Manning - 274.8 ypg, 31 TD's, 9 INT's, 101 rate, 65%

The numbers are very similar with Manning having an edge in everything but yards per game.

The Colts lead the league by a wide margin in 3rd down conversions at 56.1%, while the team in second is at 48%. The Saints are at 44%. The Colts also lead by a wide margin in converting 3rd downs over 8 yards. I wish I could find the stat somewhere but I can't. I have seen in recently and they are over 45% when it 3rd and 8+, that is better then most teams total 3rd down coversions and that is all on Manning.

The Colts are dead last in total possessions, almost 20 behind the 31st ranked team Houston. Even with that Manning had more TD's, pretty much the same amount of yards, and a better record.

Lastly, Manning DPAR 175, Brees DPAR 106.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

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Manning gets screwed again.

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It's [censored] manning in the ass year. The MVP is bad enough, this is ugly.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

maybe he'll get it back some superbowl time.

*crosses fingers*

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

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maybe he'll get it back some superbowl time.

*crosses fingers*

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Well he sure has to play better then he did Saturday, and better then he has in the playoffs in the past. If he can do that, they have a decent shot.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

Ok, if you add a TE, then there are 12 offensive players. Why 2 HBs then?

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

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Brees over Manning is absurd.

Brees - 276.1 ypg, 26 TD's, 11 INT's, 96.2 rate, 64.3%

Manning - 274.8 ypg, 31 TD's, 9 INT's, 101 rate, 65%

The numbers are very similar with Manning having an edge in everything but yards per game.

The Colts lead the league by a wide margin in 3rd down conversions at 56.1%, while the team in second is at 48%. The Saints are at 44%. The Colts also lead by a wide margin in converting 3rd downs over 8 yards. I wish I could find the stat somewhere but I can't. I have seen in recently and they are over 45% when it 3rd and 8+, that is better then most teams total 3rd down coversions and that is all on Manning.

The Colts are dead last in total possessions, almost 20 behind the 31st ranked team Houston. Even with that Manning had more TD's, pretty much the same amount of yards, and a better record.

Lastly, Manning DPAR 175, Brees DPAR 106.

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Embarassingly, I had yet to see some of these stats (I fancy myself something of a "stat-aware" guy) but wow, just wow. How Manning didn't win MVP is beyond me (I know I know LT and his TDs) but this just reinforces my belief that the NFL should give positional awards like the Golden Gloves in baseball. That said, if, in those positional awards, Brees won over Manning, they should just stop trying.

Also, anyone think Brees losing comeback player of the year to Chad was a little odd.

Cody

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

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anyone think Brees losing comeback player of the year to Chad was a little odd.

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didn't he get hurt week17 last year, and miss 0 reg season games? sure there was some doubt about him, but its not like he missed all last year(or even most of it)

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

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Also, anyone think Brees losing comeback player of the year to Chad was a little odd.

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No. If Brees had won, it would have been retarded. He didn't miss a game.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

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Manning gets screwed again.

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It's [censored] manning in the ass year. The MVP is bad enough, this is ugly.

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it's not as bad as Charles Barkley winning MVP over MJ, but it's similar in some ways.

people are just used to him being great. if any other QB puts up his numbers, they win MVP/All-Pro.

Re: AP All-Pro Team
 

If that were the case it'd be one thing, but people honestly think Drew Brees had a better year than he did.