Ever team in the NFL has played at least 8 games, so I figured I’d throw my two cents out there and put together a mid-season NFL All-Pro Team.
Below are my top choices at each position based on play from the season’s first-half. I do not give credit for previous performance – no obligatory Derek Jeter Gold Glove selection on this team. One note, a small number of teams have played 9 games, but I’ve only used statistics from the first 8 games to keep it Even-Stevens.
I’ve basically followed the Associated Press All-Pro Team that consists of (1) quarterback, tight end, center, kicker, punter and return specialist, and (2) running backs, wide receivers, offensive tackles, offensive guards, defensive ends, defensive tackles, outside linebackers, inside linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties. The only difference is I did not include a fullback. Cause having two running backs AND a fullback on the team makes no sense whatsoever.
Here’s one man’s mid-season 2010 NFL dream team -
QUARTERBACK:
Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 198/306 (64.7%), 2649 YDS, 8.7 Y/A, 15 TD, 7 INT, 98.9 RATING
It was REALLY tough not to have Peyton Manning on this squad, but the All-Pro Team is different than the Most Valuable Player Award. Rivers is having the most-outstanding season of any quarterback in the NFL. He leads the league with 2,649 passing yards and 8.7 yards/pass attempt (the most underrated stat for a QB).
RUNNING BACK:
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 180 ATT, 857 YDS, 4.8 AVG, 7 TD; 26 REC, 257 YDS, 9.9 AVG, 1 TD
Without a doubt, Peterson is the most talented running back in the NFL. And after fumbling the ball 16 times over the past two years, he has yet to fumble in 206 touches this season. Few backs run harder, cut sharper or run faster than Peterson. Just your typical 6-2, 218-pound runner with 4.39-second speed….
Arian Foster, Houston Texans
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 157 ATT, 864 YDS, 5.5 AVG, 9 TD; 32 REC, 315 YDS, 9.8 AVG, 1 TD
The undrafted Foster is making Houston’s already explosive offensive that much better. Foster started the season with a 231-yard, 3-touchdown day against the Colts and has yet to slow down. This 232-pound back is a load to bring down.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 58 REC, 796 YDS, 13.7 AVG, 5 TD
White is quarterback Matt Ryan’s security blanket in Atlanta and one of the key reasons they are 6-2 this season. He’s had some truly huge games this year, including an 11-catch, 201-yard, 2-touchdown performance against Cincinnati.
Brandon Lloyd, Denver Broncos
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 42 REC, 878 YDS, 20.9 AVG, 4 TD
I remember how dominant Lloyd was in college at Illinois when I was working for Purdue’s football team and I never figured out why he didn’t develop into an NFL Pro Bowl player. He’s gotten past whatever issues he had before this season and currently leads the NFL in receiving yards while averaging a robust 20.9 yards on 42 receptions.
TIGHT END:
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 40 REC, 663 YDS, 16.6 AVG, 9 TD
Even with great NFL tight ends like Dallas Clark, Vernon Davis, Zach Miller and Jason Witten, is there a bigger gap between the best player and second best player at any other position in the NFL? That’s how good Gates is and how incredible his season has been. Gates is putting up prolific numbers despite being blanketed by two players on almost every down. He leads the NFL with 9 touchdown receptions.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE:
Jake Long, Miami Dolphins
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP/8GS
Probably the best left tackle in the league, Long is living up to his status as the top pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He’s a devastating mauler in the running game and is much improved in pass protection.
Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP/8GS
If Long is the best left tackle in the NFL, he beats Thomas by the slimmest of margins. Thomas is an exceptional run-blocker and key cornerstone for Cleveland’s revival.
OFFENSIVE GUARD:
Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP/8GS
Evans is the best guard in the NFL and has been since New Orleans drafted him in 2006. He finally received much-earned All-Pro honors last year and will repeat this season if the writers watch any football at all.
Chris Snee, New York Giants
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP/8GS
For a guard, Snee can really move. That agility helps him get into the second level and pave the way for New York’s vaunted rushing attack. The Giants are averaging 152 rushing yards/game, 3rd best in the NFL.
CENTER:
Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP/8GS
I’m not a fan of drafting centers in the first round, but it looks like Cleveland made a solid selection when they drafted Mack 21st overall in 2009. He’s paved the way for running back Peyton Hillis’ breakout season.
DEFENSIVE END:
Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 39 TKL, 7.0 SACK, 2 PD, 1 FF
Despite receiving little fanfare, Cole is consistently among the best players at his position. There are more explosive defensive ends in the NFL, guys like Mario Williams and Dwight Freeney, but few put up his numbers year in and year out. After averaging 11 sacks and 68 tackles over the past 3 seasons, Cole is on pace for 14 sacks and 78 tackles this year. Ho-hum.
Osi Uymenyiora, New York Giants
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 7GP; 21 TKL, 8.0 SACK, 1 PD, 7 FF
Great bounce-back season for Uymenyiora after a rough (for him) 2009 campaign. He and Dwight Freeney are probably the fastest off the ball of any defensive lineman in the game.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE:
Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 43 TKL, 5.0 SACK, 1 PD
Forget the numbers. No one in the NFL commands as many double-teams as Ngata, yet he has still managed 43 tackles and 5 sacks. His impact on the 6-2 Ravens is enormous and he’s a leading contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 29 TKL, 6.5 SACK, 1 INT, 1 PD, 1 FR (1 TD)
“Reggie White Jr.” is proving all the draftniks who said he wouldn’t be a big sack guy in the NFL very, very wrong. With Suh’s speed, strength and motor, who needs advanced pass-rushing moves? He’s clearly the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER:
James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 55 TKL, 7.0 SACK, 1 INT, 2 PD, 4 FF, 1 FR
Harrison is just the most-intimidating, intense, best-tackling, pass-rushing monster in the NFL. In a league with outstanding outside linebackers like Cameron Wake, Clay Matthews, DeMarcus Ware and Tamba Hali, I’d take Harrison before any of them.
Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 7GP; 27 TKL, 9.5 SACK, 1 PD, 1 FF
Despite missing a game, Matthews is the mid-season front-runner for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. His 9.5 sacks leads the NFL and his impact rushing the passer and making plays behind the line of scrimmage are unmatched.
INSIDE LINEBACKER:
Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh Steelers
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 77 TKL, 3.0 SACK, 2 INT, 7 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
A first-round pick in 2007, Timmons has really thrived this year after being brought along slowly by Pittsburgh. With 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 7 pass deflections and a forced fumble in just 8 games, there isn’t a better big-play inside linebacker in the NFL.
Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 95 TKL, 1.0 SACK, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
The 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Mayo is back on top of his game after suffering a multitude of injuries last season. He leads the NFL with 95 tackles and is a key cog for the 6-2 Patriots.
CORNERBACK:
Leon Hall, Cincinnati Bengals
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 25 TKL, 4 INT, 7 PD, 2 FF
Hall’s outstanding play has been overshadowed by the Bengals disappointing start, but with Darrelle Revis battling hamstring issues, Hall is the best cover-corner in the NFL.
Aqib Talib, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 7GP; 23 TKL, 5 INT (1 TD), 6 PD
After sitting out the season opener for “personal conduct” reasons, Talib has lit the world on fire for a surprising 5-3 Tampa squad. He leads the team with 5 interceptions and is living up to his first round draft status.
SAFETY:
Michael Griffin, Tennessee Titans
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 53 TKL, 4 INT, 7 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
Griffin is the definition of a big-play free safety. He might give up a play here and there, but he’s on pace for 8 interceptions and 106 tackles. That’s production.
LaRon Landry, Washington Redskins
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 76 TKL, 1.0 SACK, 1 INT, 7 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
The 235-pound Landry hits (and looks) like an NFL linebacker. He leads all defensive backs in tackles, knockouts and alligator arms this season. There isn’t another player in the league more feared by receivers on crossing patterns – even Ray Lewis doesn’t hit like Landry.
KICKER:
Dan Carpenter, Miami Dolphins
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 19/22 FG, 86.4 FG%; 12/12 XP; 69 PTS
Miami has struggled to score this season, but you can’t blame the kicker. Carpenter has connected on 19 of 22 field goals so far this year, including 3 of 4 over 50 yards.
PUNTER:
Shane Lechler, Oakland Raiders
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 36 PUNT, 1834 YDS, 50.9 AVG
The best punter in the NFL since he entered the league in 2000, Lechler is on his way to leading the league in yards/punt for the 6th time in 8 seasons. He might just be the best punter in NFL history.
KICK RETURN SPECIALIST:
Leon Washington, Seattle Seahawks
2010 Statistics through 8 games: 8GP; 24 KR, 753 YDS, 31.4 AVG, 2 TD; 4 PR, 78 YDS, 19.5 AVG, 0 TD
Washington, who leads the NFL in kickoff return average and touchdowns, is back after suffering a serious knee injury that led to his departure from the Jets. Here’s hoping he finally gets that big contract he sought in New York.
