OK, we don’t honestly believe that Zoneblitz.com inspired ESPN to release their All-Decade teams (offense) (defense) (special teams) for the ’00 decade–but we did have our Zoneblitz All-Decade Team up almost a full five months before their’s.
Of course, Bill Williamson and the ESPN crew probably had a lot more time and resources to devote to their team than Andy and I did–assuming they spent more than the morning before the Super Bowl hashing their lists out.
And frankly, that makes the comparison that more interesting…
On offense, there were only a couple of differences–we didn’t name a fullback, given the under utilization of the position, but Neal would have been our logical choice. We matched their selection at QB, RB, WR, G, and one of the two OT spots. The only differences were their taking of Walter Jones over Orlando Pace–which is fair, as Jones was our #3–and Olin Kreutz over Kevin Mawae, which is also a fair choice.
On the defensive side, things changed up a little bit more. We matched defensive ends, but they went with Kris Jenkins and Warren Sapp at DT, while we selected only Kevin Williams–who didn’t even get a mention in their list. We strongly considered Sapp, and I remember Jenkins and La’Roi Glover coming up in our coversation, but in the end we left them all off–mainly due to inconsistencies that we felt each had in the decade.
At linebacker, we matched on Derrick Brooks and Ray Lewis at our top two spots, but ESPN went with Brian Urlacher, who we (somewhat grudgingly) placed 5th, after Zach Thomas and Joey Porter. I still believe Urlacher is one of the more overrated players in the league (as in, I think he’s a solid, not great player).
We matched our top CB in Champ Bailey, who seems like the only no-brainer CB out there for the decade. We went with Ronde Barber as our second choice, mainly boiling it down to him or Ty Law, with Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison also making our consideration set. I don’t think Troy Vincent came up–probably because we’ve been hearing so much about his role with the players association over the last year that we figured he’d retired too long ago to warrant consideration. And frankly, based on his stats for the decade, I think we were right–only twice in the decade did he play full 16 game schedules, and in his last four seasons he missed 32 games. Not sure how that warrants All-Decade.
At safety, we agreed 100% with their selections–although while we included Brian Dawkins in our mix, we left John Lynch out, arguing that while he gained some notoriety for big hits, he really never seemed to us to be that great of a player.
ESPN is announcing their specialists today–we’ll update the post if we remember and are inspired, but in the end, it’s just kickers and punters and returners.
Loading ...
Troy Vincent on the All-Decade Team?! No way! Have you heard the name Ty Law? Naming Lorenzo Neal as the FB of the Decade is tough to do because, there are FB’s like Mike Alsott and Tony Richardson who could be named as well. And lets face it, Mike Alsott has put up much better numbers than Lorenzo Neal. And why did they name Olin Kreutz the starting center over Kevin Mawae? Olin is a 1/6 in the 2000’s, whereas Kevin Mawae is a 2/6 and not to mention, blocked the 4th all time rusher (Curtis Martin).
How about the FB from Seattle? Too lazy to figure out his name. :) Maybe Kreutz wins out because he went to a SB? Maybe there’s NFC bias? Vincent was a lousy for Miami IMO.
Nice to see you’re back Brad! :)
Tony P – You thinking of Mack Strong? He’d make maybe my top 3-4–but if you’re looking for a FB in today’s model, Neal is the guy. He was lead blocker for 1,000 yard rushers every year from 2000-2007 I believe. Made a couple pro bowls along the way.
Richardson would probably be second on our list–decent blocker, better receiver. Alstott is more of a FB in the old school role–but he wasn’t really a fullback in today’s model. More of a goal line halfback–except against any team from Minnesota, whom he killed (dating back to college). Neal would definitely be my guy.
I like Mawae better than Kreutz too–Mawae mouths off about players association issues, whereas Kreutz has a reputation as a dirty player from what I’ve heard, and whines about other players who can handle him (see Pat Williams).
I went back and looked at the Zone’s 00 All-Decade proposed Team and noticed it lacked enough DT’s for a true All-Decade Team. And ESPN didn’t allow for any extra positions for their All-Decade Team which isn’t what an actual NFL Team will look like.
I’m ticked!! It’s damn hard to just pick a team 22 players over a decades worth of players and claim legitamacy. Unless you get lucky and have two standouts like Reed and Polamalu at Safety. When you narrow down that much it’s just plain dumb IMO?? That’s why the NFL doesn’t do it.
I think the Offensive Team is horrible compared to the Defense. Dough Boy Williamson’s ego must be the size of his belt line if he can readily admit to leaving future HOFers off his team and still say he has the right picks. Can you believe the crap he wrote abote Manning just getting edged out by Brady. Based on his logic I’d say Brady was damn lucky to have a good kicker or down the drain go his SB accomplishments over Manning. And who the hell cares where a guy gets picked in the draft?? I’m sorry but this is dumb logic and must be a two selection position.
And how many folks think Tory Holt should represent the decade over Randy Moss or T.O.? Oh my GOD!!!!!!! And there are probably few other WRs to pick over Holt. No one can convince me because Holt has lots of yards and TD’s that he’s the 2nd best WR over this decade. Besides WR’s IMO are not a purely stat driven position for success. It is a team game and for years the Rams have sucked. They get behind a lot and the QB chunks the ball alot. Holt is a terrific guy but is Holt even going to make the HOF? IMO if someone from the Rams “Greatest show on turf belong in the HOF it’s his old teammate Issac Bruce. And if the blogger wanted to stick with a player who accomplished much and was the ultimate team guy why not pick Hines Ward?
I don’t have near the trouble with the Defensive Team but it still seems ill advised. The problem I have with Warren Sapp is that he was on the 90’s Team too and I don’t think he’s so great to warrant being on two teams. That’s rare air reserved for the Bruce Smith’s of the NFL.
The FB I was trying to remember was Mack Strong. He blocked very well for Shaun Alexander. FB aren’t a position on the All-Decade Team so forrgett abbbout ittt!!! They won’t ever make the team unless there’s another Larry Csonka running for multiple 1,000 yard seasons. Not likely although certianly possible.
Troy Vincent only had 18 ints. this decade – why would he be All-Decade? . I’d go for Ty Law and his 32 picks. I thought he was viewed as the best when he left New England.
Also I’m not a big Urlacher fan and I’m thinking a player off the Steelers great defenses would be good for any All-Decade Team. However, I can’t find anyone to top Urlacher. Here are some of the best LB’s of this decade I looked at: Keith Brooking 5/0, James Farrior 2/1, London Fletcher (9 straight 90+tackling seasons- a machine!!), Donnie Edwards 1/0 (another tackling machine), Julian Peterson 5/1, Joey Porter 4/1, Takeo Spikes 2/1 and Zach Thomas 7/5. I suspect Urlacher is a better pass coverage guy than Zach which was always his achilles heel. Only other possible over Urlacher is Porter if you value sacks over tackles. Porter IMO lacked some consistency over his career compared to Urlacher. B.U. has great stats that are so well balanced. He had a hell of a motor much like Zach in his first 6 or 7 years in the league. Brian also has better physical attributes IMO. I guess that’s why he’s a 6/4 in this decade. His bad back has brought down his level of play the last couple of years. Both of them should be on the list along with maybe Porter.
As far as John Lynch not being on the list, doesn’t his intensity and character add to his worth? I’m not buying that he wasn’t that good and I bet his teammates would agree with me. He seemed like a great leader on those great Buc defensive teams.
I disagree almost totally with ESPN’s DL picks. There are a lot of great ones in this decade.
Any comments on my rants? I can take it. :)
Tony P, sorry I was gone for a while. Im a senior in high School and we had finals, so I had to put down the stat book and hit the english books! Anyway, I think the list that ESPN made is bad. here is my thoughts about the special team unit they put together:
P: Mike Scifres?
K: Adam Vinatieri
LS: Dave Binn
KR: Devin Hester
Special Teamer: Quintin Mikell
P: Hey, two words, Shane Lechler! He has the best punt avg. in the history of the NFL. Period! Other considerations: Jeff Feagles,Brad Maynard, Brian Moorman.
K: Finally, they get something right! Other considerations: Jason Elam, Matt Stover,David Akers,
LS: To be honest, I don’t really have a comment on this position.
KR: Devin Hester is a good pick. But, I think Dante Hall is a better pick, because he has played since 2000 and has the most KR TD’s of all time! And he has chipped in on offense. Other considerations: Leon Washington(of course), Allen Rossum(underrated), Josh Cribbs, Terrence McGee, Justin Miller.
Special Teamer: I disagree with the pick of Quintin Mikell. I like Brendon Ayanbadejo. Other considerations: Larry Izzo, Kassim Osgood
Brad,
Congrats on graduation!!! That’s a big accomplishment. English was my best subject but I digressed from there. Lol!! Is Rutgers in your sights? It’s the only New Jersey University I know. :)
Too football – Who?!! Who are some of these guys? :)
Really tough to pick Hester over Hall. Both are two of the best ever. That’s why the NFL All-Decade Team has four returners (2 PR and 2 KR) on it. Urrr! Yup, Hester hasn’t played very long and he seems to already be getting gun shy and slipping from his insane production.
LS – long snapper isn’t a position on a All-Decade Team. Maybe they should have a spot for the PK Holder too. Lol!! And where is the PR?
I definetly agree with your Punter Lechler!! Scifres sounds like a skin disorder. :) Larry Izzo would be my pick because I know who he is which is good for a ST guy. Izzo is a mistake Miami lives with twice a year along with Wes Welker getting away.
Have to go with Viniteri because of the Super Bowl kicks. Place Kickers are so much better than years ago. I’m sentimental for ex-Texas Great Phil Dawson and Jacksonville’s kicker was pretty good for a long time. I know Akers will likely get the second Kicker spot but I’m still hopeful for my favorite, Kris Brown to make the team. He esentially equal to Akers except in recognition. I don’t know why some get the alcolades while others with nearly equal stats get none? Everything about Kickers is wierd.
What about Ryan Longwell as the 2nd Kicker on the All-Decade Team? He kicked a bunch of game winners in crappy weather of Green Bay.
Even though we went Lechler (without looking at stats), I actually have to admit, their reasoning for the Scifres pick is sound. The long booming kicks and gross average look good–but give me a guy that pins teams inside the 20 and doesn’t out-kick his coverage (high net) any day of the week.
I’m out of the loop on longsnappers, which is too bad–it’s still possibly my favorite position to have played.
We went Hall over Hester because of the longevity–Hester is making the same mistake Hall did, which is trying to get involved in the offense too much. Hester is a game changing returner, but only a marginal WR talent–and if it hurts his return production, he’s going to cost himself in the long run.
I think every team has an ace coverage guy–seems like a tough one to give an All-Decade award for.