The Pro Football Hall of Fame put out an announcement this afternoon that its selection committee would announce the Team of the Decade for the oughts during the Pro Bowl this weekend.
As part of the announcement the Hall linked to its teams from the past eight decades. You can access those lists via the accompanied link.
At the behest of Tony P., if memory serves, we unveiled the Zoneblitz.com Team of the Decade during Super Bowl weekend last year. We were at a bit of a disadvantage given that the 2009 season thrust a few additional candidates, such as Josh Cribbs, toward the top of the list. But as I look back I still think we did alright.
You can access our list here. We’ll see how our list compares with that of the Hall’s Selection Committee over the next few days when the official announcement arrives.
Have fun.
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I might have made some changes from my previous list:
Offense
Quarterbacks
1.Peyton Manning
2.Tom Brady
3.Drew Brees
Honor Roll: Kurt Warner, Donovan McNabb,
Running Backs
1.LaDainian Tomlinson
2.Shaun Alexander
3.Edgerrin James
Honor Roll: Jamal Lewis, Thomas Jones, Fred Taylor, Ricky Williams
Wide Receivers
1. Marvin Harrison
2. Randy Moss
3. Torry Holt
4. Terrell Owens(by default)
5. Andre Johnson
Honor Roll: Hines Ward, Chad JOHNSON(My man Revis is not just a game changer, hes a name changer),Derrick Mason,
Guards:
1. Alan Faneca
2. Steve Hutchinson
Honor Roll: Ruben Brown,Larry Allen
Tackles:
1.Walter Jones
2.Jonathan Ogden
Honor Roll: Orlando Pace( I’m surprised he didn’t make it)
Centers:
1. Kevin Mawae
2. Olin Kreutz
Honor Roll: Matt Birk, Tom Nalen Nick Mangold,
Tight End:
1. Tony Gonzalez
2. Antoino Gates
Honor Roll: Jason Witten, Todd Heap,Chris Cooley,
Defense
Defensive End:
1. Jason Taylor
2. Dwight Freeney
Honor Roll: John Abraham, Jared Allen, Julius Peppers(tough one to leave out)
Defensive Tackles:
1. Kevin Williams
2. Kris Jenkins
Honor Roll: Albert Haynesworth, Casey Hampton,
Linebackers:
1. Ray Lewis
2. Derrick Brooks
3. Brian Urlacher
Honor Roll: Zach Thomas, Joey Porter,Julian Peterson, Patrick Willis
Defensive Backs:
1. Champ Bailey
2.Charles Woodson
Honor Roll: Ronde Barber, Ty Law, Nnamdi Asomugha,
Safeties:
1. Ed Reed
2. Brian Dawkins
Honor Roll: Darren Sharper, Troy Polamalu,
Special Teams
Kicker
1. Adam Vinatieri
2.David Akers
Honor Roll: Neil Rackers, Matt Stover,
Kick/Punt Returners
1. Devin Hester
2. Josh Cribbs
Honor Roll: Dante Hall, Leon Washington,
Coaches
1. Bill Belichick
2. Tony Gungy
Honor Roll: Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher,
Brad,
I’m sure the HOF voters will screw it up like in past decade. Hmmm. I just got an idea.
What is this honor roll stuff ?? LOL!! Thanks for the leg work Brad. I’m sure I’ll use most of your players on my list. :)
I think you only get 2 QB’s, RB’s and WR’s on the All Decade Team and maybe 4 LB’s? Your team is pretty big. :)
Wow, wait a minute!! Unless they changed the number of players spots from the 1990’s Decade the team totals should have a lot more players on it.
On Offense we get 2 QB’s not 3, 4 WR’s not 5, 4 RB’s not 3, 4 T’s not 2, 4 G’s, not 2. TE’s and C’s are correct at 2 each. On Defense we get 4 Ends not 2, 4 T’s not 2, LB’s 6 not 4, 4 CB’s not 2, and 4 S’s not 2. 2 Kickers are correct. We need 2 Punters and HC’s are correct. But need to pick type or Returners. We need 2 PR and 2 KR’s. Brad, that should knock out some of your Honorable Mentions. :)
Here’s the layout to make easier along with Brad’s selections.
Offense
Wide Receiver
Wide Receiver
Wide Receiver
Wide Receiver
Tight End
Tight End
Tackle
Tackle
Tackle
Tackle
Guard
Guard
Guard
Guard
Center
Center
Quarterback
Quarterback
Running Back
Running Back
Running Back
Running Back
Defense
End
End
End
End
Tackle
Tackle
Tackle
Tackle
Linebacker
Linebacker
Linebacker
Linebacker
Linebacker
Linebacker
Cornerback
Cornerback
Cornerback
Cornerback
Safety
Safety
Safety
Safety
Specialists
Punter
Punter
Kicker
Kicker
Punt Returner
Punt Returner
Kick Returner
Kick Returner
Coach
Coach
Offense
Wide Receiver – Marvin Harrison
Wide Receiver – Terrell Owens
Wide Receiver – Randy Moss
Wide Receiver – Hines Ward – Mr. Clutch for his Steelers. A hardnosed winner that can’t be measured with stats alone.
Tight End – Antoino Gates
Tight End – Tony Gonzalez
Tackle – Orlando Pace
Tackle – Jonathan Ogden
Tackle – Walter Jones
Tackle – Willie Anderson
Guard – Alan Faneca
Guard – Will Shields
Guard – Steve Hutchinson
Guard – Brian Waters
Center – Kevin Mawae
Center – Olin Kreutz
Quarterback – Peyton Manning
Quarterback – Tom Brady
Running Back – LaDainian Tomlinson – LT stood avove all other RB’s in the decade. My other 3 RB picks didn’t have the advantage of a system to fit into but could be great playing for any team. They had to pound the rock for their yards. I almost picked Martin but he did too much in the 90’s and Taylor’s stats weren’t quite spectacular enough.
Running Back – Jamal Lewis – 2,066 yds rushing in 2003 were the decade’s best. And 295 yds in a game on 30 carries is the standard now.
Running Back – Corey Dillon – I know folks will pick Edge but Corey was every bit the RB and I contend more. Can’t figure out why Edge was never happy in Indy. One year from a Title. Dillon left Cinncy for the Title and Edge left Indy for the money is the way it looks? Kudos to any RB who excels with Cinncy and than proves at age 30 that he wasn’t washed up.
Running Back – Tiki Barber – Basically over 10,000 yds in 7 yrs as a RB. Cured the fumble bug. Left the game on top with probably one more stellar year left.
Defense to come!!
I totally forgot punter!
Punters
1. Shane Lechler
2.Brian Moorman
Honor Roll is basically another name for the best of the rest.
Kevin Mawae and Alan Faneca were named so far. And Kevin was just named to the Pro Bowl. And that makes him a 8 Time Pro Bowler and he was named to 3 First Team All Pro(8 total All Pro Teams, 1st or 2nd Team). So, that spurs the question. Is he a HOFer? I think he is no doubt. And if he plays 1 or 2 more seasons, than it will just pad his stats.
Defense
DE – Jason Taylor
DE – Dwight Freeney
DE – Julius Peppers
DE – Jared Allen
DT – Kevin Williams
DT – Kris Jenkins
DT – Shaun Rogers
DT – Casey Hampton
LB – Ray Lewis
LB – Derrick Brooks
LB – Brian Urlacher
LB – Zach Thomas
LB – DeMarcus Ware
LB – London Fletcher
DB – Champ Bailey
DB – Charles Woodson
DB – Ronde Barber
DB – Ty Law
S – Ed Reed
S – Brian Dawkins
S – Darren Sharper
S – John Lynch
Special Teams
K – David Akers
K – Matt Stover
KR – Darren Sproles
KR – Josh Cribbs
PR – Dante Hall
PR – Dennis Northcutt
HC – Bill Belichick
HC – Andy Reid
Yeah, i just realized my All Decade team is not good. I wasn’t really thinking hahaha. Michael Strahan is on mine now and so is a bunch, but im a little to lazy to start over haha.
That would have been a very good list Tony P. but you put too many marginal players at LB and I think you got a large brain cramp on HC. I think we all spend too much time listening to hype as opposed to looking at facts or stats. Ware has had a good career but too short for me at this time. Urlacher and Thomas both fit the same mold and make a hell of a lot tackles, it is just too bad the tackles are always 4-5 yards downfield. They both play laterally very well but there is a reason (sorry Dolphin and Bear fans) why opposing offenses were 2nd and 4 or 3rd and short. ALL O coordinators would love to see them make 12 tackles because they were doubling on the interior D linemen. How do we put London Fletcher on the All Decade Team? NEVER made All-Pro or Pro Bowl in this or any decade!!! With Lewis and Brooks that is enough. Other options may be Julian Peterson or Keith Brookins, maybe Junior Seau.
Reid may be your worst pick. How about Dungy at 104-40(nuff said) in the decade or even Jon Gruden at 79 -66 (with a SUPER BOWL win). Has anyone been rewarded so much for delivering so little as Reid. No I am not a bitter Philly fan , but Reid does come from the 49er tree of coaches, and I hope he can win one soon with Kevin Kolb (really?). Good luck Donovan in Arizona(not Minn.).
DeMarcus Ware’s five years is too short for Tony B but not the HOF selection committee. :) All decade players don’t have to play for the whole decade to make the team. For example Bruce Smith and Reggie White who had 5 yrs in the 80’s. Smith had lesser acolades than Ware.
As far a Fletcher, he’s a tackling machine with probably the most tackles in history. There are many players with few acolades to make the Decade Team and some guys that you would never consider for the HOF. I picked Fletcher over Joey Porter and don’t regret my choice. FYI, Fletcher made his first PB team this year after starring for 3 teams including on the SB Champion Rams.
I could od easily picked Dungy with his sparkling record but I picked the Coach who I think did the most with the least. Many years folks are counting the Eagles out and with the strength of their Division I thought it was pretty remarkable to have only one losing season. I almost pick Cowher too. Dungy is a fine pick. I wish Belicheat was left off. :)
Brad got me on the Strahan omission. I should of picked him but totally didn’t think of him.
I really was hoping the Committee would pick Hines Ward over Terry Holt. I would think Ward has a lot more big catches in his career for wins. They went for the flashy pick.
I’m not sure why Roaf needed on another All-Decade team? I guess they never heard of Willie Anderson who played more of the decades and had two more AP’s than Roaf. Roaf should be a 1st ballot HOFer.
My biggest complaint is choosing RB Shaun Alexander over several more deserving guys IMO. I’m a fan of Alexander going back to Bama but he’s less likely to make HOF and I think he’s a weak pick.
Here’s your team!!!
2000s ALL-DECADE TEAM
Chosen by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee members.
Offense
Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison
Wide Receiver Torry Holt
Wide Receiver Randy Moss
Wide Receiver Terrell Owens
Tight End Antonio Gates
Tight End Tony Gonzalez
Tackle Walter Jones
Tackle Jonathan Ogden
Tackle Orlando Pace
Tackle William Roaf
Guard Larry Allen
Guard Alan Faneca
Guard Steve Hutchinson
Guard Will Shields
Center Olin Kreutz
Center Kevin Mawae
Quarterback Tom Brady
Quarterback Peyton Manning
Running Back Shaun Alexander
Running Back Jamal Lewis
Running Back Edgerrin James
Running Back LaDainian Tomlinson
Defense
End Dwight Freeney
End Julius Peppers
End Michael Strahan
End Jason Taylor
Tackle La’Roi Glover
Tackle Warren Sapp
Tackle Richard Seymour
Tackle Kevin Williams
Linebacker Derrick Brooks
Linebacker Ray Lewis
Linebacker Joey Porter
Linebacker Zach Thomas
Linebacker Brian Urlacher
Linebacker DeMarcus Ware
Cornerback Ronde Barber
Cornerback Champ Bailey
Cornerback Ty Law
Cornerback Charles Woodson
Safety Brian Dawkins
Safety Troy Polamalu
Safety Ed Reed
Safety Darren Sharper
Specialists
Punter Shane Lechler
Punter Brian Moorman
Kicker David Akers
Kicker Adam Vinatieri
Punt Returner Dante Hall
Punt Returner Devin Hester
Kick Returner Josh Cribbs
Kick Returner Dante Hall
Coach Bill Belichick
Coach Tony Dungy
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I’m also a little surprised they picked Troy Polamalu over Lynch at Safety. I saw Lynch’s mug everywhere throughout the decade. He made tons of bone jarring tackles and Pro Bowls. Troy misses games. This might not bode well for Lynch’s chance at the HOF?
Dante Hall was not a great KR. Seems like a lazy pick
I knew they would pick Vinatieri based on his SB winning kicks. I reached for another possibility in Matt Stover. He’ had a ton of game winning FG’s including last week for the Saints. Maybe he’ll get a SB winning kick on Sunday?
So I missed on Strahan but it’s hard to see the Team of DE’s without one of the hottest players in Jared Allen over the last few years.
Punter selection look great since I totally left off my team.
Dante Hall is hardly a lazy pick–his KR numbers were solid (6 TD, 23.8 average, 10,000+ total yards). Those numbers are better than Hester’s as a KR. Not sure who else warrants a selection for the decade… Sproles only has 4 years of experience, and while he has a better average, only has 2 TD.
I was mainly looking at Hall’s somewhat low 23.8 avg. I guess I should of given him more credit for his TD’s and years put in. He’s a good choice.
Do you like my pick of Northcutt over Hester as a PR? I didn’t think 2 great, great years and 2 mediocre years should have more value Northcutt’s body of work for the whole decade. I guess the selection committee didn’t agree.
Northcutt wouldn’t have been a bad choice, but I think the voters give a LOT more credit for TDs, which is why Hester got the nod with just 4 years (and only 2 great ones). Just look at the defensive MVP this year–Charles Woodson got it over Darelle Revis, despite everyone I know outside of Green Bay thinking Revis was the better player.