The NFL announced on Monday their All-Decade Team for the 2010 decade, which featured 8 unanimous selections among the 42 players and two coaches.
Tom Brady, who was also an All-Decade Team member for the 2000’s, was named as one of the two quarterbacks, and joined DT Aaron Donald, LB Von Miller, RB Adrian Peterson, OT Koe Thomas, K Justin Tucker, DE JJ Watt and OG Marhsal Yanda as unanimous selections by the 48-member Pro Football Hall of Fame committee.
Not surprisingly given their success in the last decade, the New England Patriots led the way with nine selections, including coach Bill Belichick–Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gostkowski, Logan Mankins and Chandler Jones made the list with more than 50 games played with the team, while Cordarrelle Patterson, Darelle Revis and Antonio Brown also made the list having played at least one game for the team.
Darren Sproles joined the list at two spots–punt returner and offensive flex player–just the fourth player in NFL history to do so, joining Mel Gray (punt and kick returner), Dante Hall (punt and kick returner) and Deion Sanders (cornerback and punt returner).
2010s ALL-DECADE TEAM ROSTER
* – denotes unanimous selection
OFFENSE
QB Tom Brady*
QB Aaron Rodgers
RB Frank Gore
RB Marshawn Lynch
RB LeSean McCoy
RB Adrian Peterson*
WR Antonio Brown
WR Larry Fitzgerald
WR Calvin Johnson
WR Julio Jones
FLEX Darren Sproles
TE Rob Gronkowski
TE Travis Kelce
OT Jason Peters
OT Tyron Smith
OT Joe Staley
OT Joe Thomas*
OG Jahri Evans
OG Logan Mankins
OG Zack Martin
OG Marshal Yanda*
C Alex Mack
C Maurkice Pouncey
DEFENSE
DE Calais Campbell
DE Cameron Jordan
DE Julius Peppers
DE JJ Watt*
DT Geno Atkins
DT Fletcher Cox
DT Aaron Donald*
DT Ndamukong Suh
LB Chandler Jones
LB Luke Kuechly
LB Khalil Mack
LB Von Miller*
LB Bobby Wagner
LB Patrick Willis
CB Patrick Peterson
CB Darrelle Revis
CB Richard Sherman
S Eric Berry
S Earl Thomas
S Eric Weddle
DB Chris Harris
DB Tyrann Mathieu
SPECIALISTS
P Johnny Hekker
P Shane Lechler
K Stephen Gostkowski
K Justin Tucker*
PR Tyreek Hill
PR Darren Sproles
KR Devin Hester
KR Cordarrelle Patterson
COACHES
Bill Belichick
Pete Carroll
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Thanks Tony, …
There is no way Kelce should have gotten in over Witten who blocks, and Gates, who had more numbers …
Lovante David should be in over Mack if not Jones, who is strictly a pass rusher …
Close on Rodgers over Wilson because Rodgers went to four NFC Champ games but went 1- 3 while Wilson went 2-0 but also has a lot more running yds/tds … MVP awards are the difference …
Would take AJ Green over Larry Fitzgerald …
I also believe Gerald McCoy was just as worthy as Fletcher Cox at DT … obviously, Cox winning a SB made the difference just like Kelce at TE over Witten and Gates …
If there was a nose tackle Damon Harrison might be it but the HOF voters may have considered Suh …
I like Fitzgerald a lot, like everybody but DeAndre Hopkins had a great decade as well, along with Julian Edelman and his SBs but despite playing three less seasons than Fitzgerald, Hopkins only trails Fitzgerald by a mere six TDs …
interesting that no 1st or 2nd teams are identified??
Yes another mistake by the HOF voters, Paul … and since they’re in no hurry for them to create a Mid Decade team for subsequent decades, I would rather look at Pro Football Journals picks … unfortunately, those picks dont help players get elected to the HOF …
Gerald McCoy, Lovante David, Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, AJ Green, DeAndre Hopkins, Julian Edelman ? … might have had better HOF cases with election to this team, though some of these guys will get in soon enough … I know, Edelman is a big stretch …
Wasn’t choice of the voters as they were asked to pick 1st and 2nd teams, Hall made choice to lump into one team and interesting that the Hall posted stories today from their website with 2010s announcement with previous all decade teams now all posted as one team with no 1st and 2nd teams. No idea why and suspect some voters will not be happy
I agree about need for 1st and 2nd team but the choices are pretty good and others not selected can still get in the Hall, especially at QB, WR and TE. But As voting has shown in past, all decade is really important for OL, DT, LB and DBs
Gerald McCoy, Lovante David, Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, AJ Green, DeAndre Hopkins, Julian Edelman ?
I think one would be very hard pressed to make a case that any of these were robbed by not being selected as those that were are pretty solid picks and consistent across many of the other 2010s all decade teams picked by other media entities
Lovante David is just OK at 1/1. I always pick him for my fantasy team. A little injury prone. Mack 5/3 was a DPOY.
Witten just loses out by a whisker. He’ll be in the HOF. I have no problem with Kelce as a 5/2 since 2013. Ertz’s numbers are nearly the same or better than Kelce but he don’t have the accolades at 3/1 or the flash. Gates hasn’t been at the level of Witten down the stretch.
The only one I question is Chandler Jones 3/2 who’s been a DE for 5 of his 8 years. Belichek let him go. Hasn’t played in many meaningful games in Arizona with Cards being a dog for several years. I guess they couldn’t ignore his 96 sacks.
Looks like good picks to me but maybe I think of someone they missed. I agree with the unanimous selections and like the way they are doing getting away from 1st and 2nd Team. Maybe they don’t put in
jimbo Covert if they don’t have 1st next to his name. Not everyone with 1st Team deserves HOF IMO. Some decades are weaker at certain positions.
I actually like Chandler Jones as a All-decade choice a lot. I also thought they got it right with Kelce over Witten and Gates. The two closest calls for me would have been A. Rodgers over Drew Brees and Russell Wilson by a hair. But I would have taken Kam Chancellor over Eric Weddle.
I realize Kelce has the numbers, and higher peak than Witten or Gates, but the times I have seen him block, he looked more like a Matador …
I understand the need for pash rushers and maybe Jones is more a DE but David was a tackling machine that had just as good a decade as Willis.
Thomas Davis also did well with Carolina …
I agree with TonyP and Bill and their assessments, also that there is a fair debate for Brees over Rodgers and Chancellor over Weddle. Leaves one to wonder if no designation of 1st and 2nd team will change the voter discussions and debates when it comes to considering 2010s team members for the Hall? Some online chatter that the voters were asked to pick 1st and 2nd team yet Hall just grouped them as one and voters not all happy with that move by the Hall. And do we think Joe Thomas (2023) could be first member of 2010s team elected to the Hall?
So here is what I mean, this is link from the Hall website to listings of all the all decade teams (no first or second team identified) BUT if you click for expanded summaries of the 2000s and earlier teams, there is a short bio for each player that includes tagging them as 1st or 2nd team. So at least it appears from the first link they are “hiding” previous all decade team 1st and 2nd teams, why I have no idea??
https://www.profootballhof.com/news/nfls-all-decade-teams/
Hello Brian- While I agree that Lavonte David had a ton of tackles, lets remember that tackles in and of itself can be misleading based on your team defense. In the early 80’s steve Nelson lead the league in tackles twice for the Patriots. One season it was because they were 1 and 15 and his team was on the field for defense 125 times more than the New Orleans Saints who were the next closest. A few years back there was a middle linebacker for the Lions who lead the league in tackles. it was also the year the Lions went 0-16
My point is that although LaVonte David was very good, he was not even in the same hemisphere with Patrick Willis as a player. You would not find one GM in football who would make that trade straight up….check that, maybe Bill O’Brien would.
Probably should be Joe Thomas. but it could end up being Gronk if Joe Thomas runs into a Steve Hutchinson situation.
You might be right Bill … being on a bad team doesnt help David out, but if they can make noise with Tom Brady, people will see what David can do in bigger games, like Hightower for NE.
Calvin Johnson will make the Hall first, out of this All Decade team …
Comment from a PFT writer, on his article about the list not being broken into 1st/2nd teams:
“In fact, it seems likely that several players on the 2010s all-decade team will never even make the list of 15 finalists.”
Thoughts? Leaving out the specialists, is he correct? Here’s the article: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/04/06/change-to-all-decade-team-eliminates-rubber-stamp-into-hall-of-fame/
You are right about Calvin Johnson. Forgot about him
I think Patrick Willis will be first in but who knows. I think Zack Thomas should be in before Willis. Maybe retiring early will delay Willis and Johnson? Julius Peppers will likely be a 1st ballot HOFer but he’s 4 years away. Maybe they all go in at the same time. lol Joe Thomas would follow Peppers into the Hall IMO.
Bill: Have to disagree, Joe Thomas is a far better player and slam dunk first ballot in 2023-no doubt in any ones mind on that.
Calvin Johnson could be first, but betting on 2022 and not first ballot in 2021.
“In fact, it seems likely that several players on the 2010s all-decade team will never even make the list of 15 finalists.” Seems like a strange take.
So having 1st team and 2nd of team creates that issue? If we ignore the ST players who already have a tall mountain to climb getting, and perhaps a few odd selections (flex? 2 DBs?), I don’t see how listing as one team hurts chances for most of the members. Yes historically first term have better odds than second team and over time that split will happen to the 2010s class, but I don’t think at the end of the day it fundamentally changes who gets in and those that don’t. I agree it’s an odd and questionable step by the Hall, but doubt it impacts opportunities for elections.
“Maybe retiring early will delay Willis and Johnson?”
It was already hurt Willis as was eligible in 2020 and didn’t make final 15. I think he will make slow progress towards election, but clearly the short career hurts, yet the all decade will help. If Boselli is still waiting (4x finalist), I don’t see an easier path for Willis. As to Johnson, I am already on record that short career, plus lack of first ballot WRs, will delay is election at least one year if not more.
Joe Thomas 10/6 should be on the 1st ballot but possible he could wait. I’m remembering Randall McDaniel 12/7 who waited two years. I would have to look at log jam if one. Do we think Peppers 9/3 is on 1st ballot?
I know you guys will not agree with this but Patrick Willis and his election to this All Decade Team points out the need for the HOF committees and voters to create Mid Decade Teams …
If there was 2005 – 2015 team, Willis would fit in perfectly but instead, Willis had four great years this decade before getting injured in 2014, his final season … four years does not an All Decade selection in my mind … his three All Pro selections got him on this team …
Does not make … sorry
RIP … Timmy Brown
One of the most exciting players of the 1960s and has a HOF case with his All-Purpose yardage totals
If my stats are correct, Timmy Brown retired in 1968 with the fourth highest All Purpose yardage totals ever … trailing only Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Ollie Matson, all in the HOF …
RIP Bobby Mitchell …
No player who built a Hall case largely on all purpose yards (KRs or PRs) has yet to be elected and if it didn’t happen in past, not so sure it helps case for recent and current leaders in all purpose yards. Perhaps it should and may one day, but no pure ST player (outside of 2 Kickers and 1 Punter) has been elected and it would take a real innovative nomination, likely via senior committee, to make it happen, I think we will see more Kickers or Punters first, and then perhaps a KR like White Shoes or Hester before any all purpose player gets elected.
Shane Lechler 7/6 is the greatest Punter in NFL history IMO and needs to be in the HOF. Maybe they need to add another selection just for ST Players in a year they decide one is worthy so it don’t take away from the real players. lol I’m just kidding about real player. I think anyone who had a truly great career at whatever he did should be able to be in the HOF , with the exception of the long snapper. Steve Tasker would qualify and Billy Bates may also. Seems like you’d almost need a little committee of ST experts to make those decisions. I know this would probably never happen but it’s an idea. The only thing than they might feel obligated to electing someone every year. I guess that’s ok.
Otherwise, I don’t ever think the Special Teams Players will get the attention they deserve. For a long time Jan Stenerud 6/1 was the only exclusive Kicker in the HOF. I know he was really good but other Kickers were good at the same time. I guess it was a no brainer for the HOF Committee because he was 1st Ballot. He certainly played a long time. Jim Bakken, Ray Wershing, Mark Mosley stand out me. Wershing made a lot of kicks for the 49ers and never made a PB despite having a better career FG % than Stenerud. Of course he didn’t have near the amount of attempts. Playing for some really bad teams helps with volume. Garo Yepremian didn’t get as many playing with the Dolphins .
Kickers are so much better today. All these old Kickers had jobs outside of football.
I don’t think we will ever see the Hall decide on a separate category for ST or any specific position or create a rule or process that focuses on one position and make the voters pick one. It will take an effort by voters to advance the ST nominees into the finalist round, or perhaps more likely next step – the seniors committee nominates 2x all decade, 75th and 100th anniversary team member Billy White Shoes Johnson, a very deserving and likely best chance for a ST player. If he can get elected it will advance discussions about others including Hester, Tasker and even punters and kickers.