01/23/2008
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We get it – Tom Brady was great this year. So were Randy Moss, LaDainian Tomlinson and Bob Sanders. But what about the players whose great seasons didn’t translate into postseason berths for their teams? Don’t they deserve recognition too? You bet they do, and they’ll get it with our second- annual NFL All-Spectator Team. The selection process is simple: any player on a playoff team is immediately disqualified from our All-Spectator roster. That’s right, no Patriots, Colts, Packers or Cowboys found their way onto this team. We've heard enough about them anyway.
Below is a roster of players who had terrific years but were often overlooked by fans and the media in favor of players on playoff qualifiers. You won’t find guys like Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris or Lions linebacker Ernie Simms on most All-Pro teams, but you’ll find them below. So enjoy and remember: It’s not always about Tom Brady, Randy Moss and LT!
Honorable Mention: Skill positions
QB: Derek Anderson (Cle)
(3,787 yards, 29 TDs, 19 INTs, 82.5 QB rating)
Anderson’s play was a big part of the Browns’ transformation from cellar dwellers to playoff contenders. After his so-so three-INT performance in week five against New England, some thought he just might be a flash in the pan. Then, over the next two weeks, he rattled off 493 yards and six TDs against the Dolphins and Rams. His four-INT game against the Bengals in week 16 (which took the Browns’ playoff fate out of their own hands) tainted an otherwise terrific season.
RB: Adrian Peterson (Min)
(238 carries, 1,341 yards, 12 TDs)
Peterson had a terrific rookie season and proved to be a steal for the Vikings, who took him with the #7 overall pick. There are still some injury concerns, but with his tremendous 5.6 yards per carry and his huge outings against Chicago (224 yards and three TDs) and San Diego (an NFL single-game record 296 yards and three TDs), it’s clear that he’s already one of the best backs in the league.
WR: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, (Cin)
(112 rec., 1,143 yards, 12 TDs)
In 2007, “Whosyourmomma” went from being a punch line in a commercial to a bona fide star. Housh was amazingly consistent, catching at least five passes or at least one TD in every game this season. His 112 catches tied Wes Welker for tops in the league, while his 12 scores were the fourth most. If he keeps this up, Housh just might surpass Chad Johnson as the Cincinnati wideout with best chance to reach the Hall of Fame.
WR: Brandon Marshall, (Den)
(102 rec., 1,325 yards, 7 TDs)
Who needs Javon Walker? With his counterpart missing most of the season with a knee injury, Brandon Marshall decided to break out in his second year rather than waiting for his third. He was especially consistent in the second half of the season, catching at least six passes or a TD in the last nine games, racking up 66 catches for 812 yards and five TDs in that span. It looks like Marshall is going to be WR1 in Denver for a while.
TE: Kellen Winslow Jr., (Cle)
(82 rec., 1,106 yards, 5 TDs)
Along with breakout star Braylon Edwards and surprise studs Derek Anderson and Jamal Lewis, Winslow was a key cog in the NFL’s eighth-best offense. Despite his soft hands, KW2 converted just 55% of his targets into catches, but he’s fast and athletic and got a ton of looks in 2007.
Jordan Gross (Car)
In an effort to boost the running game, the Panthers implemented a zone-blocking scheme this year. The new scheme wasn’t a huge success – Carolina ranked 14th in the league in rushing yards per game – but that’s not a reflection of the season Gross put together. His total of three sacks allowed is remarkable considering the slow-footed Vinny Testaverde, sack master David Carr and rookie Matt Moore split time under center. Gross set himself up for a nice payday as he hits the free agent market this offseason. |
Joe Thomas (Cle)
Give NFL draft pundits credit: many of them noted in April that Thomas would be a good pro and he certainly didn’t disappoint. He started all 16 games at left tackle for the Browns and even made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. His stellar play directly contributed to Derek Anderson’s breakout year and Jamal Lewis’ revival in his first season with the Browns. With Thomas and Eric Steinbach anchoring the left side of Cleveland’s line, the Browns offense should keep rolling in 2008. |
Steve Hutchinson (Min)
When the Vikings stole Hutchinson from the Seahawks two years ago, they knew he was well worth the hefty $49 million price tag. He helped open holes for Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson and rarely, if ever, got pushed back while in pass protection. Hutchinson can be a road grader in run blocking but is effective when pulling as well. His versatility is one of the main reasons he is regarded as one of the best guards in football. |
Matt Birk (Min)
Much like teammate Steve Hutchinson, Birk was part of an offensive line that gets major credit for rookie Adrian Peterson’s 1,304 rushing yards. After 10 years of service, Birk continues to be one of the smartest and most underrated centers in all of football. He also gets bonus points for helping Tarvaris Jackson mature a bit in his second season. |
Jahri Evans (NO)
One of the few bright spots for New Orleans this year was Evans, who started every game for an underrated Saints’ offensive line. He’s easily one of the best young guards in the game and was part of a unit that surrendered the fewest sacks in football. With the problems Reggie Bush often has finding and hitting his holes, it’s tough to grade any Saints’ lineman, but Evans should again be one of the league’s better run-blockers next year. |
Honorable Mention: Offensive line
OT: Jon Runyan (Phi)
Runyan continues to be an iron man for the Eagles. He now has 180 consecutive starts, which is remarkable considering the brutality of his position. While age might be catching up to him, he’s still one of the more widely heralded tackles in all of football.
OG: Robert Gallery (Oak)
After two years of being a gigantic bust as a tackle, Gallery moved to guard this season and had a very solid year for a Raiders team that had the NFL’s sixth-best rushing attack. He still might be considered a bust, considering he was a top-five pick and was slated to be a tackle, but give him credit for making the transition and having a good season.
C: Olin Kreutz (Chi)
Kreutz again anchored the Bears’ offensive line, a unit that seemed to fall apart at times this season. Kreutz continues to stand the test of time, however, and hasn’t missed a start since 2001. His tenacity and relentlessness make him one of the best.
Ernie Simms (Det)
134 tackles, 1 sack, 3 FF, 1 INT When Simms was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2006 draft, many scoffed at the Lions for taking him too early. Yet, in just his second season, Simms led all outside linebackers with 134 tackles, proving that as long as a team gets a productive player, it shouldn’t matter where they draft him. Simms’ vision is outstanding for such a young player and he can play sideline to sideline, which is a necessity in the Lions’ Cover 2 defense. He was also outstanding in pass coverage and always plays with a ton of energy and tenacity. |
Patrick Willis (SF)
174 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 FF Any player recoding 174 tackles in one season is impressive; the fact that Willis reached that number as a rookie is astounding. San Fran linebackers coach Mike Singletary did a remarkable job shaping Willis into the Defensive Rookie of the Year, helping the former Mississippi star lead the league in tackles while quickly becoming one of the more feared linebackers in football. His quickness and instincts are outstanding, and his playmaking ability was on display in every game. There’s nothing Willis can’t do and as long as he stays healthy, the sky’s the limit. |
Michael Boley (Atl)
110 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 FF, 2 INT One of these years Boley is going to get more league-wide recognition. He was clearly the Falcons’ best linebacker this season, if not their best defender period. His versatility reminds many of a young Derrick Brooks, and it’s only a matter of time before Boley makes his first Pro Bowl. Whenever the Falcons needed a momentum-shifting play on defense, Boley seemed to come up big. Now a restricted free agent heading into the offseason, he’s sure to cash in with a multi-year deal. |
Honorable Mention: Front seven
DE: Elvis Dumervil (Den)
(39 tackles, 12 sacks, 4 FF, 1 INT)
Not many thought Dumervil would be as good as he is in only his second season. In college, he was more known as the guy that Marcus Vick stomped on, rather than his on-field performance. However, this year proved that he’s not only a viable pass-rusher, but that he can be an every-down end too.
DE: Adewale Ogunleye (Chi)
(58 tackles, 9 sacks, 6 FF)
Ogunleye was once again a pass-rushing beast this season, but he also deserves credit for the work he did against the run. He often used his speed to chase down backside ball carriers and finished with six forced fumbles, which led all defensive ends.
DT: Shaun Rogers (Det)
(35 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 FF)
Rogers was once again the rock of an extremely underrated Lions’ defensive line, notching seven sacks and forcing three fumbles, which is hard to do as an interior defensive lineman. We’d love to see what Rogers could do if he got into better shape.
DT: Darnell Dockett (Ari)
(58 tackles, 9 sacks, 2 FF)
This might be a cheat to list Dockett as a defensive tackle, because in fairness, he did rotate from end to tackle in Arizona’s 3-4 defense. Still, 58 tackles and nine sacks is a tremendous season for any defensive lineman. The five-year, $22 million extension the Cardinals inked him to in 2006 was well worth it.
OLB: Lance Briggs (Chi)
(103 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs)
It was unclear whether or not Briggs would ever wear a Bears’ uniform again after he demanded a trade following the 2006 season. Briggs and the team eventually patched up their differences, however, and while his numbers weren’t as eye-popping as they were last year, he still turned in a very productive season. Now the question is, will he return to Chicago when he once again becomes a free agent this offseason?
OLB: David Harris (NYJ)
(126 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 FF)
As with the case of Darnell Dockett, we’re cheating a bit by listing Harris as a true outside linebacker considering he’s actually an inside ‘backer in the Jets’ 3-4 defense, but he was excellent as a rookie. One of the few bright spots on the struggling Jets, Harris was highly effective against the run and even flashed pass-rushing ability with five sacks.
MLB: D.J. Williams (Den)
(141 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT)
If it weren’t for Patrick Willis’ unbelievable season, Williams would never have made it into the honorable mention category. His 141 tackles were the second best total in football behind Willis’ 174, and he was the backbone of Denver’s defense. Houston’s DeMeco Ryans was a viable option here too.
Honorable Mention: Secondary
CB: Leigh Bodden (Cle)
(88 tackles, 6 INTs)
Bodden had a breakout year for the Browns, posting career-best numbers in both tackles and interceptions while playing in all 16 games for the first time in his five-year career. With Bodden, safety Sean Jones and breakout rookie Brandon McDonald, the Browns’ secondary has a bright future.
CB: Charles Tillman (Chi)
(76 tackles, 4 FF, 3 INTs)
“Peanut” Tillman doesn’t get a ton of national attention, but he’s one of the steadiest DB’s in the game. He’s perfect in the Bears’ Cover 2 defense because he’s physical and never seems to be lost in coverage. He’s also not afraid to play the run, and his four forced fumbles led all cornerbacks.
FS: Oshiomogho Atogwe (StL)
(75 tackles, 8 INTs)
Atogwe was one of the busiest defensive backs in the NFL this year. He led all safeties in interceptions with eight, which was also a career best, but it must be noted that he was a liability in deep coverage at times. Ironically, he also finished with the same number of total (75) and solo (66) tackles as he did in 2006.
SS: Chris Harris (Car)
(97 tackles, 8 FF, 1 INTs)
When Mike Minter decided to retire in the offseason, the Panthers lost a true playmaker at the safety position. Harris really stepped up, however, and led all defensive backs in tackles with 97 and also led the league in forced fumbles with eight.
Shayne Graham (Cin)
37/37 ExPT, 31/34 FG Graham was outstanding for an inconsistent Bengals’ offense, converting on 13-of-13 field goals from 30 to 39 yards this year. He also was six-of-seven from between 40 and 49 yards, as well as 11-of-12 between 20 and 29 yards. As an added bonus, Graham didn’t once scream at Marvin Lewis or Carson Palmer on the sidelines, one thing that cannot be said for receivers Chad Johnson or T.J. Houshmandzadeh. |
Andy Lee (SF)
47.3 yards/punt, 7.6 per return, 41.0 net average Thanks to the 49ers’ stagnant offense, Lee was by far the busiest punter in the league this season. He recorded 105 punts, 10 more than Kansas City punter Dustin Colquitt. Lee also finished second to only Oakland’s Shane Lechler (49.1) with an average of 47.3 yards per punt, and he placed 40% of his punts inside the opponent’s 20. |
Joshua Cribbs (Cle)
30.7 return average, 2 TD If it weren’t for some guy named Devin Hester hogging all the attention, Cribbs would have gotten even more national recognition than he received (which was a pretty fair amount). Cribbs was an absolute beast on kickoff returns this season, sporting a league-best 30.7 average and returning two for touchdowns. In addition to those numbers, his returns often set up scoring chances for the Browns’ offense, a team that averaged just over 25 points a game |
Devin Hester (Chi)
15.5 return average, 4 TDs Anybody who figured that Hester would hit a sophomore slump was woefully mistaken. He led the league in punt returns for touchdowns with four, and he finished second behind only Roscoe Parish of the Bills with an average of 15.5 per return. Teams that kicked away from him were stuck with poor field position, and teams that bravely kicked to him were often burned badly. |
Honorable Mention: Special teams
K: Rian Lindell (Buf)
(24/24 ExPts, 24/27 FGs)
It’s no surprise that three of the Bills’ special teams members are getting recognition, even if it is the honorable mention section. Every year Buffalo produces excellent special teams units, which is a great testament to special teams coach Bobby April. Lindell was outstanding this year and often provided the Bills with their only offensive production.
P: Brian Moorman (Buf)
We considered the Vikings’ Chris Kluwe here because he had a better overall punting average than Moorman (44.7 to 40.8), as well as a better average inside the 20-yard line (42% to 37%). However, Kluwe also punts in the comfortably controlled climate of the Metrodome, while Moorman kicks in Buffalo’s frozen and windy Ralph Wilson Stadium. Moorman deserves an honor just for showing up every Sunday.
KR: Leon Washington (NYJ)
(27.5 Avg., 3 TDs)
Washington might have to make due with Thomas Jones’ leftovers in the Jets backfield, but kickoff duties are all his. Washington was once again a tremendous bright spot for the Jets this season, averaging better than 27 yards per return and taking three kicks to the house.
PR: Roscoe Parish (Buf)
(16.3 Avg., 1 TD)
If Devin Hester wasn’t so damn good, Parish would have easily made our first team as a punt returner. His return average of 16.3 actually bested Hester’s 15.5 mark, but come on – it’s Devin Hester! Plus, Parish had 15 fewer returns than Hester did, but he deserves a ton of credit for only fair-catching two punts in the swirling winds at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
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Check out last year's All-Spectator squad