The complete 2000s NFL All-Decade Team was revealed during a special Pro Bowl edition of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown just before the All-Star game was played. Twelve players on the All-Decade team also played in the 2009/2010 Pro Bowl. The team is chosen every 10 years by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee members. This year will mark the ninth All-Decade team to be selected in NFL history.
This decade’s 53-player team will be comprised of two quarterbacks, four running backs, one fullback, four wide receivers, two tight ends, four offensive tackles, four guards, two centers, four defensive tackles, four defensive ends, six linebackers, four cornerbacks, four safeties, two kickers, two punters, two kick returners and two punt returners. Two head coaches have also been chosen.
Active players playing in this year’s Pro Bowl are listed below in italics:
NFL ALL-DECADE TEAM – 2000s
Coaches: Bill Belichick, Tony Dungy
OFFENSE:
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning
Running Backs:Shaun Alexander, Jamal Lewis, Edgerrin James, LaDainian Tomlinson
Fullback: Lorenzo Neal
Wide Receivers: Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss, Torry Holt, Terrell Owens
Tight Ends: Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates
Offensive Tackles: Walter Jones, Jonathan Ogden, Orlando Pace, William Roaf
Guards: Larry Allen, Alan Faneca, Steve Hutchinson, Will Shields
Centers: Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae
DEFENSE:
Defensive Ends: Dwight Freeney, Michael Strahan, Julius Peppers, Jason Taylor
Defensive Tackles: La’Roi Glover, Warren Sapp, Richard Seymour, Kevin Williams
Linebackers: Derrick Brooks, Ray Lewis, Joey Porter, Zach Thomas, Brian Urlacher, DeMarcus Ware
Cornerbacks: Ronde Barber, Champ Bailey, Ty Law, Charles Woodson
Safety: Brian Dawkins, Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, Darren Sharper
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Kickers: David Akers, Adam Vinatieri
Punters: Shane Lechler, Brian Moorman
Kick Returners: Joshua Cribbs, Dante Hall
Punt Returners: Dante Hall, Devin Hester
In my own humble opinion, I would have had to include Priest Holmes on this list, probably over Edgerrin James. James earned his stats because defenses were scared to death of Peyton Manning and the Colts passing offense (notice both Manning and Harrison on this list), where Holmes WAS the Kansas City offense for a few years, however short. What happened to Edgerrin once he left Indy?
I really don’t have any other objections other than that… maybe that the Bill Belichick on this list is the one BEFORE getting caught videotaping other teams…
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