2011 NFL All-DeSimone Team: Offense and Special Teams Edition

by Dylan DeSimone on Nov 30, 2011 9:00 AM PST in Random Open Threads

At about this time of year, we begin to get an idea of who will be starting in the Pro Bowl and what the "All-Madden" team of 2011 would look like. Since the final Pro Bowl results usually disappoint me in some areas, I thought I'd do a quick post about the team I would construct of the NFL's best right now.

Now, an article like this is usually opinion-based but the players selected have clearly proven themselves. But with so many players having good seasons, it simply depends on who you like in a lot of areas. For instance, we've seen a lot of good things from a lot of different wide receiver's this year; same goes for rush linebackers.

I'm going to leave offensive linemen out of this one because I don't feel I can offer a fair assessment as I have not seen all the offensive lines an equal amount. And I will select defensive ends and tackles not based on whether they play a 3-4 or 4-3, but based on performance and favoritism. Try not to mind it being unconventional, it's just meant to inspire conversation and thought.

QB:

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

RB:

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

TE:

Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints

Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

WR:

Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers

Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

Wes Welker, New England Patriots

A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

David Akers, San Francisco 49ers

Andy Lee, San Francisco 49ers

KR:

Devin Hester, Chicago Bears

PR:

Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals

I know players like LeSean McCoy or Matt Forte aren't listed but I can make a strong case for the three backs listed. Gore might be the toughest of the three to argue as a top-three running back in the NFL but 49ers fans know how much he does. Already this year Gore has put together some clutch performances; against the Eagles when the Niners needed a play or even the two long rips he had against the Lions -- both games on the road.

Vernon Davis didn't make the list, and not because he's not an elite tight end but because the numbers aren't there this year. The seasons by Gronkowski and Graham are too hard to ignore and it looks like these two might be around for a while. Davis' season has been overshadowed because he is asked to block a lot more when Gronkowski and Graham are used more as receiving options.

The wide receiver group was a tougher one to narrow down and I made some personal choices, sacrificing numbers for value or gamebreak ability. Individually, I like what each of these guys brings to the table. They all offer something special for their respective teams and have proven to be extremely valuable this season. Even with that said, I bet each one of us has a different combination of wide receivers we would rather have based on preference.

Come back tomorrow for the Defensive Edition of the 2011 All-DeSimone team.

Follow me on Twitter: @DeSimone80

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Comments

I argue that Frank Gore and Matt Forte

deserve the spot far above Frank Gore

by sd377 on Nov 30, 2011 9:04 AM PST reply actions

Forte gets his td's stolen by Barber

Such bs

by Florida Johnny on Nov 30, 2011 9:44 AM PST up reply actions

LeSean McCoy

Why no edit button?

by sd377 on Nov 30, 2011 9:05 AM PST reply actions

I give up

by sd377 on Nov 30, 2011 9:05 AM PST up reply actions

Veron gotta be a least a bit pissed......

that every season he has to stay in and block a majority of the snaps.

Maybe some season the 9ers will have O-Linemen who can handle their own blocking business majority of the snaps instead of constantly needing Vernon’s help.

Vernon is a unique T.E. threat that cannot be used a majority of the games simply because our O-Linemen need blocking help….and that has to be very frustrating even though we are winning, still frustrating that a weapon like Vernon cant be fully utilized in the passing game.

Something else, if we can’t use Vernon freely for passing game, Delanie Walker should be putting up much better numbers than he has to date…..why does Delanie dis-appear in games as much as he does when we know Vernon is blocking?

by BigMar on Nov 30, 2011 9:17 AM PST reply actions

I traded Jason Witten for Vernon Davis after Morgan went down.

Hasn’t really hurt me, but hasn’t worked out either.

by Florida Johnny on Nov 30, 2011 9:43 AM PST up reply actions

This is why I struggle with fantasy football

I get that it’s a business. I understand free agency. But there’s just something uncool about having Dallas Cowboys on your fantasy team.

I can’t yell the loyalty argument at you, because a) the 49ers did not give birth to you, b) You’re not in front of me, and c) I (mostly) have better manners than that, BUT: If you remember the 90’s, you should think long and hard about drafting Cowboys for your fantasy team, even when they are among the best at their positions.

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Nov 30, 2011 9:46 AM PST up reply actions

LOL

Autodraft. Not my choice unfortunately. And btw autodraft sucks. I hate preranking players. I like just winging it. I got Sanchez and Shaub as my qb’s. Thank goodness for Cam Newton going straight to the waiver wire.

by Florida Johnny on Nov 30, 2011 9:50 AM PST up reply actions

Agree

When you have a receiver that is that good, and creates that much of a mismatch, then it’s important, over consecutive seasons, to acquire good enough OT’s that you can make use of him.

Fair point about Delanie; I like him a lot, and his blocking has gotten loads better lately, but I’d be curious (but am too lazy to find) numbers on how often he is targeted, vs how often he catches it, when they throw is at least reasonably accurate.

If he’s dropping a lot, then he blocks, and we throw it to VD. If DW makes good use of his opportunities, we should target him more.

Also, and it pains me to say this: I think Andy Lee ABSOLUTELY deserves that spot- that said, the other guy in the NFL who qualifies for that distinction, and the hallowed title of Thunderleg that will echo through the ages, plays for…sigh…The Raiders.

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Nov 30, 2011 9:44 AM PST up reply actions

maybe he should catch the ball when it's thrown to him.....

by t p on Nov 30, 2011 11:18 AM PST up reply actions

or run better routes

by t p on Nov 30, 2011 11:19 AM PST up reply actions

Valid

But get it to him a little more frequently, so that he doesn’t get rusty. He has too much big play ability to not keep targeting him.

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Nov 30, 2011 4:50 PM PST up reply actions

AJ Green

what a talent! I would fully agree that he’s a pro bowl player in his first season, and only looks to be getting better as the season goes on.

by t p on Nov 30, 2011 11:25 AM PST reply actions

Randy Moss Jr.

Check out my site!! Sign up for a free account @
The Hometown Fan

by Drew Kerr on Nov 30, 2011 3:51 PM PST up reply actions

Defense

DE- Justin Smith (duh), Jared Allen, Jason PP
DT- Haloti Gnata, Phil Taylor
OLB- Demarcus Ware, Von Miller, Terrell Suggs, Kamerion Wimbley
MLB- Willis, Bowman, Sean Lee (Bowman leads league in solo tackles)
CB- Charles Woodson, Carlos Rogers, Brandon Flowers, Kyle Arrington
S- Eric Weddle, Roman Harper, George Wilson, Charlie Peprah

Call me cautiously optimistic....because I know what the Niners do to people who have real optimism (see the last 8 years).

by crumpedup15 on Nov 30, 2011 12:00 PM PST reply actions