All Pro thoughts
The All Pro team was announced Wednesday. As always, it's a more prestigious and telling accomplishment than a Pro Bowl nod. It's less of a popularity contest and more selective since it chooses from both conferences.
I can't break down line play like a scout, so I like reading other opinions. Hashmarks and FootballOutsiders, and Dr. Z all chime in with their picks.
* A couple things stick out to me. I'm shocked Antonio Cromartie made the first team, while Nnamdi Asomugha, Charles Woodson, Marcus Trufant, and Terrence Newman didn't make the team. I'd put all three over Cromartie (interceptions are great, but he spent half the year on the bench and gives up a lot more passes) and Al Harris, who didn't have one of his best seasons. At least with Harris, it's overdue recognition for a fantastic career.
* Matt Light was a stretch as a starter. I'd definitely take second-teamers Jason Peters and Flozell Adams over him. You could switch the second team guards (Mankins, Davis) with the first team (Hutchinson, Faneca) and probably improve the team.
* Fred Taylor somehow made the All Pro team without making the Pro Bowl (at first), and I can't really argue. That fourth running back was a toss up, although Joseph Addai should have been close. Mario Williams and Nick Barnett are two other players who didn't make the Pro Bowl but got a second-team nod.
* Seeing Kerney deservedly on the first team is a great reminder what a fantastic signing he was, only a year after Seattle snapped up Julian Peterson.
* Taking Brett Favre over Peyton Manning is a sentimental pick.
* Bill Parcells' selection of DeMarcus Ware over Shawne Merriman doesn't look so crazy now. Not saying I'd rather have Ware, but he had a better 2007.
* Mike Vrabel got some nice recognition making the first team.
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Comments
Ware over Merriman has looked like the right decision for a while now. Merriman had monster sack numbers last year, but Ware had far superior stats in almost every other relevant category (e.g. hurries, knock downs, etc.). And the margin that Ware beats Merriman in those other categories dwarfs the sack differential from last year. This year, it was just complete dominance by Ware in every category.
Plus, Merriman is one-dimensional. He's a badass pass rusher, but a mediocre (at best) cover guy. And he was outplayed by his own teammate Shaun Phillips this year. Starting last season, Ware has shown that he can cover with the best 3-4 OLB's in the NFL.
Finally, Ware hasn't sullied the Cowboys with steroid use and retarded sack dances like Merriman has with the Chargers.
As a Dolphins fan, the Ware/Merriman debate is a fascinating one, and one reason I'm really, really excited to be getting Parcells and Ireland. Those guys know how to scout and how to ignore the fans/owner and just take the better player.
For you to say that you're still not sold that Ware is the better player indicates that you're not watching the games closely enough and only focus on the stats relevant to fantasy. You are a fantasy writer, so I don't blame you for that. But if you're trying to say that Merriman is still possibly a better IDP pick, you need to make that clear. In the real world, the contest is not that close.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 10, 2008 06:36 PM
Interesting post. I have always been a big fan of Ware, and not really for Merriman. There is no denying Merriman's impact though.
You ask 32 GMs who they'd rather have, I bet Merriman tops a few more lists. Thats my guess.
Posted by: Gregg | January 11, 2008 10:20 AM