UPDATED - I thought we should we put together a white All Star team for 2011, in order to consolidate our thoughts on the best performers this past season. I'll get it started, but hope some of you who follow the sport closely will help me out. Some of the below is based purely on stats, but there may be more to the story, so I'm interested in your thoughts. 1st Team All Stars Offense QB - Aaron Rodgers RB - Toby Gerhart RB - Danny Woodhead T - T - G - G - C - WR - Wes Welker WR - Jordy Nelson TE - Rob Gronkowski Defense DE - Jared Allen DE - Jason Babin DT - Justin Smith OLB - Rob Ninkovich ILB - Pat Angerer ILB - James Laurinaitis OLB - Chad Greenway S - Eric Weddle S - Matt Giordano CB - Julian Edelman CB - 2nd Team All Stars Offense QB - Drew Brees RB - Peyton Hillis T - T - G - G - C - WR - Eric Decker WR - Brian Hartline TE - Jason Witten TE - Aaron Hernandez Defense DE - JJ Watt DE - Brian Robison DT - Kelly Greg OLB - Scott Shanle ILB - Paul Posluszny ILB - Brian Cushing OLB - Ryan Kerrigan S - Craig Dahl S - Steve Gregory CB - CB -
His sack numbers were down but he still had a great year, his coach asked him to play in coverage more and said he graded out high every week. Teams made it a priority to shut him down and nobody else really stepped up to take the double teams away, he still had 6 sacks, more hurries and hits (which still has an impact on the game), 9 pass deflections and 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and 5 tackles for a loss. I know at one point he was leading the league in hurries and hits, not sure how it ended up to finish the season. Last year he was graded out as being a liability in coverage and in run support, this year he has graded out as doing great. Its always tricky doing these lists though, since we have 4-3 defenses and 3-4 defenses. Most of our impact players at OLB are in the 3-4 and we have some good 3-4 ends like Justin Smith. btw, not based on stats but ability, I would take Riley Cooper over Hartline any day. He showed to be a better player in the few games he got to start.
My list is just a starting point - open to discussion. But a way for us to commend the best white players this year. I have 4 LB positions listed, but also 2 DT positions. So fill them in as you see fit. Regarding Hartline vs. Cooper. I agree Cooper is better, but Hartline had a better season. That's what this list is about.
QB: Aaron Rodgers FB: Peyton Hillis (Caste speak here, but think of him more as an old-school FB who runs) RB: Toby Gerhart (Woodhead would beat him out if we were going by ability) WR1: Jordy Nelson SWR: Wes Welker TE: Rob Gronkowski LT: Joe Thomas LG: Logan Mankins C: Nick Mangold (Not his best year, but still the best) RG: Josh Sitton RT: Jake Long (True LT) Defense My thought here is a 3-4, with a tweak. Starting would be the best 3-4 DE, the best 4-3 DE, the best 3-4 OLB, and the best 4-3 OLB. The best DT and best 2 MLB (or ILB) regardless of defense. Here goes: DE: Justin Smith DT: Karl Klug (Least sure about this one) DE: Jared Allen OLB:Clay Matthews ILB: Brian Cushing ILB: Sean Lee (Edges out Urlacher, I've seen Lee make to many amazing plays) OLB: Chad Greenway (Again, he is my best 4-3 OLB) SS: Matt Giordiano FS: Eric Weddle CB: Julian Edelman CB: Steve Gregory Well that was fun.
