Division by Division All-Star Teams

[ThaVirus]

http://davedameshek.nfl.com/2013/07/..._blog_dameshek

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A few other quick notes: We’ve eschewed the fullback position in favor of adding a third wide receiver to each offensive lineup. (Sorry, old schoolers: If you haven’t heard, it’s a passing league … and besides, it’s more fun this way.) You’ll also see we’ve put the defenses into either 4-3 or 3-4 formations based on what we feel best suits the available talent. Additionally, please note we’ve skipped the special teams. Yeah, yeah, all three phases of the game are important. Then again, there’s a grilled wiener and several beers waiting for me — you can do it if you’re sufficiently upset by the grievous oversight.

And now, behold the teams, assembled in ascending order of strength:

8. AFC EAST
Coach: Bill Belichick

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Tom Brady
Running back: C.J. Spiller
Wide receivers: Stevie Johnson, Mike Wallace, Santonio Holmes
Tight end: Rob Gronkowski
Offensive tackles: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Nate Solder
Guards: Logan Mankins, Richie Incognito
Center: Nick Mangold

DEFENSE (4-3)
Defensive ends: Mario Williams, Cameron Wake
Defensive tackles: Vince Wilfork, Kyle Williams
Outside linebackers: Jerod Mayo, David Harris
Inside linebacker: Dannell Ellerbe
Cornerback: Antonio Cromartie, Stephon Gilmore
Safeties: Devin McCourty, Jairus Byrd

Number of players by team …
Bills: 6
Dolphins: 4
Jets: 5
Patriots: 7

Analysis: Brady notwithstanding, the offense is pretty crummy. And the defense might be even worse.



7. AFC SOUTH
Coach: Gary Kubiak

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Andrew Luck
Running back: Arian Foster
Wide receivers: Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Kenny Britt
Tight end: Owen Daniels
Offensive tackles: Duane Brown, Eugene Monroe
Guards: Wade Smith, Andy Levitre
Center: Chris Myers

DEFENSE (4-3)
Defensive ends: Robert Mathis, Antonio Smith
Defensive tackles: J.J. Watt, Cory Redding
Outside linebackers: Brian Cushing, Pat Angerer
Inside linebacker: Paul Posluzny
Cornerback: Johnathan Joseph, Vontae Davis
Safeties: Ed Reed, Michael Griffin

Number of players by team …
Colts: 6
Jaguars: 2
Texans: 11
Titans: 3

Analysis: One man — even one as good as J.J. Watt — does not a defense make. Likewise, one team’s roster does not make for a great divisional squad, and the AFC South is too dependent on the Texans’ best players.



6. AFC WEST
Coach: Andy Reid

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Peyton Manning
Running back: Jamaal Charles
Wide receivers: Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Dwayne Bowe
Tight end: Antonio Gates
Offensive tackles: Ryan Clady, Brandon Albert
Guards: Louis Vasquez, Geoff Schwartz
Center: Nick Hardwick

DEFENSE (4-3)
Defensive ends: Dwight Freeney, Tamba Hali
Defensive tackles: Tyson Jackson, Corey Liuget
Outside linebackers: Von Miller, Justin Houston
Inside linebacker: Derrick Johnson
Cornerback: Brandon Flowers, Champ Bailey
Safeties: Eric Berry, Eric Weddle

Number of players by team …
Broncos: 6
Chargers: 6
Chiefs: 10
Raiders: 0

Analysis: Neither unit lacks for big-time playmakers, but the collective team likely gets pushed around by more physical divisions.



5. NFC EAST
Coach: Tom Coughlin

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Robert Griffin III
Running back: “Shady” McCoy
Wide receivers: Dez Bryant, Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz
Tight end: Jason Witten
Offensive tackles: Jason Peters, Trent Williams
Guards: Evan Mathis, Todd Herremans
Center: Phil Costa

DEFENSE (4-3)
Defensive ends: DeMarcus Ware, Jason Pierre-Paul
Defensive tackles: Jay Ratliff, Fletcher Cox
Outside linebackers: Ryan Kerrigan, Anthony Spencer
Inside linebacker: Sean Lee
Cornerback: Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne
Safeties: Antrel Rolle, Kenny Phillips

Number of players by team …
Cowboys: 9
Eagles: 5
Giants: 5
Redskins: 3

Analysis: A fascinating cupboard of offensive talent, yes … but the worst secondary of the eight divisions is the team’s undoing.



4. NFC SOUTH
Coach: Sean Payton

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Drew Brees
Running back: Doug Martin
Wide receivers: Julio Jones, Roddy White, Vincent Jackson
Tight end: Jimmy Graham
Offensive tackles: Donald Penn, Jordan Gross
Guards: Carl Nicks, Jhari Evans
Center: Ryan Kalil

DEFENSE (4-3)
Defensive ends: Charles Johnson, Osi Umenyiora
Defensive tackles: Gerald McCoy, Jonathan Babineaux
Outside linebackers: Sean Weatherspoon, Lavonte David
Inside linebacker: Luke Kuechly
Cornerback: Darrelle Revis, Asante Samuel
Safeties: Dashon Goldson, Thomas DeCoud

Number of players by team …
Buccaneers: 7
Falcons: 7
Panthers: 4
Saints: 4

Analysis: Even the galaxy of stars on offense won’t put up enough points to offset the relatively mediocre defense.



3. AFC NORTH
Coach: Mike Tomlin

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger
Running back: Ray Rice
Wide receivers: A.J. Green, Torrey Smith, Antonio Brown
Tight end: Heath Miller
Offensive tackles: Joe Thomas, Andrew Whitworth
Guards: Marshal Yanda, Kevin Zeitler
Center: Maurkice Pouncey

DEFENSE (3-4)
Defensive ends: Michael Johnson, Geno Atkins
Defensive tackles: Haloti Ngata
Outside linebackers: LaMarr Woodley, Terrell Suggs
Inside linebacker: Lawrence Timmons, Vontaze Burfict
Cornerback: Joe Haden, Ike Taylor
Safeties: Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark

Number of players by team …
Bengals: 6
Browns: 2
Ravens: 5
Steelers: 9

Analysis: Running against this defense figures to be a near-impossible challenge for any team, and Roethlisberger relishes the rare opportunity of playing behind a terrific o-line.



2. NFC NORTH
Coach: Mike McCarthy

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
Running back: Adrian Peterson
Wide receivers: Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Greg Jennings
Tight end: Kyle Rudolph
Offensive tackles: Jermon Bushrod, Matt Kalil
Guards: Brandon Fusco, T.J. Lang
Center: John Sullivan

DEFENSE (4-3)
Defensive ends: Jared Allen, Julius Peppers
Defensive tackles: Ndamukong Suh, Henry Melton
Outside linebackers: Clay Matthews, Chad Greenway
Inside linebacker: Stephen Tulloch
Cornerback: “Peanut” Tillman, Sam Shields
Safeties: Harrison Smith, Glover Quin

Number of players by team …
Bears: 5
Lions: 4
Packers: 4
Vikings: 9

Analysis: The NFL’s best players at three offensive skill positions (QB; RB; WR) and a fearsome pass rush (Allen and Peppers and Matthews? Eek!) are undermined ever so slightly by the shoddy o-line.



1. NFC WEST
Coach: Jim Harbaugh

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Colin Kaepernick
Running back: Marshawn Lynch
Wide receivers: Larry Fitzgerald, Percy Harvin, Michael Crabtree
Tight end: Vernon Davis
Offensive tackles: Joe Staley, Russell Okung
Guards: Mike Iupati, James Carpenter
Center: Max Unger

DEFENSE (3-4)
Defensive ends: Chris Long, Darnell Dockett
Defensive tackles: Justin Smith
Outside linebackers: Aldon Smith, Daryl Washington
Inside linebacker: NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis
Cornerback: Patrick Peterson, Richard Sherman
Safeties: Earl Thomas, Donte Whitner

Number of players by team …
49ers: 10
Cardinals: 4
Rams: 1
Seahawks: 7

Analysis: The NFC West wins thanks a shutdown defense and a rugged offensive line that’ll brutalize all comers. Congratulations, coach Harbaugh — you’re No. 1! Let’s shake on it. Kudos to the NFC in general. Based on our conclusions, all conferences are not created equal. The debate on which division is most dynamic even drew enthusiasm from my friends at the Around the League blog, who kibitzed on the topic in a juicy email chain.

[ThaVirus]

Demaryius Thomas is not elite.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Absolutely I would replace Berry with Moore. Moore can actually cover.

[Mav]

Moore? The guy who ultimately cost the broncos the playoff game? Cool.

I think a better argument, would be having Geoff Schwartz on this list. he has done nothing to prove that. Better to take the raider. Wisinewski. Hes far better than Vazquez or Schwartz.

And as for DeVito, people are really going to be surprised at this guy. He is studly against the run, constantly demands two blockers attention, and is an pure effort guy. Hes by far the best chiefs d linemen.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Demaryius Thomas is not elite.

Not yet but he's trending that way.

[Quesadilla Joe]

The Chiefs have one elite player, that's Charles. You guys do have a bunch of good players but nobody outside of Charles that you have to gameplan for. I also think it's a stretch to call Flowers elite. He's very good but he's small and can't cover guys like Decker and DT.

The Broncos have 5-7 elite players at their positions.

DT is elite... You can't cover him one on one, not with his size, speed and YAC ability. The Steelers tried covering him one on one in the playoffs and he went for 200 yards.

Welker is the best slot receiver in the game.

Clady is the best pass blocking LT in the NFL. You will never see Denver give Clady any help.

Champ is elite, and I disagree with PFF saying that Harris is better. Champ covers the other teams #1 receiver every game without help and AJ Green was the only WR to score a TD on him during the regular season IIRC.

Trindon Holliday is the best return man in the game right now.

Von is Von, no description necessary.

Manning also needs no description.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Moore? The guy who ultimately cost the broncos the playoff game? Cool.

I think a better argument, would be having Geoff Schwartz on this list. he has done nothing to prove that. Better to take the raider. Wisinewski. Hes far better than Vazquez or Schwartz.

And as for DeVito, people are really going to be surprised at this guy. He is studly against the run, constantly demands two blockers attention, and is an pure effort guy. Hes by far the best chiefs d linemen.

Keep reading the week-old thread:

Originally Posted by MagicHef

One play.

Meanwhile, over the course of the regular season, Berry gave up 5 TDs, while Moore gave up 1.

Berry had 12 missed tackles, while Moore had 8.

Berry was selected due to his name, not his play.

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Moore: 3rd in targets per coverage snap
Berry: 59th, also known as dead last in the league

Moore: 9th in yards per coverage snap
Berry: 55th

Moore: 14th in receptions per coverage snap
Berry: 57th

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

The Chiefs have one elite player, that's Charles. You guys do have a bunch of good players but nobody outside of Charles that you have to gameplan for. I also think it's a stretch to call Flowers elite. He's very good but he's small and can't cover guys like Decker and DT.

The Broncos have 5-7 elite players at their positions.

DT is elite... You can't cover him one on one, not with his size, speed and YAC ability. The Steelers tried covering him one on one in the playoffs and he went for 200 yards.

Welker is the best slot receiver in the game.

Clady is the best pass blocking LT in the NFL. You will never see Denver give Clady any help.

Champ is elite, and I disagree with PFF saying that Harris is better. Champ covers the other teams #1 receiver every game without help and AJ Green was the only WR to score a TD on him during the regular season IIRC.

Trindon Holliday is the best return man in the game right now.

Von is Von, no description necessary.

Manning also needs no description.

lots of homer fail here. Ill help you out though.

Wes Welker, is not the best slot man in the game right now. VICTOR CRUZ IS. Second, Champ Bailey is not elite anymore. Sorry. hes a level below that. And don't even get me started on Chris Harris.

The only elite broncos, and one of these is debateable, are Manning, Von, and Clady. And even I think Clady is the 3rd best left tackle in the afc, much less the nfl.

That would be Joe Thomas, and Duane Brown. They are both better right now today, than Clady.

And im sorry, but you are beyond outside of your mind if you think that DT, is better than Dwayne Bowe. No one outside of Bronco land would ever say that. Dwayne Bowe is a stud despite always playing with mediocre qbs.

and his 200 yard playoff game, came against the steelers, who didn't have Ryan Clark, or Polomalu....Spare me.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Keep reading the week-old thread:

Wow. Well, considering that Berry played 3 times as many snaps as Moore did, due to the ineptness of the Chiefs offense, these numbers don't surprise me. there have to be checks and balances. Like, the Broncos had an amazing pass rush. The chiefs ran a non attacking passive style defense. These things all factor in. All things being equal at this moment. lets compare this at the end of this season......

I prefer it that way.

[Quesadilla Joe]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

And im sorry, but you are beyond outside of your mind if you think that DT, is better than Dwayne Bowe. No one outside of Bronco land would ever say that. Dwayne Bowe is a stud despite always playing with mediocre qbs.

and his 200 yard playoff game, came against the steelers, who didn't have Ryan Clark, or Polomalu....Spare me.

Polomalu was playing. And DT is bigger, has better top end speed, is much quicker and has better hands than Dwayne Bowe.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Wow. Well, considering that Berry played 3 times as many snaps as Moore did, due to the ineptness of the Chiefs offense, these numbers don't surprise me. there have to be checks and balances. Like, the Broncos had an amazing pass rush. The chiefs ran a non attacking passive style defense. These things all factor in. All things being equal at this moment. lets compare this at the end of this season......

I prefer it that way.

Uh... Moore played more snaps than Berry did.

I'm sure you'd like to wait until after this season to compare. At that point, we may as well wait until after the next season to compare, what with this being their first season under Reid and all.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

Polomalu was playing. And DT is bigger, has better top end speed, is much quicker and has better hands than Dwayne Bowe.

I thought he was hurt. my bad, and don't get me wrong, I love DT. loved him coming out. But, I don't think he is as good as Bowe......

[Mav]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Uh... Moore played more snaps than Berry did.

I'm sure you'd like to wait until after this season to compare. At that point, we may as well wait until after the next season to compare, what with this being their first season under Reid and all.

Well, who wouldn't. Moore played on a team with a hellacious pass rush, and a defensive head coach who is known for being able to generate pass rush. Romeo Crennel was the head coach of the Chiefs, who is a known passive aggressive, bend but don't break chump. I watched it in Cleveland. its horrible.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

I thought he was hurt. my bad, and don't get me wrong, I love DT. loved him coming out. But, I don't think he is as good as Bowe......

Thomas has played in 39 games, including playoffs. He has 161 receptions, 2602 yards, and 18 TDs.

Through his first 39 games, Bowe had 183 receptions, 2392 yards, and 16 TDs.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

Polomalu was playing. And DT is bigger, has better top end speed, is much quicker and has better hands than Dwayne Bowe.

Thomas is not better than Bowe in this world or any other except for your land of make believe. Bowe would beast with Jughead flinging the ball.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Thomas has played in 39 games, including playoffs. He has 161 receptions, 2602 yards, and 18 TDs.

Through his first 39 games, Bowe had 183 receptions, 2392 yards, and 16 TDs.

Peyton Manning.... Pass first offense

Tyler Thigpen/Brodie Croyle/Damon Huard/Tyler Palko/Matt Cassel....RRPP