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Of course the one day I leave my house news actually breaks; the NFL released their All-Decade team for the 2010s today.
Everything you're about to read until fullbacks was already written before today.
This blog was originally meant to be part of the #DOL2010sCloseout series from the end of 2019. However since I respect the NFL league year, I decided to wait until the 2019 playoffs concluded to finish it. I am not a fan of end of decade lists that don't understand how a decade works. Per example; the 2009 Saints are part of 2000's NFL lore even though their Super Bowl was played in the 2010s. League year ends in March. Get with the program. The Saints didn't win a Super Bowl in the 2010's. It was the 2009 league year!
Originally, my plan was to format my "best of the NFL super blog" like I did with baseball. Dead ass facts, B that will take me too long to write and you too long to read. As a man of the people I present you the The DOL All-Dozo 2010s NFL All-Dozo/Decade Team, What does that mean? Pretty simple this is my All-Decade Team for the 2010s. When I say 2010s that means 2010-2019 NFL seasons. Only what these MEN accomplished during the league decade counts. Meaning this list may surprise you! You didn't have to play the entire decade to make the list, but it obviously helps. Also if I saw some of myself in these players or oogled over how they'd fit in the Dozo-system they may get the nod. There will be a 1st and 2nd team award for all positions; except O-line (which is such a shame as a former lineman) and special teams. I'm going to take advice and try to make blogs shorter.
First-Team Quarterback: Tom Brady (New England Patriots, 2010-2019)
In what ended up being his final decade in New England, Tom Brady somehow topped his accomplishments from the 2000s in the 2010s. Brady's decade looked like this: Three Super Bowl rings; 5 AFC championships; 10 AFC East Titles; 2 MVPs; 316 TD passes.
While it's fucking disgusting Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr is actually going to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I'm trying to lie to myself that there's more important things than football given the whole big C situation. I think once the world starts to get to normal it'll really hit me that he's gone, but in the 2010s Tom Brady was the best QB in the NFL. If you say otherwise you're simply wrong and likely were a victim on the other side of one of his 16 playoff wins.
Second-Team Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers, 2010-2019)
If you like empty stats and highlights with little to actually show for them, Aaron Rodgers is your man. While that was somewhat tongue in cheek there is no denying the talent of A-a-ron. It feels like a decade ago (because it nearly was!) but Aaron Rodgers did win a Super Bowl in the 2010s. (2010). Rodgers threw 305 touchdowns in the 10s, and won league MVP in 2011 and 2014. 2015 was the year of the Hail-Mary for Rodgers; highlighted by his two Hail Marys to force OT (and never get the ball back) in the Divisional Round. I said they should've gone for two after the TD then and still do til this day.
The ring this decade and MVPs is what gives him the edge over Drew Brees for second team although TBH his performance in the 2011 Divisional Round alone makes me want to leave Rodgers off. Like Brees, Aaron Rodgers was stripped of a second Super Bowl appearance due to some questionable decision making.
First-Team Running Back: Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings, 2010-16; New Orleans Saints, 2017; Arizona Cardinals, 2017; Washington Redskins, 2018-2019)
AD is a throwback to running backs of the 70s. He's powerful, gives you almost nothing in the passing game and he makes his kids pick their own switch; I ain't talking bout Nintendo.
Say whatever you want about the man, but he ran for over 2000 yards coming off a torn ACL in 2012 and for over 1,000 yards in 2018 at 64 years old for the Redskins. Two First-Team All Pros (2012, 2015). 11,628 scrimmage yards. I'm done wasting my time here.
Second-Team Running Back: Marshawn Lynch. Buffalo Bills, 2010; Seattle Seahawks, 2010-2015; 2019; Oakland Raiders, 2017-2018
While Beast Mode did retire twice, few running backs are still standing from 2010. (As of now he's technically still active) Marshawn Lynch added to his legacy as one of the most beloved players of the decade when he came back week 17 in 2019 for the Seahawks after every single RB on the team was hurt. Marshawn only happened to score three touchdowns (on 1.8 yards/carry) in the playoffs in his 2nd comeback.
Before that he had four straight seasons of at least 1,200 rushing yards & 10 rushing touchdowns (2011-2014) and helped the Seahawks win it all in 2013. When you own the most famous run of the decade and the decision to not give you the ball is the most debated call of the decade you earn a spot on the DOL All-Decade Team.
First-Team Fullback: Kyle Juszcyzk (Baltimore Ravens, 2013-2016; San Francisco 49ers, 2017-2019)
Drafted out of Harvard in the 4th round of the 2013 Draft, Kyle Juszcyzk is our first of two Ivy League fullbacks #spoileralert. You'll have a hard time finding a more explosive FB in the passing game; Kyle made 180 receptions in the decade. Widely considered the best FB in the NFL. Somewhat a victim of poor timing and bad luck. Juz joined the Ravens the season after they won it all and despite scoring a touchdown in this year's SB; Kyle along with the rest of the 49ers saw a 10 point 4th quarter lead disappear quicker than Lamar Jackson can embarrass a d-tackle in space.
Second-Team Fullback: James Develin (New England Patriots, 2012-2019)
The former D-end for the Brown Bears helped lead block the Patriots 2nd dynasty; mainly from 2013-2018. During those years the Patriots won 3 Super Bowls and played in a 4th just for fun. His absence was greatly felt in 2015 and 2019 (both years the Patriots didn't win it all). Scored 4 touchdowns during the Patriots 2018 Super Bowl season.
First-Team Wide Receivers: Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons, 2011-2019) & Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers, 2010-2018; Oakland Raiders, 2019 (never appeared in a regular season game); New England Patriots, 2019 (one whole game)
Julio Jones: Since Julio debuted in 2011 he's amassed over 12,000 yards and nearly 800 grabs. If his coaches had half a brain, he'd have a ring and maybe the best catch in SB history. It would've ended the Pats comeback if the Falcons simply knelled on the ball lolol.
Antonio Brown: Fucking nutcase with at the very least a personality disorder; likely CTE. But from 2010-2018 Antonio Brown led the NFL in either receptions, yards or touchdowns five times. 100+ catches and over 1280 yards every year from 2013-2018.
Second-Team Wide Receivers: Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions 2010-2015) & Julian Edelman (New England Patriots 2010-2019)
Calvin Johnson: His 2012 alone deserves inclusion. Lots of empty stats on bad Lions teams over the course of his career, but that's not his fault. Probably the most dominant WR in the history of the NFL from a pure physical stand point. Barry Sanders 2.0 with his career arch.
Julian Edelman: Edelman's decade contains zero All-Pros or Pro Bowls, but three rings! Why do you play the game? Is it for stats or is it to win? Because Julian Edelman is the only WR of the decade to win Super Bowl MVP and worked his way to 2nd behind only Jerry Rice in both playoff yards and receptions by producing when it matters most. Jules is 8th in the NFL in receptions since 2013 when he became a full-time WR and he's missed nearly two full season (29 games) during that span. He's one of the most important pieces of the decade-long dynasty; he deserves the credit he's been overlooked for. 2nd-team all-Dozo/Decade!
First-Team Tight End: Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots, 2010-2018)
Greatest tight end in NFL history. His 2011 is the greatest single season by a tight end ever. 3 rings; 4x All-Pro. We get it.
Second-Team Tight End: Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints, 2010-2014; Seattle Seahawks 2015-2017; Green Bay Packers; 2018-2019)
Back in 2011 (the year of the Tight End) Jimmy Graham had 99 receptions for 1310 yards and 11 TD; prob the 2nd best TE season ever. Over the course of the decade Graham caught 74 touchdowns, but was never the same player after he left New Orleans.
First-Team Tackles: Joe Thomas (Cleveland Browns, 2010-2017) & Tyron Smith (Dallas Cowboys, 2011-2019)
Joe Thomas: Widely considered one of the greatest offensive linemen of all time. Joe Thomas came into the NFL as the third overall pick in the 2007 Draft and went on to play 10,363 straight snaps before an injury ended his career. TBH I feel bad for Joe, even though he's had a siccck life. The guy comes into the Browns in '07 and they go 10-6 but miss the playoffs. After that his teams averaged 4.22 wins a year from 2008-2016. 0 in his final year. He'll have to settle with 6 All-Pros and HOF bust.
Tyron Smith: Anchor of one the best offensive line units of the decade. DeMarco Murray and Zeke Elliot are very rich men because of him. 7 Pro Bowls and 4 All-Pros (2x first-team, 2x second-team) in the 2010s.
First-Team Guards: Marshal Yanda (Baltimore Ravens, 2010-2019) & Zack Martin (Dallas Cowboys, 2014-2019)
Yanda: I wrote about his retirement when it happened a few weeks ago (man what a different world). One of the most versatile linemen ever. Helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl in 2012. 8 All-Pros and 7 Pro Bowls in the 2010s.
Martin: Pro Bowler every year since he's entered the league. Another key piece of that elite Cowboys o-line. I know this was in college, but the dude won MVP of a bowl game as a fucking offensive lineman. That alone is worthy of inclusion.
First-Team Center: Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers, 2010-2019)
Other than Alex Mack is there anybody even close to the discussion for this spot? With 8 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pros Pouncey is hands down the most decorated center of the 2010s and one of the most respected lineman in the league.
First-Team EDGE: J.J. Watt (Houston Texans, 2011-2019) & Von Miller (Denver Broncos, 2011-2019)
Watt: 3x DPOY (2011, 12, 14); 96 sacks; face of the Houston Texans. It's such a shame he's battled so many injuries in the 2nd half of the decade. J.J. is still going to make the HOF, but for a time it felt like he had a legit chance to break Bruce Smith's sack record (74.5 through 2015).Sort of the defensive version of Gronk where injuries really took away from his greatness and counting stats. Unlike Gronk, J.J. is still playing, but at the wrong side of 30 with only one full season since 2015 I think it's safe to say J.J. won't be on the 2020 All-Decade team.
Miller: Super Bowl 50 MVP. I won't say he single-handled won the Broncos a Super Bowl, but in the 2015 playoffs Von Miller was the Broncos team MVP and responsible for more points than Peyton Manning (hyperbole, but possibly true). Through nine seasons the 2011 DPOY has 106 sacks and 25 forced fumbles; 8 Pro Bowls and 7 All-Pros. Plus he rocks the 5-8. Easy choice for Vonny on the All-Dozo team even if the Broncos winning the 2015-16 AFC Championship Games cost me $600 that I definitely didn't have at the time.
Second-Team EDGE: Khalil Mack (Oakland Raiders, 2014-2017; Chicago Bears; 2018-2019) & Chandler Jones (New England Patriots, 2012-2015; Arizona Cardinals, 2016-2019)
Mack: Look at the numbers this man has put up and it's pretty clear why he's here. 2016 DPOY; 5x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro. Completely changed the Bears in 2018. If they had a kicker he could've carried them to the Super Bowl...
Jones: Fake smoked his way out of Foxboro, but had two double digit sack seasons and helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XLIX (where he had a sack). In Arizona without the pressure/expectations Jones has produced at HOF clip. 60 sacks in four years in Arizona compared to 36 in four seasons with the Pats.
First-Team Interior Defensive Line: Aaron Donald (St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, 2014-2019) & Geno Atkins (Cincinnati Bengals, 2010-2019)
Donald: Everybody blows him and for good reason. He's one of the most impressive defensive players in the game today. 2X DPOY (2017 & '18), Defensive ROY in 2014, Pro Bowler every year of his career, All Pro every year since 2015. Obvious choice. Didn't do shit in Super Bowl LIII though.
Atkins: Over 75 sacks in 10 season at DT. 8x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro. The Bengals get a bad wrap, but in the first half of the decade when they were losing wild-card games every year; Atkins was a major reason why they got there in the first place. Future HOFer. V underrated and underappreciated because of the uniform he wears to work.
Second-Team Interior Defensive Line: Fletcher Cox (Philadelphia Eagles, 2012-2019) & Ndamukong Suh (Detroit Lions, 2010-2014; Miami Dolphins, 2015-2017; Los Angeles Rams, 2018; Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2019)
Cox: 5x Pro Bowlers, 4x All-Pro. Matchup nightmare. Major reason why the Eagles won Super Bowl LII.
Suh: Scumbag, but the numbers alone earn him a spot on this team. I can't wait until he hurts Brady in practice and ruins the Bucs season because he just can't help himself. Zebra doesn't change it's strpes!
First-Team Linebackers: Luke Kuechley (Carolina Panthers, 2012-2019) & Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks, 2012-2019)
Two of my favorite defensive players in the NFL, but even if I hated their guts they both belong on this list. It makes all the sense in the world for Luke to retire, but the league will miss him. Bobby Wagner is the face of the Seahawks defense now that the LOB is long gone.
Accolades: Luke: 7x All-Pro, 7x Pro Bowler, 2013 DPOY, 2012 DROY, 2x NFL tackle champ Bobby: 6x All-Pro, 6x Pro Bowler, Super Bowl XLVIII Champ, 2x NFL tackle champ
Second-Team Linebackers: Patrick Willis (San Fransisco 49ers, 2010-2014) & Dont'a Hightower (New England Patriots, 2012-2019)
Willis: While he only played 8 seasons and 3 were in the 2000s, Patrick Willis is worthy of a spot on this list. One of the first early-retirees in the new-era of calling it quits before 30. During the 49ers run from 2011-2013 he was the heart and soul of the defense. Nearly won a Super Bowl, but Harbaugh forgot he had Frank Gore. Things that did happen: 3x All-Pro and 4x Pro Bowler in the 2010s.
Hightower: Like his Patriot counterpart, Julian Edelman; Hightower doesn't have the off eye popping stats or outspoken recognition from his peers. However unlike Edelman, Hightower has been All-Pro and a Pro Bowler before. He achieved both feats in 2016 (and made the Pro Bowl in 2019) the same season he made the signature defensive play in the greatest comeback in the history of the Super Bowl. If winning matters; Dont'a Hightower is an All-Decade performer. Should be noted in 2017 when both Hightower and Edelman were gone the Patriots lost the Super Bowl.
First-Team Cornerbacks: Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawks, 2010-2017; San Francisco 49ers, 2018-2019) & Darrelle Revis (New York Jets, 2010-2012; 2015-16; Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2013; New England Patriots, 2014; Kansas City Chiefs; 2017)
Sherman: As I've matured I've learned to respect him, but man I hated him at his peak. Damnit if Richard Sherman was the best corner in the game for all of Obama's second term. There was no better shit talker in the game than Sherm. The Stanford grad backed it up on and off the field. Key piece of the Seahawks SB 48 team. After he got hurt, took a prove it deal with San Fran. He proved it (not in the Super Bowl though!) 5x Pro-Bowler, 5x All-Pro.
Revis: Revis Island was the baddest man in the NFL for like six years; 2014 Super Bowl champ with the Pats. Stats might not be eye-popping, but that's because teams simply didn't throw his way. 5x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro in the decade (7x, 4x respectively for his career)
Second-Team Cornerbacks: Chris Harris, Sr. (Denver Broncos, 2011-2019) & Patrick Peterson (Arizona Cardinals (2011-2019)
Harris: Super Bowl 50 Champ, 4x Pro Bowler, 4x All-Pro. 20 INT may seem low, but then when you see this it makes sense. The receiver he's responsible for has only been targeted 664 times in 132 games (4.87 targets/game) This is straight off of wikipedia, but absolutely mind-boggling. As of the end of the 2019 NFL Season, Chris Harris Jr. has been thrown at 644 times in 132 career games. Over that span, only 10 wide receivers have ever caught a touchdown pass against him. Only eight times has a player ever totaled more than 50 yards against him in any game, and only once has a player totaled over 85 yards.
Peterson: Absolutely dynamic corner and return man early in his career. 8x Pro Bowler. 3x FIRST team All-Pro; 2nd team All-Pro in 2018 in his 8th season. Still not 30 years old.
First-Team Safeties: Earl Thomas (Seattle Seahawks, 2010-2018) & Eric Weddle (San Diego Chargers, 2010-2015; Baltimore Ravens; 2016-2018; Los Angeles Rams; 2019)
Thomas: 7x Pro Bowler, 5x All Pro. 30 interceptions. Super Bowl XLVIII champion. LOB founding father.
Weddle: Most of his damage was done in the early half of the decade as Weddle debuted in 2007, but the guy is a future HOFer. Face of the San Diego :( Chargers defense. 2011 INT leader, 6x Pro Bowler, 5x All-Pro.
Second-Team Safeties: Kam Chancellor (Seattle Seahawks, 2010-2018) & Eric Berry (Kansas City Chiefs (2010-2018)
Injuries derailed both careers. Chancellor may have been the most unappreciated member of the Legion of Boom. Bums me out Eric Berry wasn't a part of this year's Chiefs.
Accolades: Bam-Bam: 4x Pro Bowler, 2x All-Pro, Super Bowl XLVIII champ. Berry: Cancer survivor, 5x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro, 2015 Comeback Player of the Year.
First-Team Kicker: Justin Tucker (Baltimore Ravens, 2012-2019)
Absolute model of consistency since entering the league in 2012.
The 4x All-Pro and 3x Pro Bowler is 265/292 (90.8%) in his NFL career. In the playoffs Tucker is 11/12; including a perfect 4/4 in the Ravens run to the Super Bowl in 2012-13.
First-Team Punter: Johnny Hekker (St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, 2012-2019)
The 4x All-Pro and Pro Bowler is 13/22 passing for 184 yards 1 TD and 1 INT in his career. He's also a perfect 1/1 kicking field goals with a long of 20 yards! Hekker's punts have covered exactly 16 1/4 miles in his career if my math is correct.
First-Team Kick Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson (Minnesota Vikings, 2013-2016; Oakland Raiders, 2017; New England Patriots, 2018; Chicago Bears. 2019)
Probably not worth the first round price tag the Vikings got him for in 2013, but Cordarrelle is the runaway return man of the decade. 7 kick return TDs since 2013.
First-Team Punt Returner: Darren Sproles (San Diego Chargers, 2010; New Orleans Saints, 2011-2013; Philadelphia Eagles; 2014-2019)
It's crazy to me Sproles made it to the end of the decade considering his size and the amount of injuries he battled late in his career. It bums me out he couldn't have at least played in the Super Bowl that the coach of the decade gifted to the Eagles by benching Malcolm Butler. In 2011 he broke the record for all-purpose yards. 2x All-Pro, 3x Pro Bowler. 4 Punt Return TD in the 2010s.
First-Team Head Coach: Bill Belichick (New England Patriots, 2010-2019)
Greatest coach of all time, even if he gift-wrapped a Super Bowl to the Eagles in 2017. During the decade Bill lead the Patriots to the AFC East title every season; 8 appearances in the AFCCG; 5 AFC Champions; 3 Super Bowls. Like Brady, he outdid himself from the decade previous. Only won one coach of the year (2010) though :(
Second-Team Head Coach: Pete Carroll (Seattle Seahawks, 2010-2019)
Pete Carroll is the only other coach to appear in multiple Super Bowls this decade so he sort of makes it by default; even though I do find him worthy of this spot. Of course it's easy to second guess the call to pass in Super Bowl XLIX, but I still think Russell Wilson deserves at least half the blame for the poor read/throw. People forget there was like 26 seconds left and the Seahawks only had one time out. Whatever. Let's focus on the positive. In 10 seasons in Seattle, Carroll is 100-59-1. I'm not a math guy, but you can basically pencil him in for 10 wins a year. 10 is also the number of playoff games the Seahawks won in the 2010s. Easy choice for coach #2.
Who do you think should be on the All-Decade team? Who did the NFL get wrong? Sound off in the comments!
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