Bailey and Dawkins named to the NFL's All Decade Team

[montrose]

Full squad will be announced Sunday.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...4&storyID=9820

[HEAV]

By Gray Caldwell
DenverBroncos.com

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Over the past 10 years in the NFL, fans have seen their fair share of game-changing players and talented teams.

The Broncos have been one of the latter -- finishing the decade sixth with 93 regular-season wins -- while employing plenty of the former.

So when the NFL announced the All-Decade team for the 2000s, it seems only right that two Broncos made the cut.

Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins were named to the team, and are two of the 12 players on the all-decade squad who will take part in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.

"This is a tremendous honor for me to be recognized as one of the best out of all the safeties who have played in the NFL this decade," Dawkins said. "To know I've been able to do the things I've been able to do, with the help of my teammates, to earn a spot on the league's All-Decade Team means a lot."

Both players made their presence felt season after season, as Bailey was third in the league with 41 interceptions this decade, and Dawkins tied for seventh with 26 forced fumbles in the 2000s.

Dawkins was honored as a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press four times for his career -- all in the past decade -- receiving that accolade from 2001-02 as well as in 2004 and 2006. He earned second-team AP All-Pro this season.

Bailey earned Associated Press All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors during each of his first four seasons in Denver from 2004-07 after spending five seasons with Washington to begin his NFL career.

"This is one of the greatest honors that you can have in this league other than team things," Bailey said. "As far as personal goals, this one never really crossed my mind. You always try to be the best you can be. I would like to thank my family, teammates and coaches for helping me achieve this tremendous award. I would not be where I am without them."

Neither player faded as the decade came to a close -- Bailey was the most targeted defensive player -- 98 times -- not to allow a touchdown in the 2009 campaign, and Dawkins finished second on the club with 116 tackles while pacing the team with three fumble recoveries.

To that point, both players have been selected to Sunday's Pro Bowl -- the ninth selection to the all-star game for Bailey, which ties for the most selections this decade. It is the eighth trip to the Pro Bowl for Dawkins, and his seven trips in the 2000s tie for eighth in the league.

Both men are excited to participate in the contest, and Bailey hopes to continue to make his presence felt among his peers -- he has four career Pro Bowl interceptions, tied for the most in league history with Deion Sanders and Everson Walls.

"As far as personal goals, this is definitely one of them, and I'm proud of myself every time I make it over here," Bailey said of the Pro Bowl. "I'm proud of the guys that came with me, too, guys like Elvis (Dumervil) and Brandon (Marshall), they deserve to be over here."

The NFL All-Decade teams are chosen every 10 years by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee members. The 2000s will mark the ninth All-Decade team to be selected in NFL history.

This decade’s 53-player team will be comprised two quarterbacks, four running backs, one fullback, four wide receivers, two tight ends, four offensive tackles, four guards, two centers, four defensive tackles, four defensive ends, six linebackers, four cornerbacks, four safeties, two kickers, two punters, two kick returners and two punt returners. Two head coaches have also been chosen.

[dbfan21]

Way to go guys (even though BDawk did it mostly in Philly).

[HILife]

Good job guys! Glad to have you on the team!

[Bronco CB40]

I am ticked that Tom Nalen and Trevor Pryce didn't make it.

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by Bronco CB40

I am ticked that Tom Nalen and Trevor Pryce didn't make it.

Nalen never got any credit here is whole career.

[Los Broncos]

Nice to see them make it, good job.

[TheReverend]

Guessing the team will be:

Manning/Brady
Tomlinson
Lorenzo Neal
Randy Moss/Owens
Tony Gonzalez
Walter Jones/John Ogden
Faneca/Will Shields
Jeff Saturday

Warren Sapp/Laroi Glover
Jason Taylor/Strahan
Ray Lewis/Derrick Brooks/Keith Brooking
Champ/Law
Dawkins/Lynch

[SouthStndJunkie]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

Guessing the team will be:

Manning/Brady
Tomlinson
Lorenzo Neal
Randy Moss/Owens
Tony Gonzalez
Walter Jones/John Ogden
Faneca/Will Shields
Jeff Saturday

Warren Sapp/Laroi Glover
Jason Taylor/Strahan
Ray Lewis/Derrick Brooks/Keith Brooking
Champ/Law
Dawkins/Lynch

Ty Law would have been mentioned in the article had he made it.

[summerdenver]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

Guessing the team will be:

Manning/Brady
Tomlinson
Lorenzo Neal
Randy Moss/Owens
Tony Gonzalez
Walter Jones/John Ogden
Faneca/Will Shields
Jeff Saturday

Warren Sapp/Laroi Glover
Jason Taylor/Strahan
Ray Lewis/Derrick Brooks/Keith Brooking
Champ/Law
Dawkins/Lynch

Probably Ed Reed over Lynch.

Also Brooking over Al Wilson?

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by summerdenver

Probably Ed Reed over Lynch.

Also Brooking over Al Wilson?

Polamalu should be in over Reed and Lynch.

[summerdenver]

Originally Posted by McSkillet

Polamalu should be in over Reed and Lynch.

Did polamalu play the whole decade?

[TheChamp24]

lol at Dawkins being the 10th player in franchise history to be on an All-Decade team. Sorry, but I can't claim him as really a "Bronco", if you understand me.
Grats to him, and Champ though.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by SouthStndJunkie

Ty Law would have been mentioned in the article had he made it.

Strong point. I wonder who the second corner is?

Originally Posted by summerdenver

Probably Ed Reed over Lynch.

Also Brooking over Al Wilson?

Al Wilson in my heart. But Brooking fits the OLB spot, played the entire decade and the same # of pro bowl appearances

[bowtown]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

Strong point. I wonder who the second corner is?

Maybe Barber.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by summerdenver

Probably Ed Reed over Lynch.

Also Brooking over Al Wilson?

Reed is a close one, but Lynch defined the position for years, imo. Lynch has 7 pro bowls, three All Pros and a SB ring in this decade. Reed has 6 pro bowls, 6 All Pros and a DPOY.

[summerdenver]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

Reed is a close one, but Lynch defined the position for years, imo. Lynch has 7 pro bowls, three All Pros and a SB ring in this decade. Reed has 6 pro bowls, 6 All Pros and a DPOY.

Fair point + Lynch won a SB in the past decade.

Edit: Missed SB reference in Rev's post.

[Mediator12]

Originally Posted by SouthStndJunkie

Ty Law would have been mentioned in the article had he made it.

No, they only released the names of the players on the all-decade team who ALSO made this years Probowl. Kevin Mawae was the center. Peyton and Freeney from INDY, Demarcus Ware from DAL, and David Akers were all released names to this point. I'll look for more.

[Mediator12]

Foneco made it

[Mediator12]

Here is the list. Sorry, it was buried on the NFL probowl headlines page :

Player Pos. Pro Bowls Pro Bowl seasons
Antonio Gates TE 6 Chargers, 2005-10
Alan Faneca G 9 Steelers, 2002-08; Jets 2009-10
Steve Hutchinson G 7 Seahawks, 2004-06; Vikings, 2007-10
Kevin Mawae C 8 Jets, 2000-05; Titans, 2009-10
Julius Peppers DE 5 Panthers, 2005-07, 2009-10
Ray Lewis LB 10 Ravens, 1998-2002, 2004-05, 2008-10
DeMarcus Ware LB 4 Cowboys, 2007-10
Champ Bailey CB 9 Redskins, 2001-04; Broncos, 2005-08, 2010
Brian Dawkins S 8 Eagles, 2000, 2002-03, 2005-07, 2009; Broncos, 2010
Shane Lechler P 4 Raiders, 2002, 2005, 2008-10
David Akers K 5 Eagles, 2002-03, 2005, 2010
Josh Cribbs KR 2 Browns, 2008, 2010

That does not Include MAnning and Freeney who are not participating but whose names were leaked since they made the probowl.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

Here is the list. Sorry, it was buried on the NFL probowl headlines page :

Player Pos. Pro Bowls Pro Bowl seasons
Antonio Gates TE 6 Chargers, 2005-10
Alan Faneca G 9 Steelers, 2002-08; Jets 2009-10
Steve Hutchinson G 7 Seahawks, 2004-06; Vikings, 2007-10
Kevin Mawae C 8 Jets, 2000-05; Titans, 2009-10
Julius Peppers DE 5 Panthers, 2005-07, 2009-10
Ray Lewis LB 10 Ravens, 1998-2002, 2004-05, 2008-10
DeMarcus Ware LB 4 Cowboys, 2007-10
Champ Bailey CB 9 Redskins, 2001-04; Broncos, 2005-08, 2010
Brian Dawkins S 8 Eagles, 2000, 2002-03, 2005-07, 2009; Broncos, 2010
Shane Lechler P 4 Raiders, 2002, 2005, 2008-10
David Akers K 5 Eagles, 2002-03, 2005, 2010
Josh Cribbs KR 2 Browns, 2008, 2010

That does not Include MAnning and Freeney who are not participating but whose names were leaked since they made the probowl.

Bolded players had BETTER be back ups.

[2KBack]

somethings up with that list. I doubt Josh Cribbs made the All-decade team

[ZONA]

How in the hell does Ware get a vote not even having played half of a decade let alone a full decade. Lame. Weak. Pathetic. Sad.

[Mediator12]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

Bolded players had BETTER be back ups.

The all decade team has a 53 man roster. The article breaks it down by position.

The interesting thing is how several short term players had the recency effect help them make the squad. However, it was voted by the hall of fame selection committee.

The NFL All-Decade teams are chosen every 10 years by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee members. The 2000s will mark the ninth All-Decade team to be selected in NFL history.

This decade’s 53-player team will be comprised two quarterbacks, four running backs, one fullback, four wide receivers, two tight ends, four offensive tackles, four guards, two centers, four defensive tackles, four defensive ends, six linebackers, four cornerbacks, four safeties, two kickers, two punters, two kick returners and two punt returners. Two head coaches have also been chosen.

The 2 head coaches would be Belichick and . Maybe Dungy, maybe Cowher. Anyone else get 2 SB's in that span? I doubt it.

[Mediator12]

Originally Posted by ZONA

How in the hell does Ware get a vote not even having played half of a decade let alone a full decade. Lame. Weak. Pathetic. Sad.

Actually, there are several players who did not play the whole decade. I am glad they put the players who were the best, not the ones who just happened to fall into the whole decade by draft year. People like Ware, Gates, and Peppers would never make an all decade team being drafted in the middle of the decade otherwise.

In other words, it could be the drafted in the right year and had longevity team versus the players who were the best who played in that decade. None of them were less than four years either, so they at least had a great impact in their time in the league. Good enough right away for this honor.