NFL All-Decade 1st Team Defense

Peter King put out his All-2000's team on sportsillustrated.com this week. King is a great writer, and I usually respect his work, but I have to disagree on a number of his selections. He tried to make a case for Mike Vrabel to be 1 of the 2 best OLBs in the NFL in the 2000's. Little to much Patriot love for me. It seems he focused too much on recent performance, and not a much on the entire decade. It was almost as if he though about it long enough for his Hot Pocket to heat up.

If you are wondering how I came up with my selections, I decided more on personal statistics then team success. I know present the REAL All-Decade team.

DE
Jason Taylor

10 Seasons
579 Tackles
110 Sacks
7 INTs
38 Fumbles Forced
3 Touchdowns

Taylor, a native of the Pittsburgh area, had more sacks than any other player during the 2000's. He was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. His athleticism transformed what the prototype D-end is now.



DT
Warren Sapp
8 Seasons
349 Tackles
54.5 Sacks
3 INTs
9 Forced Fumbles

Sapp really came into his own starting in 2000 when he recorded 16.5 sacks, an insane number for a defensive tackles. Much like Taylor, his athleticism at his position was something rarely seen before. Sapp would have made an All-Decade trash talk team too.

DT
La'roi Glover
9 Seasons
385 Tackles
58.5 Sacks
2 INTs
11 Forced Fumbles

Glover manged to 1-up Sapp and actually had 17 sacks in 2000. A journey man through the decade, he continued to put up solid numbers year in and year out. A true pass rushing defensive tackle.


DE
Michael Strahan
8 Seasons
485 Tackles
89 Sacks
14 Forced Fumbles

Strahan played like Hall of Fame DE Reggie End. A strong side, run stopping end that was great a rushing the passer. (a rare thing to see) In route to averaging 11 sacks a season, he broke the single season sack record in 2001 with 22.5. Helped shut down the 18-0 New England Patriots in one of the biggest Super Bowl upsets ever.


OLB
Derrick Brooks
9 Seasons
1035 Tackles
9 Sacks
17 INTs
16 Forced Fumbles
6 Touchdowns

Brooks never was a blitzer averaging only 1 sack per year. He was however, the most versitile linebacker the league may have ever seen. Recorded over 1,000 in 9 years as an outside linebacker. Was elected Defensive POY in 2002 and went to to lead the leagues best defense to a dominant performance in the Super Bowl.

ILB
Ray Lewis
10 Seasons
1146 Tackels
22.5 Sacks
21 INTs
12 Forced Fumbles
2 TDs

Lewis has a nose for the ball and loves to make the big hit when needed. A motivational leader has been cirticized for his warm up antics, but manages to always be making the play. Defensive POY in 2000 and Super MVP later that year.

ILB
London Fletcher
10 Seasons
1343 Tackles
15 INTs
12 Forced Fumbles
2 TDs

The undersized Fletcher has 200 more tackles than any other player this decade, and leads the NFL yet again so far this year. He has been consistent year in and year out and always ends up around the football.


OLB
Joey Porter
10 Seasons
576 Tackles
88 Sacks
12 INTs
22 Forced Fumbles
1 TD

THE blitzing linebacker of the 2000's. He was a force playing in the Pittsburgh 3-4 defensive skeem. After being shown the door, Porter went to Miami and still can be a nightmare for QBs.

CB
Champ Bailey
10 Seasons
799 Tackles
39 INTs
146 Passes Defended
1 Sack
3 Touchdowns

Helped create the term "shut-down corner" which is now WAAAAY overused to describe a good cover corner. As good in couverage as Deon Sanders, but is more than willing to get in there and make a hit. Lead all CBs in INTs, and would have had more but teams stopped throwing his way.

CB
Ronde Barber
10 Seasons
813 Tackles
34 INTs
160 Passes Defended
21 Sacks
7 Touchdowns

Barber became the quintisential blitzing corner in the Tampa 2 skeem. Had an obscene 21 sacks as a corner to go with 160 passes defended.

S
Ed Reed
8 Seasons
454 Tackles
46 INTs
97 Passes Defended
5 Sack
6 Touchdowns

An instant impact player since being drafted out of the "U" in 2002. Loves to make big returns out INTs, fumbles and missed field goals. The 2nd best ball-hawking player this decade.


S
Darren Sharper
10 Seasons

657 Tackles
57 INTs
114 Passes Defended
6.5 Sacks
9 TDs


Definitely the best safety of this decade and my choice for the Defensive Player of the Decade. Has 11 more INTs than any other player over the last 10 years. Has been booted from teams twice, but continues to excel. Is now helping revive the Saints defense down on the bayou.