NFC North All-Division Team: Offense
With half the year gone, I think it is time for bit of rampant speculation, especially after the appalling effort of the men in Honolulu blue today.
The All-division team will be playing with 3 wide receivers, 1 tight end, and one running back because this seems to be the most prevalent formation on offense. On defense it will be a 4-3 front, because the Green Bay Packers are the only ones which stray from this method.
I will be taking into account only this years performance as much as possible, and I will also try to keep as unbiased as possible.
Quarterback ... Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
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Who else could it be. With Jay Cutler being beaten up in the pocket and throwing pick after pick, Matthew Stafford warming the seats on the side line and Brett Favre going hot and cold faster than Katy Perry, Rodgers is the only option.
Fortunately, he is also a good option. He is mobile, has a quick, accurate throwing motion and has been lighting up defenses so far this season. And this is despite Jermichael Finley going down, along with Donald Driver and Ryan Grant.
He is easily in the top five quarterbacks in the league.
2010 stats: 2,300 yards, 15 TD's, 9 Int's, 90.6 QB rating
Halfback ... Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)
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Another easy decision. Jahvid Best has been underwhelming after a whirlwind start, Ryan Grant went on IR in week 3 and Matt Forte just is not as talented as AP.
Despite the lack of depth, again the NFC North has one of the top five in the league for his position. All Day can run past defenders, over defenders or juke around them. He has great vision, is becoming a better receiver and has so far nipped his dose of fumblitis in the bud.
He is the second leading rusher in the league in a team where everyone knows that it is only him who will beat them as it stands currently. That's impressive.
2010 stats: 908 yards, 7 TD's, 4.6 YPC
Tight End ... Brandon Pettigrew (Detroit Lions)
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With the loss of Finley and the degeneration of Visanthe Shiancoe's game this season, Brandon Pettigrew, last years earliest picked tight end picks up the starting spot in this team.
Although a bit raw, Pettigrew has been good this season. He is helping draw coverage off Calvin Johnson out wide, and has proven to be a reliable red zone target for whoever lines up under centre for the Lions.
He is also a good blocker for the tight end position, which would help open gaps for a thundering Peterson.
2010 stats: 42 receptions, 412 yards, 3 TD's
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Wide Receiver No. 1 ... Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)
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He has been one of the top receivers in the league this year, and was looking to be even more of a star before Stafford got struck down with ill luck.
He is quick, big, tall, can jump and overpower defenders one-on-one, has safe hands and can block down field. What more do you need from a wide receiver.
Other than being stranded on Revis Island in week 9, not many secondaries have been able to contain Megatron.
2010 stats: 49 receptions, 679 yards, 9 TD's
Wide Receiver No. 2 ... Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers)
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With the loss of Finley and Driver, Jennings has suddenly become the top target for Rodgers in the passing game.
After a lacklustre 2009 campaign, Jennings is back to form as a dangerous receiver. He is quick, and very dangerous after the catch. As shown by his double move on the Vikings, he runs good routes and catches most, if not all, the balls thrown near him.
2010 stats: 39 receptions, 551 yards, 6 TD's
Wide Receiver No. 3 ... Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings)
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The arrival of Randy Moss did at least one good thing for the Vikings. It turned Harvin into a legitimate featured receiver. His recent performances, even while carrying a injury have been stunning.
As we all know, he is a play maker in every sense of the word, and has down field speed to boot. But what has impressed me recently is his proficiency at the smaller things, like body control while tip toeing along the sideline, and his route running in the red zone.
The Vikings will once again have a lethal stable of wide receivers when Sidney Rice gets re-activated from the PUP list.
2010 stats: 44 receptions, 583 yards, 4 TD's
Offensive Line ... Green Bay Packers
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Because the success of the offensive line comes down to more than just having the best individual athletes on the field, but also the communication and rapport between each player, I have decided to choose just one complete line for this list.
The Packers offensive line has been impressive so far, giving Rodger's ages in the pocket to make his passes, and also moving well with him when he breaks out to extend the play.
They have been less effective pushing against the run, but are still making holes for their running backs, and with Peterson in the backfield they would look a whole lot better.
Their signature game was definitely against the Vikings, when they completely nullified the much hyped Vikings front four.
2010 stats: 17 sacks, 4.2 YPC rush average,
Recap
8 of 8As it stands there is yet to be a Bears player selected for this prestigious team. However, that may change when the defense is announced some time in the near future. Until then, this is how the teams stack up.
Green Bay: 3 representatives
Detroit: 2 representatives
Minnesota: 2 representatives
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