NFC North All-Division Team: Defense and Special Teams
A few days ago, I started creating this team, and got as far as finishing the offense before running out of time. Now, I will finish what I started.
The defense will use a 4-3 formation, because three of the four teams, but as you can guess, one of the linebackers is likely to help out rushing the passer a lot.
For the special teams, I will name a general kick returner, a punter and a kicker.
Check out the offense of this team at http://bleacherreport.com/articles/517895-nfc-north-all-division-team-for-2010-nfl-season-offense
Right End: Julius Peppers (Chicago Bears)
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Although his sack production has been below what the Bears would have wanted after giving him a monster contract in the off season, Peppers has wreaked havoc to opposing offensive lines.
He has stiffened Chicago's run defense immensely, and given them a new ability to get after the quarterback, which was missing in 2009.
His vicious takedown of Matthew Stafford arguably won them the game in Week 1, and has derailed the Lions' season.
2010 stats: 24 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 passes defended, 1 interception
Defensive Tackle: Ndamukong Suh (Detroit Lions)
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Who else but Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh. He already has the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in the bag, and has been overwhelming opposing interior offensive linemen, especially on passing downs.
Suh is very powerful for his size, and has enough moves to keep his opponents guessing. He is also learning from Kyle Vanden Bosch, and is a high-effort player with a good motor.
He has also shown rare athleticism for his position, returning a fumble for a touchdown and making an interception. All in all, he looks to be one of the best defensive players for the next decade, and a Pro Bowler this season.
2010 stats: 33 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown
Nose Tackle: B.J. Raji (Green Bay Packers)
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I can almost hear the howls of indignation from Minnesota from New Zealand. I know that none of the Williams Wall is represented in this team, but so far this season, they have not done much worthy of making this team.
They have bled more rushing yards than normal, and are penetrating less on passing downs, which has in turn affected the production of Jared Allen.
While the Williams Wall is collapsing, B.J Raji has quietly performed well. He is keeping his linebackers clean, which is contributing to the great play of Clay Matthews and AJ Hawk.
He has also been penetrating more than any nose tackle has the right to, collapsing the pocket and creating even more opportunities for the linebackers at Green Bay.
Raji has used his power and quick release from the line of scrimmage well, and he deserves his spot in this team above the better-known Pat and Kevin Williams.
2010 stats: 25 tackles, 2.5 sacks
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Left Defensive End: Kyle Vanden Bosch (Detroit Lions)
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The clean sweep is complete. The best defensive line of 2009 has failed to get even one player onto this team's one, which shows how much they have fallen.
Jared Allen especially has lost some of his pop off the line, and with the rest of the Purple People Eaters failing to pressure the quarterback as much, he cannot get as many favourable one-on-one match ups.
Conversely, Vanden Bosch, who looked washed up in Tennessee, has had a tremendous comeback season.
While his sack numbers may not be out of this world, he is providing constant pressure, and has made everyone else on the Lions' revamped defensive line better. His tenacity and motor have allowed him to make plays despite his age (32).
2010 stats: 45 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Outside Linebacker: Clay Matthews III (Green Bay Packers)
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There was no way we could not pick Matthews, even though he plays in a 3-4 defense. His performance this season has been out of this world.
He has created pressure, made sacks and tackles, and has shown an ability to play coverage as a secondary role to pass rushing, which shows he would still be effective as a 4-3 outside linebacker in the mould of Lawrence Taylor.
Matthews is so good because of his relentlessness and his array of perfected pass rush moves. He can beat linemen with his speed, and blow over running backs trying to ship block him with his power. Being the sack leader of the NFL also shows just how good he is.
The long-haired assassin is possibly the best defender in the NFL.
2010 stats: 31 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 touchdown
Middle Linebacker: Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears)
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Urlacher is back to his playmaking best after missing all of last season through injury, and he is the main reason why the Bears are playing dominating defense again.
There was quite a lot of competition for this position, with AJ Hawk and EJ Henderson performing well for their respective teams in the Mike 'backer position.
Hawk has been a tackling machine and surprisingly good in coverage, and although his stats do not show it, has been an effective blitzer. He has made holes for Matthews to exploit and has hurried the quarterback many a time.
Henderson has been good too, and is a better player in space, doing better in coverage and taking down running backs one-on-one.
Despite their merits, Urlacher has been a class above. He has led the defense ably, has been a very solid tackler, and fulfilled his Tampa 2 role by going "down the pipe" covering tight ends and slot receivers as well as he has his whole career.
His three fumble recoveries are testament to how often he is around the ball.
2010 stats: 62 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 7 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 3 fumble recoveries
Outside Linebacker: Lance Briggs (Chicago Bears)
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Briggs has fought off a challenge from Chad Greenway to be the starting outside linebacker to team with Clay Matthews.
Greenway has been a tackling machine, both in space against running backs, tight ends and wide receivers, and also up at the line of scrimmage. However, he has failed to make any important plays outside of tackling.
He has no passes defended, no forced fumbles, no sacks and no interceptions. This means, while he is a consistent tackler, he has failed to deliver plays, which is a must for outside linebackers.
Briggs on the other hand, has done nothing but make plays. He has been blitzing and covering tight ends and wide receivers. He has also been a reliable tackler in space, as always.
2010 stats: 45 tackles, 1 sack, 6 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
Cornerback No. 1: Tramon Williams (Green Bay Packers)
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There's a new No. 1 cornerback at Green Bay, and he is also the best in the NFC North. Tramon Williams has been taking cornerbacks out of games so far this season, and is a big part of the defensive revival there.
He may not have the gaudiest stats, but Williams has been given the job of locking down offenses' No. 1 receivers while Charles Woodson is being used as a chess piece by Dom Capers. He has speed, but most importantly a great understanding of the game.
2010 stats: 38 tackles, 1 sack, 15 passes defended, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries
Cornerback No. 2: Alphonso Smith (Detroit Lions)
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A surprise player this year, Smith has been a god send for the Lions, who have been looking for a cornerback for years. He has the prototypical size for a cornerback, and very good speed.
Smith is the type of cornerback who does not shut down his wide receiver, but instead covers him and makes picks.
This does lead to some big plays when his coverage gets too loose, or he tries for the interception. This play style is similar to that of Asante Samuel.
2010 stats: 34 tackles, 13 passes defended, 5 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 1 fumble recovery
Nickel back: DJ Moore (Chicago Bears)
DJ Moore has been impressive so far this season for the bears, although he has been limited to mainly covering slot receivers because he is a nickel back.
The challenge for him is to become a true shutdown corner, rather than a nickel back. He is also a solid tackler.
2010 stats: 24 tackles, 10 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 1 touchdown
Strong Safety: Louis Delmas (Detroit Lions)
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Delmas has continued from his strong showing in his rookie season to become a quality defensive back for the Lions to build around in the secondary.
Although Delmas usually plays at free safety for the Lions, he is a solid tackler, and as you will see later, suits the position better than the other safety.
This season he has been used mainly in run support now that the cornerbacks in Detroit are better, but he showed last season he could play coverage also.
2010 stats: 57 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries
Free Safety: Charles Woodson (Green Bay Packers)
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Woodson may not be on this team in his starting position, but his play over the last few years, where he has been a blitzer, tackler and a man and zone coverage cornerback projects him to be a very good safety.
As a last line of defense, Woodson is a safe tackler, who also has an amazing ability to force fumbles.
In coverage, he is still athletic enough to cover wide receivers one on one, so would have no problem sitting in zone coverage and helping out his corners in this team.
He also can blitz better than any other cornerback in the league, which gives him versatility as a safety.
2010 stats: 53 tackles, 1 sack, 9 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 3 forced fumbles
Kicker: Ryan Longwell (Minnesota Vikings)
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Longwell has been very accurate this season. He has only missed one extra point, and is kicking at 91 percent from the field. His accuracy has been important for the Vikings, due to their newfound offensive impotence, especially in the red zone.
Longwell does not have an especially powerful leg, but he is very accurate. He has only attempted one kick longer than 40 yards, but with one miss, his performance is worthy of this team.
2010 stats: 2 touch backs, 91% field goals, 94% extra points, 1 PAT
Punter: Chris Kluwe (Minnesota Vikings)
Again, a Viking makes it into the special teams. Kluwe is first in the NFC North for punts inside the 20 yard line, and second in average punt distance.
He has been very good at pinning teams deep in their own territory, which has helped the Vikings stay in some matches.
2010 stats: 44.5 yards per punt, 19 in opposition 20, 0 return touchdowns
Kick Returner: Devin Hester (Chicago Bears)
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There is only one generic kick returner for this team, and it goes without saying that it would be Devin Hester.
Although his touches have been limited because of his wide receiver duties, Hester is still the biggest threat returning kicks in the NFL.
He is so quick, and loses no speed at all making ankle-breaking cuts. He also has great vision for lining up gaps in the coverage. Almost every return he makes, he misses at least one tackle and gets close to turning the corner on the coverage team.
2010 stats: 2 touchdowns, 17.7 yards per return (kick and punt), 8 returns more than 20 yards, 5 returns more than 40 yards
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