Midseason Report: NFC North's Defensive All-Pro's

The midseason NFC North Defensive All-Pro's:

Check out the Offensive All-Pro's here.

Defensive End: Jared Allen, MIN

Allen started slowly for his new team, but he has rebounded nicely with five sacks in his last three games and has seven total. It took a lot for the Vikings to get him, but Allen has proved to be worth every penny. He has also had problems off the field, but no one questions Allen's non-stop motor and elite pass rushing skills. A shoulder injury could hinder his second half.

Defensive End: Aaron Kampman, GB

Speaking of non-stop motor, Kampman might be the definition of it. He has registered a quiet six sacks, and is on his way to his third straight 10-sack season. Kampman uses solid technique and speed to get to the edge on his offensive counterparts. He might be a tad-undersized, but he makes up for it with an all-out demeanor and rugged toughness.

Sorry to: Dewayne White, DET and Alex Brown, CHI

Defensive Tackle: Kevin Williams, MIN

Williams continues to be dominant in the middle of the Viking defense, and has registered seven sacks thus far. He has the rare combination of size (6'5", 320 lbs), athleticism and strength, and demands a double team on every play. Because he is paired with Pat Williams on the Minnesota defensive line, Williams is starting to see more one-on-one matchups, and he is winning the majority of those battles.

Defensive Tackle: Tommie Harris, CHI

I was very tempted to give this slot to Pat Williams, but I gave it to Harris solely on the fact that he has more talent. Williams is a monster of a human being, but Harris is more of an explosive threat. He has back-to-back games with a sack, and is only now getting healthy for the Bears. Harris is a tremendous athlete for his size, and has one of the quickest jumps off the line in the NFL. He also demands a double team every single play, and has been seeing his fair share of them this season.

Sorry to: Pat Williams, MIN and Ryan Pickett, GB

Outside Linebacker: Lance Briggs, CHI

Why Briggs doesn't get more media attention baffles me, and it's time that people start looking at him as one of the top five or ten linebackers in the NFL. He has playmaking ability from sideline-to-sideline, and is effective in both run-defense and pass-defense. Briggs always seems to be around the ball, and he routinely comes up with gamechanging turnovers. 2008 totals include 52 tackles, with a forced fumble and interception.

Outside Linebacker: Ernie Sims, DET

It's hard to give Detroit any defensive recognition, but Sims has been a lone bright spot. He is a freakish-athlete, and like Briggs has great sideline-to-sideline range. Sims is a bit undersized for his position, but he uses his continuous motor to shed blocks and run down ball carriers. Has registered 60 tackles and a half-sack in 2008.

Sorry to: Chad Greenway, MIN and A.J. Hawk, GB

Middle Linebacker: Brian Urlacher, CHI

Urlacher wins this more by default and past performances then by productivity this season. It's possible he's lost a step at age 30, and he hasn't been making the plays he regularly made in seasons' past this year. Urlacher is the pick based on Nick Barnett's regression this season in Green Bay, and Minnesota's terrible injury luck at the inside linebacker position. Urlacher has just 44 tackles this season.

Sorry to: N/A

Cornerback: Charles Woodson, GB

Woodson could be your NFC North's defensive MVP thus far this season. He continues his renaissance in Green Bay, and has intercepted four passes for two touchdowns while covering each team's best receiver. Woodson has fluid hips and above average speed, but it's his veteran experience that pushes him to the elite level. If you still don't think Woodson deserves this spot, ask Terrell Owens (two catches, 17 yards) or Bernard Berrian (three for 38) how hard it is to get a good look with this guy locking you up.

Cornerback: Antonie Winfield, MIN

Winfield gives Woodson a run for best player so far, and on two separate occasions has singlehandedly saved the Vikings season. With Minnesota trailing the Panthers in week three and in danger of falling to 0-3, Winfield sacked and stripped Carolina's Jake Delhomme, and returned the fumble for a touchdown. The Vikes would end up taking over the game from that point on. A couple of weeks later in New Orleans, Winfield returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown and had another game changing sack that turned that game around. He's one of the NFL's best tacklers, and could be the NFL's most physical corner.

Sorry to: Tramon Williams, GB and Charles Tillman, CHI

Safety: Nick Collins, GB

Collins has enjoyed a resurgence in 2008, and is tied with Woodson for the NFL lead in interceptions with four. Also like Woodson, Collins has two returns for touchdowns. He has all the tools to be an elite safety—size, speed and ball skills—but has only recently learned to put the whole package together. If he continues to improve at this rate, it wouldn't be a stretch to see him yearly in Honolulu.

Safety: Kevin Payne, CHI

Payne leads the Bears with three interceptions, and has quietly put together a solid 2008 campaign. The relatively-unknown Payne is a good athlete who is becoming better at dissecting quarterbacks week-in and week-out. While still raw at age 24, Payne expects to develop into a front-line safety for Chicago. At this point in his career, however, he must still be game-planned for.

Sorry to: Tyrell Johnson, MIN and Aaron Rouse, GB

Punter: Chris Kluwe, MIN

Kluwe remains the class of the NFC North's punters with a division-leading 47.6 yards per punt. Minnesota's punt coverage has been shredded apart, but that's not Kluwe's fault. He has a live leg and the precision to pin the opposing offense inside the 20-yard line (14 downed punts inside 20).

Sorry to: Brad Maynard, CHI

Returner: Devin Hester, CHI

Hester has yet to take a punt or kick for a touchdown, but you just know it's bound to happen this season. He has the best vision and most explosive first step in the NFL, and he uses both in full every time he touches a kick. The numbers aren't there this year— teams have more or less stopped kicking to Hester in fear of his ability—but he still sets the Bears up with tremendous field position regardless of whether he touches the kick or not.

Sorry to: Will Blackmon, GB