Tag: first team

Alabama lands 16 players on All-SEC teams

Crimson Tide is well represented!

Alabama lost a decent amount of starting talent to the 2021 NFL draft, but in typical Crimson Tide fashion, the team doesn’t rebuild, it reloads.

Heading into the 2021 college football season, there may be a few names Alabama fans aren’t too familiar with, but they will soon know well.

Despite all the departures, Alabama still managed to land 16 players to All-SEC teams.

First team:

  • John Metchie III, WR
  • Evan Neal, OT
  • Phidarian Mathis, DT
  • Henry To’o To’o, LB
  • Christian Harris, LB
  • Will Anderson jr., LB
  • Josh Jobe, DB
  • Malachi Moore, DB

Second team:

  • Jahleel Billingsley, TE
  • Emil Ekiyor jr., OL
  • LaBryan Ray, DL
  • Jordan Battle, DB
  • Will Reichard, K

Third team:

  • Brian Robinson jr., RB
  • DJ Dale, DL
  • Christopher Allen, LB

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2020 AP All-Pros: Saints shut out of the 1st team after sending 4 players in 2019

A year after landing four players on the AP All-Pro first team, the New Orleans Saints were shut out, with just three on the second team.

The Associated Press announced the players named to its 2020 All-Pro first team, and none of the four New Orleans Saints who earned places on the 2019 list were brought back for 2020.

That includes wide receivers Michael Thomas and Deonte Harris (who made it in last year as a returns specialist) as well as right tackle Ryan Ramczyk and linebacker Demario Davis, who each started a full 16 games in 2020 while continuing to play at a high level. Thomas and Harris each ended the season on injured reserve and weren’t able to match their historic 2019 paces, so that makes sense.

Neither Davis nor Ramczyk should have been snubbed from the first team, though Nola.com’s Amie Just reports they joined running back Alvin Kamara on the second team.

Kamara was ranked behind Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, who scored four fewer touchdowns than Kamara while fumbling two more times and averaging nearly a full yard less per touch. Instead of Davis, the AP voters picked San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner. Titans right tackle Jack Conklin made the cut over Ramczyk.

What’s baffling is that Saints left tackle Terron Armstead wasn’t even seriously considered for the first or second team, despite having put up some of the best game tape you’ll see from any player in the league this season. Neither was defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who finished the regular season tied for the second-most sacks in the league.

It’s disappointing all around to see the Saints’ standouts not recognized for their efforts. Maybe they can make up for it by going all the way to the Super Bowl instead.

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Chiefs TE Travis Kelce earns unanimous First-Team All-Pro selection

Kelce joins Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu as first-team AP All-Pro choices.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce was one of two players selected unanimously to receive First-Team All-Pro honors.

Kelce joined Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald as the only two players to receive each of the 50 votes from media members tasked with selecting the annual AP All-Pro team. This comes after a dominant 2020 campaign, during which Kelce set the NFL’s single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end back in Week 16.

“He works his tail off every single day and he’s practicing every single day and he’s making sure he’s prepared for these moments,” Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes told the AP in a press release. “For a guy to have that much talent, work that hard and be able to learn really every single day like that, that’s what makes him so special on the field.”

Kelce finished the 2020 NFL regular season with 105 receptions on 145 targets for 1,416 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. His reception total broke the Chiefs’ franchise record for receptions. This also was Kelce’s fifth-consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards, marking the most by a TE in NFL history. Kelce’s record-setting ways continue to pave the way for team success for the Chiefs as they pursue a second consecutive Super Bowl title.

In addition to Kelce, Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill and DB Tyrann Mathieu were both voted in as first-team All-Pro selections. This marks the third time that each of Kelce, Hill and Mathieu has been selected First-Team All-Pro.

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3 Chiefs players earn PFF First-Team All-Pro selections

There’s one notable omission for First-Team All-Pro.

The folks over at Pro Football Focus have announced their 2020 NFL All-Pro Team to end the 2020 regular season. A total of four Kansas City Chiefs players have earned recognition from PFF’s Sam Monson, three as First-Team All-Pro selections and one as a Second-Team All-Pro selection.

Pitchforks will be out in Chiefs Kingdom because star QB Patrick Mahomes is the player earning the Second-Team All-Pro selection. He’s playing second fiddle to Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, who admittedly had a great season too. There are arguments for both players and you’ll be hearing those for the next few weeks leading up to the MVP award.

Here’s a look at the three Chiefs players who did make First-Team All-Pro for PFF:

Texas Longhorns Basketball: Big 12 preseason poll and awards announced

The preseason poll has also been released, with Texas slated to finish fourth. Matt Coleman has also been named preseason first-team Big 12.

Welcome to Texas basketball, where there is still a glimmer of hope.

For now.

The Longhorns ended the 2019-2020 season by winning five out of their last six games and sneaking to a third-place finish in the Big 12. While a first-round victory in the conference over Texas Tech would have been required to make the NCAA Tournament, Texas showed promise.

Nearly all of the production from that team will be returning to give it another attempt. Add in five-star power forward Greg Brown and Shaka Smart may have his deepest roster during his time in Austin.

Led by the three-headed combination at guard of Courtney Ramey, Matt Coleman, and Andrew Jones, the Longhorns’ frontcourt will prove to be one of the best in the Big 12.

Coleman could prove to be the best of the bunch, as he has been named to the Big 12 preseason first-team. Last season, the junior averaged 12.7 points and 3.4 assists per game. Also seen as an excellent defender, Coleman is finally molding to fit Smart’s system.

Here is the full team:

The preseason poll has also been released, with Texas slated to finish fourth. Baylor is projected to once again win the Big 12, while Kansas also got first-place votes.

Here is the full poll:

Texas’ full Big 12 games have been announced but a full schedule to include nonconference matchups has not been released. Home games against UTRGV, Sam Houston State, and Texas A&M – Corpus Christi are on the schedule, as is the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.

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The Longhorns’ season will begin the day before Thanksgiving on Nov. 25.

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Michael Thomas one of two unanimous selections for first-team All-Pro

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas and New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore were the only unanimous NFL All-Pros.

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The Associated Press announced its NFL All-Pro teams on Friday, and the New Orleans Saints had six players represented on the two lists. Wide receiver Michael Thomas, right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, linebacker Demario Davis, and returns specialist Deonte Harris were each selected as first-team All-Pros. Edge rusher Cameron Jordan and special teams ace J.T. Gray made the All-Pro second-team.

Interestingly, Thomas was one of just two players to be unanimously selected by the 50-strong panel of voters. He was joined by New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who tied the NFL lead for interceptions (6) on the league’s leading defense for total interceptions (25). That’s rare company for Thomas to join, but as the NFL’s king in both receptions (149) and receiving yards (1,725) there’s no doubting his qualifications. Depending on how the playoffs turn out, there’s a good chance Thomas and Gilmore may line up against each other in Super Bowl LIV.

The full list of Saints players who received All-Pro votes go as follows:

  • Wide receiver Michael Thomas, 50
  • Right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, 30
  • Punt returner Deonte Harris, 29 (plus 2 votes at kick returner, and 1 at special teamer)
  • Linebacker Demario Davis, 18
  • Edge rusher Cameron Jordan, 12
  • Special teamer J.T. Gray, 3
  • Kicker Wil Lutz, 3
  • Left tackle Terron Armstead, 2
  • Cornerback Marshon Lattimore, 1 (plus 1 vote at defensive back)

So this highlights a few issues with the Associated Press ballot. The biggest problem is that there are inconsistencies between position designations used by different voters, meaning Harris received nominations at punt returner (where he’s done most of his damage), kick returner, and special teamer. Similarly, Lattimore earned votes at both cornerback and defensive back. Until the Associated Press buckles down and makes it more clear which players are qualified for which positions, there are going to be more incongruities. At least Pro Bowl snubs like Davis and Ramczyk got their due.

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Demario Davis among four Saints on AP All-Pro first-team

Four New Orleans Saints were recognized on the AP All-Pro first-team, including linebacker Demario Davis and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk.

The New Orleans Saints were well-represented on the Associated Press All-Pro Team, with four players named to the first-team. Wide receiver Michael Thomas was the only unanimous selection, but he was joined by teammates including right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, linebacker Demario Davis, and rookie returns specialist Deonte Harris. Only two Saints players were selected for the second-team: edge rusher Cameron Jordan and special teams ace J.T. Gray. Of the six total Saints to appear on the All-Pro teams, five started their careers in New Orleans, and four were acquired in the last three years.

Thomas is the only player of the group who was a first-team All-Pro in 2018; Ramczyk was named to that year’s second-team, along with other Saints players including Jordan, quarterback Drew Brees, and left tackle Terron Armstead. Davis and Harris are each making their first time appearance.

Brees and Armstead being left off the second-team feels like a pair of serious oversights. While they did each miss time with injuries in 2019, there’s no questioning their level of performance. It’s tough to justify both of them missing the cut. On the other hand, it’s great to see Pro Bowl snubs like Davis and Ramczyk get the recognition they so badly deserve.

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Alabama players left off AP First Team All-American list

The Alabama Crimson Tide has had a rough end to the 2019 college football regular season after losing two games in November, being left out of the college football playoff and now being left out of the AP All-American First Team. The First Team is …

The Alabama Crimson Tide has had a rough end to the 2019 college football regular season after losing two games in November, being left out of the college football playoff and now being left out of the AP All-American First Team.

The First Team is riddled with SEC talent from schools all across the conference such as LSU, Georgia, Kentucky, Auburn and South Carolina.

Some notable SEC names that made the First Team roster:

LSU:

  • Joe Burrow, Quarterback
  • Ja’Marr Chase, Wide Receiver
  • Derek Stingley, Cornerback

Kentucky:

  • Lynn Bowden Jr., All-Purpose Player
  • Max Duffy, Punter

Auburn:

  • Derrick Brown, Defensive Tackle

South Carolina:

  • Javon Kinlaw, Defensive Tackle

Georgia:

  • J.R. Reed, Safety

While Alabama did not have any names appear on the First Team roster, they did have some show up on the Second and Third Team:

Second Team:

  • Jedrick Wills Jr., Offensive Tackle
  • DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver
  • Jaylen Waddle, All-Purpose Player

Third Team:

  • Trevon Diggs, Cornerback
  • Xavier McKinney, Safety

Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire!

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