The end of a decade calls for reflection. Over the past ten seasons, no team was more successful than the New England Patriots. They won a staggering 78.1% of their games played, 24% more than the next highest teams. They made it to the playoffs in every single season and took home three Lombardi Trophies.
For the Patriots, the 2010s can be considered a success. And, while the next decade has already begun, that doesn’t mean that the greatness of the last decade should be forgotten so quickly.
Today, the team announced their 2010s All-Decade Team. This team consisting of 12 offensive players, 12 defensive players, four special teamers, and a head coach was voted on by the Patriots Hall of Fame committee.
Offense:
QB: Tom Brady
RB: James White
WR: Julian Edelman
WR: Wes Welker
TE: Rob Gronkowski
FLEX: Danny Amendola
OT: Nate Solder
OT: Sebastian Vollmer
G: Logan Mankins
G: Joe Thuney
C: David Andrews
There isn’t much to argue with here.
The second guard position may be up for discussion. Some may put Shaq Mason above Thuney.
Fans will give the team flack for putting Welker on the team, but he produced in his three seasons this decade. In the decade, Welker finished third in receptions (326), third in receiving yards (3,771), and fourth in receiving touchdowns (22) with the Patriots. The only players above him are also on this All-Decade Team.
He’s deserving.
Defense:
DE: Chandler Jones
DE: Trey Flowers
DT: Vince Wilfork
DT: Lawrence Guy
OLB: Rob Ninkovich
OLB: Kyle Van Noy
ILB: Dont’a Hightower
ILB: Jerod Mayo
CB: Stephon Gilmore
CB: Malcolm Butler
S: Devin McCourty
S: Patrick Chung
The only arguments that will come from here will stem from personal criteria. The biggest gripe will probably for Butler’s selection over Darrelle Revis. This decision makes sense, though. Revis’ Patriots’ career, while extremely important, was only one season. Butler received a Pro-Bowl nomination in his second year and made the All-Pro Second-team the following year. That’s worth the nod over Revis.
Special Teams:
K: Stephen Gostkowski
P: Ryan Allen
Returner: Julian Edelman
Specialist: Matthew Slater
There should be not a single person disagreeing with those selections.
Head Coach:
Bill Belichick
There’s only one option, and he was on the NFL’s All-Decade Team. So, it’s safe to say it was a good choice.
It’s incredibly impressive what the Patriots were able to over this last decade. Six members of this team were also on the NFL’s All-Decade roster. That just speaks to how well they performed in the 2010s.
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