The Patriots have released their 2010s All-Decade Team, and it’s basically perfect

These players were the best for New England last decade.

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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