All Decade Team for 2000's

Last night, the NFL unveiled it's all decade team fo the 2000's. As with all of thse laindry lists, there are players that should have been considered that didn't make the list, and some that maybe shouldn't have.

The list is selected by members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

Let's look at the list.

Offense
QB: Tom Bardy - Patriots; Peyton Manning - Colts
Okay. There can't be many arguements here. The one name you could throw in is Brett Favre, but for the decade, Brady and Manning are more deserving.

RB: Shaun Alexander - Seattle (left); Edgerrin James - Colts, Cardinals; LaDainian Tomlinson - Chargers: Jamal Lewis - Ravens, Browns
The only one on this list I saw no complaints with is LT. The biggest complaint was Alexander and how he was a "one year wonder". Not true as you will see. Of all the other names I heard, the three most heard were Jerome Bettis, Tiki Barber and Brian Westbrook. Of those three the only one I think might have a legit beef is Barber. Let's look at the numbers:

Barber: 9,514 rush yds/52  rush TD/3,927 rec yds/6 rec TD
Alexander: 9,453 rush yds/ 100 rush TD/ 1,520 rec yds/12 rec TD
Lewis: 10,607 rush yds/ 58 rush TD/1,879 rec yds/4 rec TD
James: 10,693 rush yds/67 rush TD/2,778 rec yds/7 TD

I can't take Alexander off this team. Even though he has the lowest total of combined yards, he scored more TD than any RB in the decade, even LT! (Alexander 112, LT: 100) I'm not taking James off because he was as much a duel threat as Barber and had a tad more total yards plus more TD. Lewis scored more than Barber, barely. I can easily see Giants fans arguing for Barber's inclusion, and they have every right to argue.

WR: Marvin Harrison - Colts; Randy Moss - Patriots, Raiders, Vikings; Terrell Owens - Bills, Cowboys, Eagles, 49ers; Torry Holt - Rams, Jaguars (right)
Most of the talk has been about Owens and his antics rather than his numbers (11,644 rec yds/114 rec TD). Antics aside, T.O. deserves to be on this team. Some feel the same about Moss and his lack of intensity. Again, it's numbers (11,739 rec yds/120 TD). The eyebrows were raised on the selection of Torry Holt. No receiver had more yards in the decade (12,594). The next closest was Moss.

One receiver who belongs in this conversation is Hines Ward. He did have more TD than Holt (71 to 68), but it's the intangibles Ward brings. He's still the best blocking receiver in the NFL. Is there an honorable mention here?

FB: Lorenzo Neal - Chargers, Bengals, Titans, Ravens
No arguement here. It seemed like very year Neal was playing, he had a guy go over 1,000 yards rushing. That's the sign of a great fullback.

TE: Antonio Gates - Chargers; Tony Gonzalez - Chiefs, Falcons
Gates only played 7 years, but only started for 6. For his years as a starter, the leaset number of reception he's had is 60. He least number of receiving yards in a season is 704. Two years of 80+ catches and three other with 70+ will get you a legit spot. Gonzalez is a no-brainer.

C: Olin Kreutz - Bears; Kevin Mawae - Titans, Jets
If I could add another here, it would be Jeff Saturday of the Colts. I think he's a Hall of Fame center as well as the two that were selected.

G: Larry Allen - Cowboys; Alan Faneca - Jets, Steelers; Wil Shields - Chiefs; Steve Hutchison - Vikings, Seahawks
Heck, this would be an awesome offensive line with two playing tackle.

T: Walter Jones - Seahawks; Willie Roaf - Saints, Chiefs; Orlando Pace - Bears, Rams; Jonathan Ogden - Ravens
No qualms here.

Defense

DE: Julius Peppers - Panthers (left); Dwight Freeney - Colts; Michael Strahan - Giants; Jason Taylor - Dolphins, Redskins
Sacks a plenty here which is usually the item most looked at for the end poistion. Peppers, a free agent? Someone's getting a great player.

DT: Warren Sapp - Buccaneers, Raiders; La'Roi Glover - Cowboys, Saints, Rams; Richard Seymour - Patriots, Raiders; Kevin Williams - Vikings
The one most objected to was Sapp. He wasn't the Sapp we were used to seeing when he went to Oakland. The name I think of as a tackle is Casey Hampton of Pittsburgh. He doesn't have near the flashy stats of these guys, but he can take over a game with his strength and size. Since he's in a 3-4 scheme, that does hurt him here.

LB: Derrick Brooks - Buccaneers; Ray Lewis - Ravens; Joey Porter - Dolphins, Steelers; Zach Thomas - Dolphins, Chiefs, Cowboys; Brian Urlacher - Bears; DeMarcus Ware - Cowboys
I was a bit taken back by Thomas' inclusion, but I do think he deserves it. If I may point out a couple of names that I think could be one here, Tedy Bruschi and London Fletcher. Bruschi had all the intangibles and all Fletcher does is tackle people. Niether had flashy sack totals. but they both are deserving for consideration.

S: Brian Dawkins - Broncos, Eagles; Troy Polamalu - Steelers, Ed Reed - Ravens; Darren Sharper - Saints, Packers, Vikings
Where's Rodney Harrison? I know some find him droll on TV and accused him of playing dirty, but Harrison needs to be on here. When Peyton Manning says you're the best, well, you are. If you include Harrison, one needs to go. It's Sharper for me.

CB: Ronde Barber - Buccaneers; Champ Bailey - Broncos, Redskins; Ty Law - Patriots, Jets, Chiefs, Broncos; Charles Woodson - Packers, Raiders (right)
Here's a couple to at least think about. Dre' Bly is one. I know he's more flash than anything, but Bly had more picks and more passes defensed than Woodson. I'm a bit surprised Antoine Winfield isn't on here. He's not as big on the pick, but there's not a corner better at tackling than Winfield. Sometimes we put too much emphasis on INTs as far as corners go. They also are vital in run spport and Winfield is one of the best I've ever seen.

P: Shane Lechler - Raiders; Brian Moorman - Bills
Lechler's selection is a given. Moorman has a high precentage of his kciks inside the 20, but the Bears Brad Maynard's is slightly higher. It's that game of field position. Just something to think about.

KR and PR: Joshua Cribbs - Browns; Devin Hester - Bears; Dante Hall - Chiefs, Rams
All three at one time held a return record. Scary. And Cribbs may be getting a new contract. Double bonus.

The only real argement I had was with the exclusion of Harrison at safety and there were a couple of other that can provide a healthy debate.

Anyone left out in your mind?