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| Authored by Andrew Perna - 18th July, 2005 - 2:43 pm
 Every year sports writers, commentators, and analysts put together a roster of the best players in the NFL from that particular season. I figured it?s easy enough to select players for one of these teams after the players have scorched the playing field - so I?m going to make some predictions as to who will be on the first All-Red Zone Team this January.
QB - Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota
Daunte will follow the career year he had in 2004 with another this season. The absence of Randy Moss won?t hurt him one bit. He?s got Nate Burleson, Marcus Robinson, and rookie Troy Williamson to spread the football around to. Plus, a Moss-less Vikings team means defenses won?t be afraid to put more emphasis on stopping the Minnesota running game - allowing Culpepper to be more creative with the football. Also, the Moss-less Vikings should be able to focus on playing football rather than off-field distractions.
#1 Contender - Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
Dark Horse - Drew Brees, San Diego
RB - Shaun Alexander, Seattle
Alexander is one of the most durable and reliable running backs in all of football. His yards per carry have steadily increased over the last three seasons, (4.0, 4.4, 4.8) and his red zone efficiency makes him a lock to score around the goal line. The Seahawk receivers? slippery hands don?t hurt his chances to produce either.
#1 Contender - LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego
Dark Horse - Willis McGahee, Buffalo
WR - Javon Walker, Green Bay
Javon was unstoppable in 2004, and chances are he?ll continue his dominance this season. Yes, Walker and QB Brett Favre might need relationship counseling but I don?t expect to see any tension between the two on the field. Also, consider the further decline of the Packer defense and the decline in production from Ahman Green. Walker should be able to eclipse his 2004 numbers.
#1 Contender - Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis
Dark Horse - Chad Johnson, Cincinnati
TE - Antonio Gates
There?s a new tight end in town. It?s not just Tony Gonzalez?s name you hear when you?re talking about the best tight end in football anymore. Gate?s incredible size make him an easy target for Charger QB Drew Brees, and catching more touchdowns (13) than all but 4 wide receivers (Moss, Owens, Harrison, and Muhammad) doesn?t hurt either.
#1 Contender - Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City
Dark Horse - Dallas Clark, Indianapolis
K - Adam Vinatieri, New England
Vinatieri was the best kicker in the league last year, hitting an amazing 94% of his 33 field goal attempts. Bill Belichick is on the conservative side so don?t expect the three-time Super Bow Champion to be anything but the best this season.
#1 Contender - David Akers, Philadelphia
Dark Horse - Shayne Graham, Cincinnati
DEF - Carolina Panthers
Carolina?s defense was a little inconsistent in 2004. However, the return of tackle Kris Jenkins and the addition of some depth to the secondary should help make the Panthers one of the NFL?s toughest teams to score on in 2005. Also, an NFL high 26 interceptions in 2004 isn?t a bad sign for Carolina in 2005.
#1 Contender - Baltimore Ravens
Dark Horse - New York Jets |
