NFL All-Pro team: Nothing to see here, Cowboys fans
Khalil Mack has made All-Pro history.
Mack’s versatility and relentlessness earned him selection at two positions on the 2015 Associated Press All-Pro Team, an NFL first. The second-year Oakland Raiders defensive end and outside linebacker drew enough support Friday from a panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league to make the squad at both spots.
Others, including Houston’s J.J. Watt last year, have been chosen first team at one position and second at another. Watt was a unanimous pick at defensive end for this season’s team, as was Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson.
The Dallas Cowboys had four players make second-team All-Pro: Offensive tackle Tyron Smith, guard Zack Martin, center Travis Frederick and place-kicker Dan Bailey.
“I do whatever I can to help the team win. I’m a team guy,” said Mack, who had 15 1 / 2sacks (five in one game), behind only Watt in the league. “Whether it’s dropping in coverage or rushing the passer. I can do either. I think they (voters) saw that.”
What the voters also saw was the superb work by the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina, with an NFL-best 15-1 record, had the most All-Pros with six: quarterback Cam Newton, fullback Mike Tolbert, center Ryan Kalil, linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, and cornerback Josh Norman. Kuechly led the Panthers contingent with 49 votes.
“He has fulfilled everything we thought he could be,” Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said of Newton. “And he’s just had a great year. Again, the franchise quarterbacks make everybody better – that’s what they do.”
Newton was especially happy to join Kuechly on the team; the linebacker has made it in three of his four pro seasons.
“That’s big, man,” Newton said, adding with a laugh, “I’m just trying to be like Luke Kuechly man, that’s it – Captain America, man. He sets the tone.”
Five teams — New England, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Arizona and St. Louis — had two All-Pros each. Steelers receiver Antonio Brown drew 49 votes; teammate David DeCastro made it at guard.
The Patriots were tight end Rob Gronkowski and kicker Stephen Gostkowski. From Cincinnati, it was DT Geno Atkins and OT Andrew Whitworth. Arizona, in a measure of the strength of its secondary, had cornerback Patrick Peterson and safety Tyrann Mathieu. St. Louis’ All-Pros were DT Aaron Donald and punter Johnny Hekker.
One rookie, Seattle kick returner Tyler Lockett, was selected.
“It means a lot,” Lockett said. “There are a lot of great players who come in to the NFL and do an exceptional job and have a great career, but they’re never able to make it on the All-Pro team. It’s nothing that they did, just other players may have had a better season. To be a rookie to be able to come in, it’s a crazy experience and a crazy accolade to have.”
In all, 15 NFC players and 12 from the AFC were chosen.
The other All-Pros: Tampa Bay RB Doug Martin, Atlanta WR Julio Jones, Cleveland OT Joe Thomas, Baltimore G Marshal Yanda, Denver OLB Von Miller, San Francisco ILB NaVorro Bowman, and Kansas City S Eric Berry.
For Berry, 2015 was a particularly special season. He was diagnosed with lymphoma and this time a year ago was undergoing chemotherapy. He returned in spectacular fashion, helping the Chiefs win their final 10 games this season to make the playoffs.
“It’s an incredible honor. It means a lot to me,” said Berry, who also made the 2013 team. “Football’s a team game, so I have to give credit to those guys around me as well. We’ve been hungry from the get-go. I don’t know how to explain it, but I think you see it throughout our play. I think our play speaks for itself.”
Bowman is another player coming off a courageous comeback from a major knee injury sustained in the 2013 NFC title game. He only returned to the field this season after being an All-Pro in 2011, ‘12 and ‘13.
Newcomers to the team along with Mack and Lockett are Newton, Norman and Davis among the Panthers, plus Jones, Whitworth, Martin, DeCastro, Donald and Mathieu.
“That’s another goal check off my list,” Norman said. “It really is. It went from Pro Bowl to All-Pro to hopefully Defensive Player of the Year. Sheesh.
“That is all personal goals, though. The Super Bowl is the granddaddy of them all. I’m working so hard toward that right now. All of these other accolades will fall into place.”
OFFENSE
Quarterback–Cam Newton, Carolina
Running Backs–Adrian Peterson, Minnesota; Doug Martin, Tampa Bay
Fullback–Mike Tolbert, Carolina
Tight End–Rob Gronkowski, New England
Wide Receivers–Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh; Julio Jones, Atlanta
Tackles–Joe Thomas, Cleveland; Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati
Guards–Marshal Yanda, Baltimore; David DeCastro, Pittsburgh
Center–Ryan Kalil, Carolina
Placekicker–Stephen Gostkowski, New England
Kick Returner–Tyler Lockett, Seattle
DEFENSE
Ends–J.J. Watt, Houston; Khalil Mack, Oakland
Tackles–Aaron Donald, St. Louis; Geno Atkins, Cincinnati
Outside Linebackers–Von Miller, Denver; Khalil Mack, Oakland, and Thomas Davis, Carolina
Inside Linebacker–Luke Kuechly, Carolina; NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco
Cornerbacks–Josh Norman, Carolina; Patrick Peterson, Arizona
Safeties–Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona; Eric Berry, Kansas City
Punter–Johnny Hekker, St. Louis
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Quarterback–Carson Palmer, Arizona
Running Backs–Todd Gurley, St. Louis; Devonta Freeman, Atlanta
Fullback–Pat DiMarco, Atlanta
Tight End–Greg Olsen, Carolina
Wide Receivers–Brandon Marshall, New York Jets; DeAndre Hopkins, Houston, and Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
Tackles–Tyron Smith, Dallas; Trent Williams, Washington
Guards–Josh Sitton, Green Bay; Mike Iupati, Arizona, and Zack Martin, Dallas
Center–Travis Frederick, Dallas
Placekicker–Dan Bailey, Dallas
Kick Returner–Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota
Defense
Ends–Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets; Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit
Tackles–Kawann Short, Carolina; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia
Outside Linebacker–Jamie Collins, New England
Inside Linebackers–Bobby Wagner, Seattle; Derrick Johnson, Kansas City
Cornerbacks–Richard Sherman, Seattle; Chris Harris Jr., Denver, and Marcus Peters, Kansas City
Safeties–Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati; Charles Woodson, Oakland
Punter–Sam Koch, Baltimore
NFL All-Pro balloting
Results of The Associated Press 2015 NFL All-Pro balloting selected by a national panel of 50 media members:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Cam Newton, Carolina, 40; Carson Palmer, Arizona, 6; Tom Brady, New England, 3; Russell Wilson, Seattle, 1.
Running Backs-x
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota, 50; Doug Martin, Tampa Bay, 37; Todd Gurley, St. Louis, 6; Devonta Freeman, Atlanta, 3; Jonathan Stewart, Carolina, 2.
Fullback-y
Mike Tolbert, Carolina, 31; Pat DiMarco, Atlanta, 14; Marcel Reece, Oakland, 2; John Kuhn, Green Bay, 1; Zach Line, Minnesota, 1, Kyle Juszczyk, Baltimore, 1.
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski, New England, 48; Greg Olsen, Carolina, 2.
Wide Receivers
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh, 49; Julio Jones, Atlanta, 41; Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants, 3; Brandon Marshall, New York Jets, 3; DeAndre Hopkins, Houston, 3; Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona, 1.
Tackles
Joe Thomas, Cleveland, 32; Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati, 27; Tyron Smith, Dallas, 19; Trent Williams, Washington, 9; Marcus Gilbert, Pittsburgh, 4; Mitchell Schwartz, Cleveland, 4; Jason Peters, Philadelphia, 1; Sebastian Vollmer, New England, 1; Jared Veldheer, Arizona, 1; Zach Strief, New Orleans, 1; Terron Armstead, New Orleans, 1.
Guards
Marshal Yanda, Baltimore, 37; David DeCastro, Pittsburgh, 13; Josh Sitton, Green Bay, 11; Zack Martin, Dallas, 10; Mike Iupati, San Francisco, 10; Trai Turner, Carolina, 8; Richie Incognito, Buffalo, 8; Brandon Scherff, Washington, 2; T.J. Lang, Green Bay, 1.
Center
Ryan Kalil, Carolina, 32; Travis Frederick, Dallas, 10; Mike Pouncey, Miami, 3; Joe Berger, Minnesota, 3; Max Unger, New Orleans, 1; Weston Richburg, New York Giants, 1.
Placekicker
Stephen Gostkowski, New England, 47; Dan Bailey, Dallas, 3.
Kick Returner
Tyler Lockett, Seattle, 23; Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota, 15; Darren Sproles, Philadelphia, 8; Dwayne Harris, New York Giants, 4.
DEFENSE
Ends
J.J. Watt, Houston, 50; Khalil Mack, Oakland, 24; Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets, 8; Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit, 7; Chandler Jones, New England, 3; Michael Bennett, Seattle, 3; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia, 2; Olivier Vernon, Miami, 1; Aaron Donald, St. Louis, 1; Calais Campbell, Arizona, 1.
Tackles
Aaron Donald, St. Louis, 47; Geno Atkins, Cincinnati, 23; Kawann Short, Carolina, 14; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia, 9; Calais Campbell, Arizona, 4; Damon Harrison, New York Jets, 1; Linval Joseph, Minnesota, 1; Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets, 1.
Outside Linebackers-z
Von Miller, Denver, 41; Khalil Mack, Oakland, 17; Thomas Davis, Carolina, 17; Jamie Collins, New England, 8; Justin Houston, Kansas City, 7; K.J. Wright, Seattle, 3; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay, 2; Whitney Mercilus, Houston, 1; Tamba Hali, Kansas City, 1; D'Qwell Jackson, Indianapolis, 1; Deone Buccanon, Arizona, 1.
Inside Linebacker-z
Luke Kuechly, Carolina, 49; NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco, 14; Bobby Wagner, Seattle, 12; Derrick Johnson, Kansas City, 9; Clay Matthews, Green Bay, 4; Brandon Marshall, Denver, 3; Jamie Collins, New England, 2; Anthony Barr, Minnesota, 1; Deone Buccanon, Arizona, 1; Thomas Davis, Carolina, 1; Sean Lee, Dallas, 1; K.J. Wright, Seattle, 1; Telvin Smith, Jacksonville, 1.
Cornerbacks
Josh Norman, Carolina, 43; Patrick Peterson, Arizona, 26; Richard Sherman, Seattle, 13; Chris Harris Jr., Denver, 6; Marcus Peters, Kansas City, 6; Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona, 2; Malcolm Butler, New England, 2; Aqib Talib, Denver, 1; Darrelle Revis, New York Jets, 1.
Safeties
Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona, 31; Eric Berry, Kansas City, 16; Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati, 13; Charles Woodson, Oakland, 11; Earl Thomas, Seattle, 9; Harrison Smith, Minnesota, 8; Reshad Jones, Miami, 8; Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia, 2; Kam Chancellor, Seattle, 1; Rashad Johnson, Arizona, 1.
Punter
Johnny Hekker, St. Louis, 37; Sam Koch, Baltimore, 8; Pat McAfee, Indianapolis, 4; Marquette King, Oakland, 1.
x-two voters selected only one running back.
y-one voter did not select a fullback.
z-one voter selected only one outside linebacker and one voter selected only one inside linebacker.
This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 5:13 PM with the headline "NFL All-Pro team: Nothing to see here, Cowboys fans."