Five Lions Make ESPN's All-NFC North Team

by Sean Yuille on Feb 11, 2012 5:37 PM EST in Detroit Lions News

ESPN.com's All-NFC North team for the 2011 season was posted a few days ago. It includes five Detroit Lions players -- three on offense and two on defense.

The three offensive players on the All-NFC North team might come as a bit of a surprise. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson made the team, which was expected. It was a bit unexpected to see left tackle Jeff Backus and left guard Rob Sims on it, though. The left side of the Lions' offensive line combined with the center and right side of the Green Bay Packers' offensive line to form the All-NFC North's O-line.

On defense, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and safety Louis Delmas made the All-NFC North team for the Lions.

Overall, the Packers unsurprisingly had the most players on the All-NFC North team with 12 overall (seven on offense, three on defense and two on special teams). The Chicago Bears had the next most players with seven. Interestingly, only one of those players (Matt Forte) made the team on offense. Two were on special teams and four were on defense. The Minnesota Vikings brought up the rear with only three players on the All-NFC North team.

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It's not surprising to see Backus as LT on this team at all.

When you look at the division carefully, none of the O-lines is at the top of the league. Compare Backus to J’Marcus Webb, whoever subbed for Clifton in GB, and Charlie Johnson for the Vikings, and Backus is the best by default. Sims probably was a closer call compared to Lang and Hutchinson.

No slogans. Just win!!!

by drgarnett on Feb 11, 2012 8:10 PM EST reply actions

Finley over Pettigrew

No. I absolutely HATE it when these analysts put the best qb and his recievers on an “all-blank” list. Finley had a higher yard per catch but 30 less catches…maybe his ypc was higher because he had 30 less catches or maybe it was because he had 1-2 all nfc north recievers plus the mvp at qb.

by Lionsfan012 on Feb 12, 2012 12:02 PM EST via mobile reply actions

It's a bit of a tossup.

Finley is faster and has more big play ability, but everyone forgets these days that a great TE has to be an effective blocker, too. You know Finley ain’t blocking much when he’s lined up wide more than half the snaps he plays.

No slogans. Just win!!!

by drgarnett on Feb 12, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

everyone forgets these days that a great TE has to be an effective blocker, too.

What? If a TE catches the ball and makes plays for your team, he does not have to be an effective blocker. If he happens to be a good plus blocker it is icing on the cake.

You can also expect this trend to continue and grow. Blocking is becoming less of a concern for play making TEs and I expect that trend to continue.

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by joshsun on Feb 12, 2012 12:41 PM EST up reply actions