All thirty-two National Football League teams have now completed four games--- to close out the first quarter of the 2011 season. Week Five will be the first Bye-Week of the year---as the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams, and the Washington Redskins have the week off.
The following is an All-Pro team made up of the Best Offensive Performers at each position going into Week Five of the 2011 season.
Quarterback: AARON RODGERS---Green Bay Packers (12 touchdown passes, two interceptions, 1,325 passing yards, 124.6 QB rating, and two rushing touchdowns). Last season's Super Bowl winning quarterback has led the Pack to an impressive 4-0 start this year. Rodgers is in skillful command of his offense and has spread the ball around to ten different receivers so far. His favorite targets remain Wide Receivers Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson, as well as Tight End Jermichael Finley. The former Brett Favre 'understudy' is a well respected team leader who wins with pin-point accuracy and athleticism.
Wide Receiver: WES WELKER---New England Patriots (40 receptions. 616 receiving yards, 15.4 yards per reception, five receiving touchdowns). Welker is on pace to break several season receiving records this year. QB Tom Brady's favorite target is in the prime of his career, and he just seems to be getting evermore dangerous.
Wide Receiver: CALVIN JOHNSON---Detroit Lions (24 receptions, 321 receiving yards, 13.4 yards per reception, eight receiving touchdowns). The 6'5" 236 lb. Johnson is a huge reason why the once down-trodden Lions are undefeated going into Week Five. His size, leaping ability, and red-zone presence is proving too much for teams to curtail for 60 minutes. Third year QB Matthew Stafford's best friend on the field.
Running Back: DARREN McFADDEN---Oakland Raiders (468 rushing yards, 6.2 yards per carry, three rushing touchdowns---15 receptions, 132 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown). The NFL's leading rusher after four games. McFadden came into his own last year, his third, after a so-so start to his pro career. His performance a year ago helped the Raiders achieve an 8-8 record after suffering many losing years in a row.
Fullback: VONTA LEACH---Baltimore Ravens (five receptions for 15 yards). The best blocking fullback in the league at this time. The news of the acquisition of Leach from the Texans, on July 31st, put a huge smile on the face of Ravens RB Ray Rice.
Tight End: JASON WITTEN---Dallas Cowboys (27 receptions, 366 receiving yards, 13.6 yards per reception, one touchdown). QB Tony Romo's clutch go to receiver. Witten is the heart and soul of the Cowboy's offense and a perennial All-Pro. He is well on his way to a monster year in 2011.
Offensive Tackle: JORDON GROSS---Carolina Panthers (6'4" 305 lbs. -- ninth season). Now a mainstay on the left side of the Panthers line---Gross has been All-Pro at both Left and Right Tackle. Number one overall draft pick QB Cam Newton is putting up amazing numbers as a rookie, due in part to Gross, and the rest of the high quality Panthers offensive line. Gross is experienced, versatile, and consistant.
Offensive Tackle: MICHAEL ROOS---Tennessee Titans (6'7" 320 lbs.-- seventh season). A pillar on the left side for the Titans, Roos is equally as effective as a blind-side pass protector for new QB Matt Hasselbeck as he is a hole opener for RB Chris Johnson. In the prime of his career and he just seems to get better with time.
Guard: CARL NICKS---New Orleans Saints (6'5" 343 lbs. -- fourth season). Mans the left side of the most solid guard tandem in the league---along with RG Jahri Evans. Built to be an All-Pro Guard, he is excitable, consistant, and highly effective.
Guard: JAHRI EVANS---New Orleans Saints (6'4" 318 lbs.-- sixth season). The highest paid Guard in Pro history and he's earning it. Evans teams with LG Carl Nicks on the right side of the best Guard duo in the league. And this year they have the tenacious veteran Center Olin Kreutz playing between them after coming over from the Bears.
Center: RYAN KALIL---Carolina Panthers (6'2" 295 lbs. -- fifth season). The Panthers 'Franchise Player' this year. Kalil is quick, smart, and strong---with some remaining upside. He anchors one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and is an important cog in Cam Newton's quick ascendancy as a pro quarterback.
Kicker: JASON HANSON---Detroit Lions (10 field goals in 10 attempts, 15 extra points in 15 attempts, 45 points scored). A 20 year veteran who is finally tasting some team success after many years of disappointment in Detroit. Hanson has been perfect on FGs and XPs thus far for the undefeated Lions. Three of his Field Goals have been from over 50 yards.
Kick Return Specialist: TED GINN JR.---San Francisco 49ERS (nine kickoff returns for 309 yards, 34.3 kickoff return average, one touchdown---11 punt returns for 150 yards, 10.7 punt return average, one touchdown). Always a threat to take it to the house. Scored two touchdowns in 59 seconds to put away the Seahawks on opening day; the first on a kickoff return, and the second on a punt return.
Honorable Mentions: Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots has passed for 1,553 yards, 13 touchdowns, and owns a 111.3 QB Rating. And kudos to the entire Houston Texans offensive line and their highly effective zone blocking scheme that consistently blows open holes for RBs Arian Foster and Ben Tate.
Top Performance: WR Wes Welker (New England Patriots) -- On pace for 160 receptions, 2,464 yards, and 20 touchdowns.
Most Valuable Player: WR Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) -- Without Johnson this year---the Lions would now be 2-2 at best!
Walter Romania - Walter Romania is currently writing a 'political psychology' book to be titled "Elements of the Political Psyche". A current resident of ...
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