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2007 All-Pro Team
2007 All-Pro Team
from Wikipedia

The 2007 All-Pro teams were named by the Associated Press (AP), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), and The Sporting News (TSN) for performance in the 2007 NFL season. Both first and second teams are listed for the Associated Press.

These are the current teams that historically appear in Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the NFL. Although the NFL has no official awards according to the NFL spokesman Greg Aiello the NFL Record and Fact Book has historically listed All-Pro teams from major news sources such as the Associated Press, Sporting News, Pro Football Writers Association, as well as teams from organizations that no longer release All-Pro teams such as Newspaper Enterprise Association and United Press International.

The AP teams are selected by writers of the NFL. The Pro Football Writers Association team is from a poll of its more than 300 members and the editors and writers for Pro Football Weekly. The Sporting News's All-Pro team was determined through voting by professional NFL personnel directors.

Teams

[edit]
Offense
Position First team Second team
Quarterback Tom Brady, New England (AP, PFWA, SN) Brett Favre, Green Bay (AP-2)
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego (AP, SN)
Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia (AP, PFWA)
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota (AP-2)
Fred Taylor, Jacksonville (AP-2)
Fullback Lorenzo Neal, San Diego (AP) Tony Richardson, Minnesota (AP-2)
Wide receiver Randy Moss, New England (AP, PFWA, SN)
Terrell Owens, Dallas (AP, PFWA)
Braylon Edwards, Cleveland (SN)
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis (AP-2)
Braylon Edwards, Cleveland (AP-2t)
Wes Welker, New England (AP-2t)
Tight end Jason Witten, Dallas (AP, SN)
Antonio Gates, San Diego (PFWA)
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City (AP-2)
Tackle Walter Jones, Seattle (AP, PFWA, SN)
Matt Light, New England (AP, PFWA)
Jason Peters, Buffalo (SN)
Flozell Adams, Dallas (AP-2)
Jason Peters, Buffalo (AP-2)
Guard Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota (AP, PFWA, SN)
Logan Mankins, New England (PFWA, SN)
Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh (AP)
Leonard Davis, Dallas (AP-2)
Logan Mankins, New England (AP-2)
Center Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis (AP)
Andre Gurode, Dallas (SN)
Kevin Mawae, Tennessee (PFWA)
Dan Koppen, New England (AP-2)
Special teams
Position First team Second team
Kicker Rob Bironas, Tennessee (AP, SN)
Kris Brown, Houston (PFWA)
Phil Dawson, Cleveland (AP-2)
Punter Andy Lee, San Francisco (AP)
Shane Lechler, Oakland (PFWA, SN)
Shane Lechler, Oakland (AP-2)
Kick returner Devin Hester, Chicago (AP)
Leon Washington, New York Jets (PFWA)
Josh Cribbs, Cleveland (SN)
Josh Cribbs, Cleveland (AP-2)
Punt returner Devin Hester, Chicago (PFWA, SN)
Special teams Kassim Osgood, San Diego (PFWA)
Defense
Position First team Second team
Defensive end Jared Allen, Kansas City (AP, PFWA, SN)
Patrick Kerney, Seattle (AP)
Mario Williams, Houston (SN)
Ty Warren, New England (PFWA)
Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tennessee (PFWA)
Aaron Kampman, Green Bay (AP-2)
Mario Williams, Houston (AP-2)
Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee (AP, PFWA, SN)
Kevin Williams, Minnesota (AP, PFWA, SN)
Pat Williams, Minnesota (AP-2)
Vince Wilfork, New England (AP-2)
Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, Dallas (AP, PFWA, SN)
Mike Vrabel, New England (AP)
Keith Bulluck, Tennessee (PFWA)
James Harrison, Pittsburgh (AP-2)
Shawne Merriman, San Diego (AP-2)
Inside linebacker Patrick Willis, San Francisco (AP, PFWA, SN)
Lofa Tatupu, Seattle (AP)
DeMeco Ryans, Houston (SN)
Nick Barnett, Green Bay (AP-2)
DeMeco Ryans, Houston (AP-2)
Cornerback Asante Samuel, New England (AP, PFWA, SN)
Antonio Cromartie, San Diego (AP)
Champ Bailey, Denver (PFWA)
Marcus Trufant, Seattle (SN)
Champ Bailey, Denver (AP-2)
Al Harris, Green Bay (AP-2)
Safety Bob Sanders, Indianapolis (AP, PFWA, SN)
Ed Reed, Baltimore (AP, PFWA, SN)
Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh (AP-2)
Darren Sharper, Minnesota (AP-2t)
Sean Taylor, Washington (AP-2t)

Key

[edit]
  • AP = Associated Press first-team All-Pro
  • AP-2 = Associated Press second-team All-Pro
  • AP-2t = Tied for second-team All-Pro in the AP vote
  • PFWA = Pro Football Writers Association All-NFL
  • SN = Sporting News All-Pro

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2007 Team refers to the top professional players honored for their outstanding performances during the 2007 , as determined by (AP), the most prestigious annual recognition in the league. The AP compiles its Team through voting by a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL, selecting first- and second-team players at 12 offensive positions, 11 defensive positions, and five special teams spots based on regular-season play. In 2007, the first-team roster featured 27 players, with the dominating the selections thanks to their perfect 16-0 regular-season record, earning five spots including quarterback , wide receiver , offensive tackle , outside linebacker , and cornerback . Unanimous first-team choices were limited to —who led the league with 1,474 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns—and New England wide receiver , who set an NFL record with 23 receiving touchdowns, while Brady received near-unanimous support with 49.5 of 50 possible votes. Other standout first-team selections highlighted the season's balance across conferences, with 15 players and 12 from the , including tight end , center , Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams, safety , and kick returner , who led the with six return touchdowns. Notably, rookie middle linebacker was the only first-year player selected, earning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after recording 174 tackles. The team's composition reflected a memorable 2007 campaign marked by high-scoring offenses and defensive standouts, though the Patriots' loss to the underscored that honors focused solely on regular-season achievements.

Background

All-Pro Teams in the

In , an All-Pro team is an honorary selection recognizing the top performers at each position across the entire () for a given season, based on evaluations by media professionals rather than league officials or fans. These teams typically consist of a first-team roster of the elite players, with occasional second-team honors, and serve as a benchmark for individual achievement distinct from the NFL's official awards like (). The concept of teams originated in the early , shortly after the NFL's formation in , when sportswriters began compiling informal lists of standout players. The first known team was selected in by a writer for the Rock Island Argus, followed by similar efforts in 1921 by the Buffalo Evening News and in 1922 by player-coaches and Guy Chamberlin; the Green Bay Press-Gazette began naming teams in 1923. By the mid-20th century, media organizations formalized the process through national panels of voters; for instance, the began its annual selections in 1940, while the initiated theirs in 1966. All-Pro teams play a key role in spotlighting individual excellence by aggregating media consensus on the season's best talents, independent of team success or official like the MVP, which focuses on a single standout player. This media-driven approach provides a broader, expert-driven validation of performance, often influencing Hall of Fame considerations and player legacies. Unlike the Pro Bowl, which selects top players per conference (AFC and NFC) through a combination of fan, player, and coach votes and includes multiple alternates per position, teams identify the absolute best league-wide without conference divisions or fan input. honors are generally viewed as more prestigious due to their focus on elite, position-specific supremacy rather than the Pro Bowl's larger roster and popularity contest elements. They also differ from All-Rookie teams, which recognize outstanding first-year players rather than established veterans. In 2007, multiple media organizations, including the and , independently compiled their teams to reflect this consensus.

The 2007 NFL Season

The 2007 consisted of 32 teams split evenly between the (AFC) and (NFC), with each conference divided into four divisions of four teams. The ran from September 6 to December 30, 2007, during which every team played 16 games, including six against divisional opponents, four against teams from another division in their conference, four against teams from a division in the opposite conference on a rotating basis, and two against teams from the same conference based on the prior year's standings. This structure fostered intense divisional rivalries and balanced competition across conferences. A defining highlight was the New England Patriots' undefeated 16-0 regular season, propelled by quarterback Tom Brady's league-leading 4,806 passing yards and NFL-record 50 touchdown passes, alongside wide receiver Randy Moss's record 23 receiving touchdowns and 1,493 receiving yards. The Patriots set a single-season scoring record with 589 points, averaging 36.8 per game, which epitomized the era's offensive explosion. Meanwhile, the season saw other potent attacks, such as the Indianapolis Colts defending their Super Bowl title with a balanced offense led by Peyton Manning, and the Green Bay Packers surging under Brett Favre's 4,155 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. In the playoffs, the emerged as underdogs, securing the NFC wild card spot with a 10-6 record before stunning the top-seeded 21-17 in the divisional round, the NFC champion 23-20 in overtime at , and finally the Patriots 17-14 in on February 3, 2008, at University of Phoenix Stadium in . The Giants' victory denied New England a perfect 19-0 campaign and marked the first time an NFC wild card team won the . League trends included elevated scoring across the board, with teams averaging 21.1 points per game, contrasted by defensive standouts like the Giants' playoff run defense that limited opponents to just 296 rushing yards over four games. Rookies also shone, notably Minnesota Vikings running back , who rushed for an NFL-record 296 yards and three touchdowns in a single game against the on November 4, 2007, en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Tom Brady's dominance earned him the NFL award and the AP Offensive Player of the Year honor, both unanimously, underscoring his pivotal role in the season's narrative. These standout performances provided key context for All-Pro recognitions, emphasizing players who elevated their teams amid the competitive landscape.

Selection Processes

Associated Press

The (AP), a prominent wire service, compiles its annual NFL All-Pro Team through votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media professionals, consisting of writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the league. Panelists vote for the top player at each position based on regular-season performance, with first-team honors going to the highest vote recipients—typically 12 on offense (including , two running backs, fullback, two wide receivers, , two offensive tackles, two guards, and ), 11 on defense (two defensive ends, two defensive tackles, two outside linebackers, one middle linebacker, two cornerbacks, and two safeties), and specialists such as kicker, punter, and returners—while second-team selections recognize the runners-up. The process prioritizes metrics like statistical output (e.g., yards gained, sacks recorded), game-changing impact, and consistent play, focusing on players' individual roles in driving team achievements. Unanimous first-team votes demand complete agreement from the entire panel, highlighting exceptional dominance. The 2007 AP All-Pro Team was announced on January 9, 2008, after the regular season ended but before the playoffs concluded. That year, only of the and wide receiver of the earned unanimous first-team nods, receiving all 50 votes. In contrast to the Pro Football Writers of America's broader poll of more than 300 members or The Sporting News' votes from coaches, coordinators, and executives, the AP's method relies on this curated group of 50 media experts for a focused evaluation.

Pro Football Writers of America

The (PFWA), an organization comprising over 300 accredited writers, editors, and broadcasters who cover the on a daily basis, conducts its selections through a ballot open to its full membership along with contributors from . This process, established since the PFWA's inception of annual All-NFL teams in , focuses exclusively on a single first-team selection without a second team, reflecting the association's emphasis on identifying the absolute top performers from the regular season. Voting occurs via ballot shortly after the regular season concludes, typically in early January during the week of the AFC and NFC Championship Games, allowing members to evaluate players based on comprehensive analysis including statistical performance, advanced metrics, and film study of games. Selections prioritize factors such as positional value, on-field leadership, and the ability to deliver game-changing plays, with any ties broken by total vote counts to ensure clear consensus. A distinctive element of the PFWA approach is its strong recognition of special teams contributions, exemplified by the inclusion of players like for his exceptional return roles, highlighting the importance of versatile impact beyond traditional offense and defense. The 2007 PFWA All-Pro team was announced in early January 2008, aligning with similar media outlets to provide timely recognition ahead of the playoffs. This timing facilitated coordinated coverage, and the selections showed notable overlap with other polls, such as the selection of Tom Brady, who received near-unanimous support in the Associated Press voting.

The Sporting News

, a longstanding sports publication known for its in-depth coverage, selected its 2007 All-Pro Team through voting by professional personnel directors, capturing an insider perspective on player excellence. The process was limited to a first-team roster, with ballots distributed in the postseason to emphasize evaluations based on game film and respect among peers rather than fan popularity or media buzz. Voters accorded heavy weight to nuanced aspects of play, such as blocking schemes for linemen, effectiveness for edge defenders, and coverage skills for defensive backs, while downplaying raw statistical outputs like tackles or yards in favor of overall impact and technique. A distinctive element of the TSN selections was the recognition of players like Braylon Edwards of the , honored for his blend of upside potential and reliable consistency across the season. Historically, ' All-Pro teams have tended to align closely with rosters but stand out by prioritizing the informed judgments of league personnel over broader public or media input. The offensive line choices, for instance, showed notable similarities to those made by the .

Player Selections

Associated Press First Team

The (AP) All-Pro First Team for the recognized 27 players as the league's elite performers, selected by a panel of 50 media members who cover the sport weekly. This team highlighted the dominance of the , with five selections, and reflected the era's shift toward pass-heavy offenses, exemplified by quarterback Tom Brady's record-setting 50 passes. LaDainian and earned unanimous votes, underscoring their exceptional individual impacts amid team successes.

Offense

The offensive selections emphasized versatile playmakers and a strong offensive line, supporting high-scoring attacks. Brady's aerial assault, including his league-leading 50 passes, propelled the Patriots to a perfect regular season. complemented this with a single-season record 23 receiving s, breaking the previous mark set by . Tomlinson, despite the Chargers' playoff disappointments, led the with 1,474 rushing yards and 15 rushing s, earning his fourth straight first-team nod unanimously.

Defense

Defensive honorees featured disruptive linemen and coverage specialists, with rookies like linebacker showcasing immediate impact through 174 tackles and four interceptions. The group included five unanimous or near-unanimous picks, balancing and run defense in a season where scoring defenses were crucial.

Special Teams

Special teams selections rewarded consistency in kicking, punting, and returns, with kicker setting a Titans franchise record with 148 points scored. Return specialist 's explosive speed led to league-high return averages, including a 12.9-yard punt return average.

Associated Press Second Team

The second-team selections for the recognized players who finished just behind the first-team honorees in voting by a panel of media members, highlighting performers who demonstrated exceptional skill across the league despite not securing top honors. These selections served as a secondary tier, often featuring established veterans and breakout stars who contributed significantly to their teams' efforts during a competitive year marked by high-scoring offenses and stout defenses. The complete second-team roster, as determined by the AP, included the following players:
PositionPlayersTeam(s)
Quarterback
Running Backs, Fred TaylorMinnesota Vikings,
FullbackMinnesota Vikings
Wide Receivers, (tied), (tied), ,
Tight End[Kansas City Chiefs](/page/Kansas_City Chiefs)
Offensive Tackles, ,
Offensive GuardsLeonard Davis, ,
Center
Defensive Ends, , Houston Texans
Defensive TacklesPat Williams, Minnesota Vikings,
Outside LinebackersJames Harrison, ,
Inside Linebackers, , Houston Texans
Cornerbacks, Al Harris,
Safeties, (tied), (tied), Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins
Kicker
Punter
Kick Returner
Notable aspects of the voting included ties at , where and shared the third spot, and at safety, where and tied for the second spot behind . Among the selections, rookie running back stood out for his explosive debut season, rushing for 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 games, including a franchise-record 296-yard performance against the that underscored his potential as an elite talent.

PFWA Team

The (PFWA) selected its 2007 All-NFL Team based on votes from over 300 members, recognizing the league's top performers in a single-team format without second-team designations. This media-driven selection process emphasized players who excelled across offense, defense, and special teams during the regular season, highlighting dominant individual contributions amid a year defined by high-scoring offenses and pivotal defensive stands. The team featured several players from playoff contenders, reflecting the depth of talent in the ' undefeated regular season and other standout campaigns. The offensive lineup was anchored by quarterback of the , who threw for an NFL-record 50 s, earning widespread acclaim for his precision and leadership. Running backs of the and of the rounded out the backfield, with Tomlinson's versatile 3,000-plus scrimmage yards underscoring his dual-threat prowess and Westbrook's all-purpose yardage total of over 2,000 exemplifying his receiving and rushing balance. Wide receivers (Patriots) and () formed a dynamic duo, combining for 23 receptions, while () provided reliable blocking and receiving with 96 catches. The offensive line included center (Colts), guards Steve Hutchinson () and (Patriots), and tackles (Patriots) and Walter Jones (Seahawks), a unit noted for protecting quarterbacks and opening lanes effectively. On defense, the front featured defensive ends Patrick Kerney (Seahawks) and Jared Allen (Chiefs), both prolific in sacks with Kerney leading the league at 14.5 and Allen close behind at 14.0, emphasizing the PFWA's focus on pass-rush impact. Defensive tackles Albert Haynesworth (Titans) and Kevin Williams (Vikings) anchored the interior, with Haynesworth's disruptive force yielding 8 sacks from the middle. The linebacker corps consisted of outside linebackers Mike Vrabel (Patriots) and DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), middle linebacker Patrick Willis (49ers), where Ware's 14 sacks highlighted edge pressure and Willis, a rookie, tallied 174 tackles. In the secondary, cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie (Chargers) and Asante Samuel (Patriots) excelled in interceptions, with Cromartie securing 10 picks, while safeties Ed Reed (Ravens) and Bob Sanders (Colts) brought versatility, Reed with 8 interceptions and Sanders with hard-hitting plays. Special teams selections included placekicker (Titans), who converted 74.2% of field goals including long-range accuracy; punter Andy Lee (49ers), averaging 45.4 yards per punt; kick returner (), leading the with 30.4 yards per return; punt returner (Bears), explosive with two touchdown returns; and special teamer (Chargers), recognized for coverage and blocking. Several players, such as and Tomlinson, achieved unanimous selection across major All-Pro teams including the , underscoring their consensus dominance.

TSN Team

(TSN) All-Pro Team for the was selected through voting by personnel directors, who evaluated players based on their on-field performance and contributions to team success. This process highlighted players deemed essential by league executives, with a particular focus on those driving offensive and defensive dominance. The resulting first-team roster showcased a blend of veteran stars and emerging talents, reflecting the season's competitive landscape. The complete TSN All-Pro Team roster is as follows: Notable selections included several offensive linemen recognized for their foundational roles in protecting quarterbacks and opening running lanes, with center earning praise for his exceptional run-blocking prowess that anchored the ' ground game. This emphasis underscored TSN's appreciation for linemen who provided brute force and consistency in the trenches. The team also aligned closely with the ' appearance, featuring four of their key contributors.

Notation

Position Abbreviations

The position abbreviations used in the 2007 All-Pro Team selections follow standard conventions for clarity in reporting player honors across offensive, defensive, and special teams units.

Offensive Positions

These abbreviations denote key roles in the offensive lineup, responsible for advancing the ball through passing, running, and blocking.
AbbreviationPosition
QB
RB
FBFullback
WR
TE
OTOffensive tackle
OGOffensive guard
CCenter
The (QB) directs the offense, while running backs (RB) and fullbacks (FB) handle carries and blocking; wide receivers (WR) and tight ends (TE) focus on receptions, with the offensive line—tackles (OT), guards (OG), and center (C)—providing protection.

Defensive Positions

Defensive abbreviations specify front-seven and secondary roles, tailored to common alignments like the 4-3 (four down linemen, three linebackers) and 3-4 (three down linemen, four linebackers) schemes prevalent in 2007 rosters.
AbbreviationPosition
DE
DT
OLBOutside linebacker
ILBInside linebacker
CB
S
Defensive ends (DE) and tackles (DT) form the line to disrupt plays, outside linebackers (OLB) rush or cover edges in both schemes, inside linebackers (ILB)—often termed middle linebackers (MLB) in 4-3 setups—handle interior runs and passes, while (CB) and (S) defend receivers. The OLB/ILB distinction reflects scheme differences, with 3-4 defenses employing two OLBs for edge pressure akin to 4-3 DEs and two ILBs for run support, as seen in 2007 team defenses.

Special Teams Positions

These cover kicking, punting, and return duties, essential for field position battles.
AbbreviationPosition
KKicker
PPunter
KRKick returner
PRPunt returner
STSpecial teamer
The kicker (K) handles field goals and extra points, the punter (P) flips field position, returners (KR and PR) advance kicks and punts, and special teamers (ST) excel in coverage or blocking units.

Selection Codes

The selection codes used in the player sections denote the organizations that recognized each athlete as an All-Pro, along with specifics on team placement and voting outcomes. The primary codes include AP for the first-team selections, PFWA for the team, and SN or TSN for team. Second-team designations are marked as AP-2, while AP-2t indicates a tie for second-team status in the voting. First-team status is implied unless otherwise specified, such as with AP-2 or AP-2t notations. Unanimous selections within an organization are noted where all voters agreed, and broader consensus across organizations is indicated by listing multiple codes, such as AP, PFWA, and SN together. For example, a notation like "AP, PFWA, SN" signifies agreement among these groups for a first-team pick without detailing individual vote tallies. Team affiliations use standard NFL abbreviations, such as NE for the and SD for the . In the 2007 selections, these codes highlight cases of full organizational agreement, such as for players unanimously chosen by the Associated Press.

References

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