The NFL recently announced its 1990s All-Decade
Team. What follows is the first team along with comments by Pro Football Weekly
contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum on each person named to the team.
(x : unanimous selection)First Team
Offense
Quarterback: John Elway.
Buchsbaum says: Excellent choice. I did a poll of scouts in the league on this, and it
was split between Elway and Favre with Steve Young also getting votes. Elway had a great
arm, great improvisational skills. At his best with the game on the line.
Running Backs: x-Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith.
Buchsbaum says: Sanders has as much skill and make-you-miss as any runner who ever
played the game possibly. Smith was what you want a back to be. He'd always get you the
yards you needed. He caught the ball well. He picked up the blitz.
Wide Receivers: Cris Carter, x-Jerry Rice.
Buchsbaum says: They were both the consummate receivers in that they were big,
physical, could run after the catch, would catch over the middle. Rice was more of a deep
threat.
Tackles: William Roaf, Gary Zimmerman.
Buchsbaum says: Zimmerman was a terrific pass blocker. Roaf is an excellent player who
should be better than he is. He's always underachieved a little bit, but the question is
can you name someone like (Tony) Boselli who's only played a few years over him though
Boselli is a better football player?
Guards: x-Bruce Matthews, Randall McDaniel.
Buchsbaum says: Matthews has been great throughout. McDaniel slipped in recent years
but is still a good player.
Center: Dermontti Dawson.
Buchsbaum says: That's a no-brainer. He was the dominant center of the decade up until
three years ago when Kevin Mawae came into the picture.
Tight End: Shannon Sharpe.
Buchsbaum says: Based on receiving you have to give it to him. He's never going to be a
great blocker.
Defense
Defensive Ends: x-Bruce Smith, x-Reggie White.
Buchsbaum says: No-brainers. They're two all-time greats. No one ever was close to them
this era.
Defensive Tackles: Cortez Kennedy, John Randle.
Buchsbaum says: If you want to go for the whole decade, those are the guys you have to
go with. If you want to shorten the decade a little bit, the 49ers' Bryant Young would
figure over Cortez.
Linebackers: Kevin Greene, Junior Seau, Derrick Thomas.
Buchsbaum says: The only one I agree with is Seau. Seau is a dynamic, impact player who
has always had a tremendous flair for making the big play. Thomas was too inconsistent,
too one-dimensional. That's almost like a sack-total vote more than anything else. He had
a ton of sacks, but he was just so one-dimensional and so inconsistent that I really have
a hard time with him. Greene was more consistent, but he was just a pass rusher. I would
have taken Levon Kirkland, though the last couple of years he was playing at 290 and
wasn't nearly as effective. Though he's had a shorter reign, (Derrick) Brooks in Tampa Bay
is such a great cover linebacker, is so great in space. He adds a dimension to the team
that if I were putting together a complete team I'd have to give him very strong
consideration. (Cornelius) Bennett would also get consideration. A much more complete
player than Thomas. Had maybe one or two down years, but overall he was exceptional during
the era.
Cornerbacks: Deion Sanders, Rod Woodson.
Buchsbaum says: I totally agree with Deion. You can make a case for Aeneas Williams or
Rod Woodson, but probably because Woodson was so dominant early in the era you'd go with
Woodson.
Safties: Steve Atwater, LeRoy Butler.
Buchsbaum says: Hard to disagree with those two. You might make a case on Carnell Lake
or Darren Woodson, but it would be close. Atwater was your big, physical free safety.
Better in zone than man. Limited man-on-man coverage, but very physical, very
intimidating. Could cover half the field in his prime. Butler, great player in the box.
Excellent blitzer. Better coverage skills than most strong safeties but fell off last
year.
Special Teams
Kicker: Morten Andersen.
Buchsbaum says: Maybe the best ever when you can talk about an entire career.
Tremendous range. Could place his kickoffs. Very accurate on field goals.
Punter: Darren Bennett.
Buchsbaum says: There's no clear cut choice there. Bennett's had a few good years in a
row. Very strong leg. Has developed directional skills. One of Bobby Beathard's great
finds.
Kick Returner: Michael Bates.
Buchsbaum says: He's probably the best statistically. Not the most elusive guy but has
outstanding speed and toughness.
Punt Returner: Deion Sanders.
Buchsbaum says: Just an incredible ability to make you miss and tremendous
self-confidence in his ability.
Coach: Bill Parcells.
Buchsbaum says: Nobody got more out of players, and he did it with three teams.
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