Three Former Vols Make NFL All-Pro Team
By Zach Ragan
December 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) runs the ball after an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Volunteers had three former players named to the NFL All-Pro team on Friday.
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (as a kick returner) were all named to the All-Pro first team.
All three of the former Vols named to the All-Pro team were also voted to the Pro-Bowl. Patterson was named to the Pro-Bowl on Thursday evening as a replacement for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
The All-Pro team is voted on by 50 members of the Associated Press.
Historically, the All-Pro teams carry a greater significance than the Pro-Bowl, as NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal pointed out on Friday.
"Rosenthal: These are the designations that are given extra weight when Hall of Fame voting comes up. It’s the best historical indication of what players truly dominated their positions."
Here’s the full list of the All-Pro teams.
Quarterback: Peyton Manning, Denver. No second team quarterback.
Running backs: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia; Jamaal Charles, Kansas City
Second team: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota; Eddie Lacy, Green Bay
Fullback: Mike Tolbert, Carolina. Second team: Marcel Reese, Oakland.
Tight End: Jimmy Graham, New Orleans. Second team: Vernon Davis, San Francisco.
Wide receivers: Calvin Johnson, Detroit; Josh Gordon, Cleveland.
Second team: A.J. Green, Cincinnati; Demaryius Thomas, Denver and Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh.
Tackles: Joe Thomas, Cleveland; Jason Peters, Philadelphia.
Second team: Tyron Smith, Dallas; Joe Staley, San Francisco.
Guards: Louis Vasquez, Denver; Evan Mathis, Philadelphia.
Second team: Jahri Evans, New Orleans; Logan Mankins, New England, and Josh Sitton, Green Bay.
Center: Ryan Kalil, Carolina. Second team: Alex Mack, Cleveland.
Defense
Defensive end: J.J. Watt, Houston; Robert Quinn, St. Louis.
Second team: Mario Williams, Buffalo; Greg Hardy, Carolina.
Defensive tackle: Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit.
Second team: Dontari Poe, Kansas City; Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets, Jurrell Casey, Tennessee and Justin Smith, San Francisco.
Outside linebackers: Robert Mathis, Indianapolis; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay.
Second team: Tamba Hali, Kansas City; Ahmad Brooks, San Francisco.
Inside linebackers: Luke Kuechly, Carolina; NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco.
Second team: Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati; Karlos Dansby, Arizona.
Cornerbacks: Richard Sherman, Seattle; Patrick Peterson, Arizona.
Second team: Aqib Talib, New England; Joe Haden, Cleveland, and Alterraun Verner, Tennessee.
Safeties: Earl Thomas, Seattle; Eric Berry, Kansas City.
Second team: Eric Weddle, San Diego; Kam Chancellor, Seattle, Jairus Byrd, Buffalo, T.J. Ward, Cleveland, Devin McCourty, New England, and Antrel Rolle, New York Giants.
Special teams
Punter: Johnny Hekker, St. Louis. Second team: Brandon Fields, Miami.
Placekicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore. Second team: Matt Prater, Denver.
Kick Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota. Second team: Dexter McCluster, Kansas City.