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NEW YORK — 5 gamers, together with dynamic pass-catchers Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams, are unanimous decisions for the Related Press 2021 NFL All-Professional Crew.
Becoming a member of the Los Angeles Rams‘ Kupp and the Green Bay Packers‘ Adams in receiving votes Friday from all 50 members of a nationwide panel of media members who usually cowl the league are Indianapolis Colts working again Jonathan Taylor, Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt and Rams defensive sort out Aaron Donald.
Whereas Donald is a perennial choose — the three-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months makes the group for the seventh time in his eight professional seasons — Watt is on it for a 3rd time. He tied the NFL file for sacks with 22.5. Adams makes it for the second time, and the opposite two are newcomers as All-Execs. Kupp led the NFL in receptions (145), yards receiving (1,947) and TD catches (16). Taylor was the highest rusher by a landslide with 1,811 yards and scored 18 touchdowns on the bottom, together with two as a receiver.
“Clearly, it is an honor to be acknowledged, and it would not be doable with out my coaches and unimaginable teammates, however the awards and accolades aren’t what drives me,” mentioned Watt, whose Steelers play at Kansas City on Sunday. “It is competing with and for them, this franchise, and this metropolis, that drives me. My coaches and teammates are the those who put me able to make splash, assist us win, and this recognition actually does not come with out them.”
Like Donald, though not practically as typically because the offense-wrecking DT, a number of gamers are making one other look on the All-Professional group. Inexperienced Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on it for the fourth time, as is Philadelphia heart Jason Kelce — another than his brother, Chiefs star tight finish Travis Kelce. One higher than them: Dallas proper guard Zack Martin and Baltimore place-kicker Justin Tucker at 5.
The three-time All-Execs this 12 months are Colts linebacker Darius Leonard, Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Steelers defensive sort out Cam Heyward. The 2-time All-Execs are Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett and Titans security Kevin Byard.
The opposite 14 2021 All-Execs are making their debuts. On offense, 49ers left sort out Trent Williams is a newcomer in his eleventh NFL season, joined by Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews, Buccaneers proper sort out Tristan Wirfs, Browns left guard Joel Bitonio and 49ers vast receiver Deebo Samuel. On protection, it is linebackers Micah Parsons of Dallas, the one rookie on the squad, and De’Vondre Campbell of Inexperienced Bay; Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs; Bills security Jordan Poyer; and 5 particular teamers: Las Vegas punter AJ Cole, Jets kick returner Braxton Berrios, Ravens punt returner Devin Duvernay, Saints particular groups ace J.T. Gray and Colts long-snapper Luke Rhodes.
Maybe probably the most thrilled participant is Williams, who has been a stellar blocker for a decade with Washington and now San Francisco, however by no means acquired an All-Professional nod.
“I do really feel extra comfy than I’ve ever felt,” he mentioned. “I do really feel like I am as sturdy as I’ve ever been. I do really feel my soccer IQ might be higher than it is ever been. As a soccer participant, as a competitor, yearly you need to be higher than the final 12 months. That is my aim and at all times has been my aim. So if this 12 months is healthier than final 12 months, I hope so. That is the plan.”
Virtually as uncommon as sweeping the votes is having a rookie on the group. Parsons has been so excellent that he is additionally thought of a robust contender for the Defensive Participant of the 12 months award.
“I feel it is a rare honor,” he mentioned of being an All-Professional. “It speaks to the work and the place the Cowboys put me in. I feel it is only a true blessing. It simply makes you need to go tougher.
“I feel once you obtain issues early, you have to learn to maintain it. Folks at all times say once you get there, it will get simpler. However I feel once you get there, it will get tougher. When you get it, you have acquired it. Nevertheless it’s arduous to maintain it than it’s simply to get there. I’ve acquired to only preserve working and preserve getting higher and discover a solution to beat this season subsequent 12 months, which is the tougher half.”
Byard was an All-Professional in 2017, and now he is again on the roster after what he felt was a down 2020 season.
“It means so much to me, actually,” he acknowledged. “I put a whole lot of work in each single offseason on my own, not essentially with the group in coaching camp, however simply attempt to come into the following season to attempt to play one of the best I will be for my group.
“I’ve talked about it so much. Simply not felt like I performed my greatest final 12 months. So to have the ability to bounce again and see the sort of the work that I put in mentally and bodily sort of repay.”
Tucker’s fifth choice to the group is probably the most amongst NFL kickers; no one else on the place has been named to greater than three.
The Packers, Colts, Ravens, Rams and Cowboys every have three All-Execs. There’s a good breakdown by convention of 14 apiece.
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