Latest news with #AllQuarterCenturyTeam
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
ESPN's quarter century all-star team has a giant-sized mystery.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. No two NFL stars are the same though many share recognizable qualities and common ideas. It doesn't matter if they play for the New York Giants or someone else. All want to get paid. All hope they'll one day be remembered among the greats when their playing days are over. The 'alphas' often think about their legacy. How will they be remembered? Have they set their family up for financial success? How many more years of pain can they squeeze out of those weary and battered bodies? Michael Strahan, New York Giants (Photo by) Michael Strahan, New York Giants (Photo by) Photo byThose are the questions they ask themselves. That being said, you know what? Come to think of it, these guys may be more alike in their makeup than most may have thought. Must read: Abdul Carter Headlines a List of Giants Postseason Award Contenders They won't admit it, but they seek the approval and respect of their peers. And, they work their hind parts off for that respect because if their peers, opponents, and teammates respect them that's truly all that matters. All of that has been said to say this. It's easy to wonder what some of the Giants greats of the past quarter century think about this ESPN all-star team. The Giants are snubbed from ESPN's All Quarter Century Team (minus a practice team addition) It's hard to argue with the brilliance and creativity. ESPN dropped some quality content as Aaron Schatz and Seth Wilder cooked up one heck of a write-up in their NFL All Quarter Century team. There's only one problem. There are no New York Giants on the roster! That is, unless you include Michael Strahan's mention as a practice squad member. Okay, so it's been a rough go these past few seasons with Brian Daboll at the helm despite the postseason appearance his team produced in his first season as head coach. Truth be told, we can probably chalk that up to some bad moves by Joe Schoen and the front office. Must read: Kayvon Thibodeaux's Long-Held Promise Haunts in a Crucial Year The Giants can't get one guy on the list though? Not one? Sure, this team has been bad or mediocre more often than they have impressed us over the past quarter century, but this team has had some talent. What about Michael Strahan? Can we at least bump him up to the active roster? What about Eli Manning? He's 2-0 vs. the QB1, Tom Brady, on the Super Bowl stage. No one wants Eli on the squad, huh? Well, goodness gracious. You guys are a tough crowd and tough to please. Must read: A Giants Backup Role Might Not Fit Jaxson Dart's Grand Vision Here's something of note. Bill Belichick was named the team's head coach. Do we give the G-Men a nod because he was once Big Blue's defensive coordinator? No? You guys aren't rolling with that either, huh? Oh well... Maybe Abdul Carter and Malik Nabers can fight their way onto the 2025 all-star team. It will take another 25 years to get there, but at this point, Giants fans and the media have to hope for something.
CBS News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Steelers legends Alan Faneca, Troy Polamalu included in ESPN's NFL All-Quarter Century Team
Pittsburgh Steelers legends Troy Polamalu and Alan Faneca were both included in ESPN's recent NFL All-Quarter Century Team. ESPN compiled a 53-man roster with a full lineup, made up of the best NFL players since 2000 and Polamalu and Faneca, both Pro Football Hall of Famers, made the cut. The list consists of 25 offensive players, 25 defensive players, and five special teams player. Alan Faneca, who spent the first 10 years of his 13 years in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was one of the two left guards named, along with Steve Hutchinson. Faneca was an eight-time All-Pro selection before being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 21: Guard Alan Faneca #66 of the Pittsburgh Steelers blocks for running back Amos Zereoue #21 against the San Diego Chargers on December 21, 2003 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Faneca was selected to the 2004 NFL Pro Bowl. / Getty Images "His six first-team All-Pro selections are more than any other left guard this quarter century," the ranking said. Troy Polamalu was one of four safeties picked for the team, along with Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins, and Earl Thomas. Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (43) celebrates his interception for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sunday, January 18, 2009. The Steelers defeated the Ravens, 23-14. Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images "Polamalu flying all over the field epitomized what NFL teams began prioritizing with modern safeties," the ranking said. His 80 run stops ranked third among all defensive backs since 2000. Polamalu was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. Patrick Peterson, who played 13 NFL seasons and ended his career in Pittsburgh in 2023 was included in the cornerbacks section of the team alongside Aliquippa native Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey, Ronde Barber, and Richard Sherman. Antonio Brown, Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Cordarrelle Patterson were listed as "practice squad" players who fell just short of making the list for their position groups.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lions legend Calvin Johnson listed in ESPN's All Quarter Century Team
ESPN released its All Quarter Century Team for 2000-2025 on Wednesday, including just one name from Detroit Lions history. Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson is the second receiver listed in ESPN's 53-man roster for the 21st century, behind Randy Moss and ahead of Julio Jones, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, and Justin Jefferson. ESPN analysts Andrew Schatz and Seth Walder put the list together, acknowledging Johnson's short but dominant run in the NFL. Advertisement "Johnson leaped over defenders en route to two 1,600-plus-yard seasons and the all-time single-season receiving yards record (1,964) in 2012," Walder said. "He ranks fourth since 2000 in yards per game behind only three current players with far fewer games played (Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua and Ja'Marr Chase)." Walder also pointed out Megatron's individual success despite the talent around him, particularly before the arrival of Matthew Stafford. "During Detroit's infamous 0-16 season in 2008, Johnson managed 1,331 yards with Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper and Jon Kitna at quarterback." No other Lions made this particular list by ESPN, though it's not entirely surprising given how the first 20 years of this century went. This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions legend Calvin Johnson listed in ESPN's All Quarter Century Team
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions legend Calvin Johnson listed in ESPN's All Quarter Century Team
Lions legend Calvin Johnson listed in ESPN's All Quarter Century Team ESPN released its All Quarter Century Team for 2000-2025 on Wednesday, including just one name from Detroit Lions history. Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson is the second receiver listed in ESPN's 53-man roster for the 21st century, behind Randy Moss and ahead of Julio Jones, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, and Justin Jefferson. ESPN analysts Andrew Schatz and Seth Walder put the list together, acknowledging Johnson's short but dominant run in the NFL. "Johnson leaped over defenders en route to two 1,600-plus-yard seasons and the all-time single-season receiving yards record (1,964) in 2012," Walder said. "He ranks fourth since 2000 in yards per game behind only three current players with far fewer games played (Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua and Ja'Marr Chase)." Walder also pointed out Megatron's individual success despite the talent around him, particularly before the arrival of Matthew Stafford. "During Detroit's infamous 0-16 season in 2008, Johnson managed 1,331 yards with Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper and Jon Kitna at quarterback." No other Lions made this particular list by ESPN, though it's not entirely surprising given how the first 20 years of this century went.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex Chiefs Priest Holmes Gets Bizarre All-Quarter Century Team Honor
Ex Chiefs Priest Holmes Gets Bizarre All-Quarter Century Team Honor originally appeared on Athlon Sports. This is like when you give the cashier a $1 bill and she gives you back change for a $5. Priest Holmes a better running back than Adrian Peterson? Hmm. Do Kansas City Chiefs' fans admit the truth, or sheepishly smile and take joy in the controversial honor? Advertisement ESPN unveiled its NFL All-Quarter Century Team this week. It aimed at selecting a team of the best players and coaches from 2000-25. Two glaring problems: 1. It was compiled by two analytics geeks named Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder. 2. It included Holmes as the team's top running back, and totally snubbed Peterson. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, special teams coach Dave Toub and defensive tackle Chris Jones were also named to the elite team. For a franchise that had to wait from 1969 to 2019 between championships, the fan base will gladly take any honor. But ESPN's top four running backs of the 21st Century are: Holmes, Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry and LaDainian Tomlinson. Advertisement Priest had a spectacular three-year run in which he led the league in rushing yards once and touchdowns twice. But, let's face it, he only played seven seasons in the last 25 years and in three of those failed to gain 1,000 yards. In explaining why they chose Henry over Peterson and Tomlinson for their third spot, the authors cited some sort of alphabet soup. "These decisions were made mostly on statistical output, focusing on peak seasons while still rewarding longevity," the story reads. "We relied heavily on FTN's DYAR metric (defense-adjusted yards above replacement), which calculates a player's value over the course of the season compared to a replacement-level baseline. Other advanced statistics were also taken into account." Something A.I. will never (at least not yet) replace: Watching games. Advertisement Again, no shade at Priest, who was justly enshrined into the Chiefs Hall of Honor in 2014. As an undrafted free agent who started his career with the Baltimore Ravens, with the Chiefs he produced a spectacular six-year span making three consecutive Pro Bowls, three straight All-Pro teams and producing 6,070 rushing yards and 83 total touchdowns. But the only person with more rushing yards than Peterson's 14,918 since 2000 is Frank Gore. The only person with more rushing touchdowns than Peterson's 120 since 2000 is Tomlinson. Peterson made All-Pro seven times. He led the league in rushing three times. He rushed for the NFL's second-most yards in a season (2,097) in 2012 and still holds the single-game record with 296 yards in 2007. Peterson has 8,000 more yards from scrimmage than Holmes since 2000. And oh by the way, Peterson was NFL MVP in 2012. Advertisement Does Priest deserve consideration for inclusion on the All-Quarter Century Team? Absolutely. Should he be ranked No. 1? Um ... Enjoy the "win," Chiefs fans. Related: Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Offers Positive Scouting Report On Josh Simmons Related: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce 'No. 1 Favorite Movie' Revealed This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
