Patriots' offensive weapons overlooked by NFL All-Pro voters
A year in which the New England Patriots offense has been off the charts apparently didn't make a great case for some of its players to make the NFL All-Pro first team. Defensive Lineman Vince Wilfork was the only Pats player to make the cut. Also, despite missing 6 games with an injury, Guard Logan Mankins made the second-team.
The offensive unit for the Patriots has been a well-oiled machine this year. Totaling 444 first downs shattered the former NFL record. Side note: the Patriots also led the league in third down conversion percentage (this is a crucial, yet sometimes overlooked, statistic). On top of that, the Patriots led the league in yards per game with 427.9, points per game with 34.8, and turnover ratio +25 (although this is a team stat, much credit should go to the offense for a serious lack of turnovers).
You would imagine that with an offense like that, there would be more Patriots on the All-Pro team. Tom Brady's case could be made simply from saying that he led this unit. Not only that, he ranks in the top five of nearly every significant QB statistic. Check it out for yourself. Brady came in third in the voting, but the argument could easily be made that he should be on the team.
Then, another player who got shafted was WR Wes Welker. Not only was Welker the second leading receiver by catches in the NFL, but... HE LED THE LEAGUE IN YARDS AFTER THE CATCH. A lot of what a wide receiver does can be credited to his quarterback, but when it comes to advancing the ball after catching it, Welker towers above all. He is by far the best slot receiver in football, it's just a shame that voters didn't think he was a All-Pro material.
Stats Via NFL.com and ESPN.com
The offensive unit for the Patriots has been a well-oiled machine this year. Totaling 444 first downs shattered the former NFL record. Side note: the Patriots also led the league in third down conversion percentage (this is a crucial, yet sometimes overlooked, statistic). On top of that, the Patriots led the league in yards per game with 427.9, points per game with 34.8, and turnover ratio +25 (although this is a team stat, much credit should go to the offense for a serious lack of turnovers).
You would imagine that with an offense like that, there would be more Patriots on the All-Pro team. Tom Brady's case could be made simply from saying that he led this unit. Not only that, he ranks in the top five of nearly every significant QB statistic. Check it out for yourself. Brady came in third in the voting, but the argument could easily be made that he should be on the team.Then, another player who got shafted was WR Wes Welker. Not only was Welker the second leading receiver by catches in the NFL, but... HE LED THE LEAGUE IN YARDS AFTER THE CATCH. A lot of what a wide receiver does can be credited to his quarterback, but when it comes to advancing the ball after catching it, Welker towers above all. He is by far the best slot receiver in football, it's just a shame that voters didn't think he was a All-Pro material.
Stats Via NFL.com and ESPN.com
