Martin Named To All-Pro Team
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Peyton Manning was unstoppable on the field this season, and in the All-Pro voting, too.
The record-setting Indianapolis Colts quarterback was a unanimous choice yesterday for the Associated Press 2004 NFL All-Pro Team. Manning received all 48 first-place votes from a nationwide panel of writers and broadcasters who cover pro football, the only player to sweep the voting this year.
Manning also was the All-Pro quarterback in 2003, when he was the co-MVP with McNair of Tennessee. Surprisingly, despite the Colts’ prolific offense, Manning was their only All-Pro on that side of the ball. Defensive end Dwight Freeney, the NFL sacks leader with 16, made it on defense.
Among the players making an All-Pro debut was 31-year-old Curtis Martin, who won his first rushing title this season. Martin, of the New York Jets, has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in all 10 of his NFL seasons, tying the record of Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.
He was joined in the backfield by LaDainian Tomlinson of San Diego, also a first-timer. So was Tomlinson’s teammate, tight end Antonio Gates.
The AFC’s dominance this season was evident on the All-Pro team, with 19 players from that conference and just 10 from the NFC. Pittsburgh had the most AFC players: guard Alan Faneca, center Jeff Hartings and inside linebacker James Farrior. Faneca made it for the third time, Hartings and Farrior were among 17 first-time All-Pros. Philadelphia also had three members: receiver Terrell Owens, safety Brian Dawkins, and cornerback Lito Sheppard.
Although Minnesota’s defense struggled this year, it had a prime player in tackle Kevin Williams, also a new All-Pro. Another 10-year veteran, Packers fullback William Henderson, was selected for the first time. He also made his first Pro Bowl this season.
Other All-Pros included Baltimore inside linebacker Ray Lewis, Tampa Bay outside LB Derrick Brooks, Oakland punter Shane Lechler, Kansas City tackle William Roaf, New England defensive tackle Richard Seymour, and kick returner Eddie Drummond.
Also yesterday, Chargers QB Drew Brees was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year.
