Page 37 - min.soc 9 jan,2016
P. 37
SPORTS A19
Saturday 9 January 2016
Mack an AP All-Pro at 2 positions; Peterson, Watt unanimous
BARRY WILNER Five teams — New Eng- In this Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs
AP Pro Football Writer land, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif. Peterson is a unani-
NEW YORK (AP) — Khalil Arizona and St. Louis — had mous choice for the 2015 Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team.
Mack has made All-Pro his- two All-Pros each. Steel-
tory. ers receiver Antonio Brown (AP Photo/Beck Diefenbach)
Mack’s versatility and re- drew 49 votes; teammate
lentlessness earned him se- David DeCastro made it at
lection at two positions on guard.
the 2015 Associated Press The Patriots were tight end
All-Pro Team, an NFL first. Rob Gronkowski and kicker
The second-year Oakland Stephen Gostkowski. From
Raiders defensive end and Cincinnati, it was DT Geno
outside linebacker drew Atkins and OT Andrew
enough support Friday Whitworth.
from a panel of 50 media Arizona, in a measure of the
members who regularly strength of its secondary,
cover the league to make had cornerback Patrick
the squad both spots. Peterson and safety Tyrann
Others, including Houston’s Mathieu. St. Louis’ All-Pros
J.J. Watt last year, have were DT Aaron Donald and
been chosen first team at punter Johnny Hekker.
one position and second at One rookie, Seattle kick
another. Watt was a unani- returner Tyler Lockett, was
mous pick at defensive selected.
end for this season’s team, “It means a lot,” Lockett
as was Minnesota running said. “There are a lot of
back Adrian Peterson. great players who come
“I do whatever I can to in to the NFL and do an ex-
help the team win. I’m a ceptional job and have a
team guy,” said Mack, great career, but they’re
who had 15 1/2 sacks (five never able to make it on
in one game), behind only the All-Pro team. It’s noth-
Watt in the league. ing that they did, just oth-
“Whether it’s dropping in er players may have had
coverage or rushing the a better season. To be a
passer. I can do either. rookie to be able to come
I think they (voters) saw in, it’s a crazy experience
that.” and a crazy accolade to
What the voters also saw have.”
was the superb work by the In all, 15 NFC players and
Carolina Panthers. 12 from the AFC were cho-
Carolina, with an NFL-best sen.
15-1 record, had the most The other All-Pros: Tampa
All-Pros with six: quarter- Bay RB Doug Martin, Atlan-
back Cam Newton, full- ta WR Julio Jones, Cleve-
back Mike Tolbert, center land OT Joe Thomas, Bal-
Ryan Kalil, linebackers Luke timore G Marshal Yanda,
Kuechly and Thomas Da- Denver OLB Von Miller, San
vis, and cornerback Josh Francisco ILB NaVorro Bow-
Norman. Kuechly led the man, and Kansas City S Eric
Panthers contingent with Berry.
49 votes. For Berry, 2015 was a par-
“He has fulfilled everything ticularly special season. He
we thought he could be,” was diagnosed with lym-
Panthers general manager phoma and this time a year
Dave Gettleman said of ago was undergoing che-
Newton. motherapy. He returned in
“And he’s just had a great spectacular fashion, help-
year. Again, the franchise ing the Chiefs win their final
quarterbacks make every- 10 games this season to
body better — that’s what make the playoffs.
they do.” “It’s an incredible honor. It
Newton was especially means a lot to me,” said
happy to join Kuechly on Berry, who also made the
the team; the linebacker 2013 team. “Football’s a
has made it in three of his team game, so I have to
four pro seasons. give credit to those guys
“That’s big, man,” Newton around me as well. We’ve
said, adding with a laugh, been hungry from the get-
“I’m just trying to be like go. I don’t know how to ex-
Luke Kuechly man, that’s it plain it, but I think you see it
— Captain America, man. throughout our play. I think
He sets the tone.” our play speaks for itself.”
