Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
In a call that will not be reversed, the Dallas Cowboys placed a league-high four players on the 2014 All-NFL team chosen by votes from the Pro Football Writers of America.
On the list released Monday, Cowboys named to the team are wide receiver Dez Bryant, center Travis Frederick, running back DeMarco Murray and tackle Tyron Smith.
The team includes six repeat players from the PFWA’s 2013 All-NFL squad — tackle Joe Thomas (Cleveland), defensive end J. J. Watt (Houston), defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (Detroit), cornerback Richard Sherman (Seattle), safety Earl Thomas (Seattle) and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (Carolina).
And to address the position most often discussed, Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback of this mythical All-Star team.
Sherman, Thomas and Watt are members of the PFWA’s All-NFL team for the third consecutive season, the longest current streak among active players.
Thomas was voted All-NFL by the PFWA for the fifth time in his career, while New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis was selected All-NFL for the fourth time.
Indianapolis Colts placekicker Adam Vinatieri made the All-NFL team for the first time since the 2004 season to join New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Sherman, New England special teamer Matthew Slater, Thomas, Watt and San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle as three-time honorees.
After Dallas’ four, the New England Patriots were second with three All-NFL selections, and five clubs — the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle — each had two players on the All-NFL team.
In all, 17 clubs are represented among the 27 players honored by the PFWA and 14 selections were first-timers.
The PFWA also announced the All-AFC and All-NFC teams. The Patriots led all AFC teams with five All-AFC selections, while Baltimore, Buffalo and Denver had three each. The Cowboys led all NFC clubs with six All-NFC selections, while the Eagles had four All-NFC honorees.
2014 PFWA ALL-NFL TEAM
Offense
QB – Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
RB – LeVeon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers; DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers; Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
TE – Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
C – Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
G – Josh Sitton, Green Bay Packers; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
T – Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns*
Defense
DE – Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills; J.J. Watt, Houston Texans#
DT – Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions*
OLB – Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs; Von Miller, Denver Broncos
MLB – Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers*
CB – Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots; Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks#
S -Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks#: Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers
Special Teams
PK – Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts
P – Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts
KR – Adam Jones, Cincinnati Bengals
PR – Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles
ST – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots
* – repeat selection from 2013
# – consecutive selections in 2012, 2013 and 2014
2014 PFWA ALL-AFC TEAM
Offense
QB – Tom Brady, New England Patriots
RB – LeVeon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers; Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens
WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers*; Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
TE – Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
C – Nick Mangold, New York Jets
G – Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
T -Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns*; Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati Bengals
Defense
DE – J.J. Watt, Houston Texans*; Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills
DT – Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills; Kyle Williams, Buffalo Bills
OLB – Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs*; Von Miller, Denver Broncos
ILB – C.J. Mosley, Baltimore Ravens
CB – Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos; Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots
S – Devin McCourty, New England Patriots; Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers*
Special Teams
PK – Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts
P – Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts
KR – Adam Jones, Cincinnati Bengals
PR – DeAnthony Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs
ST – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots*
* – repeat selection from 2013
2014 PFWA ALL-NFC TEAM
Offense
QB – Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
RB – Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks; DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
WR – Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys; Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
TE – Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
C – Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
G – Zach Martin, Dallas Cowboys; Josh Sitton, Green Bay Packers*
T – Jason Peters, Philadelphia Eagles*; Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Defense
DE – Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles
DT – Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers*; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions*
OLB – Connor Barwin, Philadelphia Eagles; DeAndre Levy, Detroit Lions
MLB – Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers*
CB -Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks*; Desmond Trufant, Atlanta Falcons
S – Glover Quin, Detroit Lions; Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks*
Special Teams
PK – Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys
P – Johnny Hekker, St. Louis Rams*
KR – Devin Hester, Atlanta Falcons
PR – Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles
ST – Justin Bethel, Arizona Cardinals*
— The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) is the official voice of pro football writers, made up of accredited writers who cover the NFL and the 32 teams on a daily basis.
