NFL All Quarter Century team: Best 53-man roster, coaches

[Street Knowledge]

The All Quarter Century team: Let's fill out a 53-man NFL roster, from Tom Brady to Devin Hester

In honor of hitting the quarter-century mark, we built a 53-man roster of the best NFL players from the past 25 years. Who makes the team?

www.espn.com

Quarterbacks (3)​

Tom Brady​

Teams: Patriots (2000-2019), Buccaneers (2020-22)
Résumé since 2000: 89,214 passing yards, 649 passing TDs, seven-time Super Bowl champion, three-time MVP, six-time All-Pro

The best evidence of Brady's greatness is his all-time high in Super Bowl rings, of course, but he exemplified both team and individual success throughout his career. His 2007 season is the best in NFL history using both FTN's DYAR metric and ESPN's Total QBR. He was almost as good in 2010 despite playing in a completely different offense structured around two rookie tight ends.

For a long time, there was a great debate about who was better: Brady or Peyton Manning. But while Manning called it a career after his age-39 season, Brady won two Super Bowls in his 40s. Nobody has ever played so well for so long. -- Schatz

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Peyton Manning​

Teams: Colts (1998-2011), Broncos (2012-15)
Résumé since 2000: 64,066 passing yards, 487 passing TDs, two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time MVP, nine-time All-Pro

Manning ranks second behind Brady in DYAR since 2000. He has three of the top five seasons for total passing value -- 2013, 2004 and 2006. His 2004 season has the highest passing DVOA (value per play) of any season since 1978. And while QBR doesn't go back as far, Manning's 2006 season is the second-highest QBR behind Brady's 2007 season. Close your eyes, and you can still picture Manning audibling behind the line of scrimmage, moving his players around before the snap to take advantage of his incredible ability to read defenses. -- Schatz

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Patrick Mahomes​

Teams: Chiefs (2017-present)
Résumé since 2000: 32,352 passing yards, 245 passing TDs, three-time Super Bowl champion, two-time MVP, three-time All-Pro

There are arguments for Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees here, but we believe Mahomes deserves a spot on this team despite his relative "lack" of MVPs or first-team All-Pro selections (two) through eight seasons.

His QBR for his career (postseason included) is 75.0, which trails Manning (75.6) but is ahead of Brady (71.0), Brees (70.9) and Rodgers (66.9). And from the unbelievable throws to the mistake avoidance to the postseason heroics, we're choosing peak Mahomes over peak Rodgers or Brees. -- Walder

Practice squad: Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees

 

[Street Knowledge]

QB: Brady, Peyton, Mahomes

RB: Priest Holmes, McCaffrey, Henry

FB: Kyle Juszczyk

WR: Moss, Calvin Johnson, Julio, TO, Marvin Harrison, Justin Jefferson

TE: Gronk, Kelce, Gonzo

LT: Joe Thomas, Trent Williams

LG: Alan Faneca, Steve Hutchinson

C: Jason Kelce

RG: Zack Martin, Marshal Yanda

RT: Lane Johnson, Willie Anderson

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Edge: Demarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Myles Garrett, Julius Peppers

DT: Aaron Donald, Calais Campbell, Chris Jones

Nose: Wilfork

Versatile: JJ Watt

LB: Ray Lewis, Bobby Wagner, Brian Urlacher, Lavonte David, Luke Kuechly

CB: Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey, Ronde Barber, Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson

S: Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Brian Dawkins, Earl Thomas

K: Tucker

P: Shane Lechler

Return: Hester

ST: Matthew Slater

LS: Morgan Cox

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Coaching staff:

Belichick

OC: Kyle Shanahan

DC: Wade Phillips

ST: Dave Toub

 

[BrehWyatt]

QB: Brady, Peyton, Mahomes

RB: Priest Holmes, McCaffrey, Henry

FB: Kyle Juszczyk

WR: Moss, Calvin Johnson, Julio, TO, Marvin Harrison, Justin Jefferson

TE: Gronk, Kelce, Gonzo

LT: Joe Thomas, Trent Williams

LG: Alan Faneca, Steve Hutchinson

C: Jason Kelce

RG: Zack Martin, Marshal Yanda

RT: Lane Johnson, Willie Anderson

---

Edge: Demarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Myles Garrett, Julius Peppers

DT: Aaron Donald, Calais Campbell, Chris Jones

Nose: Wilfork

Versatile: JJ Watt

LB: Ray Lewis, Bobby Wagner, Brian Urlacher, Lavonte David, Luke Kuechly

CB: Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey, Ronde Barber, Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson

S: Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Brian Dawkins, Earl Thomas

K: Tucker

P: Shane Lechler

Return: Hester

ST: Matthew Slater

LS: Morgan Cox

---

Coaching staff:

Belichick

OC: Kyle Shanahan

DC: Wade Phillips

ST: Dave Toub

I don't know if I could have LT on the practice squad in favor of Priest Holmes.

I'd see a better argument for CMC on the bench and rolling with LT/Priest/Henry.

 

[Jplaya2023]

How LT isnt the 1st back on this list with AP second or 1st is insanity

 

[BucciMane]

I'd put this in the OP because people will bring this up. The article stated that the list valued peak and prime more than longevity.


It's always tough to build a list like this, but there are a few things I have an issue with:


1. In no world should Priest Holmes be above Tomlinson.

2. I'd have Patrick Willis over Urlacher.

3. How is Wade Phillips the DC over Spags?

4. How is Julio Jones above Antonio Brown?



Edit: I don't think Jones over Brown is egregious, but Brown was a four time first-team all-pro to "only" two for Julio.

 

[Cladyclad]

How LT isnt the 1st back on this list with AP second or 1st is insanity

I thought street made his own team

Most egregious list of all lists ever created

Bow Wow>>>>>>>>>Jay Z

Is more believable than this bs

 

[BrehWyatt]

How LT isnt the 1st back on this list with AP second or 1st is insanity

Damn... Adrian Peterson is a criminal omission.

 

[BucciMane]

How LT isnt the 1st back on this list with AP second or 1st is insanity

I agree with you about Tomlinson. I do think HB is a tough one to make a top three for, and they probably wanted at least one dual threat HB on the list, so for a power back, it came down to Henry or Peterson.

I don't really have a problem with Cmac there are they said they valued peak and prime more than longevity, but I don't think there is ANY good argument for Holmes to be over Tomlinson or Peterson.

 

[mastermind]

Adrian Peterson and LT being omitted is shocking.

No Randy Moss also.

Antonio Gates>tony Gonzalez in the 21st century, IMO

edit: moss is there, misread

 

[Cladyclad]

I agree with you about Tomlinson. I do think HB is a tough one to make a top three for, and they probably wanted at least one dual threat HB on the list, so for a power back, it came down to Henry or Tomlinson.

I don't really have a problem with Cmac there are they said they valued peak and prime more than longevity, but I don't think there is ANY good argument for Holmes to be over Tomlinson or Peterson.

So peak Cmac carrying Ponder to the playoffs or greater than LT 1800 28tds 500 receiving yards

Chris Johnson peak better than that cac

 

[BucciMane]

Adrian Peterson and LT being omitted is shocking.

No Randy Moss also.

Antonio Gates>tony Gonzalez in the 21st century, imo

It's since 2000, two of the seasons Moss had to start his career aren't factored in. I think it's tough to leave him off, but WR is a tough group to pick.

 

[Tony D'Amato]

The Runningbacks

 

[BucciMane]

So peak Cmac carrying Ponder to the playoffs or greater than LT 1800 20tds 500 receiving yards

Chris Johnson peak better than that cac

I would have Tomlinson on my list without a doubt. I'm taking Priest Holmes off.

I would probably go:

Tomlinson, Peterson, and Henry.


I'm a little biased towards Henry, but those would be my three.

 

[Stinky Diver]

That running back selection is straight ASS..
Priest Holmes?!?! CMC?!? What fakkits created or voted for this? If these cacs allowed 1999, Marshall Faulks numbers are better than Holmes. 1999, 2000, 2001 Faulk is absolutely insane.

 

[Jplaya2023]

That running back selection is straight ASS..
Priest Holmes?!?! CMC?!? What fakkits created or voted for this?

Hell im taking Shaun Alexander over any RB not named LT or AP.