Roll call: from record-setting offensive players like Marvin Harrison to the game-breakers on defense, we present the definitive list of the league's best at every position - 2002 Awards

Football Digest, April, 2003

OUR ALL-PRO TEAM IS A reflection of how the NFL as a whole shaped up in 2002. The potent offenses on the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Raiders are heavily represented, highlighted by our Player of the Year, Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon [see page 30]. On the other side of the ball, the Philadelphia Eagles and Buccaneers make up nearly half of our defensive unit, with Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks leading the way as our Defensive Player of the Year [see page 36].

We also have record-setters on our squad, most notably Indianapolis Colts wideout Marvin Harrison, whose season included 143 receptions, a stunning 20 more than the previous mark. We even have a rookie: Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, who had a huge impact on New York's offense and its attitude.

The Bay Area was the center of the football world this season, as both the Niners and the Raiders contributed four players to our team. For Oakland, it was Gannon, offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy, center Barret Robbins, and defensive tackle John Parrella. For San Francisco, wide receiver Terrell Owens joined fullback Fred Beasley, guard Ron Stone, and safety Tony Parrish.

The Eagles had three representatives: defensive end Hugh Douglas, safety Brian Dawkins, and cornerback Bobby Taylor. And even though the Miami Dolphins fell just short of the playoffs, they also had three: running back Ricky Williams, cornerback Patrick Surtain, and defensive end Jason Taylor. Special teams were truly special for the New York Jets, who placed kick returner Chad Morton and coverage guy Jerald Sowell on our squad.

Here's a complete look at FOOTBALL DIGEST'S 2002 All-Pro Team:

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Rich Gannon, Raiders

This 15-year veteran had one of the greatest seasons ever for a quarterback, a feat that becomes even more impressive when you consider that he was a journeyman before he arrived in Oakland in 1999. Gannon, who has mastered the Raiders' version of the West Coast offense, set NFL records for completions in a season (418) and consecutive completions in a game (21 vs. the Denver Broncos). He finished the season with 26 touchdown passes and just 10 interceptions.

"I don't think just anybody could do what Rich does. He's really a unique guy," Raiders offensive coordinator Marc Trestman says. "There aren't many guys who can take it from the classroom out to the field and do it week in and week out."

Running Backs

Ricky Willlams, Dolphins

Don't blame Williams for Miami's collapse down the stretch. In his first season with the Dolphins, Williams became the team's best running back since the Csonka-Kiick-Morris days, rushing for a league-high 1,853 yards on 383 carries and scoring 16 rushing touchdowns. Williams displayed an element of quickness that was absent during his tenure with the New Orleans Saints, and he also became a receiving threat with 47 catches.

Priest Holmes, Chiefs

Even though he missed the final two games due to a hip injury, Holmes had a phenomenal year. He probably would have broken Marshall Faulk's single-season touchdown record if he had played a full season. Holmes came into his own in 2001, capturing the league's rushing title. He somehow became even better this season, as his numbers indicate: 1,615 rushing yards, a 5.2 per-carry average, 21 rushing touchdowns, 70 catches, and three receiving scores. Holmes led the league in scoring with 144 points and in combined yards with 2,287.

Fullback

Fred Beasley, 49ers

There is no better all-around fullback in the league than Beasley. He is as good a blocker and receiver as nearly all of his peers, and he also possesses superior running skills. San Francisco's running attack--featuring halfbacks Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow--wouldn't have functioned without Beasley.

Tight End

Jeremy Shockey, Giants

Shockey's energy translated not only into 74 receptions and 894 yards, but also into the type of swagger the Giants previously had lacked on offense. He opened up the middle of the field to pass patterns the team never used to attempt.

How good was Shockey? He beat out Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez, an All-Pro staple. "He's a great player," Shockey says of Gonzalez. "I always watch him and how he does his job. He is definitely one of the best out there. He's a guy you like to watch and study."

Wide Receivers

Marvin Harrison, Colts

Has any receiver ever had a better year than Harrison did in 2002? Even though quarterback Peyton Manning wasn't in top form for most of the season and running back Edgerrin James' production diminished because of injuries, Harrison was unstoppable. In addition to his record-setting number of catches, he had 1,722 receiving yards (the fourth-best total in league history) and 11 TDs. But here is the true measurement of Harrison's season: He had two eight-catch games, four with nine receptions, one with 10, three with 11, one with 12, and one with 14.

"It's definitely an honor," Harrison says of being an All-Pro, "but I think a lot of it goes back not only to the work I put into it, but the team. The difference this year is that the defense [played] well, getting three-and-outs, getting us the ball back."