As an Atlanta Falcons fan, one can become accustomed to being overlooked by the national media. No championships and only one Super Bowl appearance can make Atlanta easy to underestimate. One media member has risen above the rest for his, let's call it, distrust of the Falcons. Your friend and mine, Peter King, will always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Falcons fans.
We all remember his preseason picks when he ranked the Falcons 16th in the NFL - eight spots lower than the Carolina Panthers. He enjoys picking against the Falcons and has done so four times in seven games this season. He even picked the Browns to beat the Falcons in Week 5.
There's not a lot of evidence that King thinks the Falcons are a upper-echelon team. I know he ranked them 3rd in his Fine Fifteen after beating the Saints but let's not lose focus! Now where was I? Oh right, Peter King hates the Falcons. But he loves him some Roddy White. In the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, King released his choices for the Midseason All-Pro team and the Falcons' Pro Bowler came away with a lot of (imaginary) hardware.
White was named Offensive Player of the Year and was one of three wideouts selected to the team. As King explains:
Matt Ryan can’t live without him: He throws to White 12 times a game. A two-time Pro Bowl pick in his sixth season, White is on pace for a mind-boggling 123 catches. His average game: eight catches, 107 yards. His biggest: 11 catches, 201 yards against Cincinnati.
In the preseason, Dunta Robinson said White reminded him of Texan receiver, Andre Johnson. After this season, Johnson may need to remind people of White. We've been on the "Roddy White is the best receiver in the NFL" bandwagon for some time so this is nothing new to the faithful, but it's rewarding to see him finally gain the national recognition he deserves.
White is not only the lone Falcon on King's Midseason team but he is the only member of the NFC South. It's bizarre the best team in the NFC, the Tampa Bay Raheem Morris', doesn't have a player on the list. Clearly an oversight.
The rest of White's teammates include:
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OFFENSE |
DEFENSE |
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QB: Peyton Manning, Colts |
DE: Trent Cole, Eagles |
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RB: Arian Foster, Texans |
DE: Vince Wilfork, Patriots |
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WR: Roddy White, Falcons |
DT: Haloti Ngata, Ravens |
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WR: Brandon Lloyd, Broncos |
DT: Jason Jones, Titans |
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WR: Davone Bess, Dolphins |
LB: Clay Matthews III, Packers |
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TE: Antonio Gates, Chargers |
LB: Cameron Wake, Dolphins |
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T: Jake Long, Dolphins |
LB: Lawrence Timmons, Steelers |
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T: Marshal Yanda, Ravens |
CB: Brandon Flowers, Chiefs |
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C: Alex Mack, Browns |
CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders |
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G: Brandon Moore, Jets |
SS: LaRon Landry, Redskins |
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G: Ryan Lilja, Chiefs |
FS: Earl Thomas, Seahawks |
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SPECIAL TEAMS |
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PK: Billy Cundiff, Ravens |
P: Shane Lechler, Raiders |
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KR: Brandon Tate, Patriots |
PR: Devin Hester, Bears |
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AWARDS |
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MVP: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots |
Offensive Rookie: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Steelers |
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Offensive Player: Roddy White |
Defensive Rookie: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Lions |
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Defensive Player: Haloti Ngata |
Coach: Bill Belichick, Patriots |
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