All freak team

[wilco_holland]

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=214596&sc=122

It's time for the second annual All-Freak Team. A player needs to portray at least one of these characteristics -- toughness, leadership, eccentric, team-first attitude and play through injuries -- to be considered.

Quarterback -- Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger continues to make plays with his legs and arm. He's like the Energizer Bunny -- keeps going, going, going. . . after every hit and he takes many.

Running back -- Washington's Clinton Portis is a different bird. He likes to dress up as a different person for press conferences. Portis wants to carry the ball and win at all costs regardless of injuries.

Wide receiver - Baltimore's Derek Mason played against the Cowboys in a late-season must-game for Baltimore, and the medical staff had to pop his shoulder back in three times in that game. Mason caught a big TD pass with only one arm functioning. Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals catches everything. Nike had a slogan -- Just Do It. Fitz's slogan is Just Catch It.

Tight End - Dallas' Jason Witten is one of the few team players on the Cowboys, a gamer who plays through pain. He's one of the few Cowboys that a Giants' fan would like to have on our team.

Offensive line

Centre -- Tennessee's Kevin Mawae. You saw how much they missed him in their playoff loss.

Guards -- Chris Snee's father-in-law might be the Giants coach, but he gets no favours and has turned into one of the best guards in football. Can you imagine their conversation at Christmas dinner? Minnesota's Steve Hutchinson opens the holes for Adrien Peterson. Without Hutch, Peterson's numbers might become average.

Tackles -- Carolina's Jordan Gross is a mauler and a big reason why DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart had a big year running the ball. Philadelphia's Jon Runyan played the whole season on two bad knees and did not miss a game. He's old but reliable.

Defensive line

Ends -- The Giants' Justin Tuck played the last six games with such a bad knee he needed surgery after the playoffs. He never used it as an excuse. Houston's Mario Williams has turned into a dominant player against both the pass and run. Who would you rather have now -- Vince Young or Super Mario?

Tackles -- Minnesota's Pat Williams is their MVP on defence at 365 pounds. The D looked very average when he was out. Unknown Raven Haloit Ngata has a great name, but at 345 pounds is a big, young tackle. He has rare speed to rush the quarterback and is rock solid against the run.

Linebackers -- Pittsburgh's James Harrison was not drafted, cut three times

and now is defensive player of the year. Enough said. Baltimore's Ray Lewis might not be liked, but shows up every game with his physical presence and leadership. Demarcus Ware brings the heat on passing downs -- he's a

difference maker.

Corners -- Pittsburgh's Ike Taylor has rare size for a corner and matches up

well with big physical wideouts. Green Bay's ageless Charles Woodson can still play man to man with the best of them. He had a real good year on a banged up Green Bay defence.

Safeties -- Ed Reed is a ball hawk for the Ravens and has turned games around with his momentum-turning touchdown interceptions. Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu is a sure-tackler, plays hurt, flies to the ball and has great hair.

Kicker -- For the second straight year, it's Oakland's Sebastien Janakowski. Just because he is by far the largest kicker in the league and still drives a Harley.

Punter -- None of them like or want to tackle, so no place for them on the team.

[kevinklein]

Oh yes, the offseason is in full throttle for Skins fans.

[CRobi21]

Wasn't that like 3 years ago?