Richard Sherman Highlights PFF’s Mid Season All-Pro Team
By Keith Myers
The guys over at Pro-Football Focus released their mid-season All-Pro team yesterday, and not surprisingly it included Richard Sherman at CB. Optimus Prime is having an outstanding season so far. He’s the league’s top cover corner, and the NFL’s 2nd highest rated CB overall.
Sept. 9, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts after a call was made in the first quarter against Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE
I’m a bit surprised that Marshawn Lynch didn’t the nod at RB, but it’s tough to argue with their pick of Adrian Peterson. Peterson has been amazing this season, and Lynch did get an honorable mention at the position.
The only other Seahawk to get recognition was a bit of a surprise; or at least it was a surprise to me. Rookie middle linebacker Bobby Wagner received an honorable mention at linebacker. This is surprising, not because he hasn’t played well, but because he didn’t play much in the first 4 games.
In those games, Wagner only played in the base defense, and was on the sidelines whenever the Seahawks brought in the nickel, dime, and bandit packages, which was about half of the defensive plays. Since these choices are based on their total contribution, it just surprised me that Wagner was able to get accumulate enough rating points to be included when he spent so much time on the sidelines. I guess it shows how good he has been when he’s actually on the field.
A mid season All-NFC West team was also released, and there were plenty of Seahawks included. Sherman, Lynch, Sydney Rice, Brandon Mebane, Chris Clemons were all expected names on the team. Special teamers Leon Washington and Byron Maxwell also made the team.
The name on the list that will likely shock everyone is QB Russell Wilson, considering all the positive press that Alex Smith has been getting recently. Rather than try and explain it, let me just quote their explanation directly:
"Alex Smith looked set to have this position sewn up before his two horrible performances against the Giants and Seahawks made you realize the 49ers’ offense, is instead, limited by him. Instead, Wilson has performed above expectations and finds himself looking like a Top 10 quarterback."