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1990s NFL All-Decade Team


July 25, 2000

Who was the best quarterback of the 1990s?

Who should be the starting linebackers on the All-Decade Team?

Those are among the questions answered by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee members who selected the 1990s NFL All-Decade Team. The squad consists of first- and second-team offensive, defensive and special teams units, as well as a first- and second-team head coaches. Only a person's performance in the 1990s was used as criteria for voting.

Tennessee Titans guard Bruce Matthews, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders, Washington Redskins defensive end Bruce Smithand Carolina Panthers defensive end Reggie Whitewere unanimous choices, receiving votes on every ballot.

Deion Sandersand Mel Grayare the only players to make the team at two positions. Sanders was named first-team cornerback and punt returner while Gray made the second team as both a kick and punt returner.

Morten Andersen, Gary Anderson, Sean Landeta, 2000 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Ronnie Lott, Rice, Smith, and White are making their second appearance on an NFL All-Decade team. All were named to the 1980s All-Decade Team as well.

Following is the 1990s NFL All-Decade Team as selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee:

First Team | Second Team

Offense
QB John Elway Won back-to-back Super Bowls with Denver and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII, his last career game. Passed for 30,280 yards and 180 TDs in decade.
RB *Barry Sanders First ever to rush for four consecutive 1,500-yard seasons (1994-97), including 2,053 in '97 when named league's co-MVP. Won four rushing titles (1990, 1994, 1996-97).
RB Emmitt Smith Rushed for decade-leading 13,963 yards and 136 TDs. Won three Super Bowls with Cowboys and named league MVP in 1993. Won four rushing titles (1991-93 & '95).
WR Cris Carter Was second in decade with 835 catches and 95 touchdowns. His 10,238 receiving yards were third-best. Had consecutive 122-catch seasons (1994-95).
WR *Jerry Rice Led all players in 1990s with 860 catches, 12,078 receiving yards and 103 receiving touchdowns. Set NFL record with 1,848 receiving yards in 1995.
OT William Roaf Named starter to six consecutive Pro Bowls (1995-2000), setting Saints record. Participated in every offensive play of season four times.
OT Gary Zimmerman Played in 124 of 128 possible games before retiring after 1997 season. Won Super Bowl XXXII with Broncos. Selected to four Pro Bowls (1993, 1995-97).
G *Bruce Matthews Made Super Bowl appearance with Titans in 1999. Started every game for Oilers/Titans in 1990s (160 games). Selected to all 10 Pro Bowls in decade.
G Randall McDaniel Vital cog of 1998 Vikings team that scored NFL-record 558 points. Started every game for Minnesota in 1990s (160). Started in all 10 Pro Bowls.
C Dermontti Dawson Selected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls (1993-99). Played in 151 consecutive games in decade. Went to Super Bowl XXX with Steelers.
TE Shannon Sharpe Led all tight ends in 1990s with 552 receptions. Won Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII with Broncos. Selected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls (1993-99).
Defense
DE *Bruce Smith Led D-linemen with 113.5 sacks in 1990s. Named 1990 and 1996 Defensive Player of the Year. Went to four straight Super Bowls with Bills (XXV-XXVIII).
DE *Reggie White Had 111.5 sacks in decade, including seven 10-sack seasons. Named 1998 Defensive Player of the Year. Won Super Bowl XXXI with Packers.
DT Cortez Kennedy Selected to eight Pro Bowls (1992-97, 1999-2000). Had 50.5 sacks, including 14.0 in 1992 when named Defensive Player of the Year.
DT John Randle Led all players with eight-consecutive 10-sack seasons (1992-99), which ranks second all-time, and led all defensive tackles with 105 sacks in decade.
LB Kevin Greene Tied for second (with Bruce Smith) for most sacks in decade with 113.5. Led league in sacks twice (1994, 1996). Named to four Pro Bowls (1995-97, 1999).
LB Junior Seau Named to nine consecutive Pro Bowls (1992-2000). Led Chargers to Super Bowl XXIX.
LB Derrick Thomas Led league with 116.5 sacks in decade. Named to eight straight Pro Bowls (1991-98). Recorded decade's single-season high with 20 sacks in 1990.
CB Deion Sanders Had 39 INTs in decade and returned eight for TDs. Won two Super Bowls (XXIX with 49ers and XXX with Cowboys). Named 1994 Defensive Player of the Year.
CB Rod Woodson Led league with 46 interceptions in 1990s, including eight returned for TDs. Had 13 sacks in decade. Named 1993 Defensive Player of the Year.
S Steve Atwater Won Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII with Broncos. Played in 151 of 160 games in decade. Had 21 interceptions.
S LeRoy Butler Ranked second among safeties with 36 interceptions in 1990s. Won Super Bowl XXXI with Packers. Had 17.5 sacks in decade.
Special Teams
K Morten Andersen Scored 1,080 points in decade, third most among all players, including 245 field goals, fourth most.
P Darren Bennett Australian-born punter led league with 44.6 gross average in 1990s. Averaged 59.5 yards on four punts on 10/1/95 vs. Steelers, third-highest average all-time.
KR Michael Bates Named to four Pro Bowls as kick returner and special teamer. Averaged 24.7 yards per return in decade, including four touchdowns. Led league in 1996 and 1997.
PR Deion Sanders Averaged 10.8 yards per return in 1990s, including five touchdowns. Led league in 1998 with 15.6 average, tied for best of decade.
Head Coach
Coach Bill Parcells Won Super Bowl XXV with New York Giants (1990), led New England Patriots to Super Bowl in 1996, and led New York Jets to AFC title game in 1998.

*Unanimous selection



   

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