MKRob Sports

Quarterback- Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles

Honorable Mention: Steve McNair, Tennessee Titans/Baltimore Ravens

In the 1999 NFL Draft, McNabb was selected second overall by the Eagles, a choice which was famously booed by Philadelphia fans present at the draft, most of whom were pushing for their team to draft University of Texas running back Ricky Williams. McNabb has been under scrutiny since then and he’s my favorite because he’s gone through all of that and year after year he finds a way to be successful.

For the past few years people have said that Donovan should be traded or released, yet he still has his team in position to win the division and be the #2 seed in this year’s playoffs.

He’s gone through everything from former Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens bad-mouthing him to his own head coach Andy Reid benching him and he’s still one of the better quarterbacks in the league. He’s also arguably one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league as well playing through injuries and taking monster hits and still coming back for more.

McNabb has gone to the Pro Bowl five times in this decade (2000-2004) 4 NFC Championship games winning one and has a number of NFL and Eagles records to his credit.

He’s my favorite quarterback of this decade because he persevered through all the criticism, drama trade talks, benchings and injuries to still end up on the Eagles roster and one the best quarterback in the game today.

NFL Records:

Most consecutive pass completions, 24; vs New York Giants, Nov. 28, 2004; vs Green Bay Packers, Dec. 5, 2004

Least-intercepted quarterback per pass attempt of all time, (4588 attempts-96 interceptions, 2.09%)

Second-best touchdown-to-interception ratio of all time, (209-96, 2.18) behind Tom Brady (217-92, 2.36)

One of six quarterbacks of all time to have over 25,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards (alongside Randall Cunningham, Steve Young, Fran Tarkenton, Steve McNair, and John Elway)

Currently the third-highest winning percentage among active quarterbacks (83-45-1, .647) behind Peyton Manning (119-59-0, .669) and Tom Brady (88-25-0, .779)

Eagles Records:

Most Career Attempts (4,303)

Most Pass Completions (2534)

Most Passing Yards (29,320)

Most Passing Touchdowns (203)

Most Single-Season Completions (345, 2008 season)

Most Single-Season Yards (3,916, 2008 season)

Most NFC Championship Appearances (5)

Running Back- Edgerrin James, Indianapolis Colts/Arizona Cardinals/Seattle Seahawks

Honorable Mention- Jerome Bettis, Los Angeles Rams/Pittsburgh Steelers

I know what you guys are thinking, he’s from “THE U” and that’s why I picked him, no that’s not the only reason. E.J. has consistently been a great running back in this decade going to the Pro Bowl four times, three in this decade, won the NFL rushing title earlier in the decade and winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Many critics believed that the Indianapolis Colts made a mistake by choosing James over the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams but James quieted the critics and was an immediate success. James has been hampered by injury through most of his career and has still managed to be ranked 11th on the NFL’s all-time career rushing yards list.

P.S. I know this could have easily been LaDainian Tomlinson for most people but the truth is, I don’t like him!!!

NFL Records:

James led the league in rushing during his rookie and sophomore season. He’s currently the record holder for most total yards from scrimmage per game in a regular season career.

Colts Records:

At 9,226 total yards as a Colt, James holds the Colts’ team record for most career total yards rushing.

Wide Receiver- Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts

Honorable Mention: Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers

Marvin Harrison is my favorite because of one main reason, he’s the closest you will ever find to my 1990′s favorite wide receiver, Jerry Rice. Harrison had all the characteristics of Rice, smooth, great route runner, outstanding hands and very hard worker off the field.

I remember watching countless pre-game warmups with Harrison and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning where these two would literally practice with each other before every game from them throwing and catching on the sidelines to getting their corner of the end zone timing together.

Harrison’s been to eight Pro Bowls,  seven in this decade, won a Super Bowl in 2007  and is currently in the top five in every receiving category imaginable and most importantly, he never had any issues on or off the field. Harrison was the consummate professional and was successful in the league for a very long time. Since he has not officially retired, we may see him back in the new decade.

NFL Records:

• Holds the NFL record for receptions in a single season with 143, set in 2002.
• Currently Harrison is averaging 84.7 receptions per season, which is second to the all time record held by Sterling Sharpe who averaged 85 receptions per season. He had previously been averaging 93 per season until 2007, where he missed the majority of games with a knee injury, resulting in a 20 reception season.
• Most receptions in a 2 season period (252, 2001-2002).
• Most receptions in a 3 season period (354, 2000-2002).
• Most receptions in a 4 season period (469, 1999-2002).
• Most receptions in a 5 season period (563, 1999-2003).
• Most receptions in a 7 season period (731, 1999-2005).
• Most receptions in an 8 season period (826, 1999-2006).
• Only player to have 50 or more receptions in his first 11 seasons in NFL history.(Torry Holt became the 2nd on 12/27/09)
• Only player to have 4 consecutive 100 or more reception seasons in NFL history.
• Only player to have 4 consecutive seasons with at least 1,400 receiving yards in NFL history.
• Only player in NFL history to have 12 games with 8 or more receptions in a single season in 2002.
• Along with Wes Welker, only one of two players to have had at least six double digit reception games in a single season.
• Only player ever in the history of the NFL with 16 career games with double digit receptions for one team, Indianapolis Colts. [Jerry Rice has 17 double digit reception games(15 with the 49ers, 2 with the Raiders)]
• Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning currently hold the record for most receptions between a Quarterback and a Wide receiver with 953.
• Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning currently hold the NFL record in receiving touchdowns between a QB and WR with 112.
• Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning currently hold the NFL record in receiving yards between a QB and WR with 12,766.
• Harrison trails only Jerry Rice in 1,500 or more receiving yard seasons. He has 3 such seasons, Jerry Rice had 4.
• With 59 career 100-yard receiving games, Marvin Harrison ranks #3 all time behind Jerry Rice (76) and Randy Moss (61).
• Marvin Harrison is in second place for the most consecutive games with a reception with 204, and is now only behind Jerry Rice who had 274.
• Second-fastest player to achieve 100 receiving touchdowns.
• Only player with eight straight 1,000 yards or more and 10 or more receiving TD’s.
• Only player with eight straight seasons with at least 82 receptions.
• On December 18, 2006, Marvin Harrison and Indianapolis Colt teammate Reggie Wayne became the only NFL wide receiver tandem to catch 75 receptions and 1,000 yards in 3 straight seasons. The game was on Monday Night and was played against the Cincinnati Bengals.
• On December 10, 2006, made his 1000^th reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is among only 6 players in NFL history to have over 1000 receptions. The other 5 being Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Isaac Bruce, Tim BrownTerrell Owens. And is the fastest player to do so reaching the mark in just 167 career games.
• On December 28, 2008, Marvin Harrison moved into second place for most receptions all time, trailing only Jerry Rice, with 1,102.
• Only player in NFL history to catch a pass in every game

Tight End- Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs/Atlanta Falcons

Honorable Mention: Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

Tony Gonzalez is arguably the best tight end to ever play the game. The Chiefs had not been very successful throughout the 12 years Gonzalez’s stay in Kansas City but he stuck it out and was the best player on the team year in and year out. Every team that faced the Chiefs knew they had to deal with Gonzalez and he would come through play after play.

Gonzalez, a former college basketball player at the University of California, has been named to 10 pro bowls, nine in this decade, has been named to nine all-pro teams and has every NFL tight end record known to man. Gonzalez is now adding to his total with the Atlanta Falcons.

NFL

• Receptions in a single season for a tight end (102, 2004 season)
• Career receiving yards for a tight end (11,760 as of December 21, 2009)
• Career receptions for a tight end (994 as of December 21, 2009)
• Career receiving touchdowns for a tight end (82 as of December 21, 2009)
• Most seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards by a tight end (4)
• 11,000 receiving yards

Kansas City Chiefs

• Career receptions (916 as of December 30, 2008)
• Career receiving yards (10,940 as of December 30, 2008)
• Career receiving touchdowns (76 as of December 30, 2008)
• Career yards from scrimmage (10,954 as of December 30, 2008)
• Consecutive games with a reception (130 as of December 30, 2008)

COMING NEXT: MKRob’s Favorite Four NFL Defensive Players of the Decade