This decade’s 53-player team is comprised of two quarterbacks, four running backs, one fullback, four wide receivers, two tight ends, four offensive tackles, four guards, two centers, four defensive tackles, four defensive ends, six linebackers, four cornerbacks, four safeties, two kickers, two punters, two kick returners and two punt returners. Current New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and retired Colts coach Tony Dungy also were chosen for the team.

2000s NFL All-Decade Team (* 2010 Pro Bowl pick)
Offense

Position Name Team(s)
Quarterback Tom Brady Patriots
Quarterback Peyton Manning Colts
Running back Shaun Alexander Seahawks
Running back Jamal Lewis Ravens, Browns
Running back Edgerrin James Colts, Cardinals
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Colts
Wide receiver Torry Holt Rams, Jaguars
Wide receiver Randy Moss Vikings, Raiders, Patriots
Wide receiver Terrell Owens 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Bills
Fullback Lorenzo Neal Titans, Bengals, Chargers, Ravens
Tight end * Antonio Gates Chargers
Tight end Tony Gonzalez Chiefs, Falcons
Offensive tackle Walter Jones Seahawks
Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden Ravens
Offensive tackle Orlando Pace Rams, Bears
Offensive tackle William Roaf Saints, Chiefs
Guard Larry Allen Cowboys
Guard * Alan Faneca Steelers, Jets
Guard * Steve Hutchinson Seahawks, Vikings
Guard Will Shields Chiefs
Center Olin Kreutz Bears
Center * Kevin Mawae Jets, Titans

Defense

Position Name Team(s)
Defensive end Dwight Freeney Colts
Defensive end * Julius Peppers Panthers
Defensive end Michael Strahan Giants
Defensive end Jason Taylor Dolphins
Defensive tackle La’Roi Glover Saints, Cowboys, Rams
Defensive tackle Warren Sapp Buccaneers, Raiders
Defensive tackle Richard Seymour Patriots, Raiders
Defensive tackle Kevin Williams Vikings
Linebacker Derrick Brooks Buccaneers
Linebacker * Ray Lewis Ravens
Linebacker Joey Porter Steelers, Dolphins
Linebacker Zach Thomas Dolphins, Cowboys, Chiefs
Linebacker Brian Urlacher Bears
Linebacker * DeMarcus Ware Cowboys
Safety * Brian Dawkins Eagles, Broncos
Safety Troy Polamalu Steelers
Safety Ed Reed Ravens
Safety Darren Sharper Packers, Vikings, Saints
Cornerback Ronde Barber Buccaneers
Cornerback * Champ Bailey Redskins, Broncos
Cornerback Ty Law Patriots, Jets, Chiefs, Broncos
Cornerback Charles Woodson Raiders, Packers

Special teams

Position Name Team(s)
Punter * Shane Lechler Raiders
Punter Brian Moorman Bills
Kicker * David Akers Redskins, Eagles
Kicker Adam Vinatieri Patriots, Colts
Kick returner * Joshua Cribbs Browns
Kick returner Dante Hall Chiefs, Rams
Punt returner Dante Hall Chiefs, Rams
Punt returner Devin Hester Bears

Breaking news from Adam Schefter and NFLN. Pats QB Matt Cassel has been traded to the KC Chiefs, no word on the compensation, but word is Pats get their 2009 second rounder and a conditional pick next year for Vrabel and Cassel. Schefter also guesses Cassel’s deal will be in the 7 year, $72M range.

UPDATE: Nothing’s official yet. Schefter just said there is another team involved and that the trade may not go through. Both the Chiefs and a “mystery team” have the framework for deals in place. If the Chiefs can’t close the deal then Cassel could use ‘team X’ for more cash. Schefter also says it’s a “surprise team”. More on this as it leaks.

UPDATE #2: It’s done. Cassel & Vrabel to Chiefs for Chiefs 2nd round pick.

Matt Cassel, who hasn’t started a football game since high school, will assume the starting role while the Pats entertain the idea of bringing in waiver wire QB’s like Chris Simms, Tim Rattay, and Daunte Culpepper.

“It’s bad,” a team source said. “We’re going to have to play without him.”

Brady is still scheduled to undergo further testing, but the injury looked bad as soon as it happened, with Brady grabbing his knee and screaming on the field. The backup, Matt Cassel, who looked atrocious in the preseason, still managed to defeat Kansas City 17-10, but that’s not saying much considering KC is in rebuilding mode and among the bottom of the barrel in the NFL.

Still, this isn’t official, and Belichick is as tightlipped as the Pentagon, so we’ll all probably know more in the next 24 hours.

Here’s a video of the injury:

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Free-agent QB Daunte Culpepper, who’s unsuccessfully found a team to sign with, has decided to retire from the NFL. The former Viking, Dolphin, and Raider received interest from teams this off-season but no team decided to sign him.

Culpepper, undoubtedly, will be remembered as a Viking, a three time Pro-Bowler, who made Randy Moss what he was and, in 2004, threw for 4,717 yards and 39 TDs.

Well, in-case you live under a rock, or don’t have a TV, Brett Favre was traded to the New York Jets tonight.

It

Is

Over.

ESPN’s Wendi Nix, reporting on NFL Live, reports that a trade involving Brett Favre could happen anytime now. The Packers remain reluctant to trade him within the division, so it could be the Bucs, Jets, or an unknown surprise team. A couple of things to note here:

• Bucs GM Bruce Allen was mysteriously missing from practice today, something that is apparently “very rare”. He could be working out a trade scenario for Favre.
• Favre has said on multiple occasions that he doesn’t want to play for the Jets and has no interest in playing in New York in general. It was a remote chance from the start, anyway.
• Packers coach Mike McCarthy has a news conference scheduled around 6:00 PM EST today.
• ESPN’s Ed Werder is reporting and confirming that the Bucs and Packers are working on a trade. What happens to Jeff Garcia now? I’d expect him to be pissed off to the max.

It’s getting closer, people. The end of Favre-gate could be soon.

So after two months of on-and-off rumors, in 24 hours, there will finally be a resolution (hopefully). Let the circus begin!

After failing to show up to the team’s meeting and practice today, John Lynch’s tenure with the Broncos is about to end, as the team is planning to cut ties with the veteran safety. His release is expected to happen sometime tomorrow and he has already been given permission to explore other options, be it football or not. Lynch had to have seen the writing on the wall; he was losing reps with the first-team defense and was told earlier this off-season that he was not guaranteed a starting position.

The Chargers were mentioned as a possible landing spot for Lynch, since he was raised in that area. Kansas City could be another option for him. They’re in need of a safety and Lynch has extremely close ties to Chiefs coach Herm Edwards.

New Orleans Saints top pick (#7 overall) DT Sedrick Ellis has finally agreed to terms on a deal, ending a six-day holdout. The deal’s length is five-years and can max out at $49 million. While Saints GM Mickey Loomis wouldn’t say exactly what the figures were, John Clayton reports it could be worth as little as $32 million or as much as the aforementioned $49 million. It’s also being reported that $19.5 million is guaranteed.

The former Trojan will start on the defensive line for the Saints and, combined with DE’s Will Smith and Charles Grant, could make their line one of the most talented in the league.