Broncos WR Eric Decker Named To USA Football All-Fundamentals Team

by John Bena on Dec 14, 2011 8:32 AM MST in Denver Broncos in the News

USA Football has selected Denver Broncos wide receiver ERIC DECKER to its third annual USA Football All-Fundamentals Team, which honors 26 NFL players - 11 offense, 11 defense, four special teams - who exhibit exemplary football techniques for youth players to emulate.

USA Football's All-Fundamentals Team recognizes NFL players at each offensive and defensive position as well as four special teams positions. Employing proper technique, particularly when blocking and tackling, fosters better on-field performance and inherent safety benefits.

Decker has established himself as one the top receivers in the league because of his technique. Decker uses his hands, not his body, to catch passes. Even when a pass is high, he keeps his thumbs and index fingers together and secures the ball by tucking it close to his body after the catch.

USA Football, the sport's national governing body in the United States, is the official youth football development partner of the Broncos, the NFL and each of the league's other 31 teams.

Each player chosen for the All-Fundamentals Team will receive a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football to donate to the youth or high school football program of his choice. USA Football also will present selected players with a custom-made Riddell helmet trophy.

Employing core football fundamentals advances a youth player's performance and safety, particularly in the areas of blocking and tackling. USA Football has educated more than 75,000 youth football coaches in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., through its online courses and single-day coaching clinics since 2006. Approximately 3 million American children age 6-14 play organized tackle football, placing it among the country's most popular youth sports.

The USA Football All-Fundamentals Team was assembled by a five-person selection committee:

CHARLES DAVIS, USA Football spokesperson, football analyst for NFL Network and FOX Sports
HERM EDWARDS, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL head coach
MERRIL HOGE, USA Football board member, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL player
JIM MORA, USA Football Tackle Advisory Committee member, former Falcons and Seahawks head coach
CARL PETERSON, USA Football chairman, former NFL team executive and assistant coach

NFL game footage showing USA Football All-Fundamentals Team players' techniques is available at www.usafootball.com/all-fundamentals-team.

2011 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team - Offense:

NAME	POS.	TEAM	FUNDAMENTAL SKILL
Aaron Rodgers	QB	Green Bay Packers	Throwing mechanics
Arian Foster	RB	Houston Texans	Following blocks/ball security
Michael Robinson	FB	Seattle Seahawks	Run blocking
*Eric Decker*	WR	*Denver Broncos*	*Catching with hands*
Donald Driver	WR	Green Bay Packers	Catching with hands
Heath Miller	TE	Pittsburgh Steelers	Run blocking/catching
Nick Mangold	C	New York Jets	Run blocking/combo block
David Diehl	G	New York Giants	Run blocking
Carl Nicks	G	New Orleans Saints	Run blocking/drive block
Jordan Gross	T	Carolina Panthers	Run blocking/combo block
Joe Thomas	T	Cleveland Browns	Pass blocking footwork

2011 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team - Defense:

NAME	POS.	TEAM	FUNDAMENTAL SKILL
Tamba Hali	DE	Kansas City Chiefs	Pass rush
Julius Peppers	DE	Chicago Bears	Defeating a block
Haloti Ngata	DT	Baltimore Ravens	Defeating a block/arm over rush
Justin Smith	DT	San Francisco 49ers	Defeating a block/bull rush
Sean Lee	LB	Dallas Cowboys	Tackling
Patrick Willis	LB	San Francisco 49ers	Defeating a block/tackling
NaVorro Bowman	LB	San Francisco 49ers	Gaining ground downhill/tackling
Brent Grimes	CB	Atlanta Falcons	Pass coverage
Charles Woodson	CB	Green Bay Packers	Playing the ball
Malcolm Jenkins	S	New Orleans Saints	Breaking up the pass
Eric Weddle	S	San Diego Chargers	Footwork in coverage

2011 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team - Special Teams:

NAME	POS.	TEAM	FUNDAMENTAL SKILL
Devin Hester	KR-PR	Chicago Bears	Kick catching/returning
Cullen Loeffler	LS	Minnesota Vikings	Long snapping mechanics
Josh Scobee	K	Jacksonville Jaguars	Kicking mechanics
Shane Lechler	P	Oakland Raiders	Punting mechanics

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Comments

No offense Bena

But is this a joke? Decker showing good fundamentals catching with his hands?

Atheist for Tim Tebow!

by CombatChuk on Dec 14, 2011 8:45 AM MST reply actions 1 recs

Came in to say the same thing

by Bustafluff on Dec 14, 2011 8:49 AM MST up reply actions

He was doing this well before the last 2 weeks.....he just needs to get out of his slump :(

W-L record doesn't matter to me.... I just want to see a team on the rise at the end of the year!

by Broncotodd on Dec 14, 2011 8:49 AM MST up reply actions

Agreed. He has a long history of being an excellent pass catcher, so hopefully he cuts it out and catches everything thrown his way this week.

I will say, even among his recent drops, he’s made some amazing catches at absolutely critical times.

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Dec 14, 2011 10:51 AM MST up reply actions

Ya' just can't please everyone

He only had one drop in college
He’s attended Larry Fitzgerald’s camp during the offseason
He’s the Broncos leading wide receiver
He’s clutch as a receiver
Ya’ just can’t please everyone

by 9798 on Dec 14, 2011 9:02 AM MST up reply actions 3 recs

He was playing really well....

still blocking well. He is having some problems catching lately. I think some of it is Tebow throwing left handed does change it up a bit. I also think there is added pressure to catch a Tebow pass, who knows when you are going to get the next catch able ball.

by Keyworthpunch on Dec 14, 2011 9:28 AM MST up reply actions

All of the receivers need do a better job of catching the ball when it finally comes their way...

and Tebow needs to throw a higher percentage of catch-able balls in order to help make their job easier…but, then again, they are young yet.

by 9798 on Dec 14, 2011 12:25 PM MST up reply actions

He's sure dropping a lot of passes trying to catch with his hands

Von Miller and Dumervil are basically racing to see who's first to the QB...Love this feeling!!!

by DaLostBoy4 on Dec 14, 2011 9:05 AM MST reply actions

Oh the Irony

Maybe he can watch film of himself, and get these drops corrected. I have faith in Decker to turn it around.

Also, he does seem to make a lot of mental errors. False starts, lining up wrong, running the wrong route.

Von Miller doesn't sleep, he waits

by RockyMountainThunder on Dec 14, 2011 9:21 AM MST reply actions

What does it mean keeps thumbs and index fingers together?

There is no way one can catch doing that.

by Keyworthpunch on Dec 14, 2011 9:25 AM MST reply actions

thumbs touching thumbs and index touching index. It creates a circle in between those 4 fingers. The end of the ball should enter that circle and the other fingers should close on the ball.

by trumanj on Dec 14, 2011 9:38 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Maybe you guys only watch Broncos games...

Decker is a solid wideout. Guys make mistakes all the time on every team in every game. Jerry Rice is one of the best pass catchers in the history of the game and even he dropped a few. So if the best guy to ever play the position has drops…. I expect a 2nd year player… 1st year starter… to have his fair share of drops. Especially with Tims wobbly passes.

by Triz06 on Dec 14, 2011 9:41 AM MST reply actions

Not only Rice, but TO and Chad Ocho, too.

They dropped more than their fair share of balls. Decker has already proven to the Broncos that he can be the #1 WR, and with him being named to the USA Football All-Fundamentals Team, others with inside knowledge of pro football have also noticed. And, apparently, even John Bena of MHR seems to think that Decker’s selection is a big deal worth mentioning, so I think that the criticism is harsh when congratulations are in order.

by 9798 on Dec 15, 2011 6:06 AM MST up reply actions

Ummmm guys,

One bad game where he drops some passes and you lose faith in his catch abilities? Wow.

Find me on Twitter, Broncos Zone, BroncoTalk, BroncoPlanet and of course, MHR.

by jonmark93 on Dec 14, 2011 9:51 AM MST reply actions 2 recs

lol It hasn't been just this one game

It’s been going on the past several weeks

Atheist for Tim Tebow!

by CombatChuk on Dec 14, 2011 9:58 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs

I must have missed that.

All receivers drop passes every now and again. And I know many (including myself) take a little bit to get used to a new quarterback. And not all of Tebow’s passes are beautiful.

It’s not like Decker has always had a problem catching balls, he’s just dropped a few in recent weeks. Give him a break, he’ll bounce back.

Find me on Twitter, Broncos Zone, BroncoTalk, BroncoPlanet and of course, MHR.

by jonmark93 on Dec 14, 2011 10:41 AM MST up reply actions

where did you play wideout?

that’s awesome that you have personal experience!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Dec 14, 2011 11:08 AM MST up reply actions

It's not that we're ready to chuck him to the curb...

it’s just surprising that someone who has had so many drops recently is getting acknowledged for his fundamentals. Here’s hoping that he can live up to the accolade.

Follow @Jezru

by Jezru on Dec 14, 2011 10:54 AM MST up reply actions

I hope your idea CATCHES on

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Dec 14, 2011 11:09 AM MST up reply actions

ZING!

Follow @Jezru

by Jezru on Dec 14, 2011 11:13 AM MST up reply actions

This will be good for Decker

He’s probably been down on himself a little bit and this can serve as a reminder of past success and a confidence booster. He generally IS fundamentally sound and he will be a critical part of the team’s success as they approach the playoffs.

I recall once having my worst month as an engineer (and employee in general). There was a lot going on in my life, family issues, etc. I was late a lot during that stretch and my productivity was just off. My manager called me in and I expected the butt-chewing I deserved. Instead I got a raise!

I thanked him and told him it was bittersweet given my recent poor recent performance. He acknowledged my problems but he also reminded me of the year I had and that he knew I would return to form and earn the raise. My family issues lingered for a few more months and I still had to miss some hours here and there, but my productivity slump ended that day.

I think this is cool and may be just what the doctor ordered for Decker.

by chupacabra on Dec 14, 2011 10:58 AM MST reply actions

Sounds cool sir!

I like engineers, my brother-in-law is my best (and only constant) friend at work and he is an engineer. We need more of your kind around. Catch some passes, Eric, imagine your girlfriend giving you a reward after the game!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Dec 14, 2011 11:18 AM MST up reply actions

Congratulations Decker

you have a sexy girlfriend who I wouldn’t mind having and you’ve made lots of catches for us. Would you please be more fundamentally sound though, just saying

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Dec 14, 2011 11:08 AM MST reply actions

I think it is 100% appropriate Decker makes this list.

He makes great hand catches. Its body-catches that he drops. Go back and watch the last few games, most if not all of his drops are when he tries to cradle the ball.

..We're 7-9 till we're not!
They say the cool is all over me..

by Teboner on Dec 14, 2011 12:26 PM MST reply actions