USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, and the NFL Players Association have selected tackle RYAN CLADY of the Denver Broncos and 25 other NFL players to the inaugural USA Football/NFLPA "All-Fundamentals" Team. This 26-man roster honors the NFL's most fundamentally-sound players who also commit themselves to service in their communities.
This honor recognizes Clady as an example for youth players - particularly offensive tackles - to emulate due to his quick hands in pass protection.
The USA Football/NFLPA "All-Fundamentals" Team was selected by a six-person selection committee:
Ø JASON BELSER, former NFL player, USA Football board member, and NFLPA senior regional director
Ø TOM CARTER, former NFL player and NFLPA regional director
Ø HERMAN EDWARDS, former NFL head coach and player, ESPN NFL analyst
Ø SCOTTIE GRAHAM, former NFL player and NFLPA regional director
Ø LARRY KENNAN, former NFL assistant coach and NFL Coaches Association executive director
Ø CARL PETERSON, USA Football chairman, former NFL team executive and assistant coach
In addition to his fundamentally-strong play, Clady does exemplary work in the Boise, Idaho, community. Clady attended college at Boise State University. His efforts have benefitted the Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff's Employees Association and many other local causes.
As part of this honor, Clady will designate a youth or high school football program to receive a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFLPA, the NFL, the Denver Broncos, and the league's 31 other teams. Each player also receives a pewter-dipped "All-Fundamentals" Team helmet trophy produced by Riddell, USA Football's official helmet and equipment partner.
A video clip of each of the 26 players, spotlighting their sound football technique for young players to emulate, resides at AllFundamentalsTeam.com. These exciting game-action clips offer visual instruction for youth players and coaches alike.
The USA Football/NFLPA "All-Fundamentals" Team consists of:
Ø All 11 offensive positions
Ø All 11 defensive positions
Ø Four (4) special teams positions (LS, K, P, KR/PR)
USA Football teaches the game's fundamentals and inherent values through more than 80 annual training events and innovative football training resources employed by its members who reside in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
2009 USA Football/NFLPA "All-Fundamentals" Team:
|
NAME |
POSITION |
TEAM |
FOOTBALL FUNDAMENTAL |
|
Tony Gonzalez |
TE |
Atlanta Falcons |
Catching in traffic |
|
Ryan Clady |
T |
Denver Broncos |
Hands in pass protection |
|
Joe Thomas |
T |
Cleveland Browns |
Pass blocking footwork |
|
Alan Faneca |
G |
New York Jets |
Combo/zone blocking |
|
Steve Hutchinson |
G |
Minnesota Vikings |
Pulling, run blocking |
|
Jeff Saturday |
C |
Indianapolis Colts |
Snapping and blocking |
|
Larry Fitzgerald |
WR |
Arizona Cardinals |
Proper catching with hands |
|
Wes Welker |
WR |
New England Patriots |
Proper catching with hands |
|
Ryan Grant |
RB |
Green Bay Packers |
Ball security/proper cuts |
|
Moran Norris |
FB |
San Francisco 49ers |
Run blocking |
|
Drew Brees |
QB |
New Orleans Saints |
Throwing mechanics |
|
Osi Umenyiora |
DE |
New York Giants |
Takeoff and pass rush |
|
Kyle Vanden Bosch |
DE |
Tennessee Titans |
Playing the run |
|
Darnell Dockett |
DT |
Arizona Cardinals |
Defeating blocks |
|
Haloti Ngata |
DT/NT |
Baltimore Ravens |
Footwork and leverage |
|
Mike Vrabel |
LB |
Kansas City Chiefs |
Shedding blocks |
|
London Fletcher |
LB |
Washington Redskins |
Angle tackling |
|
DeMarcus Ware |
LB |
Dallas Cowboys |
Pass rush/bull rush |
|
Cortland Finnegan |
CB |
Tennessee Titans |
Man-to-man coverage |
|
Nnamdi Asomugha |
CB |
Oakland Raiders |
Breaking up the pass |
|
Troy Polamalu |
S |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
Playing the ball |
|
Eric Weddle |
S |
San Diego Chargers |
Open-field tackling |
|
David Akers |
K |
Philadelphia Eagles |
Kicking mechanics |
|
Brian Moorman |
P |
Buffalo Bills |
Punting mechanics |
|
David Binn |
LS |
San Diego Chargers |
Long-snapping mechanics |
|
Clifton Smith |
KR |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Kick catching and returning |
About USA Football
USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, hosts more than 80 football training events annually offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players and resources for youth football league commissioners. The independent non-profit is the official youth football development partner of the NFL Players Association, the NFL, and its 32 teams. USA Football manages U.S. national teams within the sport for international competition and provides $1 million annually in equipment grants and subsidizes youth league volunteer background checks. Endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football is chaired by former NFL team executive Carl Peterson.