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

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