AP 2006 All-Pro Team Announced

LaDainian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor and Champ Bailey capped superb seasons by unanimously making The Associated Press NFL All-Pro team announced Monday.

Tomlinson, San Diego's record-setting running back, also won the AP Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards. Miami end Taylor was the Defensive Player of the Year.

Bailey tied for the league lead with 10 interceptions even though opponents tried to avoid throwing to the Broncos cornerback's side of the field.

Two others, both Chicago Bears, came close to sweeping the vote. Devin Hester, who set a league mark with six kick returns for touchdowns, was the only rookie on the team, earning 48 1/2 votes. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, a repeater from last year, got 48.

In all, the Chargers had the most All-Pros with five: Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates, fullback Lorenzo Neal, defensive tackle Jamal Williams and linebacker Shawne Merriman, who made it despite serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's steroids policy. Merriman still wound up with a league-best 17 sacks.

The Bears were next with four All-Pros: Urlacher, Hester, center Olin Kreutz and kicker Robbie Gould.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees edged the Colts' Peyton Manning 25 votes to 24 for the quarterback spot. It was the first time since 2002 that Manning was not the first-team quarterback.

Brees engineered the turnaround in New Orleans from 3-13 to 10-6 and an NFC South division title.

He was joined on the All-Pro squad by Saints second-year tackle Jammal Brown.

Kansas City's Larry Johnson was selected in the backfield with Brees, a former Charger, and the two San Diego backs.

The wideouts are Marvin Harrison of Indianapolis and Chad Johnson of Cincinnati.

Another Bengal, tackle Willie Anderson, is on the offensive line, where he's joined by Philadelphia guard Shawn Andrews and Pittsburgh guard Alan Faneca.

Taylor anchors a defense also featuring end Carolina end Julius Peppers, Minnesota tackle Kevin Williams, Baltimore linebacker Adalius Thomas, Miami linebacker Zach Thomas, Jacksonville cornerback Rashean Mathis, Philadelphia safety Brian Dawkins and Baltimore safety Ed Reed.

Buffalo's Brian Moorman is the punter.

Repeaters from 2005 are Gates, Chad Johnson, Anderson, Faneca, Jamal Williams, Urlacher, Bailey and Moorman.

In all, there are 18 AFC players and 10 from the NFC.

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AP All-Pro First and Second Teams
The Associated Press 2006 NFL All-Pro team selected by a national panel of media members:

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Drew Brees, New Orleans.
Running Backs: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego; Larry Johnson, Kansas City.
Fullback: Lorenzo Neal, San Diego.
Tight End: Antonio Gates, San Diego.
Wide Receivers: Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; Chad Johnson, Cincinnati.
Tackles: Jammal Brown, New Orleans; Willie Anderson, Cincinnati.
Guards: Shawn Andrews, Philadelphia; Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh.
Center: Olin Kreutz, Chicago.
Kicker: Robbie Gould, Chicago.
Kick Returner: Devin Hester, Chicago.

DEFENSE
Ends: Jason Taylor, Miami; Julius Peppers, Carolina.
Tackles: Jamal Williams, San Diego; Kevin Williams, Minnesota.
Outside Linebackers: Shawne Merriman, San Diego; Adalius Thomas, Baltimore.
Inside Linebacker: Brian Urlacher, Chicago; Zach Thomas, Miami.
Cornerbacks: Rashean Mathis, Jacksonville; Champ Bailey, Denver.
Safeties: Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia; Ed Reed, Baltimore.
Punter: Brian Moorman, Buffalo.
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SECOND TEAM
Quarterback: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis.
Running Backs: Frank Gore, San Francisco; Steven Jackson, Rams.
Fullback: Mike Karney, New Orleans, and Ovie Mughelli, Baltimore.
Tight End: Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City.
Wide Receivers: Torry Holt, Rams; Andre Johnson, Houston.
Tackles: Walter Jones, Seattle; Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore.
Guards: Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota; Will Shields, Kansas City.
Center: Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis.
Kicker: Matt Stover, Baltimore, and Nate Kaeding, San Diego.
Kick Returner: Justin Miller, New York Jets.

Ends: Aaron Kampman, Green Bay; Aaron Schobel, Buffalo.
Tackles: Richard Seymour, New England; John Henderson, Jacksonville.
Outside Linebackers: Lance Briggs, Chicago; DeMarcus Ware, Dallas.
Inside Linebacker: Al Wilson, Denver; Bart Scott, Baltimore.
Cornerbacks: Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland; Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay.
Safeties: Kerry Rhodes, New York Jets; Adrian Wilson, Arizona.
Punter: Mat McBriar, Dallas.



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