Going 7-9 and missing the postseason resulted in no Saints players making the 2014 Associated Press All-Pro team.
Advocate file photo by PATRICK DENNIS — Saints G Jahri Evans
In fact, only one Saints player received votes from the panel of 50 media members: right guard Jahri Evans (two), who recently landed his sixth-straight Pro Bowl invitation and has been on the All-Pro First Team four times in his career.
None of which is surprising. Sure, the Saints’ offense gained the NFL’s most yards in 2014, and quarterback Drew Brees tied with Steelers signal-callers Ben Roethlisberger for the league’s most passing yards (4,952). Brees was also among nine quarterbacks to throw for more than 30 touchdowns (33), and it was the second consecutive year 2013 First Team All-Pro Saints tight end Jimmy Graham reached double digits in scoring receptions (10, after 16 the previous season).
But some of Brees’ 17 interceptions loomed large in the Saints’ defeats, and so did some of his three lost fumbles. Graham also lost a pair of fumbles to ensure the Saints’ offense had the fifth-most giveaways in the NFL (30), even though the tight end was invited to the third Pro Bowl of his career based off his efforts this season.
On defense, the Saints allowed the second-most yards in the NFL, a fact that gave any individual on the unit little hope of All-Pro consideration.
The Saints’ situation was less dire in some respects on special teams. The coverage units permitted the fewest punt-return yards in the NFL (99), and that was in part due to punter Thomas Morstead.
Morstead had the NFL’s second-highest average of net yards per punt (42.9) as well, but no voter cast a ballot in his favor.
Via NFL.com, below is the breakdown of All-Pro voting. Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Houston pass-rusher J.J. were the only unanimous selections. (Watt got a total of 50 votes at two positions: 45 at defensive end and five at defensive tackle.)
(First-team selections are bolded, and number of votes received out of a possible 50 follow the player’s name):
–Offense–
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay, 44; Tony Romo, Dallas, 3; Tom Brady, New England, 2; Andrew Luck, Indianapolis, 1.
Running Backs — x
DeMarco Murray, Dallas, 48; Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh, 44; Marshawn Lynch, Seattle, 7.
Fullback — y
John Kuhn, Green Bay, 18; Anthony Sherman, Kansas City, 14; Marcel Reece, Oakland, 12; Bruce Miller, San Francisco, 3; Marshawn Lynch, Seattle, 1; Kyle Juszczyk, Baltimore, 1.
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski, New England, 50.
Wide Receivers
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh, 49; Dez Bryant, Dallas, 24; Jordy Nelson, Green Bay, 15; Demaryius Thomas, Denver, 11; Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants, 1.
Tackles
Tyron Smith, Dallas, 35; Joe Thomas, Cleveland, 22; Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati, 14; Jason Peters, Philadelphia, 12; Ryan Clady, Denver, 4; Sebastian Vollmer, New England, 3; Joe Staley, San Francisco, 3; Ricky Wagner, Baltimore, 2; Trent Williams, Washington, 1; Lane Johnson, Philadelphia, 1; Jared Veldheer, Arizona, 1; Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay, 1; Louis Vasquez, Denver, 1.
Guards
Marshal Yanda, Baltimore, 38; Zach Martin, Dallas, 24; Josh Sitton, Green Bay, 22; Kyle Long, Chicago; Mike Iupati, San Francisco, 4; Evan Mathis, Philadelphia, 2; Jahri Evans, New Orleans, 2; Joel Bitonio, Cleveland, 1; Dan Connolly, New England, 1; James Carpenter, Seattle, 1.
Center
Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh, 21; Travis Frederick, Dallas, 14; Nick Mangold, New York Jets, 7;Jason Kelce, Philadelphia, 5; Corey Linsley, Green Bay, 1; Rodney Hudson, Kansas City, 1; Ryan Kalil, Carolina, 1.
Placekicker
Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis, 25; Stephen Gostkowski, New England, 21; Matt Bryant, Atlanta, 1;Dan Bailey, Dallas, 1; Chandler Catanzaro, Arizona, 1; Justin Tucker, Baltimore, 1.
Kick Returner
Adam Jones, Cincinnati, 17; Darren Sproles, Philadelphia, 15; Devin Hester, Chicago, 14; Jacoby Jones, Baltimore, 3; De’Anthony Thomas, Kansas City, 1.
–Defense–
Ends
J.J. Watt, Houston, 45; Mario Williams, Buffalo, 24; Calais Campbell, Arizona, 11; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia, 5; Cameron Wake, Miami, 5; Michael Bennett, Seattle, 3; Elvis Dumervil, Baltimore, 3;Everson Griffen, Minnesota, 1; Jerry Hughes, Buffalo, 1; Robert Quinn, St. Louis, 1; Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets, 1.
Tackles
Ndamukong Suh, Detroit, 41; Marcell Dareus, Buffalo, 24; Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay, 13; J.J. Watt, Houston, 5; Kyle Williams, Buffalo, 4; Aaron Donald, St. Louis, 4; Sheldon Richardson, New York Jets, 4; Sen’Derrick Marks, Jacksonville, 2; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia, 2; Calais Campbell, Arizona, 1.
Outside Linebackers
Justin Houston, Kansas City, 47; Elvis Dumervil, Baltimore, 13; Von Miller, Denver, 11; Connor Barwin, Philadelphia, 11; DeAndre Levy, Detroit, 7; Clay Matthews, Green Bay, 5; Ryan Kerrigan, Washington, 3; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay, 2; Terrell Suggs, Baltimore, 1.
Inside Linebacker
Luke Kuechly, Carolina, 43; Bobby Wagner, Seattle, 31; C.J. Mosley, Baltimore, 9; DeAndre Levy, Detroit, 4; Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh, 4; Jamie Collins, New England, 2; Dont’a Hightower, New England, 2; D’Qwell Jackson, Indianapolis, 1; Brandon Marshall, Denver, 1; Clay Matthews, Green Bay, 1; Larry Foote, Arizona, 1; Mychal Kendricks, Philadelphia 1.
Cornerbacks
Darrelle Revis, New England, 42; Richard Sherman, Seattle, 41; Chris Harris Jr., Denver, 9; Brent Grimes, Miami, 4; Vontae Davis, Indianapolis, 2; Aqib Talib, Denver, 1; Joe Haden, Cleveland, 1.
Safeties
Earl Thomas, Seattle, 39; Eric Weddle, San Diego, 16; Kam Chancellor, Seattle, 14; Glover Quin, Detroit, 13; Harrison Smith, Minnesota, 7; Antoine Bethea, San Francisco, 5; Devin McCourty, New England, 2; Tashaun Gipson, Cleveland, 2; Charles Woodson, Oakland, 1; Rashad Johnson, Arizona, 1.
Punter — z
Pat McAfee, Indianapolis, 26; Johnny Hekker, St. Louis, 12; Sam Koch, Baltimore, 8; Kevin Huber, Cincinnati, 2; Bryan Anger, Jacksonville, 1.
x — one voter selected only one running back.
y — one voter did not select a fullback.
z — one voter did not select a punter