Fan vote to determine captains for annual squad that honors the best technique for young players to emulate
USA Football has selected Carolina Panthers center RYAN KALIL and linebacker LUKE KUECHLY as members of the 2014 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team, which honors 26 NFL players – 11 offense, 11 defense and four special teams – who exhibit exemplary football techniques for young players to emulate.
The sixth annual USA Football All-Fundamentals Team recognizes NFL players who employ proper technique, particularly when blocking and tackling, which fosters better on-field performance and advances player safety.
Kalil sets the standard for presnap communication, understanding what the defense is trying to do and communicating blocking assignments to his linemates. Once the ball is snapped, Kalil excels at maneuvering through inside congestion to get to the second level and block linebackers. In the passing game, his ability to drop straight back into a vertical pass set allows him to identify inside rushers and direct his blocks accordingly.
After the snap, Kuechly excels at zone coverage because of his ability to both read quarterbacks’ eyes and recognize passing concepts. On running plays, he avoids traffic and moves downhill, taking an inside-out angle that keeps him from overrunning the ball-carrier while making the sideline-to-sideline plays he is known for.
Each player chosen for the All-Fundamentals Team will receive a $1,000 equipment grant from USA Football to donate to the youth or high school football program of his choice. USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, is the official youth football development partner of the Panthers, the NFL and each of the league’s other 31 teams.
A fan vote will determine All-Fundamentals Team captains at www.facebook.com/usafootball. Fans may vote for one captain on offense, defense and special teams. USA Football will award each of the three captains a $2,000 equipment grant to donate.Voting is open through Dec. 22.
USA Football educates more high school and youth coaches combined than any organization in the United States.
The USA Football All-Fundamentals Team was assembled with guidance from 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, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL running back
- CARL PETERSON, USA Football chairman, former NFL team executive and assistant coach
- BILL POLIAN, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL general manager
More on past USA Football All-Fundamentals Team players’ techniques is available at:
www.usafootball.com/all-fundamentals-team.
2014 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team – Offense:
POSITION | NAME, TEAM | |
Quarterback | Peyton Manning, Broncos | |
Running back | Matt Forte, Bears | |
Fullback | John Kuhn, Packers | |
Wide receiver | Golden Tate, Lions | Reggie Wayne, Colts |
Tight end | Rob Gronkowski, Patriots | |
Tackle | Jason Peters, Eagles | Joe Thomas, Browns |
Guard | Zack Martin, Cowboys | Marshal Yanda, Ravens |
Center | Ryan Kalil, Panthers |
2014 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team – Defense:
POSITION | NAME, TEAM | ||
End | Cameron Wake, Dolphins | Sheldon Richardson, Jets | |
Tackle | Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers | Kyle Williams, Bills | |
Linebacker | Khalil Mack, Raiders | Luke Kuechly, Panthers | Tamba Hali, Chiefs |
Cornerback | Vontae Davis, Colts | Terence Newman, Bengals | |
Safety | Ryan Clark, Redskins | Earl Thomas, Seahawks |
2014 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team – Special Teams:
POSITION | NAME, TEAM |
Return specialist | Jacoby Jones, Ravens |
Kicker | Chandler Catanzaro, Cardinals |
Punter | Jon Ryan, Seattle Seahawks |
Long snapper | Cullen Loeffler, Vikings |