Three rookies, Falcons’ Ryan highlight AP All-Pro Team
Jones expects Gregory to play again for Cowboys
Three rookies among 17 first-time selections highlight The Associated Press 2016 NFL All-Pro Team, led by Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott and Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill, a unanimous choice as punt returner.
One star not on the team announced Friday: Tom Brady, who was stellar after a four-game suspension, but was edged by Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan.
For the first time, the nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the NFL voted for specific positions on the offensive line, a flex player on offense, a fifth defensive back, and a punt returner and special teamer.
Tennessee right tackle Jack Conklin is the other rookie. Other newcomers include Arizona running back David Johnson (flex); Denver cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (DB); and New England’s Matthew Slater (special teamer).
One other unanimous pick is Baltimore placekicker Justin Tucker.
It’s the first time since 1981 that so many first-year players made the team. Back then, it was future Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor and Ronnie Lott, and 1980 Heisman-winning running back George Rogers.
With only seven repeaters from last season’s squad, the All-Pro Team has a decidedly new flavor not only in alignment, but makeup. Not surprisingly, the Cowboys have the most players selected with five: Elliott, the league’s leading rusher; linebacker Sean Lee; and offensive linemen Tyron Smith (left tackle), Travis Frederick (center) and Zack Martin (right guard).
“It’s special,” Elliott said. “Just to be able to come into this league my first year and dominate and just play at the level I’m playing, and just kind of get these honors already as a rookie, it means a lot. I was never even All-American in college. I was never a first-team All-American. I’ll never get a Buckeye tree at Ohio State. That’s the one thing that I regret the most.
“Kind of seeing it come into the league and making All-Pro this rookie year, it definitely means a lot.”
Kansas City is next with four: Hill, tight end Travis Kelce, safety Eric Berry and cornerback Marcus Peters.
San Francisco interviewed Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan for their head coach opening and Minnesota assistant general manager George Paton for their GM vacancy.
Team CEO Jed York met with both candidates on Friday as part of his crosscountry tour of interviews as he seeks to replace coach Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke following a 2-14 season that tied the worst mark in franchise history.
The 49ers have announced interviews with five candidates overall, with York meeting Wednesday with Buffalo Bills interim coach Anthony Lynn about the coaching job and Thursday with Green Bay director of football operations Eliot Wolf and Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst about becoming general manager.
PACKERS: Quinten Rollins will not play in the NFC wild-card game on Sunday against the New York Giants after the cornerback was evaluated this week for a concussion.
However Green Bay might get Damarious Randall back from a knee injury.
Randall was listed as questionable for the Giants game. The second-year cornerback was a full participant in the team’s last practice on Thursday.
COWBOYS: Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones expects defensive end Randy Gregory to play for the Cowboys again despite a suspension that will last at least a year.
A day after the NFL announced Gregory’s third suspension this season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, Jones said Friday that he doesn’t want to put a timeframe on a possible return.
Gregory could be eligible for the playoffs next season if the Cowboys make it again.
RAIDERS: Oakland will be without star left tackle Donald Penn for their playoff opener against Houston.
The Raiders said Friday that Penn would be inactive after injuring his left knee in the regular-season finale against Denver.
STEELERS: Pittsburgh tight end Ladarius Green sat out practice on Friday, putting his availability for Sunday’s playoff game against Miami in doubt.
Coach Mike Tomlin held Green out after expressing concern about Green’s performance in practice on Thursday. Green missed Pittsburgh’s final two regular season games after being put in the concussion protocol following a helmet-to-helmet hit against Cincinnati on Dec. 18.