Kittle headlines 3 named to AP All-Pro teams
Tight end named first team, Sherman, Buckner make second team
George Kittle is officially the NFL’s best tight end. That is, according to the Associated Press, which named him to its All-Pro first team Friday morning.
Anyone who’s seen much of the 49ers this year should know why Kittle is deserving of the honor, the first of his career. From his game-winning catchand-run in the Superdome to his block so dominant he couldn’t help laughing, Kittle has been a true game-changer for the 49ers.
Kittle’s receiving numbers actually dipped compared to 2018, when he made the AllPro second team (1,053 receiving yards vs. 1,377 last year), but with the 49ers’ success and its clear link to his play, he was the obvious choice. Pro Football Focus named him to its first team, too, adding that there’s a case he was the NFL’s best player at any position this season.
The AP also recognized cornerback Richard Sherman and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, naming them to its All-Pro second team.
This is Sherman’s fifth All-Pro honor, with two first-team seasons coming in 2013 and 2014 when he was a Seahawk. The honor is an affirmation of the 49ers’ pursuit of him in 2018 free agency when many thought his best days were behind him.
Instead, he’ll earn his $2 million incentive for making the team this year, and he’s letting anyone who questioned his bargaining ability know about it.
Buckner made the Pro Bowl in 2018, but this is his first
time on an All-Pro team. He finished third on the team with 7½ sacks — but four recovered fumbles, including one returned for a touchdown, helped buoy his candidacy. The Niners were wise to pick up the fifthyear option on his rookie deal ahead of this season, but this honor boosts his case for an extension in the offseason or a sizable contract when he hits free agency after next year.
Kittle is also in line for an extension, which reporter Cam Inman wrote earlier this week is likely to reset the tightend market, as it should. For now, though, he has a year left on his rookie contract, too. And the 49ers will be glad to keep him at any price.
Atlanta at Boston, n.
Miami at Orlando, n. Portland at Washington, n. Philadelphia at Houston, n. New York at Phoenix, n. New Orleans at Lakers, n.
Saturday’s games
Memphis at Clippers, 12:30 p.m. Toronto at Brooklyn, 3 p.m.
Utah at Orlando, 4 p.m.
Indiana at Atlanta, 4:30 p.m. Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 4:30 p.m. Boston at Chicago, 5 p.m.
Denver at Washington, 5 p.m. Charlotte at Dallas, 5:30 p.m.
Detroit at Golden State, 5:30 p.m.
San Antonio at Milwaukee, 5:30 p.m. New Orleans at Sacramento, 7 p.m.
Boston Toronto Tampa Bay Florida Buffalo Montreal Ottawa Detroit 42 42 39 40 42 41 41 41
Washington 41 N.Y. Islanders 39 Pittsburgh 40 Carolina 40 24 23 22 21 18 18 16 10
GP W
27 25 24 24 7 14 13 14 17 17 20 28
METROPOLITAN DIVISION
9 11 11 14 11 5 4 5 7 6 5 3 5 3 5 2 59 139 107 51 152 135 48 139 121 47 145 137 43 124 133 42 132 133 37 114 138 23 89 157
L OT Pts
GF GA
59 146 122 53 115 102 53 138 107 50 136 112
Signed CB Rashard Causey to a futures contract.
Signed CB Marcus Sherels. Placed CB Mike Hughes on IR.
Minnesota Vikings:
Named Bill Musgrave offensive coordinator.