Midseason All 22

We're at around the halfway point of the season so I wanted to put out my own “All Pro” team. I'll call it The All 22, since it'll only be 22 players (sort of) and “all 22” is another name for coach's tape.  You won't necessarily see the most talented guys chosen, and some of them aren't the first or second choice I'd take in real life, but they're the most deserving based on the season they've had.

Offense

QB: Philip Rivers

I was originally going to say Peyton Manning, but I can't. Rivers is doing an even better job with an even more patch work offense. Manning and Rivers are taking whatever castoffs, undrafted free agents and warm bodies off the streets that are healthy enough to play and moving the ball with ease. But Rivers has probably had less to work with, Manning has had Reggie Wayne all season and Dallas Clark for most of it, Rivers has really only had Antonio Gates, and even then not for every game. Manning is constantly and rightfully praised for how well the Colts plug and play offense works, but this year Rivers is out doing him.

Honorable mention: Peyton Manning

RB: Adrian Peterson

This one was tough, but Peterson's team can't pass with any consistency and his offensive line is pretty lousy so I'll give him the nod. No one is really running away with it. Yes, that pun was intended. I can definitely see this being different at season's end.

Honorable mention: Chris Johnson

WR: Roddy White, Andre Johnson, Hakeem Nicks

White is head and shoulders the best WR in the NFC and quite possibly the best receiver in the league. Andre Johnson has been at the forefront of just about every Texans win, coming up with big time catches in key moments in them. Nicks is quietly having a breakout season.

Honorable mentions: Reggie Wayne, Calvin Johnson

TE: Antonio Gates

This hasn't been a great year for tight ends, but Gates is unstoppable.  No one has more TDs than him, and he's 5th in the league in yards.  Both of which are more impressive when you consider he's the only true receiving threat on the Chargers.

Honorable mention: Zach Miller

Offensive Line: Giants

To give individual honors for this would be foolish, I'll just do the o-line as a group. No team ranks higher in both yards per rushing attempt and sack percentage than the Giants. Hat tip to Brian Baldinger on Playbook for pointing this out.

Honorable mention: Chiefs

Defense

Defensive Ends: Osi Umenyiora, Trent Cole

Since getting destroyed by the Colts, the Giants defense has been near unstoppable. Umenyiora has been as big of a reason as anyone, and leads all DEs in sacks. Cole is not far behind him and is an excellent run defender as well.

Honorable Mention: James Hall

Defensive Tackle: Ndamukong Suh

I'm going with a 3-4 defense. Yes, Suh is a 4-3 DT, but this is a paper team, so it doesn't matter, and Suh would dominate in a 3-4 anyway. All Suh has done in his rookie year is become a dominating force despite constantly being double teamed. We are watching something special begin.

Honorable Mention: Haloti Ngata

Outside Linebackers: Clay Matthews, Tamba Hali

Since it's a 3-4, pass rushing is the most important thing in an OLB. Hali has been a key cog in one of the league's best defenses, and Matthews is just silly good at everything.

Honorable Mention: Shawn Phillips

Inside Linebackers: Lawrence Timmons, Ray Lewis

Lewis just never stops. Timmons is perhaps playing the best football of anyone on the league's best defense.

Honorable Mention: Patrick Willis

Cornerbacks: Nnamdi Asomugha, Tramon Williams

Asomugha has rightfully reclaimed his title as the best CB in the game this season. Green Bay has had just about everyone on their roster suffer injury, Williams was asked to step it up and he's responded with as good a season as anyone else.

Honorable Mention: Antonio Cromartie

Safties: Troy Polamalu, Eric Berry

No one has really stood out, partly because Ed Reed and Darren Sharper have been hurt. In only two games played so far Ed Reed has as many turnovers as the rest of his team, so I'm not at all confident in these picks staying by years end, but someone has to play safety. Eric Berry has been a major reason for Kansas City's turnaround and looks to be the real deal. Polamalu isn't having the statistical season that he's had in the past, but he's a huge reason why the Steelers D is back to being ridiculously good.

Honorable Mention: Jim Leonard

No punters or kickers, or kick returners.