Michael Strahan, who set the single-season sacks record, and Marshall Faulk, with yet another 2000-yard season, were unanimous choices Saturday to the Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team.
While Strahan was the only member of the New York Giants on the squad, Faulk's St. Louis Rams were well-represented. In addition to Faulk, who rushed for 1,382 yards, had 765 yards receiving on 83 catches best among NFL running backs for a total of 2,147 from scrimmage and scored 21 touchdowns, teammates Kurt Warner, Orlando Pace and Aeneas Williams were selected.
On Wednesday, Warner was voted the NFL's Most Valuable Player for the second time in three years. The quarterback also made his second All-Pro Team both previous honors came in 1999.
Joining the two Rams stars in the All-Pro backfield was Kansas City's Priest Holmes, who led the league in rushing (1,555) and total yards (2,169). Not bad for a player deemed expendable by the Ravens after they won the Super Bowl last year.
Holmes edged Curtis Martin of the Jets by one vote.
Strahan had 22 1/2 sacks in 2001, surpassing the league record of 22 set in 1984 by Mark Gastineau of the Jets. Coincidentally, the other defensive end chosen in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL was the Jets' John Abraham.
"I think the biggest difference between my game and getting the sacks, as opposed to not getting them, was that mentally I was a little more positive about getting them," Strahan said. "I think it's such mental game when you visualize yourself making a play, you have to finish that play in your head."
Pace's partner at tackle was Walter Jones of Seattle. The Jets' Kevin Mawae was selected at center, with Pittsburgh's Alan Faneca and Dallas' Larry Allen at guard.
Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez made it at tight end for the third straight year.
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