When opposing NFL coaches and players talk about the Browns, they generally start with how tough Cleveland's offensive line is.
The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) are in agreement with that consensus. On Monday, the PFWA named Browns left tackle Joe Thomas to the All-NFL team while left guard Joel Bitonio joined Thomas on the All-AFC team.
Out of the 54 players voted on by the writers, Bitonio was just one of two rookies – joining Ravens middle linebacker C.J. Mosley. Bitonio may not have made the Pro Bowl, but there are many who argue being selected on the PFWA team is just as prestigious because of how exclusive the honor is. There is no second team.
Should the Browns have more members? Cornerbacks Chris Harris of the Broncos and Darrelle Revis of the Patriots were chosen over Joe Haden, while Devin McCourty of the Patriots and Eric Weddle of the Chargers were chosen over Tashaun Gipson – who missed the five final games of the regular season. Both Haden and Gipson made the Pro Bowl.
Here's a list of all the honorees.
2014 PFWA ALL-NFL TEAM
Offense
QB – Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
RB – Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers; DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers ; Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
TE – Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
C – Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
G – Josh Sitton, Green Bay Packers; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
T – Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns*
Defense
DE – Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills; J.J. Watt, Houston Texans#
DT – Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions*
OLB – Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs; Von Miller, Denver Broncos
MLB – Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers*
CB – Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots; Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks#
S –Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks#: Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers
Special Teams
PK – Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts
P – Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts
KR – Adam Jones, Cincinnati Bengals
PR – Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles
ST – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots
- repeat selection from 2013
- consecutive selections in 2012, 2013 and 2014
2014 PFWA ALL-AFC TEAM
Offense
QB – Tom Brady, New England Patriots
RB – Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers; Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens
WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers*; Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
TE – Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
C – Nick Mangold, New York Jets
G – Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
T –Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns*; Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati Bengals
Defense
DE –J.J. Watt, Houston Texans*; Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills
DT – Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills; Kyle Williams, Buffalo Bills
OLB – Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs*; Von Miller, Denver Broncos
ILB – C.J. Mosley, Baltimore Ravens
CB – Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos; Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots
S – Devin McCourty, New England Patriots; Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers*
Special Teams
PK – Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts
P – Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts
KR – Adam Jones, Cincinnati Bengals
PR – DeAnthony Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs
ST – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots*
- repeat selection from 2013
2014 PFWA ALL-NFC TEAM
Offense
QB – Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
RB – Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks; DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
WR – Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys; Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
TE – Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
C – Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
G – Zach Martin, Dallas Cowboys; Josh Sitton, Green Bay Packers*
T – Jason Peters, Philadelphia Eagles*; Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Defense
DE – Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles
DT – Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
OLB – Connor Barwin, Philadelphia Eagles; DeAndre Levy, Detroit Lions
MLB – Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers*
CB –Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks*; Desmond Trufant, Atlanta Falcons
S – Glover Quin, Detroit Lions; Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks*
Special Teams
PK – Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys
P – Johnny Hekker, St. Louis Rams*
KR – Devin Hester, Atlanta Falcons
PR – Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles
ST – Justin Bethel, Arizona Cardinals*
- repeat selection from 2013
