Running Backs Coach Edgar Bennett and RB Ryan Grant
USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, and the NFL Players Association have selected running back RYAN GRANT of the Green Bay Packers and 25 other NFL players to the inaugural USA Football/NFLPA "All-Fundamentals" Team. This 26-man roster honors the NFL's most fundamentally-sound players who also commit themselves to service in their communities.
This honor recognizes Grant as an example for youth players – particularly running backs – to emulate due to his superior ball security and ability to make proper cuts.
The USA Football/NFLPA "All-Fundamentals" Team was selected by a six-person selection committee:
- JASON BELSER, former NFL player, USA Football board member, and NFLPA senior regional director
- TOM CARTER, former NFL player and NFLPA regional director
- HERMAN EDWARDS, former NFL head coach and player, ESPN NFL analyst
- SCOTTIE GRAHAM, former NFL player and NFLPA regional director
- LARRY KENNAN, former NFL assistant coach and NFL Coaches Association executive director
- CARL PETERSON, USA Football chairman, former NFL team executive and assistant coach
In addition to his fundamentally-strong play, Grant does exemplary work in the Green Bay community. Grant works tirelessly with the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Stewardship Foundation.
As part of this honor, Grant will designate a youth or high school football program to receive a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFLPA, the NFL, the Green Bay Packers and the league's 31 other teams. Each player also receives a pewter-dipped "All-Fundamentals" Team helmet trophy produced by Riddell, USA Football's official helmet and equipment partner.
A video clip of each of the 26 players, spotlighting their sound football technique for young players to emulate, resides at AllFundamentalsTeam.com. These exciting game-action clips offer visual instruction for youth players and coaches alike.
The USA Football/NFLPA "All-Fundamentals" Team consists of:
- All 11 offensive positions
- All 11 defensive positions
- Four (4) special teams positions (LS, K, P, KR/PR)
USA Football teaches the game's fundamentals and inherent values through more than 80 annual training events and innovative football training resources employed by its members who reside in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
2009 USA Football/NFLPA "All-Fundamentals" Team:
NAME, POSITION, TEAM, FOOTBALL FUNDAMENTAL
Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons, Catching in traffic
Ryan Clady, T, Denver Broncos, Hands in pass protection
Joe Thomas, T, Cleveland Browns, Pass blocking footwork
Alan Faneca, G, New York Jets, Combo/zone blocking
Steve Hutchinson, G, Minnesota Vikings, Pulling, run blocking
Jeff Saturday, C, Indianapolis Colts, Snapping and blocking
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals, Proper catching with hands
Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots, Proper catching with hands
Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers, Ball security/proper cuts
Moran Norris, FB, San Francisco 49ers, Run blocking
Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints, Throwing mechanics
Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants, Takeoff and pass rush
Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Tennessee, Titans Playing the run
Darnell Dockett, DT, Arizona Cardinals, Defeating blocks
Haloti Ngata, DT/NT, Baltimore Ravens, Footwork and leverage
Mike Vrabel, LB, Kansas City Chiefs, Shedding blocks
London Fletcher, LB, Washington Redskins, Angle tackling
DeMarcus Ware, LB, Dallas Cowboys, Pass rush/bull rush
Cortland Finnegan, CB, Tennessee Titans, Man-to-man coverage
Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders, Breaking up the pass
Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers, Playing the ball
Eric Weddle S, San Diego Chargers, Open-field tackling
David Akers K, Philadelphia Eagles, Kicking mechanics
Brian Moorman, P, Buffalo Bills, Punting mechanics
David Binn, LS, San Diego Chargers, Long-snapping mechanics
Clifton Smith, KR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kick catching and returning
About USA Football
USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, hosts more than 80 football training events annually offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players and resources for youth football league commissioners. The independent non-profit is the official youth football development partner of the NFL Players Association, the NFL, and its 32 teams. USA Football manages U.S. national teams within the sport for international competition and provides $1 million annually in equipment grants and subsidizes youth league volunteer background checks. Endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football is chaired by former NFL team executive Carl Peterson.
