2008 All Post-Season Team

Well now that the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl have passed us by, it is time to reflect back and see which players at each position stood out for there respective teams during the 2008 post-season.

Quarterback - Eli Manning (NYG)

Initially I thought it would end up being Tom Brady here, especially after having the highest completion percentage for a single post-season game. However, Eli made believers out of all of us. After leading the league for turnovers by a quarterback, he had one in the post-season. After one miraculous drive and after all was said and done, Eli walked away with the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Back up Quarterback - Billy Volek (SD)

Volek came in without the standard eight warm-up tosses and subsequently marched the Chargers down the field for the go-ahead touchdown and marched the defending champion, Indianapolis Colts, right out of the playoffs.

Running Back- Lawrence Maroney (NE) & Marion Barber (DAL)

Both of these two University of Minnesota backs were standouts for their teams during the postseason. A lot of people would argue that Ryan Grant should have supplanted one of these two based on his 200+ yard performance against the Seattle Seahawks but he disappeared against the Giants and Maroney played better throughout the playofffs. As for Barber, his performance in the one game he did play only told me one thing, this guy is not getting used nearly enough in Dallas. He punished whomever, whenever. One game but he still deserves a spot.

Wide Receivers- Vincent Jackson (SD) & Wes Welker (NE)

Vincent Jackson used the 2008 playoffs as his own personal coming out party. He was consistently the best player on the Chargers offense and made tough catches throughout the playoffs for his team. Welker was consistently making play, after play, after play. Welker may have dropped a couple along the way, but he tied a Super Bowl record for receptions but more importantly he was the only receiver for the Patriots who was consistently working this way to get open, aside from running back Kevin Faulk.

Tight End - Heath Miller (PIT)
In his only game Heath Miller played, he played like he had all season, catching eight passes for 85 yards and a score. Miller and Hines Ward were the lone bright spots on an otherwise dismal offensive performance by Pittsburgh.

Offensive Line - Mark Tauscher (GB), Logan Mankins (NE), Shaun O'Hara, Chris Snee and David Diehl (All NYG)
Mark Tauscher seemed to dominate his match ups and he recovered a very crucial fumble after Brett Favre was intercepted to keep the game tying drive alive against the Giants. Mankins was a horse on the inside, devastating most anything in his path. O'Hara, Snee and Diehl were just part of the line that seemed to keep Eli's jersey clean throughout most of the post-season.

Defensive Line - Justin Tuck(NYG), John Henderson (JAC) Shawn Phillips (SD) and Micheal Strahan (NYG)
After watching Tuck throughout the post-season, you understand why the Giants locked him up to a longer contract extension. Henderson is a mammoth on the inside and he is amongst the games best interior lineman. Shawn Phillips, at times, was unblockable this post-season which allowed his linebackers room to make plays. Micheal Strahan was the driving force behind the Giants defensive line and the veteran's leadership was unsurpassed.

Linebackers - Leroy Hill (SEA), Stephen Cooper (SD), DeMarcus Ware (DAL) and Kawika Mitchell (NYG)
In any games Seatlle was involved in, Leroy Hill was hitting anything that moved, one of the best performers through his team's run in the playoffs. With Stephen Cooper it is hard to overlook anybody who had 15 solo tackles in one game. Against the Colts, he did his job well. DeMarcus Ware was probably the single toughest defender the Giants faced the entire playoffs, he was everywhere except on the winning side of the ball and Kawika Mitchell just seemed to do everything right when it was needed.

Cornerbacks - Corey Webster (NYG), Marcus Trufant (SEA) and Antonio Cromartie (SD)
Aside from slipping on the Randy Moss touchdown, Webster was near flawless throughout these playoffs and his interception led to an even colder day at Lambeau Field for the Green Bay Packers. Marcus Trufant and Antonio Cromartie went out and proved why they are considered Pro Bowlers. Trufant solidified the Seahawks secondary, as did Cromartie for the Chargers. In just a couple of years, Cromartie's name will be mentioned the same way that Champ Bailey's is today.

Safeties - LaRon Landry (WAS) and Atari Bigby (GB)
Landry played his first post-season game like a seasoned veteran and his two interceptions nearly lead the Redskins to victory. His old running mate, the late Sean Taylor, would have been very proud of this rookie. Atari Bigby was by far the biggest hitter in the playoffs. Bigby repeatedly blew up everything in sight. Of all the youngsters in the post-season, Bigby may have made the biggest name for himself. There will be a lot heard from these two for years to come.

Punter - Matt McBriar (DAL)
As much as you would like to put the timeless Jeff Feagles in this spot, in their head to head match up, McBriar outperformed Feagles.

Kicker - Mason Crosby (GB)
It was his first post-season and the rookie never missed. He's going to be a good one.

Punt Returner -R.W. McQuarters (NYG)
No one really excelled in this area throughout the playoffs, however, McQuarters did have a nice runback against the Cowboys.

Kick Returner - Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC)
Immediately after Pittsburgh took their initial drive and marched it down the field for the games opening touchdown, Jones-Drew returned the kickoff 96 yards the other way and completely took the air out of Heinz Field.

Special Teamer - Kelley Washington (NE)
Kelley Washington's play that kept the ball from going into the End Zone had as much to do with the Patriots taking the lead at halftime against the Chargers as any other. He was constantly involved in plays throughout the playoffs. Probably the league's best fifth receiver. Washington just epitomizes just how well coached the Patriots are from top to bottom.