Tuesday, February 12, 2013

AFC East trio lands on NFL.com's All-Under-25 Team

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Tuesday, NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison compiled the website's All-Under-25 (years old) Team, and a few AFC East names made the list.

New England’s Rob Gronkowski and Miami’s Mike Pouncey and Reshad Jones were honored at their respective positions, and for good reason.

Gronkowski was a shoe-in, particularly after a season in which he missed five games and still led all tight ends with 11 touchdowns. In three seasons, Gronk has amassed more than 2,600 yards.

Pouncey was part of a line that helped the Dolphins gain more than 1,800 yards combined on the ground this past season. Pouncey and his crew were pretty stout against the pass rush as well, keeping their quarterback on his feet 80 percent of the time on passing plays.

Jones led the team in interceptions and was third on the team in tackles. Jones’s numbers have steadily increased over his three-year tenure, and the Georgia product is rare bright spot in a sub-par Miami secondary that allowed a ton of big passing plays.

Here’s what Harrison had to say about the three:

TE Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
"Good luck taking anybody over Gronkowski -- 25, 35 or any age. Gronk's 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame has contributed to his red-zone dominance; he has 39 touchdowns in three seasons."

C Mike Pouncey, Miami Dolphins
"Mike and Maurkice Pouncey are both stud centers, but the nod here goes to the less-heralded twin. He is particularly strong in pass protection, allowing just 1.25 sacks all season."

SS Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins
"Jones was the subject of the most research for this piece. What I uncovered was a high-quality season. Jones recorded 73 solo tackles and four picks, allowing just 21 receptions."

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