Ex-Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh make NFL all-decade team of 2010s
Dave BirkettTwo ex-Detroit Lions made the NFL's all-decade team for the 2010s, and the selection should enhance the chances of both making the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day.
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh were named to the 53-member team, announced Monday, in voting done by the Hall of Fame's selection committee.
Johnson was one of four receivers picked, along with Julio Jones, Larry Fitzgerald and former Central Michigan star Antonio Brown.
Johnson retired in 2016 after nine seasons with the Lions, including some of the most productive years ever by a wide receiver in the early part of this decade.
He set the NFL single-season record with 1,964 receiving yards in 2012, and his 2011-13 seasons produced the most receiving yards ever in a three-year span (5,137).
Johnson will be eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time this winter, along with fellow all-decade selection quarterback Peyton Manning.
Johnson and Suh were three-time first-team All-Pros with the Lions.
More:Why I put Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson on my NFL all-decade team and agonized over other picks
Suh had 36 sacks in five seasons with the Lions. He was one of four defensive tackles selected, joining Geno Atkins, Fletcher Cox and Aaron Donald.
Suh, who re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 25, also has played for the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams.
Eight players were unanimous selections: Donald, Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, J.J. Watt, Von Miller, Joe Thomas, Marshal Yanda and Justin Tucker.
Historically, players selected for an all-decade team have gained entry into the Hall of Fame. All but seven position players selected for the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s all-decade first teams are in Canton, and three of those who aren't — Brady, Charles Woodson and Dwight Freeney — aren't yet eligible.
Other all-decade selections not in the Hall are Leroy Butler, Alan Faneca and Richard Seymour — all finalists last year — and fullback Lorenzo Neal.
The 2010s all-decade team was not split into first- and second-teams.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Read more on the Detroit Lions and sign up for our Lions newsletter.