Fan vote to determine captains for annual squad that honors the best technique for young players to emulate
USA Football has selected Oakland Raiders linebacker KHALIL MACK as a member of the 2014 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team, which honors 26 NFL players – 11 offense, 11 defense and four special teams – who exhibit exemplary football techniques for young players to emulate.
The sixth annual USA Football All-Fundamentals Team recognizes NFL players who employ proper technique, particularly when blocking and tackling, which fosters better on-field performance and advances player safety.
Mack makes himself difficult to block in the run game by establishing a good base and using explosive hands to gain separation from the blocker while maintaining a strong outside position. He is able to attack the inside or outside of an opponent to effectively split blockers and limit an opponent's strength.
Each player chosen for the All-Fundamentals Team will receive a $1,000 equipment grant from USA Football to donate to the youth or high school football program of his choice. USA Football, the sport's national governing body in the United States, is the official youth football development partner of the Raiders, the NFL and each of the league's other 31 teams.
A fan vote will determine All-Fundamentals Team captains at www.facebook.com/usafootball. Fans may vote for one captain on offense, defense and special teams. USA Football will award each of the three captains a $2,000 equipment grant to donate. Voting is open through Dec. 22.
USA Football educates more high school and youth coaches combined than any organization in the United States.
The USA Football All-Fundamentals Team was assembled with guidance from a five-person selection committee:
- CHARLES DAVIS, USA Football spokesperson, football analyst for NFL Network and FOX Sports
- HERM EDWARDS, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL head coach
- MERRIL HOGE, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL running back
- CARL PETERSON, USA Football chairman, former NFL team executive and assistant coach
- BILL POLIAN, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL general manager More on past USA Football All-Fundamentals Team players' techniques is available at:
www.usafootball.com/all-fundamentals-team.
