Enlarge By Scott A. Miller, US Presswire Bucs QB Josh Freeman led his team from 3-13 in 2009 to 10-6 this season.  IN 'THE HUDDLE' COMMUNITY Get the latest buzz from around the NFL in 'The Huddle,' USA TODAY's football blog  READ THE LATEST POSTS Read all posts

Identifying the NFL's unsung stars is a bit more challenging these days since so many more are being heralded with the expansion of Pro Bowl rosters the past two years. With a combined 10 Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers bowing out of this year's all-star event to shine on the Super Bowl stage instead, emerging talents like Kansas City Chiefs defenders Eric Berry and Tamba Hali, Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes and Tampa Buccaneers tackle Donald Penn will be enjoying their first free trips to Honolulu.

Still, we found enough players thriving on the mainland in the NFL's version of anonymity to stock USA TODAY's 19th annual All-Joe team, which recognizes a 53-man group of topflight pigskin pros even if they're still awaiting their first Pro Bowl call.

Since we've heard once or twice that the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, our No. 1 signal-caller might want to call this year's version the All-Josh team. He'll be throwing to two receivers sharing the same name and backed up by a true "Joe" on defense, though that rising rookie may not be Joe-eligible long.

We were glad to see Hali, Greg Jennings, Alex Mack, Jerod Mayo, Zach Miller and Kyle Williams graduate from Joe to Pro this year.

Yet many not-so-average Joes have returned to our team — unfortunately for them to some degree. While we're glad to have them and sing their praises, we don't want to see any of them challenge now two-time Pro Bowler London Fletcher for Joe longevity.

OFFENSE

QB: Josh Freeman, Buccaneers—At 6-6, 248 pounds, he's built like Ben Roethlisberger; his 2010 numbers (25 TDs, 6 INTs) would make Tom Brady proud; and he even has a little Brett Favre sprinkled in with seven fourth-quarter comebacks to his credit in 25 career starts. Sam Bradford, Rams— We'll make him an All-Joe while we still have a chance. Set rookie marks for completions (354) and consecutive attempts without an interception (169). Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills— Team was competitive after he took over. He can start then easily shift into mentor/backup role whenever Buffalo finds a younger option to groom for long term.

RB: Peyton Hillis, Browns— Many have focused on his pigment, but focus instead on his game. Ran for nearly 1,200 yards and scored half of Cleveland's 26 TDs. LeSean McCoy, Eagles— A Brian Westbrook clone? McCoy led all backs with 78 catches to go with his first 1,000-yard rushing season. Matt Forte, Bears— Joined Walter Payton as only Bear with 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in same season. Danny Woodhead, Patriots— Typifies All-Joe ethos with willingness and ability to run, catch, block and tackle on special teams.

FB: Mike Tolbert, Chargers—Showed he's more than a blocker after rushing for 735 yards and 11 TDs in place of oft-injured rookie first-rounder Ryan Mathews. Marcel Reece, Raiders—Converted receiver still catches a few (30) while becoming a big part of Oakland's resurgent ground game.

WR: Marques Colston, Saints —Quiet literally and figuratively, he's spoken volumes on field with four 1,000-yard efforts. Mike Wallace, Steelers—Stepped seamlessly into Santonio Holmes' shoes while stamping himself as an elite deep threat with 21 yards per catch. Mike Williams, Buccaneers —With 65 grabs for 964 yards and 11 TDs, he proved a fourth-round steal and should be a Freeman favorite for years. Mike Williams, Seahawks—Hardly a first-round steal nearly six years ago but finally kickstarted his career after reuniting with Pete Carroll. Anthony Armstrong, Redskins— Jumped from Intense Football League (seriously) to Washington's No. 2 wideout (44 catches, 871 yards).

TE: Rob Gronkowski, Patriots —The 6-6, 265-pound rookie was most well-rounded of New England's formidable trio of tight ends, throwing big blocks while snaring 42 passes (10 for TDs). Brandon Pettigrew, Lions —Bounced back from major knee surgery to catch 71 balls, third among tight ends. Jacob Tamme, Colts—Stepped up with 67 receptions (631 yards, 4 TDs) after Dallas Clark's season-ending injury.

T: Rodger Saffold, Rams —Rookie was charged with protecting the blind side of fellow rookie Bradford and did it quite well. Sebastian Vollmer, Patriots— Claimed job on right side in 2010 and may one day assume Matt Light's role on blind side. Jonathan Scott, Steelers— Bills castoff became AFC champs' starting left tackle in November when Max Starks went down.

G: Ryan Lilja, Chiefs —Plucked off Colts' scrap heap, he was a linchpin in K.C.'s top-ranked rushing attack despite battling thumb and foot injuries. Wade Smith, Texans—Journeyman joined team, joined lineup for 16 starts and helped RB Arian Foster join all-pro ranks as league's rushing king. Vince Manuwai, Jaguars— Fully recovered from a devastating 2008 knee injury, he was a major reason Maurice Jones-Drew hit his stride in the second half.

C: Rich Seubert, Giants—Team MVP according to GM Jerry Reese, longtime left guard moved to middle when Pro Bowler Shaun O'Hara and second-stringer Adam Koets were hurt. Giants still allowed league-low 16 sacks. Todd McClure, Falcons— Always shows up for work, starting a team record 144 straight games while blocking for a Pro Bowl backfield.

K: Jay Feely, Cardinals —He's 122-for-141 (87%) on FGs since 2006. His TD scamper vs. Broncos on a day he scored 25 points cinched his spot.

DEFENSE

DE: Israel Idonije, Bears —Earned opportunity to start and tied Julius Peppers for club lead with eight sacks. Idonije also thrives at blocking kicks. Charles Johnson, Panthers —His 11½ sacks trumped departed Peppers. Chris Clemons, Seahawks— At 254 pounds, he's not big. But he can be a huge disruption moving around the front and turned in a career-best 11 sacks. Cory Redding, Ravens— Adapted to 3-4 alignment and ably took over starting job after Trevor Pryce departed. Carlos Dunlap, Bengals— Off-field issues deflated draft stock, but he rewarded Cincinnati for taking a chance on him. All 9½ of his sacks came in final eight games.

DT/NT: B.J. Raji, Packers—Took over on the nose (though he can play wide, too) and had 6½ sacks. He'll be remembered for his pick six in the NFC Championship Game. Antonio Dixon, Eagles— He's come a long way since shuttling between homeless shelters as a kid. Thrust into the lineup in Week 5, Philadelphia gave up nearly 50 fewer rushing yards per game once he became a starter. Isaac Sopoaga, 49ers— A major reason Niners haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 22 games. He played 90% of the team's snaps. Fred Robbins, Rams— Reunited with former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, he helped St. Louis unleash DEs James Hall and Chris Long for a combined 19 sacks.

OLB: Mario Haggan, Broncos —Did whatever Denver needed, starting eight games on outside and eight on inside as team switched schemes and coped with injuries. One of six players in 2010 with at least 80 tackles and five sacks. Chad Greenway, Vikings— Former first-rounder really hit his stride in 2010, making a career-best 144 tackles. He's probably looking at a big pay day somewhere this offseason. David Hawthorne, Seahawks— Undrafted out of TCU, he's established himself as team's most active linebacker the last two years with 223 tackles.

MLB/ILB: David Harris, Jets—The next London Fletcher? Voted Jets' MVP, he somehow avoids the spotlight despite averaging 107 tackles over his four-year career. Stephen Tulloch, Titans— He started 16 games for the first time and finished second in the league with 160 tackles. Bradie James, Cowboys—Provides lots of quotes and tackles (career-high 118), a good Pro Bowl recipe provided Dallas turns it around in 2011. Derrick Johnson, Chiefs— After a rocky start under Todd Haley in 2009 — Johnson lost his starting job — he put it all together in 2010 with a career-high 121 tackles and four forced fumbles.

CB: Terrell Thomas, Giants— Amazingly, he's led team in interceptions and tackles two years running. Ike Taylor, Steelers —Physical force overshadowed by his teammates. Joe Haden, Browns —This rookie Joe's six picks tied for fifth in the league. Vontae Davis, Dolphins— Won't be long before he's taking Hawaiian trips with big brother Vernon. CB Quentin Jammer, Chargers— He's missed three games in nine seasons, but rarely misses opportunities to delete wideouts, mentor teammates and give a hand in the community.

S: Malcolm Jenkins, Saints —Stellar play relegated Darren Sharper to sub role. Chris Harris, Bears— Returned to Chicago after three-year stay in Carolina and solidified back end. Made 70 tackles and tied for team lead with five INTs. Charles Godfrey, Panthers —Only Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu had more interceptions among safeties.

P: Donnie Jones, Rams —In 2008 became second punter to average 50 yards per boot over a season. His 40-yard net in 2010 trailed only Pro Bowlers Shane Lechler and Mat McBriar.

KR: Brad Smith, Jets —His 28.6-yard average on kickoffs ranked second in NFL but only begins to illustrate versatility. Made 14 special teams tackles.

ST: Corey Graham, Bears —It's more than Devin Hester when it comes to Chicago special teams. Graham made 22 tackles in kick coverage and excels at downing punts inside the 20.