NFL All-Pro Team 2012: Peterson Unanimous Selection

The Associated Press has released their All-Pro selections for the 2012 National Football League season, and between the first and second teams, four members of the Minnesota Vikings were recognized for their exploits this past season.

In what should come as a surprise to nobody, running back Adrian Peterson was a unanimous selection to the squad, garnering first-place votes from all 50 writers that take part in the process. We all know what he did this season. . .2,097 rushing yards, coming back from a devastating knee injury, all that good stuff. We won't beat it into the ground any further. Peterson was the only unanimous selection on offense, and one of only two unanimous selections overall, along with Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.

Blair Walsh was also named the kicker for the All-Pro team after his incredibly impressive rookie campaign. He set an NFL record by hitting 10 field goals from 50 yards or further (and did so in just ten attempts), and went 35-for-38 in the regular season (and 1-for-1 in the playoffs). He received 42 of the 50 first place votes at his position.

Moving on to the second team, we find two more Vikings. Fullback Jerome Felton finished runner-up to Baltimore's Vontae Leach in the fullback category, which makes him a second-team All-Pro. Felton is a free agent, and this is going to drive up his price tag a bit, but he'd still be worth every penny for the Vikings to re-sign, considering how much better Peterson was this season when he was running behind Felton.

Chad Greenway also found his way onto the second team at outside linebacker, as he finished a very, very distant third to Denver's Von Miller and San Francisco's Aldon Smith. Greenway was also named to the Pro Bowl the other day, as an injury replacement for DeMarcus Ware of the Dallas Cowboys. Congratulations to him on both counts.

As far as other Vikings that showed up in the voting, Phil Loadholt got two votes at offensive tackle, and rookie Matt Kalil got one vote as well. John Sullivan finished tied for third at the center position (no, Jeff Saturday did not make the team), and Jared Allen snagged three votes at the defensive end spot.

Congratulations to Adrian Peterson, Blair Walsh, Jerome Felton, and Chad Greenway for being recognized as All-Pros for the 2012 National Football League season.