Following the trend from around the NFL blogosphere, I decided it was time to name the Chiefs All-Decade team, AP style. We still start by voting for each position and I will be posting polls over the next few days. The data will then be compiled next Friday (January 8, 2010) and will comprise the first ever official Arrowhead Pride Chiefs All-Decade team.

We will vote for 11 offensive players and 11 defensive players, as well as HC, GM, LS, KR/PR, P, and K.

I will alternate between offense and defense on my FanPosts since most of the offensive picks are less controversial. We will then hit special teams and the coaching staff. Now its time for tight ends. To be eligible for voting, the player must have started a game at corner this decade and started a majority of their games in the NFL at that position. The player who receives the most votes by next Friday will be named the Chiefs TE of the Decade.

Player profiles and stats are available after the jump. Feel free to comment to back up (campaign possibly) for your vote. The source for all statistics will be pro-football-reference.com. Thanks for participating and feel free to rec to keep this alive. I know some of these picks may be obvious, but I wanted to keep it democratic nonetheless.

Please vote for the other positions as well (this list will be growing):

• Quarterbacks (Current leader: Trent Green)
• Strong Safeties (Current leader: Greg Wesley)
• Free Safeties (Current leader: Jerome Woods)
• Running Backs (Current leader: Priest Holmes)
• Fullbacks (Current leader: Tony Richardson)
• Cornerbacks (Current leaders: James Hasty, Brandon Flowers)

Sean Ryan :: 1 yr :: 2009 - Current

Was the Chiefs primary starter at TE for the first half of the 2009 season and is having the best year of his career.

10 G / 8 GS :: 14 rec. / 135 yds :: 2 TD

Leonard Pope :: 1 yr :: 2009 - Current

Has been the Chiefs primary starter at TE for the second half of the 2009 season.

12 G / 7 GS :: 19 rec. / 145 yds :: 1 TD

Brad Cottam :: 2 yrs :: 2008 - Current

Drafted by the Chiefs in the 3rd round of the 2008 NFL Draft as a project player and potential replacement for Tony Gonzalez. Has rare size and athleticism, but has battled injuries and is currently on IR.

24 G / 8 GS :: 16 rec. / 183 yds

Jake O'Connell :: 1 yr :: 2009 - Current

Drafted by the Chiefs in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Has been inactive for most of the 2009 season, but is starting to seeing an increased role in the Chiefs offense.

3 G / 1 GS :: 1 rec. / 4 yds

Tony Gonzalez :: 9 yrs :: 2000 - 2008

Drafted by the Chiefs in the 1st round of the 1997 NFL Draft. Was the Chiefs primary starter at TE for the entire decade minus the 2009 season. Elected to 9 Pro Bowls this decade and was a first-team All-Pro 4 times this decade. Arguably the greatest TE in NFL history.

127 G / 127 GS :: 748 rec. / 9,102 yds :: 12.2 YPC :: 61 rec TD :: 2 rush / 14 yds :: 7.0 YPC

Jason Dunn :: 8 yrs :: 2000 - 2007

Came to the Chiefs in 2000 and made his name as one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL.

119 G / 25 GS :: 41 rec. / 353 yds :: 8.6 YPC :: 7 rec. TD

Billy Baber :: 3 yrs :: 2001 - 2003

Made his name primarily on special teams for the Chiefs, but did log a couple starts filling in for injury.

29 G / 2 GS :: 3 rec. / 30 yds :: 10.0 YPC :: 1 rec. TD

Troy Drayton :: 1 yr :: 2000

Veteran acquisition from Miami. Played one season as a Chief this decade, primarily as a backup.

16 G / 1 GS :: 8 rec. / 70 yds :: 2 rec. TD