Dolphins cornerback Sam Madison is playing like a Pro Bowler this season.

In the past nine seasons, only two Rams players have been named to Pro Football Weekly's honors squad -- Linebacker Roman Phifer in 1995 and defensive tackle Sean Gilbert in 1993.

This season, however, the Rams are the life of the party. With an astounding six players named to the team, St. Louis accounts for nearly one-fourth of the players on the list.

So welcome, Rams, and enjoy the ride. It's been a long time coming.

Here's a closer look at the members of PFW's 1999 midseason All-Pro team.

Offense
QB Kurt Warner, Rams: After appearing in just one previous NFL game in his career, Warner has taken the league by storm. When Trent Green went down in the preseason with a knee injury, many wrote off the Rams. However, Rams players and coaches didn't. They quickly placed their trust in Warner, and he hasn't let them down. Warner has great accuracy and makes great decisions. He attributes his ability to get rid of the ball quickly to his experience in the fast-paced Arena League.

RB Stephen Davis, Redskins: Davis is making the most of his first opportunity as a full-time starting halfback. Much of his success stems from the fact that he is running harder and lower to the ground this season. He's getting tough yardage and finding the end zone with stunning regularity. Davis' presence has taken a lot of pressure off quarterback Brad Johnson, who nearly made the midseason All-Pro team himself.

RB Marshall Faulk, Rams: He got off to a slow start but has come on big-time of late. Some NFL insiders wondered how hungry he would be after signing for the big money, but that is a moot issue now. Faulk, who possesses outstanding running and receiving skills, is playing as well as any back in the league.

TE Wesley Walls, Panthers: No tight end truly emerged as the clear-cut choice for the half-way honor roll. Walls won because of his red-zone productivity. Never an outstanding blocker, Walls understands the Panthers' offense and has a very good understanding of coverages. He is a big part of the revitalized passing game in Carolina.

WR Isaac Bruce, Rams: If Warner is the driver of the Rams' speeding offense, then Bruce and his fellow receivers are the wheels. After Bruce struggled the past two seasons with lingering hamstring injuries, the Rams were very cautious during training camp and beyond not to let him suffer a relapse. Now finally healthy, Bruce appears to be headed toward a season like the ones he had in 1995 and '96.

WR Marvin Harrison, Colts: Of the five wideouts taken in the first round of the 1996 draft, Harrison was the second-to-last selected. He takes a back seat to no one now. The other members of the draft class were Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Eric Moulds and Eddie Kennison. Harrison worked nearly every day in the offseason with quarterback Peyton Manning. The pair worked endlessly on route running in an effort to develop a better chemistry. Obviously, that work has paid off.

C Mark Stepnoski, Cowboys: Stepnoski has made a huge difference in the Cowboys offensive line. His presence has made the entire offensive line better. When Stepnoski has been sidelined, there has been a big drop-off in Dallas' blocking.

OG Larry Allen, Cowboys: Simply put, Allen is the best offensive lineman in football. He consistently does everything well and always plays at a high intensity level. He has had no problem making the switch back to guard after playing left tackle for most of last season.

OG Adam Timmerman, Rams: The Rams offensive line has had talent the past few seasons, but it was seriously lacking in toughness and leadership. Timmerman has provided both of those, as well as outstanding guard play. Timmerman has suffered very few, if any, breakdowns, and has graded out at nearly 100 percent in some games this season.

OT Tony Boselli, Jaguars: Boselli is probably the best tackle in football right now. He consistently performs all aspects of his job at the highest level and always plays with intensity. Plus, he has a little bit of a mean streak.

OT Orlando Pace, Rams: Pace is finally living up to the hype of being the first overall pick in the 1997 draft. Why has he gotten so much better this season? In the past he wasn't pushed enough, but now, with Timmerman and a second offensive line coach on the staff, Pace has been challenged to step up his game. While he is playing much better in '99, he still can get a lot better. He isn't always as physical and intense as he needs to be and is still vulnerable to the occasional mental lapse. But there are other times when he will wipe out half the defensive line.

THE ALL-INJURY TEAM

How much of an impact have injuries had this season? Judge for yourself. Here's a list of some players who were not considered for PFW's midseason All-Pro team because injuries have sidelined or hampered them for at least a significant portion of the season. QB Steve Young, 49ers QB Vinny Testaverde, Jets RB Terrell Davis, Broncos RB Jamal Anderson, Falcons RB Garrison Hearst, 49ers WR Herman Moore, Lions WR Rob Moore, Cardinals WR Michael Irvin, Cowboys TE Shannon Sharpe, Broncos C Dermontti Dawson, Steelers OG David Szott, Chiefs OT Earl Dotson, Packers DE Joe Johnson, Saints DE Hugh Douglas, Eagles DT Eric Swann, Cardinals LB John Mobley, Broncos LB Ted Johnson, Patriots CB Deion Sanders, Cowboys S Rodney Harrison, Chargers

Defense
DE Kevin Carter, Rams: Carter has improved every year in terms of technique and has now gotten to the point where he's doing everything very well. He's playing more aggressively this season. The Rams view Carter as one of the cornerstones their defense will be built around.

DE Jevon Kearse, Titans: The only rookie to make the midseason All-Pro team, Kearse has proven to be an extremely disruptive defensive force. Very athletic and speedy, Kearse is so fast that he can run around opposing tackles before they have a chance to set up. He has made big plays in big games and really got into the head of Rams tackle Fred Miller in the big Week 8 showdown vs. St. Louis. However, Kearse still needs work on his inside and counter moves.

DT Cortez Kennedy, Seahawks: Healthy for the first time in years, Kennedy is enjoying a revival in 1999. Over the past couple of seasons, some people thought that Kennedy was washed up, but the more appropriate description was "banged up." He had gone from being a great player early in his career to a good but not special player. Now he is back to his old self and making big plays like he did when he was going to Pro Bowls regularly.

DT Warren Sapp, Buccaneers: After a very disappointing 1998 showing, Sapp dropped nearly 40 pounds, making him much more effective. Before fracturing his left hand, which forced him to miss the Week 4 game against the Vikings, Sapp was playing so unbelievably that he defied description. He was playing better than he ever had. Even with the injured hand, Sapp has been a handful. When Sapp is once again totally healthy, watch out.

OLB Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers: With his incredible speed, Brooks is always around the ball. He has great instincts and is extremely active. As usual, he's leading the team in tackles. His knack for making big plays showed in the Week 7 victory over the Bears, when he had two interceptions, including one that ended Chicago's late fourth-quarter desperation drive.

OLB Kevin Hardy, Jaguars: The Jaguars have Hardy where he belongs, on the weak side, with Bryce Paup manning the strong side. Hardy has been excellent against the run and can effectively rush the quarterback. He is very aggressive and is reacting quickly; rather than waiting for things to come to him, he's pursuing plays. Hardy is proving he is worthy of having been the No. 2 overall pick in the 1996 draft.

ILB Junior Seau, Chargers: The emotional leader of the entire team, Seau doesn't let the defense let up -- even when things are bleak and the offense is turning the ball over as often as it has. The Chargers like to move Seau all over to put him in position to make plays. And, boy, does Seau make plays. From his weak-side inside linebacker spot, Seau is having a greater impact than any other interior linebacker in the NFL.

CB Sam Madison, Dolphins: Madison and Terrell Buckley are still hopping mad over not getting named to last season's Pro Bowl. This season, Madison is playing with a chip on his shoulder. Somewhat cocky, Madison has the attitude that coaches love in cornerbacks. In a stellar Week 6 performance vs. the Patriots, Madison was largely responsible for shutting out standout receiver Terry Glenn. In Week 9 against Tennessee, he had three interceptions.

CB Shawn Springs, Seahawks: An outstanding cover man, Springs is very aggressive and will take chances, usually with positive results. Springs is a big talker and appears to be in the Deion Sanders mold. One difference between Springs and Sanders, though, is that Springs isn't afraid to make a big hit. For examples of Springs' big-play ability in big games, watch a tape of the Week 8 matchup vs. the Packers.

S Brian Dawkins, Eagles: Dawkins has come into his own as a safety this season. A big hitter, Dawkins has forced three fumbles. He is also very good in coverage, which accounts for his four interceptions, a career high. In fact, Dawkins picked off a pass in the Eagles' first three games of the season. Said coach Andy Reid: "He is playing at a Pro Bowl level. The nature of our defensive scheme is that the free safety is going to have the opportunity to make big plays. When Brian has been in that spot, he's delivered."

S Lawyer Milloy, Patriots: In 1997, Pete Carroll's first year as head coach of the Patriots, he called Milloy, then a second-year pro, into his office for a little chat. Carroll told Milloy that one day in the not-too-distant future, he would emerge as one of the team's leaders. Carroll's prediction appears to be right on the money, as Milloy has become a team leader and the quarterback of the secondary. He is tremendous against the run and has improved in pass coverage.

Specialists
PK Olindo Mare, Dolphins: Mare is having a very big year. Because the Dolphins have had some trouble getting into the end zone, they have relied very heavily on the leg of Mare, who has basically won several games for the team this season. Earlier this year, Mare set a new Dolphins record by connecting on 19 straight field-goal attempts. He had four or more field goals in four consecutive games, which is an NFL record. Mare also is among the league leaders in touchbacks on kickoffs.

P Bryan Barker, Jaguars: Barker's punting was largely responsible for the win over the Jets in a closely contested, low-scoring Week 5 game. He has been very dependable all season long.

KR Glyn Milburn, Bears: Milburn is a smart, resourceful player who sets up his returns very well. He isn't a true burner, but he is elusive and has good, competitive speed. He's a threat to make something big happen every time he fields the ball.

PR Deion Sanders, Cowboys: Sanders is a big play waiting to happen. He even provides the Cowboys with good field position when he doesn't touch the ball. Because opponents are so afraid he will bring a return all the way back for a score, coaches often instruct punters to kick it away from Deion and out of bounds, negating their distance.

Head coach
Bobby Ross, Lions: Most prognosticators and fans had written the Lions off after learning of Barry Sanders' retirement. Could this team win five games without Sanders? Well, they have already surpassed that mark. Amazingly, Ross not only has the Lions in the playoff hunt -- he has his team right in the thick of things for the NFC Central title.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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