The NFL was exciting this year whether your team sucked or rocked!  Here are our "Best Of's" for this season:

 

Best Moves:

Get used to that bench, big guy.

1.)  Cardinals Bench Leinart

Everyone expected former USC star Matt Leinart to man the helm for the Cards this year.  Ken Whisenhunt had different ideas, starting veteran Kurt Warner over him.  It helped.  The Cardinals made the playoffs.

2.)  Titans Bench Vince Young

At first, it looked like trouble for the Titans.  But then Kerry Collins got the starting job and they were awesome.  Good call, Jeff Fisher.

 

Best Rookies:

1.)  Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan was outstanding.  One would say he "exceeded" expectations, but the Falcons gave him a ton of money, so he was expected to be pretty good.  And good he was, throwing for 3,440 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

2.)  Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson posted an impressive 1200 yards rushing, with 10 total touchdowns on the year.  He was a major factor in the Tennesee Titans success this year.

3.)  Eddie Royal

This rookie impressed the league, as he scored 5 touchdowns with 747 receiving yards, both of which are Bronco rookie records. 

Honorable Mentions:

Steve Slaton, Tim Hightower, Joe Flacco, Matt Forte

 

Best Turn-Arounds From Last Season:

1.)  Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins won one game last season.  That's just bad football.  This year, they finished 11-5 and won the AFC East.

2.)  Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens went from being an 5-11 team in 2007 to an 11-5 team in 2008.  Nice turnaround.  They will play the Dolphins in the Wildcard playoff matchup.

3.)  Atlanta Falcons

After a disappointing 4-12 season in 2007, the Falcons went 11-5 in this season and will make their first playoff appearance since 2004.

4.)  Carolina Panthers

The 2008 Panthers were definitely looking to improve on their less than impressive 7-9 2007 season, and they did just that.  They would lose only 4 games, win 12, and clinch the NFC South division.

 

Best Coaches:

1.)  Mike Smith: Atlanta Falcons

Rookie coach Mike Smith did a lot with what he had.  A rookie quarterback and a team dealing with serious adversity after losing Michael Vick to a dog-fighting scandal (hear about that at all?) and he still managed to guide his team to the post-season.  Well done, sir.

2.)  Tony Sparano:  Miami Dolphins

Sparano could ONLY improve on last season.  But he REALLY improved it, taking his team to an impressive 11-5 finish.

3.)  John Harbaugh:  Baltimore Ravens

Similar to Mike Smith, John Harbaugh had to turn his team around with a rookie quarterback. 

 

Best Player Of The Year:

1.)  Michael Turner

Michael Turner was unstoppable this year.  With 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns, we felt his performance is worthy of MVP honors.

2.)  Adrian Peterson

Peterson might be higher if it weren't for his 9 fumbles and 4 lost during the season.  That's quite a few fumbles.  That's not to say he isn't an amazing athlete.  He is an outstanding player and had another fantastic year for the Vikings, with over 1700 yards and 10 touchdowns.

3.)  Drew Brees

Drew Brees was insane this year.  He threw for an outstanding 34 touchdowns on 5,069 yards.  The Saints didn't make the playoffs, but Brees was outstanding in 2008.

4.)  DeAngelo Williams

With 18 touchdowns and 1,515 yards on 273 carries, DeAngelo Williams was a serious asset to the Panther's success this year.

 

Best Interception:

 

Best Catch:

 

Best Block:

 

 

Best Hit:

 

 

Best Game Winner:

1.)  Jake Delhomme To Dante Rosario

This week 1 play shocked the Chargers, and symbolized Delhomme's return from an elbow injury a season prior.