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Let's face it, despite the stigma of why a team has the No. 1 pick (or even top 10) in the draft, the chance to grab one of the most talented college prospects of the year is a big deal and a possible change of fortune for a franchise.

The first round may not always be stacked top to bottom with the most talented players overall, it's still considered the cream of the crop for providing instant, starting-caliber bodies with an eye towards filling holes in week one.

But some teams may have found their best picks after day one, and here are my picks for the 10 best (you could call them steals) from rounds two through six (I already covered round seven here).

1. Randy Gregory DE Dallas Cowboys 60th overall.

Call him a boom-or-bust candidate, but if he starts making better choices, he will be one of the best choices in this entire draft. Forget about the fact that the Cowboys seemed to need a running back more than anything, Gregory immediately upgrades this pass-rush, and adds some versatility in every aspect of defensive play. He was a top 10 pick by all standards, and was a steal at 60th.

2. A. J. Cann OG Jacksonville Jaguars 67th overall.

Here was an imposing presence on the offensive line for South Carolina who would have filled a huge need for the Patriots at the end of the first round; instead, he falls to the Jaguars in the third round. Cann is one of the top-rated offensive linemen and will be a starter right away in Jacksonville.

3. Jaelen Strong WR Houston Texans 70th overall.

Some thought that Strong was the best receiver in the draft, and that translates to a huge steal for the Texans, who already have a couple of good receivers in Cecil Shorts and DeAndre Hopkins. Mike Mayock likened Strong to Larry Fitzgerald. If that isn't high enough praise, what is?

4. Carl Davis DT Baltimore Ravens 90th overall.

A lage first round projection who got lost in the shuffle despite several teams who needed a big body in the middle of their defensive fronts. Davis gets into the backfield a lot and makes tackles. He will frustrate a lot of plays as a pro.

5. Steven Nelson CB Kansas City Chiefs 98th overall.

Not a flashy pick, but one of the more consistent corners in college football, Nelson held his own for the Beavers, as well as, having a strong showing at the senior bowl. What Nelson lacks in size he compensates in tenacity and good technique. He will start very soon in K.C.

6. Trey Flowers DE New England Patriots 101st overall.

If you haven't heard of Flowers, just ask around the SEC, because they have heard of the Arkansas product. He led his defense in sacks and tackles for loss and was also a Combine Top Performer in the Vertical Jump, Long Jump, and 60 yd. shuttle run. Flowers adds depth to a suspect outside rush in a unit that needs to increase its QB pressure immediately.

7. David Cobb RB Tennessee Titans 138th overall.

He won't wow you with speed or elusiveness, but Cobb can hammer his way through holes, and if he fixes his fumblitis, will have a good career in the NFL. After 1200 yards in 2013, he followed with 1600 in 2014.  He notched 35 TDs at Minnesota in just three years. He is so much like Stevan Ridley it's scary.

8. Brett Hundley QB Green Bay Packers 147th overall.

The only knock on this kid was that he didn't play in a pro-style offense. Other than that, he was one of the best QBs in this draft class... if you go by stats and all that. He gets to learn from one of the best coaches and one of the best QBs in the game today. The sky is the limit.

9. Jay Ajayi RB Miami Dolphins 149th overall.

It was the knee injury. But he was a top-performer at the combine in the vertical jump, broad jump, short shuttle and long shuttle. How about 1800 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season? What's not to like... if he stays on the field. The kid is a beast.

10. Tony Lippett WR Miami Dolphins 156th overall.

If all I said was that he started at receiver and cornerback for the Spartans and excelled at both, we should agree that he is a steal in the fifth round. He looks like a prototypical slot receiver who doesn't have to burn the defense to make big plays. And when corner depth is challenged, Lippett can easily step in and do the job.

There were a few others who could have found room if this list were longer, but I thought this draft was pretty deep at certain positions and not a few teams made significant progress in improving their overall depth and talent. While some of these players will likely get smothered in bad systems, the cream will rise to the top in the right environments.

Talent is often less important than work ethic. Most of the guys in this category will find great successbecause of it, even surpassing some more talented players. That is what separates the men from the boys in the NFL.

If the ultimate goal of reaching the Suoer Bowl justifies an overall grade for an NFL team- the Texans would receive an 'F'- as would 29 other franchise.

And heading into 2015, a few areas of concern have started to clear themselves up and place the Texans in a much brighter spot.

One area of concern was shoring up arguably one of the Texans brightest spots on defense- Whitney Mercilus.

As part of the top 10 defense the past few years, Mercilus signed a contract extension on Monday.

Last season, Mercilus totaled 50 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, nine tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 15 contests (13 starts). He also set or tied single-game career highs in tackles (nine) and tackles for loss (two). In 2013, he notched career highs in sacks (7.0) and quarterback hits (18). Mercilus was originally selected by the Texans in the first round (26th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Illinois, where he posted 18.0 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 11 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in three career seasons.

A closer look at the overall state of franchise reveals that Houston is as close as any of those other 29 franchise's to reaching deep into the playoff's- pending the closure of a couple of holes which was addressed in this years draft.

The 2014 Report Card

Quarterback Play: F

This is not based on just one player but the cumulative sum of all that saw the field in 2014, and for all arguements- the history of the franchise.

Simply put, until Houston can find a franchise quarterback or atleast a worthy passer that can sustain a career for 10 years in Houston- they will remain the Baltimore Ravens of this decade: great defense and an enemic offense.

Departed Ryan Fitzpatrick was heralded as a cerebral player that could offset skill with savy.

His production, like most former Texan field generals- failed to generate nothing more then a 95 percent passer rating in 2014 with a 63% completion percentage.

Sure there were sparks and glimpses of hope, but nothing materialized.

And it doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.

Brian Hoyer is not the answer, and neither is Ryan Mallett- despite their new contracts.

Ryan Mallett's new deal is for 2 years, $7 million, including $1.75M guaranteed portion of $2.5M base salary in 2015. Brian Hoyer signed a 2 year deal worth $10M with $4.75M guaranteed.

Either of these 2 passers must play their best football since coming to the NFL in 2015 if the offense is to materialize in any fashion.

Do we need to revisit not going after peyton Manning harder?

Defensive Nose Tackle: C

Walk down any street in Texas and you'll hear your casual fan that will proclaim- "If we shore up the middle- we win more games".

That typical armchair quarterbacking isn't far fetched and should be cleared up in 2015.

A 100 yard average per game isnt bad, but help up front could knock that number way below 100.

The addition of Vince Woolfork and a potentially healed Louis Nix added could place the front line of the Texans in with some elite defenses.

And draftee Christian Covington(wherever he's slotted) will add some needed depth to the overall unit of the frontline defense.

Defensive Secondary: C

Houston has typically had a stout defense, even before JJ Watt.

Last year, they ranked in comparison with Seattle and New England in tackling, fumbles recovered and interceptions.

But at times, it was almost a given that Houston's secondary would give up a big play when it could all but afford to.

That would all but explain why they selected cornerback Kevin Johnson from Wake Forest with their first selection in this years draft.

Johnathan Joseph isn't getting any younger, which could ultimately see Johnson morphing into his position. Joseph initially brought a spark with perhaps a shut-down type player when he came over from the Bengals. Since then, he has played a modest role in a suspect group over the years.

Johnson could provide just enough depth to clean up some of last years and previous years issues, and re-energize one of Houston's best players.

With that possibility, the play of the front line and an always tough linebacking group- Houston could be a top 5 defense in 2015.

Overall 2014 Grade: B

9-7 is pretty good when you consider the Texans are clearly a team without offensive leadership and play from the quarteback position.

With 2 losses to the eventual division champ Colt's by a combined total 12 points, Houston can reclaim their role as division champs providing a quarterback can be cemented for the entirity of the 2015 season.

An overtime loss to in-state rival Dallas and a 1 touchdown loss to Pittsburgh could have placed the Texans in a much different position heading into the playoffs, especially winning 4 of their last five- including a solid win over the Ravens.

Their 2015 season starts fast and will test Houston with games at home against Kansas City and Tampa Bay, with Carolina squeezed in between.

Fans received a taste of what the Pittsburgh Steelers offense would be like without star running back Le'Veon Bell when he missed the Wild Card playoff game versus the Baltimore Ravens in January.

Now, the Steelers will have to survive without him in their next three games.

The NFL announced on Thursday morning Bell will be suspended the first three games of the 2015 season due to his arrest on drug and DUI charges last August according to NFL.com. He will not be paid while suspended and will also have to pay a fine worth the same amount as his fourth game check.

Bell will appeal the suspension according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 23-year-old Michigan State product had an incredible second season in 2014, rushing for 1,361 yards, which was second behind only DeMarco Murray. Bell also amassed 83 receptions for 854 additional yards, setting a Steelers single-season record with 2,215 yards from scrimmage.

After the appeal process, if the NFL sticks to its original three-game suspension for Bell, the Steelers expect to start veteran running back DeAngelo Williams. Pittsburgh signed Williams to a two-year, $4 million contract this offseason, anticipating Bell's suspension.

The former Carolina Panthers tail back is entering his 10th season with 6,846 career rushing yards.

Williams has averaged 4.8 yards per attempt in his first nine seasons, but he rushed for a career-low 3.5 yards per attempt last season. He also only played in six games because of lingering injuries.

The NFL releases next season's schedule in April, so Steelers fans will know in the next few weeks who the team's opponents will be without Bell.

It's also worth noting that former Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount received a one-game suspension for his participation in the arrest with Bell last August. When the two were arrested on Aug. 20, police found about three-fourths of an ounce of marijuana in Bell's car according to USA Today.

Presumably, Bell is receiving a much harsher punishment because he was driving the car.

By now it is pretty common place for "leaks" to occur in the NFL when it comes to a player's pending contracts and roster move. The most recent example being the news of former Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman, Haloti Ngata's trade to the Detroit Lions hitting Twitter before head coach Jim Caldwell was officially informed.

According to President Tom Lewan, the team was still in the process of informing the teams front office personnel when news of the trade began trending on social media.  

Lewan told The Detroit Times: "We hadn't even told Jim yet, and we're on the phone to Bill Ford Jr, letting him know the trade was finalized. And it pops up on Twitter as we're telling the owner we had finalized the deal"

The funniest part of the whole story is the fact that Caldwell's players, friends and family probably knew about the Lions newest defensive weapon before he did. Just another reminder that no information is safe from the ever growing reach of online sports media amd journalists.

Ngata was brought to the Lions to fill the vacancy left by Ndamukong Suh's departure to play for the Miami Dolphins. Ngata is a proven playmaker with the ability to change the course of a game. He is a quaterbacks worst nightmare. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the 12th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played nine seasons in Baltimore including the 2012 Super Bowl XLVII winning season.

In his career, Ngata has racked up 445 tackles, 25.5 quarterback sacks, fiinterceptions, six forced fumbles, and five trips to the Pro Bowl.

There is only one HOFer to have come out of the sixth round of the NFL draft. That's far less than even the seventh round. Let's just say that he heads this list. His name is Jack Christiansen from 1951. He played for the Detroit Lions for eight seasons and won three championships with them and earned five Pro-Bowl nods. Jack collected 46 INTs, three of them pick-sixes.

And here is the rest in descending order:

2. The incomparable Tom Brady.

Drafted by the New England Patriots in 2000, Brady got his chance when Drew Bledsoe was injured. He never looked back, continuing his history of hard work and success that will land him in the HOF as soon as he is eligible. Brady started his career with three Super Bowl wins, and seems to be ending it the same way. He has set a plethora of records and at 37 years young, he shows no sign of slowing down. Winning Super Bowl XLIX cements his legacy as G.O.A.T. QB.

3. Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos, 1995.

His career was relatively short, only seven years, but Davis packed a lot into it. He helped John Elway win a Super Bowl and earned three Pro-Bowl berths. From the sixth round, he became the third-best running back in yards-per-game and had the fourth-best single-season with 2,008 yards.

4. Jay Novacek floundered with the St. Loius Rams from 1985 to 1989.

But when he landed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1990 he took off. Jay makes this list because of 4630 yards and 30 TDs while making the Pro Bowl five consecutive season. He wears three Super Bowl rings.

5. Adalius Thomas, Baltimore Ravens in 2000.

Thomas finished his career as a linebacker with the Patriots, bringing his experience to a team desperate for leadership. But he made his name with the Ravens, earning his Super Bowl ring his rookie year. He accumulated seven INTs in his career and played in two Pro Bowls. Though tame by some standards, Thomas outplayed his humble, sixth-round beginnings.

6. Joe Klecko is Mr. Versatile.

Drafted by the New York Jets in 1977, Klecko was only the second player to be named to three Pro Bowls at three different positions. He was a part of the fearsome "New York Sack Exchange" and contributed 24 of them along with nine fumble recoveries. Despite numerous injuries, he enjoyed 10 seasons, mostly with the Jets.

7. Matt Hasselbeck is not recognized among the best QBs in the NFL.

Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1998, he never stood a chance behind Brett Favre. But once the Seattle Seahawks got ahold of him, he took them to the playoffs five years in a row from '03-'07, as well as a sixth time in 2010. He also was named to three Pro Bowls and threw 118 TD passes. While his playoff career was filled with disappointment and controversy, he set many team records for the Seahawks.

8. Matt Birk, Minnesota Vikings, 1998.

Birk is what you would call an anchor; that's what he did for the Vikings and Baltimore Ravens. He earned six Pro Bowl selections with the Vikings, and earned a Super Bowl title in his final season with the Ravens. He was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2011.

9. Al Harris, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1997.

Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998, Harris had his best years with the Green Bay Packers from 2003 to 2009. There he grabbed 14 INTs and 87 passes defensed while going to two Pro Bowls.

10. The final spot could have gone several ways.

I chose Mike Anderson of the Denver Broncos. Drafted in 2000, his career was pretty short. But in his six seasons with the Broncos, he scored 37 rushing TDs and added five receiving TDs. In his rookie season, Anderson ran for almost 1500 yards in just 12 games as a starter, and recorded 15 TDs to be named NFL Rookie of the Year. Anderson will never get elected to the HOF, but he excelled if even for a short time at a punishing position.

Also considered were: Wilbert Montgomery, RB, Eagles, 1977; Cato June, LB, Colts, 2003; Marc Bulger, QB, Saints/Rams, 2000; Grady Jackson, Raiders, 1997; Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers, 2010. Even this late in the draft process, many great players lurk in the shadows. Like Brady, the next great thing could be found in the sixth round.

Sometimes, you have to scratch your head and ask yourself, “What was that team thinking?”

The question could be asked of the St. Louis Rams when they decided to make Lawrence Phillips the sixth overall selection in the NFL Draft in 1996 after the star running back from Nebraska had a history of domestic violence.

It wasn’t just Phillips, however that made people turn heads. It may have been the 1996 draft by the Rams altogether that was perplexing. For a team that had success when it was in Los Angeles – selecting the right pieces of the puzzle – you have to wonder if it lost some of the Disney Magic and forgot how to make the right choices in many of the franchises draft moves. Besides 1996, there have been some questionable calls, especially from the running back position,

• Trung Candidate, 2000
• Cleveland Gary, 1989
• Gaston Green, 1988

Also, this is a team that drafted Bill Goldberg. Yes, that GOLDBERG of professional wrestling fame, in 1990. Maybe some jack-knifed power bombs would shake the core of the franchise and make it a better drafting unit. But we are getting off topic here, so let’s jump back to 1996. Phillips was told by many franchises they would not draft him in the first round because of his legal issues. The Rams stood firm and took the troubled running back – only to produce nightmares and many sleepless nights shortly thereafter.

It’s hard to imagine what could have been – taking Eddie George with the sixth pick or possibly trading down for more picks.

In 1995 season finally arrived, Phillips became an early front-runner for the Heisman Trophy. In Nebraska's second game of the season against Michigan State, Phillips had 206 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 22 carries. After only two games, he was averaging more than 11 yards per carry and had scored six touchdowns.

Phillips was arrested for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Kate McEwen, a basketball player for the Nebraska women's team and was subsequently suspended by Head Coach Tom Osborne. The case became a source of controversy and media attention, with perceptions arising that Osborne was coddling a star player by not kicking Phillips off the team permanently. Osborne walked out on a press conference when asked "If one of your players had roughed up a member of your family and had dragged her down a flight of steps, would you have reinstated that player to the team?"

Outraged Nebraska faculty proposed that any student convicted of a violent crime be prohibited from representing the university on the football field.

Osborne defended the decision, saying that abandoning Phillips might do more harm than good, stating the best way to help Phillips was within the structured environment of the football program. Osborne reinstated Phillips for the Iowa State game, although touted freshman Ahman Green continued to start. Phillips also played against Kansas and Oklahoma.

Phillips was widely expected to be selected by the new Baltimore Ravens with the fourth pick to fill their vacant running back position. However, they decided to select the best available player regardless of position and selected future eleven time pro-bowler and future Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Jonathan Ogden. During the draft, ESPN analyst Joe Theismann stated in regard to Phillips: "Everybody's called him the best player in the draft."

The Rams thought so highly of Phillips that on the same day of the draft, they traded his predecessor, Jerome Bettis, to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 1996 Phillips had played 15 games with 11 starts. He carried the ball 193 times for 632 yards for 4 touchdowns. In 1997, Phillips surpassed his entire 1996 total in only 10 games and nine starts, rushing for 634 yards. However, on November 20, the Rams lost patience with him and released him.

That Draft was also known for producing Eddie Kennison with the 18^th pick when the team could have had Marvin Harrison or Ray Lewis. In the second round, the team jumped all over Tony Banks when they could have snagged Brian Dawkins, a potential Hall of Famer.

This year’s NFL Draft will be a prosperous one for teams looking to fortify their receiving corps, offensive line and defensive front. Leonard Williams appears to be the stud teams, scouts and the media are talking about as the “next big thing” when it comes to put quarterbacks on their back and stopping the run.
So, if he is such a find, why can’t he be the first overall pick?
As written on sportsgrid.com, Jameis Winston has problems off the field. Many expect Marcus Mariota to have trouble on the field. But there’s a player that has Winston-esque production and Mariota-esque character. It’s just that he doesn’t play quarterback.
Leonard Williams is the most talented prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft. So, why isn’t he getting any No. 1 overall hype?
The Texans took Jadeveon Clowney last year, and proved you don’t need to draft a quarterback in the first round to have a turnaround season. If a team uses a veteran quarterback to keep them afloat, they don’t have to endure the carnage that ensues when starting a rookie quarterback not named Andrew Luck.
The Texans finished above .500, while all teams that picked a quarterback in the first round went under .500, including the Jaguars (3-13), the Raiders (3-13), the Browns (7-9) and the Vikings (7-9). Correlation doesn’t necessarily indicate causation, and every team had different issues. But because Winston and Mariota – and all of the quarterbacks in the 2015 draft class – are particularly imperfect, why not pick the guy with the greatest hair in the draft, who just so happens to be the man with the most talent?
Here is a look at the top 10 defensive line prospects this year, according to yours truly.
1. LEONARD WILLIAMS
He could be the best player in the Draft, but should fall to the third overall pick. Williams has long arms and is quick off the snap. The thing that makes him a solid pick is his ability to play inside and out. The Jacksonville Jaguars could use him as a building block on the defensive line, especially with the injury to Sen’Derrick Marks.
2. RANDY GREGORY
He will be a top-5 selection, but who drafts him is anyone’s guess. Gregory has length and can play standing up or with his hand on the ground. Gregory has the skills to be another Aldon Smith or DeMarcus Ware. The only thing I question is his potential, which is more evident than his actual ability.
3. SHANE RAY
Ray is going to play outside either at end or as a stand-up linebacker. I see him as a rush end in Atlanta’s scheme as a possible Otto linebacker. He has extraordinary athlete who reportedly has been clocked at 4.44 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a 40-plus-inch vertical, 10-foot broad jump and bench presses over 400 pounds.
The Falcons, Bears or Giants would do well to snatch him up if he is available.
4. DANTE FOWLER, JR.
He would probably do better as an outside linebacker. There is no doubt the talent is there. Fowler must show he can be more effective against the run.
Fowler has light feet and is fluid off the ball. He is best suited for a 3-4 defensive scheme.
5. DANNY SHELTON
He had a monster Senior Bowl game and week. Has steadily moved up draft boards and could be a top-5 pick. Shelton is built like an ice box and can handle double-teams off the block. The Raiders could use his strength and power. So could the Redskins. I like him as a run stuffer more than a disruptive pass rusher.
6. ALVIN DUPREE
When we look back at this Draft in five years, I think Dupree will stand out as the best player. Right now, he must get his technique down and work on his rush skills. As Rob Rang of CBSsports.com said, he isn't afraid to leave to his feet and dive to make the tackle, showing good hand-eye coordination to trip up ball-carriers
7. JORDAN PHILLIPS
He might be just learning how good he could be. He could be a beast like John Henderson was in Jacksonville. Phillips is a raw talent who will be chosen by a playoff contender and be given time to develop.
He is big all over and can stand offensive linemen up at the line of scrimmage. His quick hands make him a nightmare for quarterbacks, who have to throw over his wingspan.
8. EDDIE GOLDMAN
Goldman carries his 320 pounds well, sporting broad shoulders.. He's quick off the snap, shooting his hands into the chest of opponents and showing good upper-body strength to extend and control. Goldman plays with his knees bent and does a nice job of anchoring at the line of scrimmage, rarely getting pushed back. Good balance to keep his feet while stringing plays out wide. Long and strong enough to set the edge as a defensive end. Goldman is an All-Pro waiting to happen. He could be a nice fit in Detroit should the Lions lose both Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh.
9. MALCOLM BROWN
I like Brown’s size and his agility. He should be a second round pick with plenty of. He is big and tall and possesses good strength from his lower base. He gets his hands up in passing lanes, showing good body control and timing on his leaps to bat passes down at the line of scrimmage (six over his career). Still developing talent whose best football appears to be ahead of him. He has Baltimore Ravens written all over him.
10. VIC BEASLEY
He needs more weight and strength. He is a stand-up outside linebacker or situational pass rusher. Beasley’s size presents an issue for scouts, but he is an excellent pass rusher. His speed and ability to spin off a block makes him more than a ‘tweener. Has the flexibility to be able to duck their reach and turn the corner, showing excellent speed to close. Beasley complements his speed rush with a balanced and tight spin back to the inside and a surprisingly effective bull rush. Miami could draft him as he could be a smaller version of Jason Taylor.

The NFL season is officially over, now starts the offseason. The Cincinnati Bengals have a few things to work on this offseason to make sure they make it back to the playoffs next year. Cincinnati finished the regular season (10-5-1). The Bengals have made it to the playoffs the last 4 years, but have lost all 4 for those games in the wild card game.

The Bengals were bad on defense finishing towards the bottom of the league and were the worst regular season defense in this year’s playoff. The Bengals finished 20th in rushing yards and 20th in passing yards allowed per game to opposing teams.

They also finished in the middle of the pack on total offense. Quarterback Andy Dalton had a few awful games. Dalton only threw over 250 yards in 4 games this season. In those 4 games the Bengals finished (2-1-1). Dalton tied his career low in passing yards in a season with 3,398 and set a new career low with throwing only 19 touchdowns on the season.

Cincinnati also plays in a tough AFC North, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. The Steelers and Ravens both made the playoffs this year and the up and coming Cleveland Browns finished (7-9). Not to mention the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, San Diego Chargers, and Buffalo Bills all finished this year (9-7). Those 4 teams could be on the verge of getting over the hump and getting into the playoffs, and then forcing the Bengals out of the playoffs next year. The fact that the Bengals play in a tough division, plus a lower level defense and have an inconsistent quarterback are all reasons the Bengals could be the most likely team from this year’s playoffs to not make it back in 2016.

It’s not uncommon for a team to barely miss the playoffs and then in the next season making it to the playoffs. This year the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens all made the playoffs this year and missed the playoffs last year. In 2012 the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and San Diego Chargers all missed the playoffs, but made the playoffs in 2013. So missing the playoffs and then making the playoffs the next year is rather common. There are 5 teams that didn’t make the playoffs this year that have a good shot at making it to the playoffs next year.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles just missed the playoffs this year. At one point this year the Eagles were considered the frontrunners to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Then on Thanksgiving the Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys to move to (9-3) on the season. Many thought they were well on their way to clinching the NFC East, but they dropped 3 games in a row. They won their last game of the season to finish (10-6), but still missed the playoffs. If the Eagles can play how they played the beginning of the season they have a good chance of making it to the playoffs next year.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints never seemed to get on a steady roll. Their defense finished 31st in total defense. The defense gave up an average of 26.5 points a game. Their offense tried to keep them in the game as they were the number 1 offense in football. The injuries piled up for the Saints on offense. Star running back Mark Ingram and tight end Jimmy Graham all missed time, along with up and coming wide receiver Brandin Cooks who was lost for the season after week 10. If the Saints can improve their defense this time could make it back to the playoffs.

Houston Texans

The Texans main problem was they were lacking the star quarterback. The Texans had 4 different quarterbacks take a snap for them this year; Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, Ryan Mallett and Tom Savage. If the Texans can get a reliable quarterback to go with running back Arian Foster and wide receivers Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins the team could go a long way. On defense they will get back injured first round pick Jadeveon Clowney to go along with JJ Watt on the defensive line next year.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have a good defense as they finished 7th on the year. The offense held them back this year. Quarterback Alex Smith threw 18 touchdowns on the season; none of those touchdowns went to a wide receiver. For the Chiefs to make the playoffs Smith needs to get the wide receivers more involved.

San Francisco 49ers

Many thought the 49ers would make it back to the playoffs again this year as they went to 3 straight NFC Championship games. The relationship with the niners and former head coach Jim Harbaugh went south before the season started. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick didn’t play as well as he has in the past. For the 49ers to make it back to the playoffs Kaepernick must get back to the player he was when he led the 49ers to the NFC Championship games. Also a new coach could help improve the play of the team.

Winning the Super Bowl cements your place in history and creates a legacy that will be eternally etched in time. This legacy is further amplified if you are the winning quarterback. For some of the games greatest ever quarterbacks including Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and Warren Moon Super Bowl immortality eluded them. For others it seems that they were simply in the right place at the right time to find themselves written into the NFL history books. This article takes a look at the five worst quarterbacks to find themselves lifting aloft the Vince Lombardi trophy.

5 – Eli Manning – New York Giants

Manning was a tough call and may be unlucky to find himself on the list. There can be no denying that the two time Super Bowl MVP is clutch when it matters most, nothing highlights this more than when he eluded three Patriots tacklers to launch the ball up for David Tyree to catch with his helmet. Manning makes the list due to the rollercoaster ride he takes Giants fans on weekly. Manning’s career has been plagued by inconsistency, three times he has thrown more than 20 interceptions including a league leading 27 in 2013. This inconsistency has made it impossible for Manning to establish himself amongst the league’s elite and for this reason he makes his way onto the list.

4-Mark Rypien – Washington Redskins

When leading the Redskins to Super Bowl glory in 1991 Rypien produced a career year in which he threw for 3564 yards and 28 touchdowns. If his career had followed this pattern he would have found his name among the league’s all-time greats, sadly for him and the Redskins it didn’t. His decline from Super Bowl winning quarterback was fast, in 1992 he passed for just 13 touchdowns. During his other ten years in the league Rypien was average at best, compiling a 33-29 record as a starter and throwing 87 touchdowns to 77 interceptions. He was to have just three seasons in which he passed for over 3000 yards.

3 – Trent Dilfer – Baltimore Ravens

Dilfer is the ultimate definition of a game manger, riding on the back of one of the games greatest ever defences Dilfer’s mission was simple, don’t lose the game. Dilfer’s Super Bowl winning season was far from spectacular, he threw for just over 1500 yards and 12 touchdowns. He didn’t need to do much more as the Ravens defence shut down opposing offences allowing them just 165 points. Apart from Super Bowl victory Dilfer’s career bears few highlights, he complied a career record of 58 -55 and remains the only quarterback in NFL history to be cut the year after he won the Super Bowl.  

2 – Jim Plunkett – LA Raiders

Plunkett is the only quarterback to start and win two Super Bowls who is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This stat should raise alarm bells, the first overall pick in the 1971 draft and former Heisman Trophy winner compiled a career 500 win loss record. (72 – 72) Over the course of his career Plunkett threw 164 touchdowns to 198 interceptions and in twelve of his sixteen seasons he was to throw more interceptions than touchdowns. He finished his career with a 67.5 career quarterback rating, second worst of all time for a Super Bowl winning quarterback. The one with the worst rating sits atop this list.

1 – Joe Namath – New York Jets

Namath is by far the worst quarterback to win the Super Bowl, if it wasn’t for the ‘guarantee’ Namath’s career would be viewed as a joke. Namath’s career stats do not make for pretty reading. He was to throw just 173 career touchdowns in comparison to 220 interceptions, this includes two seasons in which he threw 28. One of the league’s first true superstars Namath finished with a career rating of 65.5. He was to have just two seasons in which he threw more touchdowns than interceptions and it is quite simple that he is in the Hall of Fame on a Super Bowl performance alone.  

It is clear for all future Super Bowl winning quarterbacks that to knock Namath off the top spot will require something truly special!

With the season over it is only now you realise the rollercoaster ride the Baltimore Ravens went through. 2014 marked a year full of adversity for these Baltimore Ravens, a plethora of injuries and a new look staff had many fans worried heading into the season. Some incredible veteran play and  some excellent coaching and drafting led the Ravens to one hail mary away from the AFC Championship round of the playoffs. Not bad for a team considered ‘done’ by many analysts after the whole Ray Rice fiasco. Anyway there is still room for improvements, here are my three New Year’s resolutions for the team.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, quarterback Tom Brady, and the entire New England organization is under heavy fire for deflating 11 of the 12 Wilson footballs to 2 pounds per square inch lower than regulation before the AFC championship game against the Colts last weekend.

The Baltimore Ravens also claimed issues with the footballs being deflated, they lost their playoff game the week prior to New England in Foxboro. This caused the NFL officials to double check the PSI levels of the footballs at halftime and found them to be below league specifications.

Changes in football air level gives a competitive advantage to a team that has practiced and prepared with that weight and type of ball.

Big surprise, Belichick met the media this morning and denies knowing anything about this. Being the micro manager he is known for, this is hard to believe.

The Patriots have been caught before trying to cheat or in proper terms get a competitive advantage. In 2007 “Spygate” occurred and a member of the Patriot organization video taped the New York Jets defensive signals. The NFL also found that the Patriots under Belichick video taped the St. Louis Rams practicing during a 2002 Superbowl walk through. Ram's head coach Mike Martz said “the Patriots seem to know what calls were going to be made”.

After “Spygate” Belichick was fined $500,000, and owner Bob Kraft was fined 250,000. The Patriots also lost their first round draft pick. This was really just a drop in the hat to the organization.

Do not laugh when I suggest that Belichick will most likely use a Patriot's ball boy to take the fall for this. Hearing the denials today, I expect something like this to occur, with the fired ball boy getting set up for life from owner Bob Kraft.

NFL commisioner Roger Goodell needs to bring the hammer down on this situation. The Patriots employ the philosophy of win at all costs, cheating included.

If Goodell can suspend New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Peyton for a year for implementing a bounty program to motivate his defensive players, he should certainly do the same to Belichick if not more.

With Super Bowl XLIX just two weeks away, this scandal should have everyone in the nation except die hard Bostonian citizens and female fans of Tom Brady, rooting for the Seattle Seahawks.

Word of advice to Seattle head coach Pete Carroll, keep security tight on your team's practice. Find a secure location if need be.

You never know who maybe watching.

The Baltimore Ravens were prepared for the loss of offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. Going back to Denver may been too hard to pass up, but head coach John Harbaugh had a plan. The seat which Kubiak occupied was not cold long. On Tuesday, the Ravens organization announced they have hired former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman to run their offense.

Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reported that Trestman, 59, joins the Ravens after going 13-19 in two seasons with the Bears. He replaces Gary Kubiak, who was announced as the Denver Broncos' new coach Tuesday.

This is the Ravens' fourth offensive coordinator in as many seasons. Hopefully Trestman, who is known of a bit of a quarterback guru, will stick around and improve a growing offense that could be really good next season.

The Ravens snuck into the AFC playoffs as the final seed, then ended Pittsburgh’s season in Heinz Field in the first round of the second season. The Ravens were summarily eliminated by New England the next week.

With an offense that got better as the season wore on and a defense that could rise to the occasion like Ravens defenses of the past, there are a few things this team needs to get itself back toward the Super Bowl. Here are three free agents who could help the Ravens in 2015.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced that they intend to hire Greg Olson as the team’s new offensive coordinator. The news comes after the team hired former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone to be the team’s offensive line coach and assistant head coach.

Some media outlets and online websites had reported that Olson, 51, had already been hired by the Jaguars around 5 pm on Tuesday, but Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley told sources close to the hiring process that no offensive coordinator had been signed as of last night.

Chris Wesseling of NFL.com reports that yes in fact Olson is returning to Jacksonville where he served as the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2012 under Mike Mularkey. The Jaguars finished 2-14 that season with both Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne seeing time on the field for Jacksonville. Olson will be given the task of helping the growth of Blake Bortles, the second year quarterback whom the Jaguars drafted to take the team to the playoffs.

Olson has experience working with young quarterbacks, having guided Derek Carr last season as he served as the offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders. While Oakland won a total of three games last season, like Jacksonville, Carr was one of the better rookies in the league last season, throwing for 3,270 yards and 21 touchdowns.

“It's important the Jaguars turn the franchise around in 2015, so Bortles isn't stuck with yet another coach in his third season,” Wesseling wrote in his story.

The Jaguars had those same kinds of issues with Blaine Gabbert when they chose him 10^th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. Gabbert had three head coaches and three different offensive coordinators in his tenure in Jacksonville.

There was speculation that the Jaguars would try to sign Olson to be the team’s quarterback coach, Marrone to guide the offensive line and former Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase to become the offensive coordinator. Gase did interview with the Jaguars and was thought to be the frontrunner for the position because the Baltimore Ravens hired Marc Trestman to replace Gary Kubiak who became the Broncos head coach.

Gase is now rumored to possibly be headed to St. Louis to fill the Rams offensive coordinator slot.

Where former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase finds a home in the NFL now has basically come down to a coin flip of sorts.

Marc Sessler of NFL.com is reporting that the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Baltimore Ravens are in play to land Gase’s services. The 36-year-old coordinator met with the Jaguars on Sunday, but no deal was reached. The Ravens are said to be interviewing him “soon.”

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the team's offensive coordinator is expected to land a play-calling job with either Jacksonville or Baltimore. After Jaguars coach Gus Bradley met with Gase on Sunday, the Ravens plan to interview him soon.

The Baltimore job -- which opened up after Kubiak decided to join John Elway in Denver -- looms as the better option for immediate success. Gase and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco would make for an interesting pairing after Kubiak coaxed the passer to one of his finest seasons. Gase brings a different scheme than Kubiak's play-action, boot-heavy attack, but the obvious question is whether his success with the Broncos was more about his play-calling or Peyton Manning.

Jacksonville would put Gase to the test. The presence of young quarterback Blake Bortles is enticing, but the offense is badly in need of a talent injection. It's fair to wonder if Bradley and friends will continue to be treated with such patience if Jacksonville produces another losing season.

The Jaguars staff is in Mobile, Alabama this week, preparing to coach in the Senior Bowl. It has also been reported that Gase, Doug Marrone and Greg Olson, all coaches interviewed by the Jaguars, are also in Alabama and that Jaguars team owner had Khan may be meeting team officials there to potentially make a hire.

Marrone met with the team last week, but left without an offer. The Jaguars then interviewed his former offensive coordinator in Buffalo, Nathanial Hackett. Some media outlets have speculated Marrone met with Gus Bradley to pitch Hackett as a potential coordinator and that there may be n opening on the coaching staff for an offensive line coach if George Yarno does not return to the team following treatment for cancer last season.

According to Alfie Crow of bigcatcountry.com, a three for one deal could be in the works.

There is no official deal on the table, but a source familiar with the situation indicates that the team would like to hire Gase as the offensive coordinator, Marrone as the offensive line coach and Olson as the quarterbacks coach or in some other offensive capacity, Crow reports.

NFL Network was split 50/50; the experts couldn't agree on whether the seasoned veteran or the up-and-comer would have the advantage in what was supposed to be a very exciting Championship game.

The Indianapolis Colts paid a visit to Gillette Stadium to take a shot at the best team in the AFC over the past decade and a half. The New England Patriots came into the game after squeaking past the Baltimore Ravens to host the Championship game.

If the Colts came to dethrone the Pats, they left the game plan at home. Here's what we learned from the game:

1. Tom Brady is the best post-season QB...

Ever. It isn't enough that he won three rings in four years to begin his career; Brady has also been two miraculous catches away from two more rings. Add a perfect regular season, etc, etc, and there just is no discussion. Brady now owns the post season with 28 starts, nine of those in Championship games, 7012 yards, 46 TD passes, and 19 wins. All records, all from the guy who was passed over by every other team, who watched Chad Pennington, Giovanni Carmazzi... you get the picture.

2. Belichick does what he needs to do...

The Patriots ran for 14 yards against the Ravens, then tore up the Colts defense for 177 yards. The Pats defense held Andrew Luck, who threw for 4761 yards and 40 TDs in the regular season, to just 126 yards and no TDs. They also picked him twice and harrassed him on almost every play. BB has engineered the perfect gameplan for the personnel and opponent his team faces. He certainly has his hands full in two weeks with the defending champs.

3. The Patriot defense shouldn't be taken lightly...

Of all the defensive units in the league, including the Seattle Seahawks, no one mentions the Patriots in the conversation. They are good, but not on the same plain as the Ravens... but the Patriots beat the Ravens, and the Broncos, and the Colts, and the Lions... I'm not saying they're the best, but they rise to the occassion and win games... lots of games. This the best defense the Patriots have had in years.

4. Trick plays...

Now Nate Solder is catching passes; what's next? Vince Wilfork lining up in the backfield? This kind of play keeps the opposition guessing. The championship was probably in the bag already, but plays like that show the swagger that Pats fans pay to see.

5. This team can win the Super Bowl...

I know that the smart money will be on the Seahawks, despite the disparity in the results of the two games today. We will hear from commentators and analysts galore for two straight weeks and opinions will be all over the planet. One site already has the Patriots as slim favorites, while others are calling it a push or pick 'em.

What we really need to know is that based on playoff performances so far, the Patriots are going to bring it in Arizona. The Seahawks may be defending champs, but the Patriots, specifically Brady and Belichick, have been doing this for a long time. Of course, I'm picking the Patriots. But this will be a great game.

If the Atlanta Falcons wanted some idea of what kind of coaching staff potential head coach Teryl Austin would want for the team, the current Detroit Lions defensive coordinator could not have made more of a splash with his answer.

Adam Gase, come on down.

According to a story on ESPN.com, a source indicated that part of Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin's pitch to become the Falcons' head coach is to bring Adam Gase along as his offensive coordinator. Gase, the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos this season, was a finalist for the San Francisco 49ers' coaching job and was among the first group of candidates interviewed by Falcons owner Arthur Blank and the search committee.

Although Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn emerged as the favorite for the Falcons after the first round of interviews, Austin had a chance to make a strong case during his second interview Thursday. With Gase in the mix, the potential formidable combination might not only fix a broken defense but also add more juice to an already potent offense led by quarterback Matt Ryan and Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones.

If Gase joins the Falcons and takes their offense to another level, it would make him that much more attractive for head-coaching opportunities next year.

Gase could also become a candidate for the open coaching job in Denver, but it appears current Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator and former Broncos player Gary Kubiak is still the front runner for that job.

Both Quinn and Austin have contacted Gase about becoming offensive coordinator in Atlanta, a source said.

Because Gase has already met with Atlanta's brain trust in interviewing for the head-coaching job, the Falcons would be a convenient fit for him. Atlanta is considered the most appealing landing spot for Gase given the presence of Ryan, Jones and other pieces on an offense that finished eighth in the NFL in yards per game in 2014.

The story online also states that Gase had interest from the St. Louis Rams Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders in the past 24 hours.

Austin engineered the league's top-ranked rushing defense (69.3 yards per game) and second-ranked total defense (300.9 yards per game). The Lions tied for second in scoring defense, allowing just 17.6 points per game.