Top 5 NFL Coaches of 2011

Conventional wisdom says that Jim Harbaugh is going to win the Coach of the Year. The rookie San Francisco 49er coach is worthy, but there is a coach who didn’t have as much success this season, but deserves consideration. If I had a vote for COY – which I don’t – my vote would go to another coach who oversaw even a more incredible turnaround. Here is one guy’s top five – okay, I cheated, top six coaching rankings for the 2011 season.

5. Tom Coughlin/Bill Belichick

Both of these guys get overlooked every year, especially Belichick. It is because year in and year out their teams are solid. This year Belichick’s team overcame one of the NFL’s worst defenses, but still found a way to put together another great regular season and of course a run back to the Super Bowl. How good is ‘The Hoodie’ and his staff? For the second time they filled a glaring hole on defense by moving a wide receiver to a defensive back and got decent production out of him.

Coughlin’s Giants also had injuries to major players to deal with and partly because of that, struggled in the early part of the season. When the chips were down in the second half of 2011 Coughlin’s team was on point again. They got healthy and played great football down the stretch beating the top two seeds on the road to get back to the Super Bowl.

4.  Marvin Lewis

As the 2011 season approached, I thought the Bengals were going to be terrible. They were coming off a last place 4-12 season and they were destined to lose quarterback Carson Palmer. They replaced Palmer with rookie Andy Dalton. Historically starting a rookie quarterback in Week One is a recipe for disaster. Dalton wasn’t even a first round pick, but somehow Lewis and his staff were able to get their rookie quarterback – and receiver A.J. Green – on the same page as the rest of the offense. They were able to do it fast. They made it to the playoffs with a rookie quarterback who had to play against some of the toughest defenses in the league.

How is this for a rookie season baptism? Dalton had to face the top three defenses – yardage wise – in the league. He faced Pittsburgh (twice), Baltimore (twice) and Houston(twice including the playoffs). Believe it or not, the Cleveland Browns ranked tenth in the league and of course Dalton had to play them twice as well. Playing seven games against top ten defenses with a rookie quarterback and winning nine games with a playoff berth as well – Coach of the Year consideration in my book.

3. Gary Kubiak

Yes he had one of the league’s best rushing attacks and one of the league’s best defenses, but this is a team that had not made the playoffs in its history. Add to that the injuries the team had to overcome to not only make the playoffs, but win a playoff game is remarkable.

Kubiak and his staff had to overcome injuries to four of their top players. Arian Foster was out for much of the first half of the season. Mario Williams was out almost the entire year and Matt Schaub was lost for the season about half way through the year. Elite wide receiver Andre Johnson was limited to about half a season due to separate hamstring ailments. To make things worse they lost second string quarterback Matt Leinart in his first game replacing Schaub.

It didn’t matter. Kubiak and the Texans put together a solid first half of the season, played good enough in the second half of the season and actually won a playoff game – and almost a second – with a third string quarterback.

2. Jim Harbaugh

Most people are going to have Harbaugh at number one and with good reason. He took a franchise that had been struggling for years and in one season took them to overtime in the NFC Championship Game. He was able to take a good defense and help make it great and was the first coach to get solid, consistent play from quarterback Alex Smith. The team won seven more regular season games than the year before and although played in the league’s worst division proved many experts wrong by beating most people’s dark horse Super Bowl pick – the New Orleans Saints – at their own game, not with defense, but with offense.

1. John Fox

Fox’s Broncos were coming off a disaster of a season. They won just four games and finished last in the AFC West. This year the team made a four game improvement, won the division and a playoff game. It was a weak division and they ended with a .500 record, but the brilliance of Fox goes far beyond the numbers.

You could say the Broncos got lucky during their long string of wins in the middle of the season and you would be right, but the reason Fox should get the nod is that he did something coaches just don’t do in the NFL. His team was going nowhere so he changed his entire thought process and figured out a way to get his team winning. Fox recognized the team wasn’t going anywhere with Kyle Orton at quarterback so he made the switch to Tim Tebow. Everyone knows how the story ended, but what goes under-appreciated is Fox and his staff role in the transition.

Fox changed the entire way the team did business on the field. They went from a conventional 21st century offense to an offense out of the 1940’s in a matter of weeks. They did it on the fly without the benefit of training camp or even an off-season. Fox found a way to win seven of the last eleven games with a quarterback who had trouble completing the most elementary of NFL pass routes. I don’t think the approach they had to take this year has a chance of working long term, but for this year, with that talent, the job John Fox did makes him the runaway coach of the year for 2011.

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Super Bowl Picks

The ruined Patriots perfect season has left a bitter taste in the mouths of the New England faithful. Eli Manning led the winning drive and was well deserving of the MVP award as the super underdogs beat the perfect Pat’s in a thrilling 17-14 victory back in 2008.

This time round the term “underdog” doesn’t apply to either club and should be tossed from any descriptions. Both teams seem equality deadly on offense while the few weak spots on either team make it hard to find vulnerable targets to go after. Two great quarterbacks will battle for what should be an exciting Super Bowl Sunday.

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10 Ridiculous Super Bowl Prop Bets

The Super Bowl is big for so many reasons. The players and fans of both teams have their hearts set on being Super Bowl Champions, but there are so many other elements to Super Bowl Sunday. Companies and brands dump millions into advertising to capture the worlds attention in hope of selling their crap to the public, this years going rate is $3.5 million for a 30 second spot. There are also the big movie trailers that try to hype up this years hottest must-see blockbusters. The art form of a “Must-See” movie trailer can’t be denied these days, yet spending millions of dollars to miss your mark is huge, even crippling. Lets also not forget about the bars, pubs and restaurants that fan’s will be attending all over the world, each hosted location will have a chance to pull in their biggest single day earnings of the year. Yet the real hidden gem of this yearly mega-event doesn’t come with a side of fries.

I’ll admit it, I drop more cash on food, beverages and “friendly wagers” on Super Bowl Sunday than any other NFL day of the year. But for big name online sportsbooks or Las Vegas Casinos, money trades hands like you could only imagine. I tried my best to research what was invested at last year’s game, I tried to find something on who lost or even profited the most from last years Super Bowl, but whatever number I found would surely be only the tip of the iceberg. With bets as crazy as calling “Head’s” or “Tails” for the games kickoff, you know if you looked hard enough, the insane prop bets would surely be worth a laugh.

***The Following Super Bowl Prop Bets are real ridiculous wagers you can make for the Super Bowl XLVI with an online sportsbook. I am not plugging any single sportsbook, I researched many providers to bring you these top 10 hilarious bets for a laugh.***

1. What Color will the Gatorade (or liquid) be that is dumped on the Head Coach of the Winning Super Bowl Team?  (If nothing is dumped wagers will be No Action. )

Odds:

• Clear/Water 7 to 4
• Orange 9 to 4
• Yellow 5 to 2
• Red 6 to 1
• Green 7 to 1
• Blue 10 to 1

My Thoughts: Cool bet, but knowing my luck it’s the color that makes no sense what so ever, like yellow or green. Someone somewhere has the inside track on this, I could see this being a loaded suckers bet. Maybe it’s me, maybe I have seen far too many CSI episodes or watched the movie Casino too many times, but couldn’t you just picture the underground betting community fixing this bet. They just need to find the guy that’s making to juice.

My Pick: I’m going to take Blue, both teams have blue in their color jersey scheme and the Colts (home turf) are blue….but wait…maybe that’s what they want  me to pick.

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Is Tom Coughlin a Hall of Fame Coach?

Just a few years ago this question would be ridiculous. Actually just two months ago this question would have been absurd, but if the New York Giants win on Sunday, the idea of Tom Coughlin being a Hall of Fame coach may be legit.

For years there have been rumors that Coughlin has been on his way out. The players hate his old school ways. How many times have we heard about the five minute early to meetings rule? They have had unexplainable losing streaks nearly every year, but most years his teams end up in the playoffs. Even when he coached the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars he nearly took the team to the Super Bowl in just the second year of existence. In his seven seasons in Jacksonville he went to two AFC championship games.

With the Giants, Tom Coughlin pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history when the Giants defeated the undefeated New England Patriots in 2008. Now he has his team back in the Super Bowl against the mighty Patriots for a rematch. If he wins he will have defeated Bill Belichick twice on the biggest stage, the only coach to beat the mighty Belichick even once in the Super Bowl.

The much criticized Coughlin has put together a 142-114 record in sixteen seasons. His teams have been to the playoffs nine of those years. With the expansion Jaguars he was able to turn an expansion team into a team with a winning record in just the second year. Those Jaguars were not a flash in the pan either. After struggling in year one, they made the playoffs four years in a row before starting to struggle in the 2000 season. Two of Coughlin’s worst years can almost be thrown out. His first year with the expansion Jaguars he was not going to win many games and his first year with the Giants he was starting a rookie quarterback – Eli Manning – for most of the season. No coach was going to find much success those two years. If you take out those two years he has had just three losing seasons.

Maybe the best argument for Coughlin in the Hall of Fame if he wins next week is this. If he wins he will join a list that includes Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Don Shula, Chuck Noll, Tom Flores, Bill Walsh, Bill Parcells, Jimmy Johnson, George Seifert, Mike Shanahan and Belichick as coaches who have multiple Super Bowl championships. Half of those guys – assuming Belichick gets in – already have the ugly yellow Hall of Fame jacket in their closet.

Personally if the Giants win I am not ready to put the red faced one in the Hall of Fame, but if Coughlin wins on Sunday and his teams continue to show well over the next few years, as crazy as it sounds – Tom Coughlin will be worthy of Hall of Fame talk.

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NFC Championship Preview

In this season of incredible, record-breaking offensive production, it looks like the old adage “good defense beats good offense” holds true…in the NFC at least. Both the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants pulled off upsets of superior offensive clubs in the Divisional round. Now one of these two team is assured of a shot at immortality at Superbowl XLVI.

Back in September, if you had the vision to wager on one of these two squads winning the NFL championship, you would be a very happy bettor right now. The Giants were a 28 to 1 long shot to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, while the 49ers were an incredible 60 to 1 buy.

These two teams met earlier this season, a Week 10 27-20 San Francisco home victory that saw the Giants nursing a slim second half lead before giving way late.

Most of us expected the “Dream Team” from Philadelphia or the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC East, but it was the Giants who pulled an unlikely but timely late-season rally to win one of the toughest divisions in football. They got hot at the right time, winning three of their final four games in the regular season and entering the playoffs as the healthiest team in the league.

The Giants defense then showed that like the 49ers, they could dominate games as well. New York held Atlanta’s vaunted offense to zero points, then pulled an unlikely upset of the 15-1 defending Superbowl champion Packers at Lambeau Field. The G-men enter the NFC Championship red-hot, healthy and full of confidence.

San Francisco’s journey to the conference title game might go down as one of the most surprising in recent memory. Few had high expectations for an disappointing squad that was expected to finish at the bottom of one of the worst divisions in pro football and was led by a rookie head coach.

But Jim Harbaugh took the reigns of an underachieving team and chose to stick with his much-maligned veteran quarterback, Alex Smith, and worked a modern-day miracle. Led by a dominant defense, Harbaugh guided his team to a 13-3 finish and one victory away from re-gaining the glory of the Red and Gold teams of the 1980′s.

Though the Giants ended the regular season as the leagues worst rushing offense at 89.2 yards per game, they’ve been able to ramp up the run game in the past month. Both backs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs will be involved and could be spelled by D.J. Ware.

Look for New York to attempt to establish a rushing attack early to set up play-action passing opportunities. This won’t be easy because the 49ers have the NFL’s top ranked rush defense.

This offense belongs to Eli Manning and the passing game. Manning passed for over 300 yards in the previous match-up, so look for more of the same. Successfully establishing an early ground game will benefit the Giants’ downfield attack.

In November, San Francisco double-covered Hakeem Nicks. This allowed for Victor Cruz to have a big game (6 catches fro 84 yards) while single covered by CB Carlos Rodgers. Mario Manningham was also big in this game (6-77-1 TD) and is talented enough to make an impact should the Niners choose to blanket Nicks again.

Alex Smith‘s revival has been both unexpected and refreshing. He enjoyed by far his finest NFL campaign. Jim Harbaugh has used Smith in a role that is suited to his strengths and that is somewhat similar to the Superbowl winning teams from the 2000′s (Baltimore and Tampa Bay) that won titles with a dominant defense, solid ground game and a signal-caller that managed the game well and limited turnovers.

Frank Gore will be the key to San Fran’s offense. He missed the previous game against the Giants, but his replacement, Kendall Hunter did very well while being limited to only six carries. His 17 yard touchdown scamper was the winning points in the game.

The 49ers would like to chew up the clock and hand the ball to Gore 20+ times and keep Hunter involved with about 10 touches. Like New York, play-action will be a big part of the San Francisco playbook.

Tight End Vernon Davis has become the focal point of the 49ers passing attack. His late touchdown last week, in the same spot of the same endzone that Terrell Owens scored an eerily similar post-season touchdown, won the game versus the Saints.

Michael Crabtree is the club’s top wide receiver and will look to challenge the Giant’s cornerback tandem of Corey Webster and Aaron Ross. Ted Ginn makes more of an impact as a returner, but is looking questionable to play in this game with a knee injury.

Prediction

This game looks to be another classic in the storied playoff history between these two powerhouses. No other two teams have matched up in the playoffs more often than the Giants and 49ers.

As with any game, turnovers will be the biggest key in this game. That is a distinct advantage to San Francisco who are led by a strong run game and a quarterback who takes fewer chances downfield and is more of a game manager.

Eli Manning is more of a gunslinger who is not afraid to take chances. Though he has done a better job this year of limiting interceptions, in the end a late turnover will cost the Giants the game and a chance at another meeting with the Patriots in two weeks.

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NFL Playoff Picks: Championship Week

This weekend’s outcome could create a few similar match-ups for Super Bowl XLVI.

The Ravens and Giants met back in 2001 for a boring blowout where Trent Dilfer handed the ball off most of the game in a 34-7 win. Dilfer completed 12 of 25 passes for 153 yards and 1 touchdown, numbers very similar to the type of fantasy stats Joe Flacco is averaging today. The Ravens’ defense allowed just 152 yards, forcing 5 turnovers, recording 4 sacks, and not allowing an offensive touchdown en route to the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.

If the 9 point favorite Patriots win this weekend and meet the Giants in the Super Bowl, we would have a grudge match of the game that got away from a perfect season. Eli Manning led the winning drive and was well deserving of the MVP award as the super underdogs beat the perfect Pat’s in a thrilling 17-14 victory back in 2008.

If the San Francisco 49er’s win the NFC Championship, it will be the first time the team will return to the big stage since beating the San Diego Chargers at Super Bowl XXIX back in 1995. The 49er’s won 4 Super Bowls between 1985 and 1995, but have barley made post season appearances since.

Ahmed is leading our Playoff picks with a 6-2 record straight up. Ahmed and Jody are tied with a 6-2 record against the spread. Both have completely different picks this week

NFL Playoff Picks

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“A Giant Battle at the Frozen Tundra”

Historic Lambeau Field plays host to the divisional match-up this weekend between the New York Football Giants and the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. Previously meeting in week 13 in the Meadowlands, the Packers narrowly escaped with a victory, as Aaron Rodgers led the potent offense down the field in less than two minutes to help seal a three-point victory. Could this time around be different? Do the Giants hold a grudge? Are they seeking revenge? All these things will be resolved come Sunday.

Four years ago, these two empowered teams met in the NFC Championship with a trip to Super Bowl XLII on the line. Eli Manning marched his troops into swirling winds and negative temperatures at Lambeau Field to take on Brett Favre (his final game as a Packer) and the Green and Gold. The game ended in a 23-20 victory for New York who eventually went on to surprise the undefeated Patriots. Both of these teams have storied histories and have something to prove this Sunday. The Giants are looking for revenge from earlier this season while Aaron Rodgers and company look to spoil a surprising New York Giants playoff run. It’s going to be a Giant battle at the Frozen Tundra.

Green Bay’s Ball Control and Defensive Pressure

With a remarkable 15-1 season under their belts, the Packers are poised to make history again by heading back to the Super Bowl. Securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs has seeded the Packers at number one as they look to take down a rising Giants team. The Packers have been unstoppable this season, with the exception of a skid in Kansas City, and have easily defeated teams that have thrown everything their way. If Green Bay doesn’t want to be disappointed by a solid New York squad, they’ll have to have eyes in the back of their heads if they hope to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy.

The Packers go into Sunday’s game unscathed by injuries, with key players such as Charles Woodson, Greg Jennings, Brian Bulaga, Randall Cobb, and James Starks listed as probable. This may benefit a Green Bay team that was seriously hindered by injuries a year ago, giving them a bit of an advantage. The biggest player to watch for the Packers is undoubtedly the stellar quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The front-runner in line for MVP of the league this year has passed for 45 touchdowns, throwing only six interceptions, and tossing 4,643 yards. A 68.3 percentage completion (second highest in the league) has translated into a passer rating of 122.5. The numbers don’t lie and if Rodgers passes like he has all season, he should have no problem going up against the tough Giants defense. Problems can arise however, if Rodgers can avoid the Giants defensive pressure.

You could make an argument that the Giants have the best defense left in the playoffs because of the way they beat up on the Falcons, which brings me to a key match-up to be aware of in Chad Clifton versus Jason Pierre- Paul. Clifton returns after a sustained injury and is now pitted against one of the NFL’s best pass rushers. Getting pressure on Rodgers will slow him down and Jason Pierre-Paul is the prime candidate for the job. He recorded 16.5 sacks in just his second season in the NFL, and will give the Giants a fighting chance in stopping the aggressive Packers offense. Nonetheless, Aaron Rodgers is lethal outside of the pocket, so the Giants may need to think about other ways of putting pressure on Rodgers. Protecting Aaron Rodgers will be one of the biggest keys to victory for the Packers.

For the defense, they will need to put pressure on Eli Manning. Manning is a poised pocket thrower, but getting him out in the open may give the Packers some opportunities for a turnover. Defensive pressure isn’t something the Packers are known for, but with this being the playoffs, they’ll need to learn how to get to Eli Manning and throw him off his rhythm.

The Packers have such a potent wide-receiving corps that is hard to contain. With this match-up the Giants are likely to bring the heat more often than not. This pressure will make short passes and slant routes (a Packers specialty) more likely options. The guy to watch on the Packers offense will be tight-end Jermichael Finley. In his previous match-up with the Giants, Finley shined with six receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. His biggest catch came on a 24 yard toss on the game winning drive that gave the Pack the W. Finley will be a key player in the Packers success come Sunday.

Ball control will be key if the Packers hope to overcome the Giants. Like I mentioned previously, the Packers have a dangerous receiving corps, but ball control issues may rear their ugly heads. The Packers receivers can be notorious for dropping passes. This cannot happen especially in a playoff game. Green Bay needs to emphasize the implications of having “butter fingers” and prevent those types of mistakes from occurring. It’s truly simple…catch the ball.

Overall, the Packers are favored to win in the re-match. They’re 15-1, have a solid offense, and they’re at Lambeau Field, all advantages the Packers could use. Yet, the Packers defense is something to worry about considering they’re ranked in the bottom three on pass defense this year. The secondary will have their work cut out for them if they hope to contain New York wide-outs Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. The defense is notorious for giving up lots of yards, but in their defense (no pun intended) they specifically play for the interception, resulting in more yards for the opposition. We’ll see how well the Packers perform in a game that feels all too familiar.

New York’s Defense and Deep Threats

The New York Giants made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth this year, hosting a home playoff game for the first time in roughly a decade. After a slow start, the Giants rolled on all cylinders, stuffing the Atlanta Falcons run game and essentially holding Matt Ryan in check. Now, the Giants go on the road to one of football’s most historic stadiums in Lambeau Field to play the Packers, a re-match they’ve been dying for since week 13.

This game is a chance for the New York Giants to put a devastating hurt on a promising Packers season. Some unforgettable memories may loom large in this match-up, but some keys for the Giants are going to be slowing down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers aerial attack. The first time around the Giants used an array of defensive schemes that had Rodgers a little out of sorts early on, they may be able to fool him again, but the Giants will need to pepper in zone disguises and other confusing concepts in the backfield.

The Giants defense looks revitalized, especially up-front with dangerous man Jason Pierre-Paul leading the way. In their last meeting, the Giants dominated the line of scrimmage and only finished the game with two sacks on Rodgers. This time around, the Giants are going to need to find an alternate way of putting pressure on Rodgers, since Rodgers is so athletic and has no problem throwing the ball on the run. The Giants defensive line has seen a resurgence this year, especially now with Osi Umenyiora returning to the line-up. Umenyiora was absent during the week 13 match-up and essentially will help Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul put the heavy pressure on the Packers. Pressuring Rodgers may be harder than one might think, but it is something New York is seriously going to have to consider if they wish to stop the explosive GB offense.

Eli Manning and the offense needs to step up in a big way come Sunday, especially when they need to move the ball downfield. Manning is a solid passer against the blitz, which undoubtedly the Packers will use often, so look for Manning to throw for plenty of passing yards. However, he will need to be aware of some tricky defensive schemes the Packers so often like to use, such as blitzing linebacker Clay Matthews while using cornerback Charles Woodson as a decoy rusher. The Packers defense usually tries for the interception, so if Manning can read this well, consider him to have 300 or more yards through the air.

The ground game is going to be vital for the Giants. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs may have been waved off a few weeks ago, but now the Giants have a legit rushing attack and have rediscovered how to avoid tackles. This could benefit them in the long run, especially if they control the clock.

The deep threats of Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks will be vital for a victory as well. The Packers secondary is shaky and if Manning has enough time, will find these two guys wide open down the field for easy scores. The long ball may prove worthy if the Giants utilize it well. We’ll see what transpires come Sunday.

Who Wins?

This is going to be a closer game than one might expect, but with the Packers back at full-strength and playing at home, the “Cheeseheads” look like to be in a good position to host the NFC title game. They’ve taken care of business all season long and aren’t about to let the happy go lucky G-men come in and ruin such a promising season.

Although the Giants have found their groove again in the running game and the passing game, not to mention coming close to defeating the Pack back in week 13, they may fall just shy up upsetting the former Super Bowl Champs.

Packers 31 Giants 27

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10 Amazing NFL Draft Steals, Starting in the Playoffs

In a perfect world every team’s top NFL Draft picks would get ten out out ten grades and be leaders in the playoffs for years to come. But everyone knows quality talent can slip through the cracks to the second or third day at the NFL draft. While sometimes a player is the product of the right system, late round gem’s do pass by teams in need, while the hype of first round talent is statistically never as great in hindsight. The best scouts do get their guy, some chalking it up to great scouting, others to luck, with costly busts not talked about around the local area.

The following is a look at players that are not only starters in this year’s NFL playoff run, but are difference makers for their respected teams.

10. QB T.J Yates- Texans
5th round selection (152nd overall) of the 2011 Draft

Yates did not exactly earn his way into a starting role, more like he earned the right to keep it from a default of options. Injuries to Quarterback’s Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart opened the door for the underrated play of 5th round draft pick T.J Yates from North Carolina.

Some may argue that Yates is this years “Rex Grossman” or “Trent Dilfer” of the playoffs, a manage the game-QB, yet I tend to disagree. Already added to the record books for the first QB to win a Texans Playoff game, T.J Yates is gaining the confidence from the team and fans with every passing down. He is looking better than expected and in my opinion has great prowess and determination, something that is needed to become a leader at the QB position.

Things will be interesting next year once Schuab becomes the starter again, with a lack of NFL talent at the QB position around the league, a phone call or two could be made in acquiring this new fan favorite Texan.

9. DE Justin Tuck- Giants
3rd round selection (74th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft

The Giants have a nose for finding excellent pass rushers and Justin Tuck might have been one of their better late round picks. The 2005 draft class overall grade for defensive ends wasn’t projected to be anything special, still names like Marcus Spears, Luis Castillo and Shaun Cody did all get extra attention early on. The Giants were patient and stole Tuck in the 3rd round. For the last 7 years Tuck has been a wrecking havoc on QB’s as he has cracked the double digit sack total 3 times (10,12,12) and been a vocal leader amongst his team

8. RB Frank Gore- 49er’s
3rd round selection (65th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft

I tried to find a player from each team in the 2011-12 playoffs, and sadly could only pull Frank Gore out of the bag for San Fran. The 49er’s are currently a team made up of 1st round talent and don’t seem to make the most out of the middle to late rounds. Still, Frank Gore is definitely a sleeper gem that 49er fans can be happy with, he is no doubt deserving of being on this list.

Frank Gore has been able to reach the 1000 yard mark in all but two of his 7 NFL seasons. This Sunday’s post-season game is a first for Frank Gore, along with many 49er’s as the team hasn’t made the playoffs since 02

7. DE Elvis Dumervil- Broncos
4th round selection (126th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft

At 5 feet 11 inches tall many NFL scouts had their doubts about this 2006 4th round pick defensive end. Yet after an amazing 07-08 season with 12 sacks and a interception, Elvis Dumervil was thought as the one of leagues best steals of the ’06 draft. In 2009 defensive coordinator Mike Nolan moved Dumervil to outside linebacker in his 3-4 defensive scheme, but keeping him as a defensive end on 4-3 passing down situations. The result was Dumervil leading the league in sacks with 17.

6. TE Jimmy Graham- Saints
3rd round selection (95th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft

Someone somewhere needs to make a movie about this guy, Jimmy Graham is a great NFL story. Not only is Graham a lethal redzone threat he looks to take over the fantasy world for years to come.

Check out a great read by very own Ahmed Helmy called: Jimmy Graham: Fantasy Man-Crush

5. RB James Starks- Packers
6th round selection (193rd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft

Starks found himself the lead RB playoff starter for the Packers Super Bowl run last season. His solid performance and above average stat’s has lead him to a split RB starting roll for this 2011 season. Starks was a massive steal in the 6th round of the 2010 draft, a player that some believe was a lifesaver at many points throughout the Packers dominance over the past 2 years. Definitely a diamond in the rough find

4. DE Brett Keisel- Steelers
7th round selection (242nd overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft

The Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs in an upset Wildcard weekend, but that won’t stop me from adding one of the greatest all-time steals in NFL draft history. Brett Keisel was taken in the 7th round of the 2002 NFL draft and has made the Steelers what they are today. Keisel has been an anchor for the Steelers defensive line and compiled 200 tackles over the last 10 years

3. RB Ahmad Bradshaw- Giants
7th round selection (250th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft

A Tiki Barber replacement that seems to get better with every year. Bradshaw has been practicing just once per week since returning from his foot injury in Week 13, yet his value to the team is unspeakable. Bradshaw and Jacobs work so much better when they are both healthy and active. One of the reasons why the Giants don’t want to let this RB go. As a pure value pick 250th overall Ahmad Bradshaw makes the NFL Draft Steal list for playoff teams in 2012.

2. WR Marques Colston- Saints
7th round selection (252nd overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft

How in the hell did 31 teams pass on this guy? Was their zero scouting done for Hofstra. Back in 2006, following the trade of wide receiver Donte Stallworth, Colston was inserted into the starting lineup for week 1 of the season. He becoame one of the few seventh round picks to ever to start week 1 for their team and has never looked back.

1. QB Tom Brady- Patriots
6th round selection (199th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft

Of course it’s Tom Brady! who else could be added to a list of amazing NFL draft steals. The New England Patriots made the unusual decision to carry four quarterbacks on the roster back in 2000. Brady started the season as the fourth string quarterback, behind starter Drew Bledsoe and backups John Friesz and Michael Bishop; by the end of the season, Brady was number two on the depth chart behind Bledsoe. During his rookie season, he was 1-of-3 passing, for six yards.

Tom Brady holds numerous regular season and postseason records, including: most touchdown passes in a regular season (50); most consecutive regular-season home wins (31); highest winning percentage of any quarterback during his first 100 starts (76 wins); most completions in one Super Bowl (32); and the list goes on for days.

Brady is the fourth-fastest player to reach 200 career passing touchdowns (116 games) and he is the first quarterback in NFL history to have reached this mark with fewer than 100 career interceptions (88 interceptions)

Without a doubt Tom Brady was the greatest NFL Draft steal of all time.

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 NFL Playoff Picks: Divisional Round

The point spread for this up coming NFL playoff weekend is massive, and something I want nothing to do with. Either the oddsmakers are using the same computer that brought us a terrible BCS championship game or someone has been drinking the kool aid. Clearly the Tebow magic can keep things closer than 14 points and as the Texans and Giants a few of our pick’em experts think they make for decent upset picks on the road.

Kevin Roberts was the top pick’em expert last week going 4-0

NFL Playoff Picks

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NFL Playoff Picks: Divisional Round Gridiron Experts Gridiron Experts - Where Fantasy Football Champions Are Born