Chris J. Nelson's 2009 Miami Dolphins Awards

After a surprise 11-5 record and an AFC East championship during their first season under the guidance of Bill Parcells and Co., spirits were understandably high in Miami.

The team and its fans received a bit of a reality check in 2009, dealing with their own obstacles in addition to the return of Tom Brady in New England and the league's new best defense in the New York Jets.

The Dolphins certainly faced a difficult task, with a much tougher schedule than they had in 2008 and much tougher luck with injuries.

In all, the Dolphins lost their starting quarterback, running back, nose tackle, inside linebacker, and cornerback for the season, as well as a valued special teams player in Patrick Cobbs.

That is not to say there wasn't anything good that happened in Miami, as plenty of players had their share of positive performances.

These are my individual and team awards for the 2009 Miami Dolphins...

Best Free Agent Signing: Jason Taylor

Admittedly, Taylor doesn't have much competition for this award.

After a big spending spree in his first offseason running the Dolphins in 2008, Bill Parcells dialed things back a bit in 2009.

Center Jake Grove was the only high-priced acquisition in 2009 free agency, and though he played well during his first season in Miami, injuries shortened his season, and Joe Berger filled in admirably.

Safety Gibril Wilson obviously received a large contract as well, though he technically wasn't a signing during free agency because he was released by Oakland and signed by Miami before the league year began. (Plus, he's been downright horrible.)

After a trade that landed the Dolphins a second-round pick and down year in Washington, Taylor returned to the Dolphins on a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

Not only was Taylor a great value, but he was a highly productive player for any price.

Standing up to play outside linebacker full-time in the 3-4 (he did a bit in Nick Saban's hybrid defense in 2005-06), Taylor was strong against the run and the pass.

He finished the season with 42 tackles, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception, performing as one of the most complete players in the league at his position.

Taylor's veteran leadership also cannot be understated, and the Dolphins would be wise to try and work out a similar one- or two-year contract this offseason as well.

Honorable mention: Jake Grove

Best Game: 31-27 Comeback Monday Night Football Win vs. Jets in Week Five

This game turned out to be very special for the Dolphins for several reasons.

They brought back the orange uniforms for the first time since the Dave Wannstedt era.

They were playing their most hated rival, the New York Jets, in the national spotlight on Monday Night Football.

They were also starting second-year quarterback Chad Henne for just the second time in his career.

Henne had his ups and downs during his first season as starter, but he had his shining moments, and this will be one of the games that fans look at as one of the earliest glimpses of what was to come.

Henne was nearly flawless against the Jets, completing 20 of 26 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and a passer rating of 130.4.

Henne also came through in the clutch. Down 13-10 through three quarters, the Dolphins responded to 14 more Jets points with 21 of their own in the final frame for a 31-27 victory.

Darrelle Revis, regarded by many as the best cornerback in the NFL, was burned by Ted Ginn, Jr. for a long touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Later, running back Ronnie Brown capped off a beautiful five-minute drive with a two-yard touchdown run to take the lead with only 10 seconds remaining.

It was the first of two victories over the New York Jets this season, and it was the best performance in Chad Henne's young career——one that showed us why he was drafted to be the Dolphins' long-term franchise quarterback.

Honorable mention: Dolphins' 22-21 victory over the Patriots in Week 13.

Best Individual Performance: Ted Ginn's Two Kickoff Return TDs vs. Jets in Week Eight

Ginn received lot of flak (most of it deserved) for his play on offense and special teams this season.

He clearly regressed as a receiver, had some crucial, game-changing drops, and failed to play with any kind of physicality.

That being the case, he was also the sole reason the Dolphins' beat the New York Jets in Week Eight.

With quarterback Chad Henne passing for 112 yards and the team's top two tailbacks combining for 54 yards, Ginn made up for the Dolphins' lack of offense with two huge plays on special teams.

Ginn returned two kickoffs for touchdowns from distances of 100 and 101 yards, which propelled the Dolphins to victory on a day where not much else went right—and also set an NFL record as the first time a player returned two kickoffs over 100 yards in a game.

Honorable mention: Ricky Williams rushes for 119 yards and scores three touchdowns against the Panthers in Week 11.

Best Individual Play: Cameron Wake Forced a Tom Brady Interception in Week 13 to Seal Victory

Linebacker Cameron Wake was one of the most intriguing signings of the offseason, joining the Dolphins after racking up 39 sacks in two seasons in the CFL.

Playing solely as a situational pass-rusher as a rookie due to veterans ahead of him on the depth chart as well as troubles in coverage and against the run, Wake made his presence felt constantly whenever he got a chance.

One such time was late in the Patriots game in Week 13.

Dan Carpenter converted a 41-yard field-goal attempt with 1:07 remaining to give the Dolphins a 22-21 lead but leaving Tom Brady and the Patriots time to get downfield for the game-winning score.

Brady and Co. never got a chance, however, as Wake pressured Brady on 2nd-and-10 from the Patriots' 33 and forced a bad throw that was intercepted by Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder.

It was Crowder's first career interception and sealed the Dolphins' one-point victory over the division-rival Patriots.

Honorable mention: Ted Ginn Jr.'s two kickoff returns for touchdowns against the Jets in Week Eight.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Vontae Davis

The Dolphins' first-round pick in 2009, Davis certainly had his down moments and was abused and burned by opposing receivers his fair share.

That being said, he did make some plays of his own, and held up fairly well for a rookie starting at one of the most difficult positions in all of football.

Not only was Davis a good tackler, but he also showed tremendous ball skills at times.

In each of the Dolphins' two games against the Patriots, Davis recorded interceptions while covering wide receiver Randy Moss.

Davis has a bright future in front of him, and seeing him make those kind of plays against arguably the best receiver in NFL history is quite telling.

Honorable mention: Cameron Wake.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Brian Hartline

There certainly wasn't much competition for this award, as quarterback Pat White, wide receiver Patrick Turner, and tight end John Nalbone were non-factors all season.

Despite being the second receiver chosen by the Dolphins in 2009, Hartline separated himself from third-round pick Turner by good special teams play, good quickness, and hands-on offense.

Hartline finished third on the team in receiving yards (506) behind Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo.

He also ranked first on the team in both receiving touchdowns (3) and yards-per-reception (16.3) while adding a rushing touchdown as well.

Hartline might not have a huge ceiling due to limited physical tools, but he has the talent to be a good NFL slot receiver and special teams player.

Honorable mention: Pat White.

Surprise Player of the Year: Lousaka Polite

A former Dallas Cowboy from Bill Parcells' time with the team, Polite failed to make the Chicago Bears' roster out of training camp in 2008 and was a free agent when the season began.

After the Dolphins' first two attempts at fullback failed in Boomer Grigsby and Casey Cramer, the Dolphins signed a familiar face to many of the staff in Polite.

Polite closed out the 2008 season strong and was rewarded with a contract extension through 2011 in the offseason, as if the Dolphins knew something we didn't.

They did, as Polite was easily the best lead-blocking fullback in the NFL this past season.

Polite constantly punished opposing defenders aiming for Miami's ball-carriers, helping the Dolphins' offensive line create one of the best power-rushing games in the league.

Running behind Polite, Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, and Lex Hilliard combined to rush for over 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Polite was also money in short-yardage situations, constantly receiving the ball in third-and-short situations and converting every time.

The Dolphins' found a gem in Polite, who was named a Pro Bowl alternate after the season.

Honorable mention: Nate Garner.

Special Teams Player of the Year: Dan Carpenter

Carpenter came in as an undrafted rookie in 2008, winning the job over veteran Jay Feely, who was coming off a career year.

He had a solid rookie season, but the Dolphins still weren't sold as they brought in Connor Barth to compete with him during the preseason.

Carpenter won the job again, and didn't disappoint. He missed only three kicks out of 28 attempts for an 89.3 success percentage, and missed just one extra point.

Carpenter's kickoffs leave something to be desired, but his primary job is one he's done with extreme precision of late.

Honorable mention: Brandon Fields.

Defensive Player of the Year: Randy Starks

After signing a five-year, $21 million contract in the 2008 offseason, Starks struggled with the transition from 4-3 defensive tackle to 3-4 defensive end in his first season with the Dolphins.

Starks clearly put it all together in 2009, performing as one of the most efficient and complete players at his position in the NFL.

At a position that isn't known for pass-rushing responsibilities, Starks racked up seven sacks in addition to his Dolphins defensive line-leading 56 tackles.

Honorable mention: Jason Taylor.

Offensive Player of the Year: Jake Long

Coming off a strong rookie season and Pro Bowl selection in 2008, Long got off to a rough start this season, as he was embarrassed numerous times by Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham in the season opener.

The former first overall pick turned thing around quickly, however, performing as one of the most outstanding and complete offensive tackles in the NFL.

His pass-protection for an inexperienced quarterback in Chad Henne was stout, as was his run-blocking as the Dolphins dominated opposing fronts for much of the season.

Honorable mention: Ricky Williams.

Most Valuable Player: Ricky Williams

While Jake Long was probably the Dolphins' best overall performer, I chose to give my team MVP award to Williams because of the impact he had when Ronnie Brown was lost for the season.

Taking the feature back role for the first time in year at age 32, Williams rushed for 1,121 yards and 11 touchdowns on an impressive 4.7-yard average.

After losing a Pro Bowl running back in Ronnie Brown and being forced to go with an inexperienced quarterback in Chad Henne, Brown provided the much-needed reliable running game during the entire second half of the season.

Honorable mention: Jake Long.