St. Louis Rams 2011 Award Show

The 2011 NFL season is still well underway with the AFC and NFC Championship games this weekend. 

However, the Rams' season has been over for several weeks now, and the team is currently in the midst of a complete makeover after an extremely disappointing 2011 campaign. 

After going 7-9 and missing the playoffs by one game in 2010, the Rams were expected to come back strong in 2011 and produce their first winning season since 2003, which is why their two-win performance this past season was even more painful than some of the other losing seasons in recent years. 

However, while the team was a failure overall, it doesn't mean that there aren't individuals that need to be recognized for their effort and hard work over the past six months. 

So without further ado, here are the awards for the 2011 Rams season.

The Best Debate of 2011

Winner: The Rams' future

The Rams' season went downhill very quickly, starting with their Week 1 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles, which was the start of a six-game losing streak to start the season. 

Such a rapid downfall resulted in doubt among the fans, which led to questions regarding the Rams and direction of the team. 

Throughout the season, the primary questions that emerged regarded Steve Spagnuolo's job security, the job security of multiple players and the team's offseason needs, as well as 2012 NFL draft. 

Since hope was lost so early in the season, the primary debate focused on the changes that the team needs to make in the future

2010 Winner: Bradford vs. Suh

The Biggest Bust of 2011

Winner: The Entire St. Louis Rams team

After missing the playoffs by one game in 2010, the Rams were thought of as a team that was ready to emerge from the cellar of the NFL and make strides towards a NFC West title in 2011. 

They had a young franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford and a star running back in Steven Jackson, as well as a solid defense that was ranked 12th in fewest points allowed. 

Not only did the Rams fail the win their division, but they didn't even challenge the San Francisco 49ers. 

At the very least, the team was expected to play entertaining football and stay relevant for most of the season, but they failed to even do that.

There is no doubt about it; there isn't a single player that deserves the title of "The Biggest Bust," because it was the entire team.  

2011 Controversy Award

Winner: Stan Kroeke 

The Rams have frequently been labeled as a team that would be an ideal fit in Los Angeles, if they actually build a stadium at any point. 

Rams owner Stan Kroenke has refused to address the concerns specifically, which has allowed speculation and rumors to grow. 

Not only that, but Kroenke just committed the Rams to playing one of their home games in London for the next three years. 

It's bad enough that the Rams were a complete bust in 2011, but Kroenke has been dumping fuel on the fire with his questionable public relations moves. 

The Comeback Award

Winner: Robert Quinn 

Defensive end Robert Quinn was drafted by the Rams at No. 14 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft despite the fact he missed his final season of college football at North Carolina due to an NCAA suspension. 

Even though Quinn has always been considered an impressive physical prospect, he was still somewhat of a risky pick due to the time he missed in college.

Despite not dressing in Week 1 and only obtaining one start the entire season, Quinn was able to put together an impressive rookie season with five sacks and 23 tackles.  

2010 Winner: The Entire 2010 Rams Team

The Worst Newcomer of 2011

Winner: Mike Sims-Walker

The Rams played the entire 2010 season with slot-receiver Danny Amendola as Bradford's primary target.

Even though Amendola is a capable player in his own right, the Rams were still desperate for some wide receiver help on the outside, which is why they signed free agent Mike Sims-Walker to a one-year contract prior to the 2011 season.

Sims-Walker scored seven touchdowns in each of his last two seasons before coming to St. Louis, which gave the team some hope that the 27-year-old receiver could have a breakout year for the Rams. 

Not only did Sims-Walker not have a breakout year, but he was a complete disaster in St. Louis. 

He had only 11 catches in four games for 139 yards and zero touchdowns. His pitiful performance against the Redskins, where he dropped multiple passes, was the final straw, and the team eventually cut him in order to make room for Brandon Lloyd, who the Rams had just acquired in a trade with Denver. 

The Best Newcomer of 2011

Winner: Brandon Lloyd

After it became obvious that Sims-Walker was not the receiver that the Rams thought he was, the team went on a hunt for some wide receiver help before the NFL trade deadline. 

When the Denver Broncos announced that Brandon Lloyd, the NFL's top receiver in 2010 (total yards), was on the market, it was too enticing for the Rams to ignore.

The trade was originally made for a sixth-round draft pick, but that was eventually upgraded to a fifth-round draft pick after Lloyd exceeded 30 receptions in a Rams uniform. 

It was a very favorable price for a receiver that racked up 683 yards and five touchdowns in 10 starts.

The Rams will have to overcome the challenge of re-signing Lloyd, who's now a free agent. But Lloyd was without a doubt the best newcomer in 2011.  

The Best Game of 2011

Winner: Rams vs. Saints (Oct. 30, 2011)

After losing their first six games of the season, the Rams were guaranteed to lose against a Saints team that beat the Colts by a score of 62-7 the previous week.  

Miraculously, the Rams not only beat the Saints, 31-21, but the score wasn't even as close as it may appear. The Rams dominated the Saints in every aspect before allowing a pity touchdown in the final minutes of the game in order to keep Drew Brees' touchdown streak alive. 

The Rams were expected to put together a solid 2011 campaign, but miserably failed. However, the game against the Saints was the one game where the real 2011 Rams showed up. 

The Iron Man Award

Winner: Harvey Dahl 

This award is meant for a behind-the-scenes guy, presumably a lineman, who is consistent in his performance.

On top of consistency, it's also important that the player starts all 16 games and shows a unique toughness on the field, which means Harvey Dahl has to be the undisputed winner of this award. 

Dahl was a bright spot on an otherwise dismal offensive line in St. Louis. 

Without his tenacity on the field, it's likely that Steven Jackson would've fallen short of his seventh 1,000 yard season, and it's also likely that the Rams' already pitiful offense would've been even even worse. 

2010 Winner: Rodger Saffold

2011 Spirit of St. Louis Award

Winner: Steven Jackson 

The most heartfelt tragedy as a result of the Rams' losing ways is the wasted career of running back Steven Jackson. 

Jackson put together his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2011, making him just the seventh player in NFL history to accomplish that feat. 

Yet, despite a remarkable career, Jackson is still a long shot for the Hall of Fame due to having zero postseason success as a result of his team constantly holding him back with substandard play. 

Still, that didn't stop Jackson from giving it his all every time he carried the ball in 2011. And when his team was falling apart during a vital moment in the game against the Saints, he didn't hesitate to scream his head off at the offensive line and will the team to a win. 

If the city of St. Louis were to pick one player to represent the inner spirit of the city, it would certainly be Steven Jackson. 

2010 Winner: Danny Amendola

Best Comeback of 2011

Winner: Rams vs. 49ers (Jan. 1, 2012)

You may have thought that this award should have gone to the game against Cleveland in Week 10, as that was the team's only comeback win of the season. 

However, the Rams' game against Cleveland was very sloppy, and frankly, it was an embarrassment to the entire fanbase. 

The true fans respect the team more for their performance against the 49ers during the season finale. 

After the team rallied and began to claw their way back, third-string quarterback Kellen Clemens led the team on a final drive that would have tied the game, but he was injured on the drive, and the Rams failed to complete the comeback. 

Despite falling short, the Rams showed heart and grit that just wasn't visible in their comeback win against Cleveland. 

2011 Mr. Underrated

Winner: James Laurinaitis

Despite being one of the most productive and consistent players on the team, James Laurinaitis is still generally overlooked outside of St. Louis. 

He is the second-best defender on the team behind Chris Long. He is the second-best middle linebacker in the NFC West behind Patrick Willis. He is the second Pro Bowl alternate behind London Fletcher. 

He isn't "first" in almost anything, except for this award, which recognizes him as the most underrated player on team. 

Rookie of the Year

Winner: Robert Quinn

It wasn't a great year for the Rams as far as rookies. 

Lance Kendricks carried high expectations, but couldn't translate his preseason production into the regular season. Wide receivers Greg Salas and Austin Pettis had some flashes, but neither made any real contributions. 

The only rookie that truly make a difference was Robert Quinn. 

For the first time in a long time, the Rams have a player capable of blocking punts and field goals. On top of that, he finished with five sacks and displayed a lot of promise as a pass rusher. 

Quinn was one of the few bright spots in 2011. He leaves Rams fans eager for 2012, as he gives the team the potential of having a great duo at defensive end, with Chris Long playing on the other side. 

2010 Winner: Sam Bradford

Defensive MVP

Winner: Chris Long

Chris Long had 8.5 sacks in 2010 and was one of the main reasons why the Rams went from 31st in fewest points allowed in 2009 (436) to a respectable 12th in 2010 (328).

But still, some thought he was still falling short of his hype as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

However, any chatter suggesting that Long is an underachiever has been silenced after a dominating 13-sack performance in 2011.  

What's even more remarkable is the fact that teams were frequently beating the Rams, meaning they rarely had a need to throw the ball, yet Long was still able to rack up sacks. 

Expect another strong performance from Long in 2012, especially since it will be a contract year for him, as he's due for free agency in 2013. 

Offensive MVP

Winner: Steven Jackson

On an offense that averaged just 12.1 points per game (ranked 32nd in the NFL), there is no other choice for the offense's Most Valuable Player other than Steven Jackson. 

Jackson finished with 1,145 rushing yards and five touchdowns despite missing basically three games with a quad injury. 

Jackson will turn 29 years old this July, so he's still young enough to put together another productive season in St. Louis, but it's safe to say he's nearing the twilight of his career. 

With only two career playoff games on his resume, the production throughout the final years of his career will be vital if he wants a chance at the Hall of Fame.