NFL State of the Union: Reviewing the Best and Worst of 2011-12

President Barack Obama delivered his annual "State of the Union" address on Tuesday evening, and millions of viewers tuned in to listen to the Commander-in-Chief.

While I'm certainly not the Commander-in-Chief of the NFL or even Bleacher Report, now is the ideal time to piece together my very own "NFL State of the Union" article, reviewing the best and worst of the 2011 season and all the game's major occurrences.

You know, what really got people tweeting.

Also, it will provide what we as fans can look forward to in the future. 

Let's begin with a look back on an epically eye-opening, offensively stunning season. 

Best Individual Offensive Season

Drew Brees

While Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, his 46 touchdowns, five interceptions and 15-1 record will likely win the league's MVP, New Orleans Saints' gun-slinger extraordinaire Drew Brees put on the best show in 2011. 

He shattered Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record of 5,084 by throwing for a ridiculous 5,476 yards with 46 touchdowns. 

Was there anything more entertaining than watching the Saints' Brees-led offense play in front of their home crowd in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome?

No way.  

They were in prime time five times, and averaged a shocking 44.2 points. 

Hats off to you, Mr. Brees, you had one hell of a year.

Your pass-happy, make-defenses-look-silly style of play is exactly what the NFL and their TV networks dream about.  

Honorable Mention: Calvin Johnson

Worst Individual Offensive Season 

Three-way tie between Kevin Kolb, Josh Freeman and Peyton Hillis 

- Let's start with Mr. Kolb. Mr. $65 million man. 

He was biggest offensive free agent acquisition in the 2011 offseason and was apparently going to bring the Arizona Cardinals back to NFC relevance. 

Talk about a flop. 

The talented yet relatively unproven quarterback couldn't stay healthy, was 3-6 as the starter (the win on Dec. 21 over San Francisco came after he threw one pass and was replaced by John Skelton) and had a backup stat line of 1,955 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. 

Meanwhile, Skelton led the Cardinals to six wins. 

Skelton's signing bonus was $182,000. Yippie! 

- Wasn't Josh Freeman supposed to take the next step as a quarterback in 2011 after a terrifically efficient 2010? 

Yes. 

Did he? 

Heck no. 

The Kansas State product threw 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions during the year, but the Buccaneers did beat the Saints on Oct. 16—their last win of the season.

- Peyton Hillis, what happened? 

Oh yeah, that's right, the dreaded Madden Curse. 

After the Cleveland Browns runner was placed on the 2012 edition of the famed video game, all went south. 

He fought with his coaches, battled a mysterious illness and unceremoniously ended the season with 587 rushing yards and a non-Madden-cover-like three touchdowns. 

Honorable Mention: Chris Johnson

Best Individual Defensive Season 

Justin Smith

I'm bound to take some heat for this one. So be it. There were plenty of candidates for this distinction and I'll give credit where it's due. Jared Allen's 22 sacks were astounding. Even more astounding than his hit on Jackass' Johnny Knoxville a few years back.

DeMarcus Ware's 19.5 quarterback takedowns weren't bad, either.

But no one played harder, received more attention and made more plays than the blue-collar Justin Smith of the San Francisco 49ers.

He tallied 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, and frankly, opened up a ton of holes for rookie Aldon Smith to wreak havoc.

Remember, Aldon racked up a whopping 14.0 sacks in 2011. He can thank Justin for many of those.

There's just something innately scary about Justin Smith, right? 

It's got to be the pure aggression and strength he exudes on every play. 

Honorable Mention: Outside of Allen and Ware—Jason Pierre-Paul

Worst Individual Defensive Season 

Nnamdi Asomugha

While I'm sure you have at least one sub-package player from your favorite team you'd like to throw at me, based on expectations and money, Asomugha and had a pretty bad 2011. 

He did reel in three interceptions, but in the Eagles' games I watched, he was often victimized by the opponent's No. 1 receiver. 

Not the worst, worst season ever, but certainly one of the most disappointing ones. 

Don't believe me? 

I'm sure there aren't many Eagles fans who will tell you he was worth five years and $60 million.

However, I wouldn't be stunned if Asomugha turns it around next season. Pressure's on, Nnamdi.  

Honorable Mention: A lot of St. Louis Rams 

Best Game 

Week 1 - Green Bay Packers 42, New Orleans Saints 34 

Yup, I went with the first game of the year. There were a handful of thrilling contests in 2011, but this heavyweight slugfest was the cream of the crop. 

This game had \it all, and really ushered in the new era of all-offense, no-defense football in the NFL. 

Both teams combined for 876 yards, six touchdown passes, no interceptions, and even two rushing scores. 

There was a kick return touchdown (thought those were over and done with?) by Randall Cobb and a last second, game-winning goal line stand by the Packers. 

What a way to start the year. 

Worst Game 

Week 7 - Cleveland Browns 6, Seattle Seahawks 3 

What is up with the Browns and this horrid, fall-asleep-in-your-seat football games? Remember, the 6-3 complete snoozer against the Buffalo Bills in 2009? Yea, the game Derek Anderson completed only two passes and won. 

Take that, Tim Tebow. 

At least the Browns are emerging victorious in these poor excuses for football games. 

Cleveland running back Chris Ogbonnaya led all pass-catchers with five grabs and 43 yards. Colt McCoy threw for 178 yards with a pick. Seattle signal-caller Charlie Whitehurst didn't even eclipse the 100-yard mark through the air. 

Zzzzz. 

Biggest storylines 

- Cam Newton certainly exceeded expectations in 2011. Remember when just about everyone thought he couldn't throw the football? Remember when Andy Dalton was picked in Round 2 and was the fourth quarterback selected?  

- This Tim Tebow guy feels like a part of our families after the amount of time he spent in our living rooms on TV and the incessant hype that surrounded him all season.

He's a great leader, a phenomenally hard-worker, and a tremendous role model. He's not a fantastic quarterback. Give him time, people, Tebow's got a long way to go.

And, when did religion become a bad thing?

- Ndamukong Suh, you've got all the talent in the world. You move more swiftly and with more power than any other 6'4'', 307-pound defensive tackle I've ever seen. Be aggressive, be intimidating. Just play within the rules. There's no room for kicking in the NFL. Don't let dirty play mar your image.

- Way to go, Jim Harbaugh. You've brought a winning culture back to San Francisco. Just be a little nicer on your postgame hand shakes, OK?

- Rex Ryan, time to stop the boisterous comments. Get control of your locker room.  

- The Jaguars got a new owner. Nice. Now it's time to get some fans in the seats and get Blaine Gabbert some help on offense. 

- What a January we've experienced. Tebow knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers? On a pass? The Giants are in the midst of another, somewhat improbable run at the Vince Lombardi Trophy? No more Brees? No more Rodgers? Yet, elder statesman Tom Brady still remains. Shake it off, Billy Cundiff. You too, Kyle Williams. 

Up-and-Comers 

Really quick, these are the youngsters who represent the future of the NFL. Stars in the making: (Being in the league for two years or fewer was my criteria)

Von Miller, Denver. Aldon Smith, San Francisco. Rob Gronkowski, New England. J.J. Watt, Houston. DeMarco Murray, Dallas. Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants. Ndamukong Suh, Detroit. Julio Jones, Atlanta. Cam Newton, Carolina. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati. A.J. Green, Cincinnati. Victor Cruz, New York Giants. Patrick Peterson, Arizona. NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco. 

Quite the list, huh? 

Refereeing 

I don't want to go on a full-out rant on the zebras, so I'll keep this as tame as possible. First things first, why aren't they full-time NFL employees? I'm no finance guru but during the lockout all I heard about was the $9 billion the league makes each season. 

A $9 billion industry can't hire full-time employees to police their rules? 

I think so. 

It would make the league look more credible and much more enjoyable to watch. 

There were obviously some well-officiated games in 2011, but there were definitely far too many blown calls, missed calls and times when we said, "what did he just call?" 

Some refereeing crews were lenient on pass-interference, while some didn't allow defensive backs to lay a finger on receivers. 

Consistency, please. 

Football gods, tell me this; when the entire country can see a guy fumbled before he hit the ground on TV, why can't the referee under that mysterious curtain? And why does it take so long?

Lastly, what's the deal with helmet-to-helmet hits? When it's on a quarterback, defenders, get your checkbooks out. You'll be paying a hefty fine. Smacking a "defenseless" receiver with your head will draw a flag and a fine, too. 

But what about plays like Donte Whitner's spear on Pierre Thomas? Two referees in the vicinity. No flag. No fine. 

There were many other similar plays this season. Believe me. You probably saw them, as well.

I'm all for the big hits, but am not all for our favorite players paying for it after they hang up their cleats. 

Where the NFL is headed

It's geared for more offense. Then more offense and more offense. Funny thing is, defense may actually be an instrumental part to the eventual Super Bowl champion this year. 

Wide receivers and tight ends are too big, too fast and too shifty in the open field to be contained. More offensive coordinators are employing complex spread systems that provide a variety of throwing lanes for quarterbacks and running back committees are keeping tailbacks fresh. 

Tackling is in the gutter. Team's need to refocus on those Pop Warner fundamentals. 

That's not to say we won't anymore defense at all.

I don't see the San Francisco 49ers or Houston Texans getting any worse on defense. The 2012 draft class is loaded with defensive studs. Heck, the whole Alabama defense might get picked in April. 

There's a great deal of parity and a fantastic mix of veterans playing at a high level and exciting young guys with transcendent ability. I'm looking at you, Cam Newton and Calvin Johnson. 

The NFL's acquiring even more remarkable talent this spring. Something tells me Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are going to be special. 

After a truly gripping and legendary 2011 NFL season, we have much to be thankful for as NFL fans, and more greatness is yet to come. 

Keep the offense coming—we as Americans eat it up. Just remember, tackling from time to time isn't a bad idea. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso