Bleacher Report's AFC East Award Ceremony

 

MVP: Patriots QB Tom Brady

2011 stats: 401-for-611 (65.6 percent), 5,235 yards, 39 TD, 12 INT, 105.6 passer rating, 3 rushing TD

Brady was in the conversation for MVP, even if he really wasn't due to phenomenal seasons from Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. Nonetheless, this is a quarterback-driven league, and the Patriots still have the best quarterback—and player—in the AFC East. Until they don't, they remain the team to beat.

He routinely made opposing defenses look silly, and threw for over 300 yards in all but five games this season. He also posted a passer rating over 100 in all but four games this year. 

And he came within seconds and inches of winning his fourth Super Bowl ring. Still, the fact he has been in five Super Bowls alone gives him a strong case for the best quarterback in NFL history, even despite the loss. That he was even able to get his team this far is a testament to his greatness as a quarterback. There are bit players across the board, but none that are as dynamic or game changing as Brady. None that are really even all that close, aside from tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jets CB Darrelle Revis

 

2011 stats: 41 tackles (11 assists), 4 INT (TD)

Revis may very well be the best defensive player in football and is by far the best one in the AFC East. Revis Island only allowed one end zone landing all season long. He allowed just 35 receptions on 85 passes thrown his way for a completion percentage of 41.2, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Even by Revis' lofty standards, this was one of his best seasons in the NFL. He allowed just a 45.6 passer rating on throws in his direction, also according to PFF. His career-best before that was 2009, when he intercepted six passes in the regular season and two more in the playoffs.

Speaking of playoffs, the Jets need to get younger up front to make sure that they get back.

Rookie of the Year: Bills DT Marcell Dareus

 

2011 stats: 32 tackles (11 assists), 5.5 sacks, fumble recovery

It's rare to find a 319-pound pass rusher, but Dareus may be the closest thing we've seen to one in the NFL. He did it mostly with a mean bull rush, but the big guy has shown that he's fleet of foot in both his years at Alabama.

He wasn't a sieve in run defense either, missed only two tackles on the season. With both Dareus and Kyle Williams anchoring the line, it truly doesn't matter if the Bills decide to run a 3-4 or a 4-3 front moving forward. They will get a good push in the middle of the pocket regardless.

Now, if only the Bills could figure out the rest of their defense, they'd be in good shape.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Dolphins C Mike Pouncey

2011 stats: 16 starts, 3 sacks allowed in 1,025 snaps

He didn't exactly have the dominant start that his brother Maurkice had in Pittsburgh last year, but he was more than effective at center, especially for a rookie. He only gave up three sacks on the year, and helped pave the way for Reggie Bush's first 1,000-yard season (more on that later).

It wasn't a perfect season from the rookie, but it rarely ever is. He will continue to improve as he grows more comfortable in the NFL. 

Most Improved Player: Bills RB C.J. Spiller

 

2010 stats: 74 carries, 283 yards, 24 receptions, 157 yards, TD, 5 fumbles

2011 stats: 107 carries, 561 rushing yards, 4 rushing TD, 39 receptions, 269 yards, 2 receiving TD, 2 fumbles

After being taken with the ninth overall pick in 2010, C.J. Spiller disappointed as a rookie. He was forced into a bigger role when Fred Jackson went down with an injury in Week 11 and immediately took advantage. He had five touchdowns in the season's final five games and picked up 563 total yards along the way (112.6 YPG).

The Bills are clearly set at running back for the future, but they have a big decision coming at quarterback that will ultimately determine the direction of their offense.

Comeback Player: Dolphins RB Reggie Bush

 

2010 stats: 36 carries, 150 yards, 34 receptions, 208 yards, TD, 2 fumbles

2011 stats: 216 carries, 1,086 yards, 6 rushing TD, 43 receptions, 296 yards, receiving TD, 4 fumbles

After an injury-plagued season in New Orleans in which Bush was a role-playing running back in Sean Payton's system, then-head coach Tony Sparano decided to make Bush a feature back. Bush had already shown his ability as a playmaker, but was finally able to stay healthy and was given more opportunities to produce for the offense. He had his first career season rushing for over 1,000 yards.

Whether it's Peyton Manning, Robert Griffin III, Matt Flynn or Matt Moore at quarterback in 2012, Bush is a building block for the Dolphins offense for years to come. 

Coach of the Year: Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

What Bill Belichick was able to do with the 2011 New England Patriots is nothing short of remarkable. Not only did Belichick change his defensive philosophy on the fly, adjusting to a simpler 4-3 as a result of the lockout, but he also adjusted his personnel on seemingly a weekly basis. His secondary acted as a revolving door for much of the season before finally coming together late.

And all the while, through the fire of giving up the league's most yards for much of the season, he kept his team confident and fighting until the very last play.

That is a tribute to the locker room, but it's also a tribute to his steady hand as their leader. 

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter.