Best and Worst 2011 NFL Front Office Decisions for All 32 Teams

In the NFL, most of the credit goes to players and coaches when things are going smooth. But when things turn ugly, fans turn their wrath upon the decision makers, the men in the front office.

Every year, these men behind the curtain, as it were, make humongous decisions that can and do have a ripple effect that can either propel their team to tenured greatness or can doom a franchise to a decade of ineptitude.

This season hasn't been any different. General managers from each team have made some decisions that that they will be proud of in 20 years, but they have also made some they'd rather forget.

Indianapolis Colts

How Bill Polian still has a job baffles me. The man has done terrible things to the Indianapolis franchise. Now that Manning is on the sidelines, the deficiencies of this team are in full view for all to see.

The best thing that the Colts have done in the front office this year was that they let go of injury-prone safety Bob Sanders.

The worst move they made was that they gave Peyton Manning a five year extension worth 90 million dollars. After they knew he wasn't quite right physically. Granted, nobody knew he'd be out the entire year, but they knew he wasn't healthy when they did the deal.

St. Louis Rams

Fans in St. Louis are having trouble with another failed season, and I don't blame them. There is hope for the future, however. 

The best off-season acquisition for the Rams has been offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Once Billy Devaney hires some bodyguards to watch Sam Bradford's back this offense should get rolling. 

The worst thing the Rams did this year was that they allowed safety O.J. Atogwe to sign with the Washington Redskins. If you have had the chance to watch a Rams game this year, you know that their secondary sometimes resembles swiss cheese.

Minnesota Vikings

Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Donovan McNabb has now ruined the playoff chances for two, count them, two NFL teams (at least in their own minds). 

The Minnesota Vikings were going to win this year behind a good defense and a newly acquired quarterback, Donovan McNabb. Then, everyone found out that McNabb has developed some really bad study habits in his old age. 

I guess you have already guessed my choice for the Vikings worst off-season move.

The best thing that general manager Rick Spielman did this past off-season was that the team surprised everyone and drafted Florida State quarterback, Christian Ponder. The kid has got some skills that I didn't see coming. 

Carolina Panthers

You wouldn't know it by their record, but Martey Hurney and the Carolina Panthers have had a very successful year.

The best move of theirs, of course, is that they picked quarterback Cam Newton with the No. 1 overall pick. Newton is a phenom, and the Panthers are going to be set at the most important position in the NFL for a long, long time.

The worst move made by the front office was that the team lost cornerback Richard Marshall to free agency and the Arizona Cardinals. The Panthers certainly miss having his services.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have been abused this year, no doubt about it. For this team, the worst thing that the front office did was incurred by the owner, Steve Ross.

Back in December, when the auction for Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh was heating up, Ross got the notion to try and lure Harbaugh to Florida. While head coach Tony Sparano was still holding that position under contract. Dirty pool, old boy. 

The best thing that the Dolphins did was that they acquired the services of quarterback Matt Moore in free agency, which was fortuitous because starting quarterback Chad Henne has been lost for the season since Week 4. 

Arizona Cardinals

The best thing that general manager Rod Graves did this year was that he got the first-round pick right in choosing Patrick Peterson. Peterson is electric, and he is one of the lone bright spots for this struggling franchise. 

The worst thing the Cardinals did this off-season was that they made a deal with the devil for the services of quarterback Kevin Kolb. Kolb is the second quarterback that Andy Reid has tricked teams into trading for, and this deal has been terrible for the Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns

I'm not sure if Browns' fans realize this, but this team is really going to be good in a couple of years. President Mike Holmgren stripped the team down to it's chassis and installed all new parts this past offseason.

The team had to shed a ton of players this year, because with new coaches come new schemes. The best thing that happened for the Browns is that they had a monster draft. The team features rookie starters at four positions.

The worst decision by the front office was that they were fooled into thinking they had a reliable running back. Peyton Hillis proved them wrong.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The best decision the front office of the Jaguars made was that they committed to luring quality starting veterans from other teams. The team was extremely active, and the results are impressive. 

Posluszny, Landry, Session and Roth have all been contributing heavily on defense. 

The worst decision they made was that they didn't make the wide receiver position a high priority. The Jaguars have one of the least talented group of receivers in the NFL.

Washington Redskins

The best decision the Redskins front office made this year was to get rid of the worst decisions they made last year, Albert Haynesworth and Donovan McNabb. 

The worst decision for them was that head coach Mike Shanahan, didn't insist on snagging one of the promising young quarterbacks in the first or second round. Nobody will ever complain about Ryan Kerrigan, but they could have moved up to contend for Dalton or Kaepernick.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles won the trophy for best "free agency haul", but at what cost? The team is full of holes. The worst decision wasn't that they spent too liberally, however. 

The worst decision the Eagles front office made was allowing Juan Castillo to become the defensive coordinator. It's like they hired a mechanic who is only familiar with a VW Bug and told him to fix a jet plane. 

The best decision they made was to call DeSean Jackson's bluff. They proved to him and to everyone else why they haven't signed him to a big contract extension. He needs to get his priorities straight.

Seattle Seahawks

The worst decision made by the Seattle Seahawks front office is that they put their eggs in the Tavaris Jackson basket. Bad move. He is not the answer for the short or long term.

The best decision the team made was that they cut the cord and traded their disappointing draft choice of a few years ago, Aaron Curry. 

This team needs to start drafting better consistently, or the Seahawks will be in the basement for a long, long time.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The best decision the Buccaneers front office made this year was drafting defensive end, Adrian Clayborn. He is a promising young player, and if it weren't for McCoy's injury, this team has one of the best young lines in the game.

The worst decision the team made was that they weren't aggressive in free agency. They assumed that their young talent would continue progressing, but this season has been disappointing. A couple of strong veteran leaders might have done wonders for the psychology of this team.

Kansas City Chiefs

The best decision the Kansas City Chiefs made this off-season was when they signed outside linebacker, Tamba Hali, to a long term contract. While Hali's numbers are a bit down from last season's production, he is a force to be reckoned with.

The worst decision the team made, in my opinion, is that they couldn't convince the nose tackle from San Francisco, Aubrayo Franklin, to anchor their defensive line. Kelly Gregg isn't the long term answer.

Denver Broncos

The best decision by John Elway and the Denver Broncos was hiring head coach Jon Fox. What other head coach would have embraced the situation Fox inherited in Denver?

Fox has learned to embrace the Tebow conundrum, and he has figured out a way to make it work.

The worst decision the Broncos made this offseason was that they couldn't figure out how to unload Kyle Orton. Orton isn't bad, but he never inspired the team to perform at their best. They should have realized this before it was too late.

San Diego Chargers

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith can't ever seem to forge an identity for this team.

The worst decision he made this year is that he decided to go old in free agency to fill holes on defense instead of going younger in the draft. Bob Sanders, Takeo Spikes and Travis Laboy aren't going to get the job done very well for very long.

The best decision Smith made was that he did hit a home run when he drafted Cory Liuget. Liuget is legit, and he looks like he'll be good for a long time.

New York Jets

The worst decision by the Jets this season was signing veteran free agent Derrick Mason to come in and tutor the receiving corps. Apparently, Mason and head coach Rex Ryan don't see eye to eye, and the team traded Mason to the Houston Texans.

The best decision by the New York Jets front office was the signing of wide receiver Plaxico Burress. He looks as good as he ever did, and he is a weapon that Mark Sanchez desperately needed this year.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills surprised a lot of folks before the draft when they said they weren't interested in any of the top quarterbacks. Instead, they supported Ryan Fitzpatrick. It turned out to be a good move.

The worst decision by the Bills front office was not signing Fred Jackson to a long-term extension. With every monster game, Jackson moves closer and closer to an Adrian Peterson-type deal.

Tennessee Titans

What a brilliant move by the Titans front office to bring in quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck. Who would have thought he'd be the catalyst for a team that is only one game back in the loss column to a Texans team that just lost their starting quarterback? 

The worst decision the Titans made was crying "uncle" to Chis Johnson's contract demands. Was it really worth it? Not even close. The Titans would be a lot richer in money and about even in talent without him.

Oakland Raiders

For the Oakland Raiders, this has been a season of upheaval. 

The best decision for the Raiders was the hiring of Hugh Jackson as head coach. Jackson is giving the Raiders back their identity. 

The worst decision was letting tight end Zach Miller leave in free agency. They picked up Kevin Boss, but he has been a grave disappointment.

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys made a good decision when they drafted DeMarco Murray in the third round out of Oklahoma. He has sparked a Dallas offense that was struggling.

The worst decision the Cowboys front office made was that they chose to ignore the need for another quarterback. They need to draft one next season, because Tony Romo is incapable of consistency.

Atlanta Falcons

The best decision that the Falcons made this off-season was the signing of free agent defensive end, Ray Edwards. That's not saying much, as Edwards' impact has been limited.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff made a huge mistake, in my opinion, by selling the farm to move up and draft Julio Jones with the sixth-overall pick. Jones is a spectacular young receiver, but the Falcons have many more positions of need. 

Chigaco Bears

The worst decision by the Bears front office was allowing their offensive coordinator, Mike Martz, to convince them wide receiver Roy Williams was still good. He's not.

The best decision by the Chicago Bears this offseason was when they drafted wide receiver, Dane Sanzenbacher, out of Ohio State. The rookie has caught three touchdowns so far this season. 

You win some, you lose some.

Detroit Lions

The best decision by the Lions front office this year was to acquire the services of middle linebacker Stephen Tullock. The man has been a beast in the middle for the Lions defense.

The worst decision was the choices the front office made to try and firm up depth at the running back position. The team should look to draft a power running back in next year's draft.

New York Giants

The Giants are one of the most solid teams in the NFL, from top to bottom. This season, the Giant's front office continued the trend, cutting veteran Sean O'Hara and bringing in 49ers free agent, David Baas to fill the vacant center position. Except for a minor injury, Baas has been outstanding.

The worst decision the Giants made this off-season was not targeting a young running back in the draft. Ahmad Bradshaw's foot injury has exposed this as a weakness that needs to be addressed moving forward.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown made a very shrewd decision that seemed cold to a lot of folks, but it turns out he knew what he was doing all along. 

Brown refused to give into Carson Palmer's demands for a trade until the he was ready to get the price he wanted.

The worst thing the Bengals did this past off-season was lose cornerback Jonathan Joseph to free agency. Imagine the Bengals defense right now if they had been able to keep him.

Baltimore Ravens

I wonder if Joe Flacco misses his old tight end buddy, Todd Heap. It sure looks like the quarterback misses his security blanket this season, as his completion percentage is hovering below 55 percent.

The worst decision by the Ozzie Newsome this offseason was to let Heap go.

The best decision he made was signing veteran running back Ricky Williams to spell Ray Rice. The team should make better and more consistent use out of the pair.

New England Patriots

The Albert Haynesworth experiment was a failure. This was the Patriots worst decision of the past offseason. Thankfully, they don't have that problem any more. The Bucs decided to kick the tires on this old truck.

The best decision the Patriots front office made was the addition of grey-bearded sack specialist Andre Carter. He has been a needed addition to a defense that still has its issues.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to get serious about protecting Ben Roethlisberger. This is the teams greatest failure. The worst decision they made was not selling out in the draft for a couple more big guys to watch big Ben's back.

The Steelers best decision was to not make many moves at all. The Steelers are laden with talent at all the key positions, minus the offensive line. If it's not broke, don't try and fix it.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans hit a home run when they snagged the services of cornerback Johnathan Joseph. So far this season he has been a playmaker in the Texans' secondary, collecting three interceptions and scooping up one fumble.

In hindsight, the worst decision by the Houston Texans is that they didn't have a good contingency plan for the injury to quarterback Matt Schaub.

New Orleans Saints

The front office of the New Orleans Saints was clairvoyant in their decision to let go of Reggie Bush and pick up Darren Sproles. In all ways, Sproles has proven to be superior. 

The worst decision they made was letting veteran center Jonathan Goodwin go via free agency to the San Francisco 49ers. To compensate, the Saints brought in a disgruntled Bears center, Olin Kruetz, who abandoned the team mid-season.

San Francisco 49ers

One of the biggest reasons for the success of the San Francisco 49ers this season has been the shrewd decisions made in the offseason by general manager, Trent Baalke.

The best decision he made was to pull the plug on the Asomugha sweepstakes and "settle" for the free agent from Washington, cornerback Carlos Rogers.

Rogers is arguably the best at his position in the NFL this year, and he is a main reason the 49ers defense is being considered by many to be the No.1 unit in the league.

The worst decision the team made was not convincing cornerback Nate Clements to stick around for the fun. With rookie Chris Culliver playing soundly, the 49ers would have had one of the best trios in the NFL.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers general manager, Ted Thompson, continued to add to an already loaded offense when he drafted wide receiver and kick/punt return specialist from Kentucky, Randall Cobb. 

As if Aaron Rodgers needed another explosive weapon.

The worst thing you can say about what Thompson did this year is that they did lose Daryn Colledge in free agency to the Cardinals. We should feel more sorry for Colledge.