50 Biggest Fails of the 2011 NFL Season

After spending the majority of the spring and summer locked out, the 2011 NFL season has turned out to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

There have been several intriguing storylines that have been unique compared to other years—the rise and success of Tim Tebow is a great example. However, while Tebow's story has been a successful one, there have been quite a few unsuccessful ones—players, coaches and general managers that have simply failed.

In that spirit, here are the 50 biggest fails of the 2011 NFL season.

John Elway

In all honesty, I have no idea what John Elway is doing, and I am not even sure if he belongs in an upper-management role in the NFL.

Back in late November, Elway publicly discussed Denver's quarterback problems in the midst of Tim Tebow rising to the occasion and turning the Denver Broncos into a playoff contender. Elway simply stated that the Broncos were no closer to finding their quarterback of the future. Really? Why would you say that?

Even now if Elway plans on trading Tebow by the end of the season, he has already diminished his trade value, as he made it clear that he doesn't value Tebow that much—so why should a team give up anything relevant for Tebow's services?

Michael Vick

2011 has been a complete disaster for Michael Vick.

After signing a massive contract entering the season, Vick's play can be described with words like putrid.

Vick has missed several games due to injury and has posted a pitiful 78.9 quarterback rating through 10 games of the season while throwing 12 touchdowns and matching that total with interceptions.

Knowshon Moreno

Even before tearing his ACL back in mid-November against the Kansas City Chiefs, Knowshon Moreno had been a complete disappointment for the Denver Broncos.

Now that Moreno's season is over, he averaged only 25.6 yards per game without a rushing touchdown.

Tony Sparano

The Miami Dolphins posted a 4-9 record under Tony Sparano this season before he was fired.

The guy was fired—do I need to say much more? He's a failure.

Curtis Painter

Curtis Painter should never, ever start at quarterback in the NFL for the remainder of his career—that's how bad he is.

In nine games this season for the Indianapolis Colts, Painter posted an awful 66.6 quarterback rating while completing only 54.3 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Whenever you average an interception a game, you're doing something wrong.

Josh Freeman

So much for being known for taking good care of the football—Josh Freeman has been a complete bust after his stellar 2010 season.

So far in 2011, Freeman has recorded a 72.5 quarterback rating while throwing 12 touchdowns—but the problem is that he's thrown 18 interceptions. Ouch.

Devin McCourty

Devin McCourty has been a big-time disappointment and failure in 2011 for the New England Patriots.

McCourty had an incredible rookie season for the Patriots last season, as he emerged as one of the league's better No. 1 cornerbacks—but now he appears to be just another guy. In fact, by just watching New England games, you can tell that opposing offenses are throwing to McCourty's side.

Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez may be improving, but he's still a failure in my book.

I do realize that he's posted a career-high 83.1 quarterback rating, but he still is completing less than 60 percent of his passes while throwing 11 interceptions—and that's in 13 games this season.

Sanchez has yet to show any true signs of being New York's quarterback of the future, as he's in his third season but is still making rookie mistakes.

Mark Ingram

I know, I know—Mark Ingram is only a rookie, but to me he's been a huge disappointment, thus making him a failure.

Ingram was selected with the 28th overall pick in this past year's draft and hasn't quite lived up to the expectations of a first-round pick.

In 10 games this season for the New Orleans Saints, Ingram is averaging only 3.9 yards per carry but still has managed to punch in five touchdowns.

Norv Turner

Unless the San Diego Chargers can magically make the playoffs this season, Norv Turner is the ultimate failure.

The Chargers have so much talent that a non-winning record through 14 weeks of the season is inexcusable.

With that being said, Turner is a failure and should be fired when it's all said and done.

Jimmy Clausen

After having an absolutely horrid rookie season, Jimmy Clausen came into 2011 with a chance to compete with Cam Newton to be the Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback. That obviously did not end well for Clausen.

Clausen has yet to play in a single game this season, as he's currently serving as Newton's backup.

Steve Spagnuolo

Steve Spagnuolo's St. Louis Rams came into 2011 with hopes for a possible NFC West division crown. That obviously will not be happening, as they're a dreadful 2-10.

The Rams played fairly well last season, as they posted a 7-9 record and showed promising signs of improvement moving forward. That has yet to translate this season.

Darius Butler

Darius Butler was so bad that he was released by the team's worst pass defense, the New England Patriots.

Now Butler is currently serving as a backup with the Carolina Panthers—a team that happens to be one of the NFL's worst defenses.

Butler had major potential coming into the league back in 2009 but has failed miserably.

Aaron Maybin

After failing to record a single sack with the Buffalo Bills during his first two seasons in the NFL, we all thought that Aaron Maybin could have a chance of resurrecting his career with the New York Jets.

Granted, Maybin has had flashes of greatness, but for the most part he's been a major failure considering that he was the 11th overall pick in the 2009 draft.

DeAngelo Williams

You may be wondering why DeAngelo Williams is on this list, but let me ask you this: Is he worth a five-year, $43 million contract with $21 million guaranteed? Hell no.

Williams has been splitting carries with Jonathan Stewart all season long with the Carolina Panthers and has only had one game with over 100 rushing yards.

Dan Orlovsky

Dan Orlovsky is just not a legitimate starting quarterback at the NFL level. There is no reason why he should be starting a game.

Orlovsky's stats may be decent, as he's posted an 84.1 quarterback rating while throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions, but if you watch his games, you realize that he's not a very good quarterback whatsoever.

Patrick Chung

Patrick Chung came into 2011 with huge expectations for a breakout season with the New England Patriots—he has yet to live up to it.

Chung is a part of the NFL's worst defense, and he's only played seven games this season due to injuries.

Vince Young

Vince Young has been downright awful for the Philadelphia Eagles this season—especially considering that he labeled his team the "Dream Team." How's that working out for you, Vince?

Young has played in five games for the Eagles this season and has been miserable. The 28-year-old has posted a 60.8 quarterback rating while throwing only four touchdowns in five games and being picked off a pitiful nine times.

Felix Jones

The Dallas Cowboys released running back Marion Barber figuring that Felix Jones would be able to be the team's No. 1 running back.

Jones has played in only nine games this season for the Cowboys, as he's run for 413 yards while scoring only one rushing touchdown.

Nnamdi Asomugha

Nnamdi Asomugha took the money to be on the Philadelphia Eagles, the so-called "Dream Team." How has that worked out? Not so well.

At times Asomugha has been pretty good for the Eagles, but for the most part his performance thus far in 2011 has been just average. To me, he has not lived up to the high expectations that were placed on him when he signed with the Eagles.

Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson has been a complete joke this season.

After holding out all through training camp and the preseason just to get a pay raise, Johnson has failed miserably for the Tennessee Titans this season.

Through 13 games this season, CJ2K has run for 875 yards while averaging 4.0 yards per carry, which is a career low, as well as scored only four rushing touchdowns.

Chad Ochocinco

What has Chad Ochocinco done for the New England Patriots this season? Absolutely nothing. He has been nothing but a complete bust for the Pats in 2011.

Ochocinco has played in all of New England's 12 games while recording only 13 receptions and has yet to score a single touchdown.

Kevin Kolb

I know, I know—this is only Kevin Kolb's first year as a full-time starter, but he's been mediocre at best.

Kolb was acquired by the Arizona Cardinals to be the team's quarterback for the future. However, Kolb has missed several games due to injury, and when he has played, he's had nine touchdowns with eight interceptions in nine games.

Sidney Rice

I think that it's safe to say that Seattle is where wide receivers go to die—Sidney Rice was placed on injured reserve on November 30 after suffering a concussion.

Rice played in only nine games for the Seattle Seahawks this season and scored only two touchdowns as the team's No. 1 wide receiver.

Braylon Edwards

You can easily say that Braylon Edwards is just a complete waste of talent. He has done very little for the resurgent 49ers this year.

Edwards has played in only eight games thus far for the San Francisco 49ers, and he's caught only 14 passes for 172 yards while not scoring a single touchdown.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Ever since signing a long-term contract with the Buffalo Bills to be the team's quarterback of the future back on October 28, Ryan Fitzpatrick has been horrendous.

Fitzpatrick has thrown a whopping 16 interceptions this season in 13 games for the Bills, as he's also thrown 10 interceptions ever since signing that extension.

Steve Smith

Prior to being placed on injured reserve this past week, Steve Smith did almost nothing for the lowly Philadelphia Eagles this season.

Smith played in only nine games during his first season as an Eagle, and he recorded only 11 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown.

Kerry Collins

I really pray to God that Kerry Collins never plays in the NFL again—that's for not only Kerry's cause, but for any people that have to watch this old man play QB.

In an effort to fill in for the injured Peyton Manning, Collins played in only three games for the Indianapolis Colts this season prior to suffering a season-ending concussion. In those games, Collins posted a 65.9 quarterback rating while throwing only two touchdowns and one interception. Oh, and by the way, he completed only 49 percent of his passes.

Sam Bradford

Sam Bradford has taken several, and I mean several, steps backwards in his sophomore season with the St. Louis Rams.

In 10 games this season, Bradford has only thrown for 2,164 yards while scoring six touchdowns and being intercepted six times.

Donovan McNabb

It's as if sometime after 2009, Donovan McNabb woke up and simply lost all of his talent of being an NFL quarterback.

In his first season as a Minnesota Viking, McNabb started in only six games, as he completed 60.3 percent of his passes but threw only four touchdowns. Prior to his release, McNabb was ultimately ineffective for the Vikings.

Mike Shanahan

Mike Shanahan either has some crazy master plan that involved drafting Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, or he's a complete moron.

Who in their right mind could actually think that they could win football games with Rex Grossman and John Beck as their starting quarterbacks? Only a fool.

Matt Cassel

Before being placed on injured reserve back in late November, Matt Cassel was an absolute disappointment for the Kansas City Chiefs this season. In a matter of a year, Cassel went from a Pro Bowler to the laughingstock of the NFL.

Cassel played in nine games for KC and completed only 59.5 percent of his passes while being picked off nine times.

Joe Flacco

Is it just me, or will Joe Flacco forever be a rookie in the NFL?

So far in 2011, Flacco is having the worst season of his career, as he's completing only 56.6 percent of his passes while throwing nine interceptions in 13 games and posting a mediocre 79.9 quarterback rating.

All in all, Flacco is just a huge failure.

Andy Reid

The fact that a team as talented as the Philadelphia Eagles won't be making the playoffs makes Andy Reid the biggest failure of them all.

Enough said.

Rex Grossman

Rex Grossman is just a complete scrub. He should not be starting at quarterback at the NFL level.

In 10 games this season for the Washington Redskins, Grossman has completed only 58 percent of his passes while throwing 12 touchdowns and an awful 16 total interceptions. Do those stats impress you? I sure as hell hope not.

Thomas Jones

Thomas Jones has been a non-factor for the Kansas City Chiefs this season filling in for the injured Jamaal Charles.

Jones is averaging only 3.0 yards per carry and has yet to score a single touchdown this season for the Chiefs.

Why is this guy still in the league? He should just retire.

Bill Belichick (The General Manager)

The 2011 offseason for Bill Belichick was pretty embarrassing.

Practically all of his acquisitions have not worked out: Chad Ochocinco, Albert Haynesworth, Ras-I Dowling, Shaun Ellis and Shane Vereen.

Thankfully, Belichick is such a good coach that he can make up for his mistakes as general manager.

Todd Haley

Todd Haley was fired. Todd Haley's Kansas City Chiefs have recorded a 5-7 record thus far after being a 10-6 team a year ago.

Do I have to say much more?

David Garrard

David Garrard came into 2011 as the Jacksonville Jaguars' starting quarterback but was mysteriously cut prior to the start of the season and had to undergo back surgery. Since then, Garrard has yet to sign with a team.

Is he a failure? You bet he is.

Ronnie Brown

Ronnie Brown's 2011 season with the Philadelphia Eagles has been nothing but a complete joke.

Brown has run for only 71 yards while averaging an embarrassing 3.2 yards per carry as well as failing to record a single reception.

Tyler Palko

Tyler Palko is the worst quarterback in the NFL. Period.

How does a 59.8 quarterback rating sound to you?

Peyton Hillis

I am officially convinced: The Madden cover curse actually exists.

Peyton Hillis has had one of the worst seasons played by a running back that I have ever seen. Just a year after rushing for 1,177 yards, Hillis is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry while accumulating 346 yards and two touchdowns in seven games this season for the Cleveland Browns.

John Beck

There is a reason why John Beck came into 2011 with his last game played being back in 2007 with the Miami Dolphins—he's not a legitimate NFL quarterback.

Jim Caldwell

Where can I even start with Jim Caldwell? Should I go into much detail, or does the Indianapolis Colts' embarrassing 0-13 record sum it up?

Yeah, 0-13 sums it up. He's a failure.

Kyle Orton

Kyle Orton was ineffective as the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback, which is the reason why he was released by the team on November 23.

However, I guess he's not that much of a failure, as he opened the door for Tim Tebow.

Bill Polian

The way that Bill Polian built the Indianapolis Colts is laughable and completely embarrassing.

The Colts relied so heavily on one player, Peyton Manning, that when he went down, the team had nothing to fall back on.

Blaine Gabbert

I realize that it's kind of harsh to be so negative on a rookie, but Blaine Gabbert has been nothing short of a failure with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Missouri product has thrown nine interceptions in 12 games this season while posting a putrid 65.3 quarterback rating.

Roy Williams

Roy Williams is such a waste of talent that it's so frustrating to watch him play.

In 12 games this season with the Chicago Bears, Williams has caught only 26 passes while scoring just one touchdown.

New England's Entire Defensive Unit (Including Coaches)

I think it's safe to say that the New England Patriots defense is one of the worst in NFL history. In fact, this defense is by far the worst under Bill Belichick during his time as New England's head coach.

This defense is averaging a pitiful 416 yards allowed per game—which is by far a league-worst. How are the Patriots 10-3? I have no idea. Let's just say that New England is lucky to have Tom Brady at quarterback.

This defense cannot stop anyone.

Jack Del Rio

Jack Del Rio was fired after 11 games this season with the Jacksonville Jaguars after posting a 3-8 record.

Should Del Rio have been fired? You bet. He definitely deserved it.

Del Rio simply lost his touch with the Jags. The team hasn't had a winning record since 2007.