Bell: Best and worst of NFL season

Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

Time for a look back at the NFL year that was in 2012 ...

Best performance by a supporting coach: Bruce Arians. When first-year Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano left to undergo treatment for leukemia, the offensive coordinator stepped up as interim coach and decided to leave the light on in his boss's office. Pagano came back to a squad that Arians guided to a surprising playoff berth. And now there's no better choice for Coach of the Year honors.

Bruce Arians. When first-year Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano left to undergo treatment for leukemia, the offensive coordinator stepped up as interim coach and decided to leave the light on in his boss's office. Pagano came back to a squad that Arians guided to a surprising playoff berth. And now there's no better choice for Coach of the Year honors. Worst timing for an injury: Alex Smith. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who took his team to the NFC title game last season, was among the most efficient passers when he suffered a concussion in Week 10. He even finished the touchdown drive after getting knocked woozy against the St. Louis Rams. Then he lost his starting job when coach Jim Harbaugh switched to second-year pro Colin Kaepernick. Makes you wonder if some players might try harder to hide concussion symptoms.

Alex Smith. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who took his team to the NFC title game last season, was among the most efficient passers when he suffered a concussion in Week 10. He even finished the touchdown drive after getting knocked woozy against the St. Louis Rams. Then he lost his starting job when coach Jim Harbaugh switched to second-year pro Colin Kaepernick. Makes you wonder if some players might try harder to hide concussion symptoms. Best fresh start: Peyton Manning. After four neck procedures forced him to miss the entire 2011 season, the NFL's only four-time MVP was cut by the Colts last spring. Yes, even the best of them can get dumped -- and become the most desired free agent since Reggie White. Manning landed with the Denver Broncos, lured by Hall of Famer John Elway. With the Broncos careening toward the playoffs with an NFL-longest 10-game winning streak, Manning is having yet another MVP campaign.

Peyton Manning. After four neck procedures forced him to miss the entire 2011 season, the NFL's only four-time MVP was cut by the Colts last spring. Yes, even the best of them can get dumped -- and become the most desired free agent since Reggie White. Manning landed with the Denver Broncos, lured by Hall of Famer John Elway. With the Broncos careening toward the playoffs with an NFL-longest 10-game winning streak, Manning is having yet another MVP campaign. Best successor: Andrew Luck. How lucky is Colts owner Jim Irsay? After more than a decade with Manning as the face of his franchise, the Colts wind up with Luck as the new franchise quarterback. Luck has only led the Colts to the playoffs, set the NFL's single-season rookie passing record and showed quite the knack for last-minute comebacks.

Andrew Luck. How lucky is Colts owner Jim Irsay? After more than a decade with Manning as the face of his franchise, the Colts wind up with Luck as the new franchise quarterback. Luck has only led the Colts to the playoffs, set the NFL's single-season rookie passing record and showed quite the knack for last-minute comebacks. Worst prediction: Ryan Kalil. The Panthers center fueled optimism when he purchased a full-page ad in The Charlotte Observer and in an open letter told fans to expect a Super Bowl championship season. He was a bit premature. Although they have played well down the stretch, the Panthers flopped as a contender -- and Kalil wound up rehabbing from a season-ending foot injury.

Ryan Kalil. The Panthers center fueled optimism when he purchased a full-page ad in The Charlotte Observer and in an open letter told fans to expect a Super Bowl championship season. He was a bit premature. Although they have played well down the stretch, the Panthers flopped as a contender -- and Kalil wound up rehabbing from a season-ending foot injury. Best example for following the rules: Dez Bryant. With a series of off-the-field issues threatening to derail his enormous talent -- including a since-settled domestic assault matter stemming from a July incident that involved his mother -- the third-year Cowboys receiver agreed to a set of team-influenced lifestyle rules designed to foster focus. It has worked. Bryant has blossomed into a game-breaking star, putting up career-best numbers for catches (88), yards (1,311) and TDs (12) that reflect improved consistency in executing his instructions from the playbook.