I've been putting this post together in my mind for about a month now. We've seen a lot of changes over the last 5 years in the NFL. Some coaches were given pink slips, some players signed huge deals, some draft picks have turned to busts, the list goes on and on.  Here's the best and worst NFL moments over the last five years.

Best NFL Team- New England Patriots

The obvious choice, the Pats have been the face of the NFL with two Super Bowl championships in three appearances. QB Tom Brady will go down as one of the all time at not only his position, but just as an overall player. Bill Belichick has proved himself as a head coach and one of the best offensive mind to grace the sidelines. Ever since the NFL uncovered Spygate, many fans and critics pointed out that maybe the great dynasty was created out of rule-breaking, cutting corner techniques. But no one can deny what the Patriots have done on the field.

#2- Indianapolis Colts

Worst NFL Team- Detroit Lions

The Lions just refuse to do anything and everything to get better. GM Matt Millen is easily the worst GM in the NFL. His draft picks include Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, both receivers who made zero impact on the team and were gone within a few seasons. The Lions are 26-54 since 2003, with their best season coming last year at 7-9. While they're future looks a bit brighter, they have been the worst team of the last 5 years.

#2- Oakland Raiders

Best Head Coaching Hire- Tom Coughlin (New York Giants)

For this simple reason. His Super Bowl win last year over the undefeated Patriots silencened his critics. His first three teams were good, but his 2007 team, led by still unproven Eli Manning, quietly manuvered through the NFC and dominated in the playoffs, winning their first Super Bowl since 1990. Coughlin has been a saving grace for New York.

#2- Bill Parcells (Dallas Cowboys)

Worst Head Coaching Hire- Art Shell (Oakland Raiders)

Raiders owner Al Davis has stated his regret of firing Shell back in 1989. He should have kept it at the regret level and not the try-and-fix-the-regret level. Shell had good intentions, such as trying to bring the old school "tough guy" mentality to the Raiders that predecessor Norv Turner couldn't do. But Shell was obviously culture shocked on how different it is to be a head coach now, especially a head coach of a bad team. Shell stumbled to a 2-14 record, and was ousted a second time by Davis.

#2- Bobby Petrino- (Atlanta Falcons)

Best NFL Player- QB Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

This was a real tough call. I wanted to put Peyton Manning, but Brady simply has more rings. He's been everything a coach would ever want in a quarterback, minus the celebrity status.

#2- QB Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts)

Most Disappointing NFL Player- QB Byron Leftwich (former Jacksonville Jaguars)

 

There is simply no excuse why Leftwich did not succeed in Jacksonville. He was given every opportunity to be the team leader and showed flashes that he can be one of the NFL's best quarterbacks when fully healthy. But Leftwich never stood up to the pressure, and his relationship with coach Jack Del Rio was affecting the supporting cast. His one season stint with Atlanta is forgettable at best. It's Leftwich's own fault why he's jobless right now.

#2- RB Cedric Benson (Chicago Bears)

Best Draft Pick (Starting from 2004 NFL Draft)- LB Shawne Merriman (San Diego Chargers)

3 Pro Bowl selections is only the tip of this linebacker's short legacy. Merriman has become the face of the Chargers defense, and is a fan favorite. He has set the bar high for NFL linebackers.

#2- LB DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys)

Worst Draft Pick (Starting from 2004 NFL Draft)- WR Matt Jones (Jacksonville Jaguars)

This is a tough call, but Jones gets this label because of his lack of interest and discipline it takes to be a great NFL player. After a nice career signal-calling the Arkansas Razorbacks' offense, Jacksonville took him #21 in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, hoping to use his intangibles as a go-to receiver. Jones could have been a great NFL receiver, but has shown his lack of interest being a pro and his work ethic is down right disgraceful. On top of it, he now faces felony drug charges. Jones could of had it all, but instead, may have a ball and chain this time next year.

#2- Tie- RB Cedric Benson (Former Chicago Bears)/ CB Jimmy Williams (Former Atlanta Falcons)

Best NFL Trade:

Denver Broncos get: CB Champ Bailey/ 2nd round pick (RB Tatum Bell)

Washington Redskins get: RB Clinton Portis

                        

Denver got the better side of this deal, but ultimately both sides have benefited from the trade. Bailey has become one of the best defensive backs to play the game in recent NFL history, and even though Bell is no longer in Denver, Bailey's achievements have been worth the trade. Portis has had injury issues with the Redskins, but when healthy, has been a solid ball carrier.

Worst NFL Trade:

Oakland Raiders get: WR Randy Moss

Minnesota Vikings get: LB Napoleon Harris/ 1st round pick (WR Troy Williamson)/ 7th round pick

   

None of the players mentioned above are still with the teams they were traded to. Oakland gave up a huge chance to get a player like Shawn Merriman, DeMarcus Ware, or Antrel Rolle in exchange for a troubled receiver who produced nothing more than injuries and controversy. Moss has since thrived as the main go-to guy in New England. Williamson showed his speed with the Vikings, but dropped catches and touchdown passes like a bad rookie. He's since ended up in Jacksonville, and is reportedly looking very good in practice.

Best Uniform Change- San Diego Chargers

    

The Chargers took one of the greatest uniform looks in NFL history and made them even better. Some fans wanted the team to adopt white helmets and powder blue jerseys for every home game. Some fans loved the navy blue jerseys and wanted them to stay. San Diego combined the two. White helmets were brought back with navy and powder blue jerseys. Blue pants were also kept. The Chargers "lighting bolts" helmet logo were redesigned so powder blue and navy were combined. Great decision by the Chargers' front office.

Worst Uniform Change-Minnesota Vikings

   

This actually was not a completely bad change, but of all the teams to change uniforms, this is at the bottom. The side panels on the jerseys are confusing at times. The previous uniform, which was used for decades, was a NFL favorite. Gray facemasks should have been added to the new design. I do, however, like that purple pants were added. I'm a fan of monochromatic uniform looks (same jersey and pant color together), so when the Vikings used an all purple look last season, I loved it. But I can't speak for the rest of the Viking nation, who many trashed even the idea of it.