Week 17 brought an end to the NFL season for 27 of the 36 active Gators in the NFL. With such a large majority planning vacations and looking back at what could have been, it’s time we take a look at what was.

For starters, here’s a look at who is still in the hunt for a Super Bowl berth:

Keiwan Ratliff, Indianapolis; Billy Latsko, San Diego; Brandon Siler, San Diego; Ian Scott, San Diego; Channing Crowder, Miami; Jevon Kearse, Tennessee; Reynaldo Hill, Tennessee (on injured reserve); Max Starks, Pittsburgh; Lito Sheppard, Philadelphia.

That leaves a large group on the outside looking in. But that doesn’t mean that the season was a total waste. They’re still eligible for a Pro Gators Blog award (ring not included).

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville.

If it wasn’t for the two sacks in Sunday’s game against Baltimore, I would have been tempted to give this to Andre Caldwell. Harvey was hot and cold at times, and went two weeks without recording a stat before recording five tackles and two sacks against the Ravens.

The déjà vu moment of the game came in the first quarter, when Harvey recorded his first sack … on backup quarterback Troy Smith. Sound familiar?

Harvey finished the year with nine starts in 16 games. He tallied 19 tackles, an interception and 3.5 sacks. He also attended zero training camps after becoming the last first round pick to sign a contract. Another year, and his first training camp, under his belt should do wonders for him.

Offensive Player of the Year: Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay

This was likely the most difficult award, because frankly, there wasn’t a standout former Gator that could stay healthy on the offensive side of the ball this year.

Rex Grossman was a non-factor, Fred Taylor wasn’t stellar before going down for the year with a thumb injury and all six former Gator receivers combined for seven touchdowns and 1,112 yards.

Graham was on track for another 1,000-yard season injuring his ankle in week 11. Through 10 games, he totaled 563 yards on 132 carries (4.2 yards per) and four touchdowns. He also grabbed 23 passes for 174 yards, making him the fourth best receiver on the list.

Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Brown, Bears.

This was another tough call. Channing Crowder’s 116 tackles help guide the Dolphins’ worst-to-first season, but it was hard to ignore what Brown did for the Bears’ defensive line this year.

In danger of losing his starting job during training camp, Brown stepped up and started all 16 games, leading the NFL’s defensive linemen with 11 batted passes. He tied with New Orleans’ Bobby McCray with six sacks to lead all former Gators and added 44 tackles and an interception. He also blocked the would-be winning kick against Green Bay in week 16 that would have eliminated the Bears from playoff contention.

Comeback Player of the Year: Jevon Kearse, Tennessee.

After losing his starting spot in Philadelphia last year, Kearse returned to Tennessee and brought his winning his winning attitude with him. Not only did Kearse help reverse the fortunes of the sagging Titans, while starting all 16 games, he also reversed his 2007 total of 12 tackles in 14 games into 34 in 2008. He added 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles to round out his stat line.

What ever happened to-: Rex Grossman, Chicago.

It wasn’t the best contract year for the former UF quarterback. After leading the Bears to the Super Bowl just two years ago, Grossman made just one start this season and saw action in four games. He completed 32-of-62 for 257 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran in two scores on four carries.

The bad news, or some may say good news, for Grossman, is that Chicago coach Lovie Smith has already given his vote of confidence to Kyle Orton as next year’s starter, meaning that Rex could be on his way out of the windy city sooner rather than later.