2013 Ravens end-of-season superlatives

It's time to hand out superlatives for the 2013 season.

The Ravens finished 8-8, which was a disappointment to many. But there were still enough moments that allowed a lot of players to stand out.

So without further ado, here are the players that deserve some added recognition for their efforts this year:

Most Valuable Player: Justin Tucker

I'm going to go with the local media on this and say that without Tucker, the Ravens probably don't win eight games. He had a streak of 33 made field goals in a row. He won the Lions game with six field goals, including a 61-yarder. He's the only player to be named to the AP All-Pro and PFWA All-NFL teams. It's clear what Tucker meant to this team this year.

Offensive Player of the Year: Torrey Smith

Smith recorded his first 1,000-yard season of his career, going for 1,128 yards and four touchdowns this year. Smith was the lone consistent option on offense and made teams pay at times with his speed. The future is bright for the third-year wideout out of Maryland, especially as he becomes a more well-rounded receiver.

Defensive Player of the Year: Daryl Smith

Smith was an integral part to the defense's success, with his ability to play the run and the pass effectively. He recorded five quarterback sacks, three interceptions and set a franchise record with 19 pass deflections. Filling in for Ray Lewis, Smith exceeded expectations in being the organization's best offseason pickup.

Rookie of the Year: Marlon Brown

It wasn't Matt Elam, Arthur Brown or Brandon Williams that had the biggest impact out of this year's rookie class. That honor went to undrafted rookie receiver Marlon Brown out of Georgia, who became one of the bigger surprises in the AFC North. Brown tied a rookie record with seven touchdowns this year (tying Torrey Smith) and was a frequent red zone target. His ability to play the slot position was key for the Ravens with Brandon Stokley banged up most of the year.

Most Improved Player: James Ihedigbo

Ihedigbo wasn't expected to start with Elam being drafted. But in training camp, Ihedigbo won the starting strong safety job and had a solid season in the back end. He finished his contract year with 101 combined tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass deflections. There's a good chance Ihedigbo receives a sizable pay-day from another team.

Unsung hero: DeAngelo Tyson

When training camp opened, there was some concern as to whether Tyson would make the 53-man roster. Not only did he do that, he cracked the rotation once the Ravens reached the midway point of the season. Tyson could have a promising future if he continues to develop. He finished 2013 with two sacks, a pass deflection and an interception.