Had a Bad Day Team, Week 8

In an ideal world everyone would play to their best and we’d be left with nothing but praise to give to players.

This isn’t an ideal world.

For whatever reason guys don’t always play well in the National Football League. It may be that they lack talent, that they suffer from inexperience, or they may just be having one of those days. Regardless we’re here to hold them to account whether it be an undrafted free agent starting his first game, or a 10 time All Pro at the peak of his powers.

Let’s see who made the Had a Bad Day Team for Week 8.

(Note: Team will be updated after Monday Night Football games are analyzed and on Wednesday when All-22 footage helps us study plays in even more detail where needed with a * noting a change)

Quarterback: Matt Barkley, PHI (-6.2)

It’s nice of his coach to stick up for him but right now Barkley just doesn’t look like he’s ready for NFL defenses. Given he’s spent most of his time in Philadelphia as the number three guy, you wouldn’t expect much else.

Dishonorable Mention: Geno Smith (NYJ)

Running Back: Darren McFadden, OAK (-3.3)

While his rushing earned him a 0.0 grade, his work in the pass game did not. Poor in protection and running routes, McFadden is a guy who often flatters to deceive.

Dishonorable Mention: Steven Jackson (ATL)

Full Back: Jerome Felton, MIN (-1.5)

Let’s be honest. He’s not playing anywhere near as well as he did last year.

Dishonorable Mention: Tommy Bohanon (NYJ)

Tight End: Logan Paulsen, WAS (-5.0)

Jordan Reed dropped a couple of passes but Paulsen not only didn’t catch any but had an absolutely horrid day with his blocking.

Dishonorable Mention: Marcedes Lewis (JAX)

Wide Receivers: Justin Blackmon, JAX (-2.9) and Brandon LaFell, CAR (-1.6)

This was the bad Blackmon. A pass dropped and little going on after the catch, he was a non-factor. LaFell got his customary positive with his run blocking but also dropped a pass and he fails to look like the teams long term option at receiver.

Dishonorable Mention: Davone Bess (CLE) and Rueben Randle (NYG)

Tackles: Lamar Holmes, ATL (-4.6) and Lane Johnson, PHI (-4.0)

It’s at a stage now where the Falcons just have to hope that Holmes is a better man in the future for his experiences this year. For now that’s little comfort to Matt Ryan. Johnson has not enjoyed himself when going one on one with the veteran Justin Tuck.

Dishonorable Mention: Paul McQuistan (SEA) and Eric Fisher (KC)

Guards: Lucas Nix, OAK (-5.0) and David Diehl, NYG (-8.4)

The Raiders line has been a pleasant surprise given the injuries and talent they’re dealing with. Except for Nix who has consistently found it tough going and this week was no different. If there’s any consolation it’s that Diehl looked much worse with a performance bad enough that it had us remembering some of his efforts at left tackle.

Dishonorable Mention: Brian Winters (NYJ) and Brandon Fusco (MIN)

Center: Rodney Hudson, KC (-5.7)

The Chiefs are winning but they’ve got to be worried by the play of some of their linemen. Hudson has generally played well this year but this was his second stinker of the season as he was abused in the run game and beaten for two sacks and a hurry in pass protection.

Dishonorable Mention: Brian De La Puente (NO)

Each week we put forward a hybrid defense that features two edge rushers (4-3 defensive ends or 3-4 outside linebackers), three players on the “interior” of the defensive line (3-4 defensive ends or defensive tackles and two linebackers (all inside linebackers and 4-3 outside linebackers).

Defensive Interior – Ends: Kevin Vickerson, DEN (-4.2) and Kendall Langford, SL (-3.8)

The Broncos didn’t spend a first round pick on a defensive tackle because they were content with their options at the spot. Vickerson, and his second poor outing in a row, is reinforcing that train of thought. Langford drew a blank rushing the passer and was also flagged for two penalties. Far from ideal.

Dishonorable Mention: Nick Hayden (DAL) and Cullen Jenkins (NYG)

Defensive Interior – Nose: Paul Soliai, MIA (-4.5)

This was as bad as we’ve seen Soliai play. He was quiet throughout the day except for when he got himself flagged for a couple of penalties.

Dishonorable Mention: Akeem Spence (TB)

Edge Rushers: Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, TB (-5.4) and Chandler Jones, NE (-5.0)

Two pass rushers getting one pressure between them? That’s not good. Jones had about as bad a day as possible in that regard with “DTN” being moved by Jordan Gross at will in the run game.

Dishonorable Mention: Mathias Kiwanuka (NYG) and Chris Clemons (SEA)

Linebackers: Mason Foster, TB (-5.5) and Perry Riley, WAS (-3.5)

Foster was one of those Buccaneers defenders who looked lost, making just one defensive stop and finding it hard going against a powerful Panthers front. Riley made more plays than Foster but the problem was most of them came down the field with only three of his 12 tackles constituting a defensive stop.

Dishonorable Mention: Wesley Woodyard (DEN) and Craig Robertson (CLE)

Cornerbacks: Brandon Carr, DAL (-6.4) and Dee Milliner, NYJ (-4.4)

Carr had the biggest test of his career in trying to slow down Calvin Johnson. Those 284 yards went into his coverage show you how that turned out. Milliner gave up a touchdown and three other balls as his difficult rookie season continued.

Dishonorable Mention: Jerraud Powers (ARZ) and Antonio Cromartie (NYJ)

Safeties: Josh Evans, JAX (-4.2) and Morgan Burnett, GB (-2.7)

There was nothing safe about Evans play as he missed three tackles. Burnett has been playing well this year since returning from injury but he couldn’t continue it against the Vikings with three missed tackles of his own.

Dishonorable Mention: Mistral Raymond (MIN) and Tashaun Gipson (CLE)

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