Can it be that we’re already an eighth of the way through the NFL season? After a furious week of action some teams look like they might be best planning for the years ahead already, while others are earning the kudos of all around them.
Us? We’re sitting back and doing what we do. Grade. And while we love to champion the best performances out there, it’s that time to acknowledge the bad ones with our ‘Had a Bad Day' Team of Week 2.
(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.)
Offense
Quarterback: Colin Kaepernick, SF (-4.8)
There wasn’t much muscle kissing going on as ‘The Kaep' was reduced to completing just 46.4% of his passes, with three picks thrown in for good measure. He’ll bounce back but this was a dose of reality for those that think him unstoppable.
Dishonorable Mention: E.J. Manuel (BUF)
Running Back: Ray Rice, BAL (-4.0)
We hate fumbles. They’re inexcusable to us and when you put the ball on the ground you start a big case for making this team. Factor in how Rice didn't do much on his other 12 carries and he worked his way into this team.
Dishonorable Mention: Montee Ball (DEN)
Full Back: Derrick Coleman, SEA (-4.0)
A week after impressing, Coleman took a big step back on a night where the fullbacks both flopped.
Dishonorable Mention: Bruce Miller (SF)
Tight End: Jermaine Gresham, CIN (-3.5)
The shame is he contributed in the passing game with 66 yards on six catches. Unfortunately, he struggled with his blocking and was flagged for three penalties.
Dishonorable Mention: Jim Dray (ARZ)
Wide Receivers: Denarius Moore, OAK (-3.4) and Anquan Boldin, SF (-3.2)
What a difference a week makes. Boldin went from the penthouse to the outhouse as he dropped as many balls (one) as he caught. Remember when Moore was a player whose star was on the rise?
Dishonorable Mention: Aaron Dobson (NE) and Rueben Randle (NYG)
Tackles: Sam Baker, ATL (-7.9) and Byron Bell, CAR (-5.6)
Was the entire 2012 season a dream? It must have been, because there Baker looked like a decent left tackle. Unfortunately, a mugging at the hands of Robert Quinn sees him firmly back on the track to “Turnstile Tackle” status. On the right side, Bell gave up three sacks as Mario Williams went to work on him.
Dishonorable Mention: Mike Adams (PIT) and Anthony Davis (SF)
Guards: Colin Brown, BUF (-8.3) and Oniel Cousins, CLE (-6.8)
These two guys are in danger of having us retire this section in their dishonor. They’ve got little business right now being on an NFL field judging by how frequently they’re getting beat against the run and in pass protection. To their coaches, help them out a little, yeah?
Dishonorable Mention: Mike Iupati (SF) and Paul Fanaika (ARZ)
Center: Travis Frederick, DAL (-2.7)
Regardless of how much experience he has, you don’t expect your center to get beat for two sacks and two hurries in any game. A slow adjustment to NFL life from the rook.
Dishonorable Mention: Samson Satele (IND)
Defense
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: Corey Liuget, SD (-4.4) and Stephen Bowen, WAS (-2.9)
Two guys with more talent than they let on this week. Liuget was no match for the combo of Evan Mathis and Jason Peters, while Bowen was a complete non-factor against the Packers' passing attack. It didn’t help that they got him moving at will with their zone blocking scheme.
Dishonorable Mention: Jonathan Babineaux (ATL) and Derek Landri (TB)
Defensive Interior – Nose: Vince Wilfork, NE (-5.1)
A strong start to the season made way for a horror show on Thursday Night Football. Wilfork got worked over by Vladimir Ducasse in one of his worst showings in our time grading.
Dishonorable Mention: Antonio Johnson (TEN)
Edge Rushers: Olivier Vernon, MIA (-5.9) and Jason Babin, JAX* (-3.2)
Vernon had a sack so he played well, right? Wrong. He did nothing else against the pass and was bullied by Anthony Castonzo against the run. For Babin he didn't do enough rushing the passer to make us forget two silly penalties.
Dishonorable Mention: Mathias Kiwanuka (NYG) and Jerry Hughes (BUF)
Linebackers: Mychal Kendricks, PHI (-7.0) and Moise Fokou, TEN (-5.4)
Another rough outing for Kendricks, who didn’t even get in on the tackles this week to grab the attention of some. Instead, it was just poor play in coverage and a boatload (four) of missed tackles. Fokou may have impressed in training camp but more showings like this and he won’t be the starter for much longer.
Dishonorable Mention: Lawrence Timmons (PIT) and Jon Beason (CAR)
Cornerbacks: David Amerson, WAS (-5.5) and Shareece Wright, SD (-4.8)
Tough day for Amerson, who missed two tackles and had 126 yards into his coverage. The sad thing is those numbers flatter his play. As for Wright, he had an even worse day statically and isn’t exactly repaying the Chargers faith in him
Dishonorable Mention: Cary Williams (PHI) and Nnamdi Asomugha (SF)
Safeties: Bacarri Rambo, WAS (-4.0) and Patrick Chung, PHI (-3.8)
It’s a shame Rambo can’t live up to his name, but right now he’s finding it tough going at the NFL level. As for Chung, he might feel a little unfortunate that he made this team over his teammate who escaped through missing 21 snaps.
Dishonorable Mention: Nate Allen (PHI) and Eric Weddle (SD)
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