'Had a Bad Day' Team, Week 7

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 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 7.

(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: Josh Freeman, MIN (-10.8)

We have to add the caveat that we're waiting on our All-22 review process to verify the grade, but right now this is the lowest grade we've ever given to a quarterback. It was every bit as bad as the numbers suggest and then a little bit more. Ugly.

Dishonorable Mention: Nick Foles (PHI)

Running Back: Trent Richardson, IND (-2.2)

When you fumble you’re testing us, because we hate fumbling from running backs with a passion. While Richardson is breaking tackles he's not pushing on from it to make yardage from his efforts.

Dishonorable Mention: Chris Ivory (NYJ)

Full Back: Stanley Havili, IND (-4.5)

Had some issues with his blocking, being left against Von Miller all too often. You wouldn’t expect it to go well and it didn’t.

Dishonorable Mention: Tommy Bohanon (NYJ)

Tight End: Charles Clay*, MIA (-4.4)

He had a touchdown on his only catch but his run blocking was so bad he was the obvious choice after some All-22 review..

Dishonorable Mention: Andrew Quarless* (GB)

Wide Receivers: Josh Gordon, CLE (-2.4) and Hakeem Nicks*, NYG (-2.3)

If Gordon wants to be viewed as an elite receiver then he needs to play better. That’s essentially what his coach said, and we agree. Nicks put three balls on the ground as he continues to make us forget about the player he once was.

Dishonorable Mention: Leonard Hankerson* (WAS) and Vincent Jackson * (TB)

Tackles: Bradley Sowell, IND (-6.8) and Jordan Mills*, CHI (-5.5)

Sometimes coaches bring in guys they’re familiar with. Sometimes it doesn’t end well. Sowell is out of his depth at left tackle and gave up a stunning two sacks, two hits, and five hurries. Another rough day for Mills who gave up a sack and six hurries.

Dishonorable Mention: Chris Clark (DEN) and Don Barclay (GB)

Guards: Nate Potter, ARZ (-6.9) and Alex Boone, SF (-4.0)

The scary thing about Potter is he did this on only 43 snaps as he came in when Daryn Colledge went down. It didn’t go well, as he was beaten time and time again whether the team was running or passing. Boone, the usually excellent 49ers right guard, is capable of putting up the occasional stinker and this was one of them.

Dishonorable Mention: Jeff Allen *(KC) and Paul Fanaika (ARZ)

Center: Ryan Wendell, NE (-6.1)

This was the Pats center at his worst. The usual sloppy work in pass protection, but without any redeeming qualities in a run game where he was overmatched.

Dishonorable Mention: Brian Schwenke *(TEN)

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: Nick Hayden, DAL (-3.5) and Kevin Vickerson, DEN (-2.7)

It was the ill-discipline of Vickerson that gets him a place in this team with two penalties, one of them particularly bad. Hayden is struggling right now and it may be what prompted the team to take a gamble on Marvin Austin.

Dishonorable Mention: Stephen Paea (CHI) and Stephen Bowen (WAS)

Defensive Interior – Nose: Roy Miller*, JAX(-2.2)

We’re short on candidates to play the 1-tech role, but we've again failed to see Miller make the kind of impact the Jags were hoping he would.

Dishonorable Mention: Terrance Knighton (DEN)

Edge Rushers: Whitney Mercilus, HOU (-3.8) and Ezekiel Ansah, DET (-4.2)

A few weeks ago we thought Mercilus was breaking out, but another outing like this highlights he struggles to get the job done against the better tackles. Just one hurry on the day. Ansah started the season well enough but that’s now three negative grades in a row with just one hurry himself this week.

Dishonorable Mention: Daniel Te’o-Nesheim (TB) and Jason Vega (DAL)

Linebackers: Geno Hayes, JAX (-5.5) and Craig Robertson, CLE (-3.7)

Two bad showings from Robertson in a row as he continues to be exposed in coverage. It’s at a point where the team might consider finding someone more suited, especially in their sub-package defense. Hayes missed a couple of tackles and struggled to make a positive impact in another demoralizing Jaguars defeat.

Dishonorable Mention: K.J. Wright (SEA) and Luke Kuechly (CAR)

Cornerbacks: Janoris Jenkins, SL (-4.5) and Trumaine Johnson, SL (-4.0)

The numbers are kinder than the facts of the matter. Both men were flagged for a penalty, and combined they allowed 10 of 11 passes into their coverage for 144 yards and a touchdown. Not what the Rams needed.

Dishonorable Mention: Buster Skrine (CLE) and Alan Ball (JAX)

Safeties: Chris Conte, CHI (-4.5) and Brandon Meriweather, WAS (-4.4)

Two penalties for Meriweather and some equally shocking work in coverage. He’s not learning. Conte was part of a Bears' safety duo that stunk it up. They’ve been a real weak spot for the team this year.

Dishonorable Mention: Ed Reed (HOU) and Major Wright* (CHI)

Follow Khaled on Twitter: @PFF_Khaled