All "Had a Bad Day" Team, Week 3

Ah, the hardest part of the job.
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You have to be pretty good just to make it to the NFL, so guys, if you’ve made this team know that you’re still pretty good in comparison.
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It’s just when you put your performance up next to that of your peers … well you didn’t do so well this week. So shake it off, take some accountability because Sunday is only ever around the corner when you’re in week three of an NFL season.
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With that motivation pep talk done, here’s our ‘Had a Bad Day’ team for the week.
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OFFENSE

Quarterback: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (-3.4)

It’s always tough going with a rookie in this team, but this is pure performance, and no excuses. The other starting rookies were just as bad in some regards, but Dalton was terrible when he had time to throw. He only picked up 4.8 yards per attempt and threw two interceptions when he wasn’t pressured.

Running Back: James Starks, Green Bay Packers (-3.3)

Five yards on 11 carries is understandable against a rampant Bears defense. But putting the ball on the ground? Fumbles will kill you.

Full Back: Jacob Hester, San Diego Chargers (-4.2)

Wasn’t up to the task of meeting Tamba Hali head on in the run game.

Tight Ends: Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts (-5.5)

The biggest loser from the injury to Peyton Manning? Kept into pass block more than he’s accustomed to and it seems to be impacted the rest of his game. Two drops? Very un-Clark-like.

Wide Receivers: Andre Roberts, Arizona Cardinals (-2.6) and A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals (-2.6)

A dropped pass will hurt your rating, and so will a fumble. Even if it’s a long shot on the last play of the game you need more ball awareness than just running into a big hit. Roberts isn’t the complement to Larry Fitzgerald the Cardinals once had. Green only picked up 29 yards, but cost his team ten more with inexcusable false start penalties. Those can be drive-killers, and when you aren’t making plays to make up for them, you end up on this team.

Tackles: Jonathan Scott, Pittsburgh Steelers (-8.6) and Marc Colombo, Miami Dolphins (-5.2)

Scott can at least say he was made to look poor by Dwight Freeney. Colombo was the vehicle for a breakout display from rookie second rounder, Jabaal Sheard. The two combined to give up two sacks, a hit and ten pressures, as well as two penalties. Both men are seeing the word ‘liability’ next to their name an awful lot right now.

Guards: Rob Sims, Detroit Lions (-4.9) and Chris Chester, Washington Redskins (-9.7)

How did Anthony Herrera (-7.7) not make this team? Well watch how Chris Chester got beaten like a drum, over and over again to give up tackles for short gains on Monday Night Football. That was horrible. Sims hasn’t been the same player since Neil Hornsby gave him his week one game ball for his play against Tampa Bay. He didn’t help himself with one sack allowed, one penalty given up, and three more pressures.

Center: Colin Baxter, New York Jets (-4.1)

From the penthouse, to the outhouse. Nick Mangold; the Jets need you.
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DEFENSE
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Defensive Ends (4-3): Chris Kelsay, Buffalo Bills (-2.1) and Dave Tollefson (-3.8)

Tollefson got on the field for 49 snaps. That won’t be happening again after this performance. You can’t give up two penalties in a game, it’s criminal. Kelsay reverted to type here, and was moved about in the run game. He is getting more pressure than he did last year however.

Defensive Tackle (4-3): Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots (-3.0) and Matt Toeaina, Chicago Bears (-3.0)

Is Vince Wilfork broke? Three games into the season and two less than stellar performances. This one was his worst yet, with Andy Levitre winning their battle and a penalty given up for good measure. Toeaina couldn’t get anything done against the Packers' strong interior. The only thing that made his performance visible was his hair.

Linebackers (4-3): Casey Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles (-2.6), JoLonn Dunbar, New Orleans Saints (-4.0) and Mike Peterson, Atlanta Falcons (-2.4)

New position, same old story. Matthews defending of Brandon Jacobs touchdown pass was comical and then some. Remember Eagles, you’re only as strong as your weakest part. Atlanta will be hoping Stephen Nicholas returns shortly as Mike Peterson just isn’t the player he once was. Filling in for Jonathan Vilma, Dunbar was as ineffective as the guy he was replacing. The eight tackles don’t tell a story at all, as five of them were after Houston already had an “offensive victory” on the play.

Defensive Line (3-4): Aaron Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.3), Isaac Sopoaga, San Francisco 49ers (-2.2), and Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets (-2.4)

Is it time to ask whether the injuries have taken their toll on Aaron Smith? He was ineffective against the Colts and doesn’t warrant 54 snaps a game. Wilkerson has some learning to do and threw up a blank on the stat sheet but for one tackle; the Raiders handled him with ease. The 49ers defense is getting by with Sopoaga on the nose, but to the surprise of nobody, he’s no Aubrayo Franklin.

Outside Linebackers (3-4): Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs (-2.0) and Mario Williams, Houston Texans (-1.3)

It may seem odd that Williams is on this team after picking up four pressures, but he was held largely in check by a Saints team not famed for their tackles. That move to OLB is a work in progress. Rookie Houston isn’t making much of an impact right now.

Inside Linebackers (3-4): Bradie James, Dallas Cowboys (-3.6) and Kevin Burnett, Miami Dolphins (-2.7)

James has been relegated to base defense as part of a rotation. Missing half of the tackles he attempted won’t help you get more playing time. Miami’s Burnett was meant to be an upgrade for their coverage unit. Watch him drop into a zone or follow a player on a crossing route and answer if that’s the case.

Cornerbacks: Justin King, St Louis Rams (-8.6) and Antonio Cromartie, New York Jets (-6.1)

Oh dear. Two of the worst grades we’ve ever given to cornerbacks. King got beat badly by the Ravens, and it was only overthrows that saved his seven receptions given up for 153 yards and two touchdowns looking any worse. Cromartie is now crowned the penalty king after giving up four in a single game.

Safeties: Darian Stewart, St Louis Rams (-4.4) and Sabby Piscitelli, Kansas City Chiefs (-3.7)

King wasn’t alone in having a shocker for the Rams. Sophomore safety Stewart can take a lot of the blame, looking atrocious when in deep coverage. As for Piscitelli. Well he did only miss one tackle. That’s something right?
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