9 NFL Players Who Put Their Critics To Shame

Because 90% of football analysts don't know what the hell they're talking about.

9. Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals Running Back

Ellington was considered one of the top rookies in the 2013 NFL Draft until he clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.6 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. The projected second-round pick dropped all the way to the sixth round.

The Arizona Cardinals selected Ellington with the 187th overall pick, and it didn't take long for Ellington to outperform Arizona's starting running back Rashard Mendenhall.

The rookie is currently averaging 6 yards per carry with 73 attempts, 443 yards and 2 touchdowns. He's also caught 28 receptions for 247 yards and 1 touchdown.

NFL.com Draft Profile: [Ellington] does not possess elite agility to elude defenders in space, and can be brought down by glancing tackle attempts. Cuts are not consistently decisive or strong.

Here's Ellington "not possessing elite agility" against the best corner in the NFL, Darrelle Revis.

4.6 seconds looks even slower on this 80-yard TD.

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8. Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams Running Back

During his career at Vanderbilt, Zac Stacy was the first RB in school history with back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, and the first to surpass 3,000 yards with 3,143.

The St. Louis Rams selected Stacy in the 5th round with the 160th overall pick. The former Commodore has slowly taken over the Rams backfield, outproducing Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson. Stacy currently leads the Rams in carries (160), rushing yards (696), and rushing touchdowns (4).

NFLDraftScout.com: Ordinary burst and lacks elite long-speed. Not overly elusive and doesn't have much make-you-miss ability. Runs light at times and allows his pads to rise, taking away from his power. Not a lot of flash and sizzle to his game.

Right. Not overly elusive at all.

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7. Danny Woodhead, San Diego Chargers Running Back

The 5' 8" RB tallied 3,159 all-purpose yards his junior year at Chagrin State. The only college player to accumulate more all-purpose yards was some random named Barry Sanders, a junior from Oklahoma State who finished with 3,250 yards and a Heisman Trophy .

Woodhead accumulated 7,962 rushing and 1,388 receiving yards with two NCAA Division II player of the year awards. Still, Woodhead wasn't invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. When the 2008 NFL Draft was over, the New York Jets signed Woodhead as an undrafted free agent.

Now a San Diego Charger, Woodhead has hauled in 61 receptions for 482 yards and 5 touchdowns this season. In 2009- 2012, Woodhead racked up 1,069 yards through the air with 4 additional touchdowns. On the ground, he's maintained a 4.5 yard average per carry for 1,551 yards and 12 TD's since his rookie year in 2009.

NFLDraftScout.com: He lacks the ideal height you look for in a tailback and needs to increase his overall bulk to absorb punishment. He has short arms (28 3/8-inches) that pose problems when trying to get to the pass at its high point and engage defensive linemen or blitzing linebackers in pass protection.

Visual proof that Woodhead's arms are too short.

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I mean, the man is so tiny you can barely see him.

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6. Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back

Contributing 711 rushing and receiving yards combined with four touchdowns through 9 games this season, the 2nd Round Pick (48th overall) from Michigan St. has dominated touches in the Pittsburgh backfield.

Ryan McCrystal, The Bleacher Report: Bell is a powerful runner, but he's a one-trick pony. Much like similar runners such as LaGarrette Blount and T.J. Duckett, Bell can be effective in certain situations, but he will never be an elite feature back.

DraftPhantom, SBNation: Some games at Michigan St. he looked unstoppable, some games he looked horrid. Some team was likely to overvalue based on the few dominating games. He is inconsistent because of his lack of vision. I realize Pittsburgh needed an every down back but just because he’s a big bruiser does not mean he’s an upgrade.

Really Le'Veon? Display some vision for us.

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Like, how could you miss that hole to the left?

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5. Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks Cornerback

Richard Sherman was selected by the Seahawks in the 5th round. During his career at Stanford, Sherman played three seasons at wide receiver, before switching to cornerback.

In 2011, expert draft analyst Mel Kiper graded the Seahawks rookie class with a D-, but shortly after Sherman's rookie performance, Kiper scrambled to regrade Seattle's draft to a B+.

From 2011-2013, Sherman has allotted 16 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, 4 forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 44 games to date. Still, the First-Team All-Pro corner prefers to let his numbers speak for themselves.

NFLDraftScout.com: [Sherman has] questionable speed overall. Has a high backpedal and loses a step in his transition, allowing receivers to separate when he misjudges their route, leading to being beaten over the top. Is especially susceptible to smaller, quicker receivers.

Tons of separation here. Terrible, terrible form.

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There you go, Sherman. That's more like it.

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4. Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals Saftey

Tyrann Mathieu is already playing out his dramatic comeback story (he smoked weed in college like nearly every young adult in America). After being suspended from LSU, Mathieu is already one of the NFL's best defensive backs as a rookie. "The Honey Badger" is leading the Defensive Rookie of the Year discussion with 67 tackles, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble.

Rob Goldworm, FootballNation.com: Showed as much focus during the draft process as Justin Bieber looking at porn in a Ritalin factory. Will make Pacman Jones look like a Senetor from Utah.

Mysterious disappearing article from FootballNation.com: What has happened to Mathieu in the last year or so does not speak to a drug problem; rather it has more to do with laziness and irresponsibility.

Oh my God, is that Justin Bieber on Ritalin?

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Mathieu irresponsibly picking off Drew Brees in the end zone.

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3. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks Quarterback

To be fair, no one really saw Wilson's unbelievable QB performances coming, well, no one except for the Seahawks and Russell Wilson.

Tony Pauline, SI.com: The Seahawks made another questionable decision, tabbing Wilson in the third frame. Wilson is destined to sit behind newly-signed Matt Flynn and will struggle to see the field at any point over the next three years.

I mean, Mrs. Wilson wasn't surprised when he was drafted... or was she?

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Where's Matt Flynn when you need him?

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2. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers Quarterback

The first overall pick from Auburn heard tons of unintelligible criticism when he entered the NFL. As if his critics forgot he's the third American football player to win be awarded the Heisman Trophy, win a national championship and become the first overall pick in the NFL draft within the same year.

Nolan Nawrocki, Pro Football Weekly: Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law — does not command respect from teammates and always will struggle to win a locker room. Only a one-year producer. Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.

Here's Cam. Not being trustworthy, accountable, focused or dependable.

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And here's Cam, seeking shortcuts when he could've set a great example by keeping the ball and running it in himself.

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1. Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns Wideout

During his final year at Baylor, Josh Gordon was suspended indefinitely by his team after failing a drug test in 2011. Gordon was drafted by the Browns in the Supplemental Draft in 2012.

Critics have questioned Gordon's character and work ethic, claiming he loafs during practice. They've also suggested that Gordon should have spent more time with Brandon Weeden in the offseason. Yeah, someone actually suggested that.

Last weekend, Josh Gordon became the first and "laziest" receiver in NFL history with back-to-back 200-yard games. Before Sunday, no player in the history of the NFL ever done it. The second-year receiver has caught 64 receptions for 1,249 yards and 7 touchdowns in only ten games.

So grab your codeine bottles, because no receiver in football has a higher yards-per-game average than Gordon's 124.9.

Here's Gordon, loafing for a 95-yard touchdown.

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If only Gordon spent more time with Brandon Weeden...

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Oh, well. Haters gonna hate.

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