10 NFL Players Guaranteed to Score Negative Headlines in 2011

By (Correspondent) on August 16, 2011

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15:  Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by G
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Quarterbacks naturally generate the most headlines. Whenever you're talking about football, you always have to start with the quarterbacks. Whether they were good or bad, the discussion always comes back to the quarterback. 

You could easily fill out this entire list with quarterbacks, but then you would be neglecting the other positions on the field. While they might not make as big an impact as quarterback, you simply can't neglect them—as football is the ultimate team game.

So I decided to list only three quarterbacks and filled the rest of the list with a mix of positions from left tackle to safety. 

1. Mark Sanchez

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16:  Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets celebrates after the Jets defeated the Patriots 28 to 21 in their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  (Photo by Al Bello/Getty
Al Bello/Getty Images

Mark Sanchez has already received some negative headlines for his latest GQ photo shoot (you think he would have learned after his first one). 

But that won't be the last time Sanchez receives some criticism. Despite playing only two full seasons in the NFL, Sanchez is arguably the most criticized player in the game. Some of it's deserved, but the New York spotlight and Rex Ryan's big mouth also play a role. 

Sanchez should see his numbers progress this year some, but he's bound to have at least one game that makes you wonder how he was a top five pick.   

2. Tarvaris Jackson

SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 11:  Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson #7 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Ogemdi Nwagbuo #91 of the San Diego Chargers in the second quarter during the NFL preseason game at Qualcomm Stadium on August 11, 2011 in San Diego, Californ
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Of all the moves that took place during the free agent frenzy, one of the most talked about moves, and not in a good way, was the Seattle Seahawks signing Tarvaris Jackson as their starting QB. 

Jackson never had the full faith of the Vikings coaching staff, but his play didn't warrant it either. 

If his first preseason action was any indication, the T-Jax experiment won't end well.  

3. Chad Henne

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02:  Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins is brought down in the first half by Jerod Mayo #51 and Landon Cohen #66 of the New England Patriots on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Ima
Elsa/Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins coaching staff clearly doesn't have any confidence in Chad Henne. They showed interest in some of the young quarterbacks in April's draft and made a run at Kyle Orton before backing out. 

The fans don't have any confidence in him either, as they booed Henne after every underthrown pass and chanted "We want Orton." Not what you want at the most important position. It could be a long season for Henne and the Dolphins.  

4. Reggie Bush

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints speaks during a post game press conference after defeating the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.  (Photo
Scott Boehm/Getty Images

Another Dolphin, although Bush just joined the team in the offseason. 

Most of the criticism of Bush stems from the fact that he was drafted second in 2006, and has come far from fulling that promise that he showed. 

Even in a new situation in Miami, anything short of a Pro Bowl caliber season will have the critics on Reggie's back.  

5. Michael Crabtree

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 26: Oshiomogho Atogwe #21 of the St. Louis Rams returns an interception against Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers at the Edward Jones Dome on December 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the 49ers 25-17. (
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Nothing has gone right for Crabtree since he declared for the 2009 NFL Draft. He fractured his foot, slid to number ten in the draft, failed to reach an agreement on a contract before the season started, then went on to have two mildly disappointing seasons.  

He recently hurt the same foot he hurt in '09, and as a result, will miss the preseason for the third time in three seasons. He also feuded with Alex Smith this past offseason.

A wide receivers third season is synonymous with them having a breakout year, it looks like this won't be the case for Crabtree, as we will have to wait another year.  

6. Plaxico Burress

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - AUGUST 07:  Plaxico Burress #17 of the New York Jets speaks to the media at NY Jets Practice Facility on August 7, 2011 in Florham Park, New Jersey.  (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Plaxico Burress has been a media darling ever since his release from prison earlier this year. 

The Jets bought into the hype, handing Burress a contract with $3 million guaranteed. As were seeing now, Burress can't even stay on the field.

Burress should still make an impact, just don't expect him to light up the stat sheet. The man was just in prison for two years, it will take time before he regains his old form, if he ever does.  

7. J'Marcus Webb

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23:  Sam Shields #37 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts the game's final pass and runs for 32-yards to seal the 21-14 victory for the Packers against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 201
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The least recognizable name on the list, J'Marcus Webb will be known by a lot more people after this season, and probably not for good reason. 

Webb, a seventh round rookie last year, was Profootballfocus.com's worst rated pass blocking right tackle last season. 

This season, the Bears decided to move Webb to left tackle to protect Jay Cutler's blind side. Webb won't last long if he keep playing like did against Shawne Merriman in the preseason opener.

8. Albert Haynesworth

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02:  Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins stands on the sidelines during preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

I liked the Albert Haynesworth pickup for the Patriots, but even Bill Belichick knows you can't count on a full season from Haynesworth. 

Already he has struggled to stay on the practice field and there was even speculation that he could be cut—though I'm not buying it. He'll play good at times, just not all the time.  

9. Ryan Clark

CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 10: Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sits on the bench towards the end of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 10, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Ryan Clark has made a name for himself in Pittsbugh, forming one of the better safety tandem's in the league alongside Troy Polamalu

Clark isn't on this list for his the quality of this play, but rather the way he plays. Clark is known as a hard-hitting defensive back who has been known to accumulate a few helmet-to-helmet hits in his day. 

With the NFL cracking down on those types of hits, expect Clark to be singled out and fined at some point this season. 

10. James Harrison

LATROBE, PA - JULY 29:  James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks down to the field during training camp on July 29, 2011 at St Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

And finally, how could we forget Clark's teammate, James Harrison? Harrison always finds a way to get in the headlines, both on and off the field. 

Harrison has come out strongly against the NFL's crackdown on helmet-to-helmet hits criticizing Roger Goodell. He has also shown no remorse for his actions after being fined multiple times by the NFL. 

He's one of the best players in the game, but not everybody's favorite player. 

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