The bar is low for football intelligence

I was watching the Packers-Panthers game yesterday during commercial breaks of the thrilling Browns-Colts game. Aaron Rodgers completed a pass to rookie receiver Jordy Nelson, who spun and reached out for the first down. Color guy Tim Ryan said that Nelson was "a smart player" because he "knew where the sticks were."
Seriously? That's all it takes? You need to know, as a football player, who has played football since they were young, and now play football professionally, how far you need to go for a first down? That's all you need to do before you are considered a "smart player"?
Well, I guess he didn't accidentally shoot himself.