Upgrades

DE Michael Strahan, NYG: Strahan suffered a broken toe during preseason and, while he didn't miss a regular season game, he was limited during the first three weeks of action. Before the Giants week four bye (three games), he had posted seven tackles (6 solo) and one sack. With an extra week to get healthy, he's come back looking like the Michael Strahan that we've grown accustomed to, picking up 14 tackles (11 solo) and three sacks over the last two games.

DE Simeon Rice, TB: Rice doesn't deserve an upgrade, as he's already one the leagues top pass rushing ends who's in the midst of an outstanding season, but his four sack performance against the Redskins could not go without mention. Through five games, he now has 19 tackles (17 solo) and eight sacks, a pace that would break Strahan's single season record of 22.5. He's also on pace for a career high in both solo tackles (54) and forced fumbles (10).

DEs Jason Taylor & Adewale Ogunleye, MIA: So, this is how the defensive line is supposed to perform in South Florida? Through four games, the Dolphins defensive end combo had combined for 15 tackles (11 solo) and 2.5 sacks. This week: 13 tackles (12 solo) and four sacks. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come as many of us are still pinning our hopes to Taylor and his top overall preseason ranking (and draft position to match).

DE Shaun Ellis, NYJ: What has gotten into Shaun Ellis? Over the past two seasons, Elllis had combined for 60 solo tackles and nine sacks. Through five games this year, he's posted 23 solo tackles and seven sacks. Many would like to attribute his success to playing across from John Abraham, but with Abraham out of the lineup this week (and nursing a hamstring the week before), he 's picked up three sacks over the two games.

DE Courtney Brown, CLE: Following the same career path as Shaun Ellis, Courtney Brown had a sensational rookie season (61 solo tackles and 4.5 sacks in '00) but has done nothing since. That is, until this year. Brown has picked up five sacks in six games after combining for 6.5 sacks during the last two seasons (16 total games). His performance so far has definitely spurred the Browns defensive resurgence in '03.

OLB Rocky Boiman, TEN: Filling in for the injured Peter Sirmon, who's out with a back injury, Boiman has been a pleasant surprise. Playing in the better part of three games, Boiman has posted 13 solo tackles, a sack, and two interceptions (returning one for a touchdown) while showing a very nice nose for the ball. Sirmon should be back soon, relegating Boiman back to a reserve role, but he's been a quality fill-in player and will continue to be as long as the opportunity is there.

OLB Joe Odom, CHI: In his first career start, filling in for the injured Warrick Holdman, Odom picked up nine tackles (8 solo), continuing the sucessfull trend from the Bears weakside linebacker spot that Holdman had started. Like Boiman, Odom probably isn't going to be a starter for long (Holdman may return this week), but he'd make for a good bye/injury filler if Holdman is held out.

OLB Scott Fujita, KC: Last year, his rookie season, Fujita surprised many with 50 solo tackles while starting just nine games. Unfortunately, that led to actual expectations now that he's the full time starter at SLB, and the first five games of the year hadn't gone too smoothly (21 solo tackles, one sack). This week, he broke out, posting a career high in both solo tackles (9) and sacks (2), and will likely be one of the hotter waiver wire linebackers available.

S Tank Williams, TEN: Tank Williams has all-world talent, but had been unable to translate that onto the field until recently. Through four games this year, he had looked like a bust with only 18 tackles (10 solo). Well, the light came on during week five and he's posted two straight games with seven solo tackles, including one sack.

S Jay Bellamy, NO: I don't know if it's a coincidence, or a direct relation, but Jay Bellamy had his worst game of the young season last week, the one game that fellow safety Tebucky Jones missed with a groin injury. He posted just one solo tackle after picking up 27 during the first four weeks. Victor Green was the stat hound that game, and he's a much better playmaker than Jones (eating into Bellamy's stats), but because of age and salary concerns, Jones is the regular starter. This is great news for Jay Bellamy owners because, with Jones back in the lineup during week six, Bellamy was able to pick up where he left off with nine tackles (7 solo).

CB Kelly Herndon, DEN: In a move that had been rumored for a while, Kelly Herndon replaced Deltha O'Neal in the Broncos starting lineup at cornerback, across from Lenny Walls. It worked out well as the Broncos were able to hold Tommy Maddox and the Steelers pretty much in check (186 passing yards, longest play of 23 yards, no touchdowns) and Herndon did not dissapoint with six tackles (5 solo). I'm not sure right now if this is temporary, but O'Neal is said to be struggling with his confidence after the Broncos loss to Kansas City.

More Upgrades

DT Warren Sapp, TB: Picked up his first two sacks of the season.

DT Pat Williams, BUF: Five solo tackles over the first three games, 14 solo tackles over the last three.

DT Jason Ferguson, NYJ: 16 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks over the last three games.

DE Alex Brown, CHI: Only 1.5 sacks on the year, but he's on pace for 61 solo tackles.

DE Charles Grant, NO: On top of everyone's sleeper list during the preseason, he hasn't disappointed. Five sacks in six games.

DE Dwight Freeney, IND: He finaly had a Freeney-type game with three tackles and two sacks.

DE Leonard Little, STL: Six sacks through five games with at least one in each.

ILB Roman Phifer, NE: Was able to pad his stats this past weekend as the Patriots picked up 93 total tackles. Phifer chipped in with 19 (13 solo), the same amount that he had during the previous four games...combined.

ILB Teddy Bruschi, NE: Like Phifer, he benefited from an incredible amount of team tackles. He's tallied 22 solo tackles over the last three games.

OLB Ben Taylor, CLE: Taylor has outperformed Andra Davis over the last three games, 17-15 in solo tackles.

ILB Ronald McKinnon, ARI: I hate to say it, but it looks like McKinnon may be returning to form. He's pickep up 24 solo tackles over the last three games after posting just eight during the first three.

OLB Shawn Barber, KC: Posted his best game as a Chief during week six with 11 tackles (9 solo) and a sack.

OLB Nate Wayne, PHI: Posted his best game as an Eagle during week six with 11 tackles (8 solo).

S Greg Wesley, KC: A very up & down season saw him on top this week with 12 tackles (10 solo)

S Marques Anderson, GB: Looking to regain his starting job, filling in for the injured Antwan Edwards, he's picked up 23 tackles (15 solo) and four passes defended over the last two weeks.

CB Antoine Winfield, BUF: He continues to roll, posting linebacker-type tackles with 24 solos over the last three games.

S Rodney Harrison, NE: He doesn't tackle like he used to, but he still leads the team with 32 solos and picked off two passes this weekend.

CB Fred Thomas, NO: 16 solo tackles and a sack over the last two games.

CB Sam Madison, MIA: 12 solo tackles and two interceptions over the last two games.

Downgrades

DT Rod Coleman, OAK: Coleman had been able to compile 23 sacks over the last three seasons while starting just eight games, including 11 sacks last year. The production has not been there in 03 with just 12 tackles and one sack through six games.

DE/DT Willie Whitehead, NO: After being one of the hottest free-agent pickups early in the year, the Saints have killed his fantasy value by moving him inside to defensive tackle. He's been held without a sack over the last four games after posting 2.5 during the first two.

DE Julius Peppers, CAR: Sure, he's being double/triple/quadruple teamed, which has helped linemate Mike Rucker pick up five sacks in five games, but Peppers is being shut down all together, something that should not happen to a player with his talent. After posting a week one sack, he's gone without for the past four games, adding in just five solo tackles along the way.

DE Bryan Thomas, NYJ: The Jets are down on Bryan Thomas, but he had another shot to prove them wrong this week while starting for John Abraham. He did not perform well with just one tackle (0 solo) and is in danger of falling out of the rotation completely.

DE ND Kalu, PHI: I need to stop picking on Kalu, but we're still waiting for his first sack of the year. If he was averaging more than 1.5 solo tackles per game, we may give him a break. Besides RB Brian Westbrook, is their a single Eagles player who's performing up to or beyond expectations? (the answer is no)

DEs Eric Hicks & Vonnie Holliday, KC: During the first three games, the Chiefs new super-tandem of Hicks and Holliday came out strong, combining for 21 tackles (16 solo) and five sacks. Over the last three games, they've totaled just 14 tackles (7 solo) without a sack.

DE Hugh Douglas, JAC: Same story as weeks one through five, Douglas has done absolutely nothing since picking up five tackles and a sack during week one. Six solo tackles without a sack over the past five games.

DE Melvin Williams, NO: A rookie fifth round pick, he's started the last two games across from Charles Grant without picking up either a solo tackle or a sack.

DE Grant Wistrom, STL: Hes' picked up just 10 tackles without a sack through five games.

DE Patrick Kerney, ATL: He's posted just 11 tackles with one sack this year after averaging 53 and 11 over the last two seasons.

OLB Adalius Thomas, BAL: Thomas has received a lot of recognition for being a man of many positions (OLB, DE, Special Teams ace), but he's yet to give us fantasy production at any of them. After picking up a sack in each of the first two games, he's been held without over the last three, and has just five tackles total.

OLB Terrell Suggs, BAL: Now we know what happens to Terrell Suggs when he fails to get to the quarterback...he gets shut out completely. This coming off recent news that the Ravens were planning on expanding his role in the defense.

ILB BrianUrlacher, CHI: The consensus top overall IDP coming into the year (sorry Ray & Roy) has been disappointing thus far. He's posted 12 solo tackles over the last three games, has a decent total of 1.5 sacks, but has not been involved in the passing game with just one pass defended on the year.

OLB Al Singleton, DAL: The Buccaneers let this guy go without a fight, and now we know why. Singleton has two interceptions on the year, which is good, but he's tallied over three solo tackles just once in five games, which is not.

LB T.J.Slaughter, JAC: It wasn't that long ago that Slaughter spoke up, saying that he should be starting for the Jaguars. He got his wish during week five, a performed well with five solo tackles an a sack, but followed that up with a one tackle stinker this week. Maybe Slaughter should take Terrell Owens course on being able to back up your smack (well, not a good example).

ILB Mike Peterson, JAC: Peterson has posted over four solo tackles just twice in six games and has yet to pick up his first sack or pick in Jacksonville. With their big offseason acquisitions being Peterson and Hugh Douglas, no wonder the Jaguars are 1-5.

ILB Rocky Calmus, TEN: Calmus has started the last three games in the middle for Tennessee, posting just 10 tackles (6 solo). He is not involved in many of the packages that make up a large part of the Titans defense.

OLB Na'il Diggs, GB: In two of the last three games, Diggs has picked up less than three solo tackles. Inconsistency like this is what drives a fantasy owner crazy. Especially considering that you can't bench him, risking losing out on a perfomance like he gave us during week four (nine solo tackles, two interceptions).

OLB Ian Gold, DEN: Gold tore his ACL on Sunday and will be lost for the season.

S Victor Green, NO: There was a big scramble last week to pick up Green after his eight tackle (7 solo) performance while replacing Tebucky Jones. Hopefully you missed out. With Jones back in the lineup, Green disappeared this week and was held without a tackle.

CB Deltha O'Neal, DEN: see Kelly Herndon in UPGRADES. A solid IDP performer over the last couple of years, O'Neal's deficiencies on the field finally caught up with him.

S Clinton Hart, PHI: The prospect of an unknown coming in and posting Brian Dawkins-type numbers was intriguing, but it turned out to be a mirage. After posting six solo tackles in his first start, he's picked up just nine over his last three.