Culcasi - Defensive Upgrades

DL James Hall, DET: Hall has taken the move from left to right end very well, starting the season with back to back five solo tackle games, a total of 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. The thumb injury that he suffered during week one didn't seem to be a problem.

DL Shaun Rogers, DET: Hall's interior linemate, Rogers has intrigued us with his potential ever since his breakout rookie year in 2001 (67 solo tackles, 3 sacks). He's been unable to reproduce that success to this point, but looks to be off on the right foot with eight solo tackles and 1.5 sacks through the first two games.

DL Julius Peppers, CAR: So, is this what all of the hype is about? Peppers looks well on his way to putting last years sophomore slump behind him, picking up six solo tackles in each of the first two games, including two sacks and two forced fumbles. One of the most talented defensive linemen in the league, he has the ability to dominate a game, which has helped both himself and those around him. Unfortunately, linemate Mike Rucker has missed the bus to this point in the year.

DL Greg Spires, TB: Spires wasn't supposed to retain his starting job coming into the year, many saying that he'd give way to second year man DeWayne White, but he isn't going away without a fight and he's never played better. Four solo tackles in each of the first two games, including a sack this past weekend should keep him on the field and in the starting lineup.

DL Tyler Brayton, OAK: Well, we knew that he had it in him. The only question coming into the year was whether or not the Raiders new defensive scheme would foster the breakout of a defensive lineman. Through two games, the answer has to be a resounding "YES!!!". Brayton has paced the way in Oakland with 10 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks and two passes defended.

DL Grant Wistrom, SEA: You know what, throw out week number one. Grant Wistrom was held without a solo tackle during his first game as a member of the Seahawks but we all know that's not a true gauge of his ability. He averaged 48 solo tackles from 00-03 while in St.Louis and gave us a glimpse of that plus some with six solo tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble this past weekend at Tampa Bay. When all is said and done, he should be able to match or better his career high numbers from 2000 with 51 solos and 11 sacks.

LB Nick Barnett, GB: You don't upgrade a stud, but this is just a reminder. Barnett has posted back to back great games, totaling 18 tackles (13 solo), a sack, interception, pass defended, and it doesn't appear that he'll suffering from the second year blues anytime soon.

LB Larry Foote, PIT: With Kendrell Bell nursing a groin injury, Larry Foote has stepped into the starting lineup and performed very admirably. With 11 solo tackles through two weeks he'll probably never be mistaken for Ray Lewis, but those numbers make him a nice #3-4 linebacker until Bell returns...which may be this upcoming weekend, so stay tuned.

LB Pisa Tinoisamoa, STL: Now here's a guy that entered the season on everyone's sleeper list that probably lost quite a few bandwagon members after his two solo tackle week one performance. A shoulder injury on opening day didn't force him off of the field, he played through it, but it certainly limited his ability to show us what he's all about. Listed as questionable much of last week, I don't think that there was any way they could keep this kid off the field...and they didn't. Nine tackles (eight solo) against the Falcons during week two are a much better sign of what to expect here.

LB Antonio Pierce, WAS: Filling in for Michael Barrow during the seasons first two games, Pierce has picked up 16 tackles (10 solo) and three passes defended. Barrow was listed as questionable heading into week two and it was thought that he may make an appearance, but it didn't happen. Once he returns, Pierce will obviously lose much of his value, but he's definitely a player to keep your eyes on should the injury bug strike again in D.C.

LB Julian Peterson, SF: During his first four seasons, Peterson has been a very streaky player. Much of this has stemmed from his versatility and his ability to play multiple positions throughout a game. He's a player that you take a big risk in when placing him in the Upgrade section because he could easily come out next week and post a goose egg. That being said, he looks really good this year. With 13 solo tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles during the seasons first two games, ride him while he. Who needs training camp.

LB Dan Morgan, CAR: Every day that Dan Morgan makes it through without getting injured is a day that he deserves an upgrade. Once again he shined this past weekend with eight solo tackles and a sack, giving him 17 solos through two games.

LB Monty Beisel, KC: If you don't know who Monty Beisel is, you're not alone. A three year vet heading into the year with 11 career solo tackles, he wasn't the first name mentioned when Mike Maslowski landed on the IR. When Kawika Mitchell wasn't healthy enough to step forward, the job was handed to Beisel and he hasn't looked back. With 15 solo tackles and an interception in the first two weeks, it doesn't look like he's leaving.

DB Marcus Coleman, HOU: The transition from cornerback to free safety has gone very smoothly for Marcus Coleman. One of the leagues most productive corners from 99-03 while with the Jets and Texans, Coleman averaged 55 solo tackles per year with 20 interceptions. He looks well on his way to a career high in tackles with six solos in each of his first two games as a safety.

DB Aeneas Williams, STL: You've got to be kidding me, this guy just won't go away (not that we want him to leave). Aeneas Williams left the Arizona Cardinals in 2001 with a Hall of Fame resume as one of the games elite cornerbacks. Now in his 14th NFL season, his second as a free safety in St.Louis, he continues to produce. His 14 solo tackles through two games make him a viable fantasy starter at 36 years old.

DB Cory Bird, IND: Mike Doss' replacement isn't the long term answer for your fantasy roster, but he could definitely help you over the next month or so as Doss tends to a hamstring injury. The nine solo tackles that he posted on Sunday lead to plenty of optimism.

DB Jay Bellamy, NO: Jay Bellamy doesn't have the measurables of a Roy Williams, or even a Tebucky Jones, but he seems to outproduce all of the supposed studs when he's on the field. Now in his 11th season at 32 years old, the yearly search to replace him will undoubtedly continue, but his production is definitely something that the fantasy community does not want to see go away. He's led the Saints in solo tackles during each of the first two games, picking up a total of 19 with two forced fumbles.

DB Erik Coleman, NYJ: He's a rookie, but he had reportedly beat out Reggie Tongue for the starting strong safety job in New York. With Jon McGraw out, Coleman has started the first two games at free safety, picking up an interception in both games and eight total tackles.

DB Adrian Wilson, ARI: The forgotten man. Considered a top five defensive back heading into last year, his third, Wilson disappointed many with his inconsistency and lack of big plays. There wasn't much talk revolving around Wilson this offseason, and he was almost moved to cornerback, but he's come though big time with 16 tackles (14 solo), three passes defended and a fumble recovery through two games. A year older, a year wiser.

DB Nick Harper, IND: Harper had a breakout season a year ago with 82 solo tackles and four interceptions, but it didn't look like he'd be given a chance for a repeat performance as the word was that he'd be replaced in the starting lineup entering this year. That never transpired, mainly because of an injury to Joseph Jefferson (his supposed replacement), and Harper looks to be wrecking havoc again. He's picked up nine solo tackles in the first two weeks with an interception in each game.

DOWNGRADES

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense: Sure, they haven't allowed a 100 yard rusher in 17 consecutive games and they've held together this team while their offense struggles, but that does nothing for IDP. With one sack and zero interceptions through two games, they haven't produced many fantasy performers outside of Mike Peterson.

Chicago Bears Defense: The Chicago Bears ended the 2003 season last in the league with 18 sacks, which set a franchise record low. With one sack through two games in 2004, they're hopin' that they can reach last years futility. The '85 Bears they are not. It wasn't supposed to happen this way with Lovie Smith taking over as head coach.

Buffalo Bills Pass Rush: The defensive end trio of Aaron Schobel, Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney has been held without a sack through two games, picking up a combined eight solo tackles. YUCK. This is especially concerning for Schobel, who has worked himself into consideration as a top 10 defensive lineman with very solid play over the last two seasons.

DL Adewale Ogunleye, CHI: The Bears have already been mentioned as a team, but Ogunleye deserves special discredit. Acquired not long before the season started, he's still learning to play within his new surroundings, but he's still a supposed top 10 defensive lineman who's produced but six solo tackles without a sack through his first two games as a Bear. He and Alex Brown, the new Leonard Little/Grant Wistrom, have been shut out.

DL Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB: So what do you make of this? He's been near invisible through two games, picking up just two assists without a sack. His stock had been dropping entering the season as the Packers expressed their interest in using him more as a situational player, but we never figured that it would get this bad.

DL Mike Rucker, CAR: Rucker has been feeding off Julius Peppers for the last two years, averaging 53 solo tackles and 11 sacks, building a reputation that left him mentioned among Michael Strahan and Jason Taylor. He did produce five solo tackles during week one but was shut out completely this week, and he's yet to record a sack. Another game or two of struggles by Rucker will leave me to believe that his production is taking a big hit as Peppers reasserts himself on the scene.

DL Eric Hicks, KC: This was supposed to be a breakout (again) year for Eric Hicks with Gunther Cunningham returning to Kansas City. Hicks flourished under Cunningham previously, picking up 14 sacks in 2000, and had aspirations of posting his first double-digit sack year since. He's off to a terrible start with just three solo tackles (no sacks) through two games.

DL Simeon Rice, TB: Like Eric Hicks, Rice has picked up just three solo tackles through two games without a sack. Unlike Hicks, Rice has been one of the most feared passes rushers in the game over the last half-dozen. He'll have to come on very strong to reach the 15+ sacks that he posted over the last two years.

DL Leonard Little, STL: I feel like I'm picking on the defensive linemen, but these guys have been horrible. Little has just one assist in two games, failing to show up in this weeks boxscore. Have the legal woes gotten to him? Possibly feeling the loss of Grant Wistrom, and the pressure of getting to the quarterback without the help of a fellow stud? Whatever it is, Little and the handful of other "big name" defensive linemen listed above have certainly handcuffed their owners to start the year.

LB Al Wilson, DEN: Over the last three seasons, Al Wilson had played in all 48 games without being completely shut out of the boxscore. It doesn't seem like that big of an accomplishment when you think about it. That is, until, you can't find his name when looking to see how many tackles your stud middle linebacker picked up for you this week. Zero solo tackles, zero assists, zero fantasy points. To be fair, the Denver Broncos totally dominated the time of possession battle with Jacksonville 37 minutes to 23, leaving the Broncos defenders very little time to rack up the stats. They only racked up 26 solo tackles as a team on Sunday, around half of the number that you'll see in a normal NFL game.

LB Jamie Sharper, HOU: After Sharper posted nine solo tackles in week one, it appeared that he was ready to pick up where he left off and live up to his #2 linebacker ranking. Two tackles (one solo) later and we're all scratching our heads.

LB Teddy Lehman, DET: This is a case of expecting too much from a player who's never played a snap of NFL football. Lehman came into the year with some pretty high expectations, especially when it was thought that he'd take over as either the Lions starter on the weakside or in the middle, but he's been sent to the fantasy wasteland (strongside), never to be heard from again. It's not that bad, but he still hasn't been very good with just seven solo tackles through two games.

LB Chris Draft, ATL: Out of all the players listed in this article, Chris Draft has to be considered the biggest disappointment. The progression of events reads like this: The Falcons spend the 2003 season in a 3-4 defense with Keith Brooking and Chris Draft in the middle. They both post over 100 solo tackles, Draft throws in two sacks and an interception. Atlanta then decides to switch back to a more conventional 4-3 defense, leaving Draft in the middle while sliding Brooking to the weakside. Good news all around, no? Not for Draft. He has just three tackles (two solo) in two games.

LB Joey Porter, PIT: This one-time fantasy stud is struggling. Playing OLB in Pittsburgh's 3-4 scheme has always limited Porter's tackle output, but it made him a pass-rushing machine that dropped the quarterback 28.5 times from 00-02. Last year, a preseason gunshot to the butt took him out of the first couple of games and he came back to produce below average numbers, by his standards (50 solo tackles, five sacks). This year, through two games, he's posted just five tackles (three solo) without sniffing wind of the quarterback. Without the sack, Porter becomes pretty much useless fantasy-wise.

LB Isaiah Kacyvenski, SEA: Can we have our Chad Brown back? When Brown went down and Kacyvenski was handed the starting job, we somewhat expected production similar to what IK gave us in a similar role during the 2002 season (52 solo tackles in 9 games). It doesn't look like it's going to happen as Kacyvenski has just five tackles (two solos) through two games.

INJURIES

DL Courtney Brown, CLE: Foot sprain, possibly done for year. Upgrade for Ebenezer Ekuban.

DL Paul Spicer, JAC: Broken leg. As if they're not having enough trouble along the defensive line.

DT Gerard Warren, CLE: Pectoral. Re-aggravated prior injury

DT Rod Coleman, ATL: Hamstring

DT Alphonso Boone, CHI: Knee

DT Kris Jenkins, CAR: Shoulder

LB Barrett Green, NYG: Ankle

LB Randall Godfrey, SD: Head

DB Mike Brown, CHI: Achilles'. Done for year. Upgrade for Bobby Gray, who will likely take Brown's spot in the starting lineup.

DB DeJuan Groce, STL: Knee

DB Deion Sanders, BAL: Hamstring

NOTES

DE Kenny Mixon is available to return to the Vikings this week after serving a two game suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. A starter for the past two seasons in Minnesota, Mixon's spot has been filled by Chuck Wiley during the first two games of the year.

CB Mike McKenzie returned to the Green Bay Packers this past week and saw a handful of plays in their nickel and dime packages. Barring a serious grudge by the Packers organization, it shouldn't be long before McKenzie works his way back into the starting lineup.