IDP Notes

Redskins S David Terrell, a starter during each of the last two seasons, has had such a bad attitude since being replaced by Ifeanyi Ohalete that he's been taken off of special teams duty and reportedly only remains on the team because of his veteran guaranteed contract.

Titans DT Robaire Smith has been fined $15,000 by the NFL for bumping an official during week one. That seems like quite a hefty fine for what appeared to be an accident, but the league has to set an example before the NFL starts to resemble other professional sports in regards to player/official contact. Smith has said that he'll appeal the fine.

Broncos DT Daryl Gardener is hoping to make his season/Denver debut on Monday night against the Raiders. He's missed the first two games with a wrist injury.

Jaguars DE Tony Brackens is still healthy after starting the first two games...I think.

After two games against high-profile offenses (Broncos and Raiders), the Bengals find themselves at 0-2 but #10 in overall defense. They finished last year ranked 18th. This has come without production from their three best defensive players. DE Justin Smith, MLB Kevin Hardy, and OLB Brian Simmons have combined for 18 solo tackles and zero sacks.

There's a chance that Steelers LB Joey Porter may see the field this weekend, making the "best case" of his original 2-6 week prognosis.

Cleveland LB Andra Davis has been outstanding with 22 tackles during his first two career starts.

Battle fo the Brothers: When Cincinnati traveled to Oakland this past Sunday, rookie TE Teyo Johnson got to play against his older brother, Bengals LB Riall Johnson. While Teyo recorded his first career reception, Riall left the game in the first with a strained calf and will likely be out 2-3 weeks.

The Titans are having trouble along the defensive line. DE Gary Walker has yet to play this year because of a sprained shoulder and DT Seth Payne is done for the year with a torn ACL. They've signed veteran DT Steve Martin to a one-year contract while rookie Terrence Martin will take Paynes spot in the starting lineup.

S Marlon McCree, a starter for the past two seasons in Jacksonville, has been released. He posted nice numbers last year with 71 tackles and 6 interceptions, but he has limited ability and was replaced in preseason by rookie Rashean Mathis.

Jaguars linebacker Keith Mitchell left Sundays game on a stretcher after sustaining a neck injury. He was released from the hospital a day later after undergoing tests and it is said that "The signs are good". His return to the field this year is uncertain, but that's insignificant at this point.

What is up with Miami DEs Jason Taylor and Adewale Ogunleye? They've combined for 5 tackles and a half sack over the first two games.

Dolphins CB Sam Madison and LB Zack Thomas were both listed as questionable entering Sundays game against the Jets, but they both started and combined for 12 solo tackles.

The Dolphins pass defense has been horrendous, ranking last in the league with an average of 316 yards per game allowed. Nickelback Jamal Fletcher has been replaced by Atruro Freeman, but that hasn't helped. This is very surprising, considering that their secondary is full of Pro Bowlers (Sam Madison, Patrick Surtain, Sammy Knight, Brock Marion). The lack of a pass rush has been a big culprit, and that should improve.

Veteran playmaker Roman Phifer will step in and replace ILB Ted Johnson in the Patriots starting lineup. Johnson will be out for up to 3 months with a broken foot.

Patriots OLB Rosevelt Colvin has suffered a hip injury and the team is being very hush about his prognosis. He left Sundays game during the first quarter and didn't return. It's being speculated that he could be lost for an "extended period of time".

Patriots rookie cornerback Eugene Wilson started Sundays game at free safety and may now be a fixture in the starting lineup.

Jets CB Donnie Abraham has a very impressive opening game with 6 solo tackles and an interception return for for a touchdown. Unfortunately, it looks like he'll miss 2 months after breaking his shoulder. Career nickleback Ray Mickens will take his spot in the starting lineup.

Jets DEs John Abraham and Shaun Ellis have had a very impressive start to the 03 season, combining for 26 tackles and 5 sacks. This is especially important for Ellis (11 tackles, 3 sacks), who may have been on his last leg with the Jets after suffering through two unproductive seasons.

Jets LBs Marvin Jones and Mo Lewis have had a very unimpressive start to the 03 season, combining for 11 solo tackles through two games. Look for rookie Victor Hobson to replace Lewis at some point this year.

Browns DE Courtney Brown is still healthy after starting the first two games...I think.

Raiders S Rod Woodson missed last weekends game against the Bengals after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery and will not be in the lineup on Monday night. He could sit out 2-3 more games. Starting CB Terrance Shaw took over for Woodson at free safety, which allowed Phiilip Buchanon to start on the corner.

Speaking of Buchanon, he may just be the best playmaker in the league. When he starts, he picks up interceptions. When he picks up interceptions, he returns them for touchdowns. Not to mention that he may also be the best punt returner.

Titans DT Albert Haynesworth is hurt, again. Ankle and knee injuries limited him as a rookie and a dislocated elbow will now have him out of the lineup "indefinitely".

Falcons LB Will Overstreet is having trouble with his left shoulder, again. This is the same shoulder that he had surgery on last year after dislocating it three times during preseason.

Atlanta was without both of their starting safeties this past weekend. SS Cory Hall has yet to play this year after signing as a free agent over the offseason and FS Keion Carpenter was nursing a hamstring. Gerald McBurrows and Kevin McCadam started in their place.

Carolina LBs Dan Morgan and Mike Caldwell should both be back for the Panthers next game (week 4). DE Kavika Pittman will not. He suffered a torn ACL and is done for the year.

Bears LB Warrick Holdman looks to be back and better than ever. He leads the Bears with 21 solo tackles through two games.

Although he's played in both games, Lions DE Kalimba Edwards has yet to record a tackle. A hernia has dimmed this star for the time being.

Can Nick Barnett play middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers? After two games, the answer is "yep". His week 2 performance of 14 tackles and an interception was a remarkable breakthrough after picking up just 1 solo tackle during week one.

Packers S Darren Sharper, nursing a groin injury, has started both games but hasn't been the player we've become accustomed to. From the beginning, I thought they should've shut him down to heal completely, without risking having this injury linger throughout the season. That hasn't happened, and he's been a disappointment. The good news has been no news.

DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila failed to show up in the boxscore on Sunday. It's the first time during his career that he's started a game without recording at least a tackle.

Minnesota's defense, 3rd against the run and 4th overall, has surprisingly been a major factor in their 2-0 start.

The Saints have signed veteran safety Victor Green. Once considered one of the top safeties in the league, he'll provide quality depth while backing up Tebucky Jones and Jay Bellamy.

Speaking of Jay Bellamy, how did this guy lose his starting gig over the offseason? To an unproven second-year player, to boot. It had to do with a lack of speed, but he's on a mission and has led the team in tackles during both of their games (19 total).

The Saints have lost starting SLB Sedrick Hodge for 6-8 weeks with a hairline fracture in his leg. Roger Knight will take his place in the lineup, while James Allen should also see increased playing time. Rookie DT Johnathan Sullivan will be lost for 2-3 weeks as he has surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee. Kenny Smith will fill in for Sullivan. To complete the trifecta, starting cornerback Dale Carter will be lost for a month with a fractured bone around his eye.

DE Willie Whitehead has played very well while replacing Darren Howard in New Orleans starting lineup. He's picked up a sack in each game (3 on the year) to go along with 11 tackles, making a nice compliment for Charles Grant.

Giants LB Michael Barrow, 19 tackles on Monday night. Yikes! Dhani Jones, 15 tackles and a sack. Double Yikes!! The Cowboys offenses was on the field for over 42 minutes (compared to the Giants 26), which led to plenty of tackle padding for New York defenders.

The Eagles did not lose a starter this week, but they did lose backup DT Paul Grasmanis for the season with a torn Achilles'. They've signed ex-Giant Frank Ferrara to take Grasmanis' spot.

DT Norman Hand has helped Seattle go from last in the league against the run (allowed 152.06 yards per game in 02) to a respectable 15th (98.0). He may miss the Seahawks upcoming game against the Rams with a case of turf toe, which would make this a good week for Marshall Faulk to break out.

San Francisco's closest thing to a star this year has been LB Julian Peterson (15 tackles, 1 sack). That makes it even more remarkable that they're the leagues #1 defense with only 405 yards allowed through two games.

"Sapp, paging Mr.Warren Sapp. The 03 season has started and you've yet to show up." In the boxscore, at least. The Bucs defense is rolling, so it's hard to complain.

"Brooks, paging..." Nevermind. Nate Webster has looked nice while replacing Shelton Quarles and leads the team with 17 tackles.

The first step in recovery is admitting that you have a problem. Simeon Rice is a stud. There, I admitted it.

Titans DE JeVon Kearse is still healthy after starting the first two games...I think.