IDP Notes

DE Dwight Freeney wasn't even mentioned as being injured after the Colts week 2 win over Tennessee. Turns out, he suffered ankle and abdomen injuries that forced him to miss this past weeks game against Jacksonville. Chad Bratzke started in his place, across from Brad Scioli, and recorded a sack. There is a chance that Freeney could return for this weeks game against the Saints.

Less than 3 weeks after being injured in a drive by shooting, Steelers LB Joey Porter returned to the field and picked up 2 tackles, a sack, and recovered a fumble. His presense also seemed to wake up Kendrell Bell (2 sacks) and Jason Gildon (interception).

Seahawks rookie S Ken Hamlin was named the week 2 NFL Defensive Player of the Week for picking up 7 solo tackles and an interception against the Cardinals. Needless to say, Damien Robinson will not be starting in Seattle anytime soon...barring injury. He added five more solo tackles this week, giving him 17 in three games and a pace of 90+ for the season.

Chargers rookie LB Matt Wilhelm was arrested last week for driving under the influence. After battling with Zeke Moreno during preseason for the starting MLB job, he's fallen down the depth chart and out of the rotation.

The Bills plan are moving Takeo Spikes around so that offenses cannot key on him. It's worked so far this year as he's been outstanding in Buffalo, posting 20 tackles, a sack, and 2 interceptions through three games.

From starter to injured to unemployment. The Chargers have released CB Tay Cody who's been losing a battle with injuries along with the youth in San Diego's secondary.

What does Clark Haggans get for 15 tackles and a sack while filling in for Joey Porter? A spot on the kick coverage team.

As reported last week, rookie CB Eugene Wilson is the Patriots new starting free safety.

Kavika Pittman was a big part of the Panthers rotation at defensive end, usually coming in with fellow backup Al Wallace in order to rest starters Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. With Pittman now gone for the year with a torn ACL, they will scale back their rotation with Wallace playing alongside a starter at times. The bottom line is, the loss of Pittman should lead to more snaps for Peppers and Rucker and more opportunities for sacks. Bucs WR Keenan McCardell, who laid the chop block that knocked Pittman out, has been fined $12,500. He denies that it was an illegal block, saying that Pittman was not engaged with a blocker at the time.

Has Marvin Lewis had an affect on the Cincinnati's defense? In 02, the Bengals allowed 12 touchdown passes of at least 20 yards. So far in 03, they've allowed only one touchdown pass...total (Hines Ward, 7 yards)

S Travares Tillman was supposed to push Matt Stevens for the starting free safety job in Houston once he healed from a broken arm. Instead, he was released after the Texans signed ex-Jaguar Marlon McCree. Tillman was then signed by the Panthers.

Patriots LB Rosevelt Colvin is done for the year after having surgery to repair a fractured hip. Widely considered as the gem of last years free agent class, he ends the season with 5 tackles (3 solo) and 2 sacks. A full recovery is expected, which is great news considering that subluxation or avascular necrosis (Bo Jackson disease) had been mentioned. Colvin says that he'll be ready to go next season. Veteran Willie McGinest will take Colvin's spot in the starting lineup and slide down to defensive end when the Patriots utilize a 4-3 defense on passing downs. With the injuries to LBs Colvin and Ted Johnson, the Patriots may switch back to a base 4-3 defense.

Along with Colvin, the Patriots have lost nose tackle Ted Washington for "a couple of weeks" with a fractured leg. It must sound a lot worse than it is. Rick Lyle will move into the starting lineup.

Eagles S Clinton Hart picked up 6 solo tackles in his first start after replacing the injured Brian Dawkins, a feat that Dawkins has accomplished only 11 times over the last three seasons (44 games).

The Browns secondary was very confident going into last Sundays matchup against the 49ers. So confident, CB Daylon McCutcheon had this to say about Terrell Owens: "I think you can cover him man...I think you can catch him off guard when you play man just because he isn't used to it. I think he's not used to guys getting physical." S Earl Little added: ""We're not worried". Owens caught 8 passes for 90 yards on Sunday without scoring.

There is a riff between Bills WR Eric Moulds and Dolphins CB Patrick Surtain. It started last December when Moulds spit on Surtain, leading Surtain to take a swing at him. Moulds later said that he didn't mean to, which lead Surtain to call him "unmanly". What made their matchup on Sunday even more intriguing was the fact that Moulds had owned Miami over the last two seasons, posting 20 receptions, 489 yards and 4 touchdowns through 4 games. Moulds v. Surtain, 2003 Round 1: Moulds was held to 30 yards on 2 catches while the Dolphins defense dominated the Bills, holding them to 118 yards of total offense.

Has Bengals LB Kevin Hardy retired without telling anyone? His 16 tackles (10 solo) through three games are not what Cincinnati expected when they signed him to a mega-bucks contract over the offseason and made him their middle linebacker.

Hardy isn't the only one struggling in Cincinnati. Supposed-to-be stud DE Justin Smith has picked up only 4 solo tackles without a sack. It's amazing that the Bengals defense has found success with two of their top performers MIA.

Ravens CB Chris McAlister was held out of Sundays game for a violation of team rules. It's believed that he missed curfew on Thursday and then skipped a team meeting the following morning. Without McAlister in the lineup, the Ravens were able to hold Drew Brees in check (51.2 QB rating), although he did toss for 270 yards. He has been fined by the team and will return to the starting lineup this week.

Arizona S Adrian Wilson is not in danger of losing his starting job, but his mental mistakes have overshadowed his physical ability to this point. He's giving up too many big plays, and it doesn't end there. With 13 tackles (11 solo) on the year, he's been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments this side of Jason Taylor.

Speaking of Jason Taylor...during his last four matchups against the Bills, before Sunday nights game, he had posted 10 tackles and 4 sacks. He was primed to finally break out this year, but only picked up 1 assisted tackle. Par for the season I guess.

Saints third year LB Roger Knight made his first career start this past weekend, filling in for the injured Sedrick Hodge, and posted 6 tackles (5 solo).

There have been 17 interceptions returned for touchdowns in 03, a pace of 91 for the season. Last year there were 46.

Lions CB Andre Goodman dislocated his shoulder in Sundays loss to the Vikings and will likely miss the remainder of the season. He's the third cornerback that Detroit has lost for the season (Chris Cash and Chris Watson), meaning they will fall back on recently signed veterans Otis Smith and Alex Molden. Smith will start with Molden serving as the nickel back.

Tampa Bay LB Shelton Quarles, who's missed the first three games with a broken arm, will be upgraded to questionable and may play in the Buccaneers next game. They've got a bye during week 4, giving Quarles an extra week to heal.

Jets DE John Abraham pulled his hamstring in the first quarter of last Sundays game and missed most of the second half. His status for this weeks game is uncertain at this point. If he's unable to go, Bryan Thomas will see an increased workload.

Chiefs CB William Bartee is close to returning from the ankle injury that has kept him out of the first three games, but it's unlikely that he'll return to the starting lineup. His replacement, Dexter McCleon, has played well enough to keep Bartee on the bench.

Jaguars LB Keith Mitchell has yet to be cleared to play after suffering a scary neck injury during week 2.

Texans DL Gary Walker saw his first action of the year on Sunday after sitting out the first two games with a sprained shoulder. He picked up three assists, mainly playing in 3rd down pass rush situations, but may return to his regular role this week.

With Dan Morgan out, Panthers LB Will Witherspoon started week 2 at middle linebacker. Coming off of their bye, Morgan should be healthy enough to play, moving Witherspoon back to his weakside spot.

Local media outlets have compared Dan Morgan to Tim Biakabatuka and Jason Peters. All three were first round draft picks for the Panthers whose careers were plagued by injuries. This reportedly upset Morgan, but the fact is that he's played in only 21 of 34 possible games during his 2+ years in the league. Instead of being upset, he needs to come out and show that he's not injury prone, otherwise the comparisons are more than justified.

Watching the Patriots/Jets game, I thought for sure that CB Ty Law had broken his leg. That was ugly...and wrong. Law returned to the game and has called it a sprained ankle, saying that he will not miss any time.

Raiders S Rod Woodson started Monday nights game against the Broncos just 10 days after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. He played the entire game, picking up 9 tackles (8 solo), and didn't seem to be affected.

Look for Browns rookie LB Chaun Thompson to see an increase in playing time. He played well during his opportunities in the nickel package against the 49ers, leading head coach Butch Davis to say that he's earned more time on the field.

Falcons LB Sam Rogers needs to have knee surgery to repair cartilage damaged resulting from a preseason injury, but he says that can wait until the offseason. He's known for fighting through pain and injuries, playing last year with torn abdominal muscles.

With Jets LB Mo Lewis struggling (12 tackles through 3 games), head coach Herman Edwards may replace him with rookie Victor Hobson.

The New York Giants rank last in total defense through three weeks, and last in pass defense allowing 314.3 yards per game. They finished last year ranked 9th overall and 9th against the pass (194.9).

Please make Warren Sapp stop dancing...thanks