IDP Notes

Last year, Houston finished 28th in the league, allowing an average of 130.6 rushing yards per game. This year, they currently rank 19th at 110.8, but haven't allowed a a 100 yard performance in games against Ricky Williams (MIA), Deuce McAllister, Priest Holmes and Fred Taylor

Through five games, the Broncos have allowed just one rushing touchdown (Zack Crockett). Like Houston, this is very impressive considering the talent of the running backs that they've faced (Corey Dillon, LaDanian Tomlinson, Charlie Garner and Priest Holmes)

Bear rookie CB Charles Tillman replaced Jerry Azumah in the starting lineup this past weekend, making his first NFL start. He picked up six solo tackles and one pass defended as Chicago beat the Raiders, limiting Rich Gannon to 183 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions

Bears rookie LB Lance Briggs also picked up his first NFL start, replacing Bryan Knight as the starting strongside linebacker. He didn't fare too well with only one solo tackle

Bears LB Warrick Holdman sprained his ankle against the Raiders and is expected to miss two weeks. Initial reports had Bryan Knight returning to the lineup, on the strongside, with Lance Briggs moving into Holdman's weakside spot. Now it appears that Briggs will stay put, Knight will remain on the bench, and rookie LB Joe Odom will start at WLB

Atlanta CB Tyrone Williams was suspended for last Sundays game for "conduct detrimental to the team." They could've used him against Randy Moss, who picked up five catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns

Rams DL Tyoka Jackson, talking about fellow linemate Leonard Little: "Get DL Leonard Little in the Pro Bowl where he belongs. He is an every-down player. He's getting sacks, causing fumbles. He's getting tackles for loss. He's playing every down. What do you want from a guy? You name one other defensive lineman, period, who's playing better than him. I can't name one." I agree. Little has had an outstanding first month of the season with 14 solo tackles and five sacks

Titans LB Peter Sirmon fractured two transverse processes (back injury) in the first quarter of their week four matchup against the Steelers. Rocky Boiman stepped in and became a one man wrecking crew, sacking Tommy Maddox in the end zone for a safety and later retuning an interception for a touchdown, a performance which earned him the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week award. With Sirmon out this week, Boiman followed that up with a nine tackles (7 solo) in a loss to the Patriots

Falcons LB Will Overstreet was placed on the injured reserve after undergoing season ending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left shoulder. It's the same shoulder that he had surgery on three times during the offseason of 02

Falcons S Cory Hall underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and will likely be out again this week. He has played in just two games this season after signing as a free agent from Cincinnati, picking up eight solo tackles

Texans CB Aaron Glenn's staus is uncertain right now for the upcoming week with a groin injury. If he's unable to play, nickel back Kenny Wright will start in his place. Wright filled in for Glenn during week four and posted five tackles, five passes defended and two interceptions. Fellow starting cornerback Marcus Coleman is off to a fantastic start with 14 solo tackles, four interceptions and eight passes defended through the first four games. He was named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Month for September

Jets DE John Abraham was charged with driving while intoxicated after driving his vehicle into a fire hydrant and lightpole. He has plead guilty to a lesser charge, driving while impaired, and there is no word on sanctions from either the Jets or the NFL

With Abraham suffering from a hamstring injury during week four, the Jets, rather than turning to 01 first round pick Bryan Thomas, decided to go with DT Chester McGlockton. They have obviously lost faith in Thomas

The Minnesota Vikings lead the league with 13 interceptions (Brian Russell-5, Corey Chavous-4). Russell has picked up an interception in each of the first five games and has credited his background as a quarterback for being in the right position to make plays on the ball. DATASOURCE="fp">
While no San Francisco 49er has over 2.5, 10 players have picked up at least a partial sack, helping them to a league leading total of 15 (tied with the Giants). DATASOURCE="fp">
Vikings DT Chris Hovan was fined $7,500 by the NFL for his week four slamming of 49er QB Jeff Garcia. On a side note, Hovan has five total tackles through five games

Redskins CB Champ Bailey is set to become a very rich man in the near future (or very richer, I should say). A free agent when the season ends, Washington is said to be making progress on a contract extension. If they are unable to sign him during the season, they will slap him with the franchise tag, paying him the average of the top five cornerbacks in the league for one season. Needless to say, he will be in a Washington uniform next year. Bailey was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Week for his week four performance against the Patriots, which included an interception and forced fumble while playing with an injured shoulder

The Arizona Cardinals have signed LB Ray Thompson to a four-year contract extension

Buccaneers CB Brian Kelly is doubtful for this weekends game with a left pectoral strain. If he's unable to go, they may move starting free safety Dwight Smith to cornerback (he was the teams nickel back last year), with backup safety Jermaine Phillips taking over for Smith's safety spot

Ravens rookie LB Terrell Suggs has been named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September. He picked up a sack in each of his first four NFL games, but has only one non-sack solo tackle on the year. I do not agree. Packers rookie LB Nick Barnett has officially been hosed. (25 solo tackles, a sack and two interceptions in September)

Panthers DE Mike Rucker has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September, where he led the league with five sacks and picked up 11 solo tackles in just three games

In order to make room for Torrance Marshall, coming off of a four game suspension to start the season, the Green Bay Packers released rookie CB Erwin Swiney. Marshall played during week five, picking up two special teams assists, but will likely be worked into the defense in upcoming weeks

Through four games, Packers DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila played in 81.4% of the defensive snaps, averaging 58 snaps per game, which is almost six snaps more than he averaged in 12 games as a starter last year. Unfortunately, that hasn't led to more sacks. He has just two on the year (five games) after postiong 25.5 over the last two seasons

Bengals CB Jeff Burris was taken off the field in an ambulance after injuring his neck in the third quarter of Sunday's game at Buffalo, but he should be fine after some ice and rest. Nothing serious, luckily

The Cowboys defense recorded two safeties during their week five matchup against the Cardinals, the first time that feat has been accomplished since 1972. The NFL record is three

CB Dale Carter was supposed to miss up to three more weeks after undergoing surgery to repair his left orbital socket, but he returned to the Saints starting lineup this past weekend and posted three tackles (2 solo). He helped hold Panthers QB Jake Delhomme to just 124 passing yards, but didn't offer much support against Stephen Davis (season high 159 rushing yards)

Raiders rookie DE Tyler Brayton picked up his first career sack in week 5. DATASOURCE="fp">
Titans CB Samari Rolle will be lost for 3-6 weeks with a dislocated left elbow. Tony Beckham will likely start, although rookie Andre Woolfolk will also be in the mix

Dan Klecko, AKA Slash. Against Tennessee, the Patriots rookie defender played nose tackle in the 3-4, defensive tackle in the 4-3, and outside linebacker. He was also the fullback on offense during touchdown runs by Antowain Smith and Mike Cloud

The Denver Broncos have decided to release veteran safety Lee Flowers instead of activating him to the 53 man roster. He was set to return after serving a four game suspension to start the season

Bears DT Keith Traylor had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be lost for 3-4 weeks. Alphonso Boone will take his place in the starting lineup

Panthers LB Dan Morgan played during week five, but he was not 100%. The hamstring injury that forced him to miss the previous two games flared up early and limited him to running downs. He hopes to return to practice on Wednesday at full strength and will be ready for this weekends game. I have this weird feeling that Dan Morgan is still going to have a huge season, just don't quote me on that

Bengals DE Duane Clemons posted the first three sack game of his nine year career this past weekend against the same quarterback that he recorded his first two career sacks...Drew Bledsoe

The Eagles are expecting to have both of their starting CBs, Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor, back for this weekends matchup with the Cowboys. Unfortunately, Brian Dawkins has already been ruled out

During the last two games, the Pittsburgh Steelers have held their opponents to 2.7 yards per carry while giving up just 369 passing yards. They lost both games by a combined score of 63-26. What happened? During the two losses, they've forced just six incompletions while giving up five touchdowns passes. They averaged just 3.0 yards per carry and their own QB, Tommy Maddox, went without a touchdown while throwing four interceptions

Raiders DE DeLawrence Grant, a starter for the first three games, was inactive on Sunday and was not listed on the injury report. It looks like he's fallen out of the rotation for now in favor of Trace Armstrong and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila

Dolphins LB Junior Seau, coming off of his best game of the season (13 tackles), may miss this weeks game because of a strained hamstring. Tommy Hendricks will step in if Seau is unable to play

Browns DE Courtney Brown, the number one overall selection in the 2000 draft, picked up two sacks on Sunday. That gives him four for the year and 15 for his career, eight of which have come against the Steelers

Chargers DE Adrian Dingle and LB Carlos Polk both underwent minor surgery to clean debris from their knees. With a bye during week six, they are both expected to be ready for their week seven matchup with the Browns

New Orleans CB Keyuo Craver has been suspended for the Saints next four regular-season games for violating the NFL Substance Abuse Policy

The Lions have cut CB Alex Molden, who was signed less than a month ago because of the rash of injuries they have suffered at cornerback (Chris Cash, Andre Goodman & Chris Watson all lost for the season). This doesn't say much for Molden's ability at this stage of his career

Rams S Jason Sehorn, who has yet to play a down for Saint Louis because of a fractured foot, may return on Monday night against the Falcons

Broncos DT Daryl Gardener, rumored to return for the last three weeks from a broken wrist but yet to see the field this year, spent the weekend in the hospital being treated for strep throat. He is questionable for this weekends game against the Steelers, but I wouldn't count on it