IDP Notes

In a move that was expected, the Atlanta Falcons shook up their secondary on Sunday, replacing starting cornerbacks Ray Buchanan and Tyrone Williams with Todd McBride and Juran Bolden. Buchanan thinks that the team is looking for a scapegoat while Williams, who is healthy, was listed inactive for the first time during his eight year career. The move did not help as Donovan McNabb passed for 312 yards with one touchdown during the Eagles 23-16 victory. Rookie DB Bryan Scott was expected to start at strong safety, but that didn't happen.

The Redskins signed DT Darrell Russell last week to a one year contract last week worth $800,000. They didn't waste any time in getting Russell onto the field, and it paid off with a forced fumble against the Cowboys.

Ravens LB Ray Lewis, on teammate Terrell Suggs: ``It would be hard for me to say how Suggs is playing, because I evaluate the defense as a whole,'' LB Ray Lewis said. ``I think he's playing great when he comes in, and does everything we ask of him. There's nothing else we can ask than that.'' It's hard for us to evaluate Suggs also. He's picked up six sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception through eight games, but he's totaled only nine solo tackles.

Giants DE Michael Strahan was named the NFCs Defensive Player of the Week for his two sack performance during week eight, helping New York defeat the then-undefeated Vikings. It was his third straight game with two sacks.

In a post-game stat change, JeVon Kearse was credited with a sack during week eight on a play that was originally ruled an interception by Titan DT Robaire Smith. It gave Kearse 7.5 sacks on the year, a pace that would better the 14.5 that he posted as a rookie (rookie record).

Jaguars LB Keith Mitchell returned to practice last week for the first time since suffering a neck injury during week two. He was questionable to play on Sunday, but was listed as inactive.

Because MLB Lester Towns struggled in place of injured Dan Morgan (concussion) last weekend, the team may consider shifting WLB Will Witherspoon to the middle if Morgan cannot play in Week 9. The team could then use either Brian Allen or Mike Caldwell on the weak side of the formation.

Carolina LB Greg Favors, who's replaced Mark Fields in the starting lineup, has been struggling and may soon be replaced himself by Mike Caldwell. Caldwell will get a look on the strongside during practice this week.

Jets rookie LB Victor Hobson replaced Mo Lewis (out with hip/hamstring injuries) in the starting lineup on Sunday and performed very well, picking up 11 tackles (seven solo). Looked at as Lewis' eventual replacement on the strongside in New York, Herman Edwards isn't ready to hand him the starting job just yet. Look for Lewis to return to the lineup when healthy. Before this game, Lewis had started 103 consecutive games.

The Steelers traded up in the first round for the first time in team history to draft S Troy Polamalu. Early indications are that it was a bad decision.

A lingering sprained ankle, which he injured during training camp, has landed Jaguars cornerback James Trapp on the injured reserve. He had been playing through the injury, but re-aggravated it during week eight.

Titans head coach Jeff Fisher has said that even if rookie CB Andre Woolfork requires surgery to repair his injured ankle, he will not go on the injured reserve. Rehab for the surgery would be around 10 weeks, leaving an outside chance that Woofork could make it back to the field later in the year. It's not yet known whether he will rewuire surgery or not, but he will not be on the field anytime soon.

Seahawks DT Cedric Woodard has been working with the #1 defense in place of John Randle. If all goes well with Woodard, this will allow the soon-to-be 36 year old Randle to become a third-down player.

The Bears signed S Mike Green to a five-year contract extension, preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He's been a tackling machine over the last two seasons, averaging over 5.5 solo tackles per game, but has missed the last two games with a groin injury.

The Steelers have led the AFC in sacks during the past two seasons, but have just 18 through eight games this year (9th in AFC). Five of those came this past weekend against the Seahawks.

The Lions are having a hard time this year finding healthy bodies to play cornerback. They signed former Packer/Panther/Seahawk Doug Evans last week and he was forced into the starting lineup on Sunday when Dre Bly was made inactive (leg injury). Luckily for Detroit, they played the hapless Raiders, and Evans played a key factor in their 23-13 victory with five solo tackles and a forced fumble.

Packers MLB Nick Barnett was named Rookie Defensive Player of the Month for October. In three games, he picked up 28 tackles (23 solo) and a sack, and was the only Green Bay defender to play all 203 defensive snaps.

Raiders CB Phillip Buchanon replaced Terrance Shaw in the starting lineup this week with full-backing from S Rod Woodson. "Phil can play," Woodson said. "He's a ball hawk. It's hard to keep a guy like that off the field." Buchanon was held without a tackle against the Lions, although they did hold Detroit's passing game in check (relatively, considering that the Raiders lost).

Raiders CB Charles Woodson criticized Bill Callahan in an interview with ESPN's Andrea Kremer, calling the second-year Oakland coach egotistical and unreceptive. Woodson said the Oakland Raiders are "falling apart" because coach Bill Callahan is too headstrong and not as good a communicator as predecessor Jon Gruden and claimed that "everybody" on Oakland's roster agrees with him about Callahan. Currently, Woodson and Callahan have no plans to talk. The term "Black Hole" has never been more apt when describing the Raiders than it is right now.

With injuries depleting their secondary, starting S Zack Bronson and backup Ronnie Heard were both out this past weekend, the 49ers turned to John Keith. Keith made the move from practice squad to starting lineup this week, a move that he's getting used to. Just last year he made the same jump, starting three games while Bronson and Heard were out.

The chances that Washington will sign CB Champ Bailey to a contract extension before the season is over are looking slimmer as each week passes. The nine year, $55 million offer that they had on the table (which was turned down) wouldn't even fit with the teams current cap situation. If Bailey hits the free-agent market, there will be some very heavy bidding over the offseason.

Eagles LB Mark Simoneau has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. In four games, Simoneau picked up 36 tackles (29 solo) and two sacks, helping the Eagles go 3-1.

Keith Bulluck, the correct spelling is with a "U"

Saints RB Deuce McAllister has rushed for over 100 yards for six consecutive games, a team record, and is averaging 97 rushing yards per game. Panthers RB Stephen Davis has rushed for over 100 yards in six of eight games this year, averaging 124 rushing yards per game. Amazingly, these two combined for just 22 rushes and 28 yards during their games against the Titans.

Over the last three years (6 games from 00-02), Darren Sharper picked up 32 solo tackles, 6 interceptions & 7 passes defended against Minnesota. This year he totaled just 5 solo tackles in two games (no int or pd).

The Saints cut DT Grady Jackson on Monday, one day after he served a one-game suspension for what team officials called "conduct detrimental to the team". New Orleans now has an open roster spot that will likely be filled by CB Keyuo Craver, who's eligible to return after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. On Tuesday, Jackson was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers. The Panthers also attempted to pick up Jackson, but Green Bay has a worse record.

Broncos S Kenoy Kennedy had gone 20 games without recording either a sack, interception, or fumble recovery. That is, until Monday night. Before halftime against the Patriots, Kennedy had picked off a pass and recovered a fumble.

Jets DE John Abraham will miss this weeks game against the Raiders with a strained groin, the second straight game that he has sat out.

Eagles rookie DE Jerome McDougle will likely see his first action of the year this weekend against the Packers. He's been inactive for the first eight games with leg and ankle injuries.

Eagles S Brian Dawkins has began running, but he's still at least a few weeks away from returning. He's missed the last seven games with a Lis Franc foot sprain.

Buccaneers S Jermaine Phillips, who started the last two games in place of John Lynch, broke his forearm on Sunday and will be out four to six weeks.

It looks like the only thing that could stop Saints DE Willie Whitehead on Sunday was dehydration. After picking up three sacks, a forced fumble, five solo tackles and a pass defended against the Bucs, and playing in 65 of 68 defensive plays, Whitehead spent the night in a Tampa Bay hospital as a precautionary measure. His outstanding performance earned him Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Bengals CB Jeff Burris has suffered two concussions over the last four weeks. He'll undergo tests this week and his status for this weekend is uncertain.

The Titans secondary will get a boost this weekend as they expect to have Samari Rolle back in the lineup. He's missed the last three games with a dilocated elbow.

Seahawks DT Norman Hand is out indefinitely with a torn tendon in his right biceps. It could be season ending, or he could take the Gilbert Brown approach and just play through the pain. He previously suffered the same injury (different arm) and opted not to have surgery.

Vikings LB Chris Claiborne has been playing hurt (foot/shoulder) and that probably won't change anytime soon. He does plan on undergoing an MRI this week but doesn't plan on missing any time. He has to cut the back of his left shoe to make room for the bump on the back on his foot. "You do what you've got to do," he said. "I have to play through it. Once you get out there, you're out there. I missed some plays I should make all the time."

It was rumored that Vikings CB Ken Irvin was going to replace Brian Williams in the starting lineup, but Williams started across from Denard Walker during Sunday nights game against the Packers. Now it looks like Irvin will replace Walker, not Williams. Either way, after being the teams nickel back through the first half of the season, it looks like Irvin will start somewhere. The Vikes will also look to get MLB E.J.Henderson involved more, replacing starter Greg Biekert in certain situations.

Jets DT Josh Evans has been reinstated after serving a suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. He may be activated within the next couple of weeks.

Steelers CB DeWayne Washington has started every game during his 10 year career, 151 consecutive. That streak will come to an end soon as he's being replaced in the starting lineup by Deshea Townsend. The move is being made by head coach Bill Cowher with the hopes of shaking up his underperforming defense.

Redskins DE Bruce Smith is still 1.5 sacks away from tying Reggie White for the all-time lead. What once looked like a sure thing to happen this year doesn't look so certain at this point. Smith will get the record...eventually. He's upset with his limited role in this past weekends game. This "outburst" may just lead to more playing time and more opportunity.

Broncos LB John Mobley, who missed last weeks game after bruising his spinal cord during week eight, hopes to return after the teams bye this week.

Did you catch who was covering David Givens when he caught the game winning touchdown on Monday night? It's unfortunate, because it looked like Deltha O'Neal just may have gotten out of Mike Shanahan's doghouse with his punt return for a touchdown.

Things that make you go "Hmmm...": There are 24 players with 60+ total tackles this year, 19 of which are from the AFC. There are 16 players on pace for double digit sacks, six of which are on pace for 15+. Last year, there were 16 players who recorded double digit sacks, but only two who made it over 15. Rod Woodson and Brian Kelly led the league last year with eight interceptions. There are eight players on pace to match that total this year, four of whom are on pace for 10+. Looks like a very nice year for IDP's.