IDP Notes

If Redskins DE Bruce Smith is to catch Reggie White for the career sack title, he's going to have to do it coming off of the bench. During week nine, Smith played in his first game since 1996 that he didn't start, and did the same during week 10. It's not set in stone that his starting days are over, but he will split snaps with starter Regan Upshaw. It may not matter as Smith recorded a sack during Sundays win over Seattle and finds himself within a half sack of tying White.

LB Jason Gildon became Pittsburgh's career sack leader with three on Sunday and 76 for his career. This is his 10th year in Pittsburgh and he's started every game since 1997. L.C.Greenwood previously held the record with 73.5.

The Buccaneers set an NFL record by recording a sack in 69 consecutive games. The previous record was held by Dallas with with a sack in 68 straight games from 1976-1980.

Remember T.J.Slaughter? The former Jaguars LB who was accused of pointing a gun at two men and then released by Jacksonville (said to be performance related)? Well, prosecutors have dropped the charges and Slaughter was signed on Tuesday by the Green Bay Packers.

Prior to this weeks matchup between the Jacksonville and Indianapolis, Jaguars RB Fred Taylor had a message for Colts rookie S Mike Doss. "I'm going to punish him (Colts S Mike Doss). I'm going to bust his (butt)". He threw this in for good measure: "If you want to see No.20, watch Donovin Darius, not Mike Doss living off your college name. He's a rookie, probably out there shivering in his boots." If you saw the play, you know that Taylor stood behind his words as he flattened Doss during what turned out to be a game winning 32 yard touchdown run.

The Broncos have placed LB John Mobley on the injured reserve with a bruised spinal cord, officially ending his season. He may have played his last down in the NFL. With Mobley and Ian Gold both gone for the year, the Broncos have moved rookie LB Terry Pierce outside. He was being groomed as MLB Al Wilson's replacement if he decided to leave as a free-agent after this year. Pierce may now find himself in the starting lineup with Mobley's replacement, Donnie Spragan, being hobbled with an ankle injury. Cornerback Ryan McNeil, who was released by the Chargers during preseason, was signed and will fill the open roster spot left with Mobley going to the IR.

Titans rookie CB Andre Woolfolk had surgery on his ankle and will miss the rest of the regular season. Tennessee will likely keep him off of the injured reserve with hopes that he's able to make it back for the playoffs.

Saints CB Keyuo Craver is eligible to be reinstated by the NFL after serving his four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He'll likely fill the open roster spot left when the team released DT Grady Jackson.

DT Josh Evans has returned to the Jets after the NFL lifted his suspension after eight games for violating its drug policy. Although he didn't see the field this weekend, he's said to be in good shape and may play during week 11.

Rookie DB Rashean Mathis, a starter at safety during the first seven games for the Jaguars, has replaced Jason Craft as the starting cornerback. Second year player Deke Cooper took over for Mathis at free safety.

Eagles rookie DE Jerome McDougle, who's missed the first eight games of the year with hip/knee/ankle injuries, made his NFL debut on Monday night against the Packers and picked up one assist.

The Vikings defense was covered up early in the season with big plays, but they've been exposed during their recent three game slide and changes are in order. The cornerback shuffle continues, and Ken Irvin will likely return to his nickel back role (if healthy). LB Nick Rogers, S Willie Offord and DE Lance Johnstone, situational players to this point, will be given strong consideration for time in the base defense. It's intersting that Offord was mentioned as that could send early season darling Brian Russell to the bench.

The New York Sack Exchange? The Giants lead the league with 28 sacks on the year, Jets are tied with San Francisco for second with 27. All three, including a handfull of other teams, have more than Chicago (7), Arizona (8) and Houston (8) combined.

Buccaneers DE Simeon Rice guaranteed a victory last Sunday with a vow to "take over the game" IF Tampa Bay shut down the Panthers running game. Well, Tampa Bay shut down the running game (31 carries, 78 yards), and Rice sort of took over (two fourth quarter sacks), but the Bucs did not win.

The Seahawks find themselves in a very favorable situation with three starting quality cornerbacks. Ken Lucas has been the most productive, but he's been dinged up and will be the nickel back for a while. Shawn Springs and rookie Marcus Trufant will continue to start. The team hopes that Springs can regain his pre-shoulder injury form, otherwise it won't be long before Lucas returns to the starting lineup. They didn't perform very well this week as Laveranues Coles and Rod Gardner combined for 13-206 and two touchdowns.

Colts DE Dwight Freeney was name the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his three sack, two forced fumble performance against the Dolphins during week nine. He followed that up with a sackless effort during this weeks loss to the Jaguars. At his current pace, Freeney will have the third most sacks for any player in their first two NFL seasons, behind only Reggie White and Derrick Thomas.

Giants DT Keith Hamilton was busted in May for cocaine possession and he was likely to receive discipline from the NFL. In what may be his final season, he has passed on a plea bargain and will be allowed to playout the entire year as it'll be months before the case goes to trial.

In a post-week nine stat change, Redskins LB LaVar Arrington was credited with a sack on a play that was originally credited to the "team". He could use it as it was just his second sack of the season after picking up 11 last year. The 'Skins have talked about increasing Arrington's role as a pass rusher, but it hasn't shown up in the boxscore.

Saints DE Darren Howard, who's been out since disclocating his wrist during week one, should return to the field during week 11. This will likely push Willie Whitehead, coming off of a three sack performance before their bye week, to defensive tackle.

The San Francisco 49ers will retire Ronnie Lott's uniform number during next Monday night's game against the Steelers.

Jaguars DE Hugh Douglas received a $6 million bonus when he signed with Jacksonville over the offseason. During week nine, he played in just 18 snaps. Now that's getting bang for your buck.

Dallas LB Dat Nguyen is looking to become just the third Cowboys linebacker in the past 20 years to make the Pro Bowl. He leads the team with 69 total tackles, has a career-high in both sacks (2) and passes defended (5), and has helped lead Dallas to the top overall defensive ranking (third against the run).

Vikings special teams standout Jack Brewer will miss the remainder of the season with a ruptured right pectoral. That sounds painfull.

The Dolphins have placed S Trent Gamble on the injured reserve after he sustained a significant right knee injury during this weeks game against the Titans.

Browns CB Daylon McCutcheon has called out Chiefs WR Johnnie Morton. McCutcheon suffered a hyper-extended knee on Sunday and says that the cut block laid by Morton was a "cheap shot". McCutcheon's status for this weekend is uncertain.

Seahawks DT Norman Hand has decided to undergo season-ending surgery on his torn right bicep. He was replaced in the starting lineup on Sunday by Rashad Moore, although John Randle should also see an increase in snaps. This is a definite hit to Seattle's run defense as there was a chance that Hand could play through the injury.

Jaguars DT Marcus Stroud has been fined $5,000 for his hit on Steve McNair during week nine. "It's how all the quarterbacks are being protected," Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio said. "The league has made it very clear we're going to protect the quarterback, and certainly a guy who is an MVP candidate."

After playing about 20 snaps in each of his first two games with Washingotn, the Redskins are hoping that DT Darrell Russell will play a full game this week against the Carolina Panthers and Stephen Davis (possibly).

Others placed on the injured reserve were Lions CB Rod Babers, Buccaneers S John Howell and Giants CB Will Peterson. After placing Peterson on the IR, the Giants signed CB Ike Charlton.

The Eagles hope to have Brian Dawkins back at practice on Wednesday and there's an outside chance that he could see the field this weekend.

Broncos S Kenoy Kennedy was fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness during their week nine game against the Patriots.