Philly, We Have a Problem...

What once looked like one of the most promising units in the league has turned to rubble as the Eagles lost their third defensive lineman in three weeks to injury. First, it was Jamaal Green, the rookie fifth round pick who had worked himself into the rotation with a strong offseason. Not considered a huge blow because of their depth at the time, a fractured fibula forced him onto the IR. Next was rookie first round pick Jerome McDougle, who suffered leg and hip injuries shortly after Green went down. The bad news was that he'll likely miss the first two regular season games. The good news was that they still had three capable ends in N.D.Kalu, Brandon Whiting and Derrick Burgess. Well, the biggest blow has come this past week with Burgess tearing his Achilles' tendon in practice last Friday. Already recovering from a foot injury that cost him all but one game in 02, he was considered to possibly be the most talented of the bunch. Lost for the season, that leaves only Kalu and Whiting (who sustained a hamstring inkury of his own on Monday night, listed as questionable) to hold down the fort until McDougle returns and/or they find some help elsewhere. Marco Coleman, a castoff from Jacksonville who's considered to be on his last leg, was recently signed and will be expected to immediately join the rotation. This could still end up being a unit of strength if Kalu's newfound bulk allows him to hold up for everydown play and McDougle is able to add a spark when he returns, but it could also get ugly with Philly fans having visions of Hugh Douglas' 12.5 sacks per year in their head. With one of the leagues best secondary's, the Eagles are starting a project at middle linebacker (Mark Simoneau) and were relying heavily on their defensive line to help them live up to their top 3 ranking. At this point, that looks like a stretch. Monday night, Whiting, Kalu and Coleman combined for 6 tackles while the Eagles failed to record a sack.

Did I say one of the leagues best secondaries? Not after Monday night. All Pro free safety Brian Dawkins has been lost for a undetermined amount of time with a foot injury (believed to be a Lis Franc fracture which costs many players their entire season) and starting cornerback Bobby Taylor could be out for two weeks with an injured Plantar Fascia muscle in his foot. They do not have the depth in the secondary that they had last year with Al Harris (now in Green Bay) at corner and Michael Lewis (now a starter) at safety, but they do have an early bye (week 3) which may soften the blow. They will be seriously tested during their next two games against the Patriots and Bills.

Around The League

• S Jon McGraw (NYJ) left Thursday nights game with a concussion after a 2nd quarter helmet to helmet hit on Redkins tight end Robert Royal. He did not return to the game and should be hearing from the league offices regarding a fine.



• Did the Washington Redskins tamper with Lawyer Milloy, offering him a contract before he was released by the Patriots? That's what Milloy told SI.com. The Redskins obviously deny the accusations.



• After picking up 28 sacks last year, Jason Taylor and Adewale Ogunleye posted 0 against last years swinging gate, the Houston Texans. Ogunleye suffered a knee "irritation" during the game, but Taylor has no excuse.



• After releasing Lawyer Milloy, the Patriots placed Antwan Harris into the starting lineup against the Buffalo Bills. He had a tough game and they may look to Chris Akins in week 2.



• Ravens LB Ray Lewis and Steeler LB Joey Porter almost exchanged blows after their teams' matchup this past weekend. Porter reportedly took exception to Lewis immitating his "celebration". It was not reported whether or not Lewis' limo driver was nearby.



• Speaking of Porter, there is an outside chance (listed at 25%) that he may see the field this weekend. That would be outstanding news for the Steelers, considering there was speculation he may miss half of the season.



• Browns DE Courtney Brown, recovering from microfracture knee surgery, has worked himself back into the starting lineup and was able to pick up Clevelands only sack of the game.



• Jaguars DE Tony Brackens, also recovering from microfracture knee surgery and in the starting lineup, was able to pick up 3 tackles and a half sack against Carolina.



• Saints DE's Charles Grant and Darren Howard were both listed as questionable for last weeks game. Although they both started, maybe Howard should've taken the day off. He dislocated his wrist during the first half of the game and will be lost for 10-12 weeks. Grant opened what is supposed to be a breakout season with 6 solo tackles and 2 sacks. Willie Whitehead takes over for Howard.



• Houston S Travares Tillman will begin practicing this week after breaking his arm in preseason. He will likely push Matt Stevens for the starting free safety job once healthy.



• Was DE Dwight Freeney's poor performance on Sunday a sign of things to come? He did suffer a shin injury, but continued playing and was only able to pick up 1 tackle (no sacks) against a backup offensive lineman.



• LB Rocky Calmus should return to practice this week after missing last weeks game against the Raiders. With Peter Sirmon and Keith Bulluck entrenched in the nickel package, the third linebacker in Tennessee probably shouldn't be relied on.



• Although it doesn't show up in the boxscore (3 tackles, 1 sack), Broncos DE Trevor Pryce spent a ton of time in Cincinnati's backfield and seems to be on his way to a big season. The decision to move him around the line looks to be a success.



• The battle for the starting job opposite Pryce in Denver is not over. Bertrand Berry started against the Bengals and had a very nice game (3 tackles, 2 sacks), but Reggie Hayward will not go away quietly (3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass defended).



• DT Daryl Gardener, still not practicing because of a wrist injury, is targeting a week 3 return.



• If Chiefs DE Vonnie Holliday remains healthy all season, he'll have a huge year. During his 5 year career, he's played all 16 games twice, posting 50+ solo tackles during both seasons.



• With injuries to Sammy Davis (leg) and Tay Cody (hamstring), the Chargers suddenly appear to be thin at cornerback. Luckily, they both appear to be OK.



• With mounting injuries at defensive end, the Eagles may move starting tackle Darwin Walker outside. Otherwise, if Brandon Whiting is unable to play, Marco Coleman may step in as a starter.



• Early speculation had Bears S Mike Green losing his job, but if week one is any indication, he's in store for another huge season. One of his competitors, Bobby Gray, saw limited action without recording a tackle, while the other, Todd Johson, has been placed on the IR. Green picked up 8 tackles (7 solo) against the 49ers.



• Lions DE Kalimba Edwards was supposed to win the starting job this year, but a hernia had something to say about that. He didn't receive clearance to practice until late August and was a non-factor during week one. He failed to record a tackle.



• Once again, there is concern over Falcon LB Will Overstreet's shoulder. He suffered a sprained left shoulder on Sunday, the same shoulder that he dislocated three times last year before having it surgically repaired.



• LB Mike Caldwell was reportedly going to battle Greg Favors for the starting strongside job in Carolina, but a knee injury will have him out of action for at least a month. Brian Allen returns to his spot as Favors backup.



• Saints LB Derrick Rodgers has been reinstated after serving a one game league suspension.



• Tampa Bay LB Shelton Quarles may return from his broken arm within 4-6 weeks. It was originally reported that he'd be out from 6-8 weeks.



• The 49ers have been walking a thin line at cornerback, and it got worse when Rashed Holman injured his groin on Sunday. He'll likely return in 3 weeks, along with injured starter Jason Webster. With Mike Rumph seemingly injured on every play, we may see Jamie Winborn starting across from Ahmad Plummer soon (joke...sort of).



• As Julian Peterson did last year, Jamie Winborn was a man of many positions on Sunday. Used as a linebacker in the blitz packages, he also saw time at cornerback and safety.



• Vikings S Corey Chavous is doubtful for this weekends game, which may open the door for Willie Offord...again. As a rookie last year, Offord was handed a starting safety job but struggled and barely saw any action down the stretch. He was also projected to start this year, but was beaten out by Brian Russell.



• A groin injury limited S Darren Sharper to around 15 plays on Sunday, but he's said to be ahead of schedule and hopes to play the entire game this weekend.



• After catching a pass on Monday night, DT Warren Sapp is lobbying for more plays on offense. He could be "huge" in leagues that reward defensive players with offensive stats.



• Buffalo S Coy Wire has lost his starting job to Lawyer Milloy.



• Seattle rookie S Ken Hamlin is a stud.

Week 1: The Rookies

DL Tyler Brayton, OAK: 4 tackles (3 solo)

DL Calvin Pace, ARI: 4 tackles (3 solo)

DL Johnathan Sullivan, NO: 4 tackles (2 solo)

DL Kevin Williams, MIN: 4 tackles (2 solo)

DL Ty Warren, NEP: 2 assists

DL Dwayne Robertson, NYJ: 2 tackles (1 solo)

LB Terrell Suggs, BAL: 1 solo tackle, 1 sack

LB Boss Bailey, DET: 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 pass defended

LB Nick Barnett, GB: 5 tackles, 1 solo

LB Pisa Tinoisamoa, STL: 5 solo tackles, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble

CB Terence Newman, DAL: 5 solo tackles

CB Marcus Trufant, SEA: 5 tackles (4 solo), 2 passes defended

CB Sammy Davis, SD: 3 solo tackles

S Troy Polamalu, PIT: nothing

S Ken Hamlin, SEA: 5 solo tackles, 2 passes defended

S Rashean Mathis, JAC: 2 assists, 1 interception, 1 pass defended

Week 1: Old Faces, New Places

DL Hugh Douglas, JAC: 5 solo tackles, 1 sack. After a shaky preseason, it was nice to see a strong opening day performance.

DL Vonnie Holliday, KC: 5 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 1 pass defended

DL Chike Okeafor, SEA: 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 sack, 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble

LB Mike Peterson, JAC: 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 pass defended

LB Takeo Spikes, BUF: 6 tackles (4 solo), 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended

LB Jeff Posey, BUF: 4 tackles (3 solo)

LB Junior Seau, MIA: 7 tackles (3 solo)

LB Rosevelt Colvin, NEP: 4 tackles (2 solo), 1 sack

LB Kevin Hardy, CIN: 1 assist, that's it.

LB Chris Claiborne, MIN: 9 tackles (8 solo), 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery

LB Charlie Clemons, HOU: 1 solo tackle, 1 fumble recovery

LB Shawn Barber, KC: 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 pass defended

LB Nate Wayne, PHI: 7 tackles (4 solo)

LB Earl Holmes, DET: 4 solo tackles

LB Randall Godfrey, SEA: 6 tackles (5 solo)

LB Hannibal Navies, GB: 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 sack

CB Dre Bly, DET: 6 solo tackles, 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 1 touchdown

CB Denard Walker, MIN: 5 tackles (4 solo)

S Rodney Harrison, NE: 11 tackles (6 solo)

S Sammy Knight, MIA: 8 tackles (5 solo)

S Kwamie Lassiter, SD: 9 solo tackles

S Tebucky Jones, NO: 5 tackles (3 solo)

S Lawyer Milloy, BUF: 5 tackles (2 solo), 1 sack, 1 pass defended

Week 1 Top 3 Surprises

1. LB Clark Haggans, PIT: 9 tackles (5 solo), 1 sack, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble. It won't last long as he'll return to the bench when Joey Porter returns, but he definitely fits in the Steelers long line of productive linebackers. Re-signed as a restricted free agent this offseason, he's a 26 year old in his 4th season who should find himself a starting gig at some point down the road.



2. LB Ben Taylor, CLE: 11 tackles (6 solo), 1 interception, 1 pass defended. A fourth round pick in 02, Taylor was recently named the starting weakside linebacker (a spot we thought was reserved for Kevin Bentley) and had a very impressive first career start.



3. DE Adrian Dingle, SD: 6 tackles (5 solo), 2 sacks. With 4 starts over his first 3 seasons, Dingle had shown nice pass rush ability and now looks to be the starter across from Marcellus Wiley, a spot filled by 33 year old Joe Johnson during the past 3 seasons.