Defensive Upgrades/Downgrades by Brian Roberson DEFENSIVE LINEMEN Upgrades Anthony McFarland (TB) - McFarland has had 'potential' since he came into the league. He's been a sleeper for the past two seasons. His performance on Sunday gives me the feeling that he's ready to break out next to Warren Sapp. Worth a pickup. Kyle Vanden Bosch (Ari) - Vanden Bosch seems to have recovered nicely from a terrible injury last season. With four solo tackles against the Redskins, his season could be one you want to be a part of. Add him in deep leagues. Downgrades Courtney Brown (Cle) - Brown's effort (along with the rest of his teammates) was subpar. Brown gets picked on in this report because he's not supposed to have bad days. The Chiefs did a good job of containing Brown who has to rebound next week before I tell you to drop him outright. Not impressed but stay tuned. Jevon Kearse (Ten) - Kearse unfortunately suffered a major injury this yesterday and will be out anywhere from six to eight weeks. This robs fantasy players of one of their favorite defensive linemen so the search for a capable replacement will be filled with vigor. If you have an IR slot to burn, consider putting Kearse there. If not, he'd be a good candidate to be your first drop of the young season. Adewale Ogunleye (Mia) - Based on what this guy did in the preseason, he was a popular late draft addition in many IDP leagues. Not so fast. Against a mediocre offensive line in Detroit, Ogunleye was shut down and managed only one tackle. Still no word on if he can catch lightning in a bottle at some point in the season. Temper your enthusiasm. Don't cut the guy just yet. LINEBACKERS Upgrades Edgerton Hartwell (Bal) - Hartwell is still a relative unknown but the guy is holding his own playing next to a legend in Ray Lewis. Hartwell appears to be a quick study and does possess the lateral movement necessary to be a nice sleeper at linebacker. On top of all of this, DID YOU SEE THE RAVENS' OFFENSE YESTERDAY??? No, neither did I. Which means Hartwell should be on the field a lot more than he's off it. Shelton Quarles (TB) - During the preseason, one of the great mysteries was solving the new starter for the Tampa middle linebacker job. Nate Webster appeared to be the frontrunner based on the Bucs' games that I scouted but yesterday told a different tale as Quarles started the game and put up a solid day registering six solos. I recommend an immediate move on Quarles. He's worth a pickup right now. Isaiah Kacyvenski (Sea) - So THIS is the reason they decided to let Levon Kirkland (see downgrades) go. Kacyvenski was all over the field and will be one of the most sought after guys on the waiver wire in small roster leagues this week. If your league has deep rosters, you may consider a trade offer to the owner of this fine young talent. While you shouldn't expect 12-5-0 each week, you can expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-2-0 at the minimum. Jamie Winborn (SF) - Without question, Winborn will be among the first players snatched up in this week's transactions. He had a monster game and he did when we were all sitting in front of the television last Thursday night. If you can trade for waiver wire pickup positioning and you need a linebacker, consider doing it. One final thought though, Winborn was supposed to be a four week replacement for Jeff Ulbrich. Says here if Winborn keeps this level of intensity up, Ulbrich will be backing HIM up. Eric Westmoreland (Jac) - Westmoreland is taking the place of the suspended TJ Slaughter in Jag-land. Slaughter has significant issues that prevent him from being a well scoring option for fantasy owners. He teases us with an occasional solid game then he gets injured or suspended. I'm thinking Westmoreland gets every opportunity to keep this job if he's average or better. Aberrations Lavar Arrington (Was) - Arrington was one of my top three linebackers this season and has been picked by many to be the NFL Defensive Player of the year. I checked the boxscore today with baited breath. Eagerly anticipating a 12-4-2 monster game, I was shocked when I saw 0-2-0 next to his name. This kid has tremendous talent so don't panic. What you MAY be able to do is go after him in a trade now and sell the fact that his value is way down after his horrific performance yesterday. Downgrades TJ Slaughter (Jac) - As mentioned above, Slaughter was suspended for four games after he violated the NFL's substance abuse policy for the second time. His career could be over. Earl Holmes (Cle) - The Browns were thrilled to bring Holmes over in free agency as an upgrade over Wali Rainer. Holmes played against the Chiefs yesterday. You know those guys. Priest Holmes is the running back. How does the middle linebacker get ONE SOLO TACKLE playing against Priest Holmes. Perhaps Andra Davis could be splitting reps with Holmes soon. Keep an eye on this one. Barrett Green (Det) - Green plays in a defense that spends considerable time on the field. Yet against the run oriented Miami Dolphins, Green couldn't even manage three tackles. Baffling. Levon Kirkland (Phi) - Coach Andy Reid named Kirkland the starter at MLB a week before the season started. Kirkland plays against Eddie George and Co. yesterday and puts up a paltry 1-1-0. Meanwhile, the man he supposedly beat out for the job, Barry Gardner went 3-4-0. Gardner will have this job to himself very soon. DEFENSIVE BACKS Upgrades Michael Green (Chi) - Quick, before everyone knows who this guy is, go grab him. He's active, strong hitting and he's in Tony Parrish's departed spot. Get him now, or have to face him later. Gerald McBurrows (Atl) - McBurrows and Keion Carpenter are both going to score well in the Falcons' new 3-4 scheme. I like McBurrows a little bit better than I do Carpenter. Either way, if you need help at DB, look in Atlanta because both of these guys are more than likely free agents. Antuan Edwards (GB) - Edwards is the new safety-replacing the retired Leroy Butler. Edwards is very capable in that role and should be earmarked by you in the event that you need a dependable scorer there as a bye week replacement or full time starter. Downgrades Rodney Harrison (SD) - Monitor this situation VERY CLOSELY over the next few days. Harrison sustained an injury to his groin and could miss time. This could perpetuate a move of Rogers Beckett to fill Harrison's spot while he's out. Of course, right now, that's just pure speculation. But if Harrison is really hurt, it's a serious blow to whoever has him as he was likely drafted really high. Sam Shade (Was) - Shade is getting pushed by Ifeanyi Ohalete and is in jeopardy of being replaced early in the year. Shade is an old faithful type player-one that has produced time and time again. But he could be out of the spotlight soon. Lamont Thompson (Cin) - Thompson was a favorite sleeper pick of many in the preseason. He didn't even earn the start in game one. If you have a practice squad, consider stuffing him on it. If not, it wouldn't hurt you to cut him outright.