Defensive Upgrades/Downgrades by Brian Roberson and Tom Nadratowski Every week, FootballGuys.com's resident Individual Defensive Player (IDP) Gurus - Brian Roberson and Tom Nadratowski- will be providing you with immediate opinions on what players are stepping up their play, which ones are falling down on the job and which players just happened to have a horseshoe in their pocket for one game. DEFENSIVE LINEMEN Upgrades Corey Simon PHI (Roberson) - Simon hasn't been as dominant as he should be with his talent. He has even been injury prone. Downgrade him for certain. Patrick Kerney ATL (Nadratowski) - Kerney scored a TD on a fumble recovery this week, but that's not why he gets the upgrade. Although he had a poor showing at New Orleans last week, he sandwiched that with a 6-1-2 1PD outing in week 7 and this weeks' 4-1-2 1 FR performance. He is a bit erratic, but he's a great guy to put alongside a more consistent performer. Charles Grant NO (Roberson) - Grant is a rookie that has been gradually worked into the lineup. We recommend you spend a pickup on him this week before he is too much in demand. His quickness is overwhelming at the point of attack. Alex Brown CHI (Roberson) - Brown has noticed his playing time increasing in recent weeks and he is surely putting up production. His game against the Eagles this week was by far his best yet. Recommend a possible pickup in redraft leagues but a mandatory pickup in dynasty IDP leagues. Aberrations Orpheus Roye CLE (Roberson) - A defensive lineman getting nine solo tackles? Are you kidding? Roye is a solid lineman but he's not going to get this many solos in the next three weeks combined. Call this what it was-an aberration. Robert Porcher DET (Nadratowski) - Porcher had a huge day at home, going 5-0-2 and a FF. But with Chad Hutchinson showing more rust than the Titanic, it'll be tough for him to duplicate this performance. Bruce Smith WAS (Nadratowski) - Seahawk QB Hasselbeck is also rusty. Smith took advantage of that and got 5-0-2 and a FF. That was definitely the high point of his season. He'll be really lucky to get close to those kinds of numbers again. Downgrades None LINEBACKERS Upgrades Donte Curry DET (Roberson) - Curry started at the strong side for the Lions this week and the results were fantastic. He appears to be the new starter and one that you'll need to add to your roster. A (possibly) good late season addition. LaVar Arrington WAS (Nadratowski) - After a slow start, Arrington has responded the past few weeks. He has gotten 20-8-5 4 PDs 1 FF in the last four games. He said in an interview that he had no idea why he wasn't performing better and was missing tackles. It looks like he has it figured out now. Eric Barton OAK (Nadratowski) - With the slump the offense is in, it was inevitable that at least one of the defensive players was going to break out. Barton looks to be that guy. He has 25-8-2 1 FF in the last four weeks. If you need a LB, this guy might still be out there. Aberrations Peter Sirmon TEN (Roberson) - Sirmon's numbers were crazily inflated this week thanks to an INT and just being in the right place at the right time for one game. Nothing suggests that he'll do this on a consistent basis. 3-1-0 is what you can expect regularly. Not worth a pickup. James Farrior PIT (Roberson) - Farrior had an off game this week against the Browns. Cleveland's offense is not one to judge how defensive players perform. Forget this week for Farrior and realize that Pittsburgh will be playing more running teams in coming weeks. Downgrades Jeff Posey HOU (Nadratowski) - Posey started the year off at a nice pace, but has fallen off badly. He has 6-2-2 1PD 1FF I since week 6. Time to move him if you have been hanging on to him. DEFENSIVE BACKS Upgrades Coy Wire BUF (Roberson) - We've been high on Wire for most of the year but we wanted to see some consistency from him before we recommended him highly. As a result, we've upgraded and downgraded him at various times this year. Now we're sure he's a great addition and a good start against passing teams. We'll upgrade him and we won't downgrade him again! Ed Reed BAL (Roberson) - Reed is coming into his own as a rookie in the league. His production is directly related to the fact that the best way to beat the Ravens' defense is through the air. Reed is sent on blitzes as well. His numbers should only go up from here. San Diego Cornerbacks (Alex Molden, Ryan McNeil) (Roberson) - Why do these guys put up numbers each week? Because the Chargers' defense is stout against the run and Molden and McNeil are substandard on the outside. In the AFC West, these guys will be picked on often and that translates into big tackle numbers as well as the occasional INT. Artrell Hawkins CIN (Nadratowski) - Hawkins made the highlights this week with his 102yd INT for a score. But he has been tackling well, and that's why he gets the upgrade. As long as the Bengals stay in the dumper, Hawkins should get you solid tackle totals each week. Kwamie Lassiter ARI (Nadratowski) - Hmm, maybe Lassiter is a FBG subscriber. Since we gave him a downgrade, he has been playing better. For his improved tackle totals he gets a small upgrade. Aberrations Will Demps BAL (Roberson) - Demps teams with Reed to form a tandem that will be around in the league for a long time. He is a capable safety that flows to the ball. As evidenced by Michael Vick's paltry passing numbers this week, Demps didn't have many opportunities to produce. He'll be fine. Downgrades Derek Ross DAL (Nadratowski) - Ross posted a huge 5-0-0 2INT 3 PD outing. But his inconsistency is maddening. He has had two big games this season, and that's it. Move him if you haven't already. Lance Schulters TEN (Nadratowski) - Schulters was injured and had to leave the game. The early word is that it is a separated shoulder. If that is true, he'll be out a few weeks. Rich Coady came in for him and got six tackles. Grab Coady if you need his replacement.