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 John Henderson JAC (Nadratowski) - Henderson has turned in four solid performances. The rookie built on his breakout 6-0-3 performance week 5 with 4-2-0 1PD, 3-3-1 1PD and 7-0-1 this week. He's another guy who may still be out there. Lance Johnstone MIN (Roberson) - Johnstone has strung together some nice weeks of late. No reason to think it won't continue. I'm of the opinion that he's going to keep producing above average numbers for a DL. 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. Downgrades Mike Rucker CAR (Nadratowski) - Ok, it's officially time to worry. Rucker had a mere 4 tackles this week. Maybe his injury is still bothering him. Or may be they're double teaming him which is why Jenkins and Peppers are playing well. Let's hope it's a slump, since he should break out of it, and not a nagging injury. LINEBACKERS Upgrades Jay Foreman HOU (Roberson) - Foreman, over the past three weeks, has really been impressive. Playing in the middle slot of the 3-4 in Houston, he's racking up tackles when opposing teams attempt to run the ball on the smaller Texans. Anthony Simmons SEA (Roberson) - Simmons should finally return this week from a bad ankle sprain. As one of the better LB in the game, it's a huge upgrade. Go get him if he's a free agent. If not, make sure you talk trade before Wednesday! Kevin Hardy DAL (Nadratowski) - Hardy was the Dallas linebacker that got all the tackles this week. He notched a studly 8-4-0. That's the second week in a row that he got seven or more tackles. He might still be around and could help you if you need it at LB. Shelton Quarles TB (Roberson) - Quarles is really turning into a solid linebacker. He is also someone who could be had for cheap. Look at him in your league and maybe try to get him for a 3rd WR or 4th RB. Could happen. Aberrations Dexter Coakley DAL (Nadratowski) - Coakley wound up with a paltry three tackles. Don't panic. Every guy has an off week now and then, and this was his. Downgrades Isaiah Kacyvenski SEA (Roberson) - This is one star that may be burning out fast. He looked like a tackle monster during the first five weeks of the season but has slowed down. To tally up only two solo tackles against the Cowboys when Emmitt was getting force fed the football doesn't look good. Plus he has many nagging injuries at this time. A definite downgrade. DEFENSIVE BACKS Upgrades Jay Bellamy NO (Roberson) - Bellamy and Sammy Knight see many opportunities to put up points for your fantasy team. They spend a lot of time on the field and are very much involved in run support (for a safety). Bellamy is the lesser sought after than is Knight. For that reason, he may be able to be had relatively cheap in your league. Marlon McCree DAL (Roberson) - McCree isn't consistent enough to start each and every week for you but hey, it's week eight and there aren't many guys available that are. If you're looking down the road in the next two weeks at bad bye week problems, McCree could be your man at DB. Aberrations Ronnie Heard SF (Nadratowski) - Heard's number were boosted by the three picks he got on Sunday. Until that point he had exactly 14 tackles and an assist. He is unlikely to do that again. Downgrades Pierson Prioleau BUF (Nadratowski) - Prioleau has cooled off since the beginning of the season. He managed 2-3-0 1 PD this week. In the last four weeks he has 12-8-1 2 PDs. Teams seem to be going away from him. Let's hope it's a slump and not the signal for a downturn.