Welcome to this week’s WHODAT as we’re heading into the games of week three!  We’re only two weeks into the season and we’ve already seen some wild excitement from the sport we all love.  This week’s edition features some names you might expect, as well as maybe a few surprises. 

For those who may wonder:  There simply isn’t room to list every player you may feel deserves recognition here (good or bad). But we always welcome comments and suggestions -- Feel free to add them here for discussion and consideration. 

One last note:  We try to be as complete as possible when collecting stats and information, using as official as numbers as possible.  But because the Whiz uses MyFantasyLeague.com (MFL) for its own leagues, whenever there is a discrepancy between various statistical sources (primarily on the IDP side), we will report the numbers from MFL, since that’s where are own games are won and lost. 

So let’s get to it!

Who’s Hot…

QB Carson Palmer (CIN):  Palmer completed 33 of 50 passes for 401 yards and a phenomenal 6 touchdowns.  Palmer also gave up two interceptions, but still amassed mind-boggling stats in week one.  The drawback was that it came in a losing performance.  Palmer won’t have these kinds of results every week, but there’s every reason to believe that his fantasy scoring will continue to be strong. 

QB Derek Anderson (CLE): In the same game in which Palmer was lighting up the scoreboard, Anderson also completed 20 of 33 for 328 yards and five TDs with only one interception.  It was a career day for Derek in the “shootout in Ohio,” and earned him the AFC’s offensive player of the week award. 

QB Brett Favre (GBP):  Favre went 29 of 38 for 286 yards for 3 TDs and an interception against the Giants, and managed to lead the Packers to a win -- The 149th win of his career.  This win also gave Favre a new NFL record, as he passed John Elway in total wins. Brett “Fahhh-vrah” may not be the same player he was in his prime, but he still has the ability to silence his critics, and he can give surprisingly strong games.  The drawback is that they usually happen when most owners have him benched. 

QB Matt Schaub (HOU): Schaub continues to be worth his weight in gold for the Texans, completing 20 of 28 (a 71% completion rate) for 227 yards, 2 TDs, and no interceptions in week two.  He led the Texans from a 14-0 deficit to a win over the Panthers, making it the first time in history that they’ve started 2-0.  So far Schaub has completed 72% of his passes and has a 3-to-1 TD-to-interception ratio.  Plus – amazingly -- Schaub has only been sacked twice so far this season.  Think David Carr has noticed?  In 72 games with the Texans, Carr was sacked 249 times, an average of 3.3 sacks per game.  Atlanta fans have spent the first two weeks crying over Schaub’s success in Houston, but now they have a new hope… 

QB Byron Leftwich (ATL):  Ex-Jaguar free agent Leftwich was signed by the Falcons for reportedly a 2-year, $7.0 million contract, and Joey Harrington is already looking over his shoulder.  Leftwich will not start immediately, but given how Harrington has struggled, it’s just a matter of time.  This week, with nothing but opportunity in front of him, Leftwich makes the ‘Hot List’, but odds are against him ever returning.  The frequent knocks against Harrington in Atlanta have been his poor decision-making and his tendency to hold on to the ball too long.  But these same criticisms have also dogged Leftwich, suggesting that Byron may not see much more success than Joey. 

RB Jamal Lewis (CLE):  As a Raven playing against Cleveland, Jamal Lewis had his best games ever, including two games over 200 yards in 2003, one of which was a career-high 295 yards.  Now Browns fans have finally had the opportunity to be on the winning side of those games:  In week two, Lewis racked up the third 200+ yard rushing game of his career in a win over Cincinnati.  Lewis carried 28 times for 215 yards and a TD as part of the shoot-out in Ohio (making it a huge increase over week one’s 35 yards against Pittsburgh).  After the game, there were reports that Lewis had to stick his cleats in Gatorade to get them to stop smoking. 

RB Edgerrin James (ARI):  For the second time in two weeks, James has gone over 100 total yards, something he only did 3 times all of last season, and not once before December.  In week two against the Seahawks, James carried 24 times for 128 yards and caught two passes for 22 yards.  Also, for the second week in a row, James has managed to score a rushing touchdown.  James may not have the same kind of luck against Baltimore in week three, but right now he’s the main Cardinal workhorse.  Shipp and Arrington are getting minimal touches compared to James.  He clearly has the “Edge” in Arizona. 

RB Brian Westbrook (PHI):  Although Westbrook has yet to score a TD, he has been THE offense in Philadelphia so far. Through two weeks, he has amassed 293 total yards, averaging 18.5 carries for 90.5 yards and 7 catches for 61 yards per game.  He did strain his knee in week two against the Redskins, again raising worries because of a history of knee injuries, but at this point it looks like he’ll likely play in week three against the Lions. 

RB Lamont Jordan (OAK): Jordan ran for 159 yards on 25 carries in week two against the Broncos. He didn’t score, and didn’t catch a pass after having 9 receptions for 89 yards in week 1, but it was his second week in a row with over 150 total yards.  With Dominic Rhodes still on suspension, there is little reason to take Jordan off the ‘Hot List’, provided his reported back injury does not limit him.  He reportedly did not practice Wednesday, so monitor his status closely this weekend. 

RB DeShawn Wynn (GBP):  In week two against the Giants, rookie Wynn had 10 carries for 50 yards and 2 catches for 18 yards.  He also appeared to be the Packers goal-line option over Brandon Jackson, as Wynn scored two TDs.  Add to that reports of Green Bay wanting to increase Wynn’s carries, including blurbs that he “could displace Brandon Jackson” as the starter, and it’s easy to see why Wynn was the hot waiver-wire commodity this week.  With Vernand Morency still injured, Wynn has the hot hand in Packerland. 

WR Chad Johnson (CIN):  Quiet and shy Chad caught 11 passes for 209 yards and 2 TDs as part of all the fireworks in Cleveland on Sunday.  OK – he’s NEVER been either quiet or shy.  But at least there was no re-appearance of the “H.O.F.” jacket.  With that yardage-fest Sunday, Johnson has now become the all-time receiver for the Bengals (7,229 yards), passing Isaac Curtis. 

WR Steve Smith (CAR):  Smith had eight receptions for 153 yards and 3 TDs in a losing effort against the Texans. Sounds weird, the fact that he caught 3 touchdowns AND they lost to the Texans, just leaves a funny taste in my mouth. Smith was a force to be reckoned with in week two, even though the Panthers ultimately lost.  With two great games in as many weeks, Smith is showing his elite receiver status. 

WR Braylon Edwards (CLE):  QB Derek Anderson targeted Edwards 14 times, and Edwards was able to haul in 8 of those for 146 yards and 2 TDs.  Edwards did a great job making his quarterback look good, making acrobatic grabs all game.  It’s unlikely that Anderson will be able to put up Peyton-topping numbers every week, but Edwards is definitely worth mention on the ‘Hot List’ for his part in the game.  Plus, Edwards will probably return to this list again this year, regardless of who’s behind center. 

WR Randy Moss (NEP):  Moss continued showing new life in New England with an 8 reception game for 105 yards and 2 TDs against the Chargers.  In two games, Moss now has 17 receptions, 288 yards, 3 TDs, and has shown no hint of grumbling, griping, or signs of taking plays off.  Moss and Tom Brady have hooked up so much they’re now picking out China patterns…when their not videotaping the other teams……. cheerleaders, um yeah, that’s the ticket. 

WR Joey Galloway (TBB): Galloway only caught four passes in week two’s win over the Saints, but those four passes led to 135 yards and 2 TDs.  One of the TDs featured Galloway essentially trotting into the end-zone and holding the ball out to taunt the Saints defenders sprinting to catch up with him.  There’s evidently both life in those old legs and a good dose of chutzpah too. 

TE Kellen Winslow (CLE):  Winslow also got to take part in the week two scoring feast between the Browns and the Bengals, catching 6 passes for an even 100 yards and a TD. Winslow now has 183 yards and a TD for two games and will continue to be an integral part of the Browns passing game.

TE Antonio Gates (SDC):  Hey, here’s a big surprise:  The list of TE’s on the ‘Hot List’ includes Antonio Gates.  After two games, he leads all Chargers in receptions (16), yardage (184), and TDs (2).  Meanwhile, LaDainian Tomlinson only has 134 total yards and 1 TD (OK, 2 if you count his passing TD). The Chargers rank only 29^th among NFL teams with 232.0 yards of offense per game, but Gates is doing his part.

PKs Neil Rackers (ARI), Jason Elam (DEN), and Jason Hanson (DET):  Each of these three kickers share a ‘Hot List’ entry because of game-winning kicks in week two.  Rackers kicked a 42-yard field goal with 1 second left in regulation to give the Cardinals a win over the Seahawks.  Elam kicked his second game-winning field goal in two weeks, adding a 23-yard effort in overtime to beat the Raiders.  Hanson kicked a 37-yard game winner in overtime to beat the Vikings.  Kickers get a lot of abuse, but sometimes they’re what separate victories from losses…  Or sometimes it’s the other way around (see Sebastian Janikowski in the ‘Dropping List’).

PK Morten Andersen (ATL):  Besides signing Byron Leftwich this week, the Falcons also made a switch at kicker.  They released Matt Prater and signed the 47-year old Andersen. A switch of kickers is not really an Earth-shattering event, but there was one vitally important point that must be mentioned regarding Andersen:  There is now an active player in the NFL who is older than me!

DE Ray Edwards (MIN):  Edwards has shared in the rotation at defensive end for the Vikings.  In week two, he only had 1 tackle and 1 assist, but he also picked up 1.5 sacks, a pass defended, and a fumble recovery returned 9 yards for a TD.  With Erasmus James still out, look for Edwards to continue to get playing time and improve in Minnesota.

DT Clifton Ryan (STL):  Up to this point, the attention on Rookie DT’s in St Louis has been focused on Adam Carriker.  But thanks to a strong week two, there is another rookie DT who has managed to outscore Carriker.  Against the 49ers, Clifton Ryan racked up 4 tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to earn recognition.

DE Bryant Young (SFO):  Young has had two strong weeks.  In week two against the Rams, he racked up 6 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble, bringing his yearly totals to 11 tackles and 3 sacks.  At 35, Young is no longer young, but he’s still been a force in San Francisco so far this season.

DE Elvis Dumervil (DEN):  Dumervil has only had four tackles in two games – two per week.  But in both games, he has also added something extra to still get noticed.  He had a pass defended and an interception returned for 27 yards in week one, and he collected two sacks in week two against the Raiders.

DT Marcus Stroud (JAC):  In two games, Stroud has amassed 11 tackles, an assist, a pass defended, and two sacks – one each week.  He’s been consistently productive in both games so far, and in most scoring formats is in the top ten defensive linemen. Well worth a place on the ‘Hot List’ for a player no-one expected to see here.

LB Thomas Howard (OAK):  Howard has become a consistent IDP linebacker for Oakland.  In week two against the Broncos, he collected 9 tackles, an assist, 2 passes defended, and an interception returned 44 yards for a TD.  He now has 14 tackles, 2 assists, a sack, and an interception for the young season.  He and teammate Kirk Morrison are young centerpieces of the Raiders defense.

LB Lance Briggs (CHI): With the holdout and hard feelings over the off-season behind him, Bears linebacker Briggs has become a cornerstone IDP option.  In two weeks he has produced 18 tackles, 2 assists, 1 pass defensed and 1 sack. Due largely in part to his week two performance against the Chiefs (11 tackles, an assist, a sack, a pass defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery). 

LB Napoleon Harris (KCC):  Harris might have been an afterthought in many IDP leagues, but in week two he added 10 tackles, 2 assists, a sack, a pass defended, and an interception to his stats. He now has 15 tackles and 5 assists for the year.

LB Roosevelt Colvin (NEP):  After getting no points at all in week one, Colvin made a huge impression in week two against the Chargers.  It’s unlikely that any IDP league-owner started him in week two, but if you did, pat yourself on the back:  You collected points for 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, a pass defended, and an interception. 

LB Lofa Tatupu (SEA):  Tatupu has collected 19 tackles in two weeks, helped immensely by his numbers from week two against the Cardinals:  11 tackles, an assist, a pass defended, and an interception returned for 16 yards.  There is every reason to believe that Tatupu will continue to be an elite IDP scorer, and a frequent visitor to our ‘Hot List.’ 

LB Barrett Ruud (TBB):  Ruud has been an IDP scoring leader, having two strong weeks in a row.  In week two against the Saints, he had 9 tackles, 2 assists, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery, and was named the NFC defensive player of the week.  He has an NFL-leading 19 tackles and 5 assists in two weeks.

S Darren Sharper (MIN):  Thanks to a huge performance in week two (8 tackles, 2 passes defended, a forced fumble, and 2 interceptions), Sharper emerged as one of the leading defensive backs in most IDP formats. As part of a Vikings defense that should see the field often in most games, Sharper looks poised for a great season.  But watch his progress going into week three against the Chiefs – he did not practice Wednesday due to a hip injury.

CB Antoine Winfield (MIN):  Like his teammate Sharper, Winfield added to strong numbers from week one with another good game in week two against the Lions (7 tackles, 2 assists, a pass defended, and a fumble recovery).  He has collected at least six tackles two weeks in a row, very strong tackle numbers from the CB position.

S Bob Sanders (IND):  Most NFL fans have been surprised by how well the Indianapolis Colts have played on defense this year.  A huge part of the reason is Bob Sanders.  In week two he had 7 tackles, 4 assists, and 2.5 sacks in a win against the Titans.  He now has 12 tackles and 8 assists for the season and is clearly the spark plug of the Colts defense. 

S Von Hutchins (HOU):  Hutchins had only 3 tackles in week one, but followed it with 11 tackles and a pass defended against the Panthers in week two.  With all the uncertainty and injuries surrounding the Texans’ safety positions, Hutchins is a name to keep a very close eye on.  Performances like this are enough to get noticed….

CB David Barrett (NYJ):  In two games, Barrett has totaled 15 tackles, helped by a strong week two versus the Ravens, where he added 9 tackles, an assist, and 2 passes defended. High tackle numbers for a cornerback often indicate that he’s been getting beat in coverage, which can eventually get him benched.  But it also translates to IDP productivity, at least temporarily.  Barrett’s no rookie – he’s been in the league for years, although without much IDP success.  So take this ‘Hot List’ entry with a grain of salt, but keep your eyes open.

…Or Dropping…

QB Alex Smith (SFO): For two straight weeks, Smith has passed for the same mediocre yardage total: 126 yards.  For two straight weeks, he has failed to score a TD.  For two straight weeks, he has lost a fumble.  But the good news is that he hasn’t thrown an interception yet, and in week two he reached 126 yards in only 11 of 17 passes (64.7% completion rate, 7.4 yards per attempt).  It took him 15 of 31 passes to get there in week one (48.4%, 4.1 yards per attempt).  So maybe there’s some improvement…  But such pedestrian passing totals against two suspect passing defenses (Cardinals and Rams) are reason for concern – and next week he faces the Steelers.  Where’s Norv Turner when he’s needed??? 

QB Tarvaris Jackson (MIN):  Jackson made it through four quarters against the Lions, but limped off the field on the first play of overtime with a groin injury.  During his time behind center, Jackson was basically horrible.  He finished the day 17 of 33 for 166 yards, no TDs, and 4 – count them, FOUR – interceptions.  That gave him a dismal 26.4 QB rating for the game. He even looked erratic in his running decisions, although he did manage a TD as part of his 5 rushing attempts for 16 yards. But two weak back-to-back starting performances, and now an injury concern, give plenty of reason to put Jackson on the Dropping List. 

QB J.T. O’Sullivan (DET):  While starting QB Jon Kitna was on the sidelines with a possible concussion, O’Sullivan came in and threw 13 of 23 passes for 148 yards and a TD.  But he also lost a fumble and threw two interceptions.  In general, O’Sullivan looked out of sync and was finally replaced by Kitna again in the fourth quarter.  With enough playing-time, O’Sullivan may improve, but Lions fans should hope he never has to prove it, since he is clearly a step down from Kitna.

QB Josh McCown (OAK):  In a surprise move, previously listed “Doubtful” McCown got the start in Oakland against the Broncos in week two.  That was the high-point of his day.  And then he hit the field.  He was nothing like the “Hot” McCown we saw last week.  He completed only 8 of 16 passes for a grand total of 73 yards.  He did throw a TD, but also gave up 3 interceptions, was sacked four times, and had a couple of fumbles.  McCown still looks to start in week three, but he is clearly on a very short leash.

QB Joey Harrington (ATL):  Harrington looked tentative against the Jaguars, as if he were playing not to lose instead of to win.  Guess what – he lost.  Harrington’s raw passing numbers for the day weren’t horrible, as he went 12 of 20 for 200 yards, for a 60% completion rate and a 16.7 yard per completion average.  More importantly, he didn’t throw an interception after giving up two in week one.  But he also didn’t throw a TD for the second straight week, and was sacked seven times (bringing his two-week total to a league high of 13).  Falcons coach Bobby Petrino has even publicly questioned Harrington’s confidence, saying “right now Joey’s playing a little bit conservative, playing not to throw the interception. Therefore, it’s causing him to hold the ball.”  True, a sack is better than a turnover, but Harrington’s ego is fragile enough to worry that with the Falcons now 0-2, and with new QB Byron Leftwich signed to the Falcons, things are snowballing downhill very quickly for Joey. Expect Harrington to continue to start for the next week or so, but then Leftwich should get his own opportunity to stink in Atlanta.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC):  Jones-Drew makes the Dropping list for the second straight week, following another poor performance in a win against Atlanta.  In week two, MJD had 11 carries for 31 yards and one reception for 10 yards, with no TDs.  His two-week total is now 18 carries for 63 yards (3.50 avg), 4 receptions for 38 yards, a lost fumble, and zero TDs.  Dismal.  RB Fred Taylor has been equally as bad (two-week total of 22 carries for 72 yards and one catch for 11 yards with no TDs), as defenses have been playing the run, forcing QB David Garrard to throw to beat them.  

RB Deuce McAllister (NOS): McAllister only saw 10 carries in week two and managed only 49 yards in the Saints’ second straight loss.  He also lost a fumble in the game.  Neither McAllister nor Reggie Bush has had much rushing success, and QB Drew Brees has also struggled, although he improved against the Bucs.  It’s been a rough first two weeks for owners hoping for fantasy success from New Orleans.

RB Julius Jones (DAL):  Jones has spent the first two weeks of the 2007 watching Marion Barber have consistently more success on fewer carries.  Through two games, Jones has 31 carries for 98 yards (3.2 avg) and no TDs.  Meanwhile, Barber has gotten 25 carries for 154 yards (6.2 avg) and 3 TDs.  That’s a very concerning trend, although Jones may not think so.  He had a great quote when asked about it, “My time will come. It’s a long season – it’s a race, not a marathon.”  Uhhh… right…

RB Laurence Maroney (NEP):  In two games, the Patriots have seen the end zone early and often.  The bad news is that Maroney has not been a part of it.  Although he doesn’t have a TD yet, he has been somewhat productive, rushing 20 times for 72 yards in week one and 15 times for 77 yards in week two – a combined total of 149 yards and a 4.2 avg.  In the same two weeks, Sammy Morris has gotten 21 carries for 105 yards (5.0 avg) and a TD.  The Patriots are winning with the pass and seem intent on limiting Maroney’s playing time and carries.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SDC):  No reason to panic, but for the second straight week, LT had a wretched rushing stat line: He carried 18 times for only 43 yards and didn’t see the end-zone at all.  This brings his two-game rushing total to 35 carries for 68 yards (and one TD) – a pathetic 1.94 yards-per-carry average for the consensus #1 overall fantasy draft choice in 2007.  True, he has managed to add another 66 receiving yards, and he did have that TD pass in week one, so it’s not like anyone would ever suggest benching him.  But, fantasy games are won on this year’s stats, not last year’s, so: Mr. Tomlinson, we’re waiting… 

WR Devery Henderson (NOS):  The good new is that Henderson got to touch the ball on three passes in the first half.  The bad news is that he dropped all three of them and was benched in the second quarter. Even in a loss, QB Drew Brees connected with nine different players, but none were named “Devery.” Henderson finished the day with no receptions, no yardage, and no love from the Saints. He adds a new literal meaning to the “Dropping List”.

WR Craig Davis (SDC):  Rookie Davis was a preseason highlight, earning a starting receiving spot for the Chargers.  But so far in the regular season, he has started slow and seems intent on fizzling out all together.  He followed a 2 catch, 15 yards week one performance with a complete goose-egg in week two, never catching a pass.

WR Ronald Curry (OAK):  In week one, Curry was on the “Hot List” after 10 catches for 133 yards and a TD.  He followed that week two against the Broncos with only 2 catches for 12 yards.  There evidently seems to be a difference between being covered by the Lions cornerbacks and the Broncos’ Champ Bailey.  Curry also threw an incomplete pass on a trick play, so he got to be on both sides of incomplete passes in week two.

WR Lee Evans (BUF):  Evans finished last year as a top receiver, but is struggling so far this season.  Through two weeks, he has all of 4 catches for 22 yards.  In week two in Pittsburgh, Evans was thrown to often enough, including some end-zone looks, but failed to pull in more than two passes and 17 yards.  Evans’ main highlight of the game was two back-to-back 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during the final Bills possession of the game.  Evidently he shares the same frustration as his fantasy owners… 

WR Muhsin Muhammad (CHI):  It’s bad when you’ve got Rex Grossman as your QB.  It’s worse when Rex Grossman is your QB and he never throws a ball in your direction until the 3^rd quarter.  It’s downright deadly to be 34 years old, have Rex Grossman as your QB, not have any balls thrown to you, catch only one pass for the second week in a row, and especially -- to have Rex Grossman as your QB.

TE Jason Witten (DAL):  After week one, Witten made the “Hot List” thanks to 6 receptions for 116 yards and a TD.  Now he’s on week two’s “Dropping List” thanks to a down week of only 2 catches for 27 yards.  It’s not terminal – Witten will rebound.  But you know it’s an off week when the TE in Dallas that scores a TD is a guy named Tony Curtis.

TE L.J. Smith (PHI): A lingering groin injury has limited Smith in the first two weeks, and it shows in his stats:  A total of 4 receptions for 26 yards so far has to be a concern for all fantasy owners.  Although he continues to play, this nagging injury raises concerns over how long it will hamper Smith.

TEs Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler, Stephen Alexander (DEN):  Evidently someone needs to remind Jay Cutler that he’s allowed to throw to his tight ends.  Daniel Graham has a total of 4 receptions for 33 yards, and Tony Scheffler has yet to catch a pass as he recovers from off-season foot surgery. Meanwhile Alexander was released on the 15th, and then resigned on the 17th, but he also has no receptions for the year.

PK Matt Prater (FA):  Before week one, the Falcons released Billy Cundiff and named Prater the starting kicker even though Prater had never kicked in an actual NFL game.  Now, the odds are he’ll never do it again -- he was released by Atlanta after two shaky weeks.  Prater missed three out of four field goals while a Falcon, and has been replaced by newly-signed 47 year-old Morten Andersen. Prater’s now singing that old song from the 60’s by Paul Revere and the Raiders: “Kicks just keep getting’ harder to find…” 

PK Sebastian Janikowski (OAK):  Speaking of the Raiders and kicks…  Even though Janikowski was 0-for-3 on field goals last week and could have made the ‘Dropping List’, he makes it this week based on only one kick.  A kick he made…and then missed. In overtime, Janikowski kicked a 52-yard field-goal that would have won the game for the Raiders.  But the play was ruled dead because the Broncos’ coach Shanahan had called time-out just before ball was snapped.  After the time-out, Janikowski tried again, but barely missed, with the ball hitting the upright (at the top, from 52 yards out).  Denver then took possession and drove down to win with Jason Elam’s 23-yard field goal.  No word on how far Janikowski wanted to kick Coach Shanahan after the game, but it wouldn’t be far enough to suit most fantasy owners I know.

DE Derrick Burgess (OAK):  Burgess made the ‘Dropping List’ after a week one performance of only one tackle.  Guess what – that’s still his best game all season.  He played most of week two against the Broncos up to the point he sat out the last few plays in overtime due to a calf injury.  So what was the stat line for week two from this former NFL sack leader?  Nada -- No tackles, no assists, no sacks, no nothing.  Add in that an injury concern which makes him questionable for week three and you get a two-week ‘Dropping List’ repeat visitor. 

DE Alex Brown (CHI):  Brown had only three tackles in week one but was looking for a big game against the Chiefs.  He suffered an ankle injury during the game, but returned in the third quart after evaluation and having the ankle taped.  He might as well have continued to sit out:  Just like Burgess, Brown ended the week two with no tackles, sacks, or assists, and now has an injury concern leading up to week three. 

DT Adam Carriker (STL):  Carriker was a first-round rookie DE from Nebraska who was switched to DT after signing with the Rams, and looked to be ready to make a strong impact in the interior of the line.  But so far, he has had little fantasy success.  He finished week two with only one tackle, increasing his tackle totals for the year to:  2 tackles.  Add in only one assist in week one and it’s hard to consider Carriker as a viable fantasy option at this point in his career.

DE Julius Peppers (CAR):  Week one, Peppers had three tackles, an assist, and a fumble recovery.  In week two against the Texans, he regressed, ending with only two tackles.  For one of the first defensive linemen off the draft board in many IDP leagues, this is nothing but a disappointment.  We’re concerned, but certainly not suggesting to sit him yet – he’s poised to perhaps have a great game week three against the Falcons and Joey Harrington, who leads the league in sacks allowed.   

LB Matt Wilhelm (SDC):  Wilhelm had a solid first week, but strained a calf during warm-ups before week two against the Patriots.  He initially managed to play in the game, but only collected one tackle and an assist before leaving.  His status is uncertain for week three against the Packers, but it is possible he could miss the game. 

LB Ahmad Brooks (CIN):  After a strong week one showing (5 tackles, an assist, a sack, and a forced fumble), Brooks suffered an early groin injury in week two against the Browns, and left without scoring a single IDP point.  He is still not taking part in practice and may not play week three.

LB Landon Johnson (CIN):   Just like Brooks, Johnson followed a huge week one (6 tackles, 6 assists, a pass defended, and 2 forced fumbles) with a down week.  In Johnson’s case, it wasn’t injury, just a pedestrian week two:  Only 2 tackles and 2 assists.  IDP scoring can always be erratic, but its cases like this that can give owners ulcers – they can never tell when to keep their Johnson in, or when to pull their Johnson out.

S Gerald Sensabaugh (JAC):  Sensabaugh has been a developing young safety who was showing a lot of promise.  Not any more, at least for this season:  An injured shoulder from week two will require surgery, and the Jaguars have placed him on Injured Reserve for the year.

S Reggie Nelson (JAC): Week two was not a good week for the Jaguars safeties – Sensabaugh suffered a season-ending shoulder injury and Nelson followed a gusher of week one IDP points (from 7 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble) with a mere trickle in week two (1 tackle).  Rookies tend to have wild swings in their scoring.  When they’re IDP rookies it seems to vary even more.  Nelson is destined to be a great player in the NFL, but may need some time to develop consistent scoring output for your fantasy team.

CB/KR Justin Miller (NYJ):  Miller has played some at CB, but is primarily known for his return skills.  In week two, he injured his knee and has been placed on Injured Reserve for the remainder of the year. 

CB Dante Wesley (CAR):  You probably weren’t relying on backup Panther CB Wesley to carry the IDP portion of your fantasy team, but if by chance you were, you need to make other plans.  He only scored one tackle in each of the first two weeks, before breaking his collarbone in the second game.  He has now been placed on IR and is out for the season.  All in all, this is not the season for defensive backs named “Wesley”: 

Veteran safety Greg Wesley (KCC) used to be a starter for the Chiefs, but the team tried to trade him prior to the season with no luck.  He was debatable to even make the final roster, but managed to squeak out a backup FS role.  After only one tackle in game one and none in week two, he has now also been injured (knee), and remains questionable for week three.

S Brodney Pool (CLE):  Pool was named a starter at free safety this year for the Browns.  In week one he failed to make a single tackle or any other defensive stat.  In week two, he did manage to notch three tackles during the shoot out against the Bengals, but he also suffered a concussion and is questionable for week three.  Pool has appeared to struggle against the pass and is not making much impact in run support.  Add in an injury concern and it lowers his stock far enough that our lifeguards are now advising everyone to get out of the Pool.