Patrick Willis rebounded with authority last week.

Amobi Okoye, Houston Texans
Season Stats: 20 solos, 6 assists, 5.0 sacks, 0 INT, 1 FF, 0 Pass Def.
Last Week: 0 solos, 1 assist, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 Pass Def.

With only two assists and zero sacks in the last two games, it is officially time to cut bait on Okoye regardless of what is out there.  Albert Haynesworth is returning from injury, maybe he’s available.  Any other defensive lineman will likely do at this point.  It was good while it lasted.

Gaines Adams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Season Stats: 16 solos, 7 assists, 3.5 sacks, 0 INT, 1 FF, 2 Pass Def.
Last Week: 3 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 Pass Def.

Back to back weeks of three solos from Adams, just this time without the pair of sacks to go with it.  Actually, it seems as if Adams was the only one on the defensive side of the ball last week to not manage some sort of huge play.  This week brings along the New Orleans Saints who have a tendency to pass the ball a bit, allowing for a few sack opportunities from the rookie defensive end.  If you can handle only getting a few tackles with the possible upside of a sack or two, Adams would be a safe second defensive lineman this week. 

Linebackers

Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
Season Stats: 83 solos, 27 assists, 1 sack, 0 INT, 1 FF, 3 Pass Def.
Last Week: 17 solos, 1 assist, 0.5 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 1 Pass Def.

Just when we may have thought he was slowing down a bit, Willis rattles off an 18-tackle (17 solos!) game.  Better yet was his half of a sack, showing that he’s becoming a bigger part of the pass-rush as well.  This week brings Willis against another big rookie linebacker in Jon Beason, so you can bet that he’ll be looking to up-stage the opponent.  With 110 total tackles on the season, you can bet that this kid is one of the top linebackers taken in next season’s drafts.

Jon Beason, Carolina Panthers
Season Stats: 70 solos, 21 assists, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 4 Pass Def.
Last Week: 7 solos, 3 assists, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 Pass Def.

Only 10 tackles last week?  What gives, Beason?  It’s tough to get acknowledgement when a fellow rookie pulls down 17 solos, but this kid deserves a ton of attention for what he’s done over the last four weeks: 32 solos, 9 assists and a pass defended.  He has five weeks of double-digit takedowns, including three in the past four games.  Carolina squares off against a run-first Niners team this week, so expect more of the same from the rookie.

David Harris, New York Jets
Season Stats: 58 solos, 25 assists, 2.0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 1 Pass Def.
Last Week: 6 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 Pass Def.

The New York Jets do not want to be the first team to lose to the Miami Dolphins this season, so expect both sides of the ball to come out full force. Miami’s run game is a bit banged up, but that shouldn’t stop Harris from at least recording modest tackle numbers this week.  Do we think he’ll put up 20 solos?  No, not likely ever again, but he’s a solid second or third backer in most IDP formats.

Defensive Backs

LaRon Landry, Washington Redskins
Season Stats: 47 solos, 23 assists, 1.5 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 3 Pass Def.
Last Week: 5 solos, 1 assist, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 Pass Def.

Whatever Landry did last week will be long forgotten as he’ll go into this week’s game without his defensive backfield partner, Sean Taylor.  Rumors have swirled that the team will take the defensive field with only 10 players for the first play of the game, but this is to be seen.  It is more than just stats and football at this point for Landry and his teammates, so if you think it’s best to sit him this week, it may be.  There should be ample replacements out there, so go check out the wire for a week.

Eric Wright, Cleveland Browns
Season Stats: 64 solos, 4 assists, 1.0 sacks, 1 INT, 0 FF, 8 Pass Def.
Last Week: N/A

Out the past few weeks with a knee injury, the Browns are considering their rookie corner to be “iffy” at best this week against the Cardinals.  Rookie Brandon McDonald had three tackles, an interception and four passes defended in his place.  While that may have just been beginner’s luck, Kurt  Warner’s air attack will give whoever starts at corner one heck of a chance to make some plays this week. 

Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
Season Stats: 58 solos, 10 assists, 0 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF, 11 Pass Def.
Last Week: 5 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 1 Pass Def.

If your league has specific positions or counts passes defended, Revis has been an absolute stud for a rookie defensive back.  Teams will continue to challenge him as he’s been covering number one receiving options and is a rookie.  This will continue to pile up opportunities for big plays as well as tackles.  He’ll likely draw fellow rookie Ted Ginn, Jr. this week, so we’ll have to watch and see who gets the better of whom.