The KC safeties: Is Bernard Pollard not playing in the box, explaining his low tackle numbers, or its it too soon to panic? Love some insight on their sceme.
Sig touched on this, but I think there are two issues here. First, it's worth remembering that Herm Edwards used a lot of Cover-2 and interchangeable safety play in New York with Kerry Rhodes and Erik Coleman. He was doing the same thing during the preseason, with neither player getting consistent in-the-box snaps. The other issue is that the KC linebacker unit, as Sig mentioned, is playing lights-out. They aren't necessarily getting off the field quickly, but they're sweeping up everything before it gets to the third level in both run support and coverage. An injury to that group could do wonders for one or both safeties. It's not looking good for either guy right now though.
[Also is Harper playing full time safety for NO's - with the defense being on the field all the time he isn't get a whole lot of tackles??
The Saints defense has actually faced the third fewest offensive snaps this year (though an above average number of rush attempts) and Harper is on pace for 80 solo tackles. He'll be fine, and still has some big play upside if the team can keep games a little closer.
The Minnesota DE's, how things are shakin out, and what to expect.
It looks like Edwards and Udeze have close to every down roles and are both playing well. Robison is rotating in on passing downs and bumping Udeze inside. Erasmus James was a healthy inactive last week and is falling off the radar altogether.
Just how good is the beast that is Marlin Jackson?
Very good. We've been pimping him as the next most likely Charles Tillman (physical tackler with very good zone ball skills) and just waiting for him to get an every down role. Many of us have had him off and on our rosters since he entered the league. It's not a fluke. Excellent chance at a top ten finish this year.
A lot of leagues now include KR/PR statistics for IDP's. Can you give us a breakdown of the top 10 IDP's that are also part of the return game for their teams?
Noonan
I have to admit that there's enough on my plate that this is pretty far down my priority list, although I recognize it's a big issue for many of you. If you're a subscriber, Mike Herman's Returnerguys column runs on Wednesdays and follows the PR/KR situation for every team. If not, Bob Henry's depth charts are regularly updated and designate KR and PR. Looking at Herman's Week 4 column, it appears that Ed Reed, Terrence McGee, Danieal Manning, Charles Woodson and Ellis Hobbs are the only returners who see significant time in the base defense for their respective teams right now.
The NY J-E-T-S LB's are a tough read. Same with Cleveland and Cincy. Any insight on whom to target moving forward?
Noonan
Dynasty leaguers should probably have David Harris, Ahmad Brooks and Leon Williams on the radar and hope for the best, while keeping a slot warm for Vilma. Redraft leaguers should probably avoid all three situations, but Landon Johnson, Jonathan Vilma and D'Qwell Jackson are the best bets to lead their groups in tackles.
I would like to know why these players are underperforming expectations
Aaron Kampman, Cory Redding (tackle required)
AJ Hawk
B Pool.
Thanks
Kampman is fine. He's projecting to his usual 50 plus tackles and providing more pass rush than the single sack would suggest. Remember, though, that Kampman is not a speed rusher and the 15 sacks will be his career high. He's a guy you should expect 50-8 seasons from in an average year.I've yet to see a Lions game this year, so I don't have a considered opinion on Redding. Pretty concerning, though it may be that teams are focusing on him and making the ends beat them. He's also faced two decent interior lines in PHI and MIN over the past two weeks.
AJ Hawk is really struggling to get off blocks and a healthy Nick Barnett is doing what I thought he'd do last year. We were discussing these guys off-air last night too. Sig thinks Hawk looks lost -- and I agree. We are all wondering if the breakthrough (and comeback) Bates MLB of 2007 is going to be Nick Barnett rather than DJ Williams.
Brodney Pool is a mess right now. Could be because he's not played much safety as a pro, could be because he's a better man player than zone. Regardless, he'd have little IDP value in standard situations if he were playing well. The system and role aren't conducive to tackles or big plays.
Also:How does Nate Webster continue to put up solid numbers, is it something we can expect to continue & therefore make him a good fill in for upcoming bye weeks.Are Kiwi's numbers this week an aberration or is he beginning to pick up the position & making the most of it?What's the deal with Kennoy Kennedy? 
in their face. 
But how about the pre-season top DLs and LBs as well? J. Taylor, A Kampman, D Burgess, A Schobel, L Little and T Suggs at the defensive lineman position along with A Pierce, D Ryans, R Lewis and S Merriman at the linebacker position have all under-performed so far this season. Do you see this changing over the coming weeks as the "cream rises to the top" or are these players being passed by players over-acheiving their pre-season ADP or VBD position?
That's Jared Allen. He'll be inconsistent as a pass rusher, but his statlines are always buoyed by his no-quit run support play.
