Whitner has had 21 stops this year.Hopefully everyone is feeling as good as I am (even though I still have an alcohol buzz) this morning after a great win in Madison last night. It is good to know I will have a few more NFL Buckeyes to write about in the coming years, but thankfully I don't have to write about the offensive #2 until 2011.
Division races are starting to shape up as we head into week 5 of the NFL season. The big matchups are out west, where Buffalo is at Arizona and San Francisco is playing host to New England.
I have mentioned for a couple of weeks now, Buffalo maybe for real, lead by Donte Whitner and Ashton Youboty. The Bills are looking to start 5-0 for the first time since 1991. They may have it a bit easier against the Cardinals, as Anquan Boldin is out with a neck injury. Last week Buffalo took care of St. Loius 31-14, as Whitner recorded his first career sack.
The other big game has Nate Clements trying to help slow down Randy Moss. The 49ers are tied with Seattle for the lead out west at 2-2. A victory today could put them in sole possession of first, as Seattle travels to New York to face the Giants. Clements is fifth on the team with 17 tackles and has also forced a fumble. Larry Grant is still on the 49ers practice squad and I wonder how much he emulated Mike Vrabel in practice this week.
The game featuring the most Buckeyes has Atlanta at Green Bay. Even though he registered only 2 tackles last week, AJ Hawk still leads the Packers with 28 stops and is tied for second with 2 sacks. Green Bay is hoping to keep pace with my beloved Bears atop the NFC North division.
No Buckeye on the Falcons roster is making waves. Sadly Micheal Jenkins has only caught 6 passes for a 113 yards, with his first catch of the year going for 62 yards and a touchdown. Ben Hartstock has shown less production, with 2 catches for 24 yards, even though he is listed as the starting tight end. Simon Fraser has been credited with only one assisted tackle.
If you are looking for some fantasy help, Anthony Gonzalez is back after his bye week and faces a Houston team that has given up an average of 33 points a game. Santonio Holmes might have a tough game, as Pittsburgh travels to Jacksonville for NBC's Football Night in America and Ted Ginn looks to get on track at home against Matt Wilhelm and the San Diego Chargers.
