FanHouse Dan Wilkinson

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"Big Daddy" Dan Wilkinson, that is. The Ohio State defensive tackle would go on to be the #1 pick in the NFL draft after performances like this in 1993. There are actual offensive highlights to watch, but I recommend you focus on the center of the Ohio State defensive line as Wilkinson proceeds to collapse and devour the Washington Husky interior like a black hole chewing up massive galaxies.

Both leave me in terrified awe.

The Lions recently placed second year DT Shaun Cody on injured reserve due to a nagging toe injury which limited him to six games this season. Cody, a former second round pick from USC, was the heir apparent to veteran DT Dan Wilkinson, who was released prior to the season. Cody was not a major contributor this year when he was active, and unfortunately didn't live up to the team's performance expectations. I would go as far as to say that if you were looking for a place to lay blame upon the Lions poor season, the loss of DE James Hall and DT Cody, along with the unexpected suspension of DT Shaun Rogers would reside near the top of that list of contributors to the team's demise.

The team's defensive front was perceived to be one it's strengths prior to the season. At this point, it is one of the most obvious areas that demand to be upgraded this off season. The lack of a consistent pass rush has allowed opponents to complete nearly 70% of their passes. The loss of Cody, Hall and Rogers also has exposed a giant void in the Lions defense which opposing offenses have been able to run the ball through at will. The Lions inability to stop the run, or pass, has severely impaired their chances for winning games.

RB Kevin Jones is set to return from his ankle sprain to play against New England this Sunday. The Lions have struggled offensively in Jones two game absence. Jones' replacements, Arlen Harris and Aveion Cason, have a combined 24 carries for 81 yards (3.3 yards/carry) and are nowhere near the play makers that Jones is. Jones will provide Lions QB Jon Kitna with a quality receiving outlet to counter the Patriots pressure. Jones also presents the Patriots with the possibility that the Lions may actually run the ball, which may slow down the pressure that they apply upon Kitna. Jones is emerging as one of the few bright spots during this disappointing season, so it is good to see that he will be able to provide Lions fans with some small measure of pride, in spite of the team's continued struggles.

Here's how former Ohio State Buckeyes fared in week 10 of NFL action:

• Tim Anderson (BUF): 1 tackle
• Nate Clements (BUF): 5 tackles, 2 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble
• Donte Whitner (BUF): 4 tackles
• Simon Fraser (CLE): 1 pass deflection
  
• Dan Wilkinson (MIA): 1 tackle
• Mike Vrabel (NE): 1 tackle
• Mike Nugent (NYJ): 1-1 FG (34), 2-2 PAT
• Santonio Holmes (PIT): 2 receptions for 57 yards
• Matt Wilhelm (SD): 1 tackle
• Michael Jenkins (ATL): 2 receptions for 17 yards and 1 TD
• Na'il Digs (CAR): 5 tackles
• Chris Gamble (CAR): 3 tackles, 3 returns for 20 yards
• Bobby Carpenter (DAL): 1 tackle
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
• Ryan Pickett (GB): 3 tackles
• Darrion Scott (MIN): 2 tackles
• Antoine Winfield (MIN): 7 tackles
• Will Smith (NO): 2 tackles
• Joey Galloway (TB): 5 receptions for 87 yards
• Shawn Springs (WAS): 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection, 1 forced fumble

Kind of a down week for most former Buckeyes, but A.J. Hawk had a monster game. I think it's clear that he's the former Buckeye Player of the Week.

Here's how former Ohio State Buckeyes fared in week 7 of NFL action:

• Nate Clements (Buf): 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Donte Whitner (Buf): 5 tackles
• Mike Doss (ind): 5 tackles
• Dan Wilkinson (Mia): 1 pass deflection
• Mike Vrable (NE): 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
• Mike Nugent (NYJ): 1-1 FG (33), 4-4 PAT
• Santonio Holmes (Pit): 5 receptions for 91 yards, 4 returns for 88 yards
• Michael Jenkins (Atl): 2 receptions for 25 yards, 1 TD
• Na'il Digs (Car): 5 tackles
• Chris Gamble (Car): 7 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Terry Glenn (Dal): 4 receptions, 41 yards
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 12 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection
• Ryan Pickett (GB): 5 tackles
• Darrion Scott (Min): 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection
• Antoine Winfield (Min): 4 tackles
• Will Allen (TB): 8 tackles
• Shawn Springs (Was): 6 tackles, 1 pass deflection

Player of the week honors goes to A.J. Hawk for his 12 tackle performance. I read some of the game reports from Green Bay's win, and all were pretty flattering for A.J. It's looking like he's a fast learner.

How former Ohio State Buckeyes fared in week 6 of NFL action:

• Nate Clements (Buf): 4 tackles
• Donte Whitner (Buf): 8 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Dan Wilkinson (Mia): 4 tackles, 1 forced fumble
• Mike Nugent (NYJ): 2-2 FG (33, 33), 2-2 PAT
• Santonio Holmes (Pit): 1 rush for 13 yards, 2 receptions for 58 yards, 7 returns for 109 yards
• Michael Jenkins (Atl): 3 receptions for 30 yards
• Drew Carter (Car): 4 receptions for 65 yards, 1 TD
• Na'il Digs (Car): 4 tackles
• Chris Gamble (Car): 3 tackles, 2 pass deflections
• Terry Glenn (Dal): 5 receptions for 47 yards
• Will Allen (TB): 4 tackles
• Joey Galloway (TB): 7 receptions for 76 yards

Kind of an off week for former Buckeyes, so it's a bit tougher to pick my NFL Ohio State player of the week. I think I'll go with Drew Carter who had a nice little game with 65 yards receiving and a touchdown. Nice to see him doing well for Carolina, but I have to admit that I hope he has an off week this Sunday against the Bengals!

Here's how former Buckeyes fared in the NFL during week five action:

• Nate Clements (Buf): 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Donte Whitner (Buf): 8 tackles
• Mike Doss (Ind): 6 tackles, 1 INT, 2 pass deflection
• Dan Wilkinson (Mia): 3 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Mike Vrable (NE): 5 tackles
• Santonio Holmes (Pit): 2 receptions for 22 yards, 4 returns for 72 yards
• Na'il Digs (Car): 4 tackles
• Chris Gamble (Car): 3 tackles, 2 pass deflections
• Terry Glenn (Dal): 5 receptions for 61 yards
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 8 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Darrion Scott (Min): 5 tackles, 1 sack
• Antoine Winfield (Min): 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Joey Galloway (TB): 4 receptions for 110 yards and 1 TD

Big day for Joey Galloway, and he gets player of the week honors for former Buckeyes.

Also nice to see Donte Whitner, who's been inactive some weeks this season, come up pretty big for Buffalo with 8 tackles. He's going to be a good one.

Here's how former Ohio State Buckeyes fared in the fourth week of NFL action:

• Nate Clements (Buf): 5 tackles, 3 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble
• Donte Whitner (Buf): 6 tackles, 1 pass deflection
  
• Simon Fraser (Cle): 1 tackles, 1 sack
• Mike Doss (Ind): 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Dan Wilkinson (Mia): 2 tackles
• Mike Vrabel (NE): 5 tackles
• MIke Nugent (NYJ): 4-4 PAT
• Michael Jenkins (ATL): 3 receptions, 28 yards
• Drew Carter (CAR): 1 reception, 4 yards, 1 TD
• Na'il Diggs (CAR): 6 tackles
• Chris Gamble (CAR): 7 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Terry Glenn (DAL): 5 receptions, 52 yards, 2 TD
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 3 tackles, .5 sack
• Darrion Scott (MIN): 9 tackles, 1 pass deflection, .5 sack
• Antoine Winfield (MIN): 11 tackles

Game ball for former Buckeyes goes to Terry Glenn this week for his two touchdown performance against the Tennessee Titans.

As always, if I'm missing a Buckeye in the NFL, let me know in the comments.