FanHouse Matt Wilhelm

The Eagles will be without starting linebacker Stewart Bradley for the season. He tore his ACL during the first week of training camp, leaving a big hole in the middle of their defense (particularly after safety Brian Dawkins wasn't re-signed).

Compounding matters: longtime defensive coordinator Jim Johnson lost his battle to cancer and his replacement, 35-year-old Sean McDermott, is in his first year on the job. The Eagles have signed a couple warm bodies -- Matt Wilhelm and Jason Babin -- and second-year linebacker Joe Mays will also get a shot at replacing Bradley. (There was some speculation that Omar Gaither might get the nod but it looks like he'll remain the fourth linebacker, at least for now.)

Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers have a history. The two redneck quarterbacks don't like each other, and that was clearly evident last Christmas. As of mid-October, nothing had changed, and any progress the two might've made in couples therapy will certainly be for naught in light of recent comments from Rivers' teammates.

Via the San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee, who served as a guest host on a local radio station earlier this week and kiddingly asked Chargers linebacker Matt Wilhelm about Cutler being a punk:

Missed this for last week, but we're back for week 13. Here's how former Buckeyes fared in NFL action this past weekend:

• Tim Anderson (BUF): 4 tackles
• Nate Clements (BUF): 7 tackles, 2 pass deflections
• Donte Whitner (BUF): 7 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Simon Fraser (CLE): 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
• Mike Vrable (NE): 7 tackles, 2 INT, 2 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery
• Mike Nugent (NYJ): 1-1 FG (24), 5-5 PAT
• Santonio Holmes (PIT): 1 reception for 18 yards, 2 returns for 12 yards
• Matt Wilhelm (SD): 5 tackles
• Ben Hartsock (TEN): 1 reception for 16 yards
• Michael Jenkins (ATL): 4 receptions for 43 yards and 1 TD
• Drew Carter (CAR): 1 reception for 5 yards
• Na'il Digs (CAR): 2 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Chris Gamble (CAR): 3 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Bobby Carpenter (DAL): 3 tackles
• Terry Glenn (DAL): 4 receptions for 52 yards
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 8 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Ryan Pickett (GB): 3 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Will Allen (TB): 2 tackles
• Joey Galloway (TB): 3 receptions for 37 yards

Former Buckeye of the Week is a pretty easy decision this go round. Mike Vrable had an absolutely monster game for the Patriots, participating in three turnovers, while also recording seven tackles and breaking up a couple of passes. Very impressive game, and a very impressive season so far for Mike Vrable.

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 9 of NFL action:

• Tim Anderson (BUF): 5 tackles
• Nate Clements (BUF): 9 tackles, 2 pass deflections
• Donte Whitner (BUF): 3 tackles
• Simon Fraser (CLE): 2 tackles, 1 sack
• Mike Vrable (NE): 6 tackles, .5 sacks
• Santonio Holmes (PIT): 6 receptions for 58 yards, 3 returns for 53 yards
• Matt Wilhelm (SD): 6 tackles
• Michael Jenkins (ATL): 3 receptions for 26 yards
• Terry Glenn (DAL): 3 receptions for 26 yards, 1 TD, 1 rush for -8 yards
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 4 tackles
• Ryan Pickett (GB): 7 tackles
• Darrion Scott (MIN): 4 tackles
• Antoine Winfield (MIN): 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflection
• Will Smith (NO): 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
• Joey Galloway (TB): 4 receptions for 97 yards, 2 TD
• Shawn Springs (WAS): 8 tackles, 1 pass deflection

Joey Galloway had a great day with his two touchdowns, but I'm going to award the former Buckeye player of the week award to Will Smith. Just looking at the stat line, it looks like Smith was a one man wrecking crew for the Saints.