Who's Hot / Who's Not

WHO'S Hot

Broncos Defense

Five games, one TDallowed--the stingiest start in 72 years. And they've got swagger. AfterRaiders' 5'10", 230-pound LaMont Jordan (right, being tackled) ranout-of-bounds to avoid 5'8", 188-pound cornerback Darrent Williams,Williams said, "You're so much bigger than me, and you're scared?"Next? The poor Browns.

Roy Williams

Lions' receivercan't be slowed. The 2004 first-round pick, battling a wrenched neck that hetreated with a heating pad in pregame, had 10 catches for 161 yards versusBills--and gave a TD ball to a kid in a number 11 jersey. Marveled QB JonKitna, "He can barely turn his neck and just plays a superstargame."

Kelly Slater

Dude--you have gotto be stoked! The 34-year-old surfing great, competing in Spain, wrapped up hisrecord eighth world title. Some of his fans donned SL8TER T-shirts, otherstossed him gleefully into Mundaka Harbor, and Slater said it was"satisfying."

AlliterativePanthers

Receiver SteveSmith helped Carolina win its fourth straight (after a 189-yard showing heexplained, "I just work hard."); while on the ice in Florida, newgoalie Alex Auld is 3-0-1.

WHO'S Not

Texans Defense

Houston is givingup an AFC-worst 29.4 points a game and during Sunday's 34--6 loss to Dallas("At the half [up 6--3] I felt sure we were going to win," said endAnthony Weaver to the Houston Chronicle) their season got truly painful: tackleSeth Payne (right) tore his right ACL and is out for the year. Next? The potentJaguars.

Mike Williams

Lions' receivercan't get off the ground. The 2005 first-round pick was benched for the fourthtime in six games. He's no longer overweight and no longer tardy--traits thatgot him fined last year--he's just not making catches. Said Kitna when askedabout Williams, "I don't want to talk about that."

John McEnroe

Dude--you cannot beserious! The 47-year-old tennis great, competing in Stockholm, got swept fromthe second round of the doubles bracket. Later Mac (left) went on a trademarkattack, blasting the umpire for a call he said was "disgraceful, absolutelydisgraceful."

BrawlingHurricanes

Beyond Miami:Carolina Hurricanes teammates Kevyn Adams and Bret Hedican fought in practice;five days later, winger Trevor Letowski was laid out (and concussed) by a hitin Pittsburgh.

SI PLAYERS NFL POLL

Who is the dirtiest player in the NFL?

Rodney Harrison, Patriots S 23%

Joey Porter, Steelers LB 6%

Jon Runyan, Eagles T 6%

Warren Sapp, Raiders DT 5%

FAST FACTS Chiefs T Kyle Turley was fifth (4.1%), eventhough he missed all of 2004 and '05 (back injury).... More than 48% of WRschose Harrison.... Porter got 26.8% of votes within the AFC North.... SteelersWR Hines Ward was the top vote-getter among skill position players (3.7%)....The only QB to draw a vote was Patriot Tom Brady.... Titans DT AlbertHaynesworth, serving a five-game ban for stomping on the face of Dallas C AndreGurode, didn't get a vote; the poll was conducted in the preseason.

[ Based on a survey of 361 NFL players ] • For anexpanded version of the poll, go to SI.com/players.

PHOTO

RICH GABRIELSON/WIREIMAGE.COM

PHOTO

SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES

PHOTO

TOM DIPACE

PHOTO

FOTOSPORTS/WIREIMAGE.COM

PHOTO

CRAIG MELVIN/US PRESSWIRE

PHOTO

COLUMBIA PICTURES/PHOTOFEST

PHOTO

STEVE JACOBSON

PHOTO

LEON HALIP/WIREIMAGE.COM