BY WES SINOR / Assistant Sports Editor
Carnell “Cadillac” Williams carries the ball against Arkansas.: Williams was drated in the first round by Tampa Bay, just behind fellow running back Ronnie Brown, who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Brown tied an NFL record with five touchdowns against New England Sept. 21. ARCHIVEDCarnell “Cadillac” Williams carries the ball against Arkansas.: Williams was drated in the first round by Tampa Bay, just behind fellow running back Ronnie Brown, who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Brown tied an NFL record with five touchdowns against New England Sept. 21. ARCHIVED

In wake of last weekend’s depressing loss to the team that will remain unnamed, I’ve decided to focus on the more positive side of Auburn football — well, sort of.

I started thinking about the Auburn teams of the past, and I really began to miss certain players. Players that were seemingly unstoppable in their prime on the Plains.

So here’s an update on how Auburn alumni are doing in the NFL through the first five weeks of the season:

Jason Campbell, Redskins: Working under new head coach Jim Zorn, Campbell is blooming in his seventh offensive scheme in eight years, dating back to his freshman year at Auburn. Campbell has led his team to a 4-1 record, including recent wins at Dallas and Philadelphia. Against the Saints Sept. 14, he threw for a career-high 321 yards. He has thrown for 1,054 yards on the season with six touchdowns and is the only regular starter in the league without an interception. With Campbell under center, Washington has become one of the hottest teams in the NFL.

Ronnie Brown, Dolphins: Brown rushed for his second straight 100-yard rushing game Sunday in a 17-10 win over the Chargers. On Sept. 21, Brown scored a team record six touchdowns — rushing for four on direct snaps, receiving one and throwing one. Brown averages 71.6 rushing yards per game and continues to split time with pothead Ricky Williams, who is averaging just 47.3 yards per game. I really hope Williams will get in trouble again and finally get out of Miami so Brown won’t be held back anymore.

Carlos Rogers, Redskins: Rogers has 21 tackles on the season, third best on the team. He has one interception, and it could not have come at a better time. The Skins were tied with the upstart Cardinals in the fourth quarter Sept. 21 when Rogers intercepted a pass from Kurt Warner and returned in 42 yards, setting up a Campbell to Santana Moss game-winning touchdown.

Takeo Spikes, 49ers: Playing in his third city since 2006, Spikes ranks third on the team in tackles with 33. He has also forced one fumble and caught two interceptions for 2-3 San Francisco.

Karlos Dansby, Cardinals: Dansby has tallied 36 tackles so far this year, tied for 10th most by any player in the NFL. He has 26 solo tackles, 10.5 assisted tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Rudi Johnson, Lions: I feel bad for Johnson. A few years ago, he was among the top backs in the league. Johnson was released by the Bengals Aug. 30 after seven seasons with the team. He signed a one-year deal with the Lions and currently splits time with rookie Kevin Smith from Central Florida. Johnson is averaging just 30 yards per game in his new role for winless Detroit.

Carnell Williams, Buccaneers: Cadillac is still out becauseof his injury last year when he tore his patellar tendon. Williams remains on the Bucs’ roster, but he is on the “physically unable to perform” list, meaning he won’t be able to play until the seventh week of the season. Many believe Williams’ injury to be career-ending, but I certainly hope not. The 2005 offensive rookie of the year has been working extremely hard to come back, and I’d love to see him back on the field soon.