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Linebackers
WHO'S HOT
The LB duo of Mike Barrow and Dhani Jones, New
York Giants, were ablaze Monday night. Barrow
(listed as HOT last week) returned against the Cowboys
in Week 2 to post an unbelievable 17 solo and 2 assisted
tackles - numbers most LB's require 2-3 games to accumulate. OLB
Jones did not lag too far behind, tagging the 'Boys with
11 solo and 5 assisted tackles, and a sack. It is apparent
that the Giant LB's will be very active this year. it
will be interesting to see if Barrow, 33 and in his 11th season,
can maintain the physical intensity. Rookie Nick
Barnett, Green Bay Packers, is relatively
small for a MLB, but the team is counting on him leveraging
his speed and nose for the ball to be the playmaker on
defense this year. If Week 2 is any indication, Barnett
is due for one heck of a year, as he logged 12 solo and
2 assisted tackles, and an interception. 2nd year
OLB David Thornton, Indianapolis Colts,
stepped into the OLB role vacated by Mike Peterson, who
bolted to the Jaguars in free agency. While his performance
in Week 1 was less than impressive, he lit up the Titans
in Week 2 with 10 solo and 3 assisted tackles. Both
Thornton and Barnett are relatively obscure and are likely
on your league free agency listing. If you have some
roster room, I would recommend you pick them up due to
unlimited upside potential this year - both are positioned
to be heavily relied upon in their defensive schemes. Other
LB's of note in Week 2: Andra Davis, CLE Browns; Takeo
Spikes, BUF Bills; Keith Bullock, TEN Titans; Chris Draft,
ATL Falcons; Sam Cowart, NY Jets; Jay Foreman, HOU Texans;
and Brian Urlacher, CHI Bears.
WHO'S NOT
Both Rosie Colvin and Ted Johnson, New
England Patriots, will miss this week's game against
the Jets. Colvin is battling a hip injury that should
allow him to return in Week 4 after taking a couple of
weeks to heal. Veteran Willie McGinest will replace
him at OLB, and could prove to be a good pick up if Colvin
if his recovery is prolonged. Johnson's injury, a broken
bone in his foot, could keep him out for several weeks. Roman
Phifer will assume his role at ILB and, while not the
run stuffer Johnson is, could post some nice fantasy
numbers over the next few weeks. Shelton Quarles,
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be sidelined 6-8 weeks
with a broken forearm. Look for Nate Webster to step
in for Quarles and realize some healthy fantasy production. Keep
an eye on the situation with Donnie Edwards, San
Diego Chargers. Edwards is battling a nasty
groin pull and is listed as questionable for this week's
game against the Ravens. Even if he plays, there is
no doubt that his mobility will be compromised. Look
for Carlos Polk to spell him throughout the game.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Mike Peterson, JAX Jaguars, against the IND Colts
Jamie
Sharper, HOU Texans, against the KC Chiefs
Chris Claiborne,
MIN Vikings, against the DET Lions
Keith Bullock, TEN Titans,
against the NO Saints
Sam Cowart, NY Jets, against the NE
Patriots
Derrick Brooks, TB Bucs, against the ATL Falcons
Nick Barnett,
GB Packers, against the AZ Cardinals
Mike Barrow, NY Giants,
against the WAS Redskins
Anthony Simmons, SEA Seahawks, against
the STL Rams
Ray Lewis, BAL Ravens, against the SD Chargers
Andra Davis,
CLE Browns, against the SF 49ers
Takeo Spikes, BUF Bills,
against the MIA Dolphins
Zach Thomas, MIA Dolphins, against
the BUF Bills
Eric Barton, OAK Raiders, against the DEN Broncos
Defensive Linemen
WHO'S HOT
Ryan Sims, Kansas City Chiefs, is due for a big
year. It can be argued that the Chiefs possess one the
best D Lines this year, and with Vonnie Holiday and Eric
Hicks wreaking havoc on the outside, Sims should flourish. Against
a good Steeler O Line, Hicks tormented Tommy Maddox, realizing
4 solo tackles and 2 sacks. While I typically prefer DE's,
Sims could be an exception due to his athletic ability
and his surrounding performers. With all the injuring
plaguing the D Line, it is fortunate that Willie Whitehead,
New Orleans Saints, is stepping up to
the plate. Against an underappreciated Houston Texan O
Line, Whitehead had a great game, netting 6 solo and 2
assisted tackles, and 2 sacks. So far, it appears to be
a safe bet to plug and play whatever Saint DE is currently
healthy and in the starting lineup. While on what appears
to be a pretty bad defense, DE Kenard Lang, Cleveland Browns,
is one of few bright spots. Against the Ravens, Lang contributed
7 solo and 1 assisted tackles, and 2 sacks. With the Brown
offense sputtering, it can be assumed that Lang will see
more opportunity to realize fantasy production. Other
defensive linemen of note in Week 2: Kevin Carter, TEN
Titans, and Kenny Holmes, NY Giants.
WHO'S NOT
As mentioned above, the New Orleans Saints have
had their fair share of injuries early on this season,
and especially on the defensive line. Starters Darren
Howard and Jonathon Sullivan will be spelled
by Willie Whitehead and Kenny Smith, respectively. Howard
will miss 10-12 games after having surgery performed to
repair his wrist, and Sullivan is out 2 to 3 weeks with
cartilage damage in his left knee. Dwight Freeney,
Indianapolis Colts, is out indefinitely with a sprained
ankle, and is listed as doubtful for Week 3 action. Veteran
Chad Bratzke will step to replace Freeney. NT Seth
Payne, Houston Texans, has been lost
for the season with a torn ACL. Payne's absence could
impact fantasy production of Houston's high-caliber ILB's
Foreman and Sharper, so this bears inspection over the
next week or two. Payne's replacement is Junior Ioane.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Hugh Douglas, JAX Jaguars, against the IND Colts
Eric Hicks,
KC Chiefs, against the HOU Texans
Kenny Mixon, MIN Vikings,
against the DET Lions
Kevin Carter, TEN Titans, against the
NO Saints
John Abraham, NY Jets, against the NE Patriots
Justin Smith,
CIN Bengals, against the PIT Steelers
Simeon Rice, TB Bucs,
against the ATL Falcons
Michael Strahan, NY Giants, against
the WAS Redskins
Leonard Little, STL Rams, against the SEA
Seahawks
Adalius Thomas, BAL Ravens, against the SD Chargers
Andre
Carter, SF 49ers, against the CLE Browns
Jason Taylor, MIA
Dolphins, against the BUF Bills
Trevor Pryce, DEN Broncos,
against the OAK Raiders
Defensive Backs
WHO'S HOT
Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens,
continued his HOT play in Week 2 with a 3 solo tackle and
2 interception game against the Cleveland Browns. Reed
is a natural and an opportunist, placing himself in position
to make a play on every down. As part of one of the league's
best defenses, SS Greg Wesley, Kansas City Chiefs,
will enjoy a productive year if he can stay healthy. Against
the Steelers, Wesley tallied 9 solo tackles. He's listed
as probable (knee) for this week's game against the Texans,
and could have another big day. SS Jay Bellamy, New
Orleans Saints, enjoyed another big game in
Week 2 against the Houston Texans, realizing 11 solo tackles. With
the LB corps performing less than spectacularly for New
Orleans, Bellamy is a sure tackler and could have a consistent
and healthy fantasy year.
WHO'S NOT
Rod Woodson, Oakland Raiders, the unquestionable
leader on defense, is listed as doubtful with a tweaked
knee, and it looking bleak that he'll play in this week's
big MNF against arch rival Denver Broncos. If unable to
go, the Raiders will miss his big game, playmaking ability
and leadership. Siddeeq Shabazz would start in Woodson's
place. LCB Donnie Abraham, New York Jets, will
be sidelined for up to 8 weeks with a fractured right shoulder. He'll
be replaced by veteran Ray Mickens. Dale Carter, New
Orleans Saints, will miss 3-4 weeks with a broken eye
socket. He'll be replaced by Fred Thomas, who should perform
capably in Carter's absence.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Mike Doss, IND Colts, against the JAX Jaguars
Greg Wesley,
KC Chiefs, against the HOU Texans
Lance Shulters, TEN Titans,
against the NO Saints
Jay Bellamy, NO Saints, against the
TEN Titans
Rodney Harrison, NE Patriots, against the NY Jets
John Lynch,
TB Bucs, against the ATL Falcons
Adrian Wilson, AZ Cardinals,
against the GB Packers
Shaun Williams, NY Giants, against
the WAS Redskins
Adam Archuleta, STL Rams, against the SEA
Seahawks
Reggie Tongue, SEA Seahawks, against the STL Rams
Ed Reed,
BAL Ravens, against the SD Chargers
Zach Bronson, SF 49ers,
against the CLE Browns
Lawyer Milloy, BUF Bills, against the
MIA Dolphins
Kennoy Kennedy, DEN Broncos, against the OAK
Raiders
Top 12 Team Defenses
- TB Bucs @ ATL Falcons - Bucs D steaming over last week's
loss to CAR
- KC Chiefs @ HOU Texans - D Line should provide many
sack/INT opportunities
- SF 49ers vs. CLE Browns - Good D at home vs. erratic
offense = fantasy production
- BAL Ravens @ SD Chargers - SD struggling. Ravens will
feast
- MIN Vikings @ Detroit - MIN D is surprise of season,
so far
- BUF Bills @ MIA Dolphins - BUF D progressing week to
week
- MIA Dolphins vs. BUF Bills - MIA D warming up and at
home
- NY Giants @ WAS Redskins - Giants seething after MNF
loss to the Tuna
- WAS Redskins vs. NY Giants - 'Skins D fast, confident
and 2-0
- GB Packers @ AZ Cardinals - . it's the Cardinals
- SEA Seahawks vs. STL Cardinals - Seahawks are another
improved D
- PIT Steelers @ CIN Bengals - D furious
after getting punked by KC
As always, be sure to check the latest injury reports
before submitting your roster. Good luck and thanks for
supporting The Huddle!
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