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Linebackers
WHO'S HOT
Sam Cowart, New York Jets, is in fine form after
battling injury last year. Cowart is an incredible athlete
and, with his offense struggling, his upside potential
this year is phenomenal as he should find himself on the
field plenty. He leads the league in tackles, and Cowart's
effort against the Patriots in Week 3 was stellar, logging
7 solo and 9 assisted tackles, 1 sack, and a forced fumble. Robert
Thomas, St. Louis Rams, has flourished so far in his
3rd season in the NFL. After starting outside,
Thomas is now entrenched at the MLB spot, and he's utilizing
his speed to get to the ball all over the field. Against
the Seahawks, he pulled in 7 solo tackles and a sack, and
I anticipate that he'll be in action more so than not,
as the Ram offense just isn't the same without Marshall
Faulk in the line up. So far, so good for Brian Simmons, Cincinnati Bengals. Simmons
was a fantasy disappointment last year, as he seemed to
sparkle and fade way too often, especially as the season
progressed. There is no doubt, however, that Simmons has
talent, and like the aforementioned Cowart and Thomas,
one can expect that he will be disproportionately on the
field more than he should be with a struggling offense. In
Week 3, Simmons continued his strong start of the season
with an 8 solo and 1 assisted tackle outing against the
Steelers. Also of note in Week 3: Andra Davis, CLE Browns;
David Thornton, IND Colts; Nick Barnett, GB Packers; Raynoch
Thompson, AZ Cardinals; Ray Lewis, BAL Ravens; and Donnie
Edwards, SD Chargers.
WHO'S NOT
No significant injuries of note after Week 3's action,
but let's take a look at some underperformers. Kendrell
Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers, has been a disappointment
so far this season, registering only 8 combined tackles
in 3 games. Yes, he had 2 sacks against the Bengals, but
now that MLB Bell is on the field on every down, he's got
to get his tackling totals up to meet expectations this
year. Perhaps Joey Porter returning from his gun shot
wound will provide more pressure on the outside, freeing
up Bell to pursue more in the middle and realize more tackles
as the year progresses. Dan Morgan, Carolina Panthers,
should be having the season of his career. He's got a
stellar supporting cast, with arguably the best defensive
line in the NFL, and a very strong defensive backfield. Morgan
has, however, been bit by the injury bug again this year,
and is developing the reputation as player who cannot stay
on the field. Having missed time already this year with
a broken hand and pulled hamstring, Morgan has vowed that
he is not damaged goods and is ready to return to the line
up after the Panther's Week 3 bye. Keep an eye on Morgan - he
has the potential to be a top 10 line backer if he stays
healthy. but that is a big if, at this point.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Robert Thomas, STL Rams, against the AZ Cardinals
Andra
Davis, CLE Browns, against the CIN Bengals
Jay Foreman, HOU
Texans, against the JAX Jaguars
Lavar Arrington, WAS Redskins,
against the NE Patriots
Takeo Spikes, BUF Bills, against the
PHI Eagles
Julian Peterson, SF 49ers, against the MIN Vikings
Keith Bullock,
TEN Titans, against the PIT Steelers
Ray Lewis, BAL Ravens,
against the KC Chiefs
Donnie Edwards, SD Chargers, against
the OAK Raiders
Keith Brooking, ATL Falcons, against the CAR
Panthers
Sam Cowart, NY Jets, against the DAL Cowboys
Ian Gold, DEN
Broncos, against the DET Lions
Brian Urlacher, CHI Bears,
against the GB Packers
Defensive Linemen
WHO'S HOT
Bertrand Berry, Denver Broncos, is off to a fast
start this season. Playing opposite Trevor Pryce, who's
seeing constant double teams, Berry has been applying consistent
pressure to opposing quarterbacks. I also like to see
a handful of tackles from a defensive lineman in a game,
and Berry fits the bill in that category as well. Against
the Raiders Monday night, he had 3 solo and 1 assisted
tackles, and 2.5 sacks. Leonard Little, St. Louis Rams,
has been on a terror the first 3 games of the season. He
was a menace to the Seahawks in Week 3, realizing 5 solo
and 1 assisted tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble. While
Little is near the top of the leader board in sacks, he
also always seems to have multiple tackles in run support. Adewale
Ogunleye, Miami Dolphins, has been the primary benefactor
of the double and triple teams 2003 sack leader Jason Taylor
has realized this year. Taylor has been more or less neutralized
on the right side, and Ogunleye has posted excellent stats,
as a result. Against the Bills at home, he posted 4 solo
and 1 assisted tackles, and 2 sacks. Ogunleye could be
a nice pick up for those of you in need of a DE with decent
sack potential. Other DL of note in Week 3: Shaun Ellis,
NY Jets; and Aaron Schoebel, PIT Steelers.
WHO'S NOT
When it rains, it pours. after having already realized
substantial injuries to key defensive personnel (Rosie
Colvin and Ted Johnson), the New England Patriots lost
line-clogger Ted Washington for the season with
a broken leg. While Washington was not a stat-grabber,
he facilitated the ability for those around him to move
to the ball while he collapsed the middle of the line and
took out multiple offensive linemen. So devastating was
this injury, that the team is exploring moving to a 4-3
scheme. Rick Lyle will fill in at NT for the time being. A
quick word to address the stressing out over lack of production
at the DL spot, particularly from studs like Jason Taylor,
Miami Dolphins, and Patrick Kerney, Atlanta Falcons,
among a few select others. Each has a half sack through
three games, and have been limited in the number of tackles
accumulated this season. What do you do if you know your
DL, one you drafted relatively high, is drawing double
teams and shooting blanks in the sack department? The
answer is simple. never bench your studs. It's like Murphy's
Law - as soon as you start another lineman, Taylor or Kerney
will bust out for 2-3 sacks in a game. Both players are
on very good defenses, and opposing offenses cannot afford
to dedicate the manpower to double and triple team these
players forever.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Leonard Little, STL Rams, against the AZ Cardinals
Hugh
Douglas, JAX Jaguars, against the HOU Texans
Andre Carter,
SF 49ers, against the MIN Vikings
Kevin Carter, TEN Titans,
against the PIT Steelers
Vonnie Holliday, KC Chiefs, against
the BAL Ravens
Julius Peppers/Mike Rucker, CAR Panthers, against
the ATL Falcons
Greg Ellis, DAL Cowboys, against the NY Jets
John Abraham,
NY Jets, against the DAL Cowboys
Bertrand Berry, DEN Broncos,
against the DET Lions
Willie Whitehead, NO Saints, against
the IND Colts
Defensive Backs
WHO'S HOT
Dre Bly, Detroit Lions, had a
fantastic fantasy game against the Vikings in Week 3, as
he amassed 4 solo and 1 assisted tackles, a sack, and an
interception. Bly is a playmaker and will continue to
be utilized on a revitalized, young team to create problems
for opposing offenses. Darren Sharper, Green Bay Packers,
when healthy, is the best defensive player on the team. He
is, essentially, a 4th linebacker, knows how
to deliver a hit, and is effective in run support. In
an embarrassing loss to the Cardinals, Sharper went 8 solo
and 1 assisted tackles on the day. If the underperforming
Packer defensive line can get more pressure on the QB,
expect Sharper to get his fair share of picks, along with
nice portions of tackles. I can't imagine Bill Belichick
or the New England front office could have expected Lawyer
Milloy, BUF Bills, to perform the way he has so far
this year. I have to admit, as well, that I thought Milloy
looked slower last year, and had him lower than I should
have in my preseason DB rankings. Perhaps it was just
a change of scenery, but Milloy has been solid and impactful
with the revamped D of the Bills. Even in a beating against
the Dolphins, Milloy scored on 7 solo and 4 assisted tackles. The
Bills D is one of the league's best, and Milloy should
continue to provide you with good production throughout
the year. Other DB's of note in Week 3: Matt Stevens,
HOU Texans; Ed Reed, BAL Ravens; Jeff Burris, CIN Bengals;
and Rod Woodson, OAK Raiders.
WHO'S NOT
CB Andre Goodman, DET Lions, is yet another DB
to be lost to injury this year. Goodman, while not a fantasy
stud, was a serviceable player that kept teams relatively
honest on his side of the field. Otis Smith, a veteran
but slowing, will take Goodman's spot, and should see plenty
of action opposite Dre Bly. As mentioned above, Safety Matt
Steven, Houston Texans, had a noticeable
outing (9 solo and 2 assisted tackles, 1 INT) in a mismatch
with the Chiefs in Week 3. However, Stevens' lock on the
job is in jeopardy, as the Texan signed ex-Jaguar FS, Marlon
McCree. McCree is a playmaker and possesses better overall
skills than Stevens. If you are a Stevens owner, this
might be a good time to dangle him as trade bait after
coming off his best game.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Adam Archuleta, STL Rams, against the AZ Cardinals
Jeff
Burris, CIN Bengals, against the CLE Browns
Lawyer Milloy,
BUF Bills, against the PHI Eagles
Lance Shulters, TEN Titans,
against the PIT Steelers
Ed Reed, BAL Ravens, against the
KC Chiefs
Kwamie Lassiter, SD Chargers, against the OAK Raiders
Derrick
Gibson, OAK Raiders, against the SD Chargers
Mike Minter,
CAR Panthers, against the ATL Falcons
Roy Williams, DAL Cowboys,
against the NY Jets
Corey Harris, DET Lions, against the DEN
Broncos
Mike Doss, IND Colts, against the NO Saints
Jay Bellamy, NO
Saints, against the IND Colts
Darren Sharper, GB Packers,
against the CHI Bears
Top 12 Team Defenses
- BUF Bills vs. PHI Eagles - BUF D coming off sour L
vs. MIA; PHI is turnover-prone
- CAR Panthers vs. ATL Falcons - After week's rest, sack
attack is on
- DEN Broncos vs. DET Lions - Bronco D = too much speed & at
home
- BAL Ravens vs. KC Chiefs - AFC D powerhouses go head-to-head
- KC Chiefs @ BAL Ravens - See above
- IND Colts @ NO Saints - Colts D is surprisingly good
this year
- WAS Redskins vs. NE Patriots - WAS (rising) too much
for the Pats (falling)
- PIT Steelers vs. TEN Titans - Healthy Porter means
a lot to this D
- SF 49ers @ MIN Vikings - Gus Frerotte will be tested
early and often
- MIN Vikings vs. SF 49ers - Two of league's turnover
leaders square off
- OAK Raiders vs. SD Chargers - Raiders play better
and with pride at home
- CLE Browns vs. CIN Bengals - CLE is pumped after
upset over 49ers
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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