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Linebackers
WHO'S HOT
Will Witherspoon, Carolina Panthers, has been a
pleasant surprise this year. Not only has he been flexible
in terms of shifting between positions opposite oft-injured
Dan Morgan, but he's been productive in each position. There
appears to be only upside with Witherspoon, because if
Morgan goes down again, Witherspoon slides to MLB on what
is close to being the best defense in the league. For
the time being Witherspoon owner will just have to put
up with 10 solo tackles per game, just as he realized against
the Colts this past week. Alright. who spiked the Kool-Aid Roman
Phifer, New England Patriots, was drinking? Phifer
has filled in admirably for Ted Johnson this year, but
has posted somewhat average numbers, averaging between
5 and 6 total tackles per game through Week 5. Well, that
was until he exploded for 13 solo and 6 assisted tackles
against the New York Giants. Obviously, one cannot expect
those kinds of numbers each week, but knowing the potential
is there is enough to warrant a starting role for Phifer
in Week 7. FINALLY, a noteworthy game from last year's
NFL Defensive MVP, Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers! Brooks
is, without a doubt, a superb athlete and the leader on
an outstanding Bucs defense. However, his first 5 weeks
were yawn-worthy, as Brooks failed to produce even average
tackles per game stats or any big plays. Against the Washington
Redskins, however, Brooks looked more like his old self,
grabbing 7 solo tackles, as well as an interception for
a touchdown. Last year, Brooks had big plays in bunches
and in consecutive games, so for all of you owners who
have patiently stood by your stud LB, this could be the
start of something special for Brooks! Other LB's of note
in Week 6: Marcus Washington, IND Colts; Mike Barrow, NY
Giants; Tedy Bruschi, NE Patriots; Sam Cowart, NY Jets;
Shawn Barber and Scott Fujita, KC Chiefs; Nate Wayne, PHI
Eagles; Travian Smith, OAK Raiders; Anthony Simmons and
Chad Brown, SEA Seahawks; Jamie Sharper, HOU Texans; and
Keith Brooking, ATL Falcons.
WHO'S NOT
Perhaps the biggest injury incurred thus far in the world
of IDP was to Ian Gold, Denver Broncos,
who was off to a blistering start to the season before
realizing a season-ending torn ACL injury against the Pittsburgh
Steelers on Sunday. Gold was second in tackles on the
team, and his both his blazing speed and team leadership
will be irreplaceable for the rest of the season. 3rd year
player Donnie Spragan will fill in for Gold at WLB, and
is worthy of being picked up if you were a Gold owner. If
you are the owner of Robert Thomas, St. Louis Rams,
it's officially time to start worrying about his pulled
groin. Thomas has flourished at the MLB position this
year, but his inability to play on MNF, even after a bye
week, is an indication that he could be out for a while. Also,
backup Jamie Duncan brings a lot of experience to the position,
and played MLB for Defensive Coordinator Lovie Smith while
with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So, if Duncan plays well,
he could end up with shared playing time with Thomas, even
after Thomas returns.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Ray Lewis, BAL Ravens, against the CIN Bengals
Chris Claiborne,
MIN Vikings, against the DEN Broncos
Nick Barnett, GB Packers,
against the STL Rams
Tedy Bruschi, NE Patriots, against the
MIA Dolphins
Keith Brooking, ATL Falcons, against the NO Saints
Mike Barrow,
NY Giants, against the PHI Eagles
Andra Davis, CLE Browns,
against the SD Chargers
Donnie Edwards, SD Chargers, against
the CLE Browns
Keith Bulluck, TEN Titans, against the CAR
Panthers
Sam Cowart, NY Jets, against the HOU Texans
Anthony Simmons,
SEA Seahawks, against the CHI Bears
Derrick Brooks, TB Bucs,
against the SF 49ers
Takeo Spikes, BUF Bills, against the
WAS Redskins
Eric Barton, OAK Raiders, against the KC Chiefs
Defensive Linemen
WHO'S HOT
Simeon Rice, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, isn't going
to surprise anyone by showing up in the "Hot" section of
this column. The day Rice had on Sunday against a good
Redskins team, however, bears mentioning, as he scored
big time for his fantasy owners with 6 solo tackles, 4
sacks (FOUR!), and a forced fumble. Rice is successfully
proving that he is the premier sack specialist of the league. Just
like with Derrick Brooks above. welcome back to prominence, Jason
Taylor, Miami Dolphins! Taylor was likely
the first or second defensive lineman chose in every draft
this year, and has had an utterly disappointing start to
his fantasy season. This is not to say he's not contributed
on the field, as he's been constantly occupied by double
teams, allowing teammates to realize tackles and sacks. Well,
against the Jaguars, Taylor broke out with 6 solo tackles,
a sack, and 2 forced fumbles. There have been many of
you who have written in asking what to do with Taylor,
and I've been adamant in stating that you always start
your studs - hopefully, you will be justly rewarded moving
forward this season. Please extend another welcome back
to the "HOT" section to Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Colts. Freeney's
been limited by injury this year, but appears to have regained
his health, as he reappeared on the radar screen this week
against the Carolina Panthers with 3 solo tackles, 2 sacks,
and a forced fumble. The Colts defense has one of the
league's best this season, but it has missed Freeney's
explosiveness and pressure on the quarterback. As long
as he's healthy, look for Freeney to log at least a sack
a game, which is nice to rely on. Other DL's of note in
week 6: Adewale Ogunleye, MIA Dolphins; Michael Strahan,
NY Giants; Shaun Ellis and Jason Ferguson, NY Jets; Trevor
Pryce, DEN Broncos; and Charles Grant, NO Saints.
WHO'S NOT
I listed Joe Johnson, Green Bay Packers,
in last week's BTIC in the "Not" portion of the column
for his lack of contribution due to battling ongoing injuries. Well,
I've got to mention Johnson again and probably for the
last time this year, as he tore his quadriceps muscle and
is reportedly gone for the season. While Chuck Nwokorie
and Jamal Reynolds will fill in for the rest of the season,
neither offers the leadership nor skills Johnson possess
when healthy. Expect increased concentration in the form
of double teams on opposite side DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Justin Smith, CIN Bengals, against the BAL Ravens
Greg
Ellis, DAL Cowboys, against the DET Lions
Trevor Pryce, DEN
Broncos, against the MIN Vikings
Leonard Little, STL Rams,
against the GB Packers
Jason Taylor, MIA Dolphins, against
the NE Patriots
Charles Grant, NO Saints, against the ATL
Falcons
Michael Strahan, NY Giants, against the PHI Eagles
Courtney
Brown, CLE Browns, against the SD Chargers
Mike Rucker, CAR
Panthers, against the TEN Titans
Jevon Kearse, TEN Titans,
against the CAR Panthers
Shaun Ellis, NY Jets, against the
HOU Texans
Alex Brown, CHI Bears, against the SEA Seahawks
Simeon Rice,
TB Bucs, against the SF 49ers
Eric Hicks, KC Chiefs, against
the OAK Raiders
Defensive Backs
WHO'S HOT
One player who I thought would light
it up this year, but who had struggled to live up to fantasy
expectations is Mike Brown, Chicago Bears. Brown
is an intelligent leader on the defensive side of the ball,
and is fearless in delivery a blow. I thought heading
into the year that both he and fellow safety Mike Green
would see a lot of action with the departure of Rosie Colvin
at OLB. Well, Brown is starting to warm up and could fulfill
my prophecy of being a top 10 caliber DB, as he posted
a fine 8 solo tackle outing against the Saints. He should
see plenty of action against the Seahawks, so Brown makes
a great start this week. SS Greg Wesley, Kansas City
Chiefs, is a big reason why the team is 6-0 to start
the season. Wesley has showed great leadership, a willingness
to play through injury, and provides both excellent run
support and ball-hawking skills. Against the Packers,
Wesley posted wicked tackling stats, with 11 solo and 2
assisted tackles. With Antuan Edwards sideline with an
ankle injury, 3rd year Marques Anderson, Green
Bay Packers, stepped in with a huge game against
the Chiefs, delivery 10 solo and 3 assisted tackles. With
10 total tackles the week before against the Seahawks,
Anderson could find himself securing the starting spot
with Edwards' continued absence. Keep an eye open as this
situation develops, as Anderson could be key free agency
pick up this season. Other DB's of note in Week 6: Rodney
Harrison, NE Patriots; Jay Bellamy, NO Saints; and Adam
Archuleta, STL Rams.
WHO'S NOT
Fred Smoot, Washington Redskins, will miss 2-3
weeks with a broken sternum. In his place, 3rd year
man Rashad Bauman will be asked to cover opposing teams
#2 receivers. With Champ Bailey, one of the league's best
cover men, on the other side, you can bet that offensive
coordinators will be focusing their game plan around testing
Bauman early and often. Bauman should get plenty of tackling
opportunities in pass defense while starting, and already
has an interception this year, so he makes an interesting
choice, should you need a DB until Smoot returns. FS Jon
McGraw, New York Jets, will also miss 2-3 weeks with
a dislocated shoulder. Prior to his injury realized against
the Bills in Week 6, McGraw was producing affirmative numbers
with aggressive tackling. In McGraw's will likely be Derek
Pagel, which represents a serious drop-off in talent at
this position.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Ed Reed, BAL Ravens, against the CIN Bengals
Roy Williams,
DAL Cowboys, against the DET Lions
Corey Chavous, MIN Vikings,
against the DEN Broncos
Adam Archuleta, STL Rams, against
the GB Packers
Darren Sharper, GB Packers, against the STL
Rams
Rodney Harrison, NE Patriots, against the MIA Dolphins
Jay
Bellamy, NO Saints, against the ATL Falcons
Robert Griffith,
CLE Browns, against the SD Chargers
Mike Minter, CAR Panthers,
against the TEN Titans
Mike Brown, CHI Bears, against the
SEA Seahawks
Ronde Barber, TB Bucs, against the SF 49ers
Greg Wesley, KC
Chiefs, against the OAK Raiders
Top 12 Team Defenses
- TB Bucs @ SF 49ers - Bucs hitting on all cylinders
in sack department
- BAL Ravens @ CIN Bengals - Too easy for Ray and Company
- MIA Dolphins vs. NE Patriots - MIA D starting to gel,
and Taylor coming alive
- NY Jets @ HOU Texans - Jets racking up sacks AND get
Abraham back
- BUF Bills vs. WAS Redskins - BUF bounces back against
poor-blocking 'Skins
- CLE Browns vs. SD Chargers - CLE D line becoming formidable
- SEA Seahawks vs. CHI Bears - Plenty of sack and INT
opportunity here
- MIN Vikings vs. DEN Broncos - Tough MIN D will test
Beuerlein in Dome
- KC Chiefs @ OAK Raiders - KC D playing very well, while
OAK looking horrible
- DAL Cowboys @ DET Lions - DAL will pressure rusty Harrington
- NO Saints @ ATL Falcons - Kittner gets start - Saints
to reap benefits
- NY Giants vs. PHI Eagles - Giants DL should rack up
some sacks vs. McNabb
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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