| |
Linebackers
WHO'S HOT
Ben Taylor, Cleveland Browns, is one of three of
the team's young LB's that have both struggled and showed
the potential. Taylor had a super-human game in Week 8
against the New England Patriots, racking up an unbelievable
16 solo and 2 assisted tackles. Let's face it. the Browns
offense is really struggling, and their defense is on the
field more often than not, as a result. It is inconceivable
to expect to post similar numbers again, but all three
of the Brown LB's, including Kevin Bentley and Andra Davis,
are worthy of starting on your team the remainder of the
year. OLB Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots,
also had an eye-popping performance in the same game against
the Browns, producing 6 solo tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced
fumble. Vrabel is a well-traveled veteran and has made
consistent progress, especially of note with the Patriots
the last 3 years. He's a high-motor player that fits the
mold Bill Belichick likes on his defense. MLB Dat Nguyen, Dallas Cowboys,
has been somewhat of a disappointment this year, not posting
tackling numbers that I expected this year. Well, against
the Buccaneers, Nguyen finally got off, displaying his
speed and pursuit to the ball. He was responsible for
12 solo and 3 assisted tackles for the day. Three out
of the four next games for the Cowboys will feature dedicated
ground attacks, so expect Nguyen to be a producer in the
month of November. Other LB's of note in Week 8: Mark
Simoneau, PHI Eagles; Boss Bailey, DET Lions; Jay Foreman,
HOU Texans; Scott Fujita, KC Chiefs; Takeo Spikes, BUF
Bills; Zach Thomas, MIA Dolphins; Donnie Edwards, SD Chargers;
and James Farrior, PIT Steelers.
WHO'S NOT
Fortunately for the Kansas City Chiefs, they draw a bye
in Week 9, allowing the undefeated team to rest up and
heal themselves for the remainder of the season. It comes
at a good time, as starting MLB Mike Maslowski,
will need some time to mend an injured knee incurred during
the game against Buffalo. Apparently, the injury is significant
enough that Maslowski could miss Weeks 10 and 11, as well. In
his place, rookie Kawika Mitchell would see some action.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Jamie Sharper, HOU Texans, against the CAR Panthers
David
Thornton, IND Colts, against the MIA Dolphins
Zach Thomas,
MIA Dolphins, against the IND Colts
Ray Lewis, BAL Ravens,
against the JAX Jaguars
Derrick Brooks, TB Bucs, against the
NO Saints
Sam Cowart, NY Jets, against the NY Giants
Travian Smith,
OAK Raiders, against the DET Lions
Brian Urlacher, CHI Bears,
against the SD Chargers
Anthony Simmons, SEA Seahawks, against
the PIT Steelers
Mark SImoneau, PHI Eagles, against the ATL
Falcons
LaVar Arrington, WAS Redskins, against the DAL Cowboys
Chris
Claiborne, MIN Vikings, against the GB Packers
Al Wilson,
DEN Broncos, against the NE Patriots
Defensive Linemen
WHO'S HOT
Michael Strahan, New York Giants, has been a model
of consistency with 5 solo tackles and 2 sacks in EACH
of his last 3 games. There seems to be less talking and
more "walking" this year from Strahan, as the Giants seek
to get back on track and contend for the NFC East. Strahan
is on pace for an amazing 18 sack season this year. Someone
else who's been solid each week is Charles Grant, New
Orleans Saints. Grant has been, without a doubt,
the Saints defensive MVP, posting solid numbers despite
numerous injuries on the defensive line. Against the Carolina
Panthers, Grant had 7 solo tackles and a sack. Look for Calvin
Pace, Arizona Cardinals, to have a decent remainder
of the year. With the young defensive line beginning to
gel, Pace should be able to leverage his athleticism to
help in run support and pressure opposing quarterbacks. In
an upset over the San Francisco 49ers, Pace had 6 solo
tackles and a sack. Also, until the Cardinal offense can
hold onto the ball, expect the defense to be on the field
more often, as a result.
WHO'S NOT
Hollis Thomas, Philadelphia Eagles, will miss the
rest of this season with a torn bicep muscle. Thomas was
a stable force in the interior of the defensive line, and
his consistency contributed to the recently improved play
of the defense, over all. To try and shore up help in
Thomas' place, the Eagles signed veteran Jim Flanigan. During
an incredible 3.5 sack game against the Eagles, stud DE John
Abraham, New York Jets, realized a strained groin that
will keep him out of this week's game against the Giants,
at the very least. Bryan Thomas will start in his place,
and the Jets defensive line will still be effective. However,
it is pretty scary to think how good the Jets defense could
be if the starting line of Abraham, Jason Ferguson, Dwayne
Robinson, and Shaun Ellis were intact the entire year. Through
7 played games, they have combined for 19 sacks.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Mike Rucker, CAR Panthers, against the HOU Texans
Dwight
Freeney, IND Colts, against the MIA Dolphins
Simeon Rice,
TB Bucs, against the NO Saints
Charles Grant, NO Saints, against
the TB Bucs
Michael Strahan, NY Giants, against the NY Jets
Shaun Ellis,
NY Jets, against the NY Giants
Justin Smith, CIN Bengals,
against the AZ Cardinals
ND Kalu, PHI Eagles, against the
ATL Falcons
Leonard Little, STL Rams, against the SF 49ers
Greg Ellis,
DAL Cowboys, against the WAS Redskins
Kevin Williams, MIN
Vikings, against the GB Packers
Trevor Pryce, DEN Broncos,
against the NE Patriots
Defensive Backs
WHO'S HOT
Eric Warfield, Kansas Chiefs, experienced possibly
the best game of his career against the Buffalo Bills,
contributing big-time to the extension of the Chiefs undefeated
season. Warfield had 5 solo tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions,
and a forced fumble, making both IDP owners and team defense
owners smile in Week 8. With the Chiefs defense playing
as well as it has been, expect Warfield's numbers to continue
to be very respectable. Corey Chavous, Minnesota Vikings,
has been a pleasant surprise this year and has evolved
into a team leader, both on and off the field. While the
Vikings fell for the first time against the Giants, Chavous
still posted excellent stats, with 9 solo and 2 assisted
tackles, and an interception. Chavous averages 5 tackles
per game, and is on pace for 12 interceptions this year. Ronde
Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is a true stud and big
playmaker, but for some reason, isn't getting the attention
he deserves this year. Barber is a corner back that can
do it all - run support, blitz and cover man-to-man. Against
the Cowboys in a must-win for the team, he came up big
with 6 solo tackles, an interception and 2 forced fumbles. Barber
was just picked up on waivers in my league last week. is
he still on yours?
WHO'S NOT
DB Corey Fuller, Baltimore Ravens,
is listed as doubtful for this week's match up with the
Jacksonville Jaguars after straining his hamstring in Week
8. While Fuller isn't a fantasy production stud, he does
provide solid, man-to-man coverage, and when paired with
Chris McAllister on the other side, the rest of the defense
can pursue the quarterback and ball more aggressively. Tom
Knight appears to have the starting spot in Fuller's place.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Mike Minter, CAR Panthers, against the HOU Texans
Mike
Doss, IND Colts, against the MIA Dolphins
Ed Reed, BAL Ravens,
against the JAX Jaguars
Ronde Barber, TB Bucs, against the
NO Saints
Shawn Williams, NY Giants, against the NY Jets
Mike Green,
CHI Bears, against the SD Chargers
Kwamie Lassiter, against
the CHI Bears
Ken Hamlin, SEA Seahawks, against the PIT Steelers
Tony Parrish,
SF 49ers, against the STL Rams
Roy Williams, DAL Cowboys,
against the WAS Redskins
Darren Sharper, GB Packers, against
the MIN Vikings
Corey Chavous, MIN Vikings, against the GB
Packers
Rodney Harrison, NE Patriots, against the DEN Broncos
Top 12 Team Defenses
- TB Bucs vs. NO Saints - Bucs D appears to have returned
to prominence
- CAR Panthers @ HOU Texans - If Tony Banks starts for
HOU, look out!
- BAL Ravens vs. JAX Jaguars - Ray and Company will have
a Jaguar BBQ
- IND Colts @ MIA Dolphins - Colts off bye week; 'Phins
off MNF
- STL Rams @ SF 49ers - Garcia hobbling, and Ram D getting
very good
- NY Jets vs. NY Giants - NY Jets DL will force Collins
to make more mistakes
- CIN Bengals @ AZ Cardinals - Cards highest turnover
margin in league (-14)
- MIN Vikings vs. GB Packers - Vikings at home with 2nd
best turnover margin
- SEA Seahawks vs. PIT Steelers - 'Hawks tough at home;
Maddox still struggling
- OAK Raiders @ DET Lions - Lions offense pressing =
sacks & turnovers
- MIA Dolphins vs. IND Colts - Dolphins D playing much
better than offense
- NE Patriots @ DEN Broncos - Pats are creating big plays
on D
As always, be sure to check the latest injury reports
before submitting your roster. Good luck and thanks for
supporting The Huddle!
|
|
