| |
Linebackers
WHO'S HOT
Brandon Short, New York Giants, had a monster game
against the Jets in Week 9, posting 9 solo and 4 assisted
tackles, 1 sack, and 2 forced fumbles. It was by far Short's
most productive game of the season, and it is almost a
certainty that he will not have this caliber of game again. However,
when a player has a breakout game and it coincides with
his team getting hot, there is typically an upswing in
his average production. While Short may not average the
kind of points MLB Mike Barrow will, he's definitely worth
taking a flyer on if you're in need of a LB at this juncture
of the season. Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears, a rookie
out of Arizona, is gaining valuable playing experience,
and the Bears coaching staff likes what they see. At the
strong-side LB spot, Briggs offers the athleticism and
speed that brings comparison to former SLB Rosevelt Colvin. Unfortunately,
Briggs is not benefiting from as good of a defensive line
as the one Colvin had for two years, but he's still improved
with each game. Against the Chargers, Briggs enjoyed his
best game, pulling in 9 solo and 1 assisted tackles. Zach
Thomas, Miami Dolphins, plays with an intensity found
in only the top 2% of the league, and he benefits from
having an outstanding defensive backfield and line. Thomas
is a human-seeking missile, and produces consistently,
year in, year out, so long as he's healthy. Against the
Colts, he was all over the field, as he reeled in 12 solo
and 7 assisted tackles.
Other LB's of note in Week 9:
Marcus Washington, IND Colts; Dexter Coakley, DAL Cowboys;
Eric Barton, OAK Raiders; Nate Wayne, PHI Eagles; Chris
Draft, ATL Falcons; Donnie Edwards, KC Chiefs; Ray Lewis,
BAL Ravens; Mike Barrow, NY Giants; and Chad Brown, SEA
Seahawks.
WHO'S NOT
SLB Darrin Smith, New Orleans Saints,
left Week 9's game against the Buccaneers with an injured
hamstring, and he could lose his starting position to Sedrick
Hodge, who's just returning from a broken leg suffered
in Week 2. Watch this situation closely, as the Saints
are an improving team, and the SLB spot should hold significant
fantasy value. SLB Ryan Nece, Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
will likely miss this Sunday's match up with the Carolina
Panthers. He realized a severely sprained ankle against
the Saints last week, and will be listed as questionable. Veteran
Dwayne Rudd would likely fill in for Nece if he couldn't
go.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Kendrell Bell, PIT Steelers, against the AZ Cardinals
Michael
Barrow, NY Giants, against the ATL Falcons
Boss Bailey, DET
Lions, against the CHI Bears
Shawn Barber, KC Chiefs, against
the CLE Browns
Jamie Sharper, HOU Texans, against the CIN
Bengals
David Thornton, IND Colts, against the JAX Jaguars
Zach Thomas,
MIA Dolphins, against the TEN Titans
Keith Bullock, TEN Titans,
against the MIA Dolphins
Chad Brown, SEA
Seahawks, against the WAS Redskins
Derrick Brooks, TB Bucs,
against the CAR Panthers
Donnie Edwards, SD Chargers, against
the MIN Vikings
Dat Nguyen, DAL Cowboys, against the BUF Bills
Sam Cowart,
NY Jets, against the OAK Raiders
Eric Barton, OAK Raiders,
against the NY Jets
Ray Lewis, BAL Ravens, against the STL
Rams
Mark Simoneau, PHI Eagles, against the GB Packers
Defensive Linemen
WHO'S HOT
Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Colts, has arrived
on the scene! After battling through injury this year,
Freeney appears to be 100% and he quite simply dominated
the line of play against the Dolphins in Week 9. He's
linebacker fast and caught Ricky Williams from behind on
2 separate occasions. With 5 solo tackles, 3 sacks, and
2 forced fumbles, Freeney established himself as a "stud" defensive
lineman that should be started every week. On the other
side of the ball last week, Adwale Ogunleye, Miami Dolphins,
played a hell of a game, as well. While Jason Taylor seems
to be building steam on the other side, it is Ogunleye
that is maintaining high fantasy stat production. Against
on of the best lines in the league and a smart QB (Manning)
with one of the quickest releases, he still managed 3 solo
and 4 assisted tackles, and 2 sacks. Willie Whitehead,
New Orleans Saints, added to what is already a strong
season for a defensive tackle, with a 5 solo tackles, 3
sacks, and 1 forced fumble outing against the Buccaneers. Whitehead
also boasts a 5 tackle per game average.
Other DL's of
note in Week 9: Mike Rucker, CAR Panthers; Adrian Dingle,
SD Chargers; and Tony Weaver, BAL Ravens.
WHO'S NOT
Norman Hand, Seattle Seahawks, injured his biceps
against the Steelers in Week 9, and is listed as doubtful
this week. Hand does not have gaudy numbers for a defensive
tackle the way Whitehead does, but he serves his purpose
as a "hole-clogger", providing gaps for linebackers to
fly through. If Hand cannot go, he will be spelled by
another veteran, John Randle.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Michael Strahan, NY Giants, against the Atlanta Falcons
Eric
Hicks, KC Chiefs, against the BUF Bills
Justin Smith, CIN
Bengals, against the HOU Texans
Dwight Freeney, IND Colts,
against the JAX Jaguars
Jason Taylor/Adwale Ogunleye, MIA
Dolphins against the TEN Titans
Jevon Kearse, TEN Titans,
against the MIA Dolphins
Simeon Rice, TB Bucs, against the
CAR Panthers
Mike Rucker, CAR Panthers, against the TB Bucs
Kevin Williams,
MIN Vikings, against the SD Chargers
Shawn Ellis, NY Jets,
against the OAK Raiders
Leonard Little, STL Rams, against
the BAL Ravens
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB Packers, against the
PHI Eagles
Defensive Backs
WHO'S HOT
Rogers Beckett, Cincinnati Bengals, has showed
flashes of brilliance throughout his short career, both
with the Chargers for 2 years, and this year in Marvin
Lewis' defensive scheme. Yet, he's been unable to score
fantasy points consistently. In Week 9, Beckett produced
arguably the best DB effort in the league, landing 12 solo
tackles and a sack. If you have room on your roster, you
may want to pick up Beckett to see if continues to produce
at such a high level. Mike Rumph, San Francisco 49ers,
a second year corner and former first round draft pick,
had his signature game against the St. Louis Rams in Week
9. With 5 solo and 1 assisted tackles, a sack, and an
interception, he was a huge reason why San Francisco was
able to soundly beat the high-octane offense of the Rams. Rumph
is a big corner at 6' 2" and 210, moves extremely well
for his size, and has shown a penchant for helping in run
support and blitzing the quarterback. The safeties of
the New York Giants, FS Omar Stoutmire and
SS Shaun Williams, made a statement in Week 9 that
they are one of the league's most dynamic DB duos this
year. Both appeared to be all over the field, as Stoutmire
finished the game with 9 solo and 2 assisted tackles, 1
sack, and 1 forced fumble, while Williams followed on with
7 solo and 2 assisted tackles, and an interception.
Other
DB's of note in Week 9: Eric Brown, HOU Texans; Ifeanyi
Ohalete, WAS Redskins; Roy Williams, DAL Cowboys; Kwamie
Lassiter, AZ Cardinals; Corey Chavous, MIN Vikings; Brent
Alexander, PIT Steelers; and Damien Robinson, SEA Seahawks.
WHO'S NOT
One of the league's best cover men is listed as questionable
to play this week. Patrick Surtain, MIA Dolphins,
sprained his ankle in a hard-fought loss to the Colts,
and his possible absence would result in better numbers
for the Titans' McNair and Mason in their Week 10 match
up. If Surtain were not able to go, Jamar Fletcher would
step in at the left corner back position.
Start 'em If You Got 'em
Shawn Williams, NY Giants, against the ATL Falcons
Greg
Wesley, KC Chiefs, against the CLE Browns
Eric Brown, HOU
Texans, against the CIN Bengals
Mike Doss, IND Colts, against
the JAX Jaguars
Matt Bowen, WAS Redskins, against the SEA
Seahawks
Mike Minter, CAR Panthers, against the TB Bucs
Corey Chavous,
MIN Vikings, against the SD Chargers
Roy Williams, DAL Cowboys,
against the Buffalo Bills
Derrick Gibson, OAK Raiders, against
the NY Jets
Sam Garnes, NY Jets, against the OAK Raiders
Darren Sharper,
GB Packers, against the PHI Eagles
Top 12 Team Defenses
- KC Chiefs vs. CLE Browns - KC #1 in takeaways, and
CLE is imploding
- NY Giants vs. ATL Falcons - Giants sack- and inception -happy
- DAL Cowboys vs. BUF Bills - Even after bye week, BUF
still 2nd worst in giveaways
- IND Colts @ JAX Jags - Leftwich will have to throw
to keep up = INT's
- TB Bucs @ CAR Panthers - Both Strong D's, and.
- CAR Panthers vs. TB Bucs - . Rucker vs. Rice is something
I've been waiting for
- NY Jets @ OAK Raiders - Rick Mirer or Rob Johnson at
QB? Oh my.
- TEN Titans vs. MIA Dolphins - TEN well-rested after
bye
- CIN Bengals vs. HOU Texans - Improved Bengals squad,
and +3 in TO's
- PIT Steelers vs. AZ Cardinals - AZ Cards have most
giveaways in league
- MIN Vikings @ SD Chargers - Chargers will be playing
catch-up = mistakes
- MIA Dolphins @ TEN Titans - MIA tied for 3rd overall
in takeaways
As always, be sure to check the latest injury reports
before submitting your roster. Good luck and thanks for
supporting The Huddle!
|
|
