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Linebackers
WHO'S HOT
Is there anyone performing with more consistency than Donnie
Edwards, San Diego Chargers? Edwards
is a natural when it comes to being around the ball,
and is a bright spot on an otherwise very disappointing
defense, averaging 8 solo tackles a game. Against an
overpowering Bronco team in Week 11, Edwards raked in
13 solo and 5 assisted tackles, providing the best output
by a linebacker for the week. He'll continue to prosper
throughout the fantasy regular season, facing 3 run-oriented
offenses out of 4 (Cincinnati, Kansas City and Green
Bay). While many (including myself) thought under-sized
rookie Nick Barnett, Green Bay Packers,
would fade as the season progressed, he's hung in there
and continues to post dependable fantasy numbers. The
Packers have found themselves a true gamer with terrific
pursuit and instincts, and Barnett exhibited his toughness
in a must-win performance against the Buccaneers. He
was disruptive all over the field, and netted 8 solo
and 2 assisted tackles, and an interception. Someone
who may be flying under the radar in some leagues is Marvin
Jones, New York Jets. After a slow start to the
season, Jones is back in form and is looking like the
dependable MLB he's been for years, realizing consistent
tackling output. Over the last 4 games, he's averaging
7 solo tackles, and appears to be getting stronger with
each game. In a shoot out with the Colts, Jones was
in on 9 solo and 3 assisted tackles. Certainly, if Jones
is on your free agency board, grab and start him for
the remainder of the fantasy season. Other LB's of note
in Week 11: Ray Lewis, BAL Ravens; Keith Brooking, ATL
Falcons; Brant Boyer, CLE Browns; D.D. Lewis, SEA Seahawks;
Jamie Sharper, HOU Texans; Napoleon Harris, OAK Raiders;
Dat Nguyen, DAL Cowboys; Keith Bullock, TEN Titans; and
James Farrior, PIT Steelers.
WHO'S NOT
As you will see in the three "Not" portions of this week's
BTIC, there were more key IDP players injured and placed
on IR than I can remember seeing in recent past. Included
in this bunch is Travian Smith, Oakland Raiders,
who is lost for the season with a torn ligament in his
left knee. Earlier in the season, when veteran Bill Romanowski
was sidelined with concussion problems, many fantasy owners
stumbled onto Smith by default and blind ignorance. To
say that Smith was a pleasant surprise is an understatement,
out-performing fellow linebackers Eric Barton and Napoleon
Harris each week. With Smith gone, Tim or Eric Johnson
will be given a chance to fill in, with Eric Johnson having
more game-time experience. Another LB corps hit hard by
injury is found in Denver. This week, it's Terry Pierce, Denver Broncos,
who'll miss the rest of the season with a torn left pectoral
muscle. Prior to Pierce, it was Ian Gold and John Mobley
who realized season-ending injuries, and the team is dangerously
thin at this position with only one backup, Keith Burns.
START 'EM IF YOU GOT 'EM
Dat Nguyen, DAL Cowboys, against the CAR Panthers
Chris
Claiborne, MIN Vikings, against the DET Lions
David Thornton,
IND Colts, against the BUF Bills
Sam Cowart, NY Jets, against
the JAX Jaguars
Jamie Sharper, HOU Texans, against the NE
Patriots
Mark Simoneau, PHI Eagles, against the NO Saints
Kendrell
Bell, PIT Steelers, against the CLE Browns
Ray Lewis, BAL
Ravens, against the SEA Seahawks
Nick Barnett, GB Packers,
against the SF 49ers
Al Wilson, DEN Broncos, against the CHI
Bears
Donnie Edwards, SD Chargers, against the CIN Bengals
Shawn
Barber, KC Chiefs, against the OAK Raiders
Keith Bullock,
TEN Titans, against the ATL Falcons
Mike Barrow, NY Giants,
against the TB Bucs
Defensive Linemen
WHO'S HOT
One defensive lineman I've been waiting to see come back
into form is Pat Kerney, Atlanta Falcons. Kerney
was a regular in the "Start 'em if you got 'em" section
in 2002, but just hasn't gone off this year as expected. While
the Falcons are a much more poor team than many thought,
Kerney has underperformed to an even greater degree. In
the last two weeks, however, he's battled through a shoulder
that's been bothering him this season and has posted 3
sacks. Against the Saints, he had 3 solo and 1 assisted
tackles, and 2 sacks. If he's back in form, Kerney could
be a steal as a free agent pick up this late in the season. Someone
else who's underperformed this year, but is beginning to
shape up is Hugh Douglas, Jacksonville Jaguars. The
team is becoming more and more competitive, and Douglas
is beginning to harass opposing quarterbacks the way he
had for years with the Eagles. In Week 11, Douglas had
a phenomenal game versus the Tennessee Titans, posting
4 solo and 1 assisted tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. While
I wouldn't rush out to pick up Douglas yet, keep an eye
on him to see what he does against the Jets this week. Other
defensive linemen of note in Week 11: Adwale Ogunleye,
MIA Dolphins; Shaun Ellis, NY Jets; N.D. Kalu, PHI Eagles;
and Richard Seymour, NE Patriots.
WHO'S NOT
Kenny Holmes, NY Giants, is lost for the year after
succumbing to knee surgery. Even though he was battling
knee problems through most of the year, Holmes was enjoying
a solid year opposite stud Michael Strahan. Rookie Osi
Umenyiora will assume the starting spot, but he's failed
thus far to exhibit playmaking performances in spot duty. Veteran
sack-master Trace Armstrong, Oakland Raiders,
dislocated his shoulder and will also be lost for the season. While
Armstrong was not an every-down player, he was someone
who you could count on getting at least one sack per game. DeLawrence
Grant will likely assume the starting role, and is a player
with decent potential. Keep an eye on Jevon Kearse,
Tennessee Titans, this week. Kearse realized a high-ankle
sprain against the Jags in Week 11, and is listed as questionable
to play this week. He's not been able to practice, and
it appears that Carlos Hall could get the nod. The Titans
are in great shape to make the playoffs, so it would be
in their best interest to do whatever it takes to get Kearse
healthy over the next few weeks.
START 'EM IF YOU GOT 'EM
Mike Rucker, CAR Panthers, against the DAL Cowboys
Dwight
Freeney, IND Colts, against the BUF Bills
Shaun Ellis, NY
Jets, against the JAX Jags
Richard Seymour, NE Patriots, against
the HOU Texans
ND Kalu, PHI Eagles, against the NO Saints
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila,
GB Packers, against the SF 49ers
Trevor Pryce, DEN Broncos,
against the CHI Bears
Grant Wistrom, STL Rams, against the
AZ Cardinals
Eric Hicks, KC Chiefs, against the OAK Raiders
Jason Taylor/Adwale
Ogunleye, MIA Dolphins, against the WAS Redskins
Simeon Rice,
TB Bucs, against the NY Giants
Michael Strahan, NY Giants,
against the TB Bucs
Defensive Backs
WHO'S HOT
Jerry Azumah, Chicago Bears,
has been on a terror in recent weeks, both as a defensive
back and as a kick returner. Any time you can get a dual-threat
fantasy player, it's a good thing. In a near-victory against
the Rams in Week 11, Azumah had 8 solo tackles, a sack,
and an interception. He also averaged 30 yards per kick
return, and has the speed to realize a return for a touchdown
this year. Ahmed Plummer, San Francisco 49ers,
is another corner back who's enjoying the best season of
his career. Plummer will get his tackles in a game, but
also has a great nose for the ball and is always a threat
to grab an interception or two per game. Against the Steelers,
Plummer had 9 solo tackles, and he appears to peaking at
the right time, and while the team is playing its best
football of the season. Greg Wesley, Kansas City Chiefs,
is one of the best all-around safeties in the league, and
he's been playing his best ball over the last few weeks. Wesley
is 2nd overall in solo tackles by a DB this
season, and is always a threat to haul in an interception
with each game - he's got 3 on the season, thus far. In
a loss to the Bengals, Wesley logged 7 solo and 1 assisted
tackles, and a sack. Wesley is one of few defensive backs
who is a must start every week, as he's realizing linebacker-type
stats, and has a knack for making a big hit and play. Other
DB's of note in Week 11: Ed Reed, BAL Ravens; Dexter Jackson,
AZ Cardinals; Quintin Jammer, SD Chargers; Charles Tillman,
CHI Bears; Ronde Barber, TB Bucs; Corey Chavous, MIN Vikings;
Troy Vincent, PHI Eagles; and Mike Logan, PIT Steelers.
WHO'S NOT
Two starting Strong Safeties were lost to injury in Week
11: Shawn Williams, New York Giants,
and Kwamie Lassiter, San Diego Chargers. Williams
is a devastating tackler, and will be missed primarily
in run support, after being placed on IR with a knee injury. There
is a huge drop in talent, as Johnnie Harris will try to
fill Williams' shoes. Lassiter may not be the bone-crushing
hitter Williams is, but he's always around the ball and
realizes his share of tackles, as a result. Lassiter will
also miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury,
and will be replaced by rookie Terrence Kiel. Kiel's got
the speed and talent to be effective, so he could be a
decent pickup if you were relying on Lassiter this year.
START 'EM IF YOU GOT 'EM
Roy Williams, DAL Cowboys, against the CAR Panthers
Corey
Chavous, MIN Vikings, against the DET Lions
Lawyer Milloy,
BUF Bills, against the IND Colts
Rodney Harrison, NE Patriots,
against the HOU Texans
Eric Brown, HOU Texans, against the
NE Patriots
Michael Lewis, PHI Eagles, against the NO Saints
Ed Reed,
BAL Ravens, against the SEA Seahawks
Darren Sharper, GB Packers,
against the SF 49ers
Adam Archuleta, STL Rams, against the
AZ Cardinals
Greg Wesley, KC Chiefs, against the OAK Raiders
Lance Shulters,
TEN Titans, against the ATL Falcons
Sammy Knight, MIA Dolphins,
against the WAS Redskins
Ronde Barber, TB Bucs, against the
NY Giants
Top 12 Team Defenses
- MIA Dolphins vs. WAS Redskins - WAS QB (Ramsey/Hasselbeck)
in great danger
- TB Bucs vs. NY Giants - Buc D needs to and will make
a statement game on MNF
- KC Chiefs vs. OAK Raiders - Arrowhead will be rocking - Mirer
will get rocked
- IND Colts @ BUF Bills - Bledsoe and offense making
way too many mistakes
- STL Rams @ AZ Cardinals - No one turns the ball over
more than AZ
- CLE Browns vs. PIT Steelers - Browns are fired up and
will pressure Maddox
- PHI Eagles vs. NO Saints - Eagles getting better every
week
- TEN Titans @ ATL Falcons - Kearse questionable, but
Titan D will still dominate
- NE Patriots @ HOU Texans - Pats D is stingy and will
force Banks into mistakes
- SF 49ers @ GB Packers - Niner D has been exceptional - 3rd
overall in takeaways
- BAL Ravens vs. SEA Seahawks - Ravens D is still Ravens
D
- CAR Panthers @ DAL Cowboys - Carter will see pressure
like never before
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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