Each week, we’ll take a look at some of the key match-ups for Individual Defensive Players (IDP) in fantasy football. You may see some names that you know… you may not. Just like everyone knows to start LaDainian Tomlinson each week on their fantasy squad, players like Brian Urlacher don’t necessarily need mentioning – because you just know to start him regardless of the match-up. Therefore, we’ll highlight some players who may be flying under the radar to note of for the coming week’s match-ups. Some are plug-and-play guys, others may be gaining momentum. Nevertheless, these are the names you should know for this coming week in IDP.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Marcus Stroud, DT, JAX
Career Stats vs. ATL: (1 Game) 3 UAT / 3 TT
After giving up 6 sacks to Minnesota in Week 1, it’s tough to say whether or not the Falcons will continue pushing the passing attack. Even though he’s an interior defensive lineman, Stroud is a beast of a man and has the ability to give pressure up the middle if the Falcons attempt to feature some sort of passing game again. If they don’t, however, Stroud can be equally as effective against the run, as shown by his 7 tackles last week against the Titans. Pass… run… it doesn’t matter. Alongside fellow big man John Henderson, Stroud and the rest of the Jags defense will look to reinstate themselves as one of the NFL’s elite units in Week 2.
Patrick Kerney, DE, SEA
Career Stats vs. ARI: (4 Games) 13 UAT / 3 AT / 16 TT / 6.5 Sacks / 1 FF
Kerney has consistently played well against the Cardinals throughout his career. And if you caught any of Arizona’s Monday night showdown against San Francisco this past week, you can clearly see that their offensive line still needs a lot of work – even with coaching guru Russ Grimm providing his years of knowledge, the Cardinals offensive line looked downright despicable in Week 1. QB Matt Leinart’s skills outside the pocket still need a lot of work – so, as he scampers looking for an open receiver, Kerney should be in his face all game long.
Marques Douglas, DE, SF
Career Stats vs. STL: (5 Games) 15 UAT / 2 AT / 17 TT / 1.0 Sacks / 1 FF / 1 PD
The loss of OT Orlando Pace is a huge blow to the Rams, and it’s still a mystery who will fill the void left by the perennial Pro Bowler – though St. Louis did sign ex-Patriot Brandon Gorin this week. Nevertheless, whoever ends up taking over that Left Tackle position will undoubtedly have his hands full against a San Francisco defense that showed glimpses of greatness in Week 1. Douglas will line up opposite the Rams new LT, giving him immediate impact potential for any fantasy team that includes IDP. Over his career, Douglas has played the Rams very tough, and things should be turned up another notch this coming week.
Other Notables: Jevon Kearse, DE, PHI (vs. WAS); Julius Peppers, DE, CAR (vs. HOU)
LINEBACKERS
Karlos Dansby, OLB, ARI
Career Stats vs. SEA: (6 Games) 25 UAT / 8 AT / 33 TT / 1 INT / 1 FF / 3 PD
It appears as though, unlike many fantasy owners, the Seahawks still have faith in RB Shaun Alexander and their ground attack. Alexander was back to his old ways last week, rushing the ball 27 times (the most in the NFL for Week 1). A commitment to the ground game on offense usually translates into big tackle numbers for opposing linebackers. Dansby had a stellar kickoff to the 2007 season – posting 11 Total Tackles, 0.5 Sacks, and a Forced Fumble. As projected this preseason, Dansby should be one of the league’s best at the linebacker position, and one of the few bright spots on an up and coming Cardinals team.
Nick Barnett, MLB, GB
Career Stats vs. NYG: (1 Game) 8 UAT / 3 AT / 11 TT
Remember this guy? After a stellar 2005 campaign, Barnett seemed to get lost in the mix amongst the NFL’s elite linebackers last year. Nevertheless, it appears as though he is looking to reinstate himself as a top-tier LB this season. Flanked by rising star AJ Hawk, Barnett had an impressive Week 1 - racking up 13 Total Tackles, 1 Pass Deflection, and an interception. Heading into the Meadowlands this weekend, Green Bay meets a Giants team that is currently in a state of disarray. Barnett will look to capitalize on this fact, and continue to anchor a Packers defense that looks to be fairly dominant right out of the gate.
Patrick Willis, OLB, SF
Career Stats vs. STL: N/A
Willis is a star in the making – enough said. This rookie playmaker looked like a seasoned vet in the 49ers Week 1 match-up against the Cardinals. In that contest, Willis tallied 11 Total Tackles and a Forced Fumble, which is a very impressive stat line for a player who just suited up for his first NFL game. With the Rams pass protection now in question (remember – the most important position in pass protection is the LT, and Orlando Pace is done for the year), St. Louis should rely heavily on the run game in Week 2. And as previously stated, more rushes from the offense leads to more opportunities to make plays for opposing linebackers.
Other Notables: Keith Brooking, MLB, ATL (vs. JAX); Bart Scott, OLB, BAL (vs. NYJ)
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Deltha O’Neal, CB, CIN
Career Stats vs. CLE: (1 Game) 4 UAT / 4 TT
Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson were both picked off in the Browns Week 1 contest against the Steelers. Frye is now gone, and Anderson looks to take over the starting duties under center this week for Cleveland. This could turn out to be a disaster, as the Browns will most likely have to air it out because of trying to play catch-up to the Bengals high-octane offense all game. With the ball being up for grabs so much, this leaves tons of opportunities for the Bengals secondary to make plays. Think back to 2005 – that was the year when Deltha O’Neal lead the NFL in Interceptions (10). Last season, O’Neal came back down to earth a bit, however, he still has huge playmaking capabilities. Couple that with the Browns lackluster passing attack, and O’Neal could have himself a day this weekend.
Deon Grant, SS, SEA
Career Stats vs. ARI: (1 Game) 7 UAT / 2 AT / 9 TT / 1 INT / 2 PD
As previously stated, the Cardinals passing attack looked very questionable in Week 1. QB Matt Leinart threw some very bad balls throughout the game, and was running scared whenever he was forced out of the pocket. The Seahawks defensive line and linebackers should provide enough pressure up front to cause Leinart to make some more bad decisions in Week 2. The whole Seattle secondary should have a field day if this is the case, but none more than Grant, who is statistically the most consistent and effective defensive back for the Seahawks.
Darrelle Revis, CB, NYJ
Career Stats vs. BAL: N/A
Another rookie who showed a lot of promise in Week 1 was the Jets CB Darrelle Revis. Though his numbers weren’t off the charts (he isn’t even listed as a starter on the Jets depth chart), his amazing mobility and nose for the ball support the claim that Revis will be a force in the league for years to come. Not much was mentioned about this up and comer in the Jets home opener against the Patriots – and that’s a good thing. While the rest of the Jets secondary was getting burnt, Revis held his own. Now playing against an “iffy” quarterback situation in Week 2 (notice that QB Steve McNair was not inserted into that statement, since he and his 4 Week 1 turnovers are still questionable for this weekend), Revis should see some QB miscues that will allow him to capitalize.
Other Notables: Champ Bailey, CB, DEN (vs. OAK); Antoine Winfield, CB, MIN (vs. DET); Charles Woodson, CB, GB (vs. NYG) |
