http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/3427 Recent articles about Ernie Sims en-us Linebackers are the heart and soul of many defenses and can change the course of games. Whether it's a tackle that prevents a first down, a pass deflection or a forced fumble, linebackers can make their presence felt in many ways. The players on this list have the potential to do all of those things. LaMarr Woodley Steelers: Woodley didn't start a game in his rookie season but still managed to get 4 sacks. Now that Clark Haggans left for the Cardinals. Woodley has his chance to start for the Steelers and show why he has the upside to be one of the best pass rushers in the league. Woodley has the potential and opportunity to put up a Pro Bowl season in his first full year as a starter. Ernie Sims Lions: Sims has already established himself as one of the best linebackers in the league as he has 258 tackles in his first two seasons. So why is Sims on this list? That's because he plays for the Lions. Other than Thanksgiving day, football fans around the country don't get to watch Sims and they are missing out. He has already shown what he is capable of and is similar to a young Derrick Brooks. Another good season and Sims should be headed to Hawaii for his first Pro Bowl. Jon Beason Panthers: If not for Patrick Willis, Beason would have been talked about for his incredible rookie season. Beason had one hundred forty tackles and 1 interception. He is in a similar boat as Sims as the Panthers don't get much national attention either. But if Beason keeps putting up numbers like that, it will be hard for most football fans to not pay attention. David Harris Jets: As a rookie, Harris only started 9 games. But he was a tackling machine as he had 127 on the year. Harris also had 5 sacks and forced 2 fumbles. With a full year starting, Harris could prove to be one of the best young linebackers in the league. Paul Posluszny Bills: If Posluszny didn't have a season ending arm injury in week 3, he would be in the same discussion as Willis and Beason. In 3 games, he had 26 tackles which would have put him on pace for 139 tackles. Now Posluszny is healthy and with the Bills poised to make the playoffs, Posluszny has the chance to become a star in his second year. D'Qwell Jackson Browns: In his second season,Jackson showed flashes of his potential as he had 101 tackles, 1 sack and an interception. But because he plays for the Browns, nobody knows who he is yet. That should change this year as the Browns have 5 prime time games this season and with the additions of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams up front, Jackson could be even better this year. Thomas Howard Raiders: Howard has all the makings to turn into a star in his 3rd season. He had 95 tackles last year and is one of the best linebackers in the league in pass coverage as he had 6 interceptions. With his 4.4 speed, Howard ended up taking two of those for touchdowns. With the Raiders improved defense, look for Howard to make his first Pro Bowl appearance in the near future. Justin Durant Jaguars: When Mike Peterson went down with an injury, the unknown Durant stepped in as a rookie and had 49 tackles and 1 interception. The most impressive part was how in his first playoff game against the Steelers, he stepped in and had 12 tackles. With Peterson returning to the middle, Durant will most likely move to the outside where he can utilize his speed and has the opportunity to be a game changing linebacker for years to come. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:52:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294297 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294297 The Tampa Tribune is reporting that the Bucs have come to terms with 6th round pick -  LB Geno Hayes. Terms of the deal were not released. Hayes was selected 175th overall back in April. He had 156 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in three seasons at Florida State.  Here is a quick overview on Hayes from NFL.com: A versatile linebacker, Hayes has experience at both inside and outside positions, even though he started strictly on the weak -side during his time with the Seminoles. As a junior, he helped lead an aggressive defensive front seven that saw FSU rank 22nd in the nation in rush defense (116.62 ypg) and eighth in tackles for losses (7.92 pg). Hayes' 17.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage ranked second in the Atlantic Coast Conference. At Madison County High School, Hayes was rated the third-best linebacker in the country according to Tom Lemming of ESPN.com. He was a four-star player by Rivals.com, as that service also rated him the nation's third-best outside linebacker and the fifth-best overall prospect in the state of Florida. He added second-team-All USA Today All-American honors and was a first-team choice by Parade Magazine. Hayes played in the Cali-Florida All-Star game, where he tackled a California player on the last play of the game to help lead the Florida team to victory, posting six tackles with three stops for losses in that contest. As a senior, he had 124 tackles with 27 for losses and 11 sacks. He posted 130 tackles, 20 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 19 sacks and three interceptions as a junior. Hayes chose Florida State over scholarship offers from Tennessee and Clemson, appearing in 12 games as a reserve outside linebacker in 2005. He saw action mostly behind Ernie Sims at strong-side linebacker and on special teams, where he recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown. He also made 17 tackles (13 solos), recovered a fumble and broke up one pass. In 2006, Hayes took over weak-side outside linebacker chores, starting nine of 10 games he played in. He sat out the Boston College, Maryland and Virginia clashes after suffering a right knee medial collateral ligament sprain vs. Duke. He still managed to rank fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 12 stops for losses, finishing fifth on the team with 59 tackles (31 solos), including three sacks. He also picked off a pass and deflected three others. As a junior, Hayes garnered All-American honorable mention and All-ACC recognition. He was originally scheduled to take over middle linebacker chores, but started 12 times at his familiar weak-side linebacker slot. He ranked second on the squad with 80 tackles (49 solos), adding five sacks and ranking second in the league with 17.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused two fumbles, returned an interception for a touchdown and broke up three passes. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:00:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287561 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287561 I loved Prisco's top 50, but there were definite faults in it.  Even though he did a great job tackling the Brady v. Manning topic, some of his picks were, how do you say, questionable.  Here is my attempt at naming the top 50 players in the NFL.  With 1696 players on the active roster, cutting it down to 50 is tough, but here I go. 1. Tom Brady/QB/New England Patriots (Prisco Ranking-1): Ugh.  I hate this.  I hate putting Brady at number one.  50 touchdown passes does qualify him for this spot though.  This doesn't feel right.  Do I have to put Patriots players on my list? 2. Peyton Manning/QB/Indianapolis Colts (Prisco-2): Ah, this feels better.  Manning in his downyear through for more than 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, got his team a first-round bye while missing his top wide receiver for most of the year.  Scary to think of what he can do with the whole team in his "great" years. 3. Randy Moss/WR/New England Patriots (Prisco-4): When he's not bumping traffic cops, he's pushing off of cornerbacks and safeties to break the receiving touchdowns in a season record (although that title is complete bogus).  He should do well again this year, but not 20+ touchdowns. 4. LaDanian Tomlinson/RB/San Diego Chargers (Prisco-3): LDT is a Hall of Fame running back, but there are other backs in the league that are catching up to him.  Tomlinson can do it all: run, catch, and even pass.  He's the definition of an all-around back. 5. Bob Sanders/S/Indianapolis Colts (Prisco-7): Sanders is definitely the best defender in the league.  No other defensive player changes a game in the way that Sanders does.  We've all seen what the Colts did on defense in 2007 as opposed to the Sanders-less 2006. 6. Jared Allen/DE/Minnesota Vikings (Prisco-12): Legal matters aside, Allen has moved into the category of a healthy Julius Peppers and Dwight Freeney as the game's premier pass rushers.  He got 15.5 sacks in 14 games last year.  It is crazy to put him out of the top 10. 7. Antonio Cromartie/CB/San Diego Chargers (Prisco-NR): I have no idea how Antonio Cromartie was not ranked by Prisco.  Cromartie led the league in interceptions, returned a missed field goal for a touchdown, and he recovered 2 fumbles.  He was definitely the best corner in the league last year. 8. Adrian Peterson/RB/Minnesota Vikings (Prisco-15): Peterson exploded onto the scene last season, running for over 1300 yards, leading the league in rushing yards per game, and taking home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. 9. DeMarcus Ware/OLB/Dallas Cowboys (Prisco-9): Last season, Ware had the best season of his career.  He had career-highs in sacks and tackles, and he is only going to improve. 10. Walter Jones/OT/Seattle Seahawks (Prisco-16): Even though the Seahawks have no offensive weapons, the Seahawks have a top 10 offense.  How is it possible?  This man is the reason why. 11. Nnamdi Asomugha/CB/Oakland Raiders (Prisco-29) 12. Brian Westbrook/RB/Philadelphia Eagles (Prisco-20) 13. Reggie Wayne/WR/Indianapolis Colts (Prisco-22) 14. Steve Hutchinson/OG/Minnesota Vikings (Prisco-19) 15. Albert Haynesworth/DT/Tennessee Titans (Prisco-14) 16. Terrell Owens/WR/Dallas Cowboys (Prisco-13) 17. Jeff Saturday/C/Indianapolis Colts (Prisco-NR) 18. Champ Bailey/CB/Denver Broncos (Prisco-5) 19. Shawne Merriman/OLB/San Diego Chargers (Prisco-11) 20. Kevin Williams/DT/Minnesota Vikings (Prisco-10) 21. Dwight Freeney/DE/Indianapolis Colts (Prisco-25) 22. Ed Reed/S/Baltimore Ravens (Prisco-23) 23. Jason Peters/OT/Buffalo Bills (Prisco-27) 24. Richard Seymour/DE/New England Patriots (Prisco-30) 25. Braylon Edwards/WR/Cleveland Browns (Prisco-34) 26. Devin Hester/RS/Chicago Bears (Prisco-50) 27. Andre Johnson/WR/Houston Texans (Prisco-26) 28. Chad Johnson/WR/Cincinnati Bengals (Prisco-28) 29. Asante Samuel/CB/Philadelphia Eagles (Prisco-37) 30. Patrick Willis/MLB/San Francisco 49ers (Prisco-43) 31. Antonio Gates/TE/San Diego Chargers (Prisco-24) 32. Osi Umenyiora/DE/New York Giants (Prisco-42) 33. Tony Romo/QB/Dallas Cowboys (Prisco-NR) 34. Tony Gonzalez/TE/Kansas City Chiefs (Prisco-46) 35. Steven Jackson/RB/St. Louis Rams (Prisco-33) 36. Patrick Kerney/DE/Seattle Seahawks (Prisco-NR) 37. Mario Williams/DE/Houston Texans (Prisco-6) 38. Ernie Sims/OLB/Detroit Lions (Prisco-39) 39. Larry Fitzgerald/WR/Arizona Cardinals (Prisco-31) 40. Ben Roethlisberger/QB/Pittsburgh Steelers (Prisco-17) 41. Lofa Tatupa/MLB/Seattle Seahawks (Prisco-40) 42. Adrian Wilson/S/Arizona Cardinals (Prisco-NR) 43. Shawn Andrews/OG/Philadelphia Eagles (Prisco-38) 44. Tommie Harris/DT/Chicago Bears (Prisco-36) 45. Pat Williams/DT/Minnesota Vikings (Prisco-NR) 46. Aaron Kampman/DE/Green Bay Packers (Prisco-45) 47. Drew Brees/QB/New Orleans Saints (Prisco-35) 48. Brian Urlacher/MLB/Chicago Bears (Prisco-32) 49. Larry Johnson/RB/Kansas City Chiefs (Prisco-NR) 50. Plaxico Burress/WR/New York Giants (Prisco-NR) Unranked Players On My List That Are On Prisco's List: Carson Palmer (8) Charles Woodson (18) Steve Smith (21) Vince Wilfork (41) Kellen Winslow (44) Marcus Trufant (47) Wes Welker (48) Fred Taylor (49) Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:49:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284878 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284878 With mini-camp underway, we are finally getting a trickle of news from the Lions. and it's not of the "email telling fans to fuck off" sort. More //sarcasm on// good news //sarcasm off// on the player personnel front. Ernie Sims, one of the few players on the Lions considered to be Pro Bowl material, had to undergo shoulder surgery. No one's talking as to when, or how, Sims was hurt. Sims is reluctant to discuss the injury to his right shoulder, or even when it occurred last season. "To be honest, I don't know exactly what game it was," Sims said Wednesday. "It was something I was playing with. It's something I had to play with. It was probably about half the season." One little throwaway line concerns me… "I don't want to push it," Sims said. "I believe I'll be ready for camp." "Believe I'll be ready?" Considering camp is approximately 2 months away, I would hope so. If Sims isn't ready, the Lions have MAJOR issues at a position at which they are already extremely thin. Finally, we have some GOOD news. Remember the Lions' kick ass throwback unis? The solid Honolulu bluejerseys with solid silver pants and helmets from their 1950's glory days? The really cool unis the Lions replaced with their horrific, arena football-like, porn 'stached goon approved, black jerseys? They're coming back! Now this is a classy uni. Screw Millen's Raiders inspired black alternates… The Lions will wear their old throwback uniforms for two games this season as part of their 75th anniversary celebration. Plain silver helmet. Plain Honolulu blue and silver jersey. Plain silver pants and blue socks. The Lions will wear them Nov. 9 against Jacksonville, when they unveil their 75th anniversary team, and for their Thanksgiving Day game Nov. 27 against Tennessee. Even better news is the throwbacks will become the 3rd uniform, the alternate worn on special occasions like the Thanksgiving Day game. We will no longer see Millen's black jerseys, at least for the foreseeable future. Thank fucking God! According to Mlive's Killer Kowalski, Drew Stanton is still having issues throwing the ball. To say he's inconsistent is being generous. Just ask the man running the offense, Jim Colletto… Today, he didn't throw an interception so that was a huge plus," said Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colletto after Wednesday's morning workout. It makes you wonder how many picks Stanton has been throwing up to this point! And there was this confidence inspiring bon mot from Colletto as well… "I kind of close my eyes and don't pay attention," Colletto said with a smile. Um, yeah. That's encouraging as all Hell. (Big Al says, comment dripping with saracsm…) This is the QB of the future and offensive coordinator, folks! Good Lord… Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:54:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/274465 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/274465 The 2008 edition of the NFL's all-star game signaled a significant shift, as 41 players made their first career Pro Bowl appearances. So the door is open for more newcomers to make it in '09. Here are the 10 players most likely to make their Honolulu debuts at the end of this season: uh ya, u gotta click it to see who ;0 !! interesting list he put together!!! Mon, 19 May 2008 04:33:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/268441 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/268441 The latest draft rumors and news from around the blogosphere and local newspapers. Today we take a look at the NFC North. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:42:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/239606 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/239606 Here's my "all star" team for this year not including O-Line and strictly by stats; Offense: QB Tom Brady HB Adrian Peterson, Brian Westbrook WR Randy Moss, Braylon Edwards, Terrell Owens, FB Tony Richardson TE Jason Witten,Antonio Gates Defense: DE Patrick Kerney, Jared Allen, Osi Umenyiora DT Darnell Docket, Shaun Rogers, Jovan Haye OLB Ernie Sims, Angelo Crowell, David Thornton, Derrick Brooks MLB Patrick Willis, Jon Beason, Nick Barnett CB Antonio Cromartie, Marcus Trufant, Nate Clements S Bob Sanders, Ed Reed P.S. sorry eagles fans i had to take TO Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:04:43 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/73332 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/73332 A couple of days ago I handed out my end of season grades for the Detroit Lions Offensive unit. If you read that post, it's pretty easy to see I wasn't too happy and certainly let down by the offense this year. But how did the Defensive unit fare in my viewpoint? The Lions defense was supposed to struggle this year, so I took that into consideration when grading them this year. Again, my grades are determined as much for how they did against expectations as they are for simple performance. Well, let's get to em… Read whole article at link below... Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:49:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/70189 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/70189 In a follow-up to the offensive-minded 2007 All-Fantasy Offensive Team article, FIO co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter takes an objective look at the IDP fantasy football stars of 2007. Included is a roster of the best defensive performers from the year, with some Honorable Mentions and side notes on those not included. Check out this comprehensive list of the '07 fantasy top IDP performers. Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:46:43 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/55675 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/55675 After letting the Pro Bowl rosters sink in for a few days we have officially come up with our suggestions for changes that should be made. What do you think of our observations? Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:39:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/50222 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/50222 Friday's FIO weekly fantasy football columns deals with those leagues that implement Individual Defensive Players (IDP) - co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter discusses some of the key defensive players to keep an eye on in Week 15. Check this article each and every week on Fridays. Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:56:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/44012 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/44012 Friday's FIO weekly fantasy football columns deals with those leagues that implement Individual Defensive Players (IDP) - co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter discusses some of the key defensive players to keep an eye on in Week 8. Check this article each and every week on Fridays. Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:14:26 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/32986 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/32986 Friday's FIO weekly fantasy football columns deals with those leagues that implement Individual Defensive Players (IDP) - co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter discusses some of the key defensive players to keep an eye on in Week 4. Check this article each and every week on Fridays. Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:29:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/28834 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/28834 Here is my list of the 20 best backers in the league: 1. Brian Urlacher 2. Shawne Merriman 3. Ray Lewis 4. DeMarcus Ware 5. Adalius Thomas 6. Takeo Spikes 7. Mike Peterson 8. D.J. Williams 9. DeMeco Ryans 10. Lance Briggs 11. Lofa Tatupu 12. A.J. Hawk 13. Jonathan Vilma 14. Joey Porter 15. Zach Thomas 16. Derrick Brooks 17. Ernie Sims 18. Antonio Pierce 19. Julian Peterson 20. Cato June Honorable Mentions: Jeremiah Trotter, London Fletcher, Ian Gold, Nick Barnett, Keith Brooking, and Gary Brackett Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:43:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/23278 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/23278 With talk of the NFL Draft increasing, the Detroit Lions may have the largest amount of ground to make up. After another season of sub-par football played well below expectations and hopes set by people across Detroit, Matt Millen may finally see his job is in jeopardy. Which position will the Lions take with the #2 overall selection? Sat, 10 Mar 2007 06:14:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/11018 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/11018