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IDP: Strong Plays, Weak Plays - Week 2

September 15, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - STRONG PLAYS

Justin Smith, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns

Between Smith and defensive lineman Robert Geathers, the Bengals appear to be good shape on the defensive line this season. One questionable hit aside, the two combined for five sacks and one fumble recovery in Week 1. Smith himself accounted for three of those sacks and the fumble recovery, to go along with five tackles in Week 1. This week he is facing a Cleveland Browns' defense that allowed 17 tackles, four sacks and one fumble recovery to defensive linemen last week. He is recommended as a strong play as your No. 1 defensive lineman.

James Hall, Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

James Hall was a big part of a Lions defense that effectively shut down the Seattle Seahawks last week. Hall finished off the game with two tackles and two sacks of Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. This week he is a good matchup against the Chicago Bears, who allowed 34 total tackles and one sack to the Green Bay Packers last week. Hall comes with the recommendation that he be played as a middle of the pack No. 1 defensive linemen, and he is considered a strong play.

Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

The rookie defensive tackle put a smile on the face of many Chiefs fans after he racked up 11 tackles (seven solo) in Week 1. The first-round draft pick will get his first taste of the intense divisional rivalry the team has with the Broncos with both teams hoping to avoid an 0-2 start to the season. The Broncos allowed 16 total tackles and three sacks to the position last week. With Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer scrambling around to make plays, the opportunity for sacks should be there and for that reason Hali should be viewed as a strong play as a weak No. 1 or solid No. 2 linemen.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - WEAK PLAYS

Leonard Little, St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers

Little was one of the top fantasy performers in Week 1, racking up five solo tackles and two sacks. However, the name of the game is matchups, and this week he comes up against a 49ers defense that was particularly tough against defensive linemen last week. Against linemen, the 49ers allowed just eight total tackles (six solo) and one fumble recovery last week. As such, Little should be viewed as a weak No. 1 or solid No. 2 linemen for your fantasy team; however, keep in mind that he is a weak play.

Chris Kelsay, Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

Kelsay is coming off a decent performance in Week 1, accounting for four solo tackles and one sack against the New England Patriots. This week he is facing a Dolphins team that kept a good Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line from sacking the quarterback and only allowed 19 total tackles (13 solo). Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper is also a beast and can be tough to bring down for linemen, meaning Kelsay should be viewed as a weak play as your No. 3 defensive linemen this week.

Fred Robbins, New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

In the "Manning Bow" last week, Robbins accounted for one sack of the elder Manning quarterback (Peyton, for those who have been living under a rock), and he had seven tackles (five solo) as well. The sack was particularly impressive as Manning is notorious for getting rid of the ball quickly and almost never taking the hit. This week he comes up against a solid offensive line (no sacks allowed last week) and a veteran quarterback, Donovan McNabb, who knows when to scramble to avoid the sack and when to get rid of the ball. Because of this Robbins is viewed as a borderline No. 3 starter, who is considered a weak play this week.

LINEBACKERS - STRONG PLAYS

Brady Poppinga, Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints

Perhaps because of his deficiencies in pass defense, maybe prompting teams to go after him, it helped Poppinga to rack up nine tackles (eight solo), which was the second best for the Packers last week. His presence on the outside might weaken his value to some owners but he is also the weakest linebacker on a Packers and teams will target him, to the benefit of fantasy owners. As such, Poppinga should have another strong game. The Saints also allowed 33 total tackles (26 solo) last week to the Browns. Poppinga is considered a strong play as a weak No. 1 or strong No. 2 linebacker.

Adalius Thomas, Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders

One game into the 2006 season, and some media pundits are already comparing this Ravens defense to the record-breaking defense of their Super Bowl season four years ago. Well that remains to be seen, with weak opposition this week, Thomas, who came up with eight tackles (seven solo) last week, is expected to have another solid weak, something that could be said for any member of the Ravens defense. The Raiders allowed 20 tackles, 6.5 sacks and one fumble recovery to opposing linebackers last week. Thomas should be viewed as a strong play as a No. 2 linebacker.

Cato June, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans

June should be thanking his lucky stars the Texans passed on Saints running back Reggie Bush, so he doesn't have to face him twice a year on the Texans. In addition to that, the Texans offensive line is still a mess, and they allowed 28 total tackles (23 solo) and two sacks to the position last week. The one drawback is that the Texans could be throwing the ball more with some instability at running back; however, June is still considered a strong play as a weak No. 2 or solid No. 3 linebacker.

LINEBACKERS - WEAK PLAYS

Derek Smith, San Francisco 49ers vs. St. Louis Rams

Smith had a solid game last week, picking up 10 tackles (nine solo) as the 49ers almost stole one against the Arizona Cardinals. This week he is in another divisional game against the Rams, who last week held opposing linebackers to just 16 total tackles (14 solo) and only one sack. He is still considered a solid No. 2 linebacker, but with a solid Rams' defense (something rarely seen under previous head coach Mike Martz) and a new approach that seems to favor running the ball more than in the past, he is also a weak play.

Joey Porter, Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars

Porter waited until the end of the game last week to make his biggest play, returning a bad throw from Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper 42 yards for a touchdown, effectively icing the game. Prior to that, he had had very little say in the game, coming up with two sacks and four tackles (three solo). He will continue to get a lot of attention because of his role as a leader on the Steelers' defense, which also hurts his value, as teams will move away from him on the field. This week, against a Jaguars offense that allowed only 17 tackles (16 solo) to opposing linebackers last week, Porter should be seen as a weak play as a weak No. 2 or solid No. 3 linebacker.

Willie McGinest, Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

Most of McGinest's value to the Browns this season will be as a leader on the defense, maybe not from a statistical viewpoint but someone who makes the big plays when it matters, will keep players honest and in line (much like the Steelers' Joey Porter, who is mentioned above). Last week, however, McGinest failed to make many play, counting for five tackles (four solo) against the New Orleans Saints. This week he is up against the Bengals, who, last week, allowed 18 tackles (15 solo) to the position and kept any linebackers from getting to quarterback Carson Palmer. McGinest is considered a weak play as an injury replacement linebacker this week.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - STRONG PLAYS

David Barrett, New York Jets vs. New England Patriots

The Jets were a Week 1 surprise to many last week, beating the Titans 23-16, and Barrett was a large part of that success. Against a weak Titans pass offense, Barrett picked up eight tackles (seven solo). This week he comes up against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who is one of the best in the game, but Brady has very few weapons at his disposal after the departure of wide receiver Deion Branch to the Seattle Seahawks. The team might shy away from throwing the ball as much, but the numbers the Patriots allowed to the position last week (41 total tackles, one interception) means Barrett has value as a strong play as your No. 1 defensive back. Also keep in mind that Jets head coach Eric Mangini was the Patriots' defensive coordinator last season and thus is very well-schooled in what to expect from the Patriots.

Stuart Schweigert, Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens

Schweigert benefited greatly from the Raiders offensive inability to get anything going and a solid San Diego Chargers' offense that gave him plenty of opportunities to make plays to stay on the field. Schweigert ended the game with seven tackles (six solo), tops among Raiders' defensive backs. This week he is up against a Ravens' offense that that was on the positive side of a 27-0 shutout last week. Opposing defensive backs came up with 30 tackles (26 solo) against the Ravens last week. With the Raiders' offense expected to spend most of its time on the sideline, Schweigert should see plenty of action, which makes him a strong play as a weak No. 1 defensive back this week.

Ken Hamlin, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals

Hamlin showed no rust in his first game since being knocked out last season after an off-field incident. Hamlin came up with four tackles (two solo) for the Seahawks as they kept the Detroit Lions from scoring a touchdown. A lot of his value this week comes from playing against a high-passing offense in the Cardinals. Last week against the 49ers, the Cardinals allowed defensive backs 34 total tackles (30 solo), one defensive sack and one fumble recovery. The team likes to throw often, and that increases Hamlin's value, as he should see more action. Hamlin should be considered a strong play as your No. 2 defensive back this week.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - WEAK PLAYS

Terrence McGee, Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

Last week the Daunte Culpepper who haunted owners last season with poor throws and bad decisions returned against the Steelers. This week it is the Bills who will get to take their chance against him. McGee had a strong start to the season last week with 11 tackles (10 solo), but this week, he is against a team who will try to establish the run, something not conducive to fantasy points for defensive backs. The Dolphins allowed 35 tackles (24 solo) and one interception to the position last week. He should still get opportunities this week however, he is seen as a weak play as your No. 1 defensive back. Temper your expectations.

Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Bailey was one of the top defensive backs last week, picking up nine solo tackles against the St. Louis Rams. This week it will be hard for him to duplicate that success against the Chiefs, who are expected to focus more on running the ball after the injury to quarterback Trent Green (concussion). With the Chiefs becoming more conservative, that should lower the amount of opportunities Bailey has to make plays, thus lowering his fantasy value. Even with Green for part of last week, the Chiefs only allowed opposing defensive backs 21 total tackles (19 solo) and one interception. Bailey should be viewed as a weak play this week as a weak No. 1 defensive back.

Fred Smoot, Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers

Minnesota Vikings fans will hope Smoot keeps his mouth closed this week against the Panthers. It was Week 8 last season when Smoot was mixing it up with Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith prior to the game, something that sparked Smith to 201 yards receiving and one touchdown. It also marked the game when many questioned whether Smoot was really an All-Pro level defensive back. Smoot was decent last week against the Washington Redskins, as he came away with six solo tackles. This week, he will be facing an offense that allowed opposing defensive backs 21 tackles (20 solo) and one interception last week. As such, Smoot is viewed as a weak play as your No. 2 defensive back. Also keep an eye on Smith's injury situation, as he could be out with a sore hamstring. If Smith does play (he is currently listed as questionable), Smoot's value could increase, as the Panthers will likely throw more, and he could have more opportunities to pick up fantasy points; they don't take away points for blown coverage after all.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.