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IDP: Strong Plays, Weak Plays - Week 5

October 5, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Ryan Dodson

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - STRONG PLAYS

Keith Traylor, Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots

The mammoth defensive tackle continues to be a force even in his 16th year in the season, and this season could be the best of his career. He has already reached a career high with three sacks this season, and is almost halfway to his career high in tackles. He is averaging 5.3 tackles and 0.8 sacks per game through four games this season. He also plays in a line featuring All-Pro defensive lineman Jason Taylor, who raises the value of those around him (look at fellow lineman Vonnie Holliday who is currently ranked fifth in fantasy points for defensive linemen). This week he is against a Patriots defense which is allowing 29 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries to the position per game in four games. Traylor has great value this week and should be considered a strong play as a No. 1 defensive lineman.

Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Chargers defense was solid all game last week until a final drive by the Baltimore Ravens in which they allowed a go-ahead touchdown with little time left in the fourth quarter. However, don't fault Castillo for that, as he is averaging five tackles and 0.5 sacks per game through three games this season. This week he will be against a Steelers line which is giving up 21 total tackles and 2.67 sacks per game to the position through three games. Castillo figures to be a strong play as a solid No. 2 defensive lineman this week.

Adewale Ogunleye, Chicago Bears vs. Buffalo Bills

The Bears defense terrorized the Seahawks offense last week, holding them to six points and sacking quarterback Matt Hasselbeck five times and intercepting him twice. While Adewale Ogunleye did not have a particularly strong game last week, he has put up solid early season numbers, especially for a lower-ranked defensive lineman. Through four games, Ogunleye is averaging two tackles, 0.4 sacks, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.5 passes defensed per game. The Bills offense also adds to his value as they are allowing 27 total tackles, 1.4 sacks and 0.3 safeties to the position. Ogunleye comes recommended as a strong play this week, and should be used as a weak No. 2 or strong No. 3 defensive lineman.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - WEAK PLAYS

Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

Mathis may come ranked as an upper-echelon defensive lineman, however, this week he is up against an offense that has not been kind to defensive linemen. Mathis will also be hurt by the loss of defensive tackle Corey Simon (knee). His loss will allow teams to focus on shutting down the Colts dangerous outside pass-rushers (Mathis and All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney). Mathis averaging is 4.8 tackles, one sack and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game. He will be facing an offense which is allowing 18 total tackles and one sack per game over their first four games. Mathis is ranked as a solid No. 2 defensive lineman this week; however, he is also considered a weak play.

Greg Ellis, Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

Ellis, the elder statesman of the Cowboys defensive line, should be amped up this week to face division rivals, the Eagles. The media is ready for a field day with wide receiver Terrell Owens (and you thought he would go unmentioned) returning to the team he abandoned. Ellis' experience should help him to put that behind him, although that doesn't mean he will respond with a good game. He is averaging 5.33 total tackles and 0.5 sacks per game through three games this season. The Eagles in fact, are allowing only 11 total tackles and 1.1 sacks per game to the position, which is the lowest fantasy points allowed to teams who have played four games. Ellis should be viewed as a weak play as a poor No. 2 or solid No. 3 defensive linemen.

Derrick Burgess, Oakland Raiders at San Francisco 49ers

Burgess has struggled in the early weeks of the season. Burgess is only averaging four tackles and 0.67 sacks per game, which is off his pace from last year. He doesn't figure to improve that too much this week, as he faces a 49ers offense that is allowing opposing defensive linemen 12 total tackles, 0.9 sacks, one fumble recovery and one defensive fumble touchdown per game through four games this season. Burgess should count as a weak play as a poor No. 2 or strong No. 3 defensive lineman this week.

LINEBACKERS - STRONG PLAYS

Cato June, Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

June must be relishing the matchup this week after he saw the interception Titans quarterback Vince Young threw last week to Cowboys linebacker Bradie James. With the rookie Young at quarterback, there figures to be more chances this week, especially for June, who is averaging 11 tackles per game this season. The Titans are also allowing 33 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.8 interceptions per game, including one interception returned for a touchdown this season. All of this points to a good week for June and the Colts defense, and he should be viewed as a strong play as a solid No. 1 linebacker.

Clark Haggans, Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers

This play is all about the matchup, as the Chargers are allowing one of the highest fantasy points per game to the position this season. As well, Haggans is playing in a linebacker-friendly system and is having a solid start to the season. In four games to begin the season, Haggans is averaging seven tackles, 0.67 sacks and 0.33 interceptions per game. The Steelers offense has also been playing poorly in their past two games (averaged 10 points per game) meaning Haggans could see a lot of time on the field. Couple that with a Chargers offense which is allowing 33 total tackles and 0.33 interceptions to the position per game, and Haggans figures to be a strong play this week as a weak No. 1 or strong No. 2 linebacker.

Scott Fujita, New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Saints were due for a let down last week after their emotional Monday Night victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Fujita has gotten off to a solid start in his first season with the Saints. Through the first four games of the season, he is averaging 8.5 tackles, 0.3 sacks and 0.3 interceptions (the one interception being returned for a touchdown). With the Buccaneers starting a new quarterback this week, they will most likely rely on their tight ends and running backs as check down receivers, meaning Fujita should rack up the tackles. The Buccaneers are allowing 24 total tackles and one sack to the position per game since the beginning of the season. All of this means Fujita ranks as a strong play as a solid No. 2 linebacker this week.

LINEBACKERS - WEAK PLAYS

Antonio Pierce, New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins

Pierce will be facing his former team this week, although there will be much less animosity than the Owens situation. Pierce has been a tackling machine for the Giants so far this season. He has yet to register a sack but is averaging 11 tackles per game. However, with the Redskins allowing only 26 total tackles and 0.33 sacks per game, it doesn't look like Pierce will have a great game this week, at least compared to his previous games. The Redskins throw the ball too much to their wide receivers, meaning Pierce will not be in position as much to rack up tackles. They also don't possess a great pass-catching tight end (or haven't so far this season), which will also hurt his value. Pierce still ranks as a poor No. 1 or strong No. 2 linebacker; however he is considered a weak play.

Ernie Sims, Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

The Lions inside linebacker has performed well this season, considering he is a rookie and learning a new scheme. Teams have been running at him early this season as he lacks the prototypical size for the position, however, he is a high-energy player (much like Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas) and has been racking up the tackles. He is averaging 11 tackles per game through the first four games of the season. This week he is facing a defense that is allowing 25 total tackles and 0.5 interceptions to the position per game. The Vikings have not gotten their running game going this season, and their offensive line has kept linebackers away from the quarterback, as such Sims is considered a weak play as a solid No. 2 linebacker this week.

DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

Ware's value this week will be influenced by the status of Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (knee). If he does play, look for the Cowboys to have a linebacker or defensive back spying on him for most snaps. If he doesn't play, then Ware figures to play a bigger part in the game as he won't be taken out of the touches that Westbrook gets. He is on pace for more tackles (3.67 tackles per game) this season than his rookie season, although his sack average (0.33 per game) is down. Those still aren't good numbers, and against a defense that is allowing 20 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game to the position. Only use Ware as a Bye-week or injury replacement this week, and consider him a weak play.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - STRONG PLAYS

Andre Dyson, New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars

In his first season with the Jets, Dyson has been a solid addition at the cornerback position. He was part of a secondary that effectively shut down Colts quarterback Peyton Manning last week (as well as you can hope to do). On the season he is averaging 6.3 total tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game through four games this season. Against the Jaguars this week, Dyson is expected to see a lot of action again, as they are allowing 28 total tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game to the position. Dyson comes recommended as a strong play as a solid No. 1 defensive back this week.

Will Demps, New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins

The Baltimore Ravens might not be missing Demps as much, but the Giants have been more than happy to have him this season. The veteran defensive back is averaging 7.33 tackles and 0.33 fumble recoveries per game this season. Against the Redskins this week, Demps should get a lot of work as the team sends most of their passes to the wide receivers. They are allowing 28 total tackles, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.5 interceptions per game. This week, Demps should be viewed as a strong play as a No. 2 defensive back.

Sean Taylor, Washington Redskins at New York Giants

The hard-hitting Taylor looks to have a big week this week. Giants quarterback Eli Manning loves to throw to tight end Jeremy Shockey, which means the former University of Miami teammates should see a lot of each other. So far this season Taylor is averaging 6.5 tackles per game this season. The Giants are allowing 36 total tackles and 0.67 interceptions per game this season. That all adds up to Taylor being a strong play as a solid No. 2 defensive back this week.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - WEAK PLAYS

Chris Gamble, Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns

Chris Gamble is ranked in the top 10 in fantasy points for defensive backs as he is averaging 7.5 tackles, 0.3 interceptions and 0.3 forced fumbles per game this season. However, this week he is up against a team that is allowing only 24 total tackles, 0.3 sacks and one interception per game to the position. Those numbers are skewered by the late-game comeback last week when the Browns came back to beat the Oakland Raiders. The Browns don't throw the ball that much, which will adversely affect Gamble's value this week. Consider Gamble a weak play as a No. 1 or No. 2 defensive back.

Rashean Mathis, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets

The Jets may be one of the most surprising teams this year, and the resurgence of quarterback Chad Pennington and the passing game has been a big part of that. This week, Mathis will come up against that offense. Mathis is averaging five tackles and one interception per game, however, the Jets offense has not been kind to opposing defensive backs. They are allowing 23 tackles, 0.3 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game to the position. Mathis ranks as a weak play this week as a No. 2 defensive back.

Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

Williams has had a decent start to the season, averaging 5.33 tackles and 0.67 interceptions per game through three games. Coming off a rout of the Tennessee Titans in which he had five tackles, he will be hard-pressed to do that again against a top Eagles offense. The Eagles are allowing just 23 tackles, 0.8 fumble recoveries and 0.3 interceptions per game to the position this season. The Eagles don't like to throw the ball over the middle as much, instead going outside to their speedy receivers, which means Williams, a safety, likely won't rack up as many tackles. As such, consider him a weak play as a No. 2 defensive back this season.

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.