Fantasy football busts: IDP - Week 2
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September 16, 2009 @ 00:00:00 |
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By Bryce McRae
Edited by Cory J. Bonini
Also see: Fantasy football sleepers: IDP - Week 2
In this article KFFL breaks down fantasy football busts of the week. Some high-level players will be included, because you need to know when is time to sit a player even though it may not seem appropriate. Primarily, however, we will address the midrange to low-end fantasy options that you rack your brain over each week. Read on to learn which of these players that you wouldn't want in your lineup.
Editor's note: All statistics in this article are from Week 1 of the 2009 season, unless otherwise noted.
Fantasy football busts: Defensive linemen
Ray Edwards, Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Fantasy value: Weak No. 1 or strong No. 2
- Edwards registered six total tackles (three solo) and 0.5 sacks last week
against the Cleveland Browns.
- The New Orleans Saints linemen didn't contribute much to the stat sheet last week as he managed only five solo tackles, three assisted tackles and not one sack.
- Detroit could struggle to contain Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (then again, who wouldn't). This could leave the Vikings' D on the sidelines for long stretches of the game.
Greg Ellis, Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Fantasy value: Weak No. 2 or strong No. 3
- Ellis recorded one sack and a forced fumble during his debut with the Raiders; he managed just three total tackles, though.
- The Chiefs allowed only seven solo tackles, two assisted tackles and one sack to this position last week. They also gave up a forced fumble.
- You
like Ellis for his sacks - he has never been a huge tackles guy. While the Chiefs might not be throwing the ball that often with the Raiders' shaky run D and decent pass defense; this means Ellis might not have as many chances for sacks.
Jason D. Jones, Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans
Fantasy value: Weak No. 2 or strong No. 3
- Jones took down Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger once last week while recording three tackles (two solo).
- Houston against opposing linemen last week: two solo tackles, one assisted tackle and one fumble recovery. Slim pickings for the front line of the D.
- Part of that reason was that the Houston offense accumulated just 183 yards of total offense. Well, that came against the New York Jets, who aren't as strong
as the Tennessee Titans on D. It could be another long day for Matt Schaub and the Houston offense.
Fantasy football busts: Linebackers
Eric Barton, Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos
Fantasy value: Weak No. 2 or strong No. 3
- In Week 1, Barton recorded eight total tackles (six solo) against the Minnesota Vikings, a team that likes to pound the ball on the ground.
- The Broncos don't exactly fit that mold and don't have the strong rushing attack of the Vikings. Their backs ran the ball just 19 times last week.
- As such, opposing linebackers recorded the fewest solo tackles (six) in the league last week. They did, however, tie for the most assisted tackles (13).
David Vobora, St.
Louis Rams at Washington Redskins
Fantasy value: Weak No. 2 or strong No. 3
- Against the Seattle Seahawks last week, Vobora ran up eight total tackles (six solo) but nothing else to fill the stat sheet.
- Washington allowed only nine solo tackles (tied for third fewest) and six assisted tackles to the opposing linebackers. They also gave up 0.5 sacks to the position.
Antonio Pierce, New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
Fantasy value: Weak No. 3 or bench
- Pierce's first week saw him rack up six total tackles (five solo) but nothing else against the Washington Redskins.
- Versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, the Cowboys allowed 11 solo tackles, tied for sixth fewest in the league, and just four assisted
tackles.
- The 'Boys offensive line is one of the biggest in the league; they could do a good job neutralizing the Giants' defensive line. If so, Pierce might not find as much room to work as usual.
Fantasy football busts: Defensive backs
LaRon Landry, Washington Redskins vs. St. Louis Rams
Fantasy value: Weak No. 1 or strong No. 2
- Landry's effort in Week 1 witnessed him total eight solo tackles but no other stats against the New York Giants.
- Solo tackles are something the Rams didn't give much of last week; they allowed just 13 solo tackles to the Seattle Seahawks' defensive backs last week. That total was the sixth fewest in the league.
- St. Louis' offense struggled to stay on the field last week against the Seattle Seahawks. Landry might
not be on the field long enough to think he'll live up to his usual form.
Jarrad Page, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders
Fantasy value: Weak No. 2 or strong No. 3
- Facing the Baltimore Ravens' surprisingly high-powered offense, Page finished with six tackles (all solo) and two passes defensed.
- His job will be tougher against the Raiders, who allowed just 11 solo tackles (third fewest) and four assisted tackles to this position last week.
- Quarterback JaMarcus Russell might have the arm, but he still struggles hitting his receivers. This could lead to fewer tackles for Page, who would be patrolling for any passes down the seam/sidelines.
Michael Huff, Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Fantasy
value: Midrange No. 3
- Huff failed to record a tackle last week, though he managed one pass defensed and picked off one pass.
- The tackles won't come any easier against the Chiefs this week; they gave up the ninth fewest solo tackles (14) to this position last week. They also gave up just three assisted tackles and put up zeroes in the other relevant categories.
- Quarterback Matt Cassel's (knee) status is still uncertain for Week 2. If he plays, though, the Chiefs might lean on their rushing game or quick throws to keep pressure off Cassel and his balky knee.
Also see: Fantasy football sleepers: IDP - Week 2
