Sleeper Watch

As if the Buffalo Bills didn’t already have enough problems (such as a struggling passing game), they will now have to play the rest of the season without linebacker Takeo Spikes, considered by many to be the glue that holds the defense together. How badly will the Bills miss Spikes? That depends to a large extent on whether Angelo Crowell can step in and fill his sizable shoes.

Since being chosen late in the third round of the 2003 draft, Crowell has seen time mainly on special teams, where he impressed coaches with his versatility. He has also already shown a brief glimpse of what he could do in a regular linebacking role. In week 2, he logged five tackles and two assists while filling in after London Fletcher was forced out of the game in the second quarter. The following week, he again played a bit more than a half after Spikes went down, and again posted solid numbers: five tackles and four assists.

For fantasy owners, Crowell is a somewhat risky pickup, yet he’s certainly in the right place at the right time, and will have plenty of opportunity to continue to rack up tackles. If injuries have already started to take their toll on your IDP squad, Crowell might be just what the doctor ordered: a talented young player eager to prove he’s more than just a backup. Look for Crowell to play his heart out in the weeks to come, and perhaps ease the Bills’ pain after losing Spikes.