I picked an awful week to not listen to my own advice. My league has 3 IDP spots, and they can be any combination of linebacker (LB), lineman (DL), and defensive back (DB). The smart thing to do in a league that awards a point for every tackle is to start three LBs. I usually do this, but I was tempted by the match up of Nate Clements on Chad Johnson…
This should have been a fun match up to watch and it should have awarded me with plenty of fantasy points, as Clements had been a steady IDP contributer this season. So, I picked him up and plugged him in for MLB David Harris (he was facing air-it-out New England so I didn’t expect the usual 8+ tackles). The outcome of my planned strategy? Clements covered Johnson well and Palmer couldn’t get on the same page. Three total points from Clements was the result… Harris would have given me eight (and I lost my match up by one point). Thankfully, I’m in a league where we don’t have playoffs – we just play out the year and the winners have the best overall records. Point is, don’t get cute. Play who got you this far. IDP strategy is the same as your offensive strategy. Sure you consider matchups, but you always play your regulars. Simple advice, though it is not always so easy to follow. Just ask me!
In the interest of time, here are some quick notes and then on to the rankings!
LB notes: DeMeco Ryans and Antonio Pierce have been slowed by lingering injuries, but they should both play this week. I’m not high on Pierce, but you don’t sit Ryans.
DL notes: In my last column, I mentioned Mario Williams playing up to expectations, and he had a great week 15. Play him this week as well.
DB notes: Roy Williams is sitting out this week for his not-so-subtle horse-collar tackle on Donovan McNabb. Antoine Winfield is injured again and I don’t expect him to play.
| Rank | LB | DL | DB |
| 1 | Patrick Willis | Patrick Kerney | Sean Jones |
| 2 | London Fletcher | Mario Williams | Sammy Knight |
| 3 | Nck Barnett | Aaron Kampman | Jermaine Phillips |
| 4 | Karlos Dansby | Trent Cole | Antonio Cromartie |
| 5 | Jon Beason | Jared Allen | Atari Bigby |
| 6 | David Harris | Osi Umenyiora | Marcus Trufant |
| 7 | Ernie Sims | Jason Taylor | Bob Sanders |
| 8 | DJ Williams | Justin Tuck | Chris Harris |
| 9 | DeMeco Ryans | Terrell Suggs | Kerry Rhodes |
| 10 | Kirk Morrison | Michael Strahan | Nate Clements |
| 11 | Brian Urlacher | Andre Carter | Darrelle Revis |
| 12 | Ray Lewis | Kyle Vanden Bosch | Donte Whitner |
| 13 | EJ Henderson | Adewale Ogunleye | Oshiomogho Atogwe |
| 14 | Lofa Tatupu | Marques Douglas | LaRon Landry |
| 15 | Gary Brackett | Justin Smith | Madieu Williams |
| 16 | Morlon Greenwood | Gaines Adams | Marlin Jackson |
| 17 | Demarcus Ware | Aaron Schobel | Rodney Harrison |
| 18 | Angelo Crowell | Greg Ellis | Lawyer Milloy |
| 19 | AJ Hawk | Bryant Young | Brandon McGowan |
| 20 | Paris Lenon | Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila | Von Hutchins |
| 21 | Barrett Ruud | Pat Williams | Leigh Bodden |
| 22 | Derrick Brooks | Kenechi Udeze | Kenoy Kennedy |
| 23 | Matt Wilhelm | Jovan Haye | Michael Huff |
| 24 | Lance Briggs | Kenyon Coleman | Champ Bailey |
| 25 | Michael Boley | Julius Peppers | Terrence McGee |
Alison, a cafe regular and writer, was raised in the Northeast and now resides in the Southwest. While playing fantasy football and baseball over the past 5 years, she found herself hooked. In her spare time, she especially loves plucking from the waiver wire and finding IDP steals.
|
Questions or comments for Alison? Post them in the Cafe Forums! Want to see your own fantasy wisdom published? Check out the Cafe's Pencil & Paper section! |

Cafe Home
Fantasy Baseball
Fantasy Basketball
Fantasy Hockey
Fantasy Cafe Wiki

(8 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)





