Online Gambling, Online Sportsbooks at Eye on Gambling provides Live Odds Sports News Free Picks Sports Betting and Gambling Odds Online at eog.com - View Single Post

Hache Man · 05-19-08, 05:35 PM

IDP Breakouts: Defensive Backs

This is the second installment of our three-part IDP Breakouts series.
Defensive linemen will be posted early this week.

When evaluating IDP defensive backs, it's vital to consider the players in front of them. Leaky front sevens allow ball carriers to reach the second level, creating tackle opportunities in the back. Playing behind a much improved defensive line and linebacker unit last year, Titans SS Chris Hope was a megabust IDP before his season-ending spinal chord injury. He averaged only 4.5 tackles per game (3.4 solo) after posting 121 tackles (7.6 per-game average) the season prior.

If you're looking for consistency, also target safeties over cornerbacks. Safeties are typically involved in more plays than CBs, especially man corners assigned to cover receivers one on one. Strong safeties, in particular, tend to line up "in the box," or close to the line of scrimmage. These defensive backs usually won't kill you with empty one- or two-tackle efforts in a given week. Here are the top tackling DBs from the past five seasons:

2007: 49ers SS Michael Lewis (104 – 75 solo)
2006: Titans SS Chris Hope (121 – 89 solo)
2005: Jets FS Erik Coleman (121 – 84 solo)
2004: Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (138 – 94 solo)
2003: Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (126 – 92 solo)

Notice, no corners.

Saints SS Roman Harper

Coming off a torn ACL, Harper was exposed at times in coverage in '07. But he showed a knack for the big play and held off Kevin Kaesviharn for playing time. Giants GM Jerry Reese, who's quickly established himself as an elite judge of talent, wanted Harper in a Jeremy Shockey trade this offseason. The Saints said no.

Harper returns a full year removed from surgery and should regain some range. The Saints like to send him on blitzes, which increases Harper's fantasy upside, and he could see more tackle opportunities behind a linebacker unit that may have two starters returning from serious injury (MLB Jonathan Vilma and WLB Dan Morgan). Harper projects as a consistent and top-shelf DB1.

2007 Line: 90 (75 solo) – 4 SCK – 3 INT – 0 FR – 2 FF – 8 PASS DEF
Projection: 100 (84 solo) – 3 SCK – 2 INT – FR – 3 FF – 7 PASS DEF
2008 Rotoworld Rank: DB1

Raiders CB DeAngelo Hall
oaklandraiders.com
Hall was never bookended by good corners in Atlanta, but offensive coordinators still tested him often. Because of his ball skills and above-average tackling ability, Hall managed solid IDP value even on bad Falcons teams opponents didn't have to throw on to beat.

Now playing opposite the NFL's premier shutdown cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha, Hall can anticipate a major increase in activity. No starting CB was thrown at less than Asomugha last year. Expect some game-to-game inconsistency because Hall is a press corner moving to the right side, where opponents run less frequently, but still a healthy dose of tackles and a sharp uptick in big plays. Hall has good hands and won't drop many picks. Statistically speaking, there isn't a CB in the league with more IDP upside.

2007 Line: 70 (63 solo) – 0 SCK – 5 INT – FR – FF – 16 PASS DEF
Projection: 76 (69 solo) – 0 SCK – 7 INT – 0 FR – FF – 18 PASS DEF
2008 Rotoworld Rank: DB5

Chiefs SS Bernard Pollard
kansascitychiefs.com
After focusing on special teams as a rookie in 2006, Pollard took over as a starter in his sophomore season. His tackling numbers were inconsistent and Pollard saw too much coverage duty behind struggling CBs Patrick Surtain and Ty Law. We projected Pollard to lead the NFL in forced fumbles, but "Bonecrusher" managed to pop loose just one.

Coordinator Gunther Cunningham realizes that Pollard's strength is playing at the line of scrimmage, where he is an extremely imposing force at 6'1/224. With teams unlikely to pass on the Chiefs particularly often because of their weak front seven and roster overall (no one should have to play catch-up against Kansas City in 2008), Cunningham should get Pollard more in-the-box opportunities. The Chiefs' defense also figures to be on the field a lot. Pollard has some boom-or-bust potential, but a "boom" is more likely.

2007 Line: 90 (74 solo) – SCK – 2 INT – 0 FR – FF – 7 PASS DEF
Projection: 98 (82 solo) – 2 SCK – 0 INT – FR – 4 FF – 3 PASS DEF
2008 Rotoworld Rank: DB7

Lions SS Daniel Bullocks
detroitlions.com
The 40th overall pick in 2006, Bullocks entered last year's training camp atop Detroit's depth chart at free safety. But he tore his ACL during the preseason and was placed on injured reserve. Raw rookie Gerald Alexander was forced into action and wasn't the ballhawk in centerfield Bullucks might've been.

The Lions have moved Bullocks to strong safety, replacing Kenoy Kennedy. By the start of camp, he'll be 11 months removed from the injury. Bullocks may lose some range like Roman Harper in 2007, but possesses 100-tackle potential behind a soft front seven. The former Nebraska Cornhusker only has to hold off recently arrested Kalvin Pearson and Alexander for playing time. If he does, Bullocks could emerge as the biggest IDP sleeper in the league. He has a nose for the football and will make plays around the LOS.

2007 Line: None (injured)
Projection: 100 (73 solo) – SCK – 2 INT – 3 FR – 3 FF – 4 PASS DEF
2008 Rotoworld Rank: DB8

Chargers CB Quentin Jammer
sandiegochargers.com
The Bolts' left cornerback put together another solid yet unspectacular season in 2007. Jammer isn't a game changer, but tackles reliably and will bat down passes when he gets the chance. He flashed big-play skills with four picks in 2003 and 2006, but Jammer has one or fewer in each of his other four seasons.

The cat is out of the bag on RCB Antonio Cromartie, who led the league with 10 picks in 2007 despite not overtaking Drayton Florence until midseason. Expect offensive coordinators to game plan around Cromartie and Jammer's breakup opportunities to increase. While Jammer's stone hands limit his upside, especially in glory stat-heavy formats, you probably won't find many more consistently productive corners. Jammer also plays the strong side, so a good number of running backs will be coming in his direction.

2007 Line: 61 (54 solo) – 0 SCK – INT – 2 FR – 0 FF – 10 PASS DEF
Projection: 77 (68 solo) – 0 SCK – INT – FR – 0 FF – 19 PASS DEF
2008 Rotoworld Rank: DB25

Others to Keep a Close Eye On: Dolphins SS Yeremiah Bell, Jets CB Darrelle Revis, Bengals SS Chinedum Ndukwe, Bengals CB Leon Hall, Browns CB Brandon McDonald, Texans CB Fred Bennett, Jaguars CB/SS Brian Williams, Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers, Broncos SS Hamza Abdullah, Eagles SS Quintin Mikell, Redskins SS Reed Doughty, Bears SS Brandon McGowan, Vikings CB Cedric Griffin, Falcons CB Chris Houston, Falcons SS Thomas DeCoud

05-19-08, 05:35 PM	#37
Hache Man Moderator "Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak" Join Date: Aug 19, 2005 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 63,938	Re: Fantasy Football News 2008 IDP Breakouts: Defensive Backs This is the second installment of our three-part IDP Breakouts series. Defensive linemen will be posted early this week. When evaluating IDP defensive backs, it's vital to consider the players in front of them. Leaky front sevens allow ball carriers to reach the second level, creating tackle opportunities in the back. Playing behind a much improved defensive line and linebacker unit last year, Titans SS Chris Hope was a megabust IDP before his season-ending spinal chord injury. He averaged only 4.5 tackles per game (3.4 solo) after posting 121 tackles (7.6 per-game average) the season prior. If you're looking for consistency, also target safeties over cornerbacks. Safeties are typically involved in more plays than CBs, especially man corners assigned to cover receivers one on one. Strong safeties, in particular, tend to line up "in the box," or close to the line of scrimmage. These defensive backs usually won't kill you with empty one- or two-tackle efforts in a given week. Here are the top tackling DBs from the past five seasons: 2007: 49ers SS Michael Lewis (104 – 75 solo) 2006: Titans SS Chris Hope (121 – 89 solo) 2005: Jets FS Erik Coleman (121 – 84 solo) 2004: Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (138 – 94 solo) 2003: Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (126 – 92 solo) Notice, no corners. Saints SS Roman Harper Coming off a torn ACL, Harper was exposed at times in coverage in '07. But he showed a knack for the big play and held off Kevin Kaesviharn for playing time. Giants GM Jerry Reese, who's quickly established himself as an elite judge of talent, wanted Harper in a Jeremy Shockey trade this offseason. The Saints said no. Harper returns a full year removed from surgery and should regain some range. The Saints like to send him on blitzes, which increases Harper's fantasy upside, and he could see more tackle opportunities behind a linebacker unit that may have two starters returning from serious injury (MLB Jonathan Vilma and WLB Dan Morgan). Harper projects as a consistent and top-shelf DB1. 2007 Line: 90 (75 solo) – 4 SCK – 3 INT – 0 FR – 2 FF – 8 PASS DEF Projection: 100 (84 solo) – 3 SCK – 2 INT – FR – 3 FF – 7 PASS DEF 2008 Rotoworld Rank: DB1 Raiders CB DeAngelo Hall oaklandraiders.com Hall was never bookended by good corners in Atlanta, but offensive coordinators still tested him often. Because of his ball skills and above-average tackling ability, Hall managed solid IDP value even on bad Falcons teams opponents didn't have to throw on to beat. Now playing opposite the NFL's premier shutdown cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha, Hall can anticipate a major increase in activity. No starting CB was thrown at less than Asomugha last year. Expect some game-to-game inconsistency because Hall is a press corner moving to the right side, where opponents run less frequently, but still a healthy dose of tackles and a sharp uptick in big plays. Hall has good hands and won't drop many picks. Statistically speaking, there isn't a CB in the league with more IDP upside. 2007 Line: 70 (63 solo) – 0 SCK – 5 INT – FR – FF – 16 PASS DEF Projection: 76 (69 solo) – 0 SCK – 7 INT – 0 FR – FF – 18 PASS DEF 2008 Rotoworld Rank: DB5 Chiefs SS Bernard Pollard kansascitychiefs.com After focusing on special teams as a rookie in 2006, Pollard took over as a starter in his sophomore season. His tackling numbers were inconsistent and Pollard saw too much coverage duty behind struggling CBs Patrick Surtain and Ty Law. We projected Pollard to lead the NFL in forced fumbles, but "Bonecrusher" managed to pop loose just one. Coordinator Gunther Cunningham realizes that Pollard's strength is playing at the line of scrimmage, where he is an extremely imposing force at 6'1/224. With teams unlikely to pass on the Chiefs particularly often because of their weak front seven and roster overall (no one should have to play catch-up against Kansas City in 2008), Cunningham should get Pollard more in-the-box opportunities. The Chiefs' defense also figures to be on the field a lot. Pollard has some boom-or-bust potential, but a "boom" is more likely. 2007 Line: 90 (74 solo) – SCK – 2 INT – 0 FR – FF – 7 PASS DEF Projection: 98 (82 solo) – 2 SCK – 0 INT – FR – 4 FF – 3 PASS DEF 2008 Rotoworld Rank: DB7 Lions SS Daniel Bullocks detroitlions.com The 40th overall pick in 2006, Bullocks entered last year's training camp atop Detroit's depth chart at free safety. But he tore his ACL during the preseason and was placed on injured reserve. Raw rookie Gerald Alexander was forced into action and wasn't the ballhawk in centerfield Bullucks might've been. The Lions have moved Bullocks to strong safety, replacing Kenoy Kennedy. By the start of camp, he'll be 11 months removed from the injury. Bullocks may lose some range like Roman Harper in 2007, but possesses 100-tackle potential behind a soft front seven. The former Nebraska Cornhusker only has to hold off recently arrested Kalvin Pearson and Alexander for playing time. If he does, Bullocks could emerge as the biggest IDP sleeper in the league. He has a nose for the football and will make plays around the LOS. 2007 Line: None (injured) Projection: 100 (73 solo) – SCK – 2 INT – 3 FR – 3 FF – 4 PASS DEF 2008 Rotoworld Rank: DB8 Chargers CB Quentin Jammer sandiegochargers.com The Bolts' left cornerback put together another solid yet unspectacular season in 2007. Jammer isn't a game changer, but tackles reliably and will bat down passes when he gets the chance. He flashed big-play skills with four picks in 2003 and 2006, but Jammer has one or fewer in each of his other four seasons. The cat is out of the bag on RCB Antonio Cromartie, who led the league with 10 picks in 2007 despite not overtaking Drayton Florence until midseason. Expect offensive coordinators to game plan around Cromartie and Jammer's breakup opportunities to increase. While Jammer's stone hands limit his upside, especially in glory stat-heavy formats, you probably won't find many more consistently productive corners. Jammer also plays the strong side, so a good number of running backs will be coming in his direction. 2007 Line: 61 (54 solo) – 0 SCK – INT – 2 FR – 0 FF – 10 PASS DEF Projection: 77 (68 solo) – 0 SCK – INT – FR – 0 FF – 19 PASS DEF 2008 Rotoworld Rank: DB25 Others to Keep a Close Eye On: Dolphins SS Yeremiah Bell, Jets CB Darrelle Revis, Bengals SS Chinedum Ndukwe, Bengals CB Leon Hall, Browns CB Brandon McDonald, Texans CB Fred Bennett, Jaguars CB/SS Brian Williams, Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers, Broncos SS Hamza Abdullah, Eagles SS Quintin Mikell, Redskins SS Reed Doughty, Bears SS Brandon McGowan, Vikings CB Cedric Griffin, Falcons CB Chris Houston, Falcons SS Thomas DeCoud