Well, here's hoping that you are at least .500. I have a couple teams that aren't - dynasty league "projects". You know, the kind of teams you wind up with when you join an existing dynasty league. Now I have an inkling of how Marvin Lewis feels.

I usually love each season's beer commercials, but I have to say that the Coors commercial with Kid Rock just sucks. And what is up with Pamela Anderson and skanky guys? Tommy Lee looks skanky but cleans up well. Kid Rock is the real crack dealing, wino rolling skanky deal. So far my favorite is the Heineken one that mocks all those loud Miller/Coors bits.

If what I say still isn't helpful to solve your dilemma between your #2 and #3 LB or #2 LB and #2 DB, I highly recommend that you go and read our Rushing and Passing matchups. When in doubt, start your LBs/SSs/DBs that are playing against RBs we say that have good or great matchups, and DBs that are playing against WRs that have good or great matchups. They will be on the field a long time, increasing your odds for high tackle/PD/INT numbers. Questions? Email [email protected].

Terminology

Below you will see me say that "Player X had 7-3-1 , 1 INT and 2 PDs". That's their stat line, just like at any stat page online. In this example, that would be 7 solo tackles, 3 assists and 1 sack, 1 interception with 2 passes defensed.

Rookie Tips

No, I am not talking about rookie IDP's -yet. This is aimed at those of you who are new to playing in leagues that use IDPs. Another term for you to look for in the box score is time of possession. How long a team spends on the field is critical for us. The longer the better. NYG LB Dhani Jones will likely be a hot waiver commodity after he and teammate Mike Barrow racked up 11-4-1 and 17-2-0, respectively. Looking at the TOP, Dallas had the ball for 42:30 while New York had it for 26:34. You will have tackle totals like that when the TOP is that lopsided. Look for the MLB/SS/OLB on teams that have bad TOP season rankings, and you will find producers for you.

Another tip - avoid CBs in general, and good ones in particular. Guys like Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson are shut down corners. But they rarely get thrown at because they are so good, making them bad fantasy DBs. The only time this changes is if the offense struggles and leaves them on the field.

I did a study last year on the relative draft position of the top fantasy DBs. The most productive fantasy DBs tend to be older players still starting (and thus in decline) and those taken in rounds 3-5. The top draft picks tend to have lower tackle totals but are usually inflated by scores. So far this is holding true. I have as the top 5 DBs so far this year: Nick Harper (undrafted in 2001), Ed Reed (1st round but is a SS), Ralph Brown (5th round pick, numbers inflated by TD), Omar Stoutmire (7th rd), Ahmed Plummer (1st round CB, inflated by TD), Dre' Bly (2nd rd, inflated by TD). Not far outside the top 5 is Jay Bellamy (undrafted, 31 years old).

Rookie Watch

• DL Tyler Brayton OAK
  As Oakland's woes continue, a bright spot is the play of this rookie. He's starting and is on a team that is spending a lot of time on the field. That makes a great combo for you.



• MLB Nick Barnett GB
  Barnett was a hot pick in many dynasty leagues this year (he went at 2.12 in my rookie-only draft), especially since the top rookie LB talent was going into bad situations or being switched to unfamiliar positions. I have been asked repeatedly about him, and which performance is really the true one. He isn't as talented as E.J. Henderson or Gerald Hayes, but he's doing something neither of them are - starting. Get him cheaply based on the average of his last two weeks performance.



• FS/DB Ken Hamlin SEA
  That's two solid performances in a row. He isn't as talented as Terence Newman or Andre Woolfolk but that woks in his advantage. He is playing well and is a starter, so get him if you can.



• CB/DB Terence Newman DAL
  So far Newman is breaking the rule about talented CBs making good fantasy DBs. He isn't setting the world on fire, but he has managed two straight 5 tackle performances, and added 4 PDs and a pick this week. I think he may continue the tackle totals but if he keeps picking off passes the PDs will go away since teams will quit testing him.

IDP Watch

Favre, Kitna, Holcomb, Brady and Delhomme have thrown the most INT's thus far. Favre's performances are erratic, but at least you know he's a good player. Ditto Brady. However, the DB matchups favor those CB's/FS's that face Kitna and Holcomb. Play your Steeler and 49er DBs this week if you need a tie breaker.

Blitz Packages week 3

Defensive Lineman
The Rams and Redskins are currently surrendering the most sacks per game (Philly and Chicago are not far behind). So start your Giants and Seahawks this week. Chike Okeafor has a great chance to explode this week.

• John Parella OAK
  Continuing our TOP theme this week, Oakland is also near the bottom in that stat. I can't see Oakland beating Denver in Denver, which means he remains a nice start. That goes for his teammate Dana Stubblefield if you need him.



• James Hall DET
  If you are in need of a #2 DL, Hall isn't a bad choice. He's the starting RDE, and currently has 8-3-0 1 FR. Detroit will have their moments but still being bad will be on the field a lot. If you have a stiff and need someone try him out for a while.



• Marcellus Wiley SD
  Yes the team is doing badly in TOP which helps his value. But in a radio interview about a month ago, Wiley described the fact that he has fought against an abdominal tear the past two seasons, which had hurt his performance. When he finally had it operated on, his doctor described it as "one of the worst he had ever seen". No wonder his production dropped so badly those two years. He is back at 100%, and will likely again have a great season making him a solid sleeper. I drafted him or got him in UFA, in most of the leagues I am in.

Linebackers
I don't believe that the Steelers will lose this week to the Bengals. So go ahead and start Clark Haggins and James Farrior, but don't expect a lot out of them tackle wise. Also, watch the injury situation with Joey Porter. One website has Porter back in the starting rotation. However, CIN LBs Brian Simmons should be solid, and Kevin Hardy is a nice risk play if you can start 3-4 LBs.

I got an email asking me about PIT LB Kendrell Bell and his inconsistency. He's immensely talented but can disappear at times. Right now he's a #3 LB at best, and may never be as solid as you like since he's splitting time on the inside with James Farrior.

• David Thornton IND
  This is a kid I liked as a rookie last year. Now he's getting a chance to start. He's worth a flyer if you need LB help.



• LBs Dhani Jones/Mike Barrow NYG
  These two will likely be productive in spurts. Barrow in particular has a history of that. Do not overpay to get them.

Defensive Backs

• CB Ahmed Plummer/FS Tony Parrish
  As mentioned in the IDP watch, they have a favorable INT matchup against QB Kitna this week. Ditto for PIT DBs Dewayne Washington, Chad Scott and Brent Alexander.



• SS Adam Archuleta STL
  The TOP this week is almost 7 minutes in favor of the Rams. That is a strong indication that Archuleta will have a down week, even though he has been playing well recently. We will find out how real the Rams D is this week against the powerful Seahawks running attack.



• FS Ken Hamlin SEA
  The pass-happy Rams make a nice matchup for Hamlin in the PD department. He will likely get 4-5 of them.



• CB Antoine Winfield/SS Law Milloy BUF
  Facing MIA RB Williams this week, they have an excellent tackle matchup.

That's all for now, good luck!