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Special to Footballguys.com IDP Who's Hot by Shawn Culcasi |
AFC
Buffalo
Bills
Who's Hot...
London Fletcher, LB: Fletcher has
recorded 53 tackles over the last five games, totaling ten or more in four of
the five. He hasn't been the playmaker that he was with St.Louis (averaging
five sacks and three interceptions during the last two seasons, he's posted
only two sacks with no interceptions so far this year), but he's been a very
consistent point scorer as of late.
Who's Not...
Chidi Ahanotu, DE: After recording a
sack in four of the first six games this year, he's shut it down, posting only
one sack and 12 total tackles over the last six.
Miami
Dolphins
Who's Hot...
Jason Taylor, DE: Taylor hasn't been
much for tackles this year (19 total over the last six games), but with ten
sacks over the last eight games, who cares. He's been on a tear, and has only
gone three games this year without recording at least one sack.
Honorable
Mention- Patrick Surtain, CB: Surtain has done it all year long with the
interception, but recently he's added the sack to his repertoire. Two sacks,
two picks and 22 tackles over the last five games.
Who's Not...
Brock Marion, FS: Marion has put
together a fairly decent season so far (on pace for 86 tackles and three
interceptions), but most of his damage was done early with 18 tackles, two
picks and four passes defended in the first three weeks. Since then, he's
without an interception and has but one pass defended. He's recorded 14 tackles
over the last three games.
New
England Patriots
Who's Hot...
Teddy Bruschi, LB: Bruschi has been
very active lately with 34 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and six
passes defended over the last six games. He doesn't post great tackle numbers
on a regular basis, but he has over the last two with 19 total. Throw in a sack
every other week and you've got yourself a decent starting linebacker. Bruschi
sprained his knee during Thursdays Thanksgiving Day game, after returning an
interception for a touchdown, and didn't return.
Honorable
Mention- Richard Seymour, DT: Seymour was shut out on Thanksgiving, leaving the
game with an injury, but before that he had collected a sack in each of the
last three weeks, with 11 total tackles over the last two. Seymour also left
the Turkey day game with a quad injury. Both he and Bruschi shouldn't miss any
time.
Non-Injured
Honorable Mention- Victor Green, S: Green hasn't been a starter this year, but
he's producing like one. He's recorded 17 tackles over the last two weeks and
actually started on Thanksgiving Day in place of Tebucky Jones (inactive).
Who's Not...
Lawyer Milloy, SS: He's good for five
to six tackles a week, but don't expect much more. He's only recorded 26
tackles over the last five games and seems to have lost the playmaking ability
that led us to label him a stud.
Dishonorable
Mention- Willie McGinest, DE: The McGinest roller coaster is in a dip right now
as he's posted only five tackles over the last three games, and has gone four
games without a sack. If he stays true to form, he'll bust out here in a couple
of weeks with a decent tackle, multiple sack game, but it's hard to rely on his
inconsistency.
New
York Jets
Who's Hot...
Hmmm, still lookin'. Except for an
occasional good game, nobody on Jets defensive unit has been able to
consistently produce.
Who's Not...
Sam Cowart, LB: Marvin Jones has
disappeared after posting 24 tackles during the first two weeks, but Sam Cowart
has maintained a level of mediocrity throughout the season. Expectation were
probably a bit high with him coming off of an injury, but the playmaking
ability that he showed us in Buffalo has been absent. He's recorded 36 tackles
over the last five games, but hasn't collected a sack in two months and is
still without an interception.
Baltimore
Ravens
Who's Hot...
Bernardo Harris, LB: With Ray Lewis now
done for the year, Harris will be the Ravens starting middle linebacker.
Filling in for Lewis in six of the last seven games, Harris has recorded 45
tackles, a sack and two interceptions. With New Orleans and Houston coming up,
Harris should see continued success.
Honorable
Mention- Ed Hartwell, LB: Like Harris, Hartwell has performed well without
Lewis around hoggin' tackles. In the last seven games, without Lewis, Hartwell
has totaled 69 tackles, including his first two career sacks during week ten.
Who's Not...
Peter Boulware, LB: Has Boulware felt
the affects of Ray Lewis being out? During week 11, with Lewis in the lineup,
Boulware posted eight tackles. In the last five games without Lewis, he's
totaled nine tackles, and has gone without a sack for six games.
Cincinnati
Bengals
Who's Hot...
Pass. Cornerback Artrell Hawkins had a
nice two game stretch, but that was a month ago. Actually, DE Justin Smith
deserves mention. Five weeks ago, he had a two game sack streak, and he's
recorded a sack and 11 tackles over the last two.
Who's Not...
Takeo Spikes, LB: Spikes has been
consistently pedestrian this year. He's been able to maintain a decent (at
best) tackle total, but he's been unable to produce any sacks (one, week six)
or interceptions (zero). He's totaled 37 tackles over the last five games.
We'll write this season off as him playing injured...I guess.
Dishonorable
Mention- Canute Curtis, LB: Not that we expected much from Curtis, but he has
started seven games in place of the injured Steve Foley (IR) and has done
absolutely nothing. During the last five games, he's totaled 15 tackles.
Cleveland
Browns
Who's Hot...
Earl Little, FS: Little started the
season on the bench, but he's taken advantage of the injury to Robert Griffith
and has proven to be possibly the Browns biggest playmaker on defense. He has
an interception in each of the last two games an four over the last seven.
Who's Not...
Courtney Brown, DE: It's tough to pick
on Brown as every Cleveland defender probably belongs on this list (except for
Little, and possibly Mark Word), but he's been the biggest disappointment. Over
the last six games, he's recorded 22 tackles and two sacks. Not terrible.
Unfortunately, ten of those tackles and both sacks came in one game.
Pittsburgh
Steelers
Who's Hot...
Joey Porter, LB: Porter continues to
roll on what has become a sensational season. He's hit a bit of a bump, with
only one sack over the last seven games (after recording six during the first
five), but Pitt's remaining schedule should lend to him getting back on track
fairly quickly. Even without the sacks and interceptions, he remains consistent
with 22 tackles over the last four games.
Who's Not...
Jason Gildon and James Farrior, LBs:
Farrior has played well this year, but he's coming off of his worst four game
stretch with a total of 18 tackles. Jason Gildon has just been horrible. He
gave us a taste of his old self with two sacks during week ten, but quickly
fell back into line. He's posted four tackles over the last two games.
Houston
Texans
Who's Hot...
Jeff Posey, OLB: Posey has only started
five games this year, but he's performed well when given the chance.� In those five starts (weeks one through
three, twelve & thirteen), he's recorded 22 tackles, four sacks and an
interception, highlighted by week twelves six tackle, sack, pick, forced fumble
and three passes defended performance. He's still listed as a backup, but has
clearly outperformed the starter, Keith Mitchell.
Who's Not...
Eric Brown, SS: After posting 23
tackles and an interception over a recent three game stretch, he's collected
one tackle, combined, over the last two.
Indianapolis
Colts
Who's Hot...
Dwight Freeney, DE: During his first
two NFL starts, he posted 11 tackles, three sacks and four forced fumbles. The
goose egg he put up during week twelve shouldn't be too concerning as he came
through with three tackles and a sack against Houston.
Who's Not...
Idrees Bashir, FS: Tony Dungy certainly
hasn't had an effect on Bashir's statline. He's recorded six tackles over the
last four games and has gone eight games without an interception.
Jacksonville
Jaguars
Who's Hot...
Marlon McCree, FS: McCree has put
together a nice sophomore season, and he's done especially well over the past
six games, totaling 28 tackles, a sack and three interceptions.
Who's Not...
Donovin Darius, SS: Over the first
month and a half of the season, Darius played well (39 tackles, one sack, one
pick through six games). Over the last six games, he's offered nothing, posting
21 tackles and being held without a sack or interception for eight games.
Tennessee
Titans
Who's Hot...
Peter Sirmon, LB: Sirmon has started
the last five games and has been on fire, recording either a sack or
interception in four of the five for a total of 44 tackles, two sacks and two
picks.
Honorable
Mention- Lance Schulters, FS: Schulters has only collected 16 tackles over the
last four games, but he's been able to pick up an interception in three of the
four.
�
Who's Not...
Kevin Carter, DE: There are times this
year that Carter has reminded us of his days in Saint Louis. Over the last four
games, he's totaled four tackles (zero sacks) and reminds us of his dismal
season last year in Tennessee (two sacks).
Denver
Broncos
Who's Hot...
Al Wilson, LB: Wilson has been playing
very well of late, combining for 43 tackles and two sacks over the last five
games.
Honorable Mention- Deltha O'Neal, CB:
After going a month without, O'Neal has recorded an interception in two of the
last three games, along with 15 tackles over that three game span.
Who's Not...
Ian Gold and John Mobley, LBs: The
expectations that we set for the Denver linebacking corp was much higher than
what's been delivered. Wilson has been playing well, but Gold and Mobley
haven't offered much, combining for 36 tackles (18 a piece) over the last three
games without a sack or interception.
Kansas
City Chiefs
Who's Hot...
Mike Maslowski, LB: Maslowski has come
out of nowhere this year and has been a tackling machine as of late, totaling
51 tackles over the last six games. He doesn't offer much for sacks, but he is
active in the passing game with two interceptions and ten passes defended.
Who's Not...
Duane Clemons, DE: Clemons continues to
disappointment this year. Over the last five games, he's only been able to
record ten tackles and one sack.
Oakland
Raiders
Who's Hot...
Eric Barton, LB: Barton's early season
success was built around decent tackle numbers and getting to the quarterback.
Over the last five games, he's not only continued his playmaking (two sacks,
one interception) but he's improved his tackle numbers (46 total).
Honorable Mention- Rod Coleman, DT:
Coleman is not a starter, but he does replace Sam Adams on passing downs. He's
been playing the �specialist� role very well lately, recording at least one
sack in each of the last three games, and six over the last six.
Who's Not...
Bill Romanowski, LB: We probably
shouldn't have expected much from the aging linebacker, but he started off the
season strong with 21 tackles and four sacks through four games. He's regressed
over the last four, totaling only 17 tackles, and has gone eight weeks without
a sack.
Dishonorable Mention- Derrick Gibson,
SS: The playmaking ability that we hoped for from Gibson just isn't there. He's
yet to record a sack or pick this season, and has only recorded six tackles
over the last three games. He has been injured.
San
Diego Chargers
Who's Hot...
Rodney Harrison, SS: The man has
returned. Seemingly healthy again, Harrison is back to his old tricks, posting
32 tackles, an interception and two passes defended over the last three games.
Who's Not...
Rogers Beckett, FS: Beckett, who hadn't
recorded over three tackles since week three, has been demoted from the
starting lineup in favor of veteran Keith Lyle.
NFC
Dallas
Cowboys
Who's Hot...
Roy Williams, SS: Williams has been a
steady force all year long, averaging nearly six tackles per game, and over the
last three weeks he's recorded his first three career interceptions and first
two forced fumbles.
Honorable Mention- Derek Ross, CB:
During Ross' seven starts this year, he's racked up 45 tackles and four
interceptions. Now a regular in the starting lineup (since week nine), he
should continue to post nice numbers, for any position.
Who's Not...
Dexter Coakley, LB: Coakley has had
some nice games this year, but he's only recorded 24 tackles over the last
five. He has one sack and one interception for the year, but hasn't had either
since week two.
New
York Giants
Who's Hot...
Michael Strahan, DE: Strahan started
off the season slow, going sackless during the first two games, but has since
reeled off ten consecutive games with at least one sack, including five over
the last three.
Who's Not...
Will Allen and Will Peterson, CBs: This
young, talented cornerback duo has offered nothing lately, totaling 41 tackles
(23 for Allen) over the last six games. Allen's only interception came during
week one, and Peterson hasn't had one since week three.
Philadelphia
Eagles
Who's Hot...
Hugh Douglas, DE: Douglas is the only
player on the Eagles defense that's been consistently producing. He's collected
19 tackles and six sacks over the last five games.
Who's Not...
Shawn Barber and LeVon Kirkland,
LBs:� These two are proven NFL
playmakers, but lately they've been everything but. Over the last six games,
this starting linebacker duo has combined for only 60 tackles and one sack.
Dishonorable Mention- Darwin Walker,
DE: I guess we should've seen this one coming. During the first seven games,
Walker recorded 21 tackles and six sacks. Philadelphia then gave him a contract
extension, and he's paid them back by posting nine tackles and one sack over
the last five.
Washington
Redskins
Who's Hot...
Jeremiah Trotter, LB: Trotter started
off slow, with 32 tackles through five games, but he's really come on over the
last seven with 59 tackles, including his first interception of the season. He
left the Thanksgiving Day game during the second quarter and has since been
diagnosed with a torn ACL. He's done for the year.
Honorable Mention- Ifeanyi Ohalete, SS:
Ohalete took over the starting strong safety spot six weeks ago, replacing Sam
Shade, and has produced 31 tackles, a sack and two interceptions.
Who's Not...
Fred Smoot, CB: Smoot is having a nice
year, totaling three interceptions and 13 passes defended, but he's been on a
downswing lately with only 16 tackles and no picks over the last four games.
Chicago
Bears
Who's Hot...
Rosevelt Colvin, LB: Colvin had fallen
into a three week funk, but seems to have broken out of it with a sack in each
of the last four games, including 13 tackles.
Stud Performing Like a Stud- Brian
Urlacher, LB: Urlacher's not a guy that'll give you 10+ tackles every game, but
he does produce top linebacker numbers on a weekly basis. Over the last six
games, he's collected 52 tackles, two sacks, an interception and five passes
defended.
Who's Not...
Jerry Azumah, CB: With the loss of Walt
Harris to free-agency, Azumah was supposed to step in as a starter and improve
on last years success as a nickel back. It hasn't happened. He's posted 23
tackles over the last five games and has yet to record an interception this
year.
Detroit
Lions
Who's Hot...
Todd Lyght, CB: If (and that's a big
if) Lyght is able to hold onto his starting spot. There has been talk of him
making way for a better cover man, probably rookie Andre Goodman, but fantasy
wise Lyght has been producing very good numbers for a cornerback. He's
collected 28 tackles and seven passes defended over the last four games.
Who's Not...
James Hall and Robert Porcher, DEs:
Hall has started every game this year and has done nothing with the
opportunity. He's posted nine tackles over the last four games and has only one
sack on the year (week four). Porcher seemed to have broken out of his season
long slump with a three game sack streak during weeks eight through ten. Didn't
happen, as he's fallen back into his unproductive ways with four tackles over
the last two. If either of these guys continue to falter, that may open it up
for rookie Kalimba Edwards, who's played well this year when given the chance.
Green
Bay Packers
Who's Hot...
Nate Wayne, LB: Through the first six
games, Wayne hadn't done much (37 tackles, one pick), then the light came on.
Over the last six games, his playmaking skills have shown while collecting 50
tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and five passes
defended.
Honorable Mentions- S Marques Anderson
(49 tackles, three interceptions through last seven games), S Darren Sharper
(29 tackles and two picks through five) and DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (21 tackles
and seven sacks through six). All three of these guys have had a down game or
two recently, but they've been covered up by some very nice performances.
Who's Not...
It's hard to single out a Packer
defensive player who's been playing bad. LB Na'il Diggs had a nice game during
week twelve in which he recorded eight tackles and an interception, but before
that he had a total of eight tackles over the previous three games.
Minnesota
Vikings
Who's Hot...
Chris Hovan, DE: After recording only
one sack over his first five games, Hovan has collected four over his last six,
including 25 tackles.
Who's Not...
Lance Johnstone, DE: After going
through a stretch where he recorded five sacks over five games, Johnstone has
been held sackless over the last five, totaling only 14 tackles.
Atlanta
Falcons
Who's Hot...
Patrick Kerney, DE: Kerney has excelled
with the Falcons switch to the 3-4 defense, and has been especially hot as of
late, posting 19 tackles and five sacks over the last five games.
Honorable Mention- Chris Draft, LB:
Draft has replaced injured starter John Holecek. He's known for his ability to
rush the passer and has played well during his chances this year with 21
tackles and three sacks over the last three games.
Honorable Mention(2)- Ellis Johnson,
DT: Johnson was a certified free-agent bust, coming from Indianapolis, up until
the last two weeks where he's totaled seven tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Who's Not...
Matt Stewart, LB: Stewart has started
all but two games as the Falcons outside linebacker and hasn't done much. He's
collected 16 tackles and one sack over the last six games.
Carolina
Panthers
Who's Hot...
Mike Minter, SS: He hasn't been
consistent this year, but over the last three games Minter has been
outstanding, recording 27 tackles and an interception.
Honorable Mention- Julius Peppers, DE:
It's a shame that we're going to lose Peppers as he's put together a very
impressive rookie campaign. His tackle total could use some work (22 over the
last seven games), but he's posted nine sacks over that same span.
Who's Not...
Mike Rucker, DE: Early in the season,
Rucker and Peppers looked as if they'd form a very dynamic duo this year.
Peppers has lived up to his end. Rucker has 19 tackles and one sack over the
last six games.
New
Orleans Saints
Who's Hot...
Darren Howard, DE: Even though he got
shut out during week twelve, Howard has put together his hottest stretch of the
year. Over the last five games, he's collected 15 tackles and four sacks.
Honorable Mention- Jay Bellamy, FS:
Bellamy has been playing well, recording 29 tackles, two sacks and an
interception over the last five games.
Who's Not...
Sedrick Hodge, LB: Hodge is another
case of inflated expectations that just haven't panned out. He's recorded ten
tackles over the last three games, still without a sack or interception this
year, and he's started every game.
Tampa
Bay Buccaneers
Who's Hot...
Simeon Rice, DE: Uncharted territory.
That's what Rice has entered by recording two or more sacks in five straight
games. Simply an amazing run during an outstanding season.
Honorable Mention- Shelton Quarles, LB:
Quarles has been a decent six to eight tackle performer all year long, but
lately he's been a tackling machine. He has one sack and one interception on
the year (neither since week four), but he's made up for it with 48 tackles
over the last five games.
Who's Not...
Al Singleton, LB: Singleton gets to be
the goat as one of the only Buccaneer defenders who isn't currently on fire. He
hasn't done much all year long and has just 14 tackles over the last five games
(one sack).
Dishonorable Mention- Warren Sapp, DT:
Sapp is coming off of a very nice run where he recorded either a sack or an
interception in seven straight games. Over the last three, he's recorded just
seven tackles.
Arizona
Cardinals
Who's Hot...
Adrian Wilson, SS: Wilson's recent
performance indicates that he is back from a dislocated shoulder that forced
him to miss the season opener. Over the last five games, he's recorded 45
tackles, one sack and one interception.
Honorable Mention- Kwamie Lassiter, FS:
Just when we had given up on Lassiter, he starts to perform. With 41 tackles
and an interception over the last five games, he's in the midst of his hottest
streak of the year.
Who's Not...
Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE: A healthy Vanden
Bosch was supposed to vitalize the Cardinals pass rush. He's been healthy, but
their pass rush has been far from vital. Over the last five games, he's
collected 13 tackles, and has gone six games without a sack.
Saint
Louis Rams
Who's Hot...
Grant Wistrom, DE: Wistrom has been
nowhere near the player that we expected, but he has put together a few good
games. Over the last three, he's collected 18 tackles and three sacks.
Who's Not...
Jamie Duncan, LB: In what has turned
out to be one of the biggest free-agent mistakes of the year, Duncan has
provided nothing. Over the last four games he's posted eight total tackles and
has yet to record a sack or interception on the year.
San
Francisco 49ers
Who's Hot...
Andre Carter, DE: Carter has been a
very consistent performer this year, with a sack in all but three games. He's
remained on track over the last five with 16 tackles and three sacks.
Honorable Mention- Jason Webster, CB:
With only one interception on the year, Webster could be considered a
disappointment, but his tackle numbers have been outstanding with five games of
nine or more and 39 over the last five.
Who's Not...
Ahmed Plummer, CB: With only one interception
on the year, Plummer could be considered a disappointment, but...well, no buts.
Against Seattle, late in the game, Plummer dropped three balls that were right
in his hands. Luckily for him, Rashad Holman didn't drop his chance to put the
Seahawks away.
Seattle
Seahawks
Who's Hot...
Orlando Huff, LB: With Isaiah
Kacyvenski out with injury, Huff has stepped in and performed quite well,
totaling 24 tackles with an interception over the three games. Kacyvenski is
set to return, but Huff remains in the starting lineup.
Honorable Mention- Anthony Simmons, LB:
Simmons has returned from an injured ankle (out since week one) and has
performed very well in his first two games, combining for 16 tackles and a
sack.
Who's Not...
Isaiah Kacyvenski and Marcus Bell, LBs:
These unknown linebackers have put together pretty impressive fantasy seasons.
Unfortunately, in the real world, their skill sets leave a bit to be desired
and both now find themselves in a reserve role.