2012 IDP Report Week 3

Posted by Ivar G. Anderson on 09/22/2012 | 0 Comments

Tags: IDP, Fantasy Football, NFL, Linebacker, Defensive Linesman, Defensive Back, Cornerback, Safety, Defensive End, Defensive Tackle, Jerrell Freeman, Erin Henderson, Cameron Jordan, Michael Griffin

Unlike QB/RB/WR and even TE, there are usually plenty of IDPs to go around in fantasy leagues.  To cover for injury or bye weeks, just take a look at the names below and grab one or more as necessary.  I will be here every week to help you solve your quandaries.

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Elevator Going Up

Linebackers

Jerrell Freeman IND

Erin Henderson MIN UPDATE: Out with a concussion.  Pick up Jasper Brinkley

Clay Matthews GB

Mason Foster TB

DeMeco Ryans PHI

Zach Brown TEN

Michael Boley NYG

Brian Cushing HOU

Freeman is taking up the slack in Indy as Dwight Freeney and Pat Angerer sit on the injured list (although Freeeney is expected to start on Sunday).  Henderson is picking up where he left off last year, and is prolly available on your league's wire, at least for now.  Matthews is playing like the LB he was before his injury in 2010 and par of last year, too.  Foster is proving his selection by the Buccaneers was a wise decision, as he continues to develop as an every down LB.  Ryans is building up for a big season in Philly, and you should investigate his availability as another 3 down backer.  With Colin McCarthy out of the lineup, expect Brown to continue to post good numbers for the Titans.  Boley and Cushing haven't exactly lit it up yet, but expect that to change soon.  If you want to grab them, act fact before the big numbers hit the stat sheet.

Defensive Linemen

Cameron Jordan DE NO

Calais Campbell DE ARI

J.J. Watt DE HOU

Kyle Williams DT BUF

Jordan didn't post double digit tackles in week 2 like he did in the opening week's contest, but a sack and 4 more tackles isn't something to sniff at, either.  Campbell is prolly not available in your league, but if he is, move fast to add him.  Watt is here again, in case you didn't take my advice and pick him up last week, just to remind you to grab him before week three is in the books.  Williams is a great add for those of you in leagues that require a DT slot, and his quickness should result in sacks all season long.

Defensive Backs

Michael Griffin S TEN

Tramon Williams CB GB

Craig Dahl S StL

Buster Skrine CB CLE

I tend to prefer safeties over cornerbacks when I have a DB slot to fill, but Skrine put up 7 tackles in week 2, and I will take that kind of production every week.  Williams put up a 2 INT/2 PD week 2, with the bonus of 4 tackles, so I have no qualms about using him, especially in CB specific leagues.  Griffin is now manning the SS slot in Tennessee, and 18 total tackles (16 solo) in week 2 makes his a great addition to your IDP roster.  Dahl may not be available in your league, but I would suggest you stop reading this and take a look-see.  Go on, the rest of this article will be here when you get back.

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Escalator Going Down

Linebackers

Conor Barwin HOU

Rolando McClain OAK

David Hawthorne NO

Barwin, despite playing for a contract, has been putting forth paltry numbers.  He may, and I fully expect him to, regain his dominant form from 2011 and start posting sacks, but while you wait, he belongs on the bench.  McClain has a gimpy ankle, and it showed last week.  He's prolly not worth a shot this week either.  Hawthorne is not playing as though his knee has fully recovered from his August 'scope surgery, but based on his production in Seattle prior to the move to New Orleans, if you have the room, you might want to stash him on your bench.

Defensive Linemen

Cliff Avril DE DET

Osi Umenyiora DE NYG

Avril's holdout would seem to be the logical reason for his lack of production to date.  With a patchwork secondary in Detroit, expect the Lions' defensive line to be underwhelming for the time being, and that hurts Avril's value, as well as that of all his linemates.  Umenyiora has been an elite pass rusher, but he has only 2 solos so far this year.  A good time to buy low?  All signs point to yes.

Defensive Backs

Jordan Babineaux S TEN

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB PHI

Brandon Carr CB DAL

Babineaux is no longer a starting S for the Titans, having become relegated to substitution packages that use 3 safeties.  We IDP experts were all high on Rodgers-Cromartie, but he truly hasn't lived up to his lofty expectations.  With just 2 tackles to show in the first two weeks, it is safe to drop him from your team.  Carr received big bucks from ol' Jerry in Dallas, but he's been disappointing so far, having put up a measly 3 solo tackles.

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Ouch (My Aching Roster)

All the injury reports below need to be evaluated at kickoff.  Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time.  The list below is intended as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.

Linebackers

Brian Orakpo WAS (torn pectoral, out for the season)

Colin McCarthy TEN (ankle)

Pat Angerer IND (foot)

Rolando McClain OAK (concussion)

Defensive Linemen

Jamaal Anderson DE CIN (quadriceps)

Defensive Backs

Richard Marshall CB MIA (back-partial participant in Wednesday practice)

Gerald Sensabaugh S DAL (right calf strain)

Shawntae Spencer CB OAK (right foot)

As ever, good luck and godspeed in your fantasy efforts.  If you have a specific IDP question, please do not hesitate to contact me at ia@fantasyalarm.com.

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