Fantasy Football Preview: The Defenses
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/875/1/Fantasy-Football-Preview-The-Defenses/Fantasy-Football-Preview-The-Defenses.html
Andrew Mindzak
After a long and successful 15 year baseball career that started off walking his first 8 batters, then hitting the 9th before getting pulled, he has switched gears to writing about sports instead of playing them (although he is always up for a game of wiffleball).
The reigning 2006 shuffleboard champion on his cruise to Alaska, Andrew feels that there is nothing better than early-mid 90's music and taking it in with a nice cold Dos Equis.
He has been participating in Fantasy Football for over 10 years and is a firm believer in awarding fantasy points for 'Super Models Dated'. Another firm belief is Donald Arthur Mattingly should be in Cooperstown. But that will be another story...until then, email him here.
The reigning 2006 shuffleboard champion on his cruise to Alaska, Andrew feels that there is nothing better than early-mid 90's music and taking it in with a nice cold Dos Equis.
He has been participating in Fantasy Football for over 10 years and is a firm believer in awarding fantasy points for 'Super Models Dated'. Another firm belief is Donald Arthur Mattingly should be in Cooperstown. But that will be another story...until then, email him here.
By Andrew Mindzak
Published on 08/4/2007
The Bears defense may have fallen short in last year's Super Bowl, but not before winning plenty of fantasy owners a league title. ASM's preview raps up with a look at D, and Andy Mindzak says none are better than last year's NFC champs.
The Bears defense may have fallen short in last year's Super Bowl, but not before winning plenty of fantasy owners a league title. ASM's preview raps up with a look at D, and Andy Mindzak says none are better than last year's NFC champs.
Fantasy Football Preview: The Defenses
Defense wins championships, and that even rings true in the fantasy football world. If you had the Chicago Bears on your squad in 2006, you probably had a solid year (thank you Devin Hester). Defenses like kickers can still be picked up on the waiver wire after the season starts, so there is no need to rush and draft the Ravens in the 4th round. There were a few moves in the off season which might put a few defenses over the top to really help their team’s chances in 2007, so with that in mind, here are the top 15 defenses for 2007:
1. Chicago Bears: Devin Hester was a monster scoring 6 TD’s on returns, and their defense is one of the best in the game.
2. Baltimore Ravens: 2nd most sacks in the NFL last year, look for them to continue their punishing ways in 2007.
3. New England Patriots: The addition of Adalius Thomas from Baltimore should make this already solid defense that much better.
4. San Diego Chargers: NFL best 61 sacks in 2006, they will wreak more havoc this year. Can anyone stop Shawne Merriman?
5. Miami Dolphins: Joey Porter joins this already solid defense with Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, look for Miami to continue their stingy ways.
6. Denver Broncos: Joining Champ Bailey is CB Dre’ Bly, giving Denver two of the better corners in the NFL. Watch out for the Broncos in 2007.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers: Do they ever NOT have a good defense? They will have another good one in 2007.
8. Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Dawkins and Lito Sheppard sure up their secondary, and if Jevon Kearse can be healthy for longer than 5 minutes, they will dominate the NFC East.
9. Minnesota Vikings: NFL best 61.6 yards allowed rushing per game in 2006, look for the Vikings to continue their dominance in 2007.
10. Dallas Cowboys: New coach in Big D Wade Phillips just so happens to be a defensive guru. Look for his expertise to wear off on this defense.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars: Only surrendered 17.1 points in 2006, I would expect the same thing from this defensive juggernaut.
12. Carolina Panthers: Watch for Julius Peppers to have a monster year in 2007, as well as the rest of their defensive unit.
13. Seattle Seahawks: They added Patrick Kearney from Atlanta which will solidify their front 4 very nicely. If only their secondary had some help….
14. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts D played extremely well in the playoffs to spite most critics, but with the loss of Cato June, can they keep that momentum going? I think so.
15. Green Bay Packers: You might not know it, but they were 3rd in the NFL with 23 INT’s and put up 46 sacks in 2006. Not too shabby.
1. Chicago Bears: Devin Hester was a monster scoring 6 TD’s on returns, and their defense is one of the best in the game.
2. Baltimore Ravens: 2nd most sacks in the NFL last year, look for them to continue their punishing ways in 2007.
3. New England Patriots: The addition of Adalius Thomas from Baltimore should make this already solid defense that much better.
4. San Diego Chargers: NFL best 61 sacks in 2006, they will wreak more havoc this year. Can anyone stop Shawne Merriman?
5. Miami Dolphins: Joey Porter joins this already solid defense with Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, look for Miami to continue their stingy ways.
6. Denver Broncos: Joining Champ Bailey is CB Dre’ Bly, giving Denver two of the better corners in the NFL. Watch out for the Broncos in 2007.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers: Do they ever NOT have a good defense? They will have another good one in 2007.
8. Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Dawkins and Lito Sheppard sure up their secondary, and if Jevon Kearse can be healthy for longer than 5 minutes, they will dominate the NFC East.
9. Minnesota Vikings: NFL best 61.6 yards allowed rushing per game in 2006, look for the Vikings to continue their dominance in 2007.
10. Dallas Cowboys: New coach in Big D Wade Phillips just so happens to be a defensive guru. Look for his expertise to wear off on this defense.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars: Only surrendered 17.1 points in 2006, I would expect the same thing from this defensive juggernaut.
12. Carolina Panthers: Watch for Julius Peppers to have a monster year in 2007, as well as the rest of their defensive unit.
13. Seattle Seahawks: They added Patrick Kearney from Atlanta which will solidify their front 4 very nicely. If only their secondary had some help….
14. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts D played extremely well in the playoffs to spite most critics, but with the loss of Cato June, can they keep that momentum going? I think so.
15. Green Bay Packers: You might not know it, but they were 3rd in the NFL with 23 INT’s and put up 46 sacks in 2006. Not too shabby.