Sunday, August 9, 2009

The Breakdown: The Top Fantasy Football Defenses


With much focus placed on securing quality QBs, RBs and WRs, a quality fantasy football Defense is often underrated in pre-draft consideration. Truth is, while procuring a top defense is not your first priority in drafting, it should be kept in mind that a defense’s performance can make or break several games throughout the season. When evenly matched against an opponent in other aspects, a dominant defense can garner you the points necessary to claim victory, while a defensive collapse that actually produces negative points can negate the positive work done by other players and snatch a win away. (Trust me, I’ve seen it happen more than once.) So, without anything further, here is a look at the top fantasy defenses for the 2009 season:

1. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: A perennial powerhouse, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is poised to, once again, rank among the top defensive units in the NFL. In fact, I project them to be THE top defense this season. Led by linebackers James Harrison and James Farrior, as well as safeties Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu, the Steelers Defense limited opponents to an average of 237.2 yards per game and a paltry 13.9 points per game in the 2008 season, ranking No. 1 in the NFL in both categories; and with no major moves in the off-season, do not expect much deviation from that type of production this year. Additionally, with little off-season movement, Coordinator Dick LeBeau is free to concentrate on improving, not repairing or assimilating to, his defensive unit. Specifically, LeBeau will be focusing on a way to incorporate LB Lawrence Timmons in a way to maximize his speed and explosiveness which could make the Pittsburgh D even more dangerous than it already is. Still not convinced? Just remember that FF Defenses earn more points for lower scoring games and the Steelers play in the AFC North, which is essentially the NFL equivalent to the Big 10 when it comes to frequency of high-scoring games. And, if that weren’t enough, the Steelers’ strength of schedule ranks 29/32 this upcoming season. (Keep in mind they dominated last year with one of the league's toughest schedules)

2. NEW YORK GIANTS: The Giants ranked #10 in Defensive Fantasy points last season but things are looking up. To begin, Giants fans should be breathing a sigh of relief with news that they will be getting back two of their defensive leaders: Antonio Pierce (95 tackles, 72 solo and 2 sacks) will not be indicted for his involvement with Plaxico Burress’s shannanigans, and two-time Pro-Bowler and Giants Record Holder for most sacks in a game (6),DE Osi Umenyiora, who sat out the 2008 season, will return from injury. As if the return of these two weren’t enough, the Giants also picked up DE Chris Canty who last year had a career high 37 tackles, 3 sacks and 5 deflected passes, DT Rocky Bernard and LB Michael Boley during the off-season. Throw in DE Justin Tuck, who alone had 12 and 10 sacks in the past two seasons respectively and you have one monster unit. As long as there is no major fallout with new Defensive Coordinatory Bill Sheridan, who has stated that he will not make any major changes to the defensive scheme, fantasy owners can expect great numbers from the Giants Defense in 2009.
Have a history of disputes in your Fantasy Football league? We've got you covered. Head over to SportsJudge.com and sign up for our Fantasy Football '09 dispute resolution season package. Fully-customized League Constitutions are also on sale for a limited time only. Don't wait...sign up today!
3. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Like the Steelers, the Ravens have a slight advantage in the low-scoring AFC North and a favorable strength of schedule (28/32), but unlike the Steelers, the Ravens will have to grapple with instability caused by off-season movement this year. In addition to losing defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, the mastermind of the “organized chaos” which characterizes the Ravens defense, the Ravens will also have to deal with the losses of key players Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard, Corey Ivy and Chris McAlister. While these departures are detrimental to last year’s No. 1 fantasy defense, the Ravens prevented a major hemorrhaging by resigning perennial Pro-Bowler and team leader Ray Lewis, whose overt confidence and swagger seemingly drive the Baltimore Defense. In addition to Lewis, the Ravens also signed cornerbacks Chris Carr and Dominique Foxworth to immediately fill voids created by free agency and added depth in drafting Paul Kruger (DE) and Jason Phillips (ILB). As I’ve noted previously, although Foxworth comes to Baltimore unaccompanied by impressive stats or notoriety, he has been praised by Jim Harbaugh as “a top flight corner and a top-flight corner in the Ravens mold.” In all, the Baltimore Defense should slip a bit this year, but when you fall slightly from a No. 1 spot you’re still considered a fantasy top pick.

4. TENNESSEE TITANS: But they don't have Albert Haynesworth! How will they ever succeed? Everyone needs to calm down about the loss of Haynesworth. Yes, he is an incredible player, truly a disruptive monster on the field, but he is only one person and it took more than Haynesworth alone for the Titans to have the fourth highest scoring defensive unit of the 2008 fantasy season and Tennessee will return 10 of last year’s 11 starters. Notable returners include members of the secondary Cortland Finnegan, Michael Griffin, and Chris Hope who last season combined for 16 interceptions as well as LBs Keithe Bulluck and Stephen Tullock who had 98 and 84 tackles last year respectively, and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch. Overall, sophomore DE Jason Jones and DT Tony Brown should take some of the sting out of losing Haynesworth and the Titans will continue to be a top fantasy defense.

#5 - Minnesota Vikings
#6 - New York Jets





Related Posts by Subject



9 comments:

Brett Smiley said...

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenny Phillips is going to injure someone this year. Hopefully it will be a member of the Cowboys.

Medianewstime said...

Very interesting. I will definitely have to keep these guys in mind if I don't retire from the fantasy leagues this year.

Chris Stanley said...

You are seriously underestimating the new 3-4 in Green Bay. That team is going to be the sleeper D in the NFL this season. Clay Matthews and BJ Raji are key additions and Cullen Jenkins is healthy again. Also, Kampman is making the switch to OL beautifully. Watch out NFC North, THE PACK IS BACK.

Anonymous said...

[url=http://community.bsu.edu/members/buy+online+Viagra.aspx]how to get prescription of Viagra[/url]

[url=http://ceklansi.ru/frazy-dlya-znakomstva-v-internete.php]фразы для знакомства в интернете[/url]
[url=http://ceklansi.ru/luchshiy-sayt-znakomstv-kazahstan.php]лучший сайт знакомств казахстан[/url]
[url=http://ceklansi.ru/shluhi-bishkek.php]шлюхи бишкек[/url]
[url=http://ceklansi.ru/intim-vakansii.php]интим вакансии[/url]
[url=http://ceklansi.ru/shluhi-vzroslye.php]шлюхи взрослые[/url]
[url=http://celuyou.ru/znakomstva-dlya-seksa-v-volgograde.php]знакомства для секса в волгограде[/url]
[url=http://celuyou.ru/znakomstva-m.php]знакомства м[/url]
[url=http://celuyou.ru/rabota-intim-salon.php]работа интим салон[/url]
[url=http://celuyou.ru/shluhi-sever.php]шлюхи север[/url]
[url=http://celuyou.ru/ya-hochu-seks-po-telefonu-v-saratove.php]я хочу секс по телефону в саратове[/url]
[url=http://deperovero.ru/znakomstva-seks-razvrat-doska.php]знакомства секс разврат доска[/url]
[url=http://deperovero.ru/deshevye-prostitutki-kiev.php]дешевые проститутки киев[/url]
[url=http://mx.deperovero.ru/ischu-devushku-dlya-seksa-molodye-let-iz-yaroslavlya.php]ищу девушку для секса молодые лет из ярославля[/url]
[url=http://mx.deperovero.ru/saund-trek-k-teleserialu-seks-v-bolshom-gorode-mr3.php]саунд-трек к телесериалу секс в большом городе мр3[/url]
[url=http://rp.deperovero.ru/sayt-znakomstv-saransk.php]сайт знакомств саранск[/url]
[url=http://rp.deperovero.ru/chat-znakomstv-v-stavropole.php]чат знакомств в ставрополе[/url]
[url=http://ss.deperovero.ru/hochu-parnya-dlya-seksa.php]хочу парня для секса[/url]
[url=http://ss.deperovero.ru/poznakomlus-s-muzhchinoy-v-ekaterinburge.php]познакомлюсь с мужчиной в екатеринбурге[/url][url=http://tt.deperovero.ru/index.php]екатеринбург интим знакомства доска[/url]
[url=http://tt.deperovero.ru/sayt-znakomstv-v-novorossiyske.php]сайт знакомств в новороссийске[/url]

Anonymous said...

Племяннице моей сестры исполняется три годика, выбираем, что презентовать посоветуйте, что любопытно в этом возрасте детям. У нее обожаемая игрушка - мышонок Тич, намереваемся, может подарить мишку Куби sweetwear.ru. Или порекомендуйте что-либо ещё.

Anonymous said...

Ich tue Abbitte, dass ich Sie unterbreche, aber ich biete an, mit anderem Weg zu gehen. cialis generika viagra ohne rezept [url=http//t7-isis.org]viagra[/url]

Anonymous said...

hi

can anyone help me
i have tried for over a week now to get a loan,i have very bad credit history mainly due to a failed marrage ,i have had all the usual ,wh loans,advantage loans ,yes loans ,get in touch and promise a [url=http://www.usainstantpayday.com]bad credit loans[/url] on paying the brokerage fee,i am reluctant due to reviews on the net and i have been stung before by a company called wentorth finance ,and never got the loan of the 50 pound fee back,
i have had an offer from flm but need a gaurantor which isnt really an option either .
i wondered if anyone had any loan companys that considered bad credit ,but loaned direct without these numerous sites with different alias but mainly did same thing pay us and we will get u loan (maybe)senario
has anyone also heard of a company called fresh loans they have they sent me details out but the may be a charge but not always ,i suspect she didnt want to tell me there was a charge

thanks
QuerruffTum

Anonymous said...

loved las vegas? try the all firsthand [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]casino[/url] las vegas at www.casinolasvegass.com with beyond 75 trim unstinting [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com]online casino[/url] games like slots, roulette, baccarat, craps and more and haulage rig a certain command in licit spinach with our $400 not overdone bonus.
we be anathematize with constant well-thought-out games then the superior online [url=http://www.place-a-bet.net/]casino[/url] www.place-a-bet.net!

Anonymous said...

[color=#0066cc]Hello

With the increase in popularity of facebook poker chips as a virtual currency in zynga texas holdem poker a lot of scammers have engaged themselves, who try their best to trick unsuspecting players out of their hard earned facebook poker chips. All over the internet forums are littered with posts by innocent people who have had their chips stolen. Nothing is as sorry state as logging to Facebook or MySpace to play a few hands of poker only to find that someone has already been in your account and your poker chips are gone.[/color]

[url=http://www.chipshut.com][img]http://www.chipshut.com/img/facebook-poker-chips-hut.jpg[/img][/url]

[color=#0066cc]Follow these tips to keep your facebook poker chips safe:

Never give your password to a stranger: Trust is a delicate thing that takes a long time to build but only second to destroy. You may meet a stranger in poker room and you are friends with him/her. He/she will keep interacting with you days before playing her trick. So be carefull enough to protect your login credentials to yourself, else this may lead to disaster.

Be careful about what you download: Regular online gamers are looking for cheats or hacks for the games they play in order to give them an advantage over their opponents. Poker is no different and there are many websites on the internet touting facebook poker cheats and hacks for those brave enough to download and install them. But many of these so called facebook poker cheats have viruses or trojan programs. The moment you install any of these your computer is at the risk of attacks by the creator of the program. He can then have access to vital information that you access from your computer. Leaving your facebook poker account at risk of been hacked. If you never downloaded any of these programs then you’re probably safe, and if you have then you should run a spyware detection program. The best move will be for get your computer formatted to avoid any loop holes.

Phishing Links: This way of hacking has been thee for quite sometime now. Scammers send legitimate and official looking emails to your inbox. When you open them you are asked to click on the link and login in order to save your account or win free facebook poker chips, but in reality you are logging into a fake site that sends your information off to the hacker who made it. Before you find it out, its too late to react and they would have already broken into your account and emptied it of any facebook poker chips that you may have.

YouTube scams: If you do a search on youtube for facebook poker cheats, zynga poker hacks, or free facebook poker chips you’ll find hundreds of videos on the topic. More than 90% of them are made by idiots hoping to convince you to send them your account information. They range from slightly clever to completely moronic.

Image Photo Having Exe Embedded In it: This one is hard to catch. This is the latest fashion that is used by theif, you will be asked to share family photo's. When you open their photo, that will innitiate an exe in the background which will steal all your information and send to the mastermind behin it. So be careful with whom you share photos.

Hope these tips help you saving your chips.

These tips have been brought to you by [/color][url=http://www.chipshut.com]Chips Hut[/url][color=#0066cc] if you are looking to buy [/color][url=http://www.chipshut.com]facebook poker chips[/url], [color=#0066cc]you may go to our online store.

Have a nice day[/color][img]http://www.chipshut.com/img/chips-hut-smily.gif[/img]