B. McGowan. (NE) faces Drew Brees Week 12 and he's been playing well. L. Bodden would be the other NE DB you'd want in this game, but I think McGowan is safer to get solid numbers. Bodden can't get 3 INTs every week like he did week 11.
CB R. Marshall (CAR) vs. Mark Sanchez. Marshall is the next in line to face Sanchez from the exact same position where Bodden just picked off Sanchez 3 times week 11. Marshall is a solid corner and I think he's good for at least 1 INT and he's coming off a week 11 game vs. Miami where he finished with 7 solos.
S Ko Simpson (DET) went a bit quiet week 11, which puzzles me with all the passing going on. I'll keep an eye out to see if he was injured in that game and that's the explanation. In the meantime, I must recommend him vs. Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is leaving a trail of high numbers for safeties. How about 11 solos for Lewis week 11. Wow! The safety you really want is Delmas in this one, but Ko Simpson was putting up very good numbers up until the Cleveland game and I could see him doing the same on Thanksgiving.
SS Bernard Pollard (HOU) is very close to my pickup of the week. Last time he faced Manning & the Colts, he got 2 interceptions, 9 solos - 3 assists and 3 pass deflections. That's A LOT more points than my QB Cutler has been putting up. In fact, that's probably 3 weeks worth of Cutler points. If Pollard finishes with just half those numbers, it's a VERY solid day.
My DB PICKUP OF THE WEEK S Bryan Scott (BUF) continues to be such a stud! 7 solos and a sack week 11. He gets Miami week 12 and I can't recommend him enough for this matchup.
LBs (Linebackers)
LB J. Farrior (PIT) L. Timmons has not been what everyone wants him to be so far. And a big reason for that is Farrior. He constistently out performs Timmons every week in the box scores. He gets Baltimore week 12 and is setup for a very solid game.
LB Clint Session (IND) has been so incredibly consistent this year. He's putting up high numbers every week. He has shown that you can plug him into any matchup, no matter what.
LB D Levy (DET) will get to experience his first Detroit Lions/Green Bay Packers Thanksgiving tradition. Something special always seems to happen for Detroit each Thanksgiving. All the Lions players put up bigger numbers than they have all year. GB will run Grant silly in this one and Levy should see 7 or so solos.
MY LB PICK UP OF THE WEEK is Andra Davis (DEN) vs. NYG week 12 on Thanksgiving night. Although he's always behind DJ Williams in the box score, it's never too far behind. I could see Davis having one of his bigger games of the year vs. NYG.
DLs (Defensive Line)
C.Avril (DET) vs. the Packers. The good news is he did play week 11 and did fine with 3 solos & 1 assist. Unfortunately, the Lions only got 1 sack on Quinn and L. Foote got that sack. I think there will be 3 sacks vs. the Packers on Thanksgiving day and Avril has a good chance of getting one of them.
DL David Bowens (CLE) As a linebacker, he came back down to earth a little with 5 solos, 1 assist and a sack week 11 vs. Detroit. His previous week vs. Baltimore was 7 solos 2 assists and 2 sacks. However, as a DL, this makes him one of the best options in the league. This is a Browns/Bengals game and the Bengals just lost to Oakland. Emotions will be high and anything can happen in this Ohio rivalry.
DL Brian Orakpo (WAS) vs. Philly week 12. Don't get too down on him after not getting a sack vs. Romo last week. He had Romo wrapped up twice, but Romo is very hard to sack and snuck out. Orakpo has still been very solid and expect him to snap back vs. McNabb who throws the ball 70% of his time on the field. That equals sack opportunities.
C. Kelsay (BUF) vs. Miami. Last time Miami & Buffalo met, there were 12 combined sacks in that game. Kelsay was a big part of that.
MY DL Pick up of the Week is Joey Porter (MIA). Not only did he finish with 7 solos and 2 sacks vs. Carolina last week, but he gets Buffalo this week. You know those games when you see guys get 3 or 4 sacks? This could be one of those games. The problem is guessing whether it will be Porter or Jason Taylor or both getting those sacks. Based on Porter's most recent game, my money's on him.
56 comments:
Hey monk so i have a question do i drop jason taylor for avril or keep taylor for this week? since he is against BUF
How about David Hawthorne???
This man may perhaps just win me a fantasy championship... what a pick up.
--- jt
Love the blog - last week's recommendation on Tanard Jackson greatly helped me seal the win when Josh Wilson (Seattle) was declared inactive. On your recommendation I'm going to go with Bryan Scott.
My league starts a DB, two defensive linemen, and one defensive anything slot (which everyone fills with a LB). Tackle assists are worth 1 pt, solo tackles are 2pts, and a sack is 5 pts.
In week 12 I need to maximize my defensive linemen play. Trent Cole (Philly) and Julius Peppers (Car) were solid until Peppers broke his hand. He's been riding the bench and I was lucky enough to pick up Ray Edwards (Minn) just as he's starting to peak.
If I can find your DL picks on the waiver wire would your recommend them over Cole and Edwards? Have you ever considered posting a 'top 10' list for each position in addition to your picks?
A ranking of where your picks lie in relation to the others playing the position would greatly help avoiding dropping valuable players for stars-of-the-moment.
How about it?
@ Eli
You have to watch JT's injury status. He missed week 11. Last time he faced Buffalo, he posted 4 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. And Buffalo just lost another linemen week 11 to a devastatingly gross broken leg that has been banned from all networks (you can find it on the web though). So Taylor is so tempting! Let's face it. JT has really sucked for FF all year, other than 1 or 2 lucky games.
As far as Avril. Every Lion gets super siked for the National audience of Thanksgiving and he's facing Green Bay. I'd have to say Avril between the 2 choices. Are those all the choices you have. I take it Bowens is not a DL in your league or not available? And I assume J. Porter is gone too?
@ JT
How bout David Hawthorne! Love this guy. Now start praying he stays healthy!
@ Libel Vox
Thanks for the love Vox! I love this blog too actually. When I couldn't find IDP news out there, I figured, why not MAKE the news. haha
You guys help me a lot too with different observations. It was one of our readers that brought David Bowens to my attention. He outscored DJ Williams for me this week. Unfortunately, I left Lauranitis on the bench who got an INSANE amount of solos this week. Something like 16 or some crazy crap.
QUESTION
My league starts a DB, two defensive linemen, and one defensive anything slot (which everyone fills with a LB). Tackle assists are worth 1 pt, solo tackles are 2pts, and a sack is 5 pts.
In week 12 I need to maximize my defensive linemen play. Trent Cole (Philly) and Julius Peppers (Car) were solid until Peppers broke his hand. He's been riding the bench and I was lucky enough to pick up Ray Edwards (Minn) just as he's starting to peak.
If I can find your DL picks on the waiver wire would your recommend them over Cole and Edwards? Have you ever considered posting a 'top 10' list for each position in addition to your picks?
ANSWER:
Unfortunately, I'm a Dad of 3, with a wife that hates my IDP hobby and the amount of time I spend doing this free blog. And, although, I'd love to do this full time, I do a considerable amount of research to get you the guys I already recommend. To do an accurate top 10 list at every position would push me further into the wee hours and, between my second job and hour commute to work, I just can't do that right now. That's why I just concentrate on diamonds in the rough with sweet matchups. The bottom line is if you have Willis, Beason, Pos, Cushing, DJ Williams, Fletcher, Mayo, Hawthorne etc, you're going to be fine. The matchup would have to be VERY poor like an LB facing Seattle who doesn't run very much to bench a stud.
What I can do for you is start adding a "group" I think will do well. For instance, start both INDY DE's vs. Houston week 12. I wouldn't normally recommend Mathis or Freeney on my waiver wire list because they don't belong on the waiver wire. I do see what you mean though and will try to do a little more. It's really just a "time" thing. My niche is recommending IDP waiver wire finds, but I can add a few non-waiver wire "must starts" at LB, DB & DL if that helps. Here's 2 LBs for you right now, DJ Williams vs. NYG is a must start and I like S. Tulloch's matchup against Arizona week 12.
@ Libel Vox
Sorry, I forgot to answer you DL question. Keep Trent Cole vs. Washington and Edwards vs. Chicago is nice, but again if Bowens is a DL in your league, I'd go him over Edwards. I would also go Joey Porter over Edwards vs. Buffalo. I would think about Avril over Edwards because it's GB and Thanksgiving Day game. But Trent Cole is just under Jared Allen in my book so keep him. He's good for sack vs. my poor Skins.
Hey monk i wanted to follow up on ur answer so bowens is not a DL and porter is a LB and im set with willis and harrison i think lol... as for the DE question these are the top 5 players left..Starks, Marques Douglas, robaire Smith, Hargrove, ShauN Eliss, Brett Kiesel.. so do i keep Taylor or get avril or one of those guys? thanks for ur help.. o and idk if u can help with offense but is kevin boss a good pick up i have witten but he hasnt be performing much and it seems boss is starting to heat up.. any other TE out there u reccomend thanks so much btw u rock and i think its amazing that u do this even when u are busy and for free!!! thanks again!!
Monk as always love the blog...
Quick question though for you
Need points at my Dl spot and can't seem to get lucky enough to do so...
I have Freeny who as soon as I picked him up 0 pts both games so my question is...
Do I wait it out and hope he comes on again or drop him for someone you mentioned??? and if so who???
@ Eli
Questiion
5 players left..Starks, Marques Douglas, robaire Smith, Hargrove, ShauN Eliss, Brett Kiesel.. so do i keep Taylor or get avril or one of those guys? thanks
Answer
I like that Starks matchup vs. Buffalo and Shaun Ellis would be the other guy I'd look at vs. Carolina. Ellis has a weird pattern of doing well every other game. He did well last week. I know that sounds like a weird way to make a decision, but I think you go Starks. He has a sack in 5 games in a row and has a GREAT matchup this week vs. Buffalo. I think you go Starks this week.
As far as your TE, I picked up Boss because I lost Owen Daniels. But dropping Witten for Boss is so tough to call. Boss is heating up with touchdowns, but not catches. Witten has so much more talent than Boss that I have such a hard time recommending this move. Let's put it this way. I couldn't do it. If you have the guts to do it, then make the move. I'm biased and still stuck on Witten's big name, I guess. But if Witten is killing you, than I guess you gotta make the move.
@ Ash
Thanks for the nice compliment Ash.
QUESTION
Need points at my Dl spot and can't seem to get lucky enough to do so...
I have Freeny who as soon as I picked him up 0 pts both games so my question is...
Answer
Keep Freeney for week 12. You won't be dissapointed. He will get at least one sack on the Houston Texans.
Monk my man!
Here was my lineup last week.
D. Hawthorne
L. Fletcher
J. Laurinaitis
D. Bowens
B. Scott
T. Jackson
Thanks to you, I scored a ton of points!
My question is...do I keep the same lineup for week 12? I know Lauriniatis has a bad matchup but he's coming off a great game. I have T. Howard on the bench and I can replace either Laurinaitis or Bowens since I don't need a DL or would you use Bowens as a LB anyways? For my DBs I think Scott is locked in. Should I drop T. Jackson and pick up McGowan or Delmas? I can also play another DB in place of a LB since there isn't much out there on the WW. Your help is very much appreciated. Keep up the great work!
Hey Monk! I really appreciate all the hard work you put into this blog, its very informative and has helped me tremendously through the course of the season, especially when I needed to cover byes and had underperforming LBs.
My question this week is an easy one (I hope)
I own Hawthorne (thanks to you) but D. Ware is available as a free agent and has OAK this week. I really need to win big these next 2 weeks to make sure I make the playoffs. Is it work the risk to drop the tackling machine for the chance at getting a few sacks from Ware. Oakland gave up ZERO sacks last week against a pretty good CIN DEF. Bruce really was allmighty!
Cheers!
Bryan Scott is a DB that's being used as a LB? What a sneaky play!
Thanks for the tip- we'll see if it works out this week. I just noticed Darren Sharper is mysteriously available... Is he worth the start over Scott? Or is Brady too careful with the football to take the gamble?
Thanks to this blog I might finally have found the right combo of T. Cole, Hawthorne, and B. Scott to sneak me into my playoffs. Thanks again.
I am trying to decide which DBs to start this week. In my league, we can have 2 DBs, 2 DLs, and 2 DPs (e.g., LB, DBs, etc.). I am stacked with LBs and choosing DLs feels somewhat like a crapshoot each week with the exception of the few obvious matchups that are either horrendous or a goldmine.
Considering my matchups, I was looking for your advice on which DLs and DBs to start this week.
Current DLs:
Bowens (vs. Cin) {Don't worry, I'm starting him since he's listed as a DE in my league}
J. Ratliff (vs. Oak)
A. Carter (vs. Phi)
Orakpo (vs. Phi), whom I may give a 2nd chance, yes I read what you said about him this week.
Calvin Pace (vs. Car)
...or anyone else you'd recommend that you think is better this week
Current DBs:
T. Branch (vs. Dal)
R. Harper (vs. NE)
D. Manning (vs. Min)
...or any of your suggestions this week like Pollard or B. Scott
Thanks!
@ Anonymous
Question:
Lineup week 11
D. Hawthorne
L. Fletcher
J. Laurinaitis
D. Bowens
B. Scott
T. Jackson
My question is...do I keep the same lineup for week 12? I know Lauriniatis has a bad matchup but he's coming off a great game. I have T. Howard on the bench and I can replace either Laurinaitis or Bowens since I don't need a DL or would you use Bowens as a LB anyways? For my DBs I think Scott is locked in. Should I drop T. Jackson and pick up McGowan or Delmas? I can also play another DB in place of a LB since there isn't much out there on the WW. Your help is very much appreciated. Keep up the great work!
Answer:
First of all, what a lineup you had week 11! That has to be an IDP record!
You are right about Laurinits. He is such a tough to call because he had an amazing game against Arizona, which was completely out of the norm of his past five or so games and now he facings Seattle, who ran the ball like 9 times week 11. The good news is I think this mathcup will be close. And close games like that Detroit/Cleveland game help the DBs. Forsett should have a much better game running the ball so Laurinits should get some opportunities. I just don't know if they will be enough. MLB Tullock gets Arizona week 11 and just posted a TON of tackles vs. Houston (thanks to the Texas running Chris Brown up the middle so much). I like Tullock better than Laurinitis this week, but 16 solos!!! How do you bench him. I don't think I can. If you can get Tullock in place of Bowens in your league, you are so set!
I like that Delmas matchup on Thanksgiving, but Tanard Jackson is a good player and that matchup against Matt Ryan is not bad. Gonzalas will be coming at him up the middle, screens to Snelling if Turner is still out and chances for INTs since Ryan has been out of sync. McGowan is nice, but I feel like your chances of putting up numbers are better with a Delmas or T. Jackson. I think I'd stick with Jackson because he has played at such a high level all year and proven he's part of that upper echelon of DBs.
I tell you what I would do in your shoes is replace Bowens with B. Pollard for week 12 vs. Indy. Pollard will get high LB level points in that matchup.
@Derick Tickle
I must have some dyslexia because at first glance, I thought your nickname was Dick Trickle. I was going to introduce myself back as Seamore Butz.
Thank you for the very nice compliment!
Question
I own Hawthorne (thanks to you) but D. Ware is available as a free agent and has OAK this week. I really need to win big these next 2 weeks to make sure I make the playoffs. Is it work the risk to drop the tackling machine for the chance at getting a few sacks from Ware. Oakland gave up ZERO sacks last week against a pretty good CIN DEF. Bruce really was allmighty!
Answer:
You're right. That is an easy question. Absolutely NOT worth the risk. Trust me on this. I've seen many people do this move near playoffs and I'm one of them. You are swinging for the fenses PLENTY by having David Hawthorne. Don't take the chance on a ZERO by replacing him with D. Ware vs. Oakland. First of all, Oakland has not been as easy to sack as their name implies. GB, yes, Houston, yes, Buffalo, yes and even Miami, but not so much Oakland. They simply don't drop back and pass very often, nor do they have the ball in there hands very often. Do not even think about this. Heres some simply math. Let's say sacks are worth a whopping 5 points each in you league and Ware manages to get 2. And then he manages to do the typical DL thing and get 3 solos 1 assist. That's his ceiling. D. Hawthorne ceiling is 15 solos, 1 INT, a Sack, an FF and a PD. Seriously. He can do that in a game. And I believe he can do that against St. Louis. This is not a bad matchup with Steven Jackson getting the ball 25 times, plus the screens and Marc Bulger being quite sackable and interceptable (like those made up words). Please don't make the mistake I made just last year in the playoffs doing something almost exactly like this by starting OSI over London Fletcher. Let's just say that was my last playoff game of 2008.
@ Jack
Question:
I just noticed Darren Sharper is mysteriously available... Is he worth the start over Scott? Or is Brady too careful with the football to take the gamble?
Answer:
We all need to watch and make sure that K. Ellison does not heal and take his WLB spot back and Scott moves to Safety. So if any one sees this happening this week, please post a comment here, but until then, Scott is a STUD LB, let alone a stud Safety. I picked him up over D. Bowens for my LB slot. He's just an FF numbers machine. For me, it's close between him and B. Pollard vs. Indy this week. But Scott gets the nod in tackle heavy scoring. Remember that Pollard got 2 INTs off Manning last time they met.
@ Choices
QUESTION:
I am trying to decide which DBs to start this week. In my league, we can have 2 DBs, 2 DLs, and 2 DPs (e.g., LB, DBs, etc.). I am stacked with LBs and choosing DLs feels somewhat like a crapshoot each week with the exception of the few obvious matchups that are either horrendous or a goldmine.
Considering my matchups, I was looking for your advice on which DLs and DBs to start this week.
Current DLs:
Bowens (vs. Cin) {Don't worry, I'm starting him since he's listed as a DE in my league}
J. Ratliff (vs. Oak)
A. Carter (vs. Phi)
Orakpo (vs. Phi), whom I may give a 2nd chance, yes I read what you said about him this week.
Calvin Pace (vs. Car)
...or anyone else you'd recommend that you think is better this week
Answer:
If you can do Bowens and C. Pace, I'd be all over that. It alleviates some of that "crapshoot" you were talking about at the DL position since both of these guys are linebackers.
QUESTION:
Current DBs:
T. Branch (vs. Dal)
R. Harper (vs. NE)
D. Manning (vs. Min)
...or any of your suggestions this week like Pollard or B. Scott
Answer:
Always start T. Branch! You just have to at this point. Especially against the struggling Romo.
Wow, your others are tough! The good news is they are ALL so good! you know my bias is toward Pollard and B. Scott, but I only recommend those 2 because they are more commonly on the WW than guys like R. Harper and the very exciting D. Manning.
See, this is exactly why I don't do a top 10 list. When guys are bunched this close together, there's no clear distinction and anyone of them will have a good game. Not knowing your scoring system, I'll list it like this. I think Scott and Pollard just about tie for most tackles with Scott being the safer one to get more takles. But I think Pollard has the better chance to have the most points because of extras like pass deflection(PDs) and maybe an INT or FF. But Harper and Manning are your most solid DBs this year. I think Scott is the only one who has the best chance at a sack since Miami is easy to sack and he's closer to the line than anyone else on this list. When everything is said and done, I say CHEAT! Use Bryan Scott at Safety, even though he's an LB. You don't get those kinds of opportunities every day. He could easily pick off Henne, maybe get a sack and has the best chance at getting you the MOST tackles out of everyone in that group. I hope it works out for you and me. I'm starting Bryan Scott this week, potentially over J. Mayo, who faces NO and I might even be dumb enough to go over Laurinitis again since I'm iffy about that Seattle matchup. So I'm there with you. Tough decisions, but I'm using Scott as an LB this week if that says anything and you're getting him at a deal as a Safety.
Hey Monk,
So I have B Orakpo, was painful this week, but I got manhandled anyway so didn't matter what he scored:)
but question is, and I know you kinda touched on it already, but do i keep B Orakpo week 12 or pick up off my WW
Here are what I think are my best options off the list
Dwight Freeney
Anthony Hargrove
Jim Wilkerson
Ray Edwards
Osi Umenyiora
Chris Kelsay
Thanks in advance, picked up T Branch off my WW this past week(yea he was on my WW), what A MONSTER week, almost 16pts in my league for an IDP, is amazing
Scott
love the column monk!!!!!!!!!!
BIG thanks again Monk, I freaking Lambasted my opponent, Hawthorne is just a stud along with Scott, and Pollard. Here's my line up for week 12, what are your thoughts about Witherspoon, and playing him in one of my D spots? Or just leaving it alone, We play mandatory 2 DB's which I'm not changing and any 4 D players. Also w/w has Levy, and not really anything else.
Hawthorne
Pozz
Mayo
Bowens
Pollard
Scott
BENCH-Whitherspoon, Goldston, Landry
Monk, I forgot, hillenmeyer and timmons are available on my waiver wire, I'm the guy with hawthorne,mayo,pozz,spoon,bowens, pollard, b scott, goldston, landry, thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is Julius Peppers essentially a SIT right now because of his hand injury?
I'm thinking about maybe playing Avril in his place... or even Cullen Jenkins (GB) playing Detroit?
There is really no one play the Chiefs that look to promising but if Merriman was a DE i'd consider him. I think he's going to finally have a good game this week
Great blog, there was indeed a need for an quality IDP blog. I just wanted to tell you that Ellison has been put on the IR so he won't come back this year. Scott is a safe bet for the rest of the season!
Hi Monk - My sister Suzanne has posted in here a couple of times, so I thought I'd try it myself, especially with playoffs looming. I just picked up Tyvon Branch, but I also have Ed Reed. I have to play a DB and a LB, and I have Patrick Willis, so that choice for me is easy. I just don't know which DB to play. Any thoughts? Thanks for the help :)
Need a big win to help push me towards the playoffs this week: Start Hawthorne or Ruud at LB?
Which 2 DL? Osi, Avril , Ratliff
Which 2 DB's? Ed Reed, Mikell, Bryan Scott, or Yeremiah Bell.
Which LB: Henderson or Timmons
Thanks in advance
I have the option to start a 3-4-3, 4-3-3 or 3-3-4 Defense.
I need help, do or die, must win to make the playoffs this week. Any starter suggestions For week 12:
DL:
Justin Smith
Lawr. Jackson
C. Avril
B. Keisel
LB:
Hawthorne
Brackett
Geno Hayes
John Beason
DB:
D. Revis
Jerraud Powers
D. Goldson
Leon Hall
Secondly, would you suggest dropping any of my IDP's for any of your IDP suggestions this week?
Thank You,
Frank Anthony
Toronto,Canada)
I have Kelsay, C. Campbell and R. Seymour as my DL's (T. Suggs hurt) Not alot left on the waiver wire. Bowens is listed as LB, as well as J. Porter ): The best I see out there is Anthony Hargrove. Would you pick him up and drop anyone, or just hope T. Suggs come back quick?
Also..My DB's are T. Branch, B. Scott, and B. McGowen (Q. Mikell on the bench)
What are your thoughts on Donte Whitner? I know he's been a beast in the past.
Pick 2 DB's from this list to start this week:
Cedric Griffin
Leigh Bodden
Derek Cox
Terence Newman
Monk, love the blog. A few questions...
Do you recommend picking up Bryan Scott over Tyvon Branch? (somehow both are available)
Would you start either one of them over OJ Atogwe this week and/or the rest of the season?
Is Andre Carter worth starting every week or do the matchups warrant pickups here and there? (I would pickup Bowens, but he's a LB in my league)
Thanks
@ Scotty
I love Freeney's matchup vs. Houston. Real good chance for sack there. I'd go him.
@ Anonymous
QUESTION
BIG thanks again Monk, I freaking Lambasted my opponent, Hawthorne is just a stud along with Scott, and Pollard. Here's my line up for week 12, what are your thoughts about Witherspoon, and playing him in one of my D spots? Or just leaving it alone, We play mandatory 2 DB's which I'm not changing and any 4 D players. Also w/w has Levy, and not really anything else.
Hawthorne
Pozz
Mayo
Bowens
Pollard
Scott
BENCH-Whitherspoon, Goldston, Landry
Answer:
I'd leave it just the way you've got it. Witherspoon is too much of a question mark with Akeem Jordan so questionable. I'd hold onto him though for the playoffs. Fantastic Team, by the way!
@ Anonymous
QUESTION
Monk, I forgot, hillenmeyer and timmons are available on my waiver wire, I'm the guy with hawthorne,mayo,pozz,spoon,bowens, pollard, b scott, goldston, landry, thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, I'd stay with Bowens. Farrior is still better than Timmons most weeks and the guessing game is not worth it. Bowens doesn't share and has good matchup this week. Hillenmeyer is average at best. I've seen him put of 3 solos in matchups where a usual MLB would get 6-8. I actually liked Roach better for FF, but maybe he wasn't enough of a leader on D or something for the Da Bears.
@ JT
QUESTION
Is Julius Peppers essentially a SIT right now because of his hand injury?
I'm thinking about maybe playing Avril in his place... or even Cullen Jenkins (GB) playing Detroit?
ANSWER:
I guess he is a sit with his hand. It's a shame cause he was on fire. I'd go Avril because it looks like Culpepper will play and he's very hard to sack. I don't think Jenkins can catch him, let alone bring him down easily.
@ Anonymous
QUESTION
Great blog, there was indeed a need for an quality IDP blog. I just wanted to tell you that Ellison has been put on the IR so he won't come back this year. Scott is a safe bet for the rest of the season!
ANSWER
Thank you so much! I'll try to get the word out to the people who signed up for my free email. I own Scott now as well. And I picked him up as an LB. He's a crazy steal as a DB.
@ Lauren
QUESTION:
Hi Monk - My sister Suzanne has posted in here a couple of times, so I thought I'd try it myself, especially with playoffs looming. I just picked up Tyvon Branch, but I also have Ed Reed. I have to play a DB and a LB, and I have Patrick Willis, so that choice for me is easy. I just don't know which DB to play. Any thoughts? Thanks for the help :)
ANSWER
Yes, I still feel bad about the advice I gave Suzanne the one week about London Fletcher. He had a very off game compared to the other people she had mentioned. Hopefully, I've helper her "the other way" since. And now you're giving me a chance to make it up as well.
You have to go Tyvon Branch ALWAYS at this point. Ed Reed is very inconsistent. He can go for a TD one week and 3 tackles the next. Branch is solid and scoring CRAZY high points. This week he gets Dallas and I like it! Reed vs. the Steelers is nice, but so was his matchup vs. Indy was twice as nice and he didn't produce what he should have. Some other guys to think about that have the potential to score as much or more than Branch, who you might find on your WW, are Bryan Scott for Buffalo (sneaky play because he's an LB now, but still counts as a DB) and B. Pollard who faces Indy this week. Good luck and enjoy the Turkey Day games!
@ Anonymous
QUESTION
Need a big win to help push me towards the playoffs this week: Start Hawthorne or Ruud at LB?
ANSWER
Is Michael Turner still out? (let me check) Here's Turner's status update:
"Michael Turner (ankle) returned to Falcons practice on a "limited" basis Wednesday.
The development is promising for his chances of playing in Week 13, but coach Mike Smith's admission that Turner has "no timetable" for return means he probably isn't ready to face the Bucs. Jerious Norwood (hip) practiced fully Wednesday, though Jason Snelling is very likely to be Atlanta's lead runner in the favorable matchup. Norwood hasn't played in six weeks."
With that being said, you have to go Hawthorne vs. Steven Jackson. Because Ruud vs. Snelling and Norwood scares me. Neither guy is an "up the middle back" like Turner. Lot's of "edge" plays equals less tackles for ILBs. Hawthorne's your best shot! Good luck!
@ Anonymous
QUESTION
Which 2 DL? Osi, Avril , Ratliff
Which 2 DB's? Ed Reed, Mikell, Bryan Scott, or Yeremiah Bell.
Which LB: Henderson or Timmons
Thanks in advance
ANwSER
Avril & Osi
Scott & Bell
Henderson
@ Frank Anthony
Toronto,Canada)
QUESTION
I have the option to start a 3-4-3, 4-3-3 or 3-3-4 Defense.
I need help, do or die, must win to make the playoffs this week. Any starter suggestions For week 12:
DL:
Justin Smith
Lawr. Jackson
C. Avril
B. Keisel
LB:
Hawthorne
Brackett
Geno Hayes
John Beason
DB:
D. Revis
Jerraud Powers
D. Goldson
Leon Hall
Secondly, would you suggest dropping any of my IDP's for any of your IDP suggestions this week?
ANSWER:
I'm not sure how many you wanted me to pick from each group so I'm just ranking them in order of who I think will do best this week.
DL:
- Lawr. Jackson (he's been dry, but he got 4 solos and a sack last time he faced St. Louis. It think the Rams will have to throw more in this one than Green Bay will vs. Detroit. Avril & Jackson are VERY close though)
- C. Avril (6 solos and a sack last time he faced GB, but GB has gotten most of their lineman back and are getting a bit tougher. At least compared to the Rams bad O. Plus they will be able to run and win in this one. Culpepper is probably the QB for Detroit and success of keeping up with GB is low.)
- B. Keisel (barely gets sacks)
- Justin Smith (0 sacks since week 1)
LB:
Hawthorne (really can't go wrong)
John Beason
Brackett
Geno Hayes
DB:
- Jerraud Powers (last time he faced houston, he got 7 solos 3assists 1INT and a PD)
- D. Goldson He's a stud, but the Jaqs will run MJD as much as possible. He may get an INT, but if he doesn't I foresee a mediocre tackling day.
- D. Revis (he's not throw at enough)
- Leon Hall vs. Clev. I don't like this matchup. They try not to let Brady throw, let alone far. And Cincy is not the Lions. I just don't trust it.
@ Frank Anthony
Toronto,Canada)
P.S. YES I forgot to answer if any of my pickups will do better than your guys. Bryan Scott would be a HUGE improvement over all of your DBs. So would Pollard.
Also, at DE, I recommend D. Bowens or Pace if they are DLs in your league over any of your DLs
@ Anonymous
QUESTION
I have Kelsay, C. Campbell and R. Seymour as my DL's (T. Suggs hurt) Not alot left on the waiver wire. Bowens is listed as LB, as well as J. Porter ): The best I see out there is Anthony Hargrove. Would you pick him up and drop anyone, or just hope T. Suggs come back quick?
Also..My DB's are T. Branch, B. Scott, and B. McGowen (Q. Mikell on the bench)
What are your thoughts on Donte Whitner? I know he's been a beast in the past.
ANWER
Stay with Suggs and see what happens.
I LOVE your DBs and keep Mikell on the bench this week. Whitner vs. Miami is OK, but your other guys are PERFECT.
@ Anonymous
Question
Pick 2 DB's from this list to start this week:
Answer (I put them in order)
- Leigh Bodden (YES) vs. NO on MNF
- Cedric Griffin (a bit inconsistent, but I like the Chicago matchup this week)
- Derek Cox has disappeared
- Terence Newman (bad matchup vs. non throwning, non having the ball Oakland)
@ Graham
Question is this:
In my league, we start 1 DL, 1 LB, and 1 DB (I'm working on making that more!) and I have Andre Carter, Cushing, Hawthorne (Thanks!) and Atogwe.
I'm thinking of dropping Cushing and picking up either Tyvon Branch or Bryan Scott, who are both somehow available. Do I start either one of them over Atogwe this week and/or the rest of the year? Also, is Carter worth starting every week or do the matchups warrant plug-and-playing DL the rest of the year?
Answer:
Definitely do the move, but good luck deciding between Branch and Scott. haha Both are on bad offense and both will be on the field a lot. The way to decide is to know your scoring. If you get good points for tackles and assists, go Scott. If you get better points for INTs and PDs, go Branch. If you're in the middle,I'd go Scott because he can also get sacks.
Carter at DL is as good as any, I guess. Man DLs are so tough to read. I would literally go with any facing GB, BUF, HOU, KC and maybe CLE every week.
Dear Monk, which 2 LBs: Posluszny, Willis, Hawthorne, Beason. I'm leaning toward Pos and Hawthorne, I don't know if I can ever sit Willis, but Hawthorne has been DOMINATING and practically leading my team in weekly points.
Also which DE: Mathis or Dumervil.
Thanks again.
Couldnt stop appreciating you for posting this blog amid of your busy schedule. Hat's off to you.
Should I wait on with T suggs little more as DE is are tough to find in my league. what happened to Jared Allen. He is less productive that Edwards. should I drop him.
If you dont mind some advice on offense this week.
Addai or Rock Cartwright who should i start?
Hi Monk!
Suzanne here! No worries about that week with London Fletcher -- and the irony is that the week I didn't play him (last week) he went off! Whatya gonna do? I still won my matchup :) So I just let go of Yeremiah Bell for Bryan Scott? Good move? Bell has been doing consistently well, but nothing GREAT. In our league we have one DB spot and one LB spot. So, for LB, in your opinion, should I play C. Lofton, D.J. Williams or London Fletcher? I can't decide?!
And for DB, I've got Bryan Scott AND George Wilson -- but I could pick up Pollard, who's available, which is tempting. Should I let go of George Wilson so I can grab Pollard? And then decide between Scott and Pollard? I'm assuming that Scott should always be played over Wilson now?
Your help on this will be GREATLY appreciated (and I'm pissed at my sister for grabbing Branch before me!!! :) ) But maybe Scott (or Pollard) can do me some good....
Thanks!!!!!!!
ps. Miles Austin or slightly injured Calvin Johnson? Sorry so many questions!!!
I have two flex DP spots I need to decide on for the rest of the season (my DL, DB and LB are set with Bowens, Branch and Ruud). I'm focusing on the playoffs (weeks 15-17) at this point in a league with 1pt for solo, 0.5 assist, and 3 for ints & sacks each, plus 1 for forced fumbles and passes defensed.
Right now I have T Jackson and EJ Henderson for the 2 flex spots, but am thinking of trying to pickup off of waivers:
- B Scott
- Lauranaitis
- Fletcher
- T Howard
- L Foote
I'm leaning toward keeping T Jackson and replacing B Scott or Lauranaitis with Henderson. But then I'm thinking, "don't be dumb - Jackson is a DB, you need to swap him first and foremost with an LB."
Whaddya think? I think big numbers are more important for me than consistent numbers, that's why I keep hanging on to Jackson, but would like to be convinced otherwise :)
@ Anonymous
QUESTION
Dear Monk, which 2 LBs: Posluszny, Willis, Hawthorne, Beason. I'm leaning toward Pos and Hawthorne, I don't know if I can ever sit Willis, but Hawthorne has been DOMINATING and practically leading my team in weekly points.
Also which DE: Mathis or Dumervil.
Answer:
You're correct Pos & Hawthorne. Gotta go with who's getting it done this time of year.
And Mathis vs. Houston
@ Jeffrey
Question:
Hey Monk! Really love this blog (even though I started Justin Smith last week at your advice) :)
In our league, we have to start at least one DT. DTs are tough -- I know -- but do you have any suggestions?
Answer
If nose tackles count, Cowboys Ratliff has a great matchup vs. Oakland. Otherwise, Tommie Harris should get some tackles and a potential sack.
Sorry about the Justin Smith advice. The % is always there vs. GB, but barely anyone got a sack in that one. Don't know if that means SFs rush is that bad or GB is getting stronger upfront. Might be both
@ Anonymous
Thanks!
No, you can't drop Jared Allen. It's just terrible this year at DE. There's really nothing to count on anywhere. If you're in a pinch, you can count on Mathis & Freeney vs. Houston. They are a revolving door. You can also feel pretty good about Starks vs. Buf. Or even Orakpo or Carter vs. Philly. And you can DEFINITELY trust in Cole vs. WAS, but I wouldn't imagine you'd be lucky enough to get Trent Cole.
You gotta go Addai vs. Houston over Rock Cartright vs. Philly. If you were talking Jamaal Charles vs. Rock, it would be a closer call, but Addai is the easy choice.
@ Suzanne
QUESTION:
Suzanne here! No worries about that week with London Fletcher -- and the irony is that the week I didn't play him (last week) he went off! Whatya gonna do? I still won my matchup :) So I just let go of Yeremiah Bell for Bryan Scott? Good move? Bell has been doing consistently well, but nothing GREAT. In our league we have one DB spot and one LB spot. So, for LB, in your opinion, should I play C. Lofton, D.J. Williams or London Fletcher? I can't decide?!
Answer:
Yes, the Scott for Bell move was good. Bell does seem to have a ceiling, where with Scott, it seems the skies the limit to his production.
Great question on your LBs. DJ has the best matchup vs. NYG. I admit I'm a little worried about Lofton vs. TB, but I think they'll still run it with Cadillac enough for him to get an above average score & Fletcher vs. Philly is only so so. I feel best about DJ this week. Great player, very good matchup equals very good production.
QUESTION:
And for DB, I've got Bryan Scott AND George Wilson -- but I could pick up Pollard, who's available, which is tempting. Should I let go of George Wilson so I can grab Pollard? And then decide between Scott and Pollard? I'm assuming that Scott should always be played over Wilson now?
Answer:
It sounds like you can only play 1 DB. If so, than Scott is your man overall, but don't be surprised if Pollard out scores him this week. Yes, though, I'd rather have Pollard than Wilson at this point. But to be safe, I'd go with Scott this week because he more of a guarantee. Pollard need to get "extras" like his 2 INTs he got off Manning last time they met. Those are risky to rely on. I think Scott & Pollard both out score Branch this week, but that will have to be a friendly wager between you and your sis.
QUESTION
ps. Miles Austin or slightly injured Calvin Johnson? Sorry so many questions!!!
Answer:
Unfortunately (for me too) CJ is unlikely to play. On top of that, his QB is unlikely to play. Culpepper will start in all probability. CJ will be a gametime decision. Miles Austin has his first decent matchup for quite a few weeks so he should be a bit more productive. Given the circumstance, go the extra "Mile" (sorry, had to do it) Have a happy Turkey Day and enjoy all the games!
@ Todd
QUESTION
I have two flex DP spots I need to decide on for the rest of the season (my DL, DB and LB are set with Bowens, Branch and Ruud). I'm focusing on the playoffs (weeks 15-17) at this point in a league with 1pt for solo, 0.5 assist, and 3 for ints & sacks each, plus 1 for forced fumbles and passes defensed.
Right now I have T Jackson and EJ Henderson for the 2 flex spots, but am thinking of trying to pickup off of waivers:
- B Scott
- Lauranaitis
- Fletcher
- T Howard
- L Foote
I'm leaning toward keeping T Jackson and replacing B Scott or Lauranaitis with Henderson. But then I'm thinking, "don't be dumb - Jackson is a DB, you need to swap him first and foremost with an LB."
ANSWER
First, the good news is Bryan Scott does both. Big numbers and consistency so good idea there. I looked ahead at the Lauranaitis schedule and I was not excited with his matchups. Fletchers is a little better, but he has been wearing down hear and there and scares me a bit. The Raiders schedule is always going to be good because they suck and everyone gets their running game going on them. Unfortunately Howard is second fiddle to Morrison and not a "big point" guy. The Viking schedule is ABSOLUTELY loaded with great running game matchups from Week 13 on. So I like EJs schedule. And Larry Foote's schedule is AMAZING and you know teams will be running on them. As a player though, you can't count on him, unfortunately.
So that brings us full circle back to T. Jackson. Here's the strategy I'd take. Play him this week and see how he does against ATL. And here's why. He gets them again week 17 so you'll get a preview of how he'll be in your championship game. And the good news is the games he has in between are interception king #2 Mark Sanchez, Interception king #3 Jake Delhomme and monster throwing team NO and Seattle throws the ball around too. So I think you've got just as good a shot at big games with T. Jackson as anyone else on that list. The final thing to know here is T. Jackson is the 10 highest scoring FFer in the WHOLE league so far this year. Not just DB, but EVERYONE. He slips in just below Cushing & D. Harris and just above J. Harrison and Jon Beason so you're definitely not crazy choosing him over an LB.
I really enjoy reading your column as well as the advice you offer your readers.
Which of these LBs do you think would be the best for this week and the playoffs?
My league's scoring settings: Solo Tackle 2 pts, Tackle Assist 1 pt , Sack 3 pts, Interception 3 pts, Forced Fumble 1pt, and Fumble Recovery 2 pts.
I have:
Durant @ SF, Hawthorne @ St. L, Paul Posluszny vs Miami, and James Harrison @ Baltimore.
Dansby, Vilma, EJ Henderson, and Demarco Ryans are also available on my Waiver wire. Thanks for your feedback!
@ chadclay
QUESTION
Which of these LBs do you think would be the best for this week and the playoffs?
My league's scoring settings: Solo Tackle 2 pts, Tackle Assist 1 pt , Sack 3 pts, Interception 3 pts, Forced Fumble 1pt, and Fumble Recovery 2 pts.
I have:
Durant @ SF, Hawthorne @ St. L, Paul Posluszny vs Miami, and James Harrison @ Baltimore.
Dansby, Vilma, EJ Henderson, and Demarco Ryans are also available on my Waiver wire. Thanks for your feedback!
Answer:
Hawthorne & Pos
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