Defenses
We decided to let a loyal reader offer suggestions for kickers and drafting team defenses, areas neglected in prior rankings. Thanks to John Gozzi, the "Wizard of Goz," which seems a tout-worthy nickname unless you overthink it and remember that the Wizard wasn't all he was cracked up to be. Do you like how I sucked the life out of a great nickname? No wonder my in-laws hate me. I will comment in italics where I think it's warranted.
'WIzard Of Goz' on Defenses
by John Gozzi
This is a very tricky area because of the fact that there is not always a correlation between the NFL standards of top defense (points allowed and yards per game) and a fantasy football scoresheet. My recommended philosophy is similar to my kicker strategy: the very top ones should be picked in rounds 6-8 and most others 10th round or later. (Salfino note: Again, wait until the last few rounds; but taking a defense in the middle rounds makes more sense than taking a kicker because defenses correlate better from year to year. However, the best play, I think, is to play the matchups each week via the waiver wire, looking for available defenses matched up against most sack- and interception-prone QBs.) Watch early season performances on the teams available in the pool but be aware of the competition level. If a second defense is mandatory, try picking a young bottom-of-the-barrel team, this will provide more opportunities in the return game and for turnovers since they will spend plenty of time on the field. (Salfino: I have to think about that one. Yes, more opportunities in the kickoff return game, but punts are easier to return for TDs due to the shorter field. If the defense stinks, you're not likely to get picks because teams will run the ball most of the second half. Okay, I thought about it and respectfully disagree.)
First Tier
1. Baltimore
2. New England
3. Philadelphia
Second Tier
4. Dallas
5. Buffalo
6. Carolina
(Salfino: The Panthers can be a nice haul because you can wait until a few defenses are off the board and pounce on this team, which has the most dominant pass-rushing D-line in the sport.)
Third Tier
7. Pittsburgh
8. Jacksonville
9. Atlanta
10. San Diego
(Salfino: The Jags and Chargers don't sack enough QBs, so I'd have them lower.)
Fourth Tier
11. Kansas City
12. Miami
13. N.Y Jets
14. St. Louis
(Salfino: Goz wrote this before John Abraham returned to the Jets, so move them up due to his disruptive ability.)
Waiver-wire possibilities
N.Y Giants
Chicago
Tampa Bay
Arizona
Others
Minnesota
Seattle
Washington
Cincinnati
Indianapolis (See note below)
Detroit
Cleveland
Tennessee
49ers
Denver
Oakland
G.B
Houston
(Salfino: I like the Colts defense a lot in leagues that don't have creative scoring relating to points allowed. Manning and Co. are going to blow out a lot of teams, especially at home. They're going to force teams that don't like to pass to pass a lot to stay in games. That leads to sacks, fumbles and interceptions. I picked up the Colts D on the waiver wire in a very competitive expert league last year and they really helped me advance to the title game, where I lost a shootout.)
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