Individual Defensive Players
Goz is back with his individual defensive player (IDP) rankings. I know most of us don't use this position, but it's good to get one man's opinion on who to watch on the other side of the ball.
'WIzard Of Goz' on IDP
by John Gozzi
Pick your defensive players in the middle rounds at the earliest. Most (90%) of them should be taken only after you have at least one adequate bench player at wide receiver and running back. LBs and DBs on lousy teams will often have more tackles due to lopsided time of possession factor. Defensive Line probably offers the least depth, and linebackers the most.
Defensive Line (Based on a mix of sacks, tackles and disruptions, i.e., forced fumbles, batted passes):
1. Julius Peppers, Carolina
2. Jason Taylor, Miami, lining up as a linebacker now and then will only pump up his numbers
3. Terrell Suggs, Baltimore
4. Charles Grant, New Orleans, quality on the Saints line enhances value
5. Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis
6. Michael Strahan, New York Giants
7. John Abraham, New York Jets
8. Simeon Rice, Tampa Bay
9. Patrick Kerney, Atlanta, ex-lacrosse player developing overall game
10. Demetrius Ware, Dallas, rookie sack-meister has Parcells drooling
Dropoff
11. Bert Berry, Arizona, young Cardinal defense is on the rise
12. Kevin Williams, Minnesota, only DT in the Top 12
Linebacker (based on an equal mix of sacks and tackles; disruptions and overall athleticism are the other lesser components):
1. Donnie Edwards, San Diego
2. Ray Lewis, Baltimore
3. Keith Bulluck, Tennessee, could easily be Number 1
Dropoff
4. Keith Brooking, Atlanta
5. Brian Uhlacher, Chicago
6. Mike Peterson, Jacksonville, relatively unheard of but productive
7. Jonathan Vilma, Jets, could lead the league in tackles
8. Nick Barnett, Green Bay
9. Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay, great athlete still
10. James Farrior, Pittsburgh
11. Zach Thomas, Miami
12. Julian Peterson, SF, easily top 5 if not for last years Achilles surgery
Defensive Back (toughest position to predict, mostly go by tackles but factor in interceptions, which vary wildly from year to year; I favor safetys over corners because of tackles):
1. Rodney Harrison, New England, hurts people , then smiles
2. Ed Reed, Pittsburgh
3. Roy Williams , Dallas
Dropoff
4. Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia
5. Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay
6. Sammy Knight, K.C
Dropoff
7. Troy Palamalu, Pittsburgh
8. Michael Lewis, Philadelphia
9. Ken Hamlin, Seattle
10. Sean Taylor, Washington, head case or head banger?
11. Phillip Buchanon, Texans, if punt returns count, get him
12. Adrian Wilson, Arizona
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