FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

February 23rd, 2011 Wednesday

David’s Daily Digest

It May Not Be Miller Time, but It’s IDP Time

After spending a little time looking back at the skill players of 2010 who get most of the attention from the fantasy world, I thought it was time to pay some props to the bad boys of the gridiron. Last season saw no shortage of the fantasy worthy individual defensive players and here are the linebackers that made their bones crushing quarterbacks….

The Pass-rushing Linebackers…..

LB-DeMarcus Ware
The Cowboys pass rushing linebacker DeMarcus Ware turned in another solid campaign last season registering 15.5 sacks and 66 total tackles. Ware has been a solid IDP’er throughout his career having not missed a single game in his six seasons at the pro level. His 15-plus sacks last season was the fifth straight time he has reached double figures in that category. He’ll be a top IDP fantasy draft pick in 2011.

LB-James Harrison
The 2008 defensive player of year had a very good year in Pittsburgh last season. James Harrison, noted quarterback hunter turned in another solid season in 2010 churning out 100 total tackles and recording 10 and a half sacks. Harrison also added six forced fumbles and two interceptions to help led one of the league’s most fierce defenses to the Super Bowl. As long as his wallet is fat it’s not likely the fines he keeps collecting will slow him down, he’s a top IDP pick in 2011.

LB-Clay Matthews Jr.
Man or beast, it doesn’t matter because either way Clay Matthews Jr is just that good. A runner up in the race for defensive player of the year, Matthews is coming off a fine 2010 campaign that saw him sack the quarterback 13-plus times and total 60 tackles. Matthews also chipped in a pair of forced fumbles with a pick to lead an upstart Packer’s defense to another NFL championship. Clay Jr was a force for the Packers defense in 2010 and should be once again in 2011; he’s unquestionably a top tier linebacker choice in fantasy.

LB-LaMarr Woodley
While Harrison gets all the notoriety for the vicious hits, his counterpart and teammate LaMarr Woodlyey quietly goes about his job racking up nice numbers for himself. In 2010 Woodley registered 10 sacks, 50 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He’ll never have the reputation of a Harrison, but Woodley is very good and should be a high second tier fantasy pick in 2011.

LB-Tamba Hali
The Chiefs found a rising star in linebacker Tamba Hali. In 2010 he led his team with 14 and a half sacks while forcing four fumbles; he also contributed 52 total tackles last season. Hali is coming off his best season and with a young up and coming defense he figures to only get better. Last year was the first time in his five seasons that Hali had double digit sacks; he has the look of a second tier IDP linebacker in 2011.

LB-Cameron Wake
The Dolphins Cameron Wake came from literally nowhere in 2010. His 2009 rookie was hardly worth a mention, but after starting all 16 games in 2010 he put together a very nice sophomore season; 14 sacks, 57 total tackles, and three forced fumbles. Cameron looked very talented on the edge a year ago and hardly has the appearance of a one year wonder; keep him in your sites as a late top tier or early second tier linebacker in fantasy

Others worthy of mention…

These are just a few names that should not be overlooked early on in fantasy IDP drafts, when looking for a good linebacker; the Chargers Shaun Phillips was solid with 11 sacks and 55 total tackles in 2011. Over in Baltimore the Ravens have a gem of a pass rushed in Terrell Suggs; 11 sacks and 68 total tackles a year ago. The Raiders Kamerion Wimbley also deserves some notoriety for his nine sacks and 58 total tackles last season.

This was just a glimpse at the IDP package for 2011, I will be following up with the other positions over the next couple of weeks as well as developing my early rankings for the 2011 season, so keep checking back.

By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: ON THE COVER

February 9th, 2011, Wednesday

On the Cover

Aaron Rodgers Leads the Packers

Green & Yellow

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers completed the improbable on Sunday February 6th defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in what could only be described as one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever played. It was a matchup for the ages and played out to the very end without disappointment. With a packed house on hand to witness, not only did this matchup live up to the enormous hype that preceded it, but it was also the most watched ever.

On the biggest stage, the biggest and brightest stars of the game shinned in the spotlight making plays and keep the football world on the edge of their seats throughout. Rodgers and the Packers started fast jumping out early with a couple of scores which included an interception return by safety Nick Collins that threatened to turn this game one sided.

Down 21-3 the Steelers demonstrated the grittiness of a champion and battled their way back. Led by Big Ben (Roethlisberger) and running back Rashard Mendenhall the Steelers battled back to close the gap at 21-17. Right on queue with the momentum of the game having swung in favor of the terrible towel, the Packers defense led by lineback Clay Matthews Jr. answered the call.

Matthews forced a critical fumble when he drilled Mendenhall in the backfield jarring the ball loose; it was quickly scooped up by linebacker Desmond Bishop. This was the turning point of the game and quickly game the Packers the lift they needed to close out their victory.

For the Packers, this was not just a journey that started when camped opened this past summer, this journey that had begun back in 2008 when Brett Favre had brought the Packers within one play of the Super Bowl back. Favre’s interception that ended the Packers dream of a championship opened the door to a new Era with Aaron Rodgers taking the helm.

With Rodgers now the man in Lambeau, the journey to return to prominence would take the long road and one that some skeptics may have wondered would ever end here; atop the football world holding the Lombardi Trophy.

Rodgers proved to be the right move for the Packers future and quickly secured his first championship in his third season as the team’s starter. Barely 27 years of age Rodgers and the Packers have a chance to bring back Lombardi a few more times.

For Title-town and the fans of Green Bay tomorrow is filled with great promise, but I believe if they had to they could settle for today on top of the world.


By David Ortega