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Defensive Notes

I could almost hear the chuckles through the Internet when I drafted Oakland’s defense in one league last week. Oakland? But … they’re terrible, right? Defensively, no, they’re not; they’ve got a lot of talent, from the line right through to the secondary, and facing a Lions offense that tends to both surrender sacks and serve up turnovers, they look like one of the best plays in week 1. Other solid options this week include Cleveland (home against a suspect Steelers offense), Houston (facing Kansas City’s rusty Damon Huard), and Washington. That’s right, Washington, which hosts a Dolphins team with a lot of offensive problems.

The fact is that if you don’t spend an early pick on the Bears, Ravens or Patriots, you’re probably looking at a lot of defenses with similar potential each week. We like San Diego and Dallas, but there’s some uncertainty in both places given the new coaching staffs. We like the Eagles and Packers, but both were up and down a year ago – sometimes dominating, sometimes getting lit up.

If you have a top defense, you’ll probably never bench it; that’s why some people draft them early. But if you don’t, don’t be afraid to bench your “No. 1” for a lesser group that has a far superior matchup – and might be available on waivers in your league.

A whirlwind of signings, injuries and other last-minute developments to get to this week. Including:

- Broncos add Rice. The last time the Broncos added a veteran player named Rice, Jerry, it didn’t work out too well. Adding Simeon Rice, however, is a huge plus for a defense that most figured would be pretty good anyway. We had concerns about the linebacking corps – and still do – but our doubts about the pass rush are gone. Good news for the Broncos D, bad news for first-rounder Jarvis Moss, who will now play a lesser role, in IDP formats.

- Bucs sign Trotter. A lot of teams have new faces in the starting lineup, including the Bucs, with unproven middle linebacker Barrett Ruud. Adding the veteran Jeremiah Trotter gives Tampa Bay an insurance policy – one they won’t hesitate to use quickly if Ruud struggles. His IDP value drops, unless you enjoy risky players at the position.

- Rodney Harrison suspended. The Patriots didn’t move in our rankings, although their projected passing yardage allowed went up a tick. At this point in his career, it’s not clear that Harrison is enough of a difference-maker for the Patriots to suffer too greatly without him. Harrison himself, obviously, becomes a less desirable pickup, given his absence for the first four games of the season.

- Keith Ellison injured. Ellison, one of our favorite sleeper options at linebacker, looked pretty good as he moved into a starting role on the weak side in Buffalo, where the Bills had to replace both Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher in their linebacking corps. Now he’s out at least a month with a high ankle sprain. The Bills will try Coy Wire there; you probably should too, if you drafted Ellison.

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