Defensive Notes
It doesn't get the ink that some over-the-hill wideout (Joey Galloway) or running back changing teams will get, but some of the noteworthy defensive players who changed teams in the last month will also have an impact on fantasy leagues, both on team defenses and on those owners who use individual defensive players (IDPs). Here are five of the defensive players to change teams who figure to have an impact in 2009.
Albert Haynesworth, Washington. Any list has to begin with the $100 million man, and you can't understate his impact. As I've illustrated previously, the Titans were a very different defense without him the last two years, so his absence will hurt one of the league's top fantasy defenses. But will he make Washington draftable? Although Washington had a very good defense in NFL terms (No. 4 in yardage), they were near the bottom of the league in virtually every measurable fantasy category. Only three teams had fewer sacks and only two had fewer takeaways; Washington also scored only 1 defensive touchdown. If Haynesworth plays every game at a high level, he'll definitely help, but I'm still not confident Washington will have even a top-12 fantasy defense.
Leigh Bodden, New England. Bodden was a legitimate IDP star with Cleveland two years ago, finishing in the top 5 in interceptions (6) and top 20 in tackles (88) among defensive backs. He flopped in Detroit, but still finished with a respectable tackle total (71). Anyone want to guess that New England will find a way to better utilize his abilities than the Lions? The fact that the Patriots' defense will be closer to what Bodden played under Romeo Crennel in Cleveland should help. I'm very interested in Bodden as an IDP option, and I think he'll enable New England's defense to rebound from its disappointing performance a year ago (25th in fantasy points per game) to possibly being a top-15 option. One note; New England also added Shawn Springs, so although their defense should be better, it's not certain that Bodden will be the guy in the starting lineup.
Lito Sheppard, N.Y. Jets. Darrelle Revis emerged as one of the league's top cover corners last season, and the result was that the Jets' other cornerback -- rookie Dwight Lowery, and later veteran Ty Law -- got abused on a weekly basis. The Jets still had a top-quality fantasy defense, but that significant hole enabled most capable opposing quarterbacks to light them up (even lesser lights like Shaun Hill), and played a huge part in the entire defense's collapse down the stretch. Sheppard is better than those players, so New York's secondary should be better, and yet the ball will still be thrown his way a lot (since teams will still avoid Revis). A nice IDP option, and part of why the Jets look like a top-5 defense this upcoming season.
Jovan Haye, Tennessee. Very quietly, the Titans moved to replace Haynesworth by signing defensive tackle Haye from Tampa Bay. Haye struggled last season while battling injuries, but look at his 2007 performance: 68 tackles, 6 sacks. He's no Haynesworth, but if he can at least help out in replacing him, maybe the Titans' defense will end up being underrated on draft day.
Sean Jones, Philadelphia. The Eagles allowed Brian Dawkins to leave, which was surprising. but I'm not sure their defense will be any worse this season. Jones was a pretty good player for the Browns until a knee injury that cost him four games last season and may have slowed him for longer than that. On a better defense, I'm curious to see how Jones will work out -- and I'm high on the Eagles' overall defensive unit next year.
--Andy Richardson
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