Defensive Notes

It's early in the offseason, but changes to team defenses are already in the works around the league. Some teams have replaced coordinators, others are on the verge of saying goodbye to star players. Some of the major highlights so far include the following:

Arizona: Karlos Dansby probably won't be back with the team next season, given that franchising him for another season will be cost-prohibitive. Dansby will immediately upgrade whatever defense he goes to, and he'll definitely be missed on an Arizona defense that needs to add a top player or two, not lose one. The Cardinals were a surprisingly effective option in most scoring formats a year ago.

Buffalo: The Bills will be changing to a 3-4. The early guess is that this will improve their run defense, which definitely needs some help (31st a year ago). Look for the team to focus on adding defensive players to help that switch, which will result in all four AFC East teams using a 3-4 as their base defense. Buffalo's defense has has fantasy value for its opportunism in the past, but an improved run defense would help its consistency as a weekly option.

Carolina: Julius Peppers probably won't be back with the team. Since the Panthers had problems getting after opposing quarterbacks even with Peppers (23rd in sacks a year ago), they'll be looking for pass rushers this offseason.

New England: There's a good chance that Bill Belichick will be running the defense himself this season, after letting their coordinator the past several years leave when his contract expired. The early guess is that this will be a positive, but there are some personnel issues to worry about. Nose tackle Vince Wilfork, most notably, is gearing up for a contract fight with the Patriots, saying he'll be angry and insulted if the team franchises him (which is likely). Wilfork's return is key to New England's defense returning to fantasy-worthiness.

New Orleans: The Saints may use the franchise tag on safety Darren Sharper, keeping him off the market and ensuring a critical component of their defense returns to help them try and defend their crown next season. The opportunistic veteran's return would definitely ensure the Saints D would be a viable pick in fantasy leagues again.

N.Y. Giants: The Giants surprised some with their decision to release middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, but Pierce is coming off a neck injury and will be a question mark for whatever team signs him. For the Giants, whose defense was one of last season's greatest disappointments, there's almost nowhere to go but up. They also have a new defensive coordinator in Buffalo's Perry Fewell.

--Andy Richardson

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