Defensive Notes
Working on the team defense piece for the magazine, I'm looking at the top 10 for last year (based on a scoring system of 2 points for sacks and takeaways, plus six points for defensive/special teams touchdowns). It's early, but here are some thoughts on whether those teams will be better, the same, or worse in 2008.
Better: San Diego, Seattle, Dallas. The Chargers have largely kept last year's top-ranked fantasy defense intact, and should enter the season with plenty of confidence after last year's playoff run. They also play in an increasingly offense-challenged division. The Seahawks appear to be loading up offensively in Mike Holmgren's last season, while keeping a talented defense intact. They'll also get run-stuffing tackle Marcus Tubbs back from injury. The Cowboys have added linebacker Zach Thomas, who certainly has a good year left in him; they're trying to add cornerback Pacman Jones. If that happens (and assuming his suspension ends), their return teams will be far more dangerous. These three teams were 3-4-5 in sacks a year ago, which usually ensures finishing among the top fantasy defenses.
Same: Minnesota, NY Giants, Green Bay. The Vikings probably can't be as opportunistic as they were last season, but former Bengals' safety Madieu Williams looks like an upgrade. The Giants lost a pair of starters to free agency, but they'll get Mathias Kiwanuka back from injury and only really grasped defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's system in the second half of the year anyway; no reason they can't keep it going this year. In Green Bay, GM Ted Thompson's top draft picks (A.J. Hawk, Justin Harrell) and only significant free agent signings (Ryan Pickett, Charles Woodson, Brandon Chillar) the past two offseasons have focused on improving the defense, helping prepare the team to win with defense rather than offense in the post-Favre era. There's risk, though: If Aaron Rodgers flops, this defense will get fewer leads and fewer opportunities to make plays.
Worse: New England, Chicago, Detroit, Arizona. The Patriots will feature several new faces in the secondary and at linebacker, and some of the carryovers are showing their age. The Bears wouldn't even be an above-average defense without Devin Hester's contributions; how many opportunities will he get to field kicks in 2008? The Lions and Cardinals, meanwhile, were fluky examples of poor defenses whose opportunism (Detroit, for example, led the NFL in forcing fumbles) helped them rank favorably in fantasy terms. Arizona, however, has been hurt by free-agent losses, while Detroit will feature new starters at several positions; perhaps they'll be better in NFL terms, but are unlikely to be as fortunate in fantasy ones.
- Andy Richardson
- Comments [0]
Readers' Comments
Add a Comment
Already a registered user? Please sign in to add comments.
To add comments, you must become a registered user of our site. To register, please click here.
