Defensive Notes
Injuries to defenders don’t draw the national attention that injuries to offensive players do, but the effect they have on a team can be just as devastating. Just one week into the exhibition season, there are already plenty of injuries to sort through. Some of the big ones:
Chike Okeafor: The Cardinals’ defensive end-turned outside linebacker in their new 3-4 scheme is likely done for the year with a torn biceps. Darryl Blackstock or Calvin Pace will replace him, and while that will put that player on the IDP fantasy radar, he’s not likely to make the impact that Okeafor would have. It’s also bad news for those hoping the Cardinals might prove to be a sleeper defense this year.
Glenn Earl: We had Earl has a top-40 guy at his position, so the Texans will miss their starting strong safety (done for the year with a foot injury). The Texans considered switching free safety C.C. Brown (a top-30 player) to Earl’s position, which could have hurt his numbers (particularly opportunities for interceptions), but it now appears they’ll leave him there and try Jason Simmons in Earl’s spot.
Warrick Holdman: We were worried about the Broncos losing middle linebacker Al Wilson, and we’re similarly concerned that they’ll have to get by without the favorite to replace him in the starting linebacker corps (Holdman was set to start on the strong side, while D.J. Williams moves over to Wilson’s spot in the middle). Holdman was nothing special, but his likely replacement, either journeyman Nate Webster or former Seahawk D.D. Lewis, won’t be better. It’s a definite concern for a defense that’s typically going among the top 10 on draft day.
Joey Porter: Dolphins’ linebacker Porter underwent knee surgery recently and will miss most if not all of the preseason. Veterans like Porter can usually handle missing the exhibitions, but Porter is switching to a new defense and could have used the field time picking it up. The Dolphins have plenty of other question marks – particularly on offense – but we’ve dinged Porter a few spots in our rankings due to his absence.
Other News
Kick Returns: If your league’s scoring is heavily touchdown-based, you need to strongly consider the Jets defense/special teams. A year ago they had top-5 kick return units, scoring 2 TDs, and in the first exhibition game they had returns of 86 and 46 yards – and that was without top return man Justin Miller, sidelined with a hamstring injury. With Miller healthy the Jets might have the league’s best return game; even without him, they’ll be pretty good.
Position switch: Patriots rookie Brandon Meriweather, primarily a safety in college, has been working at cornerback, where the Patriots are thin. He’s not a starter yet, but the team’s top draft pick in April could be in the mix to replace holdout Asante Samuel if he develops quickly.
More Broncos: The team is shopping defensive tackle Gerard Warren, who doesn’t fit their defensive scheme anymore. Warren was a solid performer for the Broncos two years ago, so he could help another team’s defense against the run. The team that could use him most, however, Indianapolis, probably won’t be a trade partner with conference-rival Denver -- although you never know.
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