FBG: IDP Preseason Week 1 Winners and Losers

wide right · Aug 17, 2007

While it can be dangerous to read too much into the first official depth charts and the fluff pieces beat writers produce early in the preseason, there are always important nuggets to be gleaned from watching preseason games and carefully considering the comments of coaches and coordinators. Heres a look at some of the changes in the IDP landscape thus far.

Winners

* ILB Adalius Thomas As was reported during OTAs, Thomas lined up all over the field last week but primarily at LILB. Thats often been the better tackling position in the Belichick scheme in recent years. Thomas looked a little uncomfortable inside at times but the combination of increased run support opportunity and pass rush skill may prove a lethal combination in the boxscore.
* DE Robert Geathers After the team hinted that he would remain in a situational pass rushing role, Geathers played every down with the first team defense. Geathers has flashed decent run supporting skill in prior seasons and has 45 solo, 10 sack potential in the full time role.
* SS Deon Grant Some felt Grant was in for a big bump in stats after leaving the limiting Jacksonville scheme for the greener Seahawk defense but the news that Grant would take on a more traditional strong safety role should make him an even safer bet for 2007.
* SS Chris Harris Harris became a must roster after the Panthers acquired him from the Bears as camp began. Harris may not be a special NFL talent, but his IDP value goes from non-existent as a backup with Chicago to the starting SS in Carolina.
* WLB Landon Johnson Another Bengal who looks to have a bigger role than initially expected, Johnson started with the first team last week. An underrated all-around backer, Johnson played well enough the first week to keep Ed Hartwell a backup MLB/WLB.
* OLB Antwan Peek Peek isnt a stud NFL talent, but Willie McGinests back surgery and Kamerion Wimbleys beastly performance in the first preseason game could push Peek into every week starter status in big play leagues this year.

Losers

* OLB Chike Okeafor Okeafor is likely out for the season after suffering a torn bicep muscle last week. Owners looking to use Okeafor as a DL and get OLB stat lines are going to have to find another option to exploit the Bryan Thomas classification loophole.
* MLB Ahmad Brooks Caleb Miller replaced Brooks in nickel situations in the first preseason game despite earlier indications that Brooks would be an every down linebacker. Theres still time for Brooks to prove himself in coverage and the team has praised his effort in practice, but this isnt a good start to 2007.
* FS Will Demps The Giants began camp with Gibril Wilson at FS, James Butler at SS and Demps, who was one of the better producing free safeties in IDP leagues last year, on the second team. Demps is apparently rotating in with the first team again this week but the writing may be on the wall for him.
* MLB Brian Simmons A nagging chronic knee problem and the surprisingly consistent play of last years starter Mark Simoneau has Simmons stuck on the second team. If Simmons cant get on the field and impress soon, hell have a hard time securing any IDP value in 2007 without an injury to another starter.
* WLB Keith Ellison While it may not be set in stone yet, Ellison sat in nickel situations during the first preseason game. Though it appears Ellison will shift with the offensive formation to remain a WLB on all base defensive snaps, sitting in the nickel will keep him from becoming more than a LB3.
* OLB Bryan Thomas The NFL.com gamebook and Jets official depth chart has finally be updated to reflect Thomas correct position as an OLB. Those holding out hope that Thomas will remain a DL in your IDP league have hopefully already made other arrangements.

Other ongoing storylines:

Patrick Willis is still behind Derek Smith at RILB in the 49er base defense. Roman Harper looks fully recovered and may play linebacker in the nickel defense for New Orleans. Demorrio Williams has been cleared for contact nearly a month before he was expected to return and is running with the first team in Atlanta. Gibril Wilson has been tabbed for the big play FS role that Brian Dawkins played in Philadelphia. Eagle LB Takeo Spikes is turning heads in camp and may have recovered his sideline-to-sideline range.
Click to expand...

Source: Jene Bramel, FootballGuys.com

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FBG: IDP Preseason Week 1 Winners and Losers

wide right Grumpy Old Man

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FBG: IDP Preseason Week 1 Winners and Losers

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