But set aside all the history for a moment. As exciting as it is to think about each of these storied franchises, to truly appreciate this upcoming Super Bowl we must we must look at who will actually be setting foot on the playing field in Dallas and set out memories (or nightmares) of Brett Favre, Bart Starr, and the Steel Curtain aside.

The Quarterback Battle

Unsurprisingly, each team has been to a degree carried to where they are by truly exceptional quarterbacking. Many people think the debate for whom the greatest quarterback of our decade is exists solely between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. However, with a 10-2 career playoff record, impeccable mobility, a big arm, and a great track record in clutch situations and big games, Ben Roethlisberger certainly belongs in the debate, especially if he can help capture the Steelers a third championship in a period of six years.

Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand, is the guy who is coming into the game with none of the track record but all of the qualifications to be “The Guy.” Like Big Ben, he has a big arm. Like Big Ben, he can make plays happen with his feet. However, unlike Big Ben, Rodgers is coming into this game on a tear, with a 71 completion%, 790 yards, and 6 touchdowns in three playoff games. Big Ben has certainly been instrumental in getting the Steelers to where they are, but is performing a step or two below Rodgers, with a 56.9 completion%, 359 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 picks.

The defensive battle

The Steelers enter this game as the second best defense in the league, allowing the second fewest yards per game. Pittsburgh was by far the best defense against the run, allowing 62.8 yards per game on the ground. The next closest team was Chicago, which gave up just over 90 yards on the ground. It will not be easy for the inexperienced tandem of James Starks and Brandon Jackson to establish the run, but the presence of one of the most easily-burned corners in the league, Bryant McFadden, should allow Rodgers to make a big play when needed.

Despite all the hoopla over the vaunted Steelers defense, the Packers are no slouch either. They finished the regular season as the fifth-best defense in terms of yardage allowed, and their trio of Pro-Bowl stars in the secondary, Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, and Nick Collins, will not make going through the air easy for Ben Roethlisberger. With a banged up offensive line, the Steelers also need to worry about protecting their star quarterback, because in terms of pass rush, these two teams are even. Pittsburgh led the league with 48 sacks, and Green Bay Packers finished right behind them with 47.

Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey is dealing with a high ankle sprain, and if he isn’t 100% for the game he may be easily overwhelmed by defensive tackle B.J. Raji, who compiled 6.5 sacks. Linebacker Clay Matthews and his 13.5 sacks will be tough to contain, and the Steelers will also be busy keeping defensive end Cullen Jenkins away from the White Mamba. On the other end of the field, the Steelers have a fearsome pair of linebackers in James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley, who each collected ten sacks. Both teams had some trouble with giving up sacks, so watch for these guys to make the biggest impact on defense.

How do these teams stack up?

The last time these two teams matched up, the Steelers ended up winning on a late touchdown caught by Mike Wallace. However, that game was not the defensive battle that many people expected, but the Steelers ultimately won a shoot-out 37-36. Rodgers threw for 383 yards in that game, Roethlisberger 503. Most of the players who were active in that game are returning for this rematch, however each team is suffering from at least one significant injury.

The Packers will be without their workhorse back Ryan Grant. While most teams are not able to successfully run on Pittsburgh, if the Packers stood any chance to have success on the ground it would be with Grant lining up at tailback. Brandon Jackson, James Starks, and John Kuhn have filled in admirably, but the limited success they have found will be stamped out by the stifling Steelers defense.

The Steelers, however, have been dealing with injuries all year, and will be hurt most by the absence of offensive linemen Max Starks and Willie Colon. Starks, who was the starting left tackle for Pittsburgh during their 2005 and 2008 Super Bowl seasons, sustained a neck injury earlier in the season and was lost to IR. On the other side, Pittsburgh lost their starting right tackle in Willie Colon, who tore his Achilles tendon in training camp. The fact that the Steelers even made it this far without two of their starting offensive linemen is amazing, but expect the Packers’ pass rush to take advantage of this early and often.

How it all shakes out:

Packers stalwart wide receiver Donald Driver isn’t shying away: he says that Super Bowl XLV is Green Bay’s to lose. Since the Packers are the healthier team and are fresh off a defeat of their hated rivals Chicago in their own stadium, Green Bay clearly has the momentum on their side. But as we’ve seen all too often, all it takes is a jarring helmet-to-helmet hit from James Harrison to swing momentum in Pittsburgh’s favor. Still, because the Steelers won the previous game between these two teams, the Packers must be coming in with some chip on their shoulders, despite their proud displays of confidence to the media.

Prediction: Packers 31 — Steelers 21

Downtown Crusher Brown, D'Qwell Jackson is back!

Welcome to the third and final installment of our IDP over and under articles. If you play in leagues that use Individual Defensive Players (IDP) then you probably already know that unlike the more mercurial defensive linemen or defensive back positions, the Linebacker position is the most straight up to draft for. Players offer more consistency year to year. There is greater depth, and really only one scoring consideration: solo tackles.

A handful of Linebackers do put up double digit sacks like their DL counterparts, and their names are good to know; James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley in Pittsburgh, Clay Matthews in Green Bay, Demarcus Ware in Dallas, Elvis Dumervil in Denver and Brian Orakpo in Washington. Of these six guys, only the two Steelers eclipsed 50 solo tackles, and while I’m not suggesting you discount these potential fantasy studs, keep in mind none of them broke into the top 10 at their position, and only three made it into the top 20.

So as my mantra has become, look for the guys with the high solo tackle numbers and opportunities. Save the “sack” guys for your DL position unless you find a real value where he is taken in your draft.

When you get to the IDP point in your draft the difference between a player’s ADP is usually around one full round. So the 28th linebacker off the board is going a full two rounds after the 26th. So do the math on just what a 5-10 ADP difference can mean. So relative to all other fantasy positions none has a greater need for finding value.

–Undervalued–

D’Qwell Jackson, CLE - It’s hard to image a tackle beast like D’Qwell being undervalued, but it seems last year’s injury has put him in an almost sleeper like draft state. FFToolobox.com and Fantasy Knucklehead’s both have him ranked at #7. IDPGuru.com has him at #5. Yet his ADP is 15th–a difference of 50 picks, or 5 rounds.

Michael Boley, NYG – Boley is a guy who can get you 90+ solo tackles with a 2-3 sacks thrown in. He was on his way to a 100 tackle season in 2009 before he got hurt. I currently have him ranked at 29th, and his ADP is 41st.

Justin Durant, JAX - J.D. lost some of his value when the Jags brought in Kirk Morrison, but he put up 81 solo tackles in 13 games last season, meaning a full 16 games could bring him to the century mark. His team will spend a lot of time on defense, so the opportunity is there for a big year. I have him ranked at 34 and his ADP is 45.

Demorrio Williams, KC - Williams ranked 33rd in LB fantasy points in 2009, but he was 9th overall in solo tackles with 95. If he can repeat those numbers, or come close–perhaps add a sack or two, you’ve got a very undervalued pick at ADP 52

Chad Greenway, MIN – Greenway is one of those quiet producers who puts up 80+ solo tackles each season. In his first three seasons he’s placed 21st, 13th and 29th in fantasy production, yet he goes into season four, with an ADP of 40. That’s not just undervalued– that’s sleeper territory.

–Overvalued–

Demarcus Ware, DAL - As mentioned above, Ware was one of only six linebackers to break into double digit sacks, but he still failed to break into the top 25 at his position. This is due to his sub-50 solo tackle numbers. Ware is always a threat to put up double digit sacks, but not 100 solo tackles.  His ADP is a current 17th. That’s just not good value.

Dumervil

Elvis Dumervil, DEN – Dumervil transitioned from defensive end to linebacker and exploded to lead the league with 17 sacks. While there is decent reason to believe Elvis can hit double digit sacks again, it’s rather probable that it won’t be 17, and a dozen seems like the ceiling.  So if you figure in his low tackles numbers (less than 40) with a dozen sacks, you get his 2007 numbers which were good for 42nd place overall. His current ADP is 30th.

Brian Orakpo, WAS – Orakpo’s rookie season ended with 11 sacks, and a 54th place fantasy ranking. Heading into 2010 he’s likely to replicate those numbers, and with a defensive scheme change to the 3-4, he could see an extra sacks or two. However, his tackles totals will really have to bump to get him close enough in scoring to match his ADP of 37.

Brian Cushing, HOU – Cushing is a brutish fantasy stud, and should destroy defenses for years to come. He’s a top 10 LB pick for me in Dynasty/Keeper leagues, but in 2010 redraft leagues an ADP as the 5th linebacker taken overall is big time crazy. he’ll miss a quarter of the season to suspension, and it will take him another few games to get into a groove. I’ve dropped his ranking to 12th, and that may still be too optimistic.

David Hawthorne, SEA - Talk about a fantasy revelation. Hawthorne stepped in for an injured Lofa Tatupa last season and destroyed other fantasy teams putting up 93 solos, 3 sacks and 3 interceptions for savvy fantasy owners. Tatupa is back this season, and Hawthorne moves to WLB (a less productive position usually). He also faces competition from Leroy Hill. I like Hawthorne’s chance to be a beast again in 2010, but there are enough question marks surrounding this season that an ADP of 22 seems a bit overvalued. That said, of all the guys on this list of overvalued players, I think D.H. has the best chance to prove me wrong.

Yearly stats are taken from FFToday.com, and ADP results from MyFantasyLeague.com

"I'm sorry... again..."

Where do we begin? Byron Leftwich is back in Pittsburgh…

The multi-million dollar question for the Steelers is, unfortunately, whether or not Leftwich is their starting quarterback in Week One. It’s an old story that’s been told too many times for the Steelers, their fans of the NFL to hear any more, but Pittsburgh’s two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had another bad spring, and will miss a few games to start the year because of rape accusations.

Roethlisberger was lucky, though. A couple other Super Bowl heroes received their walking papers since the black and gold last laced up their shoulder pads. Santonio Holmes is no longer with the Steelers after he made a number of his own bad decisions, and Willie Parker was shown the door because the franchise decided he was too old to be on their roster any longer.

Let’s look at the question marks surrounding the fantasy futures in Pittsburgh this year.

UPDATE: Steelers RT Willie Colon will reportedly have season-ending surgery on a ruptured Achilles' tendon on Wed. Colon is the Steelers' best lineman, and his replacement is a question mark. Avoid most/all Steelers offensive players in your fantasy drafts!

Quarterback

Roethlisberger is suspended, pending “good behavior,” and will likely be out at least until the Steelers’ bye week (Week Five). Until he’s “un-grounded” by Roger Goodell, the Steelers will have to survive with either Leftwich or Dennis Dixon under center. The loss of Holmes in the passing game and Parker in the backfield, issues we’ll address momentarily, will put even more pressure on whomever is starting to begin the season.

However, because Roethlisberger will be forced to sit for some time, his legs and arm could be fresh down the stretch. Considering the Steelers’ schedule, though, I’m not sure this is the year to consider Roethlisberger as a fantasy option.

Rashard Mendenhall

Running Back

We’ve already mentioned that Parker is gone, but from a fantasy perspective that’s been true for 12 months already. The primary carries will go to Rashard Mendenhall, who could be a fantastic fantasy option early and quality trade candidate (to unload, see “sell high” theory) mid-season. The backups will be Mewelde Moore and rookie Jonathan Dwyer.

Five of the Steelers first six games (ATL, @TEN, @TAM, CLE, @MIA) could all be favorable, especially with Roethlisberger either out or just returning. Given his skill set and the matchups, Mendenhall should be considered a low end #1 or solid #2 RB in most draft formats.

Wide Receivers

Holmes is gone, but this is a deep group that could have some solid sleepers among them this year. Hines Ward will be the veteran leader once again, but youngster Mike Wallace will be the man asked to replace Holmes in the vertical passing game. If teams stack the box in Roethlisberger’s absence early on, Wallace could be a home run threat.

However, as we’ll discuss when we look at the Steelers’ schedule, this might be a season to trade away succeeding players on the Pittsburgh roster mid-season. In Weeks 13-16, which is the playoffs in most fantasy formats, the Steelers face @BAL, CIN, NYJ and CAR. If you’re top receiver has the Ravens, Bengals and Jets defenses in the first three rounds of the playoffs, you won’t have to worry about the Panthers.

Tight Ends

Heath Miller is a touchdown vulture but isn’t going to rack up big-time yards. He might be a valuable asset to the grab-bag under center this year in the red zone, though. I would consider Miller a solid #2 TE in most formats.

Defense

This is an interesting group that, again, should be considered in the context of their schedule. It’s a veteran group with a lot of the same names in the same places, and continued health concerns surrounding Troy Polamalu make it hard to roll the dice on PIT DEF.

Most of the team’s stars are aging, so it’s hard to continue to put money on James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley to put up huge sack numbers. However, if anyone can get a defensive scheme together that works in today’s NFL, it’s Pittsburgh. Their secondary could be a good bet for production against Cleveland, Tampa and Buffalo, but health should be monitored regularly. If Polamalu goes down, they have shown to be significantly more vulnerable to run and pass.

Troy Polamalu

2010 Regular Season Schedule (times EST)

• Week One – SUN Sept 12 – ATL    1:00 PM
• Week Two – SUN Sept 19 – @ TEN    1:00 PM
• Week Three – SUN Sept 26 – @ TAM    1:00 PM
• Week Four – SUN Oct 3 – vs BAL   1:00 PM
• Week Five – BYE
• Week Six – SUN Oct 17 – vs CLE    1:00 PM
• Week Six – SUN Oct 24 – @MIA    1:00 PM
• Week Eight – SUN Oct 31 – @ NO   8:20 PM
• Week Nine - MON Nov 8 – @CIN    8:30 PM
• Week Ten – SUN Nov 14 – vs NE    8:20 PM
• Week Eleven – SUN Nov 21 – vs OAK    1:00 PM
• Week Twelve – SUN Nov 28 – @ BUF    1:00 PM
• Week Thirteen – SUN Dec 5 – @ BAL    8:20 PM
• Week Fourteen - SUN Dec 12 – vs CIN    1:00 PM
• Week Fifteen – SUN Dec 19 – vs NYJ    4:15 PM
• Week Sixteen – THU Dec 23 – vs CAR   8:20 PM
• Week Seventeen – SUN Jan 2 – @ CLE   1:00 PM

The biggest part of the schedule to take note of is the playoff weeks. As we mentioned earlier, the Steelers have a couple nice weeks for fantasy prospects against Oakland and Buffalo in Weeks 11 & 12, but then come into the playoff weeks with BAL, CIN, NYJ and CAR. Active managers might want to ride offensive players like Wallace, Ward and Mendenhall while they’re hot and then look to move them for players with a softer schedule.

Coaching Philosphy

This could be a wild card offensively this year. It might not be until halftime of Week Two that a fantasy owner can be completely comfortable with the offensive scheme in Pittsburgh because of the departures and Roethlisberger’s suspension, and the philosophy could change again when he comes back from suspension. This season will truly be a work-in-progress for the first half of the season for the Steelers.

Defensively, the 3-4 will again feature a lot blitzing and center on stopping the run and getting pressure on the quarterback. Pittsburgh always has strong team defensive numbers, and this year should be no different.

Is Rolando McClain 2010's version of James Laurinaitis?

UPDATED: September 5, 2010

The Linebacker position is the easiest Individual Defensive Player (IDP) spot to draft for. There is more consistency at the position than Defensive Back, and greater depth than Defensive Lineman. And more so than the other two positions, stud rookie Linebackers tend to surface each season like Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, Brian Cushing and James Laurinaitis.

Which rookie linebacker is most likely to surprise this season with 100 tackles? We like Rolando McClain for the Oakland Raiders, but we think Darryl Washington could be a nice sleeper pick as well for the Arizona Cardinals.

Some may question my reasoning for putting David Hawthorne before Lafu Tatupa, but as we’ve already seen in camp this summer, Tatupa cannot stay healthy, making Hawthorne even more valuable.

Top 50 IDP Defensive Lineman Rankings

Top 50 IDP Defensive Back Rankings

For each position (DL, LB, DB), I will recommend 3 Starts and 2 Sits in addition to my “Start of the Week” and “Sit of the Week.” Also, for each position, I have listed players that I consider to be every week starters or, in other terms, “matchup independent.”

I hope everyone was successful in their respective playoff matchups last week (if you had one). My philosophy, at this point in the season, is to start defensive players based primarily on their matchups. There’s no use in holding on to “big name” players any longer in hopes of them panning out. It’s guys like Reed Doughty and James Anderson that are going to win you the ‘ship, not DeMeco Ryans or Osi Umenyiora.

Enough preaching, here are my IDP recommendations for Week 15:

Starts

*The IDP Guru’s Start of the Week*

WLB Keith Bulluck – I actually like both WLB Keith Bullock and MLB Stephen Tulloch this week against Miami. I chose Bullock as my start of the week over Tulloch because he stays in for nickel packages whereas Tulloch does not. Therefore, if Miami starts throwing, Bullock will obviously have more tackle opportunities than Tulloch. Look for Bullock to have 9-11 total tackles this week.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN

Every Week Starters:
Jared Allen
Julius Peppers
Elvis Dumervil
Justin Tuck
Trent Cole
Mario Williams
Robert Mathis
Andre Carter
Dwight Freeney
Will Smith
Brian Orakpo

1. DE/WLB Terrell Suggs – Suggs had missed the last 3 weeks with an injury but he returned last week against the Lions and had 4 solo tackles. Suggs is a great value because of the high tackling capability he brings from his hybrid DE/WLB spot. Chicago gets sacked a decent amount as well. Sounds like a good combination to me.

2. LDE John Abraham – I know, I know. Abraham sucks this year. I agree completely. I drafted him for God’s sake! But, he has a matchup this week against the Jets which is just too good to pass up. The Jets give up the most fantasy points to opposing defensive lineman and Abraham has a little extra incentive to do well playing against his old team. And hell, he hasn’t had a full sack since Week 5, he’s due. Isn’t he?

3. RDE Aaron Schobel – I’ve recommended Schobel a few times in my weekly waiver wire articles this year and for good reason. He plays in a division that has teams who get sacked a lot! This week the Bills play the New England Patriots, who are actually in the Top 5 for fantasy points given up to opposing defensive lineman.

LINEBACKERS

Every Week Starters:
Patrick Willis
James Harrison
Jon Beason
Barrett Rudd
London Fletcher
D.J. Williams
Curtis Lofton
Kirk Morrison
Brian Cushing
David Harris
David Hawthorne
James Laurinaitis
Karlos Dansby – INJURED (PROBABLE)
Clint Session
Paul Posluszny

1. LOLB LaMarr Woodley - I recommended Woodley in my blog as a waiver wire pickup last week and he came up big with 6 solo tackles and a sack. He has a superb matchup against the Packers this week, so expect a similar stat line.

2. WLB Michael Boley - Boley really impressed me last week by going 10-1-0 against the Eagles, who are one of the stingiest teams in the NFL when it comes to giving up fantasy points to opposing linebackers. He’s got a great matchup against the ‘Skins this week. Look for Boley to have a very solid game.

3. WLB James Anderson – If you’re in need of a one-week filler, Anderson may be your guy. He’s been thrown into the WLB position because of the season-ending injury to Thomas Davis a few weeks ago. To a certain extent, it’s Carolina’s Cover 2 defensive scheme that makes the WLB position valuable, not the actual player. With this being said, Anderson has the Vikings this week who  are a fantasy linebackers dream come true. He should be able to produce at least 7-9 total tackles this week.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Every Week Starters:
Eric Weddle - INJURED (QUESTIONABLE)
Charles Woodson
Troy Polamalu - INJURED (OUT)
Darren Sharper
Tyvon Branch
Antoine Bethea
Yeremiah Bell
Oshiomogho Atogwe - INJURED (PLACED ON IR 12/9)
Dashon Goldson
Bernard Pollard
Bryan Scott

1. SS Reed Doughty – Doughty has been one of the more consistent tackling strong safeties in the league. He has a great matchup this week against the New York “Football” Giants. Get him in your lineup!

2. SS Erik Coleman – Coleman has cooled off the last three weeks after a hot start to the season. However, I think he will bounce back this week against the Jets who will look to run the ball a lot. Seriously, what else are the Jets going to do except hand the ball to Thomas Jones? Let Mark Sanchez (or possibly Kellen Clemens) throw? I think not.

3. LCB William James – James is coming off a nine tackle week against the Ravens last week and this week he has the best matchup an opposing fantasy CB can have: The Arizona Cardinals. He should be good for 7 or 8 solo tackles.

Sits

*The IDP Guru’s Sit of the Week*

WLB Daryl Smith – Smith is on pace for about 100 total tackles this season. Not bad. However, he is the 2nd best fantasy linebacker in Jacksonville behind Justin Durant and he has to face the Colts this week who are extremely stingy when it comes to giving out fantasy points to opposing linebackers. Don’t even think about Smith this week. Look somewhere else. 

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN

1. RDE Stylez White – “The Artist formerly known as Greg” had a nice game last week against the Jets. But, I could probably manage a sack (or two) against the Jets, so that isn’t saying a whole lot. White gets the Seahawks this week who have allowed the 2nd fewest points to defensive lineman over the last 8 weeks. I would shy away from White this week.

2. RDE Will Smith – For as inconsistent as the Cowboys offense has been this year, the offensive line has managed to protect Romo fairly well. Add to that the fact that Romo is an elusive QB to begin with and you have a recipe that opposing defensive lineman don’t like tasting. I don’t see Smith being successful in his “Pursuit of Happiness” (bad pun, I know).

LINEBACKERS

1. WLB Will Witherspoon – Since be traded to the Eagles in Week 7, “Spoon” has been a fairly solid fantasy producer. His value took a slight hit when the Eagles decided to move him from MLB to WLB a few ago though. And he has bad matchup this week against the 49ers and their west-coast offense. Don’t expect more than 4-6 total tackles this week.

2. MLB Dhani Jones – It was just last week that I recommended you start Mr. Jones and he came through with 10 total tackles. However, he just isn’t good enough to overcome bad matchups like the one he has against the Chargers this week. Look somewhere else for a linebacker this week. 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

1.  SS Brian Dawkins – Dawkins is coming off a huge game last week (7-3-0, 2 INTS). However, the Raiders are just not good enough to 1) control the ball for an extended period of time, and 2) get to the 2nd level of the opposing team’s defense which is bad news for a secondary player like Dawkins. The last time Dawkins played the Raiders he only had 3 total tackles. Not good.

2. SS Nedu Ndukwe – Gotta love that name! Ndukwe has filled in well for Roy “Horse Collar” Williams, but he’s probably going to hit a brick wall this week against the Eagles. The Eagles are pretty stingy when it comes to giving up points to opposing DBs.

I hope you found this article to be helpful and enjoyable!

Please feel free to leave comments, questions, or derogatory remarks!

Thanks!

Ryan Sitzmann (The IDP Guru)

If you liked this article, make sure to check out our other great Week 15 articles:

• QB Rankings (Start/Sit)
• RB Rankings
  
• WR Rankings (Start/Sit)
• Waiver Wire Sleepers
  

Harrison looks to continue his dominance!

IDP Weekly: Week 11 Preview!

This week the IDP world will be focusing on some great defensive match-ups to take advantage of, the Giants and Texans will be looking to wreak havoc after their week 10 bye. Get your studs ready, because they are going off this week!

Start of the week! James Harrison (PIT): In week 11 Harrison has a huge match-up against a struggling Kansas City offense, look for his sack totals to increase rapidly in this contest……and who knows, he might sprinkle a few forced fumbles on the stat sheets also.

Start’em:

Manny Lawson (SF): He may not get all the attention on the San Francisco defense, but he will pay big dividends this week against the Green Bay Packers this week. Lawson will be playing the outside against a woeful offensive line and a QB that seems to invite sacks at a rapid pace…….sounds good to me, start this LB with confidence this week.

Kamerion Wimbley (CLE): Wimbley has been a rare bright spot for the Browns this year, he combines a good combination of speed and strength and should prove to be worthy of a start against a terrible Detroit team. If Wimbley doesn’t get on the score sheet against Stafford and company…..I will be blown away, or at the least very disappointed.

LaMarr Woodley (PIT): With his partner in crime as the start of the week, it’s no surprise to see Woodley on the list of must starts. Woodley has been a bit of an enigma this season after his breakout performance last year, but he still sits in a good position to have a huge second half…..he should be ready for a huge game against the Chiefs this week.

Aqib Talib (TB): This DB is turning into a supreme ball-hawk. This week Talib should be busy against one of the most potent passing attacks in football. Brees will give this second year player a run for his money in week 11, this start is more about opportunity and there should be plenty of that this week for Talib…….let’s see how he responds for the Bucs.

Sit’em: Aaron Schobel (BUF): Schobel has been good this year after an injury riddled ’08 campaign, but if your a betting man, the safe bet is to sit Schobel against a Jacksonville team that shouldn’t even need to throw a  pass to win this game, Mojo will be the focal point of this game……do your best Larry Johnson impression and sit’em!

Gibril Wilson (MIA): At first thought this should be a good start, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Wilson will not be challenged through the air against Carolina, now that Delhomme is figured out how to hand the ball off and make smarter decisions, Carolina will want to use what works…..and that isn’t Delhomme!

Ray Lewis (BAL): You may be asking yourself, how do I sit Ray Lewis? Well, he is playing Peyton Manning and Baltimore lost their best pass-rusher in Suggs, all of those things have to be taken into consideration this week against the Colts. Let’s face it, do you honestly believe Manning is going to put the ball in a position to let Ray Lewis make a big-play? I don’t think so!

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