Welcome to Top Fantasy Football's Week 17 edition of "IDP Starts & Sits" brought to you by "The IDP Guru."
This will be the final installment of "IDP Starts & Sits" for the 2009 season. It's been a great ride and I've had a blast recommending players and answering all of your questions. FYI, I will continue to write articles during the off-season. These articles will focus on the effects of IDP free agent signings, changes in defensive schemes, IDP rookies and their potential fantasy impact, etc. As always, feel free to contact me anytime with any questions you may have and thanks for all your support!
Most leagues are over with and the league championship has already been decided. But, for you owners who are in 17 week leagues, I'm here for you with some great IDP Start/Sit advice.
But before I get started with my recommendations, here is something I stumbled upon when doing my research for today. If you like to laugh, it's definitely worth a look: Congresswoman Corrine Brown - Go Gata (With Subtitles).
Anyways, here are my IDP Waiver Wire recommendations for Week 17:
Starts
*The IDP Guru's Start of the Week*
MLB Stephen Tulloch - Tulloch has been one of the most consistent tackling fantasy linebackers in the league this year. And with both starting WLB Keith Bulluck and SLB David Thornton out for the year, Tulloch has little competition for tackles. He has the Seahawks this week who have surprisingly given up the second most fantasy points to opposing linebackers over the last 7 weeks. Tulloch is a must-start this week.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Every Week Starters:
Jared Allen
Julius Peppers
Elvis Dumervil
Justin Tuck
Trent Cole
Mario Williams
Robert Mathis - INJURED (OUT)
Andre Carter
Dwight Freeney - WATCH PLAYING STATUS
Will Smith
Brian Orakpo
1. LDE Mathias Kiwanuka -With Osi Umenyiora being regulated to playing only in third- down passing situations, Kiwanuka has become the Giants starting LDE. In those two games in which he's started, he's posted 13 total tackles (11 solo) and he should be able to post some nice tackle numbers this week against Adrian Peterson and the Vikings.
2. LDE Calais Campbell - Campbell has been a solid DL3 this year and slightly upgrades to a DL2 this week against the Packers, who have done a much better job of protecting the quarterback the last six to eight weeks, but are still susceptible to giving up sacks.
3. RDE Vonnie Holliday - Holliday has quietly registered three sacks in his last four games and he has a nice matchup this week against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have one of the worst pass-blocking offensive lines in the league. I can see Holliday having a couple of solo tackles and a sack this week.
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 - WATCH PLAYING STATUS
Paul Posluszny
Jonathan Vilma
1. MLB Jasper Brinkley - Rookie Jasper Brinkley has played well since taking over for the injured MLB EJ Henderson two weeks ago (click here to see how Henderson was injured). From the games I've watched, Brinkley seems to be around the ball quite a bit. He has a very good matchup versus the Giants this week and should be a great end of the season filler.
2. LILB James Farrior - Compared to his fantasy production last year, Farrior is having somewhat of an off-year. However, he provides good value this week because of his matchup against the Dolphins. Inside linebackers tend to put up great fantasy numbers against Miami and Farrior is the Steelers most consistent tackler. He should be a safe play for 7-9 total tackles this week.
3. WLB Geno Hayes - Hayes has really started to come into his own the last few weeks of the season. He's registered a sack in each of the last two games and is starting to put up some nice tackle numbers. His matchup against the Falcons isn't a good one, but the last time he played them he went 9-0-0. I have a gut feeling Hayes may reproduce a similar stat line this week. If you're feeling a little risky, Hayes could be a great play.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Every Week Starters:
Eric Weddle - INJURED (QUESTIONABLE)
Charles Woodson
Troy Polamalu - INJURED (QUESTIONABLE)
Darren Sharper
Tyvon Branch
Antoine Bethea - WATCH PLAYING STATUS
Yeremiah Bell
Oshiomogho Atogwe - INJURED (PLACED ON IR 12/9)
Dashon Goldson
Bernard Pollard
Bryan Scott - INJURED (OUT)
Brian Dawkins
1. SS Mike Brown - I recommended Mike "Michelle" Brown last week and he really came through (13 total tackles). He has a fantastic matchup against the division rival Denver Broncos this week. I'm expecting another great game with Brown this week.
2. SS Chinedum "Nedu" Ndukwe - I expect a big game out of Ndukwe this week. He has a fantastic matchup against the Jets. This is a must-win game for the Jets and, with that being said, they are going to run the ball a ton with Thomas Jones. The Bengals will put 8 in the box (including Ndukwe) to stop him and force pretty boy Sanchez to actually make a play.
3. RCB Ronde Barber - Barber is having a pretty quiet year due to his lack of interceptions (zero). However, his tackles numbers are actually up slightly this year and he has a great matchup against Roddy White and the Falcons. I can see Barber producing some decent tackles numbers this week. If you have a good lead in your league and are looking to play it safe, Barber is a good play. He hasn't had less than 4 solo tackles since Week 7.
Sits
*The IDP Guru's Sit of the Week*
MLB DeAndre Levy - With Larry Foote possibly out for another game, Levy may once again slide into the starting MLB position. With that being said, I would typically recommend him. However, he's facing the Bears this week who have given up the second least fantasy points to opposing linebackers the last seven weeks. Levy is a great dynasty pick but I would sit him this week.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
1. LDE Chris Kelsay - Kelsay has put up respectable numbers this season. But, I just don't like the matchup against the Colts. Even with Curtis Painter under center, the Colts do an extremely good job of protecting the passer. Kelsay may have a difficult time getting to the quarterback this week.
2. RDE Greg Ellis - Ellis has managed 7 sacks this year even though he's been hobbled by injuries for a majority of the season. He finally seems to be healthy, but the matchup this week against the Ravens is piss poor. I wouldn't start Ellis this week.
LINEBACKERS
1. Nic Harris - Many people will be jumping on the waiver wire to pick up Harris after his 12 tackle performance last week filling in for WLB Bryan Scott. I think that given the right matchup, Harris could be a great pickup. However, the Colts are the absolute worst matchup an opposing fantasy linebacker can have. Be aware of falling into this potential trap!
2. WLB A.J. Hawk - Hawk has performed well this year from a strict football standpoint (he was just named as a NFC Pro Bowl alternate). However, his fantasy numbers have slowly been declining every year. He's just not as productive, fantasy-wise, as he use to be. And his matchup against the Cardinals is not a good one.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
1. SS Dawan Landry - Landry has performed fairly well this year. He's posted 82 total tackles along with 4 INTs. However, I wouldn't really recommend any safeties who are playing Oakland. The Raiders just don't control the ball enough and, when they do, they have a difficult time getting into the secondary. Leave Landry on your bench this week.
2. SS Adrian "Big Name" Wilson - Remember when Adrian Wilson use to be, hands-down, the best fantasy DB in the game? Well, I do. In 2005, he had 109 total tackles, 8 sacks, 1 INT, and 9 PDs. He was a beast to say the least. However, after a defensive scheme change, Wilson's fantasy production has been greatly reduced. He has had a slight resurgence the last 7 games and consequently many people are playing Wilson as the DB1 he used to be four years ago. Don't be fooled by the recent production and the big name. Wilson is still a DB2 at very best and he has a horrible matchup this week against the Packers. I would be somewhat apprehensive about starting Mr. Wilson this week.
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)
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