D Up: Week 12
Location, location, location.
That is what this week is all about, acquiring the perfect viewing angle for Turkey Day football. Once you enter, you have to case the joint, find the ideal seat and preserve it. Get up too often for a beer or soda and you risk losing that precious real estate. Trust me, they're watching you. Cousins, uncles, random boyfriend guy ... they want your spot. Honestly, I've let my guard down before and have been burned badly, forced to sit on a fold-up chair in the back next to the random boyfriend or, even worse, stand.
While defending your chair should be a top priority Thursday, today we must decide which defenders to start for Week 12. With the start of Thursday football, we must pay particular attention to our depth since starting rosters are locked three days earlier. For these "short" fantasy weeks, it's imperative to make sure your players are going to play, so if you're entering Thursday with some questionable injury scenarios, consider some of the names below as potential fill-in candidates.
Consider using these players if you are in immediate need of impact defenders, especially in deep leagues.
Linebackers and Linemen: David Harris has 52 tackles in his last three starts. That's a lot of tackles for a guy available in more than 80 percent of ESPN IDP (Individual Defensive Player) leagues. ... Will Witherspoon (no relation to Clarence) has been the only consistent defender for the Rams this season. After a slow start to the campaign, 'Spoon has a sack in three straight outings and a favorable schedule the next two weeks. ... It's nuttier than squirrel droppings that the AFC Pro Bowl roster will feature two Kent State Golden Flashes in Antonio Gates and James Harrison. Even crazier is that both players went undrafted. Harrison did at least play football while at Kent, unlike Gates. Harrison has gone all Terry Tate, Office Linebacker (a Reebok parody about a linebacker who "takes charge" in the office setting), on the comp lately and merits ownership in even baby-pool leagues. ... A free-agent-to-be, Karlos Dansby is adding to his bonus purse with big plays on a weekly basis. With a sweet fantasy schedule and the ultimate motivation, 'Los is a player to pursue immediately. ... Gary Brackett's thumbnail picture might not evoke thoughts of an athletic football player, but he's a true gamer on Sundays. ... Terrell Suggs is a sack specialist to covet down the stretch. ... Channing Crowder might not win many geography awards, but he did chase wild boars and alligators to become a better tackler when he was in college, which is just plain awesome. Crowder's dad, Randy, was a sixth-round pick by the Dolphins in 1974, if you needed more random info on him. Despite his recent injury issues, Crowder makes for a nice sleeper if Zach Thomas continues to sit with lingering migraine issues. ... Shaun Phillips is a vastly underrated contributor to target. ... Will Smith is regaining some fantasy street cred after a miserable start to the season and is again worthy of a starting role in 10-team leagues.
Defensive backs: Atari Bigby, who I like to call Atari 2600, is as consistent and steady as a defensive back can be thanks to his linebacker-esque tackle clip. ... Sammy Knight is having another solid season in what is shaping up to be a stellar career. Knight is the veteran presence the Jags sorely needed to replace the loss of long-time team leader Donovin Darius. ... Under the tutelage of Knight, Reggie Nelson is emerging as a top fantasy defensive back, especially in keeper formats. ... A highly-targeted corner, Kelvin Hayden has been a steady source for tackles for his few fantasy owners. ... Available in a majority of ESPN IDP leagues, both Marcus Trufant and Darrelle Revis are rare, high-tackle corners worthy of ownership in 12-team leagues. ... Not to be confused with Von Dutch or Von "Purple" Hayes, Von Hutchins has produced admirably in the depleted Houston secondary and deserves consideration in deeper leagues
Target these guys for depth with an eye on their potential to be full-fledged starters.
Linebackers and Linemen: Available in a vast majority of ESPN IDP leagues, Patrick Kerney has been going Lattimer (the crazy lineman in the movie "The Program") on the competition lately and plays an ultra-friendly fantasy playoff schedule. ... Ian Gold is notorious for running hot and cold in terms of fantasy production and right now he's hot. With a pound cake schedule over the next month, Gold and fellow Bronco 'backer D.J. Williams make for quality additions. ... Finally emerging as a defensive force after years of mediocrity, Calvin Pace is on a career-high pace in nearly every statistic. Sorry I had to. How often does a sweet pace pun present itself? ... Adalius Thomas burnt those who drafted him expecting his Baltimore production clip to continue for the Cobra Kai dojo, I mean the Patriots. Thomas has been dropped in many leagues thanks to his frigid fantasy stretch from Week 2 and beyond, but he's worth pursuing thanks to a fantasy playoff schedule stocked with feeble AFC East offenses. ... Much like Antonio Cromartie, Shaun Rogers lured fantasy managers with a recent spectacular stretch, only to post a zero in Week 11. Rogers is a nice play given the matchup, but in most cases, it's tough to trust the production of a defensive tackle.
Defensive backs: Antrel Rolle did his best Antonio Cromartie impression with a three-interception, two-touchdown effort against the perpetually reeling Bengals. Much like Cromartie, Rolle is a boom-or-bust fantasy option. Cromartie saw his ownership spike after a month-long interception and touchdown binge, only to post no stats in Week 11. To be blunt, I wouldn't start either player in these crucial final weeks because of their sporadic production. ... Brodney Pool hasn't quite lived up to the hype after a brilliant career at Oklahoma, but he's emerging as a fantasy force of late as the Browns continue their shootout-fest of a season. Pool is set to start this week, as Eric Wright is unlikely to suit up. ... Kenoy Kennedy faces some particularly pass-happy offenses in the coming weeks, which should lead to some respectable tackle numbers and the occasional pick. ... Oshiomogho Atogwe has a knack for notching fumbles and solo tackles. ... C.C. Brown is a tackle-heavy bargain to target for depth. ... Nick Harper and Cortland Finnegan are valid depth players to consider in deeper leagues.
Jim McCormick is an IDP analyst for ESPN.com Fantasy. He can be reached at jmccormick@TalentedMrRoto.com.
