With training camps now opening across the land (Nice to see the Birds back in action, LOL), I guess now is as good as time as any to start discussing player touts, position battles, and the like.

If you have questions about what to do with keeper/dynasty IDP's please keep those in the Asst. Coach Forum, we'll try and keep this thread about general player discussion.

I'll kick things off with a guy who, up until week 4 of last year, was one of the best MLB's around, but got his season derailed due to injury.....EJ Henderson of Minnesota.

He was 100% recovered by spring and was reported to be in good shape when OTA's started. He was turning into a reliable, every-week producer heading into last year with 100 stops, sacks and a few PD's mixed in with FumForces, and his lack of numbers will almost certainly lead him to fly under a lot of people's radars.

He's a potential LB1 that you may be able to get in drafts as a LB2 or even LB3. Draft with confidence.

With hitting starting tomorrow at Eagles camp, here's the two position battles to watch out for......

Weak-Side Linebacker: Omar Gaither vs. Akeem Jordan

Gaither was the starter heading into last year, and after collecting at least 7 combined tackles during weeks 3 to 6, he looked like he might be a stealthy play for the remainder of the year. Unfortunately, he demonstrated little in terms of making plays and was ultimately considered so much of a liability in pass coverage that he was demoted during the week of the infamous Baltimore game in favor of the faster Jordan. Jordan had 10 tackles in that game (8/2), and finished off the regular season with an 11-tackle (10/1) effort vs. Dallas. He was much quieter in the post-season and didn't force any turnovers or record a sack, opening the door for Gaither to reclaim his job this summer.

Jordan enters camp as the incumbent, and while Gaither has the experience and better overall stats, his versatility makes him a good bet to stay in reserve, with Jordan getting the opening week nod.

Free/Second Safety: Quintin Demps vs. Sean Jones

In case your address is 1 Under A Rock Place, last year's starter and fan favorite, Brian Dawkins, now wears orange and blue, meaning that for the first time since the mid-90's, there will be a new FS in town. Demps shown brightly on ST last year, collecting over 1000 KR yards and a score. He did get reps on passing downs, which ultimately led to him being on the field for the Philly Special in the NFC-C game. Like Jordan, his high-tackle game of '08 came in the final vs. Dallas when he had 4. Jones was one of the top safeties in the league before suffering an injury that caused him to miss much of the early '08 season. He enters '09 approaching 300 career tackles and with 14 career picks under his belt. He's made his mark as a Strong Safety, which would theoretically put him behind the incumbent, Quintin Mikell, but in the Eagles' system, there is less of a distinction between Free and Strong. Therefore, Jones starting is a workable situation.

Demps has the leg up in that he's got a year of the scheme under his belt, which is not expected to change with Sean McDermott now in charge. That being said, Jones has the resume and incentive, as he only signed a 1-year deal with the Eagles. My money is on Jones to emerge as the starter, and will be a solid fantasy option at DB.

I am keeping my eye on three DB's, to see if they will retain their return duties as well. I have 2 leagues now that return yardage is in play.

Danieal Manning, Leodis McKelvin and Josh Wilson.

LBs
Patrick Willis
Jon Beason
James Harrison
Kirk Morrison
Ray Lewis
London Fletcher


DBs
Gibril Wilson
Oshiomogho Atogwe
Bernard Pollard
Cedric Griffin


DLs
Justin Tuck
Trent Cole
Jared Allen
Mario Williams
Aaron Kampman
Adewale Ogunleye

Horrible list....linebackers aren't bad though.

LB: P.Willis, D.Ware, J.Beason, D.Ryans, B.Ruud, K.Dansby, J.Harrison
DB: G.Wilson, A.Winfield, J.Bell, C.Gamble, E.Weddle. A.Wilson (ARI)
DL: J.Peppers, J.Allen, M.Williams, J.Tuck, T.Suggs, T.Cole

Just my opinion though.

Brandon Merriweather played at a high level in the second half and will continue to improve. He's not afraid to get dirty and that lead to nice scoring efforts for IDP leagues last year.

Eagles fast-rising MLB Stewart Bradley left last night's practice session with an apparent knee injury. An MRI will be done today, and according to KYW1060, trainers looked concerned.

Also, CB/KR Ellis Hobbs left with a stinger and will also get an MRI today.

So glad to see this thread up again since im still somewhat new to IDP's (3rd year doimg them this year) so I'll need all the help i can get. lol

Howard Eskin from WIP in Philly is saying that Bradley is out for the year with a torn ACL....still waiting on confirmation from the Birds.

Omar Gaither goes from a position battle at WLB to the starter at MLB.

Man, this defense keeps gettin hit. First Dawkins leaves, then JJ passes away (R.I.P.), and now Bradley goes down for the year.

Poor Bradley, he was up to a great season and he looked like one of the best rising MLBs of the league last year. If this injury will keep him out for the whole season, what future do you see for him? Can he come back and still be the starting MLB and anchor of their D for the 2010 season and on?

The silver lining in this for him is that the injury occurred so early in the process that even though he's lost his '09 season, he'll have plenty of time to get ready for 2010. That should allow him to come back at least a little closer to where he was at the end of '08, than if he had hurt the knee in November.

Technically speaking, Joe Mays is next on the depth chart at MLB, but Omar Gaither is the guy with game experience. I don't think either one of them is so good that they'll keep Bradley from reclaiming his starting role, even if Bradley isn't all the way back.

So does Gaither become a solid IDP option now?

Well, he had 100 tackles, a pick and 8 PD's as a starter in '07, so he's shown he can at least be a viable option. This isn't Barry Gardner replacing Jeremiah Trotter.....

He isn't going to get sacks, and isn't a true playmaker, so I'd say that he's someone to monitor as a LB3 or bye-week fill-in.

Stephen Tulloch will start off the season as the Titans MLB, he lead the team in tackles in the last 5 games of the season and with Albert Haynesworth no longer in front of him I'm expecting those tackle numbers to rise, I've picked him up on a couple of teams and am very hopeful he can break through to the top level of IDP linebackers.

FWIW, Joe Mays apparently had a good day today, and the Eagles have signed former Charger Matt Wilhelm as insurance.

I read this as them being interested in keeping Gaither as the utility 'backer, at least for now.

Where do you guys rank DJ Williams this year with the LBs??

It always seems that league's that feature IDP's Linebackers are usally the point dominated position. So, I would grab The Willis, Wares and Beason's before the DB Elites (Ed Reed, ETC).

I think Shawne Merriman is flying under the radar in most drafts because of his injury last season. He's back to being a 100% according to sites and his drive has intensified. I would watch for Merriman to break out to the top 5 of IDP players in 2009.

Also, Jarod Mayo. IDP GOLD!

bump

Often, the LB's playing behind the great DT's get more tackles. What happens, is the great DT takes up and extra blocker, effectively freeing-up the LB to get an easier shot at the runner.

Just thought I'd share my draft results from my draft yesterday. 14 team league. These are all the starters.

LB Lance Briggs
LB London Fletcher
DT Jason Jones
DE Gaines Adams
S Eric Weddle
S Brandon Meriweather
CB Aqib Talib
CB Brandon McDonald

What does everyone think of Laurinaitis as compared with Willis, Beason, and Ryans coming out of school?

I'm wondering what his chances are of putting up elite #'s.

All those guys finished top 10 overall in IDP their rookie years. Can't say that I feel Laurinaitis will accomplish that, but I'd put him in the top 20 for sure.

Im watching the PIT-WAS replay game on NFL Network, and it sounds like Brian Orakpo is gonna be huge this year. I loved this guy going into the NFL draft, and I think he will have a very nice rookie season. He has a nice combination of Speed and Power. The guy is very very strong, and he will be blitzing alot as a DE/OLB.

He will be nothing short of a beast. He's 6'4" 260lbs, runs a 4.6 40yd, has a 40+ in. vertical, benches 515, squats 600 AND he's going to be playing next to Haynesworth. He's a good keeper

What do you guys think about Chris Long this year? Hes going into his 2nd year, maybe a possible breakout candidate?

Actually he won't always be playing beside Haynesworth. He's playing Hybrid/SLB. I've been busy with so many little and big things going but from what I can find and what I have seen he is going to stay in on 3rd downs. (Considering the duties of an SLB on Passing Downs and Orakpo's strengths that's no surprise. But sometimes rookie LBs don't get to stay on the field for 3rd down.)

One note: The hybrid role can be tricky for a rookie. You add responsibilities and more often than not play with one less hand on the ground. It took DeMarcus Ware a season or two to really get the feel for it.

If you play in a mandatory DL league and he gets designated as one he should be one great IDP commodity.

I jumped all over London Fletcher now that he has Albert in "front" of him and Brian Orakpo alongside of him.

is Keith Rivers completely recovered ?
And how does Dhani Jones affect his tackles ?

Last year, Rivers was doing really well for a rookie, but then got hurt...

Glad to see you back TMAN....look forward to your IDP insight once again this year. Hope all is well buddy

TitaniumMan (or anyone that knows)....which DBs will get good tackle numbers and will return kicks? Anyone??

In SF, if safety Dashon Goldson can stay healthy, watch out. Great sleeper.

Patrick Kerney, what you guys think he's got left this season?

if he doesn't get injured I really like him

Right, what i meant was "along with"

Follow the skins like it's my J-O-B. "With the addition" of Haynesworth, that will free up the whole line. He'll get double teamed, and if not he's still got quite the freaky explosiveness for a 350 lb DT.

Your take on Orakpo and the mandatory DL league is true, since he is listed as a DE

Titanium man
Think David harris will have a great year with new coach and Bart Scott next to him or do you like Bart scott better?

I'm targeting Josh Wilson(again) and Leodis McKelvin(again)

I'd swap out Wilson for Daniel Manning (Chi). I don't think Wilson will be returning anymore for Sea. Based on the research I've done, it looks like the only IDPs that start and return kicks are currently McKelvin and Manning.

As of right now Trufant is on the preseason PUP list and Wilson is penciled in to start at CB and return kickoffs. If Trufant goes on the regular season PUP list it means he will miss at least the first 6 games. I agree with Manning and McKelvin. I've got it: Wilson, McKelvin, Manning as of right now.

http://www.seahawks.com/team/depth-chart.html

I'll take Harris over Scott. Harris should be able to tally a solid 80-85 ST and I like the peripheral work that Ryan has him doing. He is going to play more aggressively, and while we preach sticking to the consistent high-tackle LBs because PD/INT, FF/FR and Sacks fluctuate I will always stake a claim to an MLB with a solid base tackle figure who has the potential to finish the season with 8+ Sacks and other positive peripheral contributions. Proceed with a consistent acceptable base, get rewarded with extra effort- that's a winning, if unglamorous, strategy.

Thanks for the update - good to know. For those IDP + KR/PR leaguers out there, this is definitely a situation to watch closely, as Wilson was an absolute beast last year in this format.

Too bad he's toast in the backfield.
McKelvin was misjudged as a Cover Corner (a point I made last season) but Josh Wilson is pretty lost at the NFL level right now.

However as is often the case he should be a decent source of " 'Picked On' Points" while he has a CB gig and it's possible he can develop his coverage skills and actually manage to keep a job. After all, Marcus Trufant did.

That's really the irony of CB IDPs, isn't it. You want CBs that are good enough to be on the field, but bad enough to be thrown at all game. At no other position is real-world talent so inversely related to fantasy value. All part of the fun of IDP.

You mentioned McKelvin - he fits that bill, right? Everything I've seen indicates CB2 status - he'll be out there with McGee.

What is your guys thoughts on Cullen Jenkins and Kampman from Green Bay?

Kampman was converted from DE in a 4-3 to a OLB in a 3-4. His value takes a tremendous hit, as his sack numbers will drop and won't be made up with many more tackles. You can do a lot better with your LB slot.

Being in an IDP league and remembering a solid thread from last year and being unable to find one past the Bench Coach Forum thread, does anyone wish to help me start up a new one?

TiMan, I remember you having a nice write-up from last year - if anyone can find that it'd be appreciated.

Can anyone help rank the IDP players (DB's) that also will be returning kicks this year?

What are people's thoughts on Chris Harris, the Panther's safety?

Here's the net result of all that's transpired over the last several weeks, since I named Gaither and Jones the winners:

Joe Mays got the first shot, and while displaying solid tackling sills, he proved to be weak in coverage.  He's since gotten hurt, and is Out for Sunday.  Gaither is now the starting MLB, but is only a decent bye fill-in, IMO....he'll get some tackles, but isn't a playmaker.

Jones, while possessing the resume, has failed to emerge, and while Demps is still a good return man, he failed to show he could handle the starting gig.  Enter: rookie Macho Harris

Harris is capable in coverage and a solid tackler.  He was initially expected to see most of his time on ST, but he's someone to watch, especially if you're in a Yahoo-hosted CB/S specific league.  He's currently designated as a Corner, but will soon earn double-eligibility.

LB Zac Diles is going to be starting at strong side for Houston, and Houston faces primarily running teams for the first several games of the season (jets, titans, jags, raiders) Seems to me like a great pick up, since he's virtually unowned and was racking up stats last year before the injury.