2012 IDP Report Week 15

Posted by Ivar G. Anderson on 12/12/2012 | 0 Comments

Tags: IDP, Fantasy Alarm, NFL, Linebackers, Defensive Linesmen, Defensive Backs, LB, DL, DE, DT, DB, S, CB, Defensive Ends, Defenisve Tackles, Cornerbacks, Safeties, Ray Lewis, Anthony Spencer, Michael Bennett, Michael Brockers, Stevie Brown, Vontae Davis

By now, you are either playing for the championship, or in a consolation round hoping for the best possible finish, potentially still in the money depending on your league.  If your IDP lineup is a bit battered and torn, it's time to turn to the waiver wire for that last little bit of assistance to get over the hump.  That's why this article exists, and below I've set forth some decent options for the next couple of weeks.

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Elevator Going Up

Linebackers

Ray Lewis BAL

Anthony Spencer DAL

Quentin Grove ARI

Word coming out mid week is that Ray Lewis will be playing in Week 15.  Given the banged up state of the Ravens' defensive unit, that will be good news for Baltimore fans.  He will want to shake off any rust before playoffs, so expect him to go full tilt if he plays (take a gander at his photo above to see how happy everyone in Charm City will be if he returns).  Spencer put up another 2 sacks last week, and is proving to have been a valuable signing this past off-season.  He's also been a tackle machine, as teams seek to isolate DeMarcus Ware and limit the effectiveness of the former sack leader of the Cowboys.  Grove has been totaling nice tackle numbers, as well as putting up sacks to bolster his value.  Not enamored with the Cardinals offense, but the D still has key members for your IDP roster, and Grove is prolly available on the wire.

Defensive Linemen

Cameron Wake DE MIA

Michael Bennett DE TB

Frostee Rucker DE CLE

Carlos Dunlap DE CIN

Jason Babin DE JAX

Michael Brockers DT StL

Many options here at DL this week.  Wake has been mentioned here before, but he still is worth a roster add if available.  Having 14 sacks on the year, however, may mean you have to watch your opponent start him against you.  Bennett has been steadily making his mark in the IDP world this season, and while I added him weeks ago after cutting Babin (mistake on my part), Tuck and Cole, you may still be able to profit from his production.  I love Frostee's name, especially now as all the animated Christmas specials hit the airwaves.  Rucker should have a nice game vs the Redskins, whether RGIII starts or not.  Dunlop has been mentioned previously, but with the Cincy D starting to shine, he's well worth a waiver claim.  He's the hottest DL on the Bengals, and available in many leagues, so go ahead, replace that disappointing DE with someone that can give you production in tackles and a potential sack or two.  I was wrong in discounting Babin simply because the Eagles cut him loose.  The move to sunny Jacksonville has revitalized him, and his production has returned to previous levels.  If someone in your league was as stupid as me and cut him, snatch him up now.  Brockers is a nice option if you play in a DT mandatory league, and actually worthy of a simple DL slot with his sack potential.

Defensive Backs

Stevie Brown S NYG

Vontae Davis CB IND

Brown continues to glow bright for the Giants, flying around the field and making plays, some of them huge.  If you can grab him, do so now.  Stop reading and go check out your league's free agent list.  When you get back, then go see if Davis is available, especially with the number of solo tackles he's been racking up the past couple of weeks, not to mention the sack and PD he posted last week.

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Escalator Going Down

Linebackers

Aside from injured players, who are listed below, I cannot really point a finger at any LB you might consider or already have rostered.

Defensive Linemen

Matt Shaughnessy DE OAK

Trent Cole DE PHI

Elvis Dumervil DE DEN

Shaughnessy has been a steady and solid disappointment this season.  1 solo last week with a total of 23 on the season to go with a meager 3.5 sacks is reason enough to dump his sorry butt.  Speaking of sorry, am I ever ruing the day I grabbed Cole as my top DL.  Get him off your roster ASAP and pick up one of the guys I talked up about 5 inches or so above.  Dumervil is still the same player he was last season, but I see teams opting to isolate him and keep him away from the ball.  Until his line mates step it up and force offenses to target them as well, he is a hit and miss player at best.  If you have the bench room, hold him, but if you are pressed for roster space, drop him instead of taking the miserly point totals he's been providing on a weekly basis.

Defensive Backs

Ryan Clark S PIT

Brandon Browner CB SEA

Clark is suffering due to the return of Troy Polamalu.  I don't see things turning around unless Polamalu goes down with an injury again.  Browner dropped his appeal and is out for the next 4 weeks on his PED suspension.  Feel free to drop him except in keeper leagues.

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Ouch (My Aching Roster)

All the injury reports below need to be evaluated at kickoff.  Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time.  The list below is intended as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.

Linebackers

Jameel McClain BAL (knee)

Koa Misi MIA (ankle)

James Anderson CAR (back)

Defensive Linemen

Michael Johnson DE CIN (toe)

Henry Melton DT CHI (shoulder)

Defensive Backs

Aqib Talib CB NE (hip)

As ever, good luck and godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory.  If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, I can be reached at ia@fantasyalarm.com.

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