ALL FANTASY DEFENSIVE TEAM

January 3, 2006 1:00 PM ET

More and more fantasy leagues are making the leap to the other side of the ball and incorporating individual defensive players (IDP) into their scoring system. As long-time proponents of the dark side of fantasy football, we're more than happy to throw a little love their way. As such, here's our salute to the studs on the other side of the ball: our 2005 All-Fantasy IDP Team.

Note: Because there are almost as many ways to score IDP leagues are there are NFL coaches looking for work, we've attempted to address as many statistical categories as possible when constructing this squad.

Defensive Line
Jason Taylor, Dolphins: Not only did Taylor post outstanding numbers across the board—a dozen sacks, 52 solo tackles, 23 assists, three forced fumbles, two recoveries, a touchdown, a safety, and 10 passes defended—he did so playing the final two months on a torn plantar fascia in his right foot. There's a reason he was the most-owned, most-started defensive lineman in leagues using our commissioner software: because he's the best.

Derrick Burgess, Raiders: Oakland's big-ticket free agent signing—on the defensive side of the ball, at least—paid immediate dividends. Picking up where he left off after earning Defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts in last year's NFC title game as an Eagle, Burgess rolled to the NFL sack title with 16. He also mixed in 52 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two recoveries for good measure.

Osi Umenyiora, Giants: Just when IDP folks figured out how to say Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, along comes another mouthful of a defensive end. Playing down the line from Michael Strahan has its privileges, as Umenyiora actually outperformed his better-known teammate in several statistical categories—including sacks, in which he finished with 14.5, second only to the aforementioned Burgess. Usi also kicked in four forced fumbles, a pair of recoveries, and 70 combined tackles.

Michael Strahan, Giants: The NFL sends plenty of players to Hawaii based solely on reputation, but that's not how Strahan claimed this spot. Mike finished second (Orpheus Roye) among defensive linemen in tackles with 82 (61 solo), forced and recovered a fumble, and returned to his annual double-digit sack output (after recording just four during last year's injury-marred campaign) with 11.5.

Honorable mention: Jared Allen, Chiefs (11 sacks, six forced fumbles); Simeon Rice, Buccaneers (14 sacks, six forced fumbles); Robert Mathis, Colts (11 sacks, eight forced fumbles); Orpheus Roye, Browns (88 tackles (65 solo), five sacks); Dwight Freeney, Colts (10.5 sacks, six forced fumbles); Kyle Vanden Bosch, Titans (12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles).

Linebackers
Adalius Thomas, Ravens: Thomas isn't the classic Ray Lewis-type linebacker, but he does have that Baltimore knack for making plays. Thomas allegedly lined up at all 11 positions on defense this season; while that may be stretching it just a tad, he is indeed ber-versatile and capable of filling every column of the defensive stat sheet. He scored three touchdowns, forced four fumbles, recovered three, picked off two passes, recorded nine sacks, and was credited with 86 tackles (71 solo).

Jonathan Vilma, Jets: You want tackles? We've got the NFL leader in tackles right here in Vilma, who made 128 solo stops and helped on 45 others. He also forced for fumbles, recovered one, picked off a pass, knocked down six others, and generally held the Jets defense together.

Mike Peterson, Jaguars: It hasn't exactly been all smooth sailing for Peterson this season—he's played through bruised ribs, a garage at his house burned down causing $500,000 in damage, several teams have called him out as a "dirty" player, and he suffered what appears to be a significant wrist injury in the season finale that puts his status for the playoffs in jeopardy—yet Mike has persevered to put up solid numbers across the board. Peterson did a little bit of everything, with six sacks, six passes defended, three picks (one returned for a touchdown), two forced fumbles, one recovery, and 132 tackles (95 solo).

Odell Thurman, Bengals: Marvin Lewis hit a home run when he grabbed Thurman in the second round of last April's draft. It didn't take long before Lewis was dropped into the middle of Cincy's rejuvenated defense, and he contributed five interceptions (one brought back for a score), five forced fumbles, and 105 combo tackles to the cause. Odell should run away with the AFC defensive rookie of the year honors and push Lofi Tatupu for league-wide honors.

Honorable mention: Keith Bulluck, Titans (138 combo tackles, five sacks, 10 passes defended, two picks); Cato June, Colts (five picks, two returned for touchdowns); Joey Porter, Steelers (11 sacks, two picks, four forced fumbles); Donnie Edwards, Chargers (154 combo tackles, 11 passes defended, two picks); Zach Thomas, Dolphins (162 combo tackles, four forced fumbles); Nick Barnett, Packers (139 tackles, three forced fumbles, one touchdown); Karlos Dansby, Cardinals (three picks, two touchdowns, two fumble recoveries); London Fletcher, Bills (158 combo tackles, two fumble recoveries).

Defensive Backs
Darren Sharper, Packers: Sharper took an interception 88 yards for a touchdown in the season opener, paying immediate dividends for the Vikings after they signed him away from division rival Green Bay. Despite missing a couple games due to injury, Sharper recorded a career-best nine picks and took two of them the distance.

Champ Bailey, Broncos: Teams generally tried to avoid Champ's side of the field, but even so Bailey still found himself around the ball enough to record eight interceptions and return two for touchdowns. He also defended 23 passes, third-best in the league and not too shabby for someone opponents try to stay away from.

 

Adrian Wilson, Cardinals: The heir apparent to Rodney Harrison, Wilson led all d-backs with 109 tackles (93 solo) and set an NFL record for sacks by a defensive back with eight. He also mixed in an interception and a couple fumble recoveries for good measure. Honorable mention in the extended Wilson clan goes to the Giants' Gibril, who had a handful more tackles (114, 92 solo) and two picks but came up shy in the sacks department with just three.

Charles Tillman, Bears: Peanut was Betty Crocker this year when it came to creating turnovers; he forced four fumbles—tops among d-backs—and picked off five passes, returning one for a touchdown. He also recorded 96 tackles (85 solo) and squeezed in a sack. Tillman's presence on the team is also a nod to the entire Bears' secondary, which received top-level fantasy production from Mike Brown (72 tackles, three interceptions, one touchdown) and Nathan Vasher (eight picks, two touchdowns).

Honorable mention: Ty Law, Jets (10 interceptions, 62 tackles, one touchdown); Deltha O'Neal (10 interceptions, 65 tackles); Chris Gamble, Panthers (seven picks, one touchdown 76 tackles); Brian Dawkins, Eagles (80 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles); Sheldon Brown, Eagles (four interceptions, two touchdowns); Roy Williams, Cowboys (72 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, one touchdown, countless illegal horse-collar tackles); D'Angelo Hall, Falcons (six interceptions, one touchdown).

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