FANTASY FOOTBALL DEFENSE REVIEW

Oct. 20, 2005

By: BodogNation Contributing Writer

Fantasy Football Defense Review - Choosing a Team Defense can be one of the most difficult decisions for Fantasy Football GMs. Traditionally, two schools of thought have been followed: 1. Draft a long-established powerhouse - Baltimore or Tampa Bay, for example - staying loyal to units anchored by dominant players, such as Ray Lewis and Derrick Brooks; 2. Play wild cards each week - scouring the waiver wire for defenses matched against a weak offense - and pray for turnovers from unexpected sources.

What this NFL campaign has taught us, however, is that conventional wisdom can be thrown out the window. There are anomalies across the shop. To date, we have:

- A third-year linebacker leading the league in interceptions
- The 29th-ranked defense in 2004 allowing a paltry 9.5 points per game
- A team that has not allowed a rushing TD through six weeks of action
- A team that is on pace to grab 37 INTs.

Here's a closer look at some of the more unheralded defensive units making noise this season:

Indianapolis Colts - Fantasy Football Defense Review
Secret to Their Success: LB Cato June

June, a former Michigan standout, has been a revelation for the Indy linebacking corps. Previously a special teams maven who won the Colts' starting job at ROLB in 2004, June leads the NFL in interceptions with five, and is tied for first among defensive players with two touchdowns.

June is part of a young, swarming defense that has grown under Tony Dungy. He benefits from the extra attention paid to sack specialists Robert Mathis (the NFL leader with seven) and Dwight Freeney (2004 leader, with 16). Teams often place an extra tight end on the line to block the Indy pass rush, meaning the Colts' LBs and DBs have fewer receivers to cover. The result? June often drops into spy coverage, allowing him to pick up on the quarterback's reads.

The stunning maturation of the Colts has been impressive. The Indianapolis defense ($26, Bodog Fantasy), once maligned for being the weak link on a team that features one of the league's most prolific offenses, has turned into an enticing fantasy option. The Colts are registering high totals in all key statistical categories - notably sacks and interceptions - and are tops in scoring defense, giving up a stingy 9.5 points per game. And there are no signs this unit plans on letting up.

Cincinnati Bengals - Fantasy Football Defense Review
Secrets to Their Success: CBs Deltha O'Neal and Tory James

The emergence of Cincinnati's defensive backfield has been one of this season's big stories.

When head coach Marvin Lewis took the Bengals' reins in 2003, he set forth a plan to implement the ball-hawking tactics he honed during six seasons as defensive coordinator in Baltimore. Two years later, the plan is working.

In their first two years under Lewis, the Bengals averaged 17 interceptions. Currently, they lead the league in picks with 14, and are on pace for a 37 INT year, which would break the franchise record of 34 set in 1996.

What makes this story even more remarkable are the players Lewis has built this takeaway defense around. Cornerbacks Deltha O'Neal and Tory James - castoffs from Denver and Oakland, respectively - have turned in phenomenal performances. The pair has combined for six interceptions and two fumble recoveries, solidifying a secondary that features two relatively young safeties in Madieu Williams and Kevin Kaesviharn.

Chicago Bears - Fantasy Football Defense Review
Secret to Their Success: LB Lance Briggs

It seems a tad peculiar to be celebrating a Chicago linebacker that isn't named Brian Urlacher. To date, Urlacher has enjoyed something of a renaissance season, bouncing back from an injury-plagued 2004 to challenge for the league lead in sacks (six) and tackles (43).

But the Windy City has seen the emergence of another force in the man playing to Urlacher's left - OLB Lance Briggs. Briggs is one of those do-everything types who can fill a stat sheet. He's the only Bear to register at least one sack, interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery this season.

A former all-Pac 10 standout at Arizona, Briggs has helped turn the Bears' defense into the elite run-stopping unit in the NFL. Entering Week 7, Chicago is the only team not to have allowed a rushing TD, a most impressive feat considering some of the quality running backs they've faced thus far: Clinton Portis, Kevin Jones and Rudi Johnson.

Many fantasy football players will shy away from Chicago's defense, claiming that run-stuffers do not equate into big points. Not the case. Teams are only running the ball 26 times per game against Chicago, knowing ground success will be limited. As a result, the Bears' secondary - led by big-play SS Mike Brown (he of the six career defensive TDs) - is given multiple opportunities to make plays for picks, fumbles and potential touchdown returns. They're a sneaky fantasy choice, one built around consistency as opposed to big-score potential. Not convinced? Read this: the Bears ($22) have had at least two takeaways in every game this season.

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