Tatonka
06-25-2003, 06:20 PM
http://footballguys.com/culcasi_idpafceast.htm
Buffalo Bills
Defensive Linemen:
Aaron Schobel has shown good pass rush ability over his first two seasons and will start on the right end. A former 2nd round pick, he's posted 15 sacks with 68 solo tackles while playing in all 32 games of his career, starting 27. On the left side, there are a couple of possibilities. The current starter is listed as Ryan Denney, a 2nd round pick in 2002. Denney was a disappointment last year as a rookie playing in only eight games, starting none, and recording only seven tackles while making the inactive list six times. He's got to have a very strong offseason in order to hold onto this starting gig. The Bills are hopeful that Marcus Jones, who was signed late last year, will recover from last years preseason knee injury and start at left end. Jones is a proven pass rusher with a 13 sack season under his belt (2000), so his health is crucial. Two others will battle for playing time and likely add depth to the defensive end rotation. Free-agent signee Keith McKenzie has battled injuries over the last two seasons, playing in a combined 15 games for the Browns, Bears and Packers, but he had a fantastic season in 2000 with the Browns (51 solo tackles, eight sacks) and will look to restart his career in Buffalo. Chris Kelsay was a 2nd round pick this year and is viewed as a high potential project. With the health and performance concerns along the line in Buffalo, we may see a lot more of Kelsay this year than expected. At tackle, the Bills line up what is likely the best combo in the league with Pat Williams and Sam Adams. Not much for stats, Adams has averaged 21 solo tackles and two sacks over the last three seasons, but he's very good in his role of eating space and disrupting plays. Williams, on the other hand, is one of the top producing tackles in the game with an average of 54 solo tackles over the last two seasons. While he's only tallied 10.5 sacks during his five year career, the addition of Adams will have him working towards a career high (which stands at 3.5).
Linebackers:
The Bills have one returning starter at linebacker, and he's a good one. Middle linebacker London Fletcher has averaged 102 solo tackles over the last three seasons, a number good for fifth in the league. He's also averaged 4.5 sacks and two interceptions, making him one of the most complete fantasy 'backers in the game. Takeo Spikes signed as a restricted free-agent from Cincinnati and will start on the weak side. He's recorded over 100 total tackles in each of his five NFL seasons and teams with Fletcher to form the best duo in the league. Jeff Posey was signed as an unrestricted free agent to start on the strong side. A converted defensive end, his strength is point of attack, but he's also a proven pass rusher who recorded eight sacks last year with Houston. The new trio is a definite improvement over last years group and should help them improve over their 15th ranked team defense of last year. Depth on the inside is provided by Brandon Spoon while DeShon Polk and rookie Angelo Crowell will be the top backups outside.
Defensive Backs:
Strong safety Coy Wire had a fantastic rookie season, finishing with 72 solo tackles and three sacks, but he's a converted linebacker who needs to work on his coverage ability. Veteran Chad Cota was signed as a backup/mentor during the offseason, but he later decided to retire, leaving Tony Driver as Wire's primary backup. Five year vet Izell Reese is a free-agent signee who will push last years starter, Pierson Prioleau, for the starting job. Like Wire, Prioleau is stronger in run support than pass coverage, but it looks like that may cost Prioleau his job. Outside, the Bills have a pair of lockdown corners in Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements. Winfield is forced to make up for his lack of size (5'9 180) with speed, smarts, and an understanding of the position. He's averaged 63 solo tackles of the last two seasons, but only has five interceptions during his four year career. Clements has it all, nice size (5'11 204) to go along with a stud-like statline. Over his first two seasons he's averaged 55 solo tackles and 4.5 interceptions. Nickel back Chris Watson signed with the Lions over the offseason, leaving Kevin Thomas and newly signed Dainon Sidney to battle for the number three spot.
Fantasy Outlook:
On the line, Aaron Schobel has proven to be consistent, if nothing else. Worst case, he should end up in the 35-40 range for defensive linemen, with a chance to improve on that if someone steps up across the line and offers protection. What impact will Sam Adams have on this defense? Both he and Pat Williams have looked good in camp and we may see Williams on top of the quarterback more this season. Both Fletcher and Spikes are studs. Spikes is the big name and likely a top 15 linebacker. While keeping his streak of 100 tackle seasons alive, he should approach a career high in sacks (six). Fletcher is consistent and often overlooked. If he's not drafted within the top five linebackers, he has to be considered a value pick. Posey is a lower tier player because of his tackle numbers, but his ability to get to the quarterback is usually worth a roster spot. Coy Wire looks like one of the top tackling safeties in the league and, in systems that score accordingly, he could approach the top five. Worst case, he'll end up in the 20-25 range for DBs. Whoever wins the starting free-safety job will have some value, but it looks like a position to avoid until the Bills clear it up. At corner, Winfield and Clements are two of the better tackle producers at their position. Clements rounds out his game and is a viable fantasy starter as a top 50 defensive back, top 10 cornerback. Winfield isn't involved enough in interceptions and passes defended to boost his value, but the tackles make him a nice fill-in player for larger leagues.
Buffalo Bills
Defensive Linemen:
Aaron Schobel has shown good pass rush ability over his first two seasons and will start on the right end. A former 2nd round pick, he's posted 15 sacks with 68 solo tackles while playing in all 32 games of his career, starting 27. On the left side, there are a couple of possibilities. The current starter is listed as Ryan Denney, a 2nd round pick in 2002. Denney was a disappointment last year as a rookie playing in only eight games, starting none, and recording only seven tackles while making the inactive list six times. He's got to have a very strong offseason in order to hold onto this starting gig. The Bills are hopeful that Marcus Jones, who was signed late last year, will recover from last years preseason knee injury and start at left end. Jones is a proven pass rusher with a 13 sack season under his belt (2000), so his health is crucial. Two others will battle for playing time and likely add depth to the defensive end rotation. Free-agent signee Keith McKenzie has battled injuries over the last two seasons, playing in a combined 15 games for the Browns, Bears and Packers, but he had a fantastic season in 2000 with the Browns (51 solo tackles, eight sacks) and will look to restart his career in Buffalo. Chris Kelsay was a 2nd round pick this year and is viewed as a high potential project. With the health and performance concerns along the line in Buffalo, we may see a lot more of Kelsay this year than expected. At tackle, the Bills line up what is likely the best combo in the league with Pat Williams and Sam Adams. Not much for stats, Adams has averaged 21 solo tackles and two sacks over the last three seasons, but he's very good in his role of eating space and disrupting plays. Williams, on the other hand, is one of the top producing tackles in the game with an average of 54 solo tackles over the last two seasons. While he's only tallied 10.5 sacks during his five year career, the addition of Adams will have him working towards a career high (which stands at 3.5).
Linebackers:
The Bills have one returning starter at linebacker, and he's a good one. Middle linebacker London Fletcher has averaged 102 solo tackles over the last three seasons, a number good for fifth in the league. He's also averaged 4.5 sacks and two interceptions, making him one of the most complete fantasy 'backers in the game. Takeo Spikes signed as a restricted free-agent from Cincinnati and will start on the weak side. He's recorded over 100 total tackles in each of his five NFL seasons and teams with Fletcher to form the best duo in the league. Jeff Posey was signed as an unrestricted free agent to start on the strong side. A converted defensive end, his strength is point of attack, but he's also a proven pass rusher who recorded eight sacks last year with Houston. The new trio is a definite improvement over last years group and should help them improve over their 15th ranked team defense of last year. Depth on the inside is provided by Brandon Spoon while DeShon Polk and rookie Angelo Crowell will be the top backups outside.
Defensive Backs:
Strong safety Coy Wire had a fantastic rookie season, finishing with 72 solo tackles and three sacks, but he's a converted linebacker who needs to work on his coverage ability. Veteran Chad Cota was signed as a backup/mentor during the offseason, but he later decided to retire, leaving Tony Driver as Wire's primary backup. Five year vet Izell Reese is a free-agent signee who will push last years starter, Pierson Prioleau, for the starting job. Like Wire, Prioleau is stronger in run support than pass coverage, but it looks like that may cost Prioleau his job. Outside, the Bills have a pair of lockdown corners in Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements. Winfield is forced to make up for his lack of size (5'9 180) with speed, smarts, and an understanding of the position. He's averaged 63 solo tackles of the last two seasons, but only has five interceptions during his four year career. Clements has it all, nice size (5'11 204) to go along with a stud-like statline. Over his first two seasons he's averaged 55 solo tackles and 4.5 interceptions. Nickel back Chris Watson signed with the Lions over the offseason, leaving Kevin Thomas and newly signed Dainon Sidney to battle for the number three spot.
Fantasy Outlook:
On the line, Aaron Schobel has proven to be consistent, if nothing else. Worst case, he should end up in the 35-40 range for defensive linemen, with a chance to improve on that if someone steps up across the line and offers protection. What impact will Sam Adams have on this defense? Both he and Pat Williams have looked good in camp and we may see Williams on top of the quarterback more this season. Both Fletcher and Spikes are studs. Spikes is the big name and likely a top 15 linebacker. While keeping his streak of 100 tackle seasons alive, he should approach a career high in sacks (six). Fletcher is consistent and often overlooked. If he's not drafted within the top five linebackers, he has to be considered a value pick. Posey is a lower tier player because of his tackle numbers, but his ability to get to the quarterback is usually worth a roster spot. Coy Wire looks like one of the top tackling safeties in the league and, in systems that score accordingly, he could approach the top five. Worst case, he'll end up in the 20-25 range for DBs. Whoever wins the starting free-safety job will have some value, but it looks like a position to avoid until the Bills clear it up. At corner, Winfield and Clements are two of the better tackle producers at their position. Clements rounds out his game and is a viable fantasy starter as a top 50 defensive back, top 10 cornerback. Winfield isn't involved enough in interceptions and passes defended to boost his value, but the tackles make him a nice fill-in player for larger leagues.