The Hive – 2007 season – week 2

Welcome back to The Hive everyone! Week one was very exciting. I went 2-0 in my IDP only leagues, so it was a good start for me. There were some brutal IDP injuries recently, as well as some breakout performances in the IDP world in week one. Week 2 should be interesting to say the least.

For those who missed last week, we will be doing things a little differently in The Hive this season. Players are ranked as follows:

            Giddyup! – sure-fire starter

            SINS! – solid if not spectacular

            Hellno! – do I need to explain this one?

Let’s get to it!

Houston @ Carolina Sunday 10am PST

Houston

Giddyup! – Demeco Ryans, Mario Williams, Dunta Robinson

SINS! – Morlon Greenwood

Hellno! – Amobi Okoye

Carolina

Giddyup! – Chris Gamble, Julius Peppers

SINS! – Jon Beason, Dan Morgan, Thomas Davis, Richard Marshall

Hellno! – Kris Jenkins

Game notes: Houston looks to start 2-0, and Demeco Ryans looks like he is going to live up to the billing of being a top 5 LB. Mario Williams is a beast. The Texans still should have taken Vince Young or Reggie Bush, but they don’t look quite as stupid as they did last season after what Super Mario did week one. Dunta Robinson, like every other CB who plays on Steve Smith, will be huge. On the Panthers side, I expect Chris Gamble to do much the same as Dunta as he will be on reception machine Andre Johnson. Peppers, like all top DL’s, is an every week starter in DL required leagues, so you gotta take the weeks like week one with the huge ones, which will come. I made the mistake of starting Fat Kris Jenkins in one of my DT required leagues. He has since been cut.

Cincinnati @ Cleveland Sunday 10am PST

Cincy

Giddyup! – Ahmad Brooks, Madieu Williams

SINS! – Landon Johnson, Robert Geathers, Jonathan Joseph

Hellno! – Deltha O’Neal , Leon Hall

Cleveland

Giddyup! – Sean Jones, Andra Davis, D’Qwell Jackson

SINS! – Eric Wright, Orpheous Roye (if he is listed as a DT in a DT required league, if he is listed as a DE you should have better options), Kamerion Wimbley, Brodney Pool

Hellno! – Willie McGinest , Leon Johnson

Game notes: The Bengals D looks a lot better, but I don’t think the Ravens or the Browns offense(s) provide the challenge required to truly see if they are better. Brooks looks like the real deal as far as IDP’s are concerned, and Madieu was magic on MNF. Geathers looks like one of the IDP steals of this season, and would be a fine waiver snag if you are an Osi Umenyiora owner or if you are playing matchups waiting for Jared Allen to get off suspension. Hall and O’Neal are sharing snaps, making them both useless in IDP. I expect Hall to render Deltha to nickel back duties by midseason. On the Cleveland side you have to like the rookie CB Eric Wright, who looks like he will be matched up on PPR God T.J. Houshmanzadeh. Wimbley, to paraphrase the description made in the preseason by our own FantasyHussy, is a more reasonably priced Shawne Merriman. He should have a solid season, especially if your league bonuses big for sacks. I love Davis and Jackson vs Rudi in this one as well. Mad 4^th quarter garbage tackles for those two, and likely Jones as well. ESPN leagues have Roye listed as a DT, so if your league is DT required you might want to check him out.

Atlanta @ Jacksonville Sunday 10am PST

Atlanta

Giddyup! – Keith Brooking, Lawyer Milloy

SINS! – Deangelo Hall, John Abraham, Jamal Anderson

Hellno! – Demorrio Williams/Stephen Nicholas (LBBC?)

Jacksonville

Giddyup! – Mike Peterson, Reggie Nelson, Rashean Mathis

SINS! – Gerald Sensabaugh, Daryl Smith

Hellno! – Justin Durant

Game notes: For the Falcons you have to like Brooking and Milloy vs the running game of the Jags. I don’t like Hall as much as the Jags are either unwilling or incapable of completing passes to the WR’s. I think Abraham and Anderson will heat up soon, but maybe not this week. Demorrio was one of my favorite mid round LB’s this preseason, and unfortunately he shared snaps with rookie Stephen Nicholas. I don’t know if this has anything to do with Williams’ preseason pectoral injury, but as a dynasty owner of his I can only hope so. Otherwise we are looking at the dreaded LBBC. On the Jags side I love Reggie Nelson and Rashean Mathis vs Joey Harrington this week. Should be a turnover fest. Mike Peterson and Daryl Smith will be solid as well, as Petrino will not abandon the run even when the Falcons are down big. A lot of people have sent me messages about Justin Durant, so here is my take. I don’t think the kid will see the field in 2007 unless smith or Peterson gets hurt. So he really doesn’t belong on anything outside of an IDP dynasty roster this season. In that style of league however, I would love to be able to stash Durant for the future.

Green Bay @ New York Giants Sunday 10am PST

Green Bay

Giddyup! – Nick Barnett, Aaron Kampman, A.J. Hawk

SINS! – Atari Bigby, Charles Woodson, Cullen Jenkins, Nick Collins

Hellno! – Al Harris

New York

Giddyup! – Antonio Pierce, Gibril Wilson

SINS! – Michael Strahan, James Butler

Hellno! – Osi Umenyiora

Game notes: The Pack looks like they have a good shot at an unlikely 2-0 start, and with the Pillsbury Throwboy at QB for New York , this could be an IDP field day for Green Bay as well. Hawk owners should not be discouraged by last week, he will be a stud this season. My homeboy Atari Bigby got off to a solid start last week, and I expect that to continue. For the Giants losing Osi is a huge blow. I have heard from a few sources that Kiwanuka might get moved back to DE due to the injury, so keep an eye on that. Strahan looked to be in good condition, and I expect him to get quite a few snaps with Osi on the shelf. Umenyiora, depending on who you ask, will be out anywhere from one week to two months. I’m guessing about 4-6 weeks. James Butler is a sneaky play this week.

Buffalo @ Pittsburgh Sunday 10am PST

Buffalo

Giddyup! – Paul Posluzny, Aaron Schobel

SINS! – Jim Leonhard, Chris Kelsay, Angelo Crowell, Terrance McGee, Donte Whitner

Hellno! – Ko Simpson

Pittsburgh

Giddyup! – James Farrior, Troy Polamalu

SINS! – James Harrison, Ike Turner

Hellno! – Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Clark/Anthony Smith

Game notes: For those that invested in him, Paul Posluzny looks to be a definite impact IDP rookie. Jim Leonhard seems to be the most talked about IDP pickup this week after Ko Simpson broke his ankle. I want to see one more week out of the little guy before I recommend him, but he looks like he will be a nice find. For the Steelers Farrior will be solid as always. Lynch seems to be adept at getting into the 2^nd level so this should be a nice game for Polamalu as well. I am hoping to see Anthony Smith take the other safety gig, as the DBBC with Ryan Clark is killing the value of both players.

San Francisco @ St. Louis Sunday 10am PST

San Francisco

Giddyup! – Patrick Willis

SINS! – Nate Clements, Walt Harris, Michael Lewis

Hellno! – Manny Lawson, Keith Lewis

St Louis

Giddyup! – Will Witherspoon, Leonard Little

SINS! – Chris Draft, James Hall, O.J. Atogwe

Hellno! – Tye Hill, Pino Tinoisamoa

Game notes: Patrick Willis is off to a fine start as well, and with the Rams looking to get SJax on track I think he should have a fine tackle total. The Niners DB’s should be busy as well. For St. Louis it looks like Pino Tinoisamoa will be out this week, so Chris Draft should be an excellent fill in if you need a LB play. Tye Hill was money last week, but he was on Steve Smith, which is easy money in IDP’s. The way that Alex Smith played against a terrible Cardinals CB group tells me that he just isn’t going to throw to the outside enough to make an IDP CB relevant. I like Little and Hall vs this week as well. The Niners line is improving, but it is still a work in progress.

***UPDATE 9-14-07 8AM PST***

Rams CB Tye Hill will miss four-to-six weeks after suffering multiple broken bones in his back during Thursday's practice. Tough blow to an already struggling secondary.

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay Sunday 10am PST

New Orleans

Giddyup! – Scott Fujita

SINS! – Roman Harper, Will Smith, Charles Grant

Hellno! – Jason David

Tampa Bay

Giddyup! – Barrett Ruud, Ronde Barber, Jermaine Phillips

SINS! – Derrick Brooks, Tanard Jackson

Hellno! – Gaines Adams

Game notes : None of the Saints IDP’s really excite me this week, but Fujita was all over the field in the opener, so if I had to start one it would be him. The Bucs offense is pathetic, and if Caddy is out I might not even start Fujita, much less anyone else. Don’t expect David to repeat his game vs the Colts. The IDP TD is the most overrated IDP statistic, so don’t think he is a top DB based on his point total. On the Tampa side of things Barrett Ruud was everything I expected him to be. He will be a stud again this week. And the demise of Jermaine Phillips has apparently been greatly exaggerated. Most expected rookie Sabby Piscatelli to take his job (myself included) but Phillips had a nice game last week. Ride him for as long as he has the job, he should produce plenty of tackles. On the flip side, Gaines Adams is barely playing, and could share time with journeyman Greg Spires all season. Ugh.

Indianapolis @ Tennessee Sunday 10am PST

Indy

Giddyup! – Bob Sanders, Freddy Keiaho (check the injury reports), Robert Mathis

SINS! – Marlin Jackson, Rob Morris, Antoine Bethea         

Hellno! – Dwight Freeney

Tennessee

Giddyup! – Keith Bulluck, Chris Hope

SINS! – David Thornton, Nick Harper, Ryan Fowler

Hellno! – Titans DL’s

Game notes: For the Colts, it is apparent that when Bob Sanders is on the field this is a defense to be reckoned with. For their sake, he needs to stay healthy. Keiaho looks like he will be a stud, but he needs to prove he can stay healthy as well. He is on the injury report, so keep an eye on that if you own him. Mathis proved last week why Dwight Freeney isn’t even the best DE on his own team, much less in the NFL. Give the money back Dwight, or you are going to HELL!!! But I digress……For the Titans I like Bulluck and all of their DB’s. Don’t expect much from the Titans DL’s this week, but down the road keep an eye on new acquisition Bryce Fisher, who they got in a trade with Seattle this week. He should be starting opposite Vanden Bosch immediately, and I think both of them will benefit. Just not against the Colts offensive line.

Seattle @ Arizona Sunday 1:05pm PST

Seattle

Giddyup! – Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson

SINS! – Patrick Kerney, Darryl Tapp, Deon Grant, Seattle CB’s

Hellno! – Leroy Hill

Arizona

Giddyup! – Karlos Dansby, Gerald Hayes, Adrian Wilson

SINS! – Bert Berry, Terrance Holt

Hellno! – Calvin Pace, any other Cards DL outside of Berry

Game notes: The Cards are going to run Edge into the ground this year, so look to start LB’s versus Arizona . Hill is gimpy, but Tatupu and Peterson should be huge this week. Tapp might lose a snap here and there to Jason Babin, but for the most part Seattle trading Bryce Fisher to the Titans locked up a starting job for the 2^nd year DE out of Virginia Tech. For Arizona I like Dansby and Hayes vs Alexander and Adrian Wilson should never, ever be on your bench.

Minnesota @ Detroit Sunday 1:05pm PST

Minnesota

Giddyup! – Antoine Winfield, E.J. Henderson , Chad Greenway

SINS! – Cedric Griffin, Darren Sharper, Kevin Williams

Hellno! – Vikings DL’s outside of Kevin Williams

Detroit

Giddyup! – Ernie Sims

SINS! – Paris Lenon, Dewayne White, Shaun Rogers, Kenoy Kennedy

Hellno! – Gerald Alexander, Boss Bailey

Game notes: Antoine Winfield is my hero. I start him on both of my IDP only teams. Nuff said. Gotta like the Vikings DB’s this week vs Mad Martz, and last week proved that opposing LB’s will score plenty vs the Lions, because even though they don’t run much they throw a lot of short stuff to Roy, Furrey and, of course, Megatron. For the Lions I do believe that Dewayne White is for real, but temper your expectations against an outstanding OL that shut John Abraham and rookie stud Jamaal Anderson down last week. Look for Sims to be huge, and if you need a sneaky LB play look at Paris Lenon. I also expect Kenoy Kennedy to be more involved this week.

Dallas @ Miami Sunday 1:05pm PST

Dallas

Giddyup! – Roy Williams, Demarcus Ware

SINS! – Anthony Henry, Bradie James, Ken Hamlin

Hellno! – Greg Ellis

Miami

Giddyup! – Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas

SINS! – Renaldo Hill, Vonnie Holliday, Channing Crowder

Hellno! – Joey Porter

Game notes: In my estimation no one outside of Dallas fans who enjoy stompings should watch this game. Dallas will roll, and I see Demarcus Ware getting on track vs a shoddy Dolphins OL. For the Fins, Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas look to be superstars at their IDP positions yet again. And Taylor said recently he would like to play out his contract with Miami , which lasts for 4 more seasons. Wow. The guy is in fantastic condition, so if he wants to play I don’t see why he cant be productive. And this just in: Joey Porter is worthless.

New York Jets @ Baltimore Sunday 1:15pm PST

New York

Giddyup! – Kerry Rhodes, Erik Coleman, Eric Barton

SINS! – Jonathan Vilma

Hellno! – Jets DL’s

Baltimore

Giddyup! – Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs

SINS! – Ray Lewis?? (check the injury report), Ed Reed, Dawan Landry, Jarrett Johnson

Hellno! – Chris McAlister

Game notes: The Jets defense was shredded last week, but they don’t face much of an offense in the Ravens. Rhodes and Coleman look to be the IDP stars of this team, and after last week I think it is safe to say that Vilma will NEVER be an IDP factor in the 3-4. For Baltimore the topic is Ray Lewis. How bad is the tricep and how will it affect his play? I wont be starting him on my IDP dynasty team, but I have Morrison and D.J. Williams on that team as well so it is an easier call for me than it is if he is your #1 LB. Scott and Suggs will bounce back this week in my opinion. Ed Reed had the punt return TD, but outside of that didn’t do squat. Even with the Jets starting a young QB don’t bother with the Ravens CB’s, they are worthless in IDP.

Kansas City @ Chicago Sunday 1:15pm PST

Kansas City

Giddyup! – Donnie Edwards

SINS! – Bernard Pollard, Jarrad Page, Derrick Johnson, Napoleon Harris

Hellno! – Law/Surtain

Chicago

Giddyup! – Urlacher, Briggs, Adam Archuleta, Mark Anderson

SINS! – Hunter Hillenmeyer, Charles Tillman, Nathan Vasher, Alex Brown, Tommie Harris, Darwin Walker

Hellno! – Dusty Dvoracek

Game notes: Gotta eat my hat here. Everything pointed to Donnie Edwards playing SAM this season, and I called him washed up and done on more than one occasion. Plate of crow for one? Yessir! Edwards is playing the weak side, and he killed it week one. Expect more of the same this week, and congrats to those who got him for what was likely outstanding value in most IDP leagues. For the Bears I love pretty much all of their IDP’s this week, between LJ getting more carries and the pathetic nature of the Chiefs passing “attack” I think it will be an IDP field day for Chicago players.

Oakland @ Denver Sunday 1:15pm PST

Oakland

Giddyup! – Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard

SINS! – Derrick Burgess, Michael Huff, Stuart Schweigart, Tommy Kelly

Hellno! – Sam Williams

Denver

Giddyup! – D.J. Williams, Champ Bailey

SINS! – Dre Bly, Ian Gold, John Lynch

Hellno! – Simeon Rice

Game notes: Ugh, this will be a slaughter. The only silver lining for the Silver & Black is that Morrison and Howard should be ridiculous vs the Denver running game. For Denver the rise of D.J. Williams is upon us. I would expect him to be extra fired up to play against his hometown team. Champ and Bly should be solid this week, as you know the Raiders will be playing from behind and throwing the ball.

San Diego @ New England Sunday 5:15pm PST

San Diego

Giddyup! – Stephen Cooper

SINS! – Matt Wilhelm, Shaun Phillips, Marlon McCree, Drayton Florence , Shawne Merriman, Luis Castillo

Hellno! – Eric Weddle

New England

Giddyup! – Adalius Thomas, Mike Vrabel

SINS! – Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Eugene Wilson, Asante Samuel

Hellno! – Ellis Hobbs, Brandon Merriweather

Game notes: This will be a hard hitting, nasty game. For San Diego Stephen Cooper looked like the real deal last week, and I expect more of the same. As far as the rest of the Chargers IDP’s, no one really excites me, but there are several solid plays. And for those of you who burned an early round pick on Shawne Merriman, enjoy him this year. The guy will get you a 20 point game here and there, but the 2 and 3 point games in between just aren’t worth it. For the Pats I like Adalius and Vrabel vs LT and I like Warren and Wilfork to get involved there too. And I like Asante for a pick six. Just thought I would throw that out there.

Washington @ Philadelphia Monday 5:30pm PST

Washington

Giddyup! – Rocky McIntosh, LaRon Landry, Sean Taylor

SINS! – Carlos Rogers, Fred Smoot

Hellno! – Andre Carter

Philly

Giddyup! – Brian Dawkins

SINS! – Mike Patterson, Omar Gaither, Trent Cole, Takeo Spikes

Hellno! – Kearse/Howard

Game notes: For Washington young Rocky McIntosh has officially arrived. His strong preseason has apparently carried over to the regular season. If he is on your wire, he shouldn’t be. I think Landry and Taylor will have more playmaking chances vs Philadelphia than they did vs the pathetic Dolphins offense. For Philly you can pretty much always count on Brian Dawkins in a prime time game. And don’t give up on Gaither after last week. If he stinks it up against a power running game like Washington , then it might be time to worry.

Well that about wraps it up for week 2 of The Hive. I wish you all continued success in your IDP leagues. DOWN WITH TEAM DEFENSE!!