The Hive - Week Five! Oct 3, 2008 | More

The Hive – Week 5 edition

Welcome back to The Hive! Many of you are looking for bye week fillers for such IDP studs as Kirk Morrison, David Harris and Will Witherspoon. You are in the right place! There are also a lot of IDP related injuries out there, so without further ado let’s take a look at the week five action!

How we rank `em!

Giddyup! – YEEEHAW!!

SINS! – solid if not spectacular

Hellno! – Get it? Got it? Good.

Bye weeks: Oakland , Cleveland , St. Louis , NY Jets

Tennessee @ Baltimore Sunday 10am PT

TEN

Giddyup! – Cortland Finnegan, Nick Harper, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Albert Haynesworth

SINS! – Tony Brown, Keith Bulluck, Stephen Tulloch, Chris Hope, Michael Griffin, Jevon Kearse

Hellno! – no one you would normally start

BAL

Giddyup! – Ray Ray, Terrell Suggs

SINS! – Bart Scott, Haloti Ngata, Ed Reed

Hellno! – Chris McCallister

Game notes: This one should be a real defensive struggle. For the Titans you really cant go wrong with that defensive line, and the CB duo of Finnegan and Nick Harper has been IDP gold. Look for Harper’s stats to tick upward a bit over the next few weeks, as teams are eventually going to learn that you can’t mess with Finnegan. For the Ravens it looks like Ray Lewis and Bart Scott both woke up last week, and the matchup against the Titans running game is a perfect opportunity to provide you with more IDP happiness.

Kansas City @ Carolina Sunday 10am PT

KC

Giddyup! – Derrick Johnson, Brandon Flowers, Bernard Pollard

SINS! – Brandon Carr, Pat Thomas

Hellno! – Tamba Hali

CAR

Giddyup! – Chris Gamble, Julius Peppers, Jon Beason, Chris Harris

SINS! – Thomas Davis

Hellno! – no one you would normally consider

Game notes: Derrick Johnson moved to WILL last week, and the difference is huge from an IDP perspective. He has a fine matchup this week, as does the entire KC secondary. The two rookie CB’s named Brandon (Flowers and Carr) are both red hot, and definitely worth a start in CB required leagues. On the Carolina side of things Julius Peppers has finally shown signs of life, and he is matched up with another bench warmer that has been thrust into duty due to injury. Gotta like that. Chris Gamble is one of the top IDP’s in most leagues, and deserves every week consideration in most formats at this point.

Chicago @ Detroit Sunday 10am PT

CHI

Giddyup! – Urlacher/Briggs, Charles Tillman (if he goes)

SINS! – Bears DE’s, Kevin Payne

Hellno! – Hunter Hillenmeyer

DET

Giddyup! – Ernie Sims, Daniel Bullucks

SINS! – Paris Lenon, DeWayne White

Hellno! – Lions CB’s

Game notes: Nothing like some NFC North action to induce some fine IDP performances. Check your injury reports leading up to game time on Tillman, if he can go I think he has a monster game. For the Lions Sims and Lenon have been pedestrian so far, but against the Bears running game and dink & dunk passing “attack” they should put up their best tackle numbers of the season so far.

Atlanta @ Green Bay Sunday 10am PT

ATL

Giddyup! – Michael Boley, Erik Coleman, Lawyer Milloy

SINS! – Curtis Lofton, Brent Grimes, John Abraham

Hellno! – no one you would normally consider

GB

Giddyup! – Nick Barnett, Nick Collins, Aaron Kampman

SINS! – Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Charles Woodson

Hellno! – AJ Hawk, Cullen Jenkins, Atari Bigby, Aaron Rouse

Game notes: If you are one of the IDP’ers out there who have been starting John Abraham over an underperforming DE (like Peppers or Schobel) I would say this might be the week to switch that up. Chad Clifton has been outstanding thus far, so I think it is best to temper your expectations for Abraham this week. For the Pack AJ Hawk left with a groin issue that will likely keep him out this week. In addition they lost DE Cullen Jenkins for the season and Aaron Rouse joined Atari Bigby on the sidelines after injuring his knee. Aaron Kampman is due for a big game, and the Atlanta line should provide him that opportunity. Outside of Kampman, Nick Collins and Nick Barnett are about the only Packers IDP’s I’d be rushing out to get in my lineup this week, though KGB and/or Woodson could be in for a big play or two against the young Falcons offense.

Indianapolis @ Houston Sunday 10am PT

IND

Giddyup! – Robert Mathis, Freddy Keiaho, Antoine Bethea

SINS! – Marlin Jackson, Dwight Freeney, Melvin Bullitt, Gary Brackett

Hellno! – Bob Sanders

HOU

Giddyup! – Demeco Ryans (questionable right now, make sure he goes)

SINS! – Zach Diles, Mario Williams, Nick Ferguson

Hellno! – CC Brown

Game notes: The Colts revealed that Bob Sanders wont be back until November after having knee surgery to go along with the ankle issue. In redraft leagues feel free to cut him. Since the Colts are getting their offensive line back together I would downgrade Mario Williams, though most owners aren’t in a position to bench him. Zach Diles looks like he is for real, and had another solid outing last week. Ryans was limping after being yanked from last weeks game, so make sure he is good to go before inserting him in your lineup.

San Diego @ Miami Sunday 10am PT

SD

Giddyup! – Eric Weddle, Antonio Cromartie

SINS! – Shaun Phillips, Clinton Hart, Marques Harris, Stephen Cooper

Hellno! – Jyles Tucker (flip flop Tucker and Harris if Tucker ends up active), Wilhelm/Dobbins

MIA

Giddyup! – Yeremiah Bell, Channing Crowder

SINS! – Joey Porter

Hellno! – no one you would normally consider

Game notes: For the Chargers this week marks the return of suspended LB Stephen Cooper, so if he is on your wire and you are weak at LB, give him a look. I would give him a week before you toss him in your lineup, but he should be rostered in most IDP leagues. Jyles Tucker hurt his hammy during another solid performance last week, and is listed as questionable this week. Matt Wilhelm is splitting reps with Tim Dobbins, making both irrelevant for IDP purposes. For the Dolphins, Joey Porter has actually been playing like the reputation of Joey Porter for the first time in years. If you are in a sack heavy league, he might be worth a look. Yeremiah Bell is still on a lot of wires, and he shouldn’t be. Especially with LT, Sproles and Gates coming to town.

Seattle @ New York Giants Sunday 10am PT

SEA

Giddyup! – Seattle LB’s, Pat Kerney

SINS! – Deon Grant

Hellno! – Marcus Trufant

NYG

Giddyup! – Justin Tuck, Fred Robbins (in DT required leagues)

SINS! – Matthias Kiwanuka, Antonio Pierce, Aaron Ross

Hellno! – Kenny Phillips

Game notes: Love the Seattle LB’s this week, if you need a bye week filler and Leroy Hill is on your wire, he’d make a nice one. People just aren’t throwing at Trufant anymore, and with Burress out I would wager he will be useless this week. For the Giants IDP’ers should keep starting Tuck and Robbins until they stop producing. Which may be never.

Washington @ Philadelphia Sunday 10am PT

WAS

Giddyup! – London Fletcher

SINS! – Rocky McIntosh, Carlos Rogers, LaRon Landry

Hellno! – Andre Carter, Chris Horton, Jason Taylor

PHI

Giddyup! – Stewart Bradley, Omar Gaither, Quintin Mikell, Trent Cole

SINS! – Brian Dawkins, Juqua Parker

Hellno! – Eagles CB’s

Game notes: For the Skins its looking like Jason Taylor will be out again, and the real loser here is Andre Carter. He had a big year in 2007, but with Taylor out and no real viable option to replace him, Carter is seeing constant double teams and little IDP production. Chris Horton is not starting yet, but my guess is he will be soon. For the Eagles if Omar Gaither or Stewart Bradley are still on your wire, please correct your error immediately. I found Gaither on the wire in 2 leagues after his terrible first two weeks of the season, and now he is on a roll.

Tampa Bay @ Denver Sunday 1:05pm PT

TB

Giddyup! – Barrett Ruud, Gaines Adams, Ronde Barber

SINS! – Derrick Brooks, Phillip Buchanon, Greg White, Jermaine Phillips

Hellno! – Kevin Carter

DEN

Giddyup! – DJ Williams, Nate Webster

SINS! – Champ Bailey, Marquand Manuel

Hellno! – Denver DL’s

Game notes: This could be a real shootout, with plenty of IDP goodness to go around. For the Bucs I think Ronde Barber and, to a lesser extent, Phillip Buchanon are fine starts this week, especially in CB required leagues. For the Donkeys Champ Bailey has looked more like Chump Bailey for his IDP owners, as QB’s have gone back to avoiding him like the plague. But with mistake-prone Brian Griese at the helm, Bailey might get some opportunities this week.

Buffalo @ Arizona Sunday 1:15pm PT

BUF

Giddyup! – Paul Posluszny, Donte Whitner, Aaron Schobel

SINS! – Kawicka Mitchell, Ashton Youboty, Jabari Greer, Leodis McKelvin

Hellno! – Terrence McGee, Keith Ellison

ARI

Giddyup! – Karlos Dansby, Gerald Hayes

SINS! – Darnell Dockett, Travis LaBoy

Hellno! – Adrian Wilson

Game notes: Terrence McGee didn’t even travel to Arizona with the team, so Greer and Youboty will start, and when the Cards spread the field (ie: all day long), McKelvin will go outside and Youboty slides to the slot WR. We all know the Cards are going to air it out at home, so I love the Bills DB’s in this one. Adrian Wilson isnt healthy yet, and as of now hasn’t practiced this week. Whis said he had to be a go for the Friday practice to be a go for gameday, and as of now their practice reports are not in. I would wager he sits again.

Cincinnati @ Dallas Sunday 1:15pm PT

CIN

Giddyup! – Marvin White, Nedu Ndukwe, Keith Rivers, Dhani Jones

SINS! – Leon Hall, Rashad Jeanty

Hellno! – Bengals DL’s (except Peko in DT required leagues, he’s a decent start)

DAL

Giddyup! – Demarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff

SINS! – Zach Thomas, Cowboys DB’s

Hellno! – Bradie James

Game notes: I think the Dallas offense will be on the field a lot this week, so outside of Ware and Ratliff and maybe Zach Thomas I would leave your Cowboys on the bench this week. The Bengals will be on the field a lot, Palmer or no Palmer, and I love their DB’s and LB’s this week.

New England @ San Francisco Sunday 1:15pm PT

NE

Giddyup! – Rodney Harrison, Jerod Mayo, Ty Warren

SINS! – Ellis Hobbs, Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Adalius Thomas

Hellno! – Brandon Merriweather

SF

Giddyup! – Pat Willis, Justin Smith, Michael Lewis

SINS! – Takeo Spikes, Walt Harris, Nate Clements

Hellno! – Parys Haralson

Game notes: Harrison and Mayo vs Gore should be productive. And you have to think if ever there was a week for Warren, Seymour, Wilfork or Adalius Thomas to go completely insane, it would be this week. JT O’Sullivan is being beaten like a piñata at Chris Benoit’s house on a weekly basis. I think Warren is the best bet of the group, but all of them have a shot at big numbers this week. For the Niners I’d start Willis, Smith and Michael Lewis, but nothing else on this defense excites me this week.

Pittsburgh @ Jacksonville Sunday 5:15pm PT

PIT

Giddyup! – James Harrison (check the injury reports and make sure he is a go), Troy Polamalu, James Farrior

SINS! – Bryant McFadden, Lamar Woodley

Hellno! – Lawrence Timmons

JAX

Giddyup! – Mike Peterson, Brian Williams

SINS! – Rashean Mathis, Daryl Smith, Derrick Harvey

Hellno! – Justin Durant

Game notes: The Steelers had a big comeback on MNF, and the Jags have been shaky out of the gate. As long as James Harrison is healthy you should have him in your lineup. On the other side Woodley has not been as automatic, but with 2 studly starts out of 4 and facing a depleted Jags line, I like his chances. For the Jags Brian Williams is making a name for himself in the IDP world, and has been consistent every week. Give me a consistent scoring DB like Williams over an up and down DB stud like Cromartie every day of the week.

Minnesota @ New Orleans Monday 5:30pm PT

MIN

Giddyup! – Jared Allen, Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin , Chad Greenway

SINS! – Darren Sharper

Hellno! – EJ Henderson, Ray Edwards

NO

Giddyup! – Jonathan Vilma, Scott Fujita, Kaesviharn/Harper

SINS! – Tracy Porter, Will Smith, Charles Grant

Hellno! – Sed Ellis

Game notes: Minnesota’s DB’s will be busy on MNF, and I think Winfield and Griffin make excellent starts. Henderson is hurt, so get him out of your lineups. For the Saints Sed Ellis is out 2-4 weeks, so the middle should be wide open for Adrian Peterson. I think Vilma and Fujita will be extremely busy, and the safeties will likely have their hands full too.

Well that about wraps it up for week 5 of The Hive! Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in all of your IDP matchups this week!