The Hive - week 3 edition Sep 21, 2007 | More

The Hive – 2007 season – week 3

Welcome back to The Hive everyone! Week 2 was an excellent week for me, as I went undefeated in my 5 leagues. Barrett Ruud, Rocky McIntosh and Kirk Morrison have been treating me quite well in The Wall, Fantasy Sharks IDP only showcase league. Other favorites of mine have been slow to get started this year, including Adrian Wilson, Terrell Suggs and Bart “Hot Sauce” Scott. We will discuss the hot and the not so hot this week in The Hive! Let’s get to it.

Giddyup! – must start

SINS! – solid if not spectacular

Hellno! – Word? Word.   

St. Louis @ Tampa Bay Sunday 10am PST

St Louis

Giddyup! - Will Witherspoon, Leonard Little

SINS! – O.J. Atogwe, James Hall

Hellno! – Adam Carriker, Tye Hill

Tampa Bay

Giddyup! – Barrett Ruud, Ronde Barber, Jermaine Phillips

SINS! – Derrick Brooks, Cato June

Hellno! – Gaines Adams

Game notes: Witherspoon has not gotten off to a rip roaring start, but I expect him to heat up. James Hall put up better numbers than Little last week, I think that flip flops in week 3. For the Bucs what can you say about Barrett Ruud? Now you all know why I was calling for the head of Shelton Quarles on a weekly basis in The Hive during the 2006 season. Ruud is the man, and will be for quite some time. Barber and Phillips should be busy vs the Rams aerial attack as well.  

San Diego @ Green Bay Sunday 10am PST

San Diego

Giddyup! – Stephen Cooper, Marlon McCree

SINS! – Shawne Merriman, Luis Castillo, Florence/Jammer

Hellno! – Matt Wilhelm, Jamal Williams

Green Bay

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

SINS! – Atari Bigby, Brady Poppinga, Charles Woodson

Hellno! – Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Nick Collins

Game notes: Merriman showed in the 1^st two weeks exactly why I don’t like him. Single digit points in week one, double digits in week two. Expect the weekly roller coaster ride if you are a Merriman owner. In my work league Merriman has a +/- of 12, while a guy like Barrett Ruud in the same format has a +/- of 0.75. Food for thought. The Chargers secondary should be busy vs Favre and the non-existent Packers run game. For the Packers, nothing beats a game vs L.T. to get the tackle numbers up. Hawk should get on track, Barnett should continue his solid play and even Brady Poppinga should get in the mix. A tackling corner like Woodson should get into the action as well.

Miami @ New York Jets Sunday 10am PST

Miami

Giddyup! – Zach Thomas (check the injury reports), Jason Taylor

SINS! – Channing Crowder, Renaldo Hill, Travis Daniels

Hellno! – Joey Porter

New York

Giddyup! – Kerry Rhodes, Erik Coleman

SINS! – Eric Barton, David Barrett, Jonathan Vilma

Hellno! – Justin Miller, David Harris

Game notes: For the Fins, super stud Zach Thomas is gimpy, but as of now it looks like he will go. If for some reason he is downgraded or scratched from the lineup Channing Crowder would start in his spot and would be upgraded. Travis Daniels moves from CB to FS and Renaldo Hill shifts to SS. Both should be useful in IDP. For the Jets I am not too excited about any of their IDP’s outside of the two safeties. Justin Miller is on I.R., so dump him if you had him in redraft.

**UPDATE 9/21** Zach Thomas is now OUT. Channing Crowder starts in his place and gets a Giddyup!

Arizona @ Baltimore Sunday 10am PST

Arizona

Giddyup! – Adrian Wilson, Gerald Hayes, Karlos Dansby

SINS! – Bert Berry

Hellno! – Antrel Rolle

Baltimore

Giddyup! – Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Dawan Landry, Terrell Suggs

SINS! – Jarrett Johnson, Ed Reed

Hellno! – Chris McAlister

Game notes: For the Cards I this Adrian Wilson gets it going this week, as I expect McGahee to break into the secondary repeatedly. Hayes has been solid thus far as well. For the Ravens, play Ray Ray as long as he holds up. With Edge running well there should be plenty of tackles to go around. I think Suggs will destroy the Cards rookie OT Levi Brown and finally break into the sack column.

Indianapolis @ Houston Sunday 10am PST

Indy

Giddyup! – Bob Sanders, Robert Mathis, Marlin Jackson

SINS! – Freddy Keiaho (bump him up if he is sure to start), Gary Brackett, Dwight Freeney, Antoine Bethea

Hellno! – Rob Morris

Houston

Giddyup! – Demeco Ryans, Dunta Robinson

SINS! – Von Hutchins, Mario Williams, Morlon Greenwood

Hellno! – Amobi Okoye

Game notes: For the Colts it’s quite apparent that Bob Sanders, when healthy, is one of the biggest impact players in the entire NFL. If he stays healthy all year the Colts will repeat. If Keiaho is good to go I’d throw him out there. For the Texans Dunta Robinson should be busy, and Von Hutchins had a solid 1^st week as a starting safety. Mario Williams has been hot, but the Colts have a studly O line.

Detroit @ Philadelphia Sunday 10am PST

Detroit

Giddyup! – Ernie Sims, DeWayne White

SINS! – Paris Lenon, Fernando Bryant, Kalimba Edwards

Hellno! – Boss Bailey

Philadelphia

Giddyup! – Brian Dawkins

SINS! – Trent Cole, Omar Gaither, Sheldon Brown

Hellno! – Lito Sheppard

Game notes: For the Lions I expect White to get a cheap sack or two when McNabb attempts to scramble. Ernie Sims hasn’t started off like I thought he would, but he is about the only guy on the Lions D who can keep up with Brian Westbrook, so he should be busy on Sunday. For the Eagles they are going to have a hell of a time trying to cover the Lions when they go 4 wide, especially with no Lito Sheppard.

Minnesota @ Kansas City Sunday 10am PST

Minnesota

Giddyup! – Antoine Winfield, Darren Sharper, E.J. Henderson

SINS! – Chad Greenway, Ray Edwards, Kevin Williams

Hellno! – Keniche Udeze

Kansas City

Giddyup! – Napoleon Harris, Donnie Edwards, Bernard Pollard

SINS! – Jared Allen, Tamba Hali, Jarrad Page

Hellno! – Ty Law

Game notes: for the Vikes the IDP stud thus far has been Antoine Winfield. Owning him has been a joy in both of my CB required leagues. Ray Edwards is starting to heat up too, keep an eye on him. Old man Sharper is a solid candidate for a pick vs Huard. For the Chiefs the big news is the return of Jared Allen from suspension. Napoleon Harris has been quite the surprise thus far as well. I expect him and Edwards to perform well vs the run oriented Vikings offense.

Buffalo @ New England Sunday 10am PST

Buffalo

Giddyup! – Paul Posluzny, Terrance McGee, Jim Leonhard, Aaron Schobel

SINS! – Angelo Crowell, Donte Whitner, Chris Kelsay

Hellno! – Ko Simpson, Jason Webster

New England

Giddyup! – Adalius Thomas, Mike Vrabel

SINS! – Asante Samuel, Eugene Wilson

Hellno! – Jarvis Green, Ellis Hobbs

Game notes: This will be a slaughter. The Bills IDP’s should be busy. Posluzny and Leonhard should have solid numbers, and McGee should be busy with the rejuvenated Randy Moss. For the Pats I wouldn’t be too excited about anyone outside of Thomas and Vrabel. Green did nothing in week 2 after a great week one.

San Francisco @ Pittsburgh Sunday 10am PST

San Francisco

Giddyup! – Pat Willis, Michael Lewis

SINS! – Derek Smith, Walt Harris, Nate Clements

Hellno! – Manny Lawson, Bryant Young

Pittsburgh

Giddyup! – James Farrior, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor

SINS! – James Harrison, Ryan Clark, Aaron Smith

Hellno! – Anthony Smith

Game notes: This should be another laugher. The Niners cant stop Fast Willie and they cant pass the ball. Bad combo. Pat Willis should be busy. For Pittsburgh Farrior will be all over Frank Gore, and Polamalu should have a solid game as well. After splitting snaps in week one, Ryan Clark got almost all the work over Anthony Smith. I expect that to continue for now.

Cleveland @ Oakland Sunday 1:05pm PST

Cleveland

Giddyup! – Sean Jones

SINS – Kamerion Wimbley, Leigh Bodden, Andra Davis, Dqwell Jackson, Eric Wright

Hellno! – Gary Baxter, Brodney Pool

Oakland

Giddyup! – Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard

SINS! – Michael Huff, Stuart Schweigart, Fabian Washington, Nnamdi Asomugha, Warren Sapp

Hellno! – Derrick Burgess

Game notes: I don’t know what to expect from the Browns IDP’s this week. If Culpepper plays it could be a bit of a shootout, in which case I upgrade Bodden and Wright, if McCown plays I doubt the Raiders will pass enough to give them studly numbers. For the Raiders the duo of Morrison and Howard are dominating other more popular IDP teammate duos like Urlacher/Briggs and Lewis/Scott, among others. What most wouldn’t have guessed is that Howard would be outscoring Morrison through the 1^st two games. I don’t expect that to continue, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they both finished in the top 15 LB’s. The Raiders secondary should be busy as well.

Cincinnati @ Seattle Sunday 1:05pm PST

Cincy

Giddyup! – Madieu Williams, Landon Johnson

SINS! – Lemar Marshall, Justin Smith, Robert Geathers

Hellno! – Ahmad Brooks

Seattle

Giddyup! – Lofa Tatupu, Deon Grant, Julian Peterson

SINS! – Marcus Trufant, Kelly Jennings, Patrick Kerney, Darryl Tapp

Hellno! – Rocky Bernard

Game notes: This should be a real high scoring affair. The Bengals look like they will be without young stud LB Ahmad Brooks, who is nursing a groin injury. Madieu Williams is hot right now, ride him if you got him. For the Seahawks Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson should have some sick tackle numbers, and you cant really go wrong with their secondary.

Jacksonville @ Denver Sunday 1:05pm PST

Jacksonville

Giddyup! – Mike Peterson, Daryl Smith, Rashean Mathis

SINS! – Reggie Nelson, Marcus Stroud

Hellno! – Gerald Sensabaugh

Denver

Giddyup! – D.J. Williams, Champ Bailey

SINS! – Ian Gold, Nate Webster, Dre Bly, John Lynch

Hellno – Broncos DL’s

Game notes: For Jacksonville, I would expect that Peterson and Smith will be huge vs Travis Henry. A favorite of mine, S Gerald Sensabaugh, was placed on IR this week, so while it’s a huge loss for the secondary, as far as IDP’s go that should mean more love for Reggie Nelson. On the Denver side D.J. Williams continues his solid start, and Champ Bailey is usually a great start vs a running team.

New York Giants @ Washington Sunday 1:15pm PST

New York

Giddyup! – Antonio Pierce, Gibril Wilson

SINS! – Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora

Hellno! – Matthias Kiwanuka

Washington

Giddyup! – Rocky McIntosh, London Fletcher

SINS! – Sean Taylor, LaRon Landry, Carlos Rogers

Hellno! – Fred Smoot

Game notes: Osi isn’t even on the injury report this week, that is a good sign for that knee. Pierce is still a top 10 LB, he should have a nice matchup against Portis and Betts. For the Skins one of the big surprises (to most) is the play of Rocky McIntosh at OLB. I was pimping this kid last season, I was pimping this kid in the preseason, and I still don’t understand why Lemar Marshall started over him in 2006. Thankfully Washington came to their senses and inserted this kid. I got him late in 3 IDP drafts, including both of my IDP only leagues, where Rocky is my 4^th starting LB. Niiiiice.

Carolina @ Atlanta Sunday 1:15pm PST

Carolina

Giddyup! – Jon Beason, Chris Gamble, Julius Peppers

SINS! – Richard Marshall, Thomas Davis, Dan Morgan, Chris Harris, Mike Rucker

Hellno! – Kris Jenkins

Atlanta

Giddyup! – Deangelo Hall, Keith Brooking

SINS! – Lawyer Milloy, Michael Boley, John Abraham

Hellno! – Jamal Anderson, Demorrio Williams, Stephen Nicholas

Game notes: This is likely going to be another blowout. The Panthers look great and the Falcons, well, not so much. Jon Beason is looking like a serious playmaker at OLB. Peppers is due for a big game and the Falcons OL isn’t much. Rucker could be a sneaky start too. For the Falcons Deangelo Hall will be on Steve Smith, and that means points. Williams and Nicholas splitting snaps eliminates the IDP value of both. If Petrino doesn’t like Demorrio the Falcons should trade him. That kid could be a star if he got the P.T.

Dallas @ Chicago Sunday 5:15pm PST

Dallas

Giddyup! – Bradie James, Roy Williams, Anthony Henry

SINS! – Demarcus Ware, Ken Hamlin, Jacques Reeves

Hellno! – Terrance Newman

Chicago

Giddyup! – Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman

SINS! – Adam Archuleta, Mark Anderson, Tommie Harris

Hellno! – Alex Brown, Adewale Ogunleye

Game notes: this is an interesting game, one that I think Dallas wins. For the Cowboys I expect James and Williams to be all over Benson and I think Henry picks Grossman this week. I don’t buy Newman this week, and I think Reeves starts over him again. Its not like the Bears pose an aerial threat, why not sit the stud corner til he is 100%? For Chicago I like Tillman, who I think will be matched up on T.O. I wouldn’t bother with any of the DE’s outside of Mark Anderson, who is a playmaker.

Tennessee @ New Orleans Monday 5:30pm PST

Tennessee

Giddyup! – Keith Bulluck, Chris Hope

SINS! – Nick Harper, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Albert Haynesworth

Hellno! – Michael Griffin, Antwan Odom, Bryce Fisher

New Orleans

Giddyup! – Scott Fujita, Will Smith

SINS! – Charles Grant, Roman Harper

Hellno! – Jason David, Mike McKenzie

Game notes: I have been getting a lot of messages from people asking about Bulluck and his slow start. Stick with him. He is one of the best in the game, and the biggest stars come out on Monday Night Football. I think he blows up this week. Chris Hope and Nick Harper should be solid as well, as you have to figure the Saints’ passing game will heat up sooner or later. Its hard for me to get excited about any of the Saints IDP’s this week, but Fujita should be solid. Also with running QB’s you have the chance at the sack for a 0 yard loss multiple times a game, so maybe Will Smith gets a couple of cheap ones. Jason David is a nice fill in guy against a QB who actually throws to his WR’s, but not against Vince Young.

Well, that about wraps it up for week 3. This is going to be a great week of football, and I wish you all success in your IDP matchups this week. Unless you play me, in which case you get a heaping helping of Ruud and McIntosh. Game on!