Friday, Oct. 19, 2001

Defensive duds worth noting

A number of shaky defenses could prove to be pertinent fantasy factors this weekend

By Dan Arkush, Executive editor

On the other side of the coin, there are a number of defenses that have become increasingly vulnerable five weeks into the 2001 campaign, and on a week in which five teams have byes and your lineup options have been reduced, you might want to give special consideration to those players on your fantasy rosters who will be going up against these struggling units this weekend.

What follows is a quick rundown of the most enticing options along these lines:

Saints vs. Falcons: While Ricky Williams has been on fire lately, the hottest fantasy prospects for the Saints this Sunday could be WRs Joe Horn and Willie Jackson and TE Cam Cleeland (two TDs last Sunday vs. Carolina) vs. a Falcons defense that is ranked 31^st in both total yardage and passing yardage allowed. A message was sent the other day by Falcons head coach Dan Reeves when he surprisingly cut starting SS Marty Carter, and the way we hear it, new defensive coordinator Don Blackmon’s preference for zone coverage is suddenly very open to question by both Reeves and a number of Falcons defenders, led by usually reliable CB Ray Buchanan, who has been burned badly the last few games.

Titans vs. Lions: After effectively opening their attack up vs. Tampa Bay’s usually stingy defense last Sunday, Steve McNair & Co. should be able to keep it up vs. Detroit’s banged-up defense (25^th vs. the rush; 31^st average gain per rush). Titans RB Eddie George, who looked more and more like the old Eddie as last Sunday’s game vs. the Bucs wore on, could be particularly effective vs. the Lions’ LB corps, which will be missing Pro Bowler Stephen Boyd (lower back). Detroit’s secondary also continues to be at less than full strength.

Chiefs vs. Cardinals: Your prayers could be answered if you go with red-hot K.C. RB Priest Holmes vs. a Cardinals defense that is ranked near the bottom of the barrel (27^th in total defense, 28^th vs. rush). Arizona’s defense was dealt a huge blow when good-looking rookie DE Kyle Vanden Bosch tore a ligament in his right knee while practicing without pads on Wednesday. He is expected to be out 6-8 weeks.

Packers vs. Vikings: Hot on the heels of his scintillating performance vs. the Ravens’ revered defense last Sunday, Packers QB Brett Favre goes up against a Minnesota defense that seems to change from week to week. Minnesota’s pass rush has been so weak so far this season that the team is hoping newly acquired Stalin Colinet can absorb enough of the Vikings’ scheme to start immediately at left end. The Vikes’ "D" is ranked 29^th against the pass, which also means Packers WR Antonio Freeman will be licking his chops.

Broncos vs. Chargers: Denver QB Brian Griese’s shoulder problems could throw a wrench into any fantasy strategy that hinges on Broncos skill players. But cerebral Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan is no doubt in his glory right now, as he devises major-league mind games for a Chargers defense that will be under the direction of little-known Mark Banker for the first time this season. Banker takes over for Jim Vechiarella, San Diego’s interim defensive coordinator who suddenly resigned earlier this week following the defense’s second-half collapse for the second week in a row. Vechiarella had taken over for the team’s regular defensive coordinator, Joe Pascale, who is currently sidelined by three back operations and might not be back this year. Pascale is very highly regarded, and without the benefit of his expertise and motivation, the Chargers’ defense looks like it might be starting to unravel. Worth noting: In one of their games vs. Denver last year, the Chargers blew a 17-point lead going into the fourth quarter and lost 38-37 after reserve Broncos QB Gus Frerotte threw three TD passes, including two in the final 4:59.

Redskins vs. Panthers: Here’s a case where the offensive players on both teams could rack up some fantasy points. Carolina’s banged-up LB corps has been further decimated by the loss of Kory Minor (knee), who had just been inserted into the starting lineup last week with Dan Morgan (broken leg) and Hannibal Navies (ribs) already out of the mix, Navies does return this week, but Morgan,  Carolina's top draft pick, remains out. The Redskins, meanwhile, have reeked on defense all year (30^th overall; 31^st against the run). They are so bad, even Panthers RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka could have a big day — provided he can hold on to the ball for a change. 

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