Defense and Special Teams

First and foremost i must apologize about my lack of blogging and now that i am back i will continue where i left off with my fantasy outlooks for the 2008. I haven't touched Wide Receiver and Running Backs as these I wanted camps to open and a few pre-season games to be played before i give my report. Look for them in mid august, prior to your big fantasy leagues to start up.

Now for the Defense. Look for my Defense cheat sheets at
http://www.fantasyfootballsearch.com/playbook/playbook_55.asp.
Here is why and how i have ranked them.

Defenses score huge points in a lot of league so PLEASE KNOW YOUR SETTINGS. If they do score big, don't be afraid to take the best of the best in the 6-7 round. if they go before you wait till a little later as there is a big bunch in the middle who can all surprise. Remember, some league score points for defense on Kick Returns. Check and pick accordingly.

THE BUST:
DA BEARS - Could there be any other bust here other than the Chicago Bears. No qb. No rb. No wr. All of that equals lots of defense, which means lots of points against, and even if you are in a special team/defense league Hester's 6 (if that) touchdowns can't help them here.

THE SLEEPER:
RAIDERSSSSSSS - Yes the Raiders. The last two years they could stop the pass easy but were the worst at the run. Did they improve against the run; NO! So how can i have them as a sleeper? Fantasy points baby. Linebackers Morrison and Howard had 10 INT's alone last year with 2 TD's. Nnamdi Asomugha who had 8 INT's in 06' and 1 last year when no-one threw to him. Now enter DeAngelo Hall who after his rookie season has had an average of 5 INT's and World Champion safety Gibril Wilson who had 4 last year and averaged 3 every year of his career. Both Raiders safeties Wison and Huff were playing in off positions, Wilson played Free Safety and Raiders 1st round pick in 06 Micheal Huff was playing strong safety, when he was a Free safety at Texas. Now both are switching and are already comfortable. All of that coverage will allow the 7 others to focus on the run, making them better, not great at run stoppage. But again this is about points. If those six players average 3 int's each that is 18 and for how many touchdowns. Now insert what is to be the easiest schedule they have had in 6 years.

BEST OF THE BEST:
3. Jacksonville - Still improving on defense this year will allow them to keep the score down scoring fantasy owners points on few points against. Sacks will be huge there as well as they spread out that huge coverage and everyone gets a piece of the qb's butt there.

2. New England - All teams will once against be playing from behind, therefore throwing the ball everywhere and not scoring anything but dirty points in the late fourth quarter.

1. Minnesota - That Defense is stupid. What was already a great line got better with Jared Allen complimenting Ray Edwards who had 5 sacks in 12 games last year when being doubled. They picked up a new safety Madieu Williams to help with the pass defense which was weak, but mostly because they couldn't get to the qb. Plus please don't forget about that run defense who was #1 in the league and has only gotten better since those around them have more talent.

Others to lock in on.
Cowboys - They should win the division, but will need to do it with defense, especially since the Redskins improved with the Jason Taylor move.
Redskins - Jason Taylor will help against a qb heavy division.
Chargers - Always a great defense.
Green Bay - No one knows what will happen on offense so the defense will have to step up and will as they have 4 gimmes with the Lions and Bears.
Tennessee - Still getting better and if the offense can keep they off the field they will be even stronger.

Till Next week, enjoy the Canton Game tonight and lets all have a cheers to the official start of the NFL SEASON.
May all your players be studs and all your weeks be winners
Aj Pelletier of http://www.nflfantasyplaybook.com/