Week 8: IDP Sleepers
LB Ernie Sims, ---
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Sims is another borderline IDP superstar who may somehow have escaped notice by IDP owners. He certainly shouldn't have. Sims is currently 6th in the league in total tackles and, amongst those tackling leaders, is second only to Patrick Willis in terms of per-game tackling stats. As a versatile outside backer on a defensive team that logs plenty of field time, Sims will continue to see playmaking opportunities. Get him on your squad now before people start watching Lions games again and word gets out.
LB Kamerion Wimbley, ---
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Wimbley is a linebacker/end hybrid in the New England mould – which is to say he's massive and he can move. When Romeo Crennel became the Browns' head coach in 2005, he brought in a defensive system like the one he had run with the Patriots. In Kamerion Wimbley, Crennel has his Willie McGinest-type player…with the added bonus of having Willie McGinest himself to play the role of tutor. Wimbley netted 11 sacks in an outstanding rookie campaign and, despite a quiet start to 2007, could well pile 'em up again this year, starting with a big game against the protection-deficient Rams.
S Jason Allen, ---
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The Miami secondary is a mess and now it's up to Jason Allen to fix things…
O.K. That's a significant overstatement. But Allen will finally be getting his shot at the starting strong safety job. He failed to earn the roll in pre-season, despite lofty expectations. Now the 2006 first-round "bust" candidate will be given the chance to redeem himself. Worst-case scenario: he records plenty of tackles this week, getting the start against a potent Giants offense. Allen is worth a flier in deep leagues, as a bye week fill-in, or even as a speculative add in more shallow leagues – provided you have a bench spot available.
CB Leigh Bodden, ---
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Entrenched, once again, as the starter at corner, Bodden is well on his way to having a career year for the Browns. He's long been on the cornerback carousel in Cleveland and owners would do best to remember that defensive fantasy stats aren't necessarily dependent on strong defensive play. The Browns are in the bottom five when it comes to giving up passing yardage which means plenty of tackling opportunities for Bodden, as well as the increased likelihood he'll be tested in coverage. So far, he's made opponents pay with 3 interceptions. He'll have many more chances before the season is done and a good portion of those chances could come this weekend against the woeful Rams and their slip-shod passing game.
CB Sam Madison, ---
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After many productive years in Miami, and an abbreviated 2006 in New York, Sam Madison is currently seeing a career resurgence playing in Steve Spagnuolo's aggressive defensive scheme. In just seven games, Madison has already basically matched his tackle total from last year and is on pace to shatter his personal mark of 56 that he made while still with the Dolphins in 2005. During his early career, Madison was a respected cover corner who relied on his speed to match up with receivers. Late in his career, he's now able to rely on craftiness and experience to get a jump on receivers and play mind games with QBs. You can bet he'll be around the ball plenty when he returns to Miami for the first time since signing with the Giants.
Remember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings
