Defense and Special Teams: Time to Snag the Colts

In fantasy, it pays to be a week ahead, and if you can afford it during the heavy bye schedule, two weeks ahead. So why aren't fantasy writers' recommending you pick up the Indianapolis D/ST right now? As of writing this article, they're only twenty-two percent owned in Yahoo Leagues, and that is most likely because a.) They have a bye week 8, and b.) only n00bs and league leaders can afford to roster two defenses; fantasy football 101...

The thing is, unless you own one of the top 5-6 defense/special teams units, pick up the Indy squad. Right now. They have graded out as a top twelve defense so far this season, and should be that good if not better the rest of the way. So add them now, while you can, and while they're cheap.  Whoever underperformed or you're ready to cut bait with, lose 'em for Indy.

Reinterpreting the Interception Tax: Should the NFL consider crediting quarterbacks with a half interception on picks where the ball is tipped by a receiver first?

What do Hall-of-Famer Deacon Jones, Yahoo Sports Writer Michael Salfino, and Quarterback Eli Manning have in common? They've all made contributions to the changing landscape of how we score football, both in the NFL and Fantasy. Actually, just the first two have.  Deacon Jones, an NFL defensive end from '61-'74, dominated runners and passers in the opposing backfield and is credited with coining the term “sack.” Sacks existed before Jones played (known as dumping the quarterback) but the were not recorded as a specific occurrence that differentiated them from other plays like they are today. They also weren't credited to individual players at the time. In fact, it would be another 15+ years before players would be credited for sacks individually by NFL scorekeepers. That's a nice trip down Memory Lane, but where do Salfino and Eli fit in?

Don't Drink The Haterade: Why It's Too Early To Call Doug Martin A Bust

*This post is in disagreement to Andy Behren's and his market-altering, hysteria-prompting article from September 30th: Sunday Scene, Week 4: Doug Martin owners, there’s nowhere to run.  Great writer, and he turns out quality stuff on Yahoo, but this time he only offers one side of the story.  Check it out, whether you're interested in buying, selling or standing pat on Doug Martin.

It's not very often that a pre-draft, consensus top 5 Running Back in fantasy football is declared bust-worthy after week four, especially without suffering a major injury to himself, his quarterback, or at least 2/5 of his offensive line. And in reality, an injury to a top five back would qualify more as a busted pick rather than a bust of a player; think Jamal Charles 2010. The FF community, including the Yahoo experts, were high as kites on Martin this year, but there is a real disconnect between this particular 'expert' and the hamster-owning community right now. Some are more optimistic than Behrens, some are less, and most seem unsure of what to make of the whole situation in Tampa. What makes this puzzle even more complex is that Martin is only four games into his second season, which means we don't have the luxury of history to guide us. This is rattling because it means we don't know how low Doug Martin's floor is. The estimations can range from a 20 tote:60 yard floor, to something even below that. On the flip side though, without more than one season in the books, we can't be sure that we know how high Doug Martin's floor will rise, if and once things get clicking in Tampa. Following that train of thought, we really don't know how high the Muscle Hamster's ceiling is.  The following are my comments from the Yahoo message boards: