[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5K1g4SDO2k[/youtube] San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has all but recovered from the knee injury that cost him almost all of the 2008 season, at least according to him. “I feel great, and I look amazing,” he told the San Diego Union-Tribune. Merriman led the NFL in sacks from 2005-2007 with 39.5. The Ball Says: Well, at least we know his ego is fully recovered. Even if healthy, for all his sacks Merriman was LB38 in Default IDP Manor Scoring [...]

Here’s a ridiculously early look at the Top 20 Defensive Backs for IDP leagues in 2009 based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. I’ll be updating these rankings after the Draft, as well as creating differing sets for Redraft and Keeper/Dynasty leagues once we know where the rookies have landed. DEFENSIVE BACKS 1.) Oshiomogho Atogwe – STL 2.) Eric Weddle – SD 3.) Gibril Wilson – MIA 4.) Antoine Winfield – MIN 5.) Cortland Finnegan – TEN 6.) Erik Coleman – [...]

New St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo recently confirmed that linebacker Will Witherspoon will move to OLB from middle linebacker beginning with the team’s upcoming minicamps, according to a report published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Ball Says: Witherspoon fell off the map last year after consecutive solid seasons manning the middle in St. Louis. His 110 tackle, 7 sack 2007 netted the 8th year pro an LB13 finish in Default IDP Manor Scoring that season, but he [...]

Here’s a ridiculously early look at the Top 20 Linebackers for IDP leagues in 2009 based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. I’ll be updating these rankings after the Draft, as well as creating differing sets for Redraft and Keeper/Dynasty leagues once we know where the rookies have landed. LINEBACKERS 1.) Patrick Willis – SF 2.) Jon Beason – CAR 3.) Barrett Ruud – TB 4.) DeMeco Ryans – HOU 5.) London Fletcher – WAS 6.) James Harrison – PIT 7.) [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXDSPbZ_OUw[/youtube] Buzz is gathering around San Jose State defensive lineman Jarron Gilbert as a first-day selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, especially after the YouTube video of him leaping out of a swimming pool made the rounds on ESPN. The 6’5″, 288 lb. Senior was Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the WAC in 2008, where he had 51 tackles and 9 sacks. The Ball Says: Gilbert has all the physical tools and tons of potential, and would seem to [...]

Here’s a ridiculously early look at the Top 20 Defensive Linemen for IDP leagues in 2009 based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. I’ll be updating these rankings after the Draft, as well as creating differing sets for Redraft and Keeper/Dynasty leagues once we know where the rookies have landed. DEFENSIVE LINEMEN 1.) Jared Allen – MIN 2.) Justin Tuck – NYG 3.) Mario Williams – HOU 4.) Terrell Suggs – BAL 5.) Julius Peppers – CAR 6.) Osi Umenyiora – [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyIOo_9ZIA4[/youtube] The Minnesota Vikings have signed starting cornerback Cedric Griffin to a 3 year contract extension according to a report in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Griffin, 26, had 91 tackles, 1 interception, and 4 forced fumbles in 2008. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Ball Says: Smart move by the Vikings considering that Antoine Winfield is 32 and entering the final year of his contract. You’d like to see more big plays from Griffin (only 3 picks in 3 [...]

WTSP-TV reports that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to contract terms with free agent linebacker Angelo Crowell, formerly of the Buffalo Bills. The 6th year veteran missed the entire 2008 season with a knee injury but averaged 109 tackles per season as the starting strong side linebacker for Buffalo from 2005-2007. In related news the Buccaneers intend to experiment with moving starting strong safety Jermaine Phillips to weak side linebacker (the spot formerly occupied by Derrick Brooks) according to [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHwO6PR6Dcc[/youtube] It appeared a few weeks ago that linebacker Eric Barton would be the odd man out for the New York Jets after the signing of Bart Scott. However, the recent news that Barton has signed with the Cleveland Browns means that the 11-Year veteran, who started all 16 games and had 119 stops (and 93 solos) for the Jets in ’08, will most likely be a starting inside linebacker again in 2009. The Ball Says: He’ll be 32 in [...]

After refusing to restructure his contract Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson has been traded by Seattle to the Detroit Lions in exchange for defensive tackle Cory Redding and Detroit’s 5th round selection in April’s NFL draft, according to a report in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Peterson had 86 tackles and 5 sacks for the Seahawks in 2008. The Ball Says: Pro Bowl appearances aside Peterson has finished outside the Top 25 at his position the past two seasons in Default IDP [...]