Now that the 2009 NFL Draft is in the rearview let’s conclude the 2009 IDP Draft Preview Series by taking a look back at the Players featured, where they were chosen, and how that impacts their fantasy football value. 5.) Victor Harris – DB, Virginia Tech (Philadelphia Eagles – Round Five, Pick 21) The Ball Says: Harris’ best bet at early playing time will most likely be in nickel or dime packages, and that sort of part-time role doesn’t bode [...]

According to a report from the Tacoma News-Tribune Seattle Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney underwent “routine” elbow surgery Tuesday. Kerney, 32, had 21 tackles and 5 sacks in 7 games last year before a torn labrum cut short his season. The Ball Says: The procedure was reportedly just “cleanup”, but given his age and the fact that Kerney has missed large parts of two of the past three seasons this doesn’t give us the warm-and-fuzzies. Kerney finished as DL2 in [...]

Now that the 2009 NFL Draft is in the rearview let’s conclude the 2009 IDP Draft Preview Series by taking a look back at the Players featured, where they were chosen, and how that impacts their fantasy football value. 3.) Jarron Gilbert – DL, San Jose State (Chicago Bears – Round Four, Pick 4) The Ball Says: Gilbert will likely see only a situational pass-rushing role at least early on, and while he’s an interesting prospect his fantasy value in [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_UKrsj-eBs[/youtube] San Diego linebacker Shaun Phillips, who had 74 tackles and 7.5 sacks for the Chargers in 2008, was cited for Battery after an alleged altercation at a San Diego nightspot early Sunday morning, according to a report in the San Diego Union-Tribune. This is, according to the report, the second battery incident involving Phillips and a security guard in the past month. The Ball Says: Phillips denies involvement in either beatdown, but his name surfacing in two dustups this [...]

Now that the 2009 NFL Draft is in the rearview let’s conclude the 2009 IDP Draft Preview Series by taking a look back at the Players featured, where they were chosen, and how that impacts their fantasy football value. 1.) Brian Cushing – LB, Southern Cal (Houston Texans: Round One, Pick 15) The Ball Says: If Cushing starts it will almost certainly be on the strong side, he’ll most likely lose nickel snaps (and opportunities), and while he was the [...]

The 2009 NFL Draft has concluded, and the final defender selected was Memphis defensive end Clinton McDonald , who was taken with the 249th pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. The 6’2″ 289 lb. Senior had 37 tackles and 7 sacks in 2008. The Ball Says: McDonald, who wasn’t invited to the combine, made enough of an impression with an outstanding Pro Day that the Bengals, who need all the help they can get on defense, decided to roll the dice. [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SBhm91IG6s[/youtube] Soon after drafting Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry with the fourth overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft the Seattle Seahawks removed the franchise tag from linebacker Leroy Hill, according to a report in the Seattle Times. Hill, 26, had 84 tackles for Seattle in 2008. The Ball Says: Hill went, in the space of 24 hours, from a highly paid 3 down starter at linebacker to a player in search of a contract with a cloudy future. The [...]

As Day 2 of the 2009 NFL Draft rolls along three of the defensive end prospects showcased in our IDP Draft Preview series have been recently selected, with Jarron Gilbert (68, Chicago) of San Jose State, Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech (70, Cincinnati), and Lawrence Sidbury (125, Atlanta) all being chosen. The Ball Says; From an IDP perspective Johnson landing with the Bengals is likely the best situation, as he’ll probably see significant early playing time at end (and may [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owXgLCbw5YU[/youtube] One of the more interesting IDP developments of the 2009 NFL Draft’s first day was the fall of Southern California linebacker Rey Maualuga, who not only slipped into the second round (Cincinnati, #38 overall), but was selected after linebacker James Laurinaitis of Ohio State (St. Louis, #35 overall). The Ball Says: While not being selected in the first round hurt both players’ checkbooks each landed in favorable fantasy situations. Laurinaitis will slot directly into the starting role at MLB [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fiWgAZf0v4[/youtube] After a flurry of defenders were taken in the middle of Round 1 things have tapered off a bit at the 2009 NFL Draft, with only five defensive players being selected in the first round after the 17th pick: 1.18 (Denver Broncos): Robert Ayers – DE, Tennessee 1.24 (Atlanta Falcons): Peria Jerry – DT, Mississippi 1.25 (Miami Dolphins): Vontae Davis – CB, Illinois 1.26 (Green Bay Packers): Clay Matthews – LB, Southern Cal 1.32 (Pittsburgh Steelers): Evander Hood – [...]