[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCCR3P6pK7E[/youtube] (Numbers in parentheses denote 2008 positional finish in Default IDP Manor Scoring) 2008 Team Rankings: Total Defense – 21st (334.7 YPG), Run Defense – 5th (93.5 YPG), Pass Defense – 30th (241.2 YPG), Scoring Defense – 16th (21.9 PPG) DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Both defensive ends in Chicago have some IDP value, and while Adewale Ogunleye (DL18) and Alex Brown (DL22) were serviceable fantasy starters in 2008 expect Brown to regress into the DL4 range, which is where you will also [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG8sEfHUdE8[/youtube] Here’s a preview of The Ball’s first set of post-draft IDP rankings for dynasty leagues. We’ll be updating the rankings as the season approaches. Enjoy! Rankings based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. DEFENSIVE LINEMEN 1.) Jared Allen, MIN 2.) Mario Williams, HOU 3.) Terrell Suggs, BAL 4.) Justin Tuck, NYG 5.) Trent Cole, PHI 6.) Osi Umenyiora, NYG 7.) Julius Peppers, CAR 8.) Chris Long, STL 9.) Gaines Adams, TB 10.) Adewale Ogunleye, CHI 11.) Robert Mathis, IND 12.) [...]

Updating an earlier post, linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, released three weeks ago by the St. Louis Rams, has agreed to terms on a one year contract with the Chicago Bears, according to a report in The Chicago Sun-Times. Terms were not disclosed. The Ball Says: Tinoisamoa is expected to challenge for the starting role as the SAM linebacker for Chicago, the very role the Rams thought he was ill-suited for. Bears head man Lovie Smith has experience with Tinoisamoa (they were [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKVvYKinu-k[/youtube] Here’s a preview of The Ball’s first set of post-draft IDP rankings for dynasty leagues. We’ll be updating the rankings as the season approaches. Enjoy! Rankings based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. LINEBACKERS 1.) Patrick Willis, SF 2.) Jon Beason, CAR 3.) Barrett Ruud, TB 4.) DeMeco Ryans, HOU 5.) D.J. Williams, DEN 6.) James Harrison, PIT 7.) Curtis Lofton, ATL 8.) Jerod Mayo, NE 9.) Kirk Morrison, OAK 10.) Jonathan Vilma, NO 11.) D’Qwell Jackson, CLE 12.) Karlos [...]

Linebacker Paris Lenon, the leading tackler for the Detroit Lions in 2008, has agreed to contract terms with the New England Patriots, according to a report in The Boston Globe. Lenon, 31, will most likely serve as a backup to inside linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Jerod Mayo in New England. The Ball Says: Lenon’s 121 tackle season and LB20 finish in Default IDP Manor Scoring last year was a perfect example of a favorable situation overcoming middling talent. That favorable [...]

Denver Broncos inside linebacker D.J. Williams, recovering from surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, is set to be cleared for limited participation in Denver’s OTAs according to The Denver Post. Williams, who was leading the NFL in tackles through 7 weeks last year before partially tearing his MCL, had 93 stops and 2.5 sacks for the Broncos in 2008 after logging 141 tackles in 2007. The Ball Says: It sounds like Williams’ rehab is progressing nicely, which is good [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h_GBt5zGmI[/youtube] Here’s a preview of The Ball’s first set of post-draft IDP rankings for dynasty leagues. We’ll be updating the rankings as the season approaches. Enjoy! Rankings based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. DEFENSIVE BACKS 1.) Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL 2.) Gibril Wilson, MIA 3.) Adrian Wilson, ARZ 4.) Richard Marshall, CAR 5.) Eric Weddle, SD 6.) Charles Tillman, CHI 7.) Roman Harper, NO 8.) Antoine Winfield, MIN 9.) Kenny Phillips, NYG 10.) Sean Jones, PHI 11.) Troy Polamalu, PIT 12.) [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voPt5pnEEv0[/youtube] All of us here at Kilroyz Krystal Ball would like to take the opportunity on this Memorial Day to say, from the bottom of our hearts, to the men and women bravely serving their country across the globe, and to the families of those who gave their lives in defense of the United States of America… THANK YOU. Have a safe and happy holiday everyone.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge expects Packers safety Atari Bigby to have a more aggressive role in Green Bay’s new 3-4 defense (run by 3-4 guru Dom Capers). “He will be a guy who can play in the box well, times things well,” Hoge said. “He has to disguise things well, he has to blitz well, play the point of attack and the timing of it all.” The Ball Says: This is at least partly speculative, [...]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjObSWZS6nA[/youtube] (All fantasy football stats based on Default IDP Manor Scoring) TALE OF THE TAPE: 6’2″, 240 lbs., 27 years old, 5th season, San Diego State University 2008 STATS: 135 tackles (99 solo), 1 sack, 1 interceptions, 1 pass defensed 2008 POSITIONAL FINISH: LB14 BEST POSITIONAL FINISH: LB10 (2007) CURRENT FANTASY FOOTBALL OASIS RANKING: LB12 2009 OUTLOOK: Kirk Morrison has been a machine in the middle for the silver and black, averaging 124.5 tackles per year over his four season [...]