The Houston Texans have re-signed starting middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans to a six-year, $48 million contract, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle. The deal for Ryans, who had 123 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in 2009, includes nearly $22 million in guaranteed money. The Ball Says: Smart move by the Texans given Ryans’ age (only 25), performance (he’s averaged 129+ tackles a year in his career), and status as the linchpin of Houston’s defense. The two-time [...]

The Chicago Tribune reports that the acquisition of defensive end Julius Peppers coupled with Head Coach Lovie Smith’s recent announcement that Israel Idonije will move from tackle to end has the Bears actively attempting to trade nine-year veteran defensive end Alex Brown. Brown, 30, had 48 tackles and 6 sacks a year ago in the Windy City. The Ball Says: Brown appears to be the odd man out at DE for the Bears, so trading partners may be hard to [...]

One of the assets that University of Texas safety Earl Thomas will bring to the table in the NFL is his ability to play any position in the defensive backfield, according to an interview he recently gave the Houston Press. The 5’10″, 208 lb. Redshirt Sophomore had 63 tackles, 8 interceptions, and a forced fumble for the Longhorns in 2009. The Ball Says: A sure tackler with solid speed and a nose for the football, the biggest knock on Thomas [...]

Here’s a look at IDP Manor’s latest set of 2010 IDP defensive back rankings for dynasty leagues. We’ll be updating them regularly as free agency continues and the draft approaches, as well as unveiling a new rankings page and other features at IDP Manor and Kilroyz Krystal Ball. Rankings based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. 1.) Oshiomogho Atogwe – S, STL 2.) Yeremiah Bell – S, MIA 3.) Eric Weddle – S, SD 4.) Roman Harper – S, NO 5.) [...]

The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired defensive end Darryl Tapp from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for defensive end Chris Clemons and a 4th round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The four-year veteran, who had 49 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2009, was then signed to a three-year contract extension by the Eagles. The Ball Says: Tapp had 49 tackles and seven sacks in 2007, and although he averaged 52 stops a [...]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Browns have traded outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, who led the team in sacks with 6.5 in 2009, to the Oakland Raiders for a 3rd round selection in this year’s NFL Draft. The 6’3″, 255 lb., 6th year pro also had 69 tackles and a forced fumble a year ago. The Ball Says: Wimbley never matched the production from his 11 sack rookie campaign, but was a steady performer, so this move comes as [...]

A strong showing at Texas Christian’s Pro Day on the heels of a solid NFL Combine may have been enough to sneak Horned Frogs linebacker Daryl Washington into the first round of next month’s Draft, according to a report in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The 6’2″, 230 lb. Senior had 109 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 interceptions in 2009. The Ball Says: Washington has great speed and coverage ability as well as being a big contributor on TCU’s special teams, [...]

Here’s a look at IDP Manor’s latest set of 2010 IDP linebacker rankings for dynasty leagues. We’ll be updating them regularly as free agency continues and the draft approaches, as well as unveiling a new rankings page and other features at IDP Manor and Kilroyz Krystal Ball. Rankings based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. 1.) Patrick Willis – ILB, SF 2.) Jon Beason – MLB, CAR 3.) Curtis Lofton – MLB, ATL 4.) D.J. Williams – ILB, DEN 5.) Jonathan [...]

The Contra Costa Times reports that the player who may stand to benefit the most from the Raiders’ release of veteran defensive end Greg Ellis is fellow end Matt Shaughnessy. The 6’5″, 270 lb. Shaughnessy had 29 tackles and four sacks in limited action in 2009. The Ball Says: It’s incredibly early to be calling much of anyone a “sleeper”, and this all assumes that Oakland sticks with Trevor Scott at outside linebacker, which is still very much in question [...]

Here’s a look at IDP Manor’s latest set of 2010 IDP defensive linemen rankings for dynasty leagues. We’ll be updating them regularly as free agency continues and the draft approaches, as well as unveiling a new rankings page and other features at IDP Manor and Kilroyz Krystal Ball. Rankings based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. 1.) Jared Allen – DE, MIN 2.) Mario Williams – DE, HOU 3.) Julius Peppers – DE, CHI 4.) Trent Cole – DE, PHI 5.) [...]