I was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in a draft earlier this week featuring some of the sharpest minds in the fantasy football industry, including Fantasy Sharks' own FSWA Hall of Famer Greg Kellogg and some of the top names from the Individual Defensive Player (IDP) side of the fence. It was both great fun and absolutely maddening, as there's no such thing as a "sleeper" when you draft with a crowd this knowledgeable. If you want a guy, you'd better be prepared to go get him, because "sniping" abounds. However, between this draft and some others that I've participated in over the past several weeks, I've noticed some trends emerging in most IDP drafts, and you can turn these trends into an advantage of sorts if you're aware of them before your own draft begins. I'm not going to get into too many particulars regarding the league or its participants, in part because I don't want any of the people involved (all of whom I respect a great deal and many of whom I'm fortunate enough to call friends) to feel that their decisions are being criticized or thrown under the bus (I don't presume to know more than any of them, or even as much as most) and in part because it's not really germane to our discussion. However, it would help to know the scoring. It's a start three wide receivers, points-per-reception league with a flex spot on offense. The IDP lineup is fairly straightforward, consisting of two defensive linemen, two linebackers, two defensive backs and an IDP "flex" with defensive scoring that favors tackles. It also awards bonus points for big performances and scores return yardage, but that had much more effect on offensive players than IDPs, so it wasn't really a big consideration when drafting on the defensive side of the ball. Here are some things I took away from the draft that you should keep in mind when sitting down at your own IDP draft this season. Jason Pierre-Paul is Overvalued in IDP Drafts This Year Before you start throwing tomatoes at your computer (which is silly, really), hear me out. I have New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul as my No. 1 fantasy defensive lineman this season, and for good reason, as defensive ends that rack up 80 tackles and double-digit sacks don't generally grow on trees. Pierre-Paul has been the first defensive player at any position chosen in the vast majority of IDP drafts I've participated in this year, and I have no problem with that. My problem lies with the overall pick ...

In Individual Defensive Player (IDP) formats, the defensive line can be a tricky position to evaluate depending on the league's scoring system. Getting a premier pass rushing defensive end is a priority, and then knowing which defensive tackles are also capable of getting consistent pressure up the middle is a plus. Here is a look at the Top 40 defensive linemen heading into the 2012 season. The scoring systems employed from league to league can affect defensive lineman scoring more than any other Individual Defensive Player (IDP) position depending on how much emphasis is placed upon big plays such as sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions and recovered fumbles. Knowing your particular scoring system is vital when approaching the selection of defensive lineman in fantasy drafts as run-stuffing defensive tackles may slide further down the rankings even though they put up nice stats. They will not have the opportunity to get after the quarterback off the edge or drop into coverage as certain defensive ends will, and they will suffer in leagues that significantly reward big plays. For the purposes of these rankings, we will use a standard type of IDP scoring with a slight increase in points given to big plays (1.5 points per solo tackle, one point per assisted tackle and four points for sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions etc.). 1) Jason Pierre-Paul , DE, New York Giants: Pierre-Paul is the No. 1 defensive lineman in fantasy football already and the great thing is that he is still learning the position. He put up 16.5 sacks and 86 tackles last season in only his second year in the NFL. The Giants love to get after the quarterback and Pierre-Paul does it as well as anyone at his position. Often looks like a man among boys when bull rushing past offensive lineman. 2) Jared Allen , DE, Minnesota: Allen has averaged more than 15 sacks per season over the last five years and came within one sack in 2011 of breaking the single season sack record with 22. He has finished as a Top 5 defensive lineman for the past seven seasons and just consistently racks up sacks. He is very durable and has missed only three games in his entire career. He will continue to be fantasy gold in 2012. 3) Trent Cole , DE, Philadelphia: Cole managed to register 11 sacks last season while adjusting to a new defensive scheme and also missing two games due to injury. He has amassed double-digit sacks in four of the last five seasons, is a high-motor player who has averaged 60 tackles a...

As fantasy football continues to grow in popularity more and more fantasy enthusiasts are taking the plunge and eschewing boring team defenses for the added fun and strategy of playing in Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues. However, some may be leery of joining the fray, as no one wants to be "that guy" ... you know, the one that everyone in your league snickers at when they take a kicker in the ninth round, or drafts two stud tight ends when you can only start one. That said, fear not, as I'm here to help, with a position-by-position breakdown of some general IDP draft strategies that can be of assistance to both IDP newcomers and veterans alike. For the sake of this exercise, we'll assume a 12-team "mixed" (offensive and defensive players) league that requires that you start two defensive linemen, two linebackers, two defensive backs and one "flex" player that can come from any position. It's worth noting that IDP-only leagues exist, as do leagues with much larger starting lineups that differentiate between defensive ends and tackles and cornerbacks and safeties. Those leagues are great fun, and I hope to pen some articles concerning strategies for those leagues as the summer progresses, but we'll just work in broad strokes here. We'll also assume that this league uses default IDP Manor Scoring, which awards one point for solo tackles (half that for assists) and passes defensed, two points for forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, four points for sacks, interceptions, and safeties, and six points for touchdowns. This is considered something of a "balanced" scoring system that serves as a solid baseline for discussion of general strategy, although we'll get into how scoring can affect that a bit more later on. Also, before I get into the positions, a quick note. It's nearly impossible for me to say with any certainty when you should start taking defensive players in your particular league. Roster sizes, lineup requirements, scoring for defensive players relative to offense, and even the proclivities of the league's other owners are all such important variables that for me to make a blanket statement such as "you should take your first linebacker in the seventh round" would be talking out of my butt. As a general rule, if you're new to IDP, keep things simple, and rather than overthinking and jumping the gun wait until a few IDPs have been selected before taking your first one unless the offensive talent available really isn't doing anything...

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul will not be stepping foot into a wrestling ring after all.

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul made a name for himself slamming NFL quarterbacks this season. Now, he'll get to slam some pro wrestlers.

An image proclaiming the New York Giants as Super Bowl champions was accidentally posted on the Giants official website on Saturday. The Giants.com page briefly had a headline that read, "The Giants are Super Bowl champions!" Images of Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Jason Pierre-Paul and Eli Manning with the Vince Lombardi trophy were briefly visible online.

Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers will replace Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants in the Pro Bowl.

Only four teams remain standing in the 2012 NFL playoffs, so the pool of available Individual Defensive Player (IDP) talent is getting pretty shallow, and last week's upset of the Green Bay Packers by the New York Giants likely cost many fantasy owners quite a few players they were hoping to save for this week's lineup. However, upsets or no, we have to keep on keeping on, so let's get down to the business of getting down to business and take a look at this week's IDP rankings. That said, we're still playing in a different format than "usual" here, using the scoring and rules for the BTR Listeners League sponsored by Fantasy Sharks and run by FSWA Hall of Famer Greg Kellogg, who I have the distinct pleasure of co-hosting Kellogg's Komments with twice a week on Fantasy Sharks Radio. If you haven't given a listen, you absolutely should, as Greg, Mike Pisani and Chris Nunes are damned near capable of drowning my drivel out. Well, almost. These rankings are based on the scoring for that contest, which awards one point for solo tackles, ½ point for assisted tackles, two points each for fumbles forced and recovered, three points for interceptions and sacks, six points for defensive touchdowns, four points for safeties, and one point for passes defensed, as well as return yardage for picks and fumbles, but those are fluke points best not chased. It's also a "one and done" format, which means that once you use a guy he's through, so what may look like a great play this week may also involve a player you want to save for the Super Bowl. That makes it more important that you try to balance scoring and who you think will advance, so keep in mind that my rankings may reflect biases you may not share, and a bit of "bet-hedging." No need to go more than 10 deep, so without further ado ... DEFENSIVE LINEMEN 1.) Jason Pierre-Paul -- New York Giants at San Francisco 2.) Terrell Suggs -- Baltimore at New England 3.) Justin Tuck -- New York Giants at San Francisco 4.) Justin Smith -- San Francisco vs. New York Giants 5.) Haloti Ngata -- Baltimore at New England 6.) Osi Umenyiora -- New York Giants at San Francisco 7.) Brandon Deaderick -- New England at Baltimore 8.) Mark Anderson -- New England at Baltimore 9.) Chris Canty -- New York Giants at San Francisco 10.) Ray MacDonald -- San Francisco vs. New York Giants LINEBACKERS 1.) Ray Lewis -- Baltimore at New England 2.) Patrick Willis -- San Francisco vs. New York Giants 3.) NaVarro Bowman -- ...

undefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefinedundefined IDP CHEATSHEET: Divisional Round Well, maybe we'd all have been best served if I hadn't kept the Cheatsheet going into the playoffs, as on the heels of going 1-3 picking last week's games my recommendations may have left many folks with a thinned pool of talent. Either that, or you've read my stuff long enough to know me, did the opposite of what I suggested, and you're eating high off the hog right now. Either way, unlike the Bengals and Falcons crapping the proverbial bed doesn't end my season, so like it or not I have to shake it off, slap the damn horse upside its' stubborn head, and climb back on (quite possibly backwards). That said, we're still playing in a different format here, using the scoring and rules for the BTR Listeners League sponsored by Fantasy Sharks and run by FSWA Hall of Famer Greg Kellogg, who I have the distinct pleasure of co-hosting Kellogg's Komments with twice a week on Fantasy Sharks Radio. If you haven't given a listen, you absolutely should, as Greg, Mike Pisani, and Chris Nunes are damned near capable of drowning my drivel out. Well, almost. These rankings are based on the scoring for that contest, which awards 1 point for solos, .5 points for assists, 2 points each for fumbles forced and recovered, 3 points for interceptions, and sacks, 6 points for defensive touchdowns, 4 points for safeties, and 1 point for passes defensed, as well as return yardage for picks and fumbles, but those are fluke points best not chased. It's also a "one and done" format, which means that once you use a guy he's through, so what may look like a great play this week may also involve a player you want to save for next. That makes it more important, especially early on, that you try to balance scoring and who you think will advance, so keep in mind that my rankings may reflect biases you may not share, and a bit of "bet-hedging". (EXAMPLE: The Giants' DE are both solid, so regardless of whether I think they'll win or lose I may burn one this week. They lose I got good production from one (hopefully). They win I still have one to use next week.) No need to go more than 10 deep, so without further adieu... DEFENSIVE LINEMEN 1.) Jason Pierre-Paul - NYG at GB 2.) J.J. Watt -- HOU at BAL 3.) Justin Tuck -- NYG at GB 4.) Elvis Dumervil -- DEN at NE 5.) Justin Smith -- SF vs NO 6.) Osi Umenyiora -- NYG at GB 7.) Terrell Suggs -- BAL vs HOU 8.) Will Smith -- NO vs DET 9.) ...

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul provided some bulletin board material by predicting victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers in Sunday's playoff game.