4 Months Indianapolis Colts Comment

Colts ILB Kavell Conner's 2013 base salary increased from $575,000 to $630,000 after he hit escalators in his rookie deal.

Conner has started 36 games over his first three seasons after being a seventh-round pick out of Clemson in 2010. A year after racking up 104 tackles as the Colts' strong-side linebacker in 2011, Conner moved inside as the Colts transitioned to the 3-4 defense. He's proven to be strong against the run.

IDP Sleepers - Week 7 (fantasysharks.com)

Wow. With six teams on a bye this week, finding sleeper candidates was going to be an adventure, and the injuries suffered by big name defenders has made it even more fun. Figuring out what defenses are going to do in an effort to replace their injured starters is always an adventure, and some situations remain in flux and will require careful observing in the next couple of weeks.

That's why I love Individual Defensive Player (IDP) formats and the mysteries that it offers up on a weekly basis. Here are some Week 7 sleeper options that are primed for big fantasy outings.

LINEBACKERS

Zach Brown, OLB, Tennessee at Buffalo: Brown has been playing more physical of late and has put up eight solo tackles and a pass defended in the last two games. The Bills do not represent the best fantasy matchup for linebackers but they do run an offense that lends itself to an athletic player like Brown garnering more snaps. He could have a sneaky good fantasy week while chasing down Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.

James Anderson, OLB, Carolina vs. Dallas: Anderson has been a productive fantasy option the last couple of seasons and started 2012 on a nice pace as well. In Weeks 4 and 5, he saw his snap count dip into the mid-40s range for Carolina, and that makes him sleeper material. The whole Panthers defense has struggled and they seem to be reaching for the best linebacker combination from week-to-week. Look for Anderson to have a surprisingly good fantasy week as he works his way back into the Carolina base defense. The Cowboys will afford Anderson plenty of opportunity to put up tackles (he has 37 total to date) as well as get some big plays on his 2012 resume.

Victor Butler, OLB, Dallas at Carolina: Butler has played well while filling in for Anthony Spencer and looks to fill-in for him again in Week 7. He put up five solo tackles last week and also knocked a pass down. Butler has yet to post a sack, but he does have three quarterback hurries over the past three weeks and is an adequate pass rushing option. He's solid against the run, and while he is not as explosive as Spencer off the edge, he can bring efficient pressure. Look for a good fantasy week for Butler as the Panthers offense offers up tackle and big play opportunities for linebackers. Should Spencer actually play this week, insert him into this sleeper spot.

Kavell Conner, ILB, Indianapolis vs. Cleveland: Conner remains fantasy relevant until Pat Angerer finally returns from injury. After a...

I'm not going to bore you by congratulating myself for recommending that you start Kavell Conner (he of the 18 total tackles) in Week Four, nor will I thrill you by flagellating myself for recommending that you sit Paul Posluszny (kudos if you rolled him out, but if you did so out of anything other than necessity you're a braver man than I). The past is just that, so let's get down to business.

Remember, this is the first of the bye weeks, so don't go starting any players from the Ravens, Browns, Cowboys, Dolphins, Rams, or Redskins. Stop sobbing, D'Qwell Jackson owners, it's just one game.

With no further adieu, here's a look at some players you should give serious consideration to getting into your lineups or who could outperform expectations (Studs) and some that, for whatever reason, you may want to consider leaving alone, or at least take into account that they may be a relative disappointment this week. (Duds)

STUDS

Michael Bennett -- DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at SF): Fresh off his 5 tackle, 2 sack, forced fumble showing on Monday night Bennett and the Bucs get a matchup with a San Francisco squad that has allowed the fifth most fantasy points to opposing defensive linemen this year.

Chris Clemons -- DE, Seattle Seahawks (at NYG): Look for Clemons to rebound from his 1 assist vanishing act against Atlanta when the Seahawks travel to meet the Giants, who are in the bottom 10 in the NFL in sacks allowed.

Derrick Morgan -- DE, Tennessee Titans (at PIT): The youngster looks to be rounding into big form and could be in for a big day against a tissue paper Pittsburgh O-Line that has allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing defensive linemen and a one-legged quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger.

James Anderson -- OLB, Carolina Panthers (vs. NO): The Saints are tops in the NFL in tackle opportunities allowed and ninth in fantasy points allowed to opposing linebackers, so there's ample reason to think Anderson will be in for a solid statistical outing when New Orleans visits the Panthers Sunday.

Leroy Hill -- OLB, Seattle Seahawks (at NYG): If you're looking for a spot-start at linebacker this week allow me to suggest that you consider Leroy Hill, who's back to a three down role on the weak side for the Seahawks and who has 20 total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble over his past two games.

D.J. Williams -- OLB, Denver Broncos (vs. SD): The eighth year veteran appears to be fully recovered from his dislocated elbow, and the San Diego Chargers...

IDP CHEATSHEET: Week 5 (fantasysharks.com)

IDP CHEATSHEET: Week Five

Four weeks into the 2011 season and injuries are mounting (With Trent Cole, Jerod Mayo, James Harrison, Antoine Winfield, and Chris Hope going down just last week alone), and that combined with the arrival of the bye weeks that makes setting IDP lineups as daunting a challenge as ever.

To assist you in doing so here's a look at my Top 30 defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs for Week Five of the 2011 season in IDP leagues.

These rankings are based on Default IDP Manor Scoring, which awards 1 point for solos, .5 points for assists, 2 points each for fumbles forced and recovered, 4 points for interceptions, sacks, and safeties, 6 points for defensive touchdowns, and 1 point for passes defensed. It's a balanced scoring system, so if your IDP league is especially tackle-heavy or big play-heavy some players may move up (or down) a few spots.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

1.) Jason Pierre-Paul - NYG vs SEA

2.) Jared Allen - MIN vs ARI

3.) Kyle Vanden Bosch - DET vs CHI

4.) Jason Babin - PHI at BUF

5.) Will Smith - NO at CAR

6.) Robert Mathis - IND vs KC

7.) Osi Umenyiora - NYG vs SEA

8.) Julius Peppers - CHI at DET

9.) Charles Johnson - CAR vs NO

10.) Ndamukong Suh - DET vs CHI

11.) Chris Clemons - SEA at NYG

12.) Justin Smith - SF vs TB

13.) Michael Johnson - CIN at JAX

14.) Calais Campbell - ARI at MIN

15.) Greg Hardy - CAR vs NO

16.) Dwight Freeney - IND vs KC

17.) John Abraham - ATL vs GB

18.) Cliff Avril - DET vs CHI

19.) Darnell Dockett - ARI at MIN

20.) Derrick Morgan - TEN at PIT

21.) Justin Tuck - NYG vs SEA

22.) J.J. Watt - HOU vs OAK

23.) Cullen Jenkins - PHI at BUF

24.) Lamarr Houston - OAK at HOU

25.) Israel Idonije - CHI at DET

26.) Ray Edwards - ATL vs GB

27.) Darryl Tapp - PHI at BUF

28.) Richard Seymour - OAK at HOU

29.) Michael Bennett - TB at SF

30.) Antonio Smith - HOU vs OAK

LINEBACKERS

1.) Desmond Bishop - GB at ATL

2.) Patrick Willis - SF vs TB

3.) Rolando McClain - OAK at HOU

4.) Pat Angerer - IND vs KC

5.) Sean Weatherspoon - ATL vs GB

6.) David Hawthorne - SEA at NYG

7.) Nick Barnett - BUF vs PHI

8.) Stephen Tulloch - DET vs CHI

9.) Rey Maualuga - CIN at JAX

10.) Curtis Lofton - ATL vs GB

11.) Navorro Bowman - SF vs TB

12.) Daryl Washington - ARI at MIN

13.) Paul Posluszny - JAX vs CIN

14.) Brian Urlacher - CHI at DET

15.) D.J. Williams - DEN vs SD

16.) Lawrence Timmons - PIT vs TEN

17.) David Harris - NYJ at NE

18.) Kavell Conner - IND vs KC

19.) Barrett Ruud - TEN at PIT

20.) James Anderson - CAR vs NO...

I've learned two important lessons in the two plus years I've been doing this article. The first is that unless you like to play Captain Obvious with your recommendations you're occasionally going to take one on the chin, and I've never been a fan of taking the easy way out. The second is that when you do get punched in the mouth there's not much to do other than get up and keep going, so after a less than stellar Week 3 that's exactly what I'm going to do.

With that in mind, here's a look at some players you should give serious consideration to getting into your lineups or who could outperform expectations (Studs) and some that, for whatever reason, you may want to consider leaving alone, or at least take into account that they may be a relative disappointment this week. (Duds)

STUDS

Calais Campbell -- DE, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NYG): Campbell may be hard pressed to back up last week's 10 tackle, 2.5 sack explosion, but the Giants have allowed the seventh most sacks in the league to this point, so the matchup is favorable.

Greg Hardy -- DE, Carolina Panthers (at CHI): The Bears offensive line is still employing the matador technique while pass blocking (OLE!), and Hardy and Charles Johnson have been effective despite facing the fewest pass attempts in the NFL through three weeks.

Will Smith -- DE, New Orleans Saints (at JAC): Smith looked good in racking up six stops in his first game of the season last week and gets to get jiggy with rookie signal caller Blaine Gabbert this Sunday.

Lance Briggs -- WLB, Chicago Bears (vs. CAR): After posting double digit tackles the past two games Briggs and the Bears square off against a Carolina Panthers team that ranks among the league leaders in tackle opportunities allowed.

Kavell Conner -- WLB, Indianapolis Colts (at TB): Lost in all the Pat Angerer hooplah is the fact that Conner has 20 total tackles over the past two games playing on a Colts defense that leads the NFL in tackle opportunities, making him a nice spot-start this week.

Rolando McClain -- MLB, Oakland Raiders (vs. NE): McClain has posted two straight solid games after laying an egg in Week 1 and faces a New England team this Sunday that has a tendency to keep opposing defenses busy.

Yeremiah Bell -- SS, Miami Dolphins (at SD): The San Diego Chargers are second in the National Football league in tackle opportunities allowed through three games this year, so Bell should have ample chances to produce for his IDP owners.

Rashean Mathis -- CB,...

IDP WAIVER WIRE: Week Three (fantasysharks.com)

We're only two weeks into the 2011 season, and already the injuries are starting to pile up (Outside linebacker Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers blew out his knee...again, and inside linebacker Karlos Dansby of the Miami Dolphins has the always ubiquitous groin injury), so IDP owners everywhere are scrambling to plug the holes in the boat before their seasons are sunk.

With that in mind here are some players that should be available on many IDP waiver wires that can give your fantasy squad a boost.

PICKUP OF THE WEEK

Mason Foster -- MLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Foster's two-down role in the middle of the Tampa defense led many IDP owners to jettison the rookie, but that role may be about to change. An ankle injury suffered by starting SLB Quincy Black led to Foster seeing increased playing time for Foster and the youngster responded, leading the Buccaneers with 10 tackles, notching his first sack, and forcing a fumble. The solid outing could lead to more time on the field for Foster in the future, so you should strongly consider picking him up.

Michael Johnson -- DE, Cincinnati Bengals: After a failed move to SLB last year Johnson's back at defensive end in the Queen City and making an impact, logging seven solos, a sack, and a forced fumble in the Bengals loss at Denver Sunday. Defensive ends aren't going to rack up seven stops every week, but given the lack of fantasy depth at the position IDP owners would be well advised to give the third year pro a look.

Jabaal Sheard -- DE, Cleveland Browns: The Browns moved the rookie to the left side of the defensive line for last week's game at Indianapolis and Sheard exploded, tallying five total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble against the Colts. Sheard will see plenty of playing time on Cleveland's defensive front this season, and while rookie defensive linemen can be inconsistent IDP options Sheard is well worth an add in the hopes that Week 2 was a portent of things to come.

Kavell Conner -- WLB, Indianapolis Colts: The second year pro had a strong statistical showing in the Colts loss to the Cleveland Browns Sunday, making 10 total tackles and forcing a fumble. Conner's the 3-down WLB in a Tampa-2 defense, a position that has shown in the past to be a productive one from an IDP standpoint, and fantasy owners in a bind at linebacker could do worse than bringing Kavell Conner on board.

Thomas Howard -- WLB, Cincinnati Bengals: Howard put together his second straight decent outing in last Sunday's...

9/6/2011 Indianapolis Colts Comment

Kavell Conner will enter the season as the Colts' starting weak-side linebacker.

A seventh-round steal last season, Conner has already drawn comparisons to former Titans linebacker David Thornton. Thanks to an appendectomy that kept Ernie Sims out for much of August, Conner had little competition for the job. Sims will play on nickel downs once he gets back to full strength.