2011 IDP Stockwatch: Week 2

ByRyan Sitzmann Posted on Updated on
Written By: Bill Edwards

Hello and welcome to this season-long series for IDPGuru.com entitled “IDP Stockwatch.” In this article, I will discuss a few players whose fantasy value has either gone up or down depending on their performance, role changes, injury concerns, etc. from the previous week. I will try to get this article out every Thursday for your reading pleasure.

Stock Up
SS – Morgan Burnett – (GB) – Burnett was a 3rd round draft pick by Green Bay last year. He totaled 14 tackles all of last season due to a early season injury that put him on IR. Last Thursday night he had 7s olo tackles and 7 assisted tackles. Not a bad coming out party. Playing strong safety, Burnett should be the extra man in the box. He should be owned and played with confidence this season. He should be in a good place against the pass also with Green Bay likely to be ahead in most games this season.

MLB – D’Qwell Jackson – CLE) – Jackson was a tackle machine in 2008 totaling 154 tackles. He started again on a frantic pace in 2009, 59 tackles in 6 games, but suffered a torn pectoral muscle. In 2010, he was injured again when he tore his other pectoral muscle in the preseason. On Sunday, he started where he ended his 2009 season. Jackson had 8 solos and 1 assisted tackle to go along with 2 sacks and a forced fumble. Jackson may have slide under the radar for some owners this year but, he will be well remembered by those who have been playing in IDP leagues for the last few years. Jackson is a top LB and a must have on your team.

RILB – Sean Lee – (DAL) – Lee seems to have overtaken Keith Brooking as the Cowboys WILB. Lee recorded 12 total tackles and an INT against the Jets on Sunday night. Brooking meanwhile had 4 solos (see stock down for more on Brooking). Lee played well last year as a rookie and seems to have taken this job from Brooking.

FS – Ed Reed – (BAL) – Reed was written off a little last season when he had his hip injury. He came back and played 10 games, finishing with 8 INTs. Sunday against the Steelers he continued his ways with 2 INTs and 6 solos. The Ravens defense looked scary good and should be playing ahead in most games. Reed should take advantage of this and finish atop the leader board in INTs.

ROLB – Terrell Suggs – (BAL) – You can’t have a Stock Up report with out the leagues leader in sacks. Suggs has always been a great edge rusher but, he upped his game on Sunday and recorded 3 sacks against the Steelers. Suggs should benefit from the overall strength of the Ravens defense. Like Reed, he should be playing ahead and have plenty of opportunities to get after the quarterback. Suggs could finish amongst the league leaders in sacks and intimidation.



Stock Down
RILB – Keith Brooking – (DAL) – Brooking started his 13th season Sunday night and is starting to look like a 13 year veteran. Brooking has averaged 100 tackles per season over his career but, it looks like Sean Lee has begun to take over as the WILB for Dallas. In Sunday Night’s game, Lee had 12 total tackles and an INT. Brooking had 4 solos. This maybe a blurp on the fantasy radar but, it looks like the beginning of the end of a great career for Brooking and the beginning of a great career for Lee.

FS – Bernard Pollard – (BAL) – Pollard may be most well know for his hit on Tom Brady (ruined a great Patriot season), but Pollard eventually went on to Houston and had 2 great fantasy seasons. He signed in Baltimore and it seemed like he would continue his success with the Ravens. Somehow Pollard has all but been beaten out by Tom Zbikowski. In Sunday’s game against the Steelers, Pollard tallied 1 tackle. Zbikowski racked up 6 tackles and is listed ahead of Pollard on the depth chart.

SS – Troy Polamalu – (PIT) – Polamalu was beaten a few times in the Super Bowl against Green Bay. Then on Sunday he was beaten some more by second year TE Ed Dickerson. This may be a sign of him slowing down a bit. Polamalu will have some big games where he’ll win a game on his own but, he is in his 9th season. Since he has been in the league, he has only played 16 games 4 times and once in the last 5 seasons. Polamalu’s best days are probably behind him. He is a DB/2 at this point in his career.

OLB – Shawn Merriman – (BUF) – Merriman had a promising start to the preseason this year, recording 2 tackles and 2 sacks in the first week. He didn’t do much after that, and that trend continued into week 1 of the regular season. Merriman had 1 tackle against Kansas City. He injured his shoulder in the first quarter, but returned to the game shortly after and played the rest of the game. Merriman’s play was disappointing considering all the reports of how healthy he had been through camp.  Merriman should be left on your waivers until he proves himself.

RDE – Elvis Dumervil – (DEN) – Dumervil appeared to have re-injured his shoulder in the first quarter of Monday Night’s game against division rival Oakland. Dumervil recorded no stats. Broncos coach John Fox says Dumervil is fine and that he just re-aggravated the injury. Time will tell, but it is starting to look like Elvis is somewhat injury prone now. When healthy he could be a contributor to what should be a IDP gold mine in Denver.


Thanks for reading! Comments, suggestions or questions are welcome below or by email at billedwards@idpguru.com. You can also follow my active Twitter feed @edwards7aces.

Last Updated: September 15, 2011