Fantasy Football 2011: Week 7 IDP Guide

Welcome to Week 7 IDP Guide, ID-people. There are no intros this week. Let's get down to business (something the NBA doesn't seem to be doing anytime soon):

Linebackers on the Rise

NaVorro Bowman- There's not a week that goes by where the guys on NFL Network and ESPN will rant and rave about how great Patrick Willis is for the San Fran D. While I agree he is the most talented backer in the league, he hasn't even been the best linebacker on his own team. Bowman is fifth in the league in total tackles and second for solo tackles. The Linebacker U product is on a bye this week and his owners had better think about cutting a handcuff back or their WR5 instead of Bowman. He's here to stay.

James Farrior- The ex-Jet was in this section last week and he didn't disappoint by providing 11 tackles with a sack on Sunday. Expect him to continue this hot streak while James Harrison misses time. He's clearly more valuable than Lawrence Timmons right now. Timmons should probably be benched or cut in shallow formats

Start of the Week

Derrick Johnson- The Longhorn should be seeing Darren McFadden in the hole near the Black Hole quite often. The Raiders are expected to go extremely run-heavy in Sunday's game and Carson Palmer should be dealing with a simplified playbook. It's also very unlikely the Raiders will take shots down the field with a lack of practice or chemistry between the QB and receivers. Johnson has been a bust to this point, but don't let that dissuade you from starting him.

Follow me on Twitter for up-to-date IDP info and plenty of instant analysis on Sunday. You can also ask me things like, "Mike my league gets 5 points per sack, so should I start Tamba Hali or Sean Lee?"

Defensive Backs on the Rise

Kurt Coleman- So much for me reporting to you on what I learned about watching Kurt Coleman in his first start, right? I mentioned Coleman last week for deep leagues and he wins the Defensive Player of the Week award. Not only did he have the three picks, he also had seven tackles and was all over the field. There is a whole lot to like about Coleman and he should be grabbed in deeper formats that can afford to wait a week to start him (he's on a bye).

Thomas DeCoud- DeCoud now has back-to-back eight-tackle games and gets a nice matchup against the Lions. Not only does he rank 21st in tackles among defensive backs, he also has three picks. Atlanta's seventh-ranked run D should dictate their opponents to set up more of a short passing game, which figures to be advantageous for DeCoud's value.

Rashad Johnson-  Johnson is going to take over for the injured Kerry "Hollywood" Rhodes. Full disclosure: I have always disliked Rhodes for how he shows trepidation to make tackles, falls for the double move constantly, misses tackles and has trouble getting off blocks in the secondary. I wouldn't be surprised if Johnson can take this job away from Rhodes. Some might remember Johnson's skill set in Alabama, but he has yet to really make a splash on defense. According to our friends at Revenge of the Birds, he showed some nice signs on special teams though. Rhodes is going to come back at some point, so don't bend over backwards to grab Johnson just yet.

Start of the Week

Quintin Mikell- The Cowboys are depleted at running back and figure to air it out a bit against the hapless Rams. Mikell should get his fair share of covering Witten and rolling his coverage to Dez or Miles. James Hall and Chris Long might be able to get enough pressure on Romo to get him to force some throws as well.

Defensive Linemen on the Rise

Andre Carter- Carter has lived up to the billing as a talented player in his first year with the Pats. He accounted for two sacks of Tony Romo on Sunday and was in his kitchen for most of the game. Expect Carter to keep this pace and he's someone that should be owned and started in most leagues once he comes off the bye.

Jeremy Mincey- Mincey is coming off two very productive games with the Jaguars including his eight-tackle performance vs. the Steelers. He had five tackles and a sack two weeks ago as well. The Gator has shown some nice polish in beating tackles to the inside on runs and passes. He's a rare bright spot on one of the worst teams in the league.

Aaron Maybin- Maybin looked like he ate a mushroom from Mario Kart with the way he was flying around the field. He had remarkable closing speed on his sack and the forced fumble to put him on the IDP map. Jamaal Westerman, his competition at the OLB opposite Calvin Pace, had a down game after his two-sack performance. The Jets love to rush the passer, so if Maybin (or Westerman) can win the job and play most of the snap at OLB, they'l have value.

Start of the Week

Jabaal Sheard- Sheard has quietly been one of the better rookies in the league this year and he should have his way with Seattle's O-line. Seattle ranks second in the league in sacks allowed.

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