The world of IDP (Individual Defensive Player) fantasy football is one of mystery to many fantasy regulars, but is gaining a bit of popularity year after year. Ready for a more intense challenge, the bravest of fantasy owners enter the IDP arena; the results can often be less than favorable.

But midway through the season, patterns start to form and players start to emerge, and every so often, a wise move can be made to capitalize and take control of the IDP monster. The Buccaneers, despite some inconsistencies in their team defense fantasy statistics, actually put forth quite a few IDP players that should be owned across the board. Continue reading →

Before the Bucs’ Week Five Bye, Josh Freeman’s highest fantasy points total came in his 243 yard, two touchdown, two interception performance in New York.  It was good for the 21^st highest QB fantasy point total that week.

Fast forward to Week Six when Freeman and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted the Kansas City Chiefs. He posted his first 300+-yard game of the year and added three touchdowns. His 23-fantasy point week was 10 points better than his previous high.

Then, this past Sunday, Freeman’s passing statistics improved once again. He rocketed to 28 points, second most in the NFL that week, on a 420-yard, three-touchdown performance.

In those two games, he totaled 51 fantasy points, nine more than he accumulated in the first four games of the season combined. In fact, in the two games since the Tampa Bay bye week, only two quarterbacks have more fantasy points than Freeman: Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay and Robert Griffin III of Washington.

If the question is whether or not Freeman has proven that he should be owned in more than 69.3% of leagues, the answer is, “Yes.”  Continue reading →

Is Dez Bryant always in your starting lineup? What about Andre Johnson? Brandon Lloyd? Antonio Brown? Steve Smith, maybe?

If you answered yes any of these questions, then I pose another to you: What do all of these players have in common?

Answer: They all have fewer fantasy points this season than Buccaneer WR Mike Williams.

As a matter of fact, Williams is tied with Miles Austin, Julio Jones, Eric Decker and Larry Fitzgerald with 9.8 fantasy points per game (standard), good for 16^th at the wide receiver position. Yet, of every name I have listed so far, Williams is the only one who is not owned in 100% of all fantasy leagues. He is owned in 54%.

So now the question becomes: “Should a player tied for 16^th in the NFL in points make your fantasy starting lineup?” I simply answer, “Yes, yes he should.” Continue reading →

Fantasy football players are quickly discovering that their mid-round investment in new Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson.  In Yahoo.com leagues, Jackson was drafted at an average spot of 60.2 (end of fifth round in a 12-team league), 25th among all receivers, but he’s currently ranked 14th among receivers in scoring in standard formats.

The real draft-day bargain, however, may be Jackson’s fellow Buccaneer starter, Mike Williams – especially for those who are getting Williams into their lineups early.  The third-year receiver was drafted, on average, in the middle of the 10th round, and he’s scored more fantasy points so far than the likes of A.J. Green, Pierre Garcon, Jordy Nelson, Antonio Brown, Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin.

The key for Williams is his continued success in finding the end zone, particularly in the season’s first month.  Continue reading →