Bloom and Bramel discuss their rankings (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

Sig and I will be posting a series of conversational articles discussing our tiering philosophies and how they might be worked into a draft strategy.

Here's the first installment -- DL tiers.

Sig may not be available to answer questions until later in the week, but we appreciate all discussion, suggestions and comments as we work on the LB and DB articles.

 

[Fighting Noles]

GREAT article as usual guys....REALLY looking forward to the rest of the series. A notch above what has ALWAYS been really good IDP coverage here. Keep it up - Can't wait for my drafts to start now!

 

[brianj74]

Great article as usual. The explanations about the players and the ranking/tiers are the best part (as opposed to a simple ranking).

 

[Tick]

This is great stuff - thanks, guys. Interesting to see no mention of Will Smith. New Orleans has been so disappointing at DE.

 

[houndirish]

Great stuff guys, keep it up.

I realize his tackle numbers have been a disappointment but I tend to think Gaines Adams is a very good bet to hit his breakout year this season. When you list that DL 1A tier, I think I'd be more comfortable rolling the dice on him as opposed to some of the veterans. Although I agree that he shouldn't be overdrafted. I also agree with Tick that Will Smith should be on the radar. Very disappointing 2008 but he's a strong bet to break 40 tackles. If he can take his paltry 3 sack effort last year and bump it to 6 or 7 he's respectable. If he were to drop in a draft I think he offers strong value, especially since he's only 27 years old.

 

[Instinctive]

Great stuff guys, keep it up.

I realize his tackle numbers have been a disappointment but I tend to think Gaines Adams is a very good bet to hit his breakout year this season. When you list that DL 1A tier, I think I'd be more comfortable rolling the dice on him as opposed to some of the veterans. Although I agree that he shouldn't be overdrafted. I also agree with Tick that Will Smith should be on the radar. Very disappointing 2008 but he's a strong bet to break 40 tackles. If he can take his paltry 3 sack effort last year and bump it to 6 or 7 he's respectable. If he were to drop in a draft I think he offers strong value, especially since he's only 27 years old.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, Adams has hit the weights and put on "at least 15 pounds" this off-season. More strength to go with his already exceptional speed would be a deadly combination.

http://www.fftoolbox.com/football/article....=422&page=3I like Gaines Adams this year as well, it seems as though he has been working really hard.

 

[Saints-Man]

Thanks !!! Great info!!

 

[Jene Bramel]

The second part of this series -- a discussion of the linebacker tiers and strategy -- posted today.

The DB discussion is in the can and should be available soon.

Enjoy!

 

[Crippler]

Put me in the Fletcher age is catching up to him. Add in that McIntosh has kind of started to bite into his numbers also. I am not big on him like Jene is and agree with Bloom that the end is coming soon. Same with Lofton. I keep thinking Jeremiah Trotter with this guy. Will have some nice seasons but is more of a run stuffer for his career. Trotter had some good seasons but also some disappointing ones. Will Lofton be the same. I think he is overrated and he wont be on my team. Cooper is an interesting guy though but also keep an eye on Burnett to be the guy that Cooper could be.

Is Laurinitis really in a plum spot. Witherspoon struggled moving to the middle last year and it was Pisa that seemed to thrive. I think Witherspoon is the guy to own in SL and he will outperform Animal Jr.

Just some thought and good article overall

 

[Jene Bramel]

Final installment -- the DBs -- posted today.

 

[Fighting Noles]

Great series guys....THANKS!

 

[Knobs]

Great stuff for an IDP newbie like myself. Thanks guys!

 

[Tenacious]

I read all 3 of these articles tonight.

Great work as always, gentlemen.

I am mulling over your suggested IDP draft strategy of taking 1 or 2 stud DL's before LBs and DBs.

What if the league only has 1 starting spot for DL? My instinct here is to push DL's towards the back of the draft since I'm all but guaranteed one of the top 13 listed in the article. I'll aim for a stud LB, then basically wait for value on all 3 IDP positions. Any thoughts?

(I could have posted this in AC, but I figured it related to the article and I'm interested in the overall draft strategy suggested in the articles)

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I read all 3 of these articles tonight. Great work as always, gentlemen.I am mulling over your suggested IDP draft strategy of taking 1 or 2 stud DL's before LBs and DBs. What if the league only has 1 starting spot for DL? My instinct here is to push DL's towards the back of the draft since I'm all but guaranteed one of the top 13 listed in the article. I'll aim for a stud LB, then basically wait for value on all 3 IDP positions. Any thoughts? (I could have posted this in AC, but I figured it related to the article and I'm interested in the overall draft strategy suggested in the articles)Thanks in advance.

I think the strategy still holds. You're looking to push relative advantage and the top DE tier is more shallow than the other positions. I think you can find a LB that might do as well as the studs more easily than doing the same at DL. If you're only starting one player at each position, I might even try to avoid the fussing over cycling a DB starter and take one ahead of the LB depending on how the tiers fall out during the draft.

 

[Tenacious]

I read all 3 of these articles tonight. Great work as always, gentlemen.I am mulling over your suggested IDP draft strategy of taking 1 or 2 stud DL's before LBs and DBs. What if the league only has 1 starting spot for DL? My instinct here is to push DL's towards the back of the draft since I'm all but guaranteed one of the top 13 listed in the article. I'll aim for a stud LB, then basically wait for value on all 3 IDP positions. Any thoughts? (I could have posted this in AC, but I figured it related to the article and I'm interested in the overall draft strategy suggested in the articles)Thanks in advance.

I think the strategy still holds. You're looking to push relative advantage and the top DE tier is more shallow than the other positions. I think you can find a LB that might do as well as the studs more easily than doing the same at DL. If you're only starting one player at each position, I might even try to avoid the fussing over cycling a DB starter and take one ahead of the LB depending on how the tiers fall out during the draft.

We start 2LBs, 1CB, 1S, 1DL and 2 Dflex.I see what you're saying about DL having the most shallow elite tier. I'm going to have to rethink this a bit...Thanks Jene.