EOTG mentions that it appears the T.Davis is now moving to SLB instead of playing safety and that this will cost his fantasy value. I know value is in the eye of the scoring system, but I am in a heavy tackle dynasty league, and thought this would definitely help his tackles totals, especially since he is listed as a DB currently. Am I missing something here?
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inbreeder
Footballguy
Generally speaking, MLB and WLB are the productive tacklers in a given defensive scheme, with the SS not too far behind in most cases. The SLB has to contend with a blocker on every play, often the TE, sometimes a FB or an lineman.There have been productive SLB in the past. Anthony Simmons circa 2002 is usually the most cited example. For a SLB to be productive fantasy material, they have to be get off blocks or frequently used in pass rushing schemes or be on the field on all three downs with coverage responsibilities.
In a tackle neutral league (where 1 tackle equals approximately 1/3 of a sack or 1/4 of an INT), the only true SLB currently in the top 30 are Marcus Washington and Karlos Dansby. They are ranked 27 and 28. Adalius Thomas is there as well, but he's not a true SLB in the truest sense of the world. Washington has 63 solo tackles, which would be good for 5th among safeties this season. If Thomas Davis could approach Washington's production and started as a DB (both stretches long term) he may have value. But Davis has never not topped two solo tackles in the past month.
That said, Davis could be a viable fantasy player as a SLB if he's used as John Fox suggested he might be earlier in the year. Carolina had planned on moving him all around the formation as the "Joker" and allowing him to rush the passer and/or utilize his speed to pursue plays. Bob Magaw made a couple of detailed posts about this in the preseason. Or his inability to pick up defensive schemes, liabilities in pass coverage, and the time it may take to learn to shed blocks may kill his value all together. Time will tell, but those of us who were high on him this preseason are more than a little nervous about the investment.
If you're a subscriber, John Norton's article "Breaking Down NFL Defenses" is one of the best articles every written about the relative fantasy value of each defensive position. If you're not a subscriber, I've often said that article may well be worth the 20 bucks by itself.
Will Witherspoon is a free agent after this year, isn't he?I'm thinking Davis might have a decent shot of moving into the WLB spot next year.
Weiner Dog
Footballguy
Witherspoon is a UFA at season's end. With the Panthers already paying Morgan solid money and with Davis' inability to play safety, I would assume it's highly unlikely that Witherspoon is a Panther next season. Also, keep an eye on the LB crop for the '06 draft class. It's flat-out stacked! Free agents like Witherspoon may not command top dollar of yesteryear.
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
roy williams & derrick brooks were used as comp players coming into the season...so yes, the best case scenario for davis owners (myself included... i'm not just the president of the hair transplant club... i'm a member
) is that panthers elect to not re-sign witherspoon for cap reasons & slot davis into his role... but doesn't the cap go up next season... so maybe reupping witherspoon not so difficult as we may think?the big surprise for me was that based on past, CAR was very good at scouting players they could plug in right away... first round picks in previous three seasons... in order... DE peppers, RT/LT gross & CB gamble... started immediately... & contributed at a high level.
i haven't given up on davis... i can see how inability to cover locks him into LB role (which bloom was insisting was his natural position in pros LONG before i recall anybody else taking such a firm stance... to give credit where credit is due... bloom was prescient on that score... a typical state for him i would guess
)...i got ambiguous & even in some cases conflicting reports in pre-season about whether davis was a safety of LB (CAR announced him as LB at draft but during training camp flip flopped positions a few times due to secondary & LB injuries... he emerged from training camp/pre-season as a safety... than was benched after about one game)...
rather than impose my own speculation on others in the pre-season, at the time when our articles had to be turned in ready or not (i happened to think he would make a good safety & coverage lapses could be schemed around) & possibly guess wrong... i tried to write the CAR team report on defense & pre-season IDP rookie report (DB) in a way that reflected this uncertainty as best i could.
but if you look at the highlights on film... the dude was & IS a MONSTER!!
he will make a heckuva LB... if he gets the WLB slot, could be a pro bowler in a few seasons, imo.
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Yep, I sure did. Watching him as closely as I can. He had 4 tackles yesterday. 3 on ST. and a forced fumble. It looks given the limited playing time he is receiving, he is making the most out of it. He is showing his ability with that limited playing time, probably why he is still borderline on my roster, despite not starting. At some point, Carolina or some guru hear, may have information about his career in the NFL.
