Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Link to this morning's feature ~ http://subscribers.footballguys.com/apps/article.php?article=13bramel_sundayAM_idp_10
Highlights:
The Steelers are pulling back on the snaps of Jarvis Jones. That doesn't mean he's a bust. Nearly every young outside linebacker under **** Lebeau has needed time to grow into the defense. Had the Steelers gotten better production from Jason Worilds and others, Jones would've gotten the same opportunity. Cameron Heyward has flashed some pass rush ability lately, but don't rush to add him to the Cameron Jordan, Calais Campbell, Sheldon Richardson group of fantasy relevant 3-4 ends, yet. Still waiting to see when the Steelers may begin taking a longer look at Shamarko Thomas at safety.
The Bears used Jon Bostic in the nickel over Khaseem Greene last week. That's important for today's matchup. I'm still looking forward to another evaluation of Greene, but he'll be used sparingly today. Shea McClellin strained a hamstring midweek and is unlikely to play. Corey Wootton will stay inside at tackle and local writers expect a rotation of David Bass and Cheta Ozougwu. That's not good for anyone but the Bears' offensive line.
Moise Fokou is out today, giving Colin McCarthy another chance to build momentum as the every-down middle linebacker. Last week was better than Week 8. Another good week would go a long way to giving him relevant fantasy value through the playoff weeks. Michael Griffin is questionable, but practiced all week and will be back in the lineup over George Wilson. That may affect Zach Brown, who was losing subpackage snaps to Wilson recently. Proceed with caution with Brown today. And if Derrick Morgan is finally going to start converting some of his pressures to sacks, this would be the week for it.
The late week news on Terrell Thomas was promising. That's good for Thomas, but not-so-good for Will Hill, whose snaps ebb and flow with the relative health of Thomas. There's a chance Hill could see more time for Ryan Mundy, but Mundy is off the injury report and (theoretically) over the hip pointer that made him a healthy scratch two weeks ago. Jason Pierre-Paul is chirping that he's feeling better than ever. Given his pessimistic tone in recent weeks, that may be a very good sign.
The Broncos are without Champ Bailey again and could be without Duke Ihenacho. Ihenacho was limited Friday and listed questionable, but is a game-time decision. Ihenacho has already left a game after a setback this year. Avoid him today. Von Miller should continue to see his snap count trend toward full time duty. Some of Danny Trevathan's subpackage snaps are at risk.
DeMarcus Ware should be back tonight. It's not a great pass rushing matchup, so there's risk in getting him back in lineups right away. Bruce Carter seems to believe he's earned full time snaps again. It was reported that he's taken the bulk of the snaps with the first team this week. But be careful before trusting him against the spread offense of New Orleans. It was nickel snaps and coverage depth that got him in the doghouse originally. Any issues today could land him back on the bench. Jeff Heath will again start for J.J. Wilcox. Orlando Scandrick may see a bump in value with Morris Claiborne still out and a juicy matchup tonight.
The Saints are a very tough read for tonight. David Hawthorne didn't practice all week with a toe injury and Curtis Lofton was a late week add with an ankle injury on top of a nagging hamstring strain. Malcolm Jenkins made it back to a limited Friday practice and is also a game-time decision. Roman Harper practiced fully all week and should go. If you're planning on using Lofton or Jenkins, get a hedge in place. If Hawthorne and Lofton both sit, I'd bet on seeing a lot of Ramon Humber. But I'm not ultra-confident that he's the best hedge.
Highlights:
The Steelers are pulling back on the snaps of Jarvis Jones. That doesn't mean he's a bust. Nearly every young outside linebacker under **** Lebeau has needed time to grow into the defense. Had the Steelers gotten better production from Jason Worilds and others, Jones would've gotten the same opportunity. Cameron Heyward has flashed some pass rush ability lately, but don't rush to add him to the Cameron Jordan, Calais Campbell, Sheldon Richardson group of fantasy relevant 3-4 ends, yet. Still waiting to see when the Steelers may begin taking a longer look at Shamarko Thomas at safety.
The Bears used Jon Bostic in the nickel over Khaseem Greene last week. That's important for today's matchup. I'm still looking forward to another evaluation of Greene, but he'll be used sparingly today. Shea McClellin strained a hamstring midweek and is unlikely to play. Corey Wootton will stay inside at tackle and local writers expect a rotation of David Bass and Cheta Ozougwu. That's not good for anyone but the Bears' offensive line.
Moise Fokou is out today, giving Colin McCarthy another chance to build momentum as the every-down middle linebacker. Last week was better than Week 8. Another good week would go a long way to giving him relevant fantasy value through the playoff weeks. Michael Griffin is questionable, but practiced all week and will be back in the lineup over George Wilson. That may affect Zach Brown, who was losing subpackage snaps to Wilson recently. Proceed with caution with Brown today. And if Derrick Morgan is finally going to start converting some of his pressures to sacks, this would be the week for it.
The late week news on Terrell Thomas was promising. That's good for Thomas, but not-so-good for Will Hill, whose snaps ebb and flow with the relative health of Thomas. There's a chance Hill could see more time for Ryan Mundy, but Mundy is off the injury report and (theoretically) over the hip pointer that made him a healthy scratch two weeks ago. Jason Pierre-Paul is chirping that he's feeling better than ever. Given his pessimistic tone in recent weeks, that may be a very good sign.
The Broncos are without Champ Bailey again and could be without Duke Ihenacho. Ihenacho was limited Friday and listed questionable, but is a game-time decision. Ihenacho has already left a game after a setback this year. Avoid him today. Von Miller should continue to see his snap count trend toward full time duty. Some of Danny Trevathan's subpackage snaps are at risk.
DeMarcus Ware should be back tonight. It's not a great pass rushing matchup, so there's risk in getting him back in lineups right away. Bruce Carter seems to believe he's earned full time snaps again. It was reported that he's taken the bulk of the snaps with the first team this week. But be careful before trusting him against the spread offense of New Orleans. It was nickel snaps and coverage depth that got him in the doghouse originally. Any issues today could land him back on the bench. Jeff Heath will again start for J.J. Wilcox. Orlando Scandrick may see a bump in value with Morris Claiborne still out and a juicy matchup tonight.
The Saints are a very tough read for tonight. David Hawthorne didn't practice all week with a toe injury and Curtis Lofton was a late week add with an ankle injury on top of a nagging hamstring strain. Malcolm Jenkins made it back to a limited Friday practice and is also a game-time decision. Roman Harper practiced fully all week and should go. If you're planning on using Lofton or Jenkins, get a hedge in place. If Hawthorne and Lofton both sit, I'd bet on seeing a lot of Ramon Humber. But I'm not ultra-confident that he's the best hedge.
