When looking for a fantasy defense, it’s a wise decision to pick teams in any other division than the NFC West.
1. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks suffered through a long and frustrating 2008 campaign finishing 23rd in scoring with 132 points. A big part of the defense’s decline was the ineptitude of its offense, which suffered through many three and outs and kept the defense out on the field far too long.
This year, Jim Mora Jr. takes over as coach, and defense is his forte.
With the addition of first round choice LB Aaron Curry to go along with a pretty good supporting cast (CB Trufant, LB Tatupu, DE Kerney), look for a solid rebound by the Hawks in 2009.
Special Teams: if Nate Burleson can come back from his injury, he’s a dangerous returner capable of scoring at any time.
2. San Francisco 49ers
While the Niners still lack the big bodies inside to run a 3 4 defense effectively, the unit began making strides late last season and showing toughness once Mike Singletary took over. Overall, they finished the season with 122 fantasy points.
This season, with defensive leader Patrick Willis now entering his third year, the year star players typically take an even bigger step forward, look for San Francisco, who will have a more aggressive defensive style on display, to get after the QB and create more sacks and turnovers. This could turn out to be a nice late round fantasy sleeper pick.
Special Teams: Allen Rossum is a steady returner who scored a TD on a KO last season.
3. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals certainly have some talented young players on defense (Dansby, Rodgers-Cromartie, Dockett, etc.), but the big question is how they’ll respond to the loss of defensive coordinator, Clancy Pendergast.
In their 2008 Super Bowl season, often blessed with playing with a lead, the Cards managed 166 fantasy points, many coming at the expense of their inferior divisional foes.
It’s going to be a little bit different this year.
They suffered some losses in free agency (DE Smith to the Texans), and appear destined to suffer the Super Bowl jinx. Having to play a first place schedule, look for a step back in 2009 as competition within the division will be stronger, and the out of conference schedule (AFC South) is brutal too.
Special teams: Steve Breaston handled punts last year and should be called upon to do so again in ’09.
4. St. Louis Rams
It’s going to take more than one season and one draft for Steve Spagnuolo to clean up the mess he inherited in St. Louis, but there are a few promising pieces in place beginning with last year’s number two overall pick, DE Chris Long.
In 2008, in a season which was really over before it began, the Rams scored just 91 fantasy football points.
There won’t be a significant turnaround this season although a healthy RB Steven Jackson and QB Marc Bulger would help out. A defense’s best friend is often its offense.
If they can score and control the clock, it keeps defenders fresh and allows them to go after the QB and force the offense into mistakes.
Spags will incorporate his aggressive style into the system but if you find yourself contemplating picking up and starting the Rams’ D this season, you’re probably not expecting to finish in the money.
Special Teams: Derek Stanley was used extensively on returns and averaged nearly 25 yards per kick off.
