Top 5 Defensive Backs

1) Eric Weddle, FS, SD, 3years experience
Weddle established himself as a top fantasy player last year. His numbers rival that of a middle linebacker. His 105 solo tackles were better than all but Patrick Willis and Jon Beason, and his tackle totals keep him in the top five overall defensively. While slightly disappointing from an interception point of view, with only one all year in 2008, that number should improve with the return of Shawne Merriman and an improved pass rush causing more errant throws into the secondary. He holds down the top spot because of his speed and ability to read and react to plays and his sure tackling skills.
2) Gibril Wilson, FS, MIA, 6 years experience
Wilson's move from Oakland to Miami will allow him to move back to his natural Free Safety Position opposite Yeremiah Bell, the established Strong Safety in Miami. His 129 total tackles last year ranks him 7th in the NFL in that category, and moving back to Free Safety with a true Strong Safety lined up opposite him is going to free him up to add to that total and to his 2 interceptions from a years ago.
3) Nick Collins, FS, GB, 5 years experience
Nick Collins had an average year in 2008, but the conversion of the defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4 should free him up to put up significantly larger numbers in 2009. With two of the best cover corners in the league on the outside, Collins will see more blitz packages and run support opportunities to build on his 2008 campaign.
4) Michael Griffin, FS, TEN, 3 years experience
What does the departure of Haynesworth mean to the Tennessee defense? From an NFL perspective, it leaves a big hole to fill, but from a fantasy perspective it moves the entire defensive backfield up the rankings. Without Haynesworth's ability to move the line of scrimmage, Backs will get to the next level more often, and Quarterbacks will have a little more time to throw. The primary fantasy beneficiary of this will be Griffin, with an increase in tackle deep ball interception opportunities.
5) Charles Tillman, CB, CHI, 7 years experience
The lone Corner in the top 5, Tillman leads all Corners with 93 tackles last year. Add in his 3 picks and one pick 6 and Tillman climbs not only into the top 5 Defensive Backs, but also into the top 30 IDP players, a list dominated by marquis Linebackers. Chicago is trying to assemble a patchwork secondary, with the two starting corners as the only constants. Tillman's combination of size and speed makes him a good cover corner, and an even better open field tackler. The patchwork in the secondary will virtually guarantee an increase in his productivity.

New Year New Site

We have a new site design for 2009, check us out at www.hattywaiverwireguru.com

Hatty Waiver Wire Guru Off-Season 1

Author: Hatty
Email: hattywaiverwireguru@hattywaiverwireguru.com

Championships!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well folks for most people the season is now over and we hope that you achieved your goal of winning your league. We certainly hope that we were able to help you in your quest and would love to hear stories about your league and your path to the championship. We would appreciate you taking a moment to post a comment to the site stating your results and if we were able to help in your quest for glory that is great as well.

Just because the season is over for many does not mean that it is time to put away the fantasy football until next year. For everyone who is in a keeper or dynasty league this is a key time of the year for you to make sure next year you have the ability to post your championship story here at Hatty Waiver Wire Guru. We have a dedicated staff or experts when it comes to dynasty leagues and we are here to help. I want to take a moment to recognize our staff and also make sure you have their contact information in case you need help with trades, upcoming rookies and overall strategy to help you improve your team.

Hatty: hattywaiverwireguru@hattywaiverwireguru.com
JD: jdncsu350@hattywaiverwireguru.com
Derrick: stalyes1920@hattywaiverwireguru.com
Jay: jayvonahn@hattywaiverwireguru.com

If you are wondering about credentials all of us won at least 1 of our fantasy leagues this year, all have extensive experience with dynasty leagues and all of us are here to help.

Thanks to all of our readers in our first year. It has been an awesome year and we look forward to hearing from you throughout the off season and into next year.

Author: JD Dowell

Author: Hatty
Email: hattywaiverwireguru@hattywireguru.com

Hatty's Week 15 Afternoon Delight

With such a short turnaround from Week 14 to 15 and the videos Hatty has already put up this week I wanted to wait until the last possible moment for the normal weekly player news. This week is championship week for most leagues so the player news is vital to those still fighting for the title. Some BIG news this week around some players who may be in your lineups so let's get started.

Anquan Boldin
The man has had a broken face and still been beyond beast like all season long. For owners who have rode Boldin's good play to the finals this is bad news. The Cardinals are considering sitting Boldin this week! Boldin has an injured shoulder and with the division already locked up and home field advantage not possible the Cards have nothing to really play for over the next two weeks. This is not set in stone yet but I have a feeling even if Boldin suits up you likely won't see him play a significant amount of time. STEVE BREASTON owners should have him in the week!

Frank Gore
Gore stated that he is about 50/50 for this week. Which means that even if he does play he likely will split time with Deshaun Foster making his value for owners looking to win their league minimal. I would recommend going with other options if you have them.

Matt Forte
Forte was once again held out of practice for a bum toe on Thursday. This has the risk level at high for Forte to miss this week's game. Luckily for owners he does not play until Monday Night so it gives him an extra day of rest. For those owners who have Forte as one of their premier backs you need to snag Adrian Peterson just in case it turns out that Forte will miss time.

Colts
Tony Dungy stated publicly that if the Colts win on Thursday night that he may rest his starters in Week 17 since the win would clinch their playoff spot. To me that says that this week could be a big week for Colts players such as Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, Dallas Clark and their running backs could have big games tonight as they have a little added bonus should they win. MARVIN HARRISON is out this week so be sure you plug in Gonzalez if you own Harrison.

Reggie Bush
If you have been under a rock, or busy with your wife's graduation, then you know that Reggie Bush is done for the year. This makes Pierre Thomas a must start unless you are working with some serious depth at RB.

Brandon Jacobs
BJ was back at practice and with the huge game against Carolina on Sunday night you can expect him to be back in the lineup. With home field advantage at stake this game could be amazing. Be sure to Tivo, DVR or put it on a VHS for those who are behind the times if you cannot be sure to make it live.

Trent Edwards
For those owners who have limped into the finals and need a QB Edwards looks to be back this week and could be a nice spot starter.

That is all for this week and good luck to all of our readers in the finals. I know about 75% of the owners I communicate with have made it to the championship and from what Hatty and the other writers have mentioned they are hearing similar things. I hope that we have been able to help you make it to your league finals.

Be sure to email us if you have any last minute lineup needs or questions.

Author: JD Dowell
Email: jdncsu350@hattywaiverwireguru.com

Hatty Waiver Wire Guru Playoff Run Week 16

Author: Hatty
Email: hattywaiverwireguru@hattywaiverwireguru.com

Fantasy Off-Season

For those of you that made your league championship game, congratulations! For those of you that didn't, now comes the most undervalued time in fantasy football keeper and dynasty league play, the fantasy off-season while the NFL keeps playing.

This is the time to try and deal that fantasy surprise that you scooped up off waivers or acquired in a trade that you have concerns about for next year. It's important to remember that right now he is a commodity; in a couple of months he'll once again be a prospect. Is Vincent Jackson the next Anquan Boldin, or is he is the next Kevin Curtis?

Right now he looks like he is the next Boldin. It all falls into buy low sell high. Obviously dealing these guys is risky. You are gambling on them either failing miserably next year, not performing at a top level next year, or that you can get something of greater value for next year and beyond. The other side of the gamble is the player you are trading for. You want to be careful not to "overpay" for another player that may or may not perform next year. The gamble expands exponentially when you trade these players for draft picks. The ideal target for these trades are owners that feel they are one player away, or if you are packaging players your target is a team that has one or two superstars, but no depth. Key in on these teams and even if your league doesn't open the trade window until after the regular season, you can start doing your homework for these trades now.

I'm not telling you that you can turn a player like Steve Breaston into Adrian Peterson, but if you have a player near the edge of you keeper list or outside your primary starting line-up that could net you a better player to plug into your lineup for next year, now is the time. Their value will never be higher than it is right now until three to four weeks into next season.

Hatty Waiver Wire Guru Week 16

Author: Hatty
Email: hattywaiverwireguru@hattywaiverwireguru.com

Sunday Morning Scramble

Here we go again ladies and gents for what is sure to be one great day of football. Good luck to everyone in their semi-finals matchups as the majority of leagues are fighting to see who makes it to the championship game this week. Some tough matchups give an edge to those 3-6 seeds in my opinion this week so I expect there might be some upsets around the fantasy football world. Some key players are either out or likely to be limited this morning. So let's get down to the real matters at hand.

Probable (90%)
Brian Westbrook
Ryan Grant
Joseph Addai (not starting but is suiting up)
Matt Cassell
Koren Robinson
Jamarcus Russell
Steve Breaston

Jerricho Cotchery

Questionable (50/50)
Marion Barber
Lendale White
Domenik Hixon
Selvin young
Mark Bradley

Ray Rice

Brandon Stokely

Laverneus Coles (should play)

Matt Hasslebeck

Out (Eating Pancakes)
Frank Gore
Brandon Jacobs
Trent Edwards

Kellen Winslow

Daunte Culpepper

Gus Frerotte

That covers all of the injury concerns for this week. A lot of good games this weekend you should sit down and watch without your stat tracker running. Steelers and Ravens as well as the Giants and Cowboys should be great games.

Good luck to everyone this week and I hope to hear from everyone that they made the finals!

Author: JD Dowell

Email: jdncsu350@hattywaiverwireguru.com

(Email me with your last minute lineup needs!)