Last week, a reader asked me to justify my advice to quickly snag Aaron Schobel if he had been dumped onto your leagues’ waiver wire. My gut reaction was, uh, because he’s freaking Aaron Schobel?

The maddening aspect of IDPs in Fantasy Football is that they rarely can give you consistent high production week in and week out.

Even a stud DE or DB is likely to give you a goose egg in the box score every few games. This is the time of year when IDP owners start to panic and dump studs in an attempt to chase points now and position themselves for a playoff run.

This is how I have acquired players such as Terrell Suggs, Eric Weddle, Oshiomogho Atogwe and even Mario Williams on various dynasty teams. In my experience, the late season purges usually peak on week 12, which means now is prime hunting season to bulk up your IDP roster.

At DL, be on the lookout for names like Trent Cole and Osi Umenyiora. At LB, I’ve already seen E.J. Henderson put out to pasture in one league. Practically anyone at DB is fair game, as that position changes the most from week to week. Whether you are looking to improve for the end of this season or the beginning of the next, now is the time to capitalize on the panic moves of your fellow owners.

Start of the Week

LB Kamerion Wimbley, Browns – While we’ve been looking for who might replace D’Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton in Cleveland, Wimbley has become somewhat of a forgotten man. Wimbley’s tackle numbers have been mediocre at just over four per game, but he has collected five sacks so far on the season. With the Browns traveling to Detroit this week, Wimbley is a good bet to post his highest numbers of the 2009 campaign.

Looking Good

DE William Hayes, Titans – With Albert Haynesworth being shipped off the Washington and the decline of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse, we’ve been waiting to see who among the Titans’ young prospects on their defensive line would rise up to replace them. My early bet was on James Jones, and indeed he has shown promise on the interior. Hayes replaced Kearse in the starting lineup in week five and is starting to come into his own. In the last three weeks, Hayes has notched 11 total tackles, two forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks. I just picked him up in two leagues where I’m immediately plugging him into my starting lineup, and anticipate I’ll be keeping Hayes on these dynasty teams for quite some time.

DE Jonathan Fanene, Bengals – It looks like the Bengals have finally found a way to replace the incredible production that went with Antwan Odom to injured reserve. Fanene opened our eyes with his monster game last week against the Steelers, with 4.5 tackles and two sacks. But this is not the first time this season he has been worthy of a start on your fantasy squad. He had sacks against the Texans and Ravens in recent games, and is a great bet to tear up the makeshift Raiders offensive line this Sunday.

Who plays the Packers this week? That would be the San Francisco 49ers. Justin Smith has been limited in practice this week but should be ready. And if it’s possible to upgrade Patrick Willis, this would be the week. Desperate IDP owners might want to look at DT Aubrayo Franklin, LB Manny Lawson or DE Ray McDonald for one-week options.

LB love fest in Minneapolis – All of my favorite plays this week at LB are in one spot, when Seattle travels to Minnesota. Over the last four weeks, the Vikings and Seahawks take up two of the top three spots in points allowed to opposing linebackers. For Minnesota, Henderson, Chad Greenway and even Ben Leber make excellent starts. Meanwhile, the Seattle trio of LeRoy Hill, David Hawthorne and Aaron Curry should make all their owners happy.

S Chinedum Ndukwe, Bengals – An IDP star last year, Ndukwe lost his starting role when the Horse Collar King Roy Williams signed with the Bengals. Now that Williams has gone to injured reserve, the path is clear for Ndukwe to reprise his 2008 performance for the remainder of this season.

CB Lardarius Webb, Ravens – The third round rookie has already turned heads with his return skills. Now that he has been given his opportunity on defense with an injury to the always suspect Fabian Washington, he may stay in the starting lineup for some time and be a great waiver wire pickup for dynasty league owners.

CB Malcolm Jenkins, Saints – A much more highly touted rookie also gets his first career start, filling in for the injured Tracy Porter. The highly productive Porter will be out for at least a month, making Jenkins a great bet for big numbers going into your fantasy playoff schedule.

Sit of the Week

DE Justin Tuck, Giants – Tuck should be fine after resting his leg during the Giants’ bye week. Overall, on the season, Tuck has been somewhat of a disappointment. The bad times will continue this week against the Falcons’ offensive line, who has allowed only 12 sacks so far this season to QB Matt Ryan.

Looking Bleak

DT Albert Haynesworth, Redskins – Haynesworth has been wearing a boot to protect his injured ankle all week and is the dreaded game-time decision on Sunday.

DE Terrell Suggs, Ravens – Suggs will be missing the first game of his NFL career on Sunday after taking a low block from Brady Quinn. Rookie Paul Kruger gets the start in his place. It will be interesting to see what he can do, bit I‘m not expecting much. Trevor Pryce and Haloti Ngata are also hurting along the Ravens’ defensive line, making the Indianapolis running game a great play in week 11.

DE Julius Peppers, Panthers – The broken hand will continue to limit his production for some time. In last night’s game against the Dolphins, only a forced fumble kept him from another two-point performance for his owners.

DE C.J. Ah You, Rams – Ah You went on injured reserve this week after showing some promise for the future for the rebuilding Rams. I mention him only because of my love for him as a former Oklahoma Sooner and because he has one of the best names in all of football. Remember the name when preparing for your draft next year.

LB Justin Durant, Jaguars – Durant is unlikely to play against the Bills this week while he recovers from a concussion.

LB Tavares Gooden, Ravens – Two concussions in two games against the Browns have derailed the faith IDP owners placed in Gooden to replace Bart Scott this season. Undrafted rookie Dannell Ellerbe will replace him. Look elsewhere if you need to plug a hole left by Gooden in your lineup.

S Troy Polamalu, Steelers – The Madden Curse has been so light this year that its skeptics have come out of the woodwork. But it’s been enough to mess with Polamalu’s left knee, which took a second injury this season last week. He hasn’t been ruled out for this week’s game at Kansas City, but he should be.

S Jim Leonhard, Jets – It may be a few weeks before Leonhard can return from surgery to fix his broken thumb. Eric Smith will get the start in his stead. More relevant to fantasy owners is that Jerricho Cotchery takes Leonhard’s place on punt returns, giving Cotchery a slight upgrade in his matchup against the Patriots.

CB Sheldon Brown, Eagles – Hamstring issues make Brown “day-to-day,” but if the Eagles have any sense they will sit him this Sunday and probably for a few games more. Don’t look for his substitute Dimitri Patterson to replace his production.

CB Rashean Mathis, Jaguars – Not that any DB would have much opportunity against Ryan Fitzpatrick, who may have the weakest arm in the league, but Mathis could well miss several games as he recovers from a groin pull.

Bad DB Alert

CB Aaron Ross, Giants – The bad cornerback carousel with the Giants may end with the return of the original bad cornerback to the starting lineup. They’ll work him in slowly at first, but it won’t be long before Ross reminds football fans of his always spotty coverage skills.

S Alan Ball, Cowboys – Ball gets the start in place of Ken Hamlin. The seventh round pick from 2007 has only played on special teams to this point and should be a very tempting target for the struggling Jason Campbell.

As always, I will be happy to answer your IDP Start and Sit questions in the comments below.

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