Sacks and interceptions are 5 points each and yes they're big plays, but focusing on tackling totals will give you guaranteed points each week. Here was my defensive team on draft day, and my defensive team going into the playoffs...
Draft Day
Von Miller LB
James Laurinaitis LB
Julius Peppers DE
Nick Barnett LB
Jason McCourty CB
Morgan Burnett S
Ndamukong Suh DT
Today
Luke Kuechly LB
Lavonte David LB
Mario Williams DE
Anthony Spencer LB
DeAngelo Hall CB
Major Wright S
Geno Atkins DT
As you can see I drafted one of the best DE's, DT's, and CB's in football yet dropped them a few weeks into the season. The remaining players were dropped on bye weeks. Von Miller is also considered one of the best LB's in football, but he's very hit or miss. You'll get 25 points from him one week, and a big fat zero the next. Too inconsistent for me.
Sacks and INT's are important, but I focus on guys that tackle because you get 1 point for a solo tackle and .5 for an assisted tackle. I can guarantee at least 8+ points from all 3 LB's because of their tackle totals.
I think I can see why I am experiencing something different from you and Ugli now. It looks like you arent playing that many defensive players.
This is the way I have always done it so dont scoff or laugh. Its actually pretty cool. I have only been doing this for five years and its just about the only league I have played in. Im guessing not too many leagues are like this.
We play a 40 man roster. 23 starters and 17 bench. It goes like this.
1 QB
2 RB
2 WR
1 RB/WR
1 TE
1 WR/TE
1 Flex
2 DE
2 DT
2 CB
2 S
3 LB
1 P
1 K
1 Head Coach
Those are your starters
There are limits on how many RB's, Wr's, etc, that you can have on your roster. Every position has a limit. Example 2 HC's, 6 RB's, 2 QB's etc
We generally do a 16 team league so it balanced out and someone cant hoard a bunch of starting QB's. Everyone has 2 Starters.
It's like you are Managing a real NFL roster.
I think what we are experiencing differently on the defensive players is that in your leagues it feels like there isnt a that big of a difference in the defensive players, because there are too many available. Well when you have it set up the way we do, it makes a big difference in who you have because FA isnt loaded with players you could switch in and out without noticing much. Essentially all the starters are taken. This is what makes the draft important when it comes to picking defensive players. All the defensive players you have totaled up makes a big difference. Then when you have big plays like a sack, interception, or defensive score, it makes a big difference. Just like it would in a real game.
I joined a league online one year that was all offense and a lot less players and it just wasnt the same. I didnt enjoy it as much. But I guess that could be I am just so used to doing it like this.
You guys dont have to do it. Im just suggesting it. I love it like this. I like defense and defensive players. I think it adds a lot more intrigue and strategy to the draft which in a lot of ways is my favorite part of fantasy football. If you can find a few studs on defense that can accumulate a lot of sacks, ff, tfl, int, pass deflections, and defensive scores, it can go a long way in how well your team does. Just like in real life. A stout defense in the NFL that forces a lot of turnovers and sacks can make a team really good. The Bears rode that to the Superbowl with a terrible QB just a few years ago.
I realize that would change your whole experience that you are used to. So Im not going to keep pressing. You can do it however you want. Just thought I'd share this. I think people are missing out.
