StingRay's 2004 Linebacker Cheat Sheet

1.  Ray Lewis

There is no doubt that Ray Lewis is the number one linebacker in fantasy football. He makes every tackle and wherever the ball goes so does he. 

2.  LaVar Arrington 

Lavar Arrington is a very fast and  physical linebacker who is the leader of the Washington Defense. Arrington can get after the quarterback with the best of them and he constantly makes big plays. He will be even more productive under the Joe Gibbs regime. 

3.  Keith Bulluck 

Keith Bulluck will be even busier this season now that the Titans no longer have the services of Jevon Kearse and Robaire Smith on the defensive line.  This put more pressure on Bulluck to make even more tackles then the 106 he had last season. 

4.  Donnie Edwards 

Donnie Edwards is one of the most under appreciated linebacker in the game. He has averaged 102 tackles over the past four seasons. The Chargers offense doesn't look to be any better this season so expect another solid season from Edwards who's defensive unit will be on the field plenty this season. 

5.  Jamie Sharper

Jamie Sharper gets overlooked on draft  day because the Texans don't get too much publicity but Sharper is one of the bets linebackers out there. His tackles have increased each of the last four years. 

6.  Shawn Barber

Shawn Barber was very productive in his first season in Kansas City. The Chiefs hired former coach Gunther Cunningham to take over the defense and Gunther believes in an attack style defense. Barber could be in for a career year. 

7.  Zack Thomas

Zach Thomas will be a busy man this season for a couple of reasons. (1)The Dolphins will be without the services of Ricky Williams for their ball control offense which means the Dolphins defense will be on the field plenty this season. (2) The additions of Corey Dillon and a healthy Willis McGahee  means more of an emphasis on the running game for both New England and Buffalo. 

8.  Roosevelt Colvin 

Roosevelt Colvin is the wild card in your draft because if he's truly healthy he could be in the top 3 in fantasy points. Last preseason he was dominating opponents but his season ended abruptly in week 2 due to a hip injury. 

9. Keith Brooking 

If you are looking for a guy who piles up the tackles then Keith Brooking is your man. The last three years he has averaged 111 tackles per season. His weakness is that he doesn't go after the quarterback. Brooking has not recorded a sack the last two seasons. 

10.  Jeremiah Trotter 

The Eagles defense was terrible against the run but the additions of Jevon Kearse and the return of  former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter will improve the rushing defense. Trotter thrived in the Eagles defensive scheme and the return to Philadelphia after being in Washington for a  couple of years should have him playing at a Pro Bowl level again. 

11.  Chad Brown 

Chad Brown might be the best linebacker in the league at sacking the quarterback. Brown has averaged nearly seven sacks  a season over his entire 11-year career. 

12.  Dat Nguyen 

Dat Nguyen was one of the main reasons the Cowboys defense was number three against the run last season and he did not make the Pro Bowl after the season he had. Might be  one of the best linebackers in the game that no one talks about. 

13. Brian Urlacher 

Brian Urlacher went to the Pro Bowl last year on reputation alone because he had his worst season since he came into the league. The loss of Ted Washington and Rosevelt Colvin really hurt Urlacher's statistics. Urlacher did not have an interception, a forced fumble, or a fumble recovery to go along with his career low in tackles.  New coach Lovie Smith will get Urlacher headed back in the right direction in 2004 but don't jump for him on draft day. 

14. Teddy Bruschi 

Teddy Bruschi had a career year last season but the return of Rosevelt Colvin will eat into his numbers and I also don't expect Bruschi to score two touchdowns again. 

15. David Thorton 

The Colts will lean heavily on Thorton since Marcus Washington left via free agency to the Washington Redskins. 

16.  Kendrell Bell 

Kendrell Bell is as steady as they come and the Pittsburgh Steelers organization has promised to be more aggressive on defense by blitzing more like in year past. If that's the case then Bell may repeat  his 2001 performance when he had nine sacks. 

17.  Nick Barnett 

Nick Barnett had an outstanding rookie season and I'm really excited to see what he can do in year two. 

18.  Brian Simmons 

Brian Simmons was so good last season that the Bengals didn't even miss Takeo Spikes who signed with Buffalo last summer.  Simmons had a nose for the football in 2003 with an impressive four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. 

19.  Julian Peterson 

Julian Peterson is the only household name on the 49ers defense and he's so talented the organization decided to franchise him over Terrell Owens. I'm not too excited about the 49ers offense this season so the defense will see plenty of action. 

20. Takeo Spikes  

Spikes is on of the most dominating linebacker in the game but he falls here because he has to battle teammate London Fletcher for tackles.