More and more fantasy leagues are shedding the boring TEAM DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAM formats and going with Individual Defensive Players (IDP). For many of the newbies to this arena it can be overwhelming trying to narrow it down. Only a few websites offer rankings and the contrasts between the different websites is alarming.

For IDP formats it's even more critical to understand your scoring system. Unless your league is instituting the craziest format ever, TACKLES are likely to be the key stat to consider. Tackles, unlike sacks and interceptions, is fairly easy to project on a year-to-year basis and is definitely more consistent on a weekly basis.

Consider this, of the top 30 tacklers in 2006, 16 were in the top 30 again in 2007. Compare that with sacks, where 10 players finished in the top 30 each year, and interceptions where nine did so.

It's also important to understand that linebackers are the biggest contributors as they generally are the leading tacklers and still manage to get handfuls of sacks and interceptions. 

You will want to avoid spending too much money or taking defensive players too early as much like quarterback and kickers the pool of talent is deep and there isn't much disparity. With that in mind here are the top 5 tacklers from each position group last season:

DEFENISVE LINE
1. Kenyon Coleman (NYJ) - 83
2. Kelly Gregg (BAL) - 80
3. Justin Smith (CIN) - 78
4. Marques Douglas (SF) - 71
5. Trent Cole (PHI) - 70

LINEBACKERS
1. Patrick Willis (SF) - 174
2. D.J. Williams (DEN) - 141
3. Joe Beason (CAR) - 140
4. Ernie Sims (DET) - 134
5. Nick Barnett (GB) - 131

DEFENSIVE BACK
1. Michael M. Lewis (SF) - 104
2. Chris Harris (CAR) - 96
3. Sean Jones (CLE) - 96
4. Bob Sanders (IND) - 96
5. Cortland Finnegan (TEN) - 95

From the Boston Globe:

Red Sox manager Terry Francona introduced new information about Josh Beckett - indicating the right-hander has had inflammation in his right elbow.

That coupled with sleeping on the arm has created the tingling and numbness which he experienced in his last start last Sunday at Fenway. It was the first time in this process the media had heard the word inflammation.

According to Francona, Beckett will now be pushed back to next Friday against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway to give him extra time and to be on the safe side. Tim Wakefield will be activated disabled list and pitch Tuesday in New York.

Francona said after talking to pitching coach John Farrell they decided to take an "overly-cautious" approach. Francona said Beckett wants to pitch, but seemed to be on board.

****
FANTASY TAKE: Wakefield is worth a flyer if you can add him and is likely to be a two-start candidate in the upcoming stat week. For Beckett owners and Red Sox' fans alike, you better keep your fingers crossed.