Anti-Fantasy Matchup: Divinity v CD

[TheKilo]

Vote for either Divinity or CD starting at 8:00 AM Monday

[Cocos Disciples]

QB-Joe Flacco

RB-Steven Jackson

RB-Ladainian Tomlinson

WR-Larry Fitzgerald

WR-Percy Harvin

WR-Devery Henderson

WR-Braylon Edwards

TE-Brent Celek

RT-Vernon Carey

RG-Deuce Lutui

C-John Sullivan

LG-Chris Kemoeatu

LT-Jordan Gross

DE-Dwight Freeney

DE-Igor Olshansky

NT-BJ Raji

OLB-Anthony Spencer

OLB-Daryl Smith

ILB-Patrick Willis

ILB-Demeco Ryans

CB-Asante Samuel

CB-Vontae Davis

FS-Dashon Goldson

SS-Quentin Mikell

K-Nick Folk

P-Brett Kern

KR/PR-Danny Amendola

Coach-Ken Wisenhunt

Bench-Ryan Fitzpatrick

Bench-Tyson Alualu

 

I believe I have a very solid team all around, with no serious flaws. My linebacker core is where I shine the most I believe, with Patrick Willis and Demeco Ryans absolutely dominating the inside. I have arguably the best receiver in the game in Fitzgerald, along with Percy Harvin, an excellent second option. Steven Jackson is one of the best backs in the game, and doesn't get enough recognition due to being in St. Louis. Flacco is a very good young QB and will continue to improve as a player and a leader.

 

I'm not saying my team is spectacular but again I do not see any serious flaws, and I think it can compete with any team.

[yankees228]

This is extremely close, and if these two teams played ten times, each might very well win five games. But I like Divinity's team slight more, as I think it matches up well against CD's defense. Dwight Freeney should not be playing in a 3-4, and I don't love CD's pass rushing OLBs. Given time, and considering his weapons, I think Romo will be able to pick apart CD's defense. Divinity will have more trouble running the ball, as CD ILBs are fantastic, but I also think Divinity's line will win the point of attack, and MJD and Turner will be able to grind out some yards.

 

On the other side of the ball, I think Divinity will be able to do enough to win. He'll likely be hurt by the status of Jenkins and Lewis in three years, but his d-line is talented, and should do a good job in the trenches. Additionally, his secondary is quite talented, and while CD has some good weapons on offense, it likely won't be enough to match scores with Divinity's offense. I also would be concerned about Flacco holding up against what will probably be a decent pass rush out of Divinity's defense.

[YanksHater213]

I love CD's offense here. While in New York LT has been awesome in more of a limited 10-15 carries a game role, and I think Jackson will greatly benefit from having to take less carries. Good deep threat in Henderson and a big time playmaker in Harvin, plus a solid possession guy in Amendola, and that isn't even mentioning Edwards and Fitzgerald, who are probably CD's two most talented route runners. Keeping LT and Jackson fresh are going to be key to keep the running game going as Divinity's DL is really talented. I think CD's most success in the running game will be to the outside in this matchup, and he's got pretty good edge linemen to make that happen. Lutui and Kemauto (or however you spell it) are both premier athletes who can get out there and make their crack blocks and set the edge.

 

That being said, I'm not a big fan of Divinity's offense. It seems like too much of a hodgepodge of players to me. It seems like he just picked the most talented guys not taking into account how they will fit together. I really don't see any defined roles from anyone on there with the exception of the QB. CD is going to have a nice 3-4 attack to stop Jones-Drew and Turner, and Divinity is going to need to depend on going over the top against the weakest part of CD's team - his secondary. Despite both defenses being top notch, I feel this will come down to offenses production, and I like CD's better.

[WhiskeyBreath]

Goin' with CD here.

 

I'd give him the slight edge on offense for a couple reasons. Better OL and better and younger WR talent. I think that in 3 years time Wayne and Ocho will have lost a step or so while Fitzgerald and Harvin will still be going strong.

 

Defenses are fairly equal here but I like some of CD's youth over the older members of D's defense.

[italstallianion]

If this was right now, then I'd probably take Divinity's team, but I think the 3 years part is going to hurt him as Wayne, Ochocinco, Ray Lewis, Champ Bailey etc age. I also get the vibe that Divinity built his team like a fantasy team, but he built a much more rounded team than Boston22407 did.

 

I think that Coco has the better defense with his impeccable linebacker play, and I think that Divinity has a lot of better offensive pieces (2 of the better running backs, a better TE, and a better QB even if he is a total pansy) The problem is that I think Divinity's WR core is aging and that Flacco might pass Romo in a few years. In addition, I think that Coco's defense will be able to keep up with Divinity's offense, and in 3 years I'm not sure if Divinity's defense can match Coco's offense.

 

If this was a contest to see who had the better team now, then I'd pick Divinity's team, but in 3 years I think that Coco's team would win.

[yrtb]

I have to agree with what is being said right now. Although I put divinity really high in the rankings, as his receivers age they won't be as dominant, and Antonio Gates isn't exactly young either. I like Flacco in the future, and Steven Jackson with other weapons around him and another capable running back will be deadly

 

CoCo also has arguably the best linebacker core in the league, and I think that it the key to a solid defense

 

Divinity has the best team right now and the better fantasy team, but he his O-line is weak and other his defense is lackluster

[italstallianion]

This was the hardest matchup for me to decide, not only because it's the 8 vs. the 9, but because I put both of these teams a bit higher in my power rankings.

[Divinity]

Seems a lot of people think Wayne and Ochocinco will be slouches in 3 years which I don't agree, they'll be 34-35. Donald Driver for example will be 36 in 3 months and he still had 1060 receiving yards with 6 TD's last year.

 

In 3 years Peyton will be 37, Brady in will 36, and Brees with be 35, does that mean younger QB's should be valued more just because they're older and "lost a step" ?

[italstallianion]

There's a difference between positions. For example, the longevity between a Running Back is totally different than the longevity of a Kicker/Punter. Unless the QB is running a lot, or has a horrible offensive line, they aren't getting hit as much as WR's are and generally last longer. In all fairness, I'm not a big Ochocinco fan anyway, but his age doesn't help. I'm not so concerned about Wayne's age as I am people on your defense (Ray Lewis for example).

[Divinity]

The average retirement age of QB's is 38, but back to your point. Ray Lewis is quite possibly the most talented LB in the past decade, he definitely still has a few good years left. On Sunday, November 21st 2010, Lewis became only the second player in NFL history to record at least 30 interceptions and 30 sacks in his career, and at 38, he'd still be younger then LB Junior Seau was 40 years old playing for the Patriots last couple years.

[YanksHater213]

I think you have to take age into account somewhat when you take into account the roles you expect them to play.

 

IE CD is having LT as his second running back, that's a great role for a guy his age with as many miles on his body. I don't think it's very prudent, especially considering that this is a 3 year thing, to have guys on the downside of your thing as the best playmakers on your defense.

[italstallianion]

I definitely factored that in too. I don't think that LT was a good pick either, but he's not the primary back, so I put that around the same amount I would have penalised Divinity for Kris Jenkins being perpertually injured. That said, Steven Jackson is only a year younger than Michael Turner, and MJD is the youngest of the 4 backs. But the main point is that age isn't equal between positions.

[TheKilo]

Very, very close matchup. I like the mix of talent and youth on Coco's team just a little bit more. Flacco, before last night, was on a pretty solid run and giving him Fitzgerald (there's a reason the Cards kept him and not Boldin) and Harvin as primary weapons will only help matters.

 

Keeping my theme of voting, I like Coco's team

By 2-3 points on a neutral field.