The Tampa-2 defensive scheme has become the newest rage in the copycat NFL. Six teams (TB, IND, CHI, MIN, BUF, and DET) will use the Tampa-2 as their base defense in 2006, double the number from 2005. Although the alignment of its personnel is the same as a base 4-3 defense, there are significant differences in the responsibilities of each position. IDP owners need to know what those differences are and how they may impact fantasy production.

Breaking Down the Tampa-2

The Tampa-2 is a variation of the Cover-2 defensive scheme used to great success by Bud Carson and the Steel Curtain defenses of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s. The Cover-2 defense is named for the position of the safeties, which are each responsible for one half of the deep zone. In the traditional Cover-2 defense, two cornerbacks and three linebackers are responsible for the shallow and medium zones underneath the safeties, with each player assigned one fifth of the area. Blitzing is rare in this scheme, with the four defensive linemen expected to provide the pass rush. The original Cover-2 scheme was very successful in its day. But as the NFL passing game continued to evolve with bigger and speedier receivers, teams were able to test the weak or "soft" zones in the deep middle between the safeties and down the sidelines behind the corners. By the mid 1980s, the Cover-2 was relegated to part time use by most NFL teams.

In the 1990s, then Tampa Bay Buccaneer defensive coordinator and current Indianapolis Colt head coach Tony Dungy, who played for the Steelers under Bud Carson in the 70s, and his defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, adapted the Cover-2 scheme to address its deficiencies. Dungy's variation drops the middle linebacker straight back in zone coverage to help cover the deep middle zone, which allows the safeties to hedge outside and more easily take away the soft zones behind the corners and along the sideline. The two corners and two outside linebackers now divide the intermediate zones into fourths.

To make his "Tampa-2" work, Dungy and Kiffin needed speed. They needed ends and tackles that could pressure the quarterback without help from the linebackers, who would be needed in coverage. The linebackers needed to be quick and agile and have the ball skills and coverage instincts to cover the extra ground required of them. They also needed bigger, physical corners that could come up and play the run. Dungy and Kiffin got the players they needed and the success of the Tampa-2 variation has spawned a new breed of stud IDP fantasy options.

Defensive Linemen: Edge Rushers and Undertackles

The defensive linemen are expected to provide the bulk of the pass rush in the Tampa-2. The linebackers must cover the short and intermediate zones and are rarely blitzed out of the base defense. In fact, the mid-1990s Buccaneer defenses were much more likely to blitz a safety or corner than a linebacker.

Tampa-2 ends don't have to be as active in run support on the edge. Since the scheme requires quick, instinctive linebackers, the ends need only turn the play outside where the bigger corners and speedy backers can flow to the play. Beginning with the acquisition of Simeon Rice in 2001, the Tampa-2 became a haven for undersized speed rush prospects. While critics questioned his selection of 265 lb Dwight Freeney in 2002, Dungy knew he was getting a productive pass rusher who would wreak havoc in the pocket on every play. He wasn't worried that Freeney would likely struggle in run support. Five years later, Freeney and Rice are gold standard Tampa-2 ends and have opened the door for Leonard Little, Adewale Ogunleye, and Robert Mathis to have great success in the system. The Vikings' Erasmus James or even a long shot like Detroit's Kalimba Edwards could be the next great Tampa-2 end.

The Tampa-2 is also partly responsible for the rise in value of some defensive tackles in IDP leagues. While most defensive tackles are responsible for plugging gaps in run support, the Tampa-2 aligns one of its tackles in a 3-technique responsibility. This player is often referred to as an undertackle. His responsibility is to penetrate his gap and get up field to either disrupt a running play or get to the quarterback. As an undertackle, Warren Sapp, much like Bruce Smith as a 3-4 end, changed the perception that defensive tackles were useless fantasy options almost overnight. Sapp averaged 11 sacks a season from 1996-2000 as a defensive tackle and became a fantasy stud. Minnesota's Kevin Williams has shown that kind of talent in past seasons and could return to stud form in the Vikings Tampa-2. There are many other talented tackles that could surprise in 2006. Both Detroit (Shaun Rogers and Shaun Cody) and Buffalo (Larry Tripplett and John McCargo) have excellent tackle combos. Whichever player lines up as the undertackle more often could have nice fantasy value in 2006.

Linebackers: Making the WLB a Fantasy Stud

Like the Colts' selection of Dwight Freeney, Rich McKay's selection of Derrick Brooks in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft was criticized by league experts as a reach. Brooks was too small at just 6'0" and 230 pounds. The Bucs knew differently - Brooks was a player. When Dungy and Kiffin arrived in 1996 and installed the Tampa-2, Brooks became a fantasy stud as the weak side linebacker. With his superb football instincts, sideline-to-sideline range, sure tackling, and elite coverage skills, Brooks was a perfect fit for the new scheme. While the traditional 4-3 front funnels running plays to the middle linebacker, leaving the Will to pick up the scraps, the Tampa-2 Mike plays a little deeper and the defensive line works to spill ballcarriers outside. Time and again, a linebacker talented in pursuit like Brooks would get there first. Beginning in 1997, Derrick Brooks routinely made more tackles than Tampa's heralded MLB Hardy Nickerson. Brooks also racked up coverage stats, totaling multiple interceptions and double digit passes defended. The scheme looked liked it had been made for him.

Brooks hasn't been alone. The WLB spot in the Colt defense has been fantasy gold for years too, from David Thornton in 2003 to Cato June in 2004 and 2005, the weak side backer has consistently outscored the MLB in the boxscores. Even a potential Hall of Fame MLB like Brian Urlacher barely out-pointed WLB Lance Briggs last season. While the MLB still has good fantasy value (Tampa's Shelton Quarles and Indianapolis' Gary Brackett had great seasons in 2005), the WLB is the prime spot for boxscore production in the Tampa-2. If healthy, the Bills' Takeo Spikes should easily finish among the top ten fantasy linebackers. The Vikings' Chad Greenway could become fantasy gold if he earns the WLB job in Minnesota. While not undersized at 6'2", 242 pounds, Greenway has the speed, range, instincts, and cover skills to make a great Tampa-2 Will. And it's no surprise that Detroit's 2006 first round draft pick Ernie Sims, an undersized 5'11", 230 lb dynamo, is often compared to the godfather of the Tampa-2. Many think Sims is the next Derrick Brooks.

Don't ignore the MLB in the defense completely, though. As Quarles and Brackett proved last season, the Mike in the Tampa-2 is capable of very solid fantasy production. Let talent and skill set be your guide. A player like Rob Morris will probably never provide much fantasy production in a Tampa-2 defense. Studs like Brian Urlacher will retain their value in any scheme. Watch the MLB situations in Detroit and Minnesota closely. The prospects aren't too bright for a stud Tampa-2 MLB to come out of a group like Dontarrious Thomas, E.J. Henderson, Boss Bailey, or Teddy Lehman, but whoever earns the MLB jobs will have decent fantasy value.

Defensive Backs: Making Cornerbacks a Legitimate Fantasy Option

Before the Tampa-2 scheme became popular, most IDP faithful avoided cornerbacks like the plague when filling out their DB rosters. Only a select few finished anywhere near the top 20 in tackles because hardly any were willing to stuff a bigger running back. And it was difficult to predict which corners would pick off the most passes to make up for their lack of tackles. In fact, the very best corners were usually the worst fantasy options because opposing quarterbacks completely ignored their side of the field on passing downs.

Times have changed. Tampa-2 corners like Ronde Barber and Charles Tillman, among others, have shown that a cornerback can be a consistent fantasy performer. While neither are known as great cover corners, both have tremendous instincts and ball skills in zone coverage and both are willing to aggressively support the run. That combination often adds up to bunches of tackles and solid coverage stats. Both Barber and Tillman have topped 80 solo tackles in recent seasons, a total usually reserved for the better strong safeties among DBs. Throw in the coverage stats of a top free safety (3-4 INTs, and 10-12 passes defended) and you have a top ten DB option at corner.

Not every corner in a Tampa-2 defense will produce stud quality numbers. Be on the lookout for players who are physical in run support (regardless of size) and have good ball skills. Buffalo's Nate Clements and Terrence McGee and Minnesota's Antoine Winfield have proven themselves as solid tacklers and big play threats. All should thrive in the Tampa-2 and remain top fantasy performers. Fred Smoot, who apparently added ten pounds of muscle in the offseason, could be this season's surprise if the bulk translates to more effort in run support and better tackling. The Lion corners, Dre' Bly and Fernando Bryant, are not big run stuffers and are more likely to put up mediocre stats, like the Colts' Jason David and Nick Harper, than those of Barber or Tillman. All Tampa-2 corners should be watched closely though. Be ready to move quickly if any show a significant increase in tackle numbers early in 2006.

Safeties have been a bit of an enigma in the Tampa-2. The original Tampa-2 safety, the Buccaneers' John Lynch, while never equaling the production of studs like Rodney Harrison or Lawyer Milloy, was still a valuable fantasy asset. After John Lynch, players like Dexter Jackson, Jermaine Phillips, and Mike Doss have not impressed in the Tampa-2. Like every other defensive position, though, it's the skill set that makes the fantasy option. Players like John Lynch or Mike Brown who excel in both coverage and run support will have good value. Buffalo rookie Donte Whitner should provide similar, and possibly better, value when he learns the scheme. Detroit rookie Daniel Bullocks could also become a legitimate fantasy option in time.

Look To the Tampa-2

From Derrick Brooks to Warren Sapp to Ronde Barber, Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffin introduced a new class of fantasy talent with their Tampa-2 scheme. While the traditional fantasy hotspots (MLB, DE, and S) still have value in this defense, IDP sharks must also watch for possible studs at DT, WLB, and CB in this scheme. With almost one fifth of the league using the Tampa-2 as a base defense in 2006, the upper ranks of the fantasy charts will have more weak side backers and corners than ever before. With a better understanding of the Tampa-2 and some smart scouting, IDP sharks can take advantage of the winds of defensive change in the NFL. Like the Bucs and the Colts, a smart IDP owner can ride the Tampa-2 deep into the playoffs and, hopefully, a fantasy title.