Faceoff - LB Gary Brackett, Indianapolis Colts

Posted 7/6, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Aaron Rudnicki

Brackett may lack prototypical size for the MLB position, but he's pretty similar in stature to players like Zach Thomas, Shelton Quarles, and Mike Peterson. Brackett isn't known as a strong run defender, but he makes up for that with his quickness, instincts, and athleticism. He's a great fit in the Tampa 2 defensive scheme used by the Colts, which frequently requires the MLB to drop in coverage. While playing in the same system, Brackett has finished as a top-20 fantasy LB in each of the past two seasons. In 2006, he finished as a top-15 fantasy LB despite missing 2 games to injury. So, he's clearly proven that he can be a very productive player in the Colts defense and there's no reason to expect a decline in his numbers this year.

In fact, he could even see a bump in his production due to the free agency loss of WLB Cato June. June led the team in tackles last year and was one of the team's biggest playmakers. With him no longer around, there should be more tackles to go around for Brackett. Additionally, June was the team's best cover LB and played in the nickel and dime packages. As the most proven LB on the team, Brackett should be the early favorite to take over those dime package duties which should keep him on the field for every down and situation. Lastly, the Colts didn't make any significant upgrades to their run defense this offseason, so if they continue to struggle, the defense should continue to have a hard time getting off the field and that will mean plenty of snaps and tackle opportunities for their best linebacker.

Downside - by Bob Magaw

On the down, Brackett is a bit undersized and not classic Mike LB size at 5'11" 235, though this is typical of a Tony Dungy Cover Two defense (whose MO comes close to starting three Will LBs in terms of their physical stature). He missed two games in '06, and including the playoffs, was plagued variously by knee, hamstring and ankle injuries during the season. Brackett represents a roll of the dice somewhat in that he doesn't have an extensive body of work by which to project his potential durability and longevity going forward.

Last year's late season trade acquisition Booger McFarland could make the interior DL stouter and more resilient, which could be another contributing factor leading to a decrease in overall tackle numbers for Brackett .

Incendiary talent ("en fuego") and emerging star Bob Sanders is one of the most electrifying open field tacklers in the NFL at any position, yet he only played four regular season games during the '06 Super Bowl run. If he can somehow stay out of the trainer's whirlpool, "The Eraser" (aka - "Hit Man") has the kind of stupid burst and suddenness to be the first defender to the ball a lot, potentially encroaching further on Brackett's production.

IF Brackett can stay healthy, the swing of a few big plays (he failed to get a sack or INT last year) could be the difference between anywhere from an approximately top 20 LB - 30 LB finish in FBG scoring. He clearly has value... quality LB2 - LB3 material depending on league size and starting requirements. That said, some of the factors cited above could conspire to prevent him from cracking the top 20 LBs this season. He finished 28th in '06 in 14 games, with a lofty top 15 '05 campaign with a full slate of contests.

Predicting injuries is a dark art and murky enterprise in the best of circumstances, and probably ill-advised without a compelling underpinning rationale. Being an undersized NFL MLB can take a brutal, horrific toll. It is great to have the pesky speed to run out of trouble, but they will get clobbered on occasion. Former TB MLB Shelton Quarles (Cover Two positional comp, similarly undersized), recently kicked to the curb by the Bucs, missed 10 games in his last four seasons, presumably played hurt in others and was a serial concussion risk.