Football - EFS
IDP Trend Analyses- Cornerback vs Safety, Year 5.....EFS Scoring
By Thomas Cool
Jan 1, 2008, 08:08

IDP Trend Analyses: CB vs Safeties- 2007 results (5th year)

At the end of each of the previous 4 seasons I have tabulated the relative rankings of Cornerbacks versus Safeties in EFS Enhanced Scoring leagues. I reported on a developing trend that seemed to refute the long-standing recommendation of IDP analysts that Safeties routinely scored more points than cornerbacks, and therefore were more valuable in builiding a dynastly league roster.

Clearly the data for these five seasons, see table below, indicate a trend has developed and is continuing where CB's outscore S's in EFS enhanced scoring leagues. For the third season in a row, the number of CB's in the Top 20 remains at 13, but set a record for the most CB's in the Top 50:

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

CB in Top 20 DB’s 14 14 13 13 13
CB in Top 50 DB’s 23 32 26 29 33

In fact 9 of the Top 10 defensive backs in EFS enhanced scoring in the 2007 season were CB's!

Trends identified in previous end-of-season reviews are still in place during the 2007 season:

1. names in the Top 50, and particularly the Top 20, change each year. Some notables are consistently there (e.g. Nate Clements, Ike Taylor, Terrence McGee, DeAngelo Hall, and S Jones).

2. Rookies rarely make the Top 20 and few make the Top 50. This year the top Rookies were: E Wright (#23), and L Hall (#37) with a two just missing the Top 50 (Reggie Nelson #53, and L Landry #54).

3. Injuries always take a toll but the 2007 season seemed to impact high profile players more than any recent season. Some players of note are: A Winfield #41, Madieu Williams #49, Gibril Wilson #27 (was #1 or #2 most of season until injured). Other notables who aren't even in the Top 100 are Troy Polamalu, Chris Hope, and Adrian Wilson to name a few.

4. Scheme changes by certain teams adversely impacted the play/scoring of certain players, particularly safeties: Kerry Rhodes (#48) and Adrian Wilson are prime examples.

5. Slippage from year to year: always occurs and some high profile players always exhibit significant change from year to year or even over several years. Some examples of both of these are- Jermaine Phillips (#19), Asante Samuel (#51), Rodney Harrison (#99) and Darren Sharper (#100).

These are all very interesting observations, but how does an EFS owner use these to his advantage? Well here are some thoughts, again these haven't really changed from previous years:

a. Rookie Draft: don't draft DB's prior to Round 3 or even Round 4 in 16 team leagues. Be prepared to sit on these players until their second year when some may develop (e.g. Richard Marshall, etc).

b. Vet Draft: fill out your Offensive Skill positions (WB, RB, WR, etc) and Defensive skill positions (LB And DE) before drafting DB's. In a 41 Round vet draft this might mean not drafting DB's until after Round 16 or so....

c. Free Agency: look for bargains, guys coming off injuries, and research team defensive schemes (Coaching changes??) before bidding on DB's in RFA and UFA.

Remember- the off season is when you build your team for the next FF season, so make sure you spend as much time researching the Defensive side as you do the Offensive side- in order to win your league's Super Bowl you have to have a balanced team.

As the old adage goes in the NFL- win with Defense!- the same holds true in EFS leagues.

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