News: Patriots DL Mark Anderson recorded a sack Week 17 against the Bills, giving him 10 on the season. He also had seven tackles, including three solo, in the contest.
Analysis: Anderson hadn't recorded double-digit sacks in a season since 2006, when he had 12 as a rookie. He's hardly an elite pass rusher, but his performance in 2011 is enough to make him relevant in Fantasy again. Treat him as a low-end IDP option entering 2012.
News: Patriots DL Mark Anderson had a productive performance in Week 15 against the Broncos. He sacked QB Tim Tebow twice and finished with three tackles in the 41-23 win. Anderson now has nine sacks on the year.
Analysis: Anderson saw an improved role on Sunday after Andre Carter left with an injury and could start down the stretch with Carter expected to miss the remainder of the year. While he is not the best against the run, Anderson has proven to be a solid pass rusher so consider picking him up in Fantasy IDP formats for Week 16 against the Dolphins.
News: Patriots DL Mark Anderson had a nice performance on Monday night in Week 11 in a win over the Chiefs. Anderson recorded 1 1/2 sacks in the game and finished with four tackles.
Analysis: Anderson has recorded sacks in back-to-back games and three of his last four. He's up to seven sacks on the season for the Patriots to go with 16 tackles. His four tackles against the Chiefs are a new season high, however, so he isn't great in that regard. Anderson is just a low-end Fantasy option in IDP formats.
News: Patriots DL Mark Anderson recorded two solo tackles in Week 8 against the Steelers. One of those hits was a sack on Ben Roethlisberger. The Patriots would end up losing the contest, 25-17.
Analysis: Anderson now has 10 tackles and 4.5 sacks on the season. He's not doing a ton this year for the Patriots, but he has been able to get to the quarterback some. But it's not enough to warrant much attention in Fantasy IDP leagues. He is still just a low-end DL option moving forward.
News: Patriots DL Mark Anderson registered 1.5 sacks in Week 5 against the Jets. Anderson finished with three total tackles in the 30-21 victory and was also credited with a pair of QB hits.
Analysis: Anderson now has 3.5 sacks on the season and is very quietly turning into one of the team's top pass rushers. He really isn't known in most Fantasy circles, so owners looking for another pass rusher might consider scooping him off the waiver wire heading into Week 6 against Dallas.
News: The Boston Globe reports Friday that the Patriots have come to an agreement to sign former Bears and Texans DE Mark Anderson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Anderson had 29 tackles and four sacks last season as a Texan.
Analysis: Anderson has never been able to duplicate his stellar rookie season, when he helped the Bears reach the Super Bowl on the heels of his 12 sacks in the regular season. He hasn't notched more than five sacks since then, but he will not have as much attention on him potentially in New England on one of the top defensive lines in all of football. Anderson has sleeper appeal on Draft Day if he can get into the swing of things with his new team, so Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his progress.
News: With Wade Phillips joining the Texans as their defensive coordinator, the Houston Chronicle reports that the team might give Mark Anderson a look at outside linebacker. Anderson's played as light, fast defensive end throughout his career but might be able to make the transition to LB.
Analysis: A position change could help Anderson's stats rise; even though he had four sacks last season Fantasy owners couldn't use him because he had 29 total tackles. We'll keep an eye on Anderson's progress this offseason.
News: Texans DL Mark Anderson recorded a sack for the second straight game and the fourth time this season Week 15 at Tennessee. He also had three tackles, all solo.
Analysis: Anderson will get a sack every now and then, but not often enough to make up for his lack of tackles. He's just a last resort in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: With Mario Williams out for the year, DE Mark Anderson will receive more playing time for the rest of the season. Anderson wants to improve against the run. "(I need to) try to shock them, hold my gap and then just make a play," he said. He's done better against the pass, as he picked up his third sack of the season last week. The Texans face the Titans in Week 15.
Analysis: Anderson has been a disappointment in the league since exploding for 12 sacks as a rookie. Now that he is a starter, he will have a chance to build on his three sack campaign this season. Continue to utilize him as a low-end Fantasy option moving forward.
News: Texans DL Mark Anderson picked up his third sack of the year in Week 14 against the Ravens. He also had three tackles in the 34-28 loss.
Analysis: Anderson recorded 12 sacks as a rookie for Chicago in 2006, but has has just 12.5 since then. His production has been sporadic this season so continue to view the 27-year-old as a low-end Fantasy option heading into Week 15 against the Titans.
News: Texans DE Mark Anderson, who has two sacks and three QB hits in his past four games, has used his speed to provide a boost to the front four when rushing on the edge. "I'm trying to play relentless out there," he said. "I just have to keep pushing." The Texans take on the Titans in Week 12.
Analysis: Anderson has only played in five games this season after being let go by the Bears in October. He is easing his way into the Texans scheme and could turn out to be a steal if he continues to progress. Still, in Fantasy play he remains a waiver-wire guy. Continue to ignore him.
News: Texans DL Mark Anderson totaled one sack for his only tackle Week 10 against the Jaguars. He had two quarterback hits. Anderson has two sacks on the season -- both coming in his last three games.
Analysis: Anderson joined the Texans in early October and finally seems to be getting up to speed. He definitely benefits from playing opposite Mario Williams, but Anderson is pretty much hit or miss. He doesn't get a ton of tackles, so if he gets no sacks, then he can't help much in Fantasy. He remains a low-end Fantasy flier.
News: Texans DL Mark Anderson recorded his first sack of the year in Week 8 against the Colts. He brought down QB Peyton Manning and finished with four tackles in the 30-17 loss.
Analysis: Anderson, who signed with Houston after being released by Chicago earlier in the year, has 12 tackles in six games this season. He has not matched the 12 sacks he recorded as a rookie in 2006 and does not pose much Fantasy value at this point.
News: The Texans signed DL Mark Anderson on Wednesday, one day after he was released by Chicago.
Analysis: Anderson had 12 sacks in his rookie season of 2006 but has regressed quite a bit since then. He can continue to be ignored in IDP Fantasy play for the time being.
News: The Bears have released DL Mark Anderson.
Analysis: Anderson had 12 sacks in his rookie season of 2006 but has regressed since then. He can continue to be ignored in IDP Fantasy play.
News: Restricted free agent defensive end Mark Anderson has signed his one-year tender offer from the Chicago Bears, locking him into playing this season. Anderson has 130 tackles and 21.5 sacks in four years but has struggled since an eye-opening rookie season in 2006.
Analysis: Anderson will have a shot to start and play opposite Julius Peppers on the Bears' D-line. That could result in some stats. Consider him late in deeper IDP league drafts.
News: The Bears have released veteran defensive end Alex Brown, roughly a month after signing Julius Peppers. The 31-year-old Brown was a fourth-round selection by the Bears in 2002 out of Florida. He was slated to make $5 million this season and slightly more in 2011, but the team didn't view him worthy of the contract. Mark Anderson, who had strong rookie season in 2006 with 12 sacks, could now be the starter. The Bears also intend to move Israel Idonije from tackle to defensive end.
Analysis: Anderson and Idonije are candidates to post decent stats since they'll each get a crack at playing opposite of Julius Peppers and likely see single coverage because of it. Consider both very late-round fliers worth a look in deeper drafts.
News: Bears DL Mark Anderson had two tackles and one sack during a Week 3 win against the Seahawks. It was his first sack of the season.
Analysis: Anderson has just seven sacks in his last three seasons after breaking out with 12 as a rookie in 2006. It seems teams have found ways to minimize Anderson's impact. Until he starts producing better numbers, he has little Fantasy appeal.
News: Chicago Bears defensive linemen talk about new line coach Rod Marinelli almost like he is a wizard working magic. Already, the former Detroit Lions head coach seems to have made defensive end Mark Anderson reappear before their eyes. Or at least it's apparent Anderson's lost confidence has returned. "Right now I'm feeling pretty good about my ability, my speed feels pretty good, I feel good," Anderson said. "I'm ready to go out there and make some plays." Anderson couldn't say that last year or in 2007. He had 16 sacks in his first 20 games and his 12-sack rookie season of 2006 was the fourth best by any rookie in league history. However, he had just two sacks in his last 21 games, though he sees better things ahead with Marinelli's help. "I wouldn't say I need to re-prove myself," Anderson said. "I just need to go out there and continue to do what I do and that's rush the passer, create some type of havoc on the field and just have fun."
Analysis: When coaches released the team depth chart this week, Anderson found himself listed as a starter alongside Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown. Proving it in practice and doing it in games are different things, and Anderson looks forward to Saturday night's preseason opener in Buffalo to start showing he truly is back to his rookie form. "He's working extremely hard," Marinelli said. "I think his take-off (on pass rush) is excellent. This guy can come off the rock now. He's got a couple of real good base moves. You want to add to it a little bit, not much more than that, and then we'll just work from there." After Anderson's big rookie year, coaches made him a starter ahead of Brown. Then his production took a nosedive. In addition to a drop in sacks, Anderson went from 31 tackles in 2007 to 18 last year. Improvement is critical now because his first NFL contract expires following this season. Anderson is more of a Fantasy sleeper Draft Day than must-have option.
News: Bears DL Mark Anderson (thumb) is listed as probable for Week 1 at Indianapolis. He went through full practices Thursday and Friday after limited reps Wednesday.
Analysis: Anderson racked up just five sacks in 2007 after totaling 12 as a rookie in 2006. He has great talents as a pass rusher, but since he is hit or more, Anderson remains a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Bears DT Tommie Harris (knee), DE Mark Anderson (thumb), safety Mike Brown (knee), DT Dusty Dvoracek (calf) and DB Brandon McGowan (knee) were all listed on the injury report Wednesday. McGowan, Dvoracek and Brown went through a full practice and are probable. Harris and Anderson were limited and are questionable.
Analysis: Harris has the most value in IDP leagues as a No. 3 DL. The rest of these defensive players are not worth using. Hopefully for Fantasy owners, Harris will play, but continue to monitor his status.
News: The Chicago Tribune reports that Bears DE Mark Anderson underwent minor thumb surgery on Monday. He's expected to miss the club's third preseason game vs. San Francisco but OK for the start of the regular season.
Analysis: Anderson plays as a low-end No. 3 Fantasy DL because he's not an every-down end but does have a knack for the sack.
News: On Monday, the Bears placed DE Mark Anderson on Injured Reserve, ending his 2007 season. He had five sacks and 36 tackles on the season.
Analysis: Anderson plays as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy DL because he's not an every-down end (as of now) but does have a knack for the sack. He'll be about the same in 2008 Fantasy play.
News: The Bears listed the following players as inactive for Week 16 vs. Green Bay: QB Rex Grossman (knee), DB Nathan Vasher (groin), DB Josh Gattis (coach's decision), LB Lance Briggs (hip), WR Mike Hass (coach's decision), DL Mark Anderson (knee), DL Darwin Walker (questionable).
Analysis: None of the players on this list are currently in a position to help your Fantasy team. Leave them reserved until further notice.
News: Bears DE Mark Anderson did not practice Wednesday with the team in preparation for Week 16 vs. the Packers. He was banged up against the Vikings in Week 15 and is considered questionable for Week 16.
Analysis: Anderson is a decent pass rusher but is only reliable for at best a sack a week. With the knee injury expected to bug him, keep him out of active IDP league lineups this week.
News: Notable Bears defenders from Week 13 vs. the Giants include: LB Brian Urlacher (14 total tackles, interception), LB Lance Briggs (10 total tackles), DE Adewale Ogunleye five total tackles, two forced fumbles), CB Charles Tillman (two solo tackles, interception) and DL Tommie Harris (solo tackle, forced fumble). Anthony Adams and Mark Anderson split one sack.
Analysis: Of these Bears, Urlacher, Briggs, Ogunleye and Tillman are good IDP league options. The Bears play at Washington in Week 14 on Thursday night.
News: Bears DL Mark Anderson had six tackles Sunday against Denver.
Analysis: Anderson is a low-end DL in IDP leagues but is worth starting in Week 13 against the Giants.
News: Bears DL Mark Anderson was held to only one tackle in Chicago's 19-16 comeback victory over the Eagles in Week 7.
Analysis: After getting four sacks in his first three games, Anderson has gone sack-less in his last three outings. He is still a decent No. 2 or No. 3 Fantasy DL in IDP leagues. The Bears host the Lions in Week 8.
News: Notable Bears defenders from Week 4 at Detroit include: DB Brandon McGowan (10 total tackles), LB Brian Urlacher (11 total tackles), DE Adewale Ogunleye (five solo tackles, two sacks) and DE Mark Anderson (two solo tackles, two sacks, forced fumble).
Analysis: Of these players, Urlacher and Ogunleye are must-start Fantasy IDP options. The Bears play at Green Bay in Week 5.
News: Notable Bears defenders who put up nice numbers at San Diego in Week 1 include: LB Hunter Hillenmeye (nine total tackles), DB Adam Archuleta (seven solo tackles), LB Lance Briggs (eight total tackles), DE Adewale Ogunleye (five solo tackles, one sack), DE Mark Anderson (four tackles, sack), DB Mike Brown (four tackles, interception) and CB Nathan Vasher (two tackles, sack). LB Brian Urlacher had six total tackles, as did CB Charles Tillman.
Analysis: Of these players, Urlacher, Briggs, Ogunleye, Tillman and Archuleta is worth starting in IDP league play vs. the Chiefs in Week 2.
News: Bears DL Mark Anderson is a rookie who brings pass rush heat and had 12 sacks, a team rookie mark and tops among first-year players in the NFL. He was responsible for a sack and fumble that resulted in a 25-yard loss for the Saints in the NFC championship game. He had 48 tackles and four forced fumbles, excellent for a part-timer.
Analysis: Consider Anderson a solid sleeper candidate for 2007 and a good start in Fantasy playoff leagues.
News: The Bears yielded 327 yards and 21 points to the Lions in Week 16. They did recover one fumble and got two sacks from rookie DL Mark Anderson, who now has 12 sacks on the season. Alfonso Boone also had a sack.
Analysis: The Bears had another rough outing in Week 16 and it seems they might be losing their touch on defense heading into the playoffs. Still, the Bears DST should be started in all Fantasy leagues for Week 17. Anderson has been a pleasant surprise this season despite the fact that he doesn't start for the Bears. He is a solid Fantasy player for Week 17 and will likely be drafted in Fantasy IDP leagues next season.
News: Bears DL Adewale Ogunleye, who led last year's team with 10 sacks, has just two in the past nine games and only 3.5 for the season, although he missed Games 5 and 6 with a hamstring injury. DL Alex Brown has two sacks in the past six games after getting three in the first five. DL Tank Johnson has 1.5 sacks all season after getting five last year. His shared sack of the Jets' Chad Pennington on Nov. 19 was his first since Week Two. And DL Mark Anderson began the season with 7.5 sacks in the first seven games, but he's gotten just that one-half sack in the past four weeks.
Analysis: Ogunleye and Brown are solid starts this week against the Vikings, but keep Johnson and Anderson reserved.
News: Notable Bears defenders from Week 11 include: LB Lance Briggs (seven total tackles), SS Todd Johnson (11 total tackles, six solo), LB Brian Urlacher (11 total tackles, five solo, interception in the end zone), DE Adewale Ogunleye (six total tackles, sack), DE Mark Anderson (three solo tackles, sack) and CB Nathan Vasher (seven total tackles, interception).
Analysis: Briggs, Urlacher and Vasher are reliable starters in IDP leagues in Week 12 at New England. Johnson is a low-end DB option, while Ogunleye and Anderson could be held in check by the Patriots' strong O-line.
News: Bears rookie DL Mark Anderson notched a sack for the fourth straight game late in the fourth quarter Sunday against the 49ers, giving him 7 1/2 for the season, and forcing a fumble that was recovered by teammate Israel Idonije. Anderson entered the game third in the league in sacks, and the fifth-round defensive end has at least 1 sack in each of the past four games and a total of 6 in that span. "One thing that Mark has been doing is studying the snap, and he got a great jump," defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. "To make that kind of a big impact play is tremendous."
Analysis: The rookie out of Alabama has certainly been impressive this season. The 7 1/2 sacks would certainly seem like Anderson is a great Fantasy option, but in all truth, he is a fringe player. Anderson backs up Alex Brown in Chicago and only plays on a limited basis. So far, so good, but his luck is bound to run out sometime. Anderson basically has a sack a game and one or two tackles. If you can live with that for the time being, go right ahead and start Anderson. But that stat line won't look so pretty when the sacks stop coming. Keep this in mind when using him in IDP leagues. Anderson is more of a long-term keeper at this point.
News: Notable Bears defenders in Week 8 vs. San Francisco include: DB Charles Tillman (eight tackles), LB Lance Briggs (six tackles, forced fumble), DB Todd Johnson (five tackles, two forced fumbles) and LB Brian Urlacher (one tackle, one interception). DEs Mark Anderson and Adewale Ogunleye each had a sack.
Analysis: Most of these defenders are worth using vs. Miami in Week 9. Todd Johnson is starting in place of Mike Brown and is a good low-end option.
News: DE Mark Anderson's 5.5 sacks are just 2.5 short of the Bears' rookie record of eight set by Brian Urlacher in 2000.
Analysis: Anderson is a sack machine in the mold of Colts defender Robert Mathis -- a lot of sacks, not a lot of tackles. If sacks count for big points in your IDP league, take a flier on Anderson.
News: Notable Bears defenders in Week 5 vs. Buffalo include: DE Alex Brown (four solo tackles, a sack and an interception), LB Lance Briggs (four solo tackles, interception), DE Mark Anderson (two sacks and a forced fumble), and rookie CB Danieal Manning (four total tackles, interception). Brian Urlacher led the team with five total tackles.
Analysis: Urlacher and Briggs are reliable Fantasy starters in IDP play, as is Brown as a DL in deeper leagues. Mark Anderson is new to the Fantasy party and might be worth using if DE Adewale Ogunleye continues to miss games. Manning should be owned in deeper IDP dynasty league play.
