News: The Patriots re-signed linebacker Niko Koutouvides Wednesday. He played in 14 games last year.
Analysis: He will be a special teamer and a provider of linebacker depth for New England. He has no Fantasy value at this time.
News: The Patriots re-signed linebacker Niko Koutouvides Wednesday.
Analysis: Koutouvides was released at the end of training camp. He will be just linebacker depth for New England and has no Fantasy value at this time.
News: The Patriots made some roster moves on Wednesday. They added LB Niko Koutouvides and DB Sterling Moore to the 53-man roster, while putting DB Josh Barrett on injured reserve with a calf injury.
Analysis: Koutouvides and Moore will provide depth on defense for New England, but neither player should be added in Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Veteran RB Sammy Morris was one of several cuts by the Patriots on Saturday. Morris re-signed before the season to provide depth at the position but was shown the door, likely because of his age and declining ability. Other Patriots released include: DE Markell Carter, DE Aaron Lavarias, WR Tiquan Underwood, DE Alex Silvestro, LB Niko Koutouvides, RB Eric Kettani and DL Landon Cohen.
Analysis: None of these guys were or are expected to be Fantasy relevant. Leave them off rosters.
News: The Patriots announced Sunday that they signed LB Niko Koutouvides. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Koutouvides played in 14 games last season with the Bucs, totaling 12 tackles in the process.
Analysis: Koutouvides is not expected to compete for a starting spot on defense, though he should be able to see extensive time with the special teams coverage units. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on how he adjusts to a new team, though the journeyman doesn't warrant any value for now. Ignore Koutouvides on Draft Day.
News: High-priced defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson is among six players cut by the Denver Broncos. Robertson, acquired last offseason from the New York Jets, was set to count $16 million against the team's $123 million cap. Also released Monday by new GM Brian Xanders were linebackers Niko Koutouvides ($3.06 million) and Jamie Winborn ($2.25 million), safety Marquand Manuel ($1.33 million), defensive end John Engelberger ($2.18 million) and tight end Nate Jackson (less than $1 million).
Analysis: None of these players were productive Fantasy options that owners could rely on, though Jackson and Koutouvides had some potential in 2008. Ultimately, keep all of these players off of Fantasy rosters until further notice.
News: The Broncos listed the following players as inactive for Week 16 against Buffalo: WR Chad Jackson, DB Marlon McCree, DB Jack Williams, RB Andrew Pinnock, RB Spencer Larsen, LB Niko Koutouvides, OL Pat Murray and DE Tim Crowder.
Analysis: None of the players on this list should be considered viable Fantasy options. They are not in a position to contribute regular stats as they aren't in line for regular playing time. They've got some depth chart climbing to do and should be left on the waiver wire.
News:Niko Koutouvides proved to be the perfect motivator for Nate Webster. When the Denver Broncos signed Koutouvides to a three-year, $7.5 million contract in March, Webster knew he was in for some competition at middle linebacker. "Signing Niko just made me lock in and focus a little more coming into camp," Webster said. The proof came Monday when coach Mike Shanahan said Webster had won the starting job. "I think you spur everybody on by signing people that can play," Shanahan said. "We know that Niko is a good linebacker, he's good on special teams. Nate had his best offseason program that he's had."
Analysis: The signing of Koutouvides allowed the Broncos to move D.J. Williams from middle linebacker to the weak side, his natural position. Koutouvides said he realized his signing was going to fuel Webster's competitive fire. "That can motivate anybody," Koutouvides said. "Nate was a starter how many years here? So he probably felt not disrespected, but motivated. That'll motivate somebody." Koutouvides was a special teams ace in Seattle, but was hoping for more defensive snaps in Denver. "I'm not happy, but the coaches said they're going to play the best 11 guys on defense," Koutouvides said. "Whatever they ask from me I've got to do. Each week you've got to prepare to be the starter anyway, so that's how you've got to go with it." Koutouvides is not a recommended Fantasy LB at this time.
News: The Denver Post reports Broncos LB Niko Koutouvides returned to the first-team defense at middle linebacker Monday proving the battle to be the starter is ongoing. Koutouvides, signed as a free agent in the offseason, played with the second team behind Nate Webster on Saturday night, and was listed behind Webster on the depth chart released by the team Sunday.
Analysis: Whoever wins the starting job would be considered a No. 3 LB in IDP leagues. Webster will likely open the season as the starter, so plan on drafting him with a late-round pick.
News: Although coach Mike Shanahan has said the organization is shifting its emphasis from free agency to the draft to fill its many needs after missing the playoffs two straight years, the Broncos shored up their linebacker corps with experience. They already had signed free agent Niko Koutouvides, who will get a chance to start at middle linebacker, and waived Ian Gold, who spent seven seasons in Denver sandwiched around a season in Tampa Bay in 2004. Boss Bailey will play strong side linebacker in Denver, and D.J. Williams will move back to the weak side after a year in the middle.
Analysis: With the move, Koutouvides carries with him sleeper Fantasy value since he might be in line for triple-digit tackles in the middle of Denver's system. There's a lot of time between now and the start of the 2008 season, but if Koutouvides gets the gig, he'll be a No. 3 Fantasy LB with lots of upside. He's spent the majority of his career working on special teams.
News: The Denver Broncos didn't take long to fill the spot left by the release of Ian Gold, signing linebacker Niko Koutouvides to a deal Monday. Koutouvides, 26, has been with Seattle the last four seasons, and is a standout on special teams. Last season, Koutouvides finished fourth in the NFL with a career-high 20 tackles on special teams. The former Purdue player was selected by the Seahawks in the fourth round in 2004.
Analysis: Koutouvides will compete for a starting job in 2008 but is likely to contribute on special teams. Don't count on him for reliable Fantasy stats.
News: The Seahawks have ruled LB Niko Koutouvides out for Week 17 at Atlanta because of a knee injury. He had yet to miss a game all season.
Analysis: Koutouvides has only 23 tackles in his 15 games, so you can just ignore him in Fantasy.
News: The Seahawks have given a second-round tender to wide receiver D.J. Hackett, who is a restricted free agent. If Hackett signs an offer sheet with another team, the Seahawks have a week to match or receive a second-round pick as compensation. The team also tendered OT Sean Locklear (first-round tender), DB Jordan Babineaux, LB Niko Koutovides, DT Craig Terrill and FB Leonard Weaver.
Analysis: Hackett had his best season in 2006, catching 45 passes for 610 yards and four touchdowns. He's got solid sleeper potential as a No. 3 or 4 WR worth a late-round pick. The rest of the guys are role players for the Seahawks and don't put up enough stats to warrant use in standard Fantasy play, IDP or otherwise.
News: Seahawks DB Marcus Trufant (ankle) is listed as doubtful, while LB Niko Koutouvides (ankle) and DL Rocky Bernard (foot) is listed as probable for Week 17 at Tampa Bay.
Analysis: It doesn't look like Trufant will play Week 17, so make sure to take him out of Fantasy linueps. Ignore the other injured players as well.
News: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports Jamie Sharper will still play on the strong side even after the release of Chad Brown. D.D. Lewis will start on the weak side, with Niko Koutouvides in the middle.
Analysis: Koutouvides could emerge as a nice sleeper in IDP leagues next season.
