Throughout IDPBlitz.com, you'll see us talk about three standard types of scoring systems: Tackle, Big Play and Balanced. While leagues can vary quite a bit in their scoring parameters, they basically fall into one of these three categories. So when we predict performance, we use generic scoring for these three league types.

Tackle

A Tackle league, in our terminology, is not a tackle-only league. Those do exist! But a Tackle league does more heavily weight solo tackles than other types of defensive plays, and does not count assists. Generic Tackle scoring is as follows:

• Tackle = 1 point
• Sack = 3 points
• Interception = 4 points
• Forced Fumble = 2 points
• Recovered Fumble = 3 points
• Pass Defensed = 1 point
• Defensive Touchdown = 6 points

"The Mark" for a Tackle league is 7 points. Click here for a description of "The Mark."

Big Play

A Big Play league emphasizes sacks and interceptions and does not account for some of the "minor" defensive plays such as fumbles. Generic Big Play scoring is as follows:

• Tackle = 1 point
• Assist = 0.5 points
• Sack = 7 points
• Interception = 10 points

"The Mark" for Big Play leagues is 9 points.

Balanced

Balanced leagues account for all types of defensive scoring and put a slightly higher emphasis on sacks and interceptions than Tackle leagues. Generic Balanced scoring is:

• Tackle = 1 point
• Assist = 0.5 points
• Sack = 4 points
• Interception = 5 points
• Forced fumble = 2 points
• Recovered fumble = 2 points
• Pass defensed = 1 point
• Defensive touchdown = 6 points

"The Mark" for Balanced leagues is 8 points.

Note that we have not handled Tackle-only leagues or leagues that include individual kick returns. For Tackle-only leagues, I recommend that you read our player analyses carefully for description of whether a player is strong in tackling. Some players are good for these leagues but not as good in others, players like Shelton Quarles and Derek Smith, who produce tackles but little else.

Most defensive players do not participate in kick returns, so we don't provide separate analysis. However, we try to mention players who do return kicks and thus have added value. The best example is Terrence McGee, who specializes in kickoff returns. There are other DBs who return punts.

Types of Ownership

There are three types of ownership as well. At IDPBlitz, we lump these into two categories.

The first type is Seasonal, or Re-Draft, leagues. In these, the owner drafts a complete team, starting from scratch each season. In our 2006 IDP Draft Kit, we have draft boards dedicated to Seasonal ownership in Tackle, Big Play and Balanced leagues.

The second type of ownership is Keeper. An owner may keep (usually) 2 to 5 players from the prior year's team, under some guidelines set up by the league. For IDP purposes, we lump Keeper leagues in with Seasonal. The reason is that IDPs are rarely kept among the 2 to 5 players; usually, those are offensive players. If you do keep a defender, it's recommended to use the Seasonal tables anyway and only think about the current season.

The third type of ownership is Dynasty. An owner may keep anywhere from 6 players to an entire roster -- and these rosters tend to be pretty deep. It's not unusual to see 30+ offensive and defensive players on a dynasty team. In our 2006 IDP Draft Kit, we have draft boards dedicated to Dynasty ownership in Tackle, Big Play and Balanced leagues.