It's true. The very first fantasy league, which had its draft way back in 1965, didn't draft a team defense. So, if it was good enough for the originators of the game that millions all over the world now play and that we hold so dear each and every fall, why isn't drafting IDPs good enough for you?

I don't know where in time that the trend suddenly went from IDPs to the "team defense" concept. All I know is that when I first got started playing fantasy football back in 1996, my league was an IDP league -- and rankings for IDPs were NOWHERE to be found.

Finally, it seems the trend is going away from the team concept and back to the original formula of IDPs, and I'm all for it. Drafting IDPs adds another dimension to your draft that you never believed existed. How boring is it to simply draft "Oakland," when you can take Ray Lewis, or Brian Urlacher, or Jason Taylor, or Michael Strahan, or any other stud on defense.

You may want to know how to score in the IDP format. In several of my leagues, scoring is as follows (also, the IDP rankings on this website are based on this scoring system):

Sack - 2 pts (1 pt. for half-sack)
Interception - 3 pts.
Fumbles recovered - 2 pts.
Forced fumbles - 2 pts.
Safety - 4 pts.
Tackles 1-5 - 1 pt.
Tackles 6-10 - 3 pts.
Every 5 tackles after - 2 pts.

If you are in a league that is switching to the IDP format for the first time, or if you are joining an IDP league for the very first time, here are a few pointers for you to follow:

1. Don't take a defensive player in the first round. Or, for that matter, don't take one in the first five rounds. The only way you can get away with this is if you are in a keeper league, and top-notch offensive guys are dwindling down pretty quick. However, in a re-draft league, avoid IDPs like the plague for the first 6-7 rounds. I was in a league where a guy took Junior Seau with his second overall pick, prompting a lot of snickers and a draft day story that never gets old. Don't be that guy.

2. A good time to go defense is after you've already got your offensive starters in place. Also, you may want to lock up at least a backup RB and WR before you look to the defense. Backup QBs will be there very late, along with backup TEs and those "sleeper" RBs and WRs that you want to stun everyone with. Now is the time to snag a Ray Lewis or a Brian Urlacher -- a guy that is guaranteed points every single week and has the tendency to post huge games thanks to big tackle numbers and simply being a playmaker.

3. Going defense over your kicker isn't a bad idea. Sure, kicker's score. But if his name isn't Vanderjagt, Wilkens or Akers, then why worry? Kickers are all the same after that, and they will be there late. If the choice is Ray Lewis or Josh Brown, I go Lewis in a heartbeat.

4. Going with the "big names" isn't always your best bet. Charles Woodson is one of the top-rated cornerbacks in the NFL right now. However, he may not be a great fantasy football player. Keep in mind that teams tend to throw away from the stud corners, so the chances of him getting an interception or a lot of tackles are slim. That's why guys like Woodson are so low-rated on the IDP board. Most rankings are based on leagues that count points for tackles. If your league only credits interceptions, fumble recoveries and sacks, then Woodson could move up on your board.

5. The best position to fill is the linebacker spot. You'll notice that the first IDPs I always talk about are Lewis and Urlacher. That's because they are the best. Especially in a league that credits tackles, linebackers are the guys that post the big tackle numbers. Jamie Sharper, Zack Thomas and London Fletcher are also guys that will post good numbers. A guy like LaVar Arrington, who not only posts big tackle numbers but is also a threat to rush the QB, is a high LB on many draft boards. The best playmakers are at the LB spot, and getting at least two of them will guarantee you nice points from your 'D.'

6. Avoid defensive tackles and cornerbacks. Most defensive tackles have the tendency to simply clog up the holes for the linebackers and defensive ends to make the plays. They rarely ever rush the QB. Cornerbacks, traditionally, aren't big tacklers. Unless you get a guy that makes a lot of interceptions (which is very difficult to predict), stay away from the CBs. Fill your defensive back position with safeties like Rodney Harrison, for example, and save the big-name CB as a late round "steal" to store on your bench and use as potential trade bait for some sucker who thinks that big names are the best names.

7. Dual threat players are a plus. Having defensive players that also play offense doesn't happen very often in this day and age, but it's what made Deion Sanders a hot commodity a few years ago in the IDP format. Sanders was a shut-down CB who played a little WR and also ran back kicks, and was a threat to score every single time he touched the ball. Remember the name Champ Bailey when it comes to a player like Deion (that is, if Denver will experiment with him at WR). Having a good corner who also return kicks is nice to have, especially if your scoring system credits ALL scores for players, no matter on what side of the ball it is.

8. Fill your offensive positions before you fill your defensive positions. If you're sitting there in the 16th round needing a backup RB, QB and WR and also needing backups at your three defensive positions, go back to drafting offense. The defensive guys at this stage are, like kickers, a dime a dozen. There may be a potential sleeper out there worth snagging, but chances are they will be there when you get into the 20th round and lower.

9. Remember the rookies. On offense, rookies don't tend to make an impact right out of the gate. On defense, however, rookies tend to get playing time right off the bat. And, because there isn't a lot of scouting done on the guy at the pro level, these rookies can come in and have great game immediately. Remember Jevon Kearse’s rookie year? How about Brian Urlacher's, or Julius Peppers’, or Terrell Suggs’ rookie season last year? Keep an eye on guys like Sean Taylor, Dunta Robinson, Kenechi Udeze, Teddy Lehman, D.J. Williams, and Courtney Watson as your draft winds down. One of these guys could be a potential stud this year, and a keeper if your league allows protected players.

10. Have fun with your draft. It's always better to be prepared, but remember that Fantasy Football is exactly what it is -- not real. It's Dungeons and Dragons with a ball. Those who take this game too seriously are the guys who get burned out very quickly. It's always good to be the guy winning the pot (I've won a few myself, and I'd like to win several more), but if the money is all that matters to you, then get out now. Regardless of what format you play in or what scoring system or how many teams you have or how expensive your league is, if you can't have fun playing fantasy football while still playing to win, then it's time to take up yardwork on Sunday's.

Well, I hope that these tidbits help you as you prepare for your league's respective drafts this month. IDPs shouldn't scare you. In fact, embrace the concept. IDPs mean a longer draft, which means more beer to drink and more time to spend away from the significant other and with the fellas, shooting the bull and sharing some laughs. And, what's wrong with that?

Happy Football!