Fantasy Football with Scott Engel

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Welcome to The Show! On Friday afternoon, Scott Engel will drop by to take your questions and analyze all the latest football news from a fantasy perspective.

Send your questions now and join Engel in The Show on Friday at 3 p.m. ET!

Fantasy Football Archive: Chats | Fantasy Home Page

Ryan (Monroe,MI)


Hi Scott. What do you think of the situation with LJ. Does he drop at all with his contract uncertainty or is he still a Top 3 RB?

Scott Engel
  (3:01 PM)


Good afternoon everyone! It really depends on when you are drafting - if the situation is unresolved by the time you draft, coupled with Croyle starting, I would at least drop him to fourth. A holdout could hurt his conditioning a lot more than last year's workload

egami (iowa)


Scott, does LaMont Jordan get a little boost with the recent 4 game suspension of his new backfield compadre from Indy?

Scott Engel
  (3:02 PM)


No, because the line is still not that good, plus the Raiders don't want to overwork him and may use other options to make sure Jordan does not get overused - they don;t wantt o demand too much from him in an effort to keep him healthy

Roy, Denver


Hey Scottie, strategy question. It appears the receiving crop is particularly strong this year and incredible value can be had in even the 5th or 6th round. Agreed? If that's the case, in a 10 team league, would you go 2 RBs, then a top flight QB, then in rounds 4 or 5 pick up a Javon Walker and Andre Johnson or even Hines? That is, unless a Steve Smith fell to a #27 or something. Thanks.

Scott Engel
  (3:05 PM)


I don't believe in preset strategies for the most part, as you have to adjust on the run - it really depends on who is available in certain rounds and what other owners do - the receiving crop is deep, but there's a dropoff after the top 15 or so and I wouldn't wait too long to get a No 1 guy

B.C. (Austin, TX)


What kind of drop in production would you predict for Frank Gore? Can he take LJ's place as the #2 Fantasy Back?

Scott Engel
  (3:07 PM)


Steven Jackson is the clear No. 2 if LJ drops. I see no reasons to expect any type of major dropoff from Gore. I no longer worry about his health

Ed, NY


Scott, Do you think Joseph Addai warrants being picked ahead of Brian Westbrook as far as running backs? Thanks.

Scott Engel
  (3:08 PM)


I personally prefer Westbrook ina yearly league because he is more proven, but th ecase can certainly be made for Addai and it's not crazy at all

Justin, Brick NJ


Which receivers do you project to make the jump from a # 2 or 3 fantasy WR to a #1? IMO Devery Henderson and Donte Stallworth will both have BIG years.

Scott Engel
  (3:11 PM)


I don't think Henderson will outproduce the much more dependable Colston, and Stallworth will be an injury risk - but I can see Mark Clayton, Ronald Curry and Berrian clearly outperforming the other starters at WR on their respective teams

Mark, Cleveland


Do you take Brees over Brady as your first qb if both are available?

Scott Engel
  (3:12 PM)


It's a very close call, but I'll take Brady, who has better weaponry than ever, and will outperformeveryone but Manning and Palmer at QB

Jarric (Kansas)


Foster is listed #1 RB for carolina, but should I be picking DeAngelo before him?

Scott Engel
  (3:13 PM)


I would. Foster is injury-prone and Williams has a lot of upside

Jake (Chicago)


Rank your top 5 defensive players for leagues that use tackles, sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, etc... How about Shawne Merriman, Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher, Champ Bailey and DeMarcus Ware?

Scott Engel
  (3:19 PM)


If you are factoring in tackles, Merriman is not a top guy. There are a few DBs better than Bailey, too. I would go Jason Taylor, Adrian Wilson, Demeco Ryans, London Fletcher-Baker, Aaron kampman - I like D-linemean that can stop the run

Mike (NJ)


What Eagle would be a better guy to have on my team, Reggie Brown or Kevin Curtis? Or i should avoid Eagle wideouts like the plague until McNabb's health is certain?

Scott Engel
  (3:20 PM)


I like Brown for a real good year, but I don't think Curtis will be consistent - I wouldn't focus on whether WRs play for Philly or not, and take the best one when you need one regardless of team

Adam(Brooklyn)


Michael Clayton 1100/9 td's

Scott Engel
  (3:21 PM)


I think you have Clayton on your roster :) He's going to be lucky to hold off Maurice Stovall for his starting job

Chris, Howell, NJ


Who are the starting RB's week 1 for the Bills, Titans, Packers, Vikings, and Lions??

Scott Engel
  (3:23 PM)


Marshawn Lynch, Chris Brown, Brandon Jackson, Chester Taylor and Tatum Bell - but starting doesn't mean you won't share a lot of carries, such as in the cases of Brown, Taylor and Bell

Chris (Reno, NV)


Scott, I just traded for Deion Branch in my keeper league. Do you see him being a reliable #2 WR?

Scott Engel
  (3:24 PM)


He can have a career year in 2007 if he doesn't get banged up like he did in New England

Dan - San Jose


If there is no drop-off from Gore, and if D-Jax / Lelie stretch the field, how in the world will defenses account for Vernon Davis? He's too fast for linebackers and he'll run over CB's. In other words, he could be an ABSOLUTE BEAST this season for my squad, right?

Scott Engel
  (3:26 PM)


Jackson has trouble staying healthy and Lelie is an annual disappointment - still, I like Davis to have some very impressive outings this year - he won't challenge Gates yet in terms of production, but he can certainly be a top five TE

Mike (CT)


Just how good is Greg Olsen's TE value for this upcoming season with the Bears?

Scott Engel
  (3:27 PM)


It will take some time for him to adjust to the pro game, and I think he won't be a top 10 fantasy TE yet

Joe (Madtown)


I believe Vince Young will be HUGE this year. I know he doesn't have a lot of weapons but doesn't that mean he will be running all the time?

Scott Engel
  (3:29 PM)


I believe you have Young on your roster :) A QB cannot be huge if he doesn't have weaponry, and young's receiving crew is the worst in the AFC. I believe he'll be solid and make sound decisions, and can be a top 10 fantasy QB despite his lack of playmakers

Jason (New York, NY)


Would you pick Shaun Alexander ahead of Addai or Westbrook given Alexander's foot problems?

Scott Engel
  (3:30 PM)


Alexander has had ample time to heal and I am no longer worried about his foot. I would take him over Addai or Westbrook

todd (westminster, co)


Scheffler... break out year with Cutler?

Scott Engel
  (3:31 PM)


First he has to overcome his foot injury, but Denver will find a lot of ways to use him and he'll have some good games and show more promise

Erich (CT)


Is there any truth to the rumor that Larry Johnson is heading to Dallas? And if so how does that effect his overall stats?

Scott Engel
  (3:34 PM)


For now, it's all a rumor, but Jerry Jones would love to have a superstar RB again, I believe. It would certainly put LJ back firmly as the No. 2 fantasy RB, and I could see adjusting hsi projected totals to 1650 rush yards and about 15 TDs

Broncomaniac (Charger Town, USA)


If you are in multiple leagues do you make sure that you don't pick up the same guy in each league? Last year I had the 2nd pick in each league and I drafted Shaun Alexander in both and we all know what happened to him last year.

Scott Engel
  (3:35 PM)


I treat each league individually and never let my strategies in one league affect another - if I get a player in two leagues, so be it.

Brian, Brooklyn NY


I'm commissioner of my league and I've had several guys ask if we could go to a team RB set up. In other words instead of drafting individual RB's, you would draft the team. So if you draft the Jaguars you'd get MJD and Fred Taylor. Seems like a good way to get around all of the RB by committee. Thoughts?

Scott Engel
  (3:37 PM)


I don't like it - takes away too much strategy and waters down the field of RB - less strategy and takes away the challenges that make FF so exciting

Mark (Grand Rapids)


What is the earliest you would pick Peyton? Would you take him over Westbrook, Rudi, or Parker in non-keeper, non-PPR league?

Scott Engel
  (3:38 PM)


In a standard scoring league, he's a very safe pick, and I would certainly consider him late in the first round. I'd rather get the top RB first, personally

Scott (MI)


I know that some hardcore NFL fans hate fantasy football because you start rooting for players and not teams...however if you are a fantasy geek (like me and most likely everyone in here) you have 4-10 teams with different players and it's impossible to root for everyone when they are playing each other every week. Just me reasoning...maybe I'm nuts!

Scott Engel
  (3:41 PM)


My love for fantasy has never affected my rooting interests, and when you realize none of your decisions affect what happens on the field, you have peace of mind. I'm a Seahawks fan, and I want them to win every week, but I realize they aren't going to shut out the other side, either. If they play SF, I'm hoping the Seahawks win 21-7, and that one TD comes from Gore if he's on my team

Blake (Dallas)


Were do you rank Jacobs? Top 15 RB? 20?

Scott Engel
  (3:43 PM)


We have him ranked 23rd, yet with the arrow pointing up. He runs with a mean streak and will be a good No. 2 fantasy RB and a fine value pick

Matt,MPLS


Do you see any of the 49ers players suffering from having to learn a new offense for the third straight season? Has to be tough on a young QB and RB to have a new coordinator every year, right?

Scott Engel
  (3:46 PM)


Jim Hostler isn't going to mess too much with what worked last year and he has a great relationship with Alex Smith - he was his QB coach - I see no reasons for major struggles

Terrence ( Detroit)


Wow, so you want your biggest rivals to do well against your team??

Scott Engel
  (3:49 PM)


That's not what I said - what i said was, in reality, I know a shutout is unlikely - so when the other team does score, it helps my fantasy team - and ultimately, when the game is on the line, I'm not thinking fantasy. Shutouts are rare in the NFL. if my team wins and the points they give up help my fantasy squad, it's a win-win situation for me

Ryan (OKC)


Outside of Lynch and Peterson, what rookie RB will have the best fantasy value?

Scott Engel
  (3:51 PM)


I like Brandon Jackson a lot - great fit in the zone blocking schemes and much more upside than Morency - Michael Bush could be a big sleeper too if he is healthy to start the season

Ryan (Buffalo)


Is there any reason to believe Lynch will end up with better numbers than McGahee had last year running behind that line?

Scott Engel
  (3:53 PM)


The line should be better with the addition of Dockery and the continued improvement of Peters, and Lynch will be featured more as a pass-catcher - he also is a better fit in that offense - he'll better McGahee's 2006 totals, but McGahee will outdo him in Baltimore for sure

Phil (LA)


The point is it does change your rooting interest (not that theres anything wrong with that) as long as your team wins. I know I want UCLA to score 0 on USC every year!

Scott Engel
  (3:55 PM)


It does not change my rooting interest. I realize my team isn't going to play perfectly every week, and the win is what counts the most, not the points surrendered/ Me rooting for a shutout is not going to make it happen. I'm a realist. And as important as fantasy wins are to me, nothing has been sweeter than seeingt he Seahawks win the NFC in all my years as a football fan

Howie (RI)


Yes we all want are team to win. But it does change the way we root. You gotta admit your wrong on this one pal.

Scott Engel
  (3:58 PM)


No, I am not wrong. I disagree with you. :) When I watcht he Seahawks, my foremost concern is their success. When they do give up poinst to my fantasy players, I stillw ant the Seattle win. I root differently than you do and my view works best for me.

Chad (Ft. Lauderdale)


Everyone is missing the point here. He said it changes his rooting interest. He still wants his team to win. But if the other team is going to score, it should at least be the guy he has on his fantasy team. Let it go everyone...we all do it.

Scott Engel
  (3:59 PM)


Well said, my friend. And now we move on.

Tim (Bmore)


Buzzer Beater - Willis McGahee or Reggie Bush?

Scott Engel
  (4:00 PM)


On standard scoring, I love McGahee with the chnage of scenery, but Bush will be a monster in PPR leagues

Brett(San Diego)


What round would you take Philip Rivers in? does he go before or after cutler?

Scott Engel
  (4:01 PM)


I see Rivers going as a good value in the seventh round or so. I like Cutler, but Rivers has a little more polisha nd he's clearly on the rise

Jeremy (Bellevue)


Better keeper: T Henry or L Maroney?

Scott Engel
  (4:03 PM)


Henry can have at least two good years with Denver, but Maroney is younger and will be a top fantasy RB in two to three years time - Id keep Maroney even if he is inconsistent this year

Erich (CT)


Do you have any reason to believe that LT will slow down at all? He carried quite a load and im afraid that his small stature will break down quite a bit this season.

Scott Engel
  (4:04 PM)


I think you are creating worries where there are none - LT has always handled heavy workloads with little concern

Ryan: (Rochester, NY)


Why is everyone so pro McGahee? The guy plays scaired and doesnt hit the holes hard. I think there is a good chance the he will be the most overrated fantasy player.

Scott Engel
  (4:05 PM)


There were no holes to hit in Buffalo.

Robby [OH]


Hey, Scott, Housh or J. Walker in a keeper league

Scott Engel
  (4:07 PM)


very close call, but I will take Walker to be Cutler's top target for awhile, and Cutler is going to become quite the gunslinger. Housh is great, but he has to share billing with CJ while Walker is clearly the top guy in Denver

Ryan: (Rochester, NY)


Hmmmm A-Train had no problem hitting them Mr. Engel.

Scott Engel
  (4:08 PM)


I was not too impressed with his production. Buffalo's top priority this offseason was improving the blocking

Ali (richmond)


Eli Manning has a break out year ?

Scott Engel
  (4:09 PM)


I wish I could say yes, but I can't. I think he'll have some good outings and will improve, but I don't trust his supporting cast to help him enough

Darren (Sioux Falls, Sd)


Do you think Minnesota defense should be one of the early defenses picked. I mean comon they scored almost as much as the offense last year

Scott Engel
  (4:10 PM)


I love the talent they have, especially up front, but the offense will force them to spend too much time on the field - could be like Oakland's D last year

Chris (Philly)


Pick one to keep...Evans, Colston, or Plax?

Scott Engel
  (4:11 PM)


Evans - he is becoming a complete WR and is on the verge of becoming a superstar

Ali (richmond)


I think the offensive scheme that Eli is in SUCKS...i blame coaches not the cast...agree?

Scott Engel
  (4:11 PM)


I can add that as well

Smith (Leonia, NJ)


Hey Scott. My friends and I were arguing over which team is going to win the NFC West. Who do you think is going to win the NFC West?

Scott Engel
  (4:12 PM)


It's going to be tough this year, as SF really improves, but Seattle still has the best balance on both sides of the ball.

Ron (Clarks Summit, PA)


Does Andre Johnson improve his fantasy standing with Schaub instead of Carr at QB? What round?

Scott Engel
  (4:13 PM)


The blocking is still suspect and there's no No. 2 WR, so I see his surroundings holding him back again - fifth round if he is there

Ogilvy (DC)


Wipe that puss off your face, the picture makes it look like someone just kicked your dog.

Scott Engel
  (4:15 PM)


I don't have a dog. And I'm serious about fantasy, hence the serious pic.

Tarr (Orlando)


Why do you believe in Addai but not Maroney? Seems to me they are in very similar situations.

Scott Engel
  (4:16 PM)


Different RBs, different skill sets. Addai is a much better pass-catcher and has shown me more as an inside runner, and he wa a lot more reliable in 2006

Edward (Metairie, La)


Will T. Jackson be this years Big Ben? His running game screams the Pittsburgh system of a couple years ago with the Bus and Willie Parker.

Scott Engel
  (4:17 PM)


His receiving corps screams for the Vikings to hold tryouts and hope Mark Wahlberg shows up. Jackson is no Roethlisberger

Jack (Boston)


Can only keep two out of Benson, Parker, and McAllister. I was leaning towards Parker and Benson based off of age, but I have a bad feeling Benson might be a big bust this year, your thoughts?

Scott Engel
  (4:19 PM)


All benson ha sto do is stay healthy to show he is ready. Just make sure you get insurance for him early in the draft and keep him

Tim (Ewa Beach, HI)


Most pubs have Young ranked ahead of both Leinart and Cutler. Young has no weapons while the other two are on pretty good offenses and I think are better decision makers. I know Young had a great ending to last season, but isn't he overrated as a top 10 QB?

Scott Engel
  (4:21 PM)


Young didn't have much weaponry last year, either. He doesn't try to do too much and makes sound decisions. I think he can be top 10 this year, but I also like Leinart and Cutler

George (Newark)


Better keeper: Benson or Maroney?

Scott Engel
  (4:22 PM)


I will go with Maroney there, because i have no doubt he wille evntually flourish, it just may not be this year

adam (San Diego, CA)


Scott, What round do you take Ronnie Brown in and do you see him having a more productive season this year?

Scott Engel
  (4:23 PM)


I like Brown late in the first round and I think he will be much better overall as Green brings stability to the offense.

Jeremy (Bellevue, Wa)


Scott what do you think of C Chambers this year? He never lives up to the hype. What is his value and what WRs do you rank near him?

Scott Engel
  (4:26 PM)


He doesn't focus, he doesn't get open often enough,a nd he's overrated. It's more than the QB issues. he's not in my top 20 WRs and maybe not even in my top 25. I lump him in with gusy like Eddie Kennison and Muhsin Muhamam d- the ones that make me say 'why did I wait that long to draft another WR?"

Jeff (Canada)


Does Alexander get back close to his MVP year and would you deal Benson and Deuce for him to pair with FWP?

Scott Engel
  (4:26 PM)


Alexander rebounds, but not close to 2005 and that's too much to give up.

Chris (Hingham, MA)


Scott, Who has the most keeper value among these rookies: Lynch, Peterson, Calvin Johnson?

Scott Engel
  (4:27 PM)


Johnson - he is going to be the best WR in fantasy by his third year.

Dan (Minneapolis)


Thomas Jones - He's been going early-mid third in the drafts I've seen. Am I nuts or is he a steal at that pick?

Scott Engel
  (4:28 PM)


That's a great value by the third round - Jones is going to be an outstanding No. 2 fantasy RB in 2007

Dan: New York, NY


Why do you (and others) believe Maroney will eventually do well, but not this year? Doesn't he have every opportunity to be the man this year? If he can't pull it off this year, why would any other year be different?

Scott Engel
  (4:29 PM)


Opprtunity doesn't always mean success. He is not a good inside runner yet and I think he still needs to learn a lot about the pro game. More experience will mean better production in the future

Mark (South Boston, MA)


I play in a league where we start two QBs, two RBs, and 3 WRs. How early would you draft a QB? Historically they've been the highest scoring position in our league. Manning outscored LT last year.

Scott Engel
  (4:31 PM)


when you have to draft five other starters at other positions, I would not use a first-rounder ona QB. I would wait until at least the third round

Blake (Dallas)


Why all the love for Calvin Johnson, everyone did the same for Charles Rodgers. That turned out well.

Scott Engel
  (4:31 PM)


They are not the same player. Not by a longshot. Sorry.

Sean (CA)


Earlier you said Young makes sound decisions... yet he threw more INT's than TD's. You also said he didn't have the weapons around him... and he lost his starting RB and WR's. So please explain to all of us why you rate him in the top 10.

Scott Engel
  (4:34 PM)


For a young QB, Young often made good decisions, and if you add in his rushing scores, he had 19 total TDs. The WRs he lost were of no major consequence. The loss of Henry may hurt, yes, but that means he'll continue to run a lot himself.

Blake (Dallas)


Could you expand, what makes Johnson that much better coming out of college than Rodgers, I am not disagreeing with you, but curious on your take.

Scott Engel
  (4:39 PM)


No character concerns like Rogers, and even though Rogers was highly-touted coming out of college as well, but he lacked focus and concentrationa nd was prone to drops. Johnson is much more fundamentally sound. I think you are only drawing comparison between the two because they were both drafted early by Detroit

Ed (Jacksonville)


Fred Taylor or Jones-Drew?

Scott Engel
  (4:40 PM)


MJD for sure because of the TDs, but don't draft these guys just because you like the Jags :)

mike - ca


Gore, E. James, McGahee, Steve Smith, C. Palmer. Pick 3!!

Scott Engel
  (4:41 PM)


McGahee, Smith and Palmer can anchor three positions for you. Thanks a lot everyone!

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