Nate Ravitz

  (12:00 PM)

Hey everyone. Special chat today to talk about the brand new ESPN Fantasy Hall of Fame. Tell me about the unheralded stars who helped you win your league, and be sure to check out our picks at the brand new site: http://espnfantasyhalloffame.com/

Nate Ravitz

  (12:01 PM)

I'll be happy to take some regular fantasy football questions as well, so let's get to it.

Dan (CT)

In 2004, I won my league despite a devastating injury to Priest Holmes and a hasty decision to trade a struggling Domanick Davis (in order to start Chris Brown). I have Reuben Droughns, Nick Goings, and Muhsin Muhammad to thank for that. I would definitely elect them.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:02 PM)

Muhammad made the cut, and Droughns and Goings were definitely discussed. All those guys have really gone down since their banner seasons, though, huh?

Luke (Charlotte)

Is Randy Moss in there for his first two seasons? He was a fantasy god then. Now he's more ordinary.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:03 PM)

He's in there for his ungodly rookie season which caught almost everyone by surprise. There is a wing of studs, but the main HOF is not necessarily about career achievements.

Mike Brooklyn, NY

Where is Thurman Thomas? He was Marshall Faulk before there was a Marshall Faulk.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:05 PM)

Actually, Thurman was my first every pick in my first fantasy football league back in 1990 or so. For the HOF, we used a 10-year cutoff for the time being to give us a nice round number. Adding in legends like Thomas and Jerry Rice is somewhere we may go in the future.

Larry (Charlotte)

How about a special wing for the Hall of Shame? Like TO last year.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:05 PM)

That's definitely in the works. Daunte Culpepper gets in as well.

Jason (Seattle, WA)

What about Maurice Jones Drew, definitely not the rookie everyone picked to get 10+ touchdowns last year.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:06 PM)

Not only is MJC in, he's featured in one of our two commercials. You can view them now on the fantasy home page: http://games.espn.go.com/frontpage

Steven (tulsa)

with priest holmes coming back, supposedly, is he worth a last round flier? how does the LJ contract situation affect this?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:07 PM)

Actually, the TMR and I talked about this today on the podcast. I think it's a great story but I doubt Holmes makes it back. But he's proved us wrong many times before.

Ryan (STL)

Top 5 RB in FB right now?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:09 PM)

For fantasy, I would say 1. LT 2. Jackson 3. Addai 4. LJ 5. Alexander

Brendan (DC)

How about Jamal Lewis circa 2003 if we are going with fantasy studs!

Nate Ravitz

  (12:10 PM)

Here's the thing. Lewis wasn't even a top-2 RB that year. The 2,000 yards were nice, but he had little receiving production and had a good but not great TD total.

Shawn (MN)

Nate, who would you take with the 3rd pick assuming LT and S. Jackson are gone? I feel obligated to take LJ but I'm worried about his holdout. Would I be crazy to take Addai that high?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:10 PM)

Not at all. I think they are 3A and 3B, and I'd even consider Addai at No. 2. He has NO competition.

Darryn Beaverton, OR

How big do you see Lynch's numbers in Buffalo and will the A train get any run out there?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:11 PM)

I'm not a huge Lynch fan, but the buzz about him is making me waver a bit. I think A-Train gets enough work, and I definitely wouldn't draft Lynch until Round 4.

Isaac (Wisco)

How about Ladell Betts' performance when CP went down last season? I was lucky enough to handcuff them and used Betts' ridiculous performance to win my league. He needs to be considered!

Nate Ravitz

  (12:12 PM)

He's in there. Betts was amazing last year. 5 straight 100-yard games down the stretch. I like him this year, too.

R.L. (College Park, MD)

I'm high on Addai too, but how much is the Tarik Glenn thing going to affect his production? I'd imagine that's huge.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:13 PM)

It's definitely a consideration, but I personally believe Glenn's retirement is a bigger issue for the passing game than Addai.

Richard Dupont

Tony Romo's performance last year should definitely be in the mix?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:14 PM)

He was given strong consideration but ultimately missed the cut.

John (WI)

Where is Gore in your rankings for RB? I'd take him over Addai and Alexander.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:15 PM)

He's right in there. In fact....

Chris(philly)

how about RB's 6-10?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:16 PM)

OK. 6. Gore 7. Parker 8. Rudi 9. Maroney 10. Westbrook

Ryan,Boston

Look at this championship 11-1 team I had from 2005,Nate.Carson Palmer,Tiki Barber,Chad Johnson,and Edgerrin James.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:18 PM)

That's pretty good. Hard to figure how you got Edge, Tiki and Ohco Cinco.

Bill (NJ)

How does TO get into the Hall Of Shame for last year? If you league penalizes you for dropped balls then yes but didnt he lead all WR's in TD's?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:18 PM)

Yeah, he should be in for past years, not last year.

Osmond Vancouver , BC (Canada)

Any thoughts to adding an "Old School FF Studs" category? A Fantasy Football HOF just doesn't seem right without guys like Steve Young, Warren Moon, Jerry Rice or the greatest FF Stud in the history (IMHO) of the game - Emmitt Smith (who single handedly won me two championships in his MVP years). How about throwing some love to the guys who laid the foundation for what FF is today?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:19 PM)

Yeah, we debated that, and I think it's coming down the road. For the launch, we had to set some limits. There were some funny one-year wonders just outside the 10-year range too, like Scott Mitchell.

Phil (Syracuse, NY)

Is Jacobs a top 10 back this year, I think he puts up really good TD numbers but his yardage will be lacking.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:21 PM)

For me he's not top 10. Barely top 20. He'll get more work this year, but losing Tiki really hurts the Giants' ability to score, so I could see Jacobs actually ending up with more yards but FEWER TDs than last year. An 800-yard, 7-TD season would not surprise me in the least.

Kevin (Pittsburgh, PA)

Nate, great chat! Keeper league, i have first pick. Taking LT. I can keep two of three. L. Maroney/ D. Williams/ V. Young. What is your opinion? Thanx

Nate Ravitz

  (12:21 PM)

I'm keeping Maroney and Young. I love Williams, but I actually think the Panthers have the potential to be among the biggest disappointments this year.

Rob (RI)

What are your thoughts of Jon Kitna this year? I want to pick him up in the later rounds, will he be overrated and go early though?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:23 PM)

I like Kitna a lot as a fantasy option, but it's hard to predict where he'll go because some people think he's a top 10 guy and others wouldn't take him top 20. I don't think you'll get him if you wait past round 9 or 10.

RC (Dayton)

Nate, do you guys have Kurt Warner on the list? That guy came out of nowhere (literally) to anchor my championship teams in 1999 and 2000. It's an added bonus that he was waiver wire fodder until about week 3 of 1999.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:23 PM)

Oh yeah, he's in there. I confess that I didn't believe in him at the time.

Ted(Boston,MA)

I need a good fantasy football team name,Nate.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:24 PM)

Let's open that one up to the rest of the chat. I'm partial to old-school roto names that incoporate your name. So something like The Ted E-Bears (okay, something smarter than that)

Bill (NJ)

How about some love for Barry Sander's possibly the greatest running back of all time?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:26 PM)

Barry is in there for the 1997 season. Really, check out the site. It's really slick. http://espnfantasyhalloffame.com/

Ken Fresno, CA

One name that needs to be mentioned is Mo Williams. He won me two straight Super Bowls in 2002 and 2003 I believe. A late year fantasy stud especially when he was stealing all the short yard tds!

Nate Ravitz

  (12:27 PM)

He's in there! 11 rushing TDs on 84 carries in 2002.

mike cincy

I know it isnt really fantasy, but what is the deal with Thurman not getting reinstated? Is there something we arent getting told?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:28 PM)

Roger Goodell has said nothing about it to me. In fact, he never calls me anymore.

Ryan Dc

For Ted's name: Teddy's Bruschies.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:28 PM)

Nice! Much better than my idea.

Justin (Denver)

I noticed Terrel Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson in the hall, and you mentioned that you brought up Reuben Droughns. I know Mike Shanahan frustrates fantasy owners, so how high should Travis Henry go this year?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:30 PM)

Well, I don't have Henry in my top 10 for a few reasons. He's had a lot of injuries and seems to be nicked up a lot even when he plays. I still think Mike Bell gets some work. I would take Henry between 12 and 15 overall, but my guess is he's off the board by then.

Ryan DC

Is Brandon Stokley in there...1000+ yds, and 10TDs right? 2004

Nate Ravitz

  (12:31 PM)

Stokley is in as a Waiver Wire Wonder for that season.

Justin (Denver)

I like Brandon Marshall and Vincent Jackson as late round pickups at WR. Any others that are floating under the radar?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:33 PM)

I like both of those guys. Also D.J. Hackett. Going a little deeper I like Hank Baskett, Maurice Stovall and Patrick Crayton.

Ted (Portland, OR)

Speaking of Denver RB's, how come no Clinton Portis in the Hall? He pretty much single-handedly led me to the championship in his rookie season.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:33 PM)

He carried me to one, too. Worth consideration, but he didn't exactly fit any of the categories. We talked about putting in a Denver Team Running Back.

Nick (Cincinnati)

Nate, it's your pick in the 2007 fantasy draft and you can choose any rookie. Peterson and Lynch are tempting as RBs, but is Calvin Johnson so good that he's worth taking over either of them?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:35 PM)

I'd probably take Lynch first even though I'm not a big fan. Peterson has injury issues and Chester Taylor. As for Johnson, the evidence against rookie WRs is just so overwhelming it's hard to ignore.

Eric(Indy)

How will Anthony "Speedy" Gonzalez's fantasy numbers be in replacing Stokley?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:36 PM)

I'm not optimistic. Indy No. 3 receivers did nothing last year.

Eric(Indy)

How will last year back-up RB's play in fantasy this year, such as Brandon Jacobs taking over for Tiki, and Marion Barber in Dallas?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:36 PM)

Already talked about Jacobs. As for Barber, I think he's a better player than JJ and has the better fantasy season, but I also think he probably gets drafted too high.

Matt (Raleigh)

How about those three rookies in a keeper league? How do you rate them?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:37 PM)

1. Johnson 2. Lynch 3. Peterson, but I might have a different answer on 2 vs. 3 in a week or two.

Dave Sactown

I have Benson and T. Jones in a keeper league PPR in the 8th and 9th rounds respectively. Everyone says keep Benson, but I like Jones durability. With every major running back being kept this year I need to keep a solid 1.5 back hehe. Who do you think?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:38 PM)

I like Jones better than Benson. I'll throw out the caveat that I grew up as a Jets fan, but I see major red flags with Benson.

Justin (Denver)

Since Dunn is out for a little, how hight does his backup's stock raise? (Can't think of the name)

Nate Ravitz

  (12:40 PM)

Jerious Norwood. It helps his stock quite a bit, but when Dunn comes back he's definitely going to play, so there's little chance Norwood ends up a 20-25 touch per game guy. I like Norwood, but I think he'll go too high in drafts after the latest Dunn news.

Bob Detroit

Nate, what would your top 10 RB list look like in a PPR league?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:40 PM)

Would take me too long to figure out the whole thing right now, but Westbrook would be much higher, Alexander much lower, Rudi out and Reggie Bush in.

RC (Dayton)

Nate, just checked out the site. Good stuff, I can't believe all the guys I forgot about. Lamar Smith = classic!

Nate Ravitz

  (12:41 PM)

Thanks, that was exactly the point. Read Chris Harris' story on Smith in the Expert Lounge, too. I had trouble remembering how Smith ended up with the job, and Chris does a great job of retelling that.

Zach(Tampa)

I think Dante Hall deserves a mention from 2004.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:43 PM)

You know what's amazing about that season? Dante Hall didn't score nearly as often as everyone remembers. Do me a favor, think in your mind of how many return touchdowns he had, and then check his stats for that year and see if you're surprised. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=2284

ralph (springfield)

will there be a spot in the fantasy hall of fame for coaches and gm's? i think i deserve some votes...

Nate Ravitz

  (12:44 PM)

Not yet, but we are honoring Fantasy GMs. Check the Fantasy GM Wing of Honor and submit yourself for consideration.

Aaron (Jacksonville)

I drafted Frank Gore in the ninth round last year. Who's the one guy who will be overlooked and make a huge spash in the later rounds?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:47 PM)

I think some of the guys we talked about like Hackett and Jackson. Also Mike Bell.

Rob (Boston, MA)

I can't believe you have Lynch rated higher in keeper leagues right now. The man had a freak collar-bone injury - not a knee or chronic type injury and he was the best running back in college as a frosh. He runs with a mean, punishing streak, is headed to a run run run offense, and is sharing time with someone who had horrible yards per attempt last year. I'd put him in discussion with Calvin for best rookie keeper...

Nate Ravitz

  (12:49 PM)

It's a fair criticism. I like Peterson, but his upright running style reminds me of a lot of guys who have had consistent injury problems. I like him better than Lynch, but I think in football keeper leagues you have to give tremendous weight to that first season.

Derek (minneapolis)

I would think Colston from last year especially if he was TE eligible in your league would qualify.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:50 PM)

Colston is in there. It really was silly that he was TE eligible in a lot of leagues, but people took advantage.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:51 PM)

Back to Dante Hall. He scored four(!) return TDs in that big season of his. Everyone I've ever asked about it guessed 6-to-8.

Joey (Washington D.C.)

People say Ladainian needs a nickname that isn't LT. How does LaDominant sound?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:51 PM)

Better than Domlinson.

sam raleigh,nc

Where is the love for Torry Holt in the Fantasy Hall of Fame? This guy might break some all-time records before he retires.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:52 PM)

Holt is one of my favorite receivers ever, but other than '03 he's never had that one single monster season. Only three seasons of double-digit TDs, too.

ben (dc)

I can't remember what year it was, but how bout that year the Billy Volek carried me through the playoffs with like 4 straight monster games?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:54 PM)

He's in. Although as someone pointed out, he was terrible in the fantasy super bowl that year.

Anthony (NYC)

Nate one of the best waiver wire pick ups for last year who had a good five game stretch at TE- Omar Daniels of the Texans.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:55 PM)

I'm sure Owen Daniels was impressed!

al (DC)

You like Hackett - i can keep him or Santonio Holmes in the 14th round, was leaning toward Santonio, what do you think?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:57 PM)

very tough call. I like Holmes too. I'd lean toward Hackett, but it's not a strong enough opinion to steer you away from your gut call.

ben (dc)

u know ur right Nate, I lost that super bowl and finished 2nd...on second thought, lets kick Volek out...

Nate Ravitz

  (12:57 PM)

Ha!

Ryan DC

I'd like to nominate my friend James for worst GM ever - in 2004, his last 2 picks he took Correll Buckhalter and Koren Robinson...all the other managers with giggling under their breath. He says "I don't know what you're laughing about, but I just got a guy that had 8 rushing TDs and a 900 yd WR". To his dismay, he learned from the rest of us that Buckhalter was out for the year with knee injury, and Robinson was on suspension for the first part of the year...he ended up playing 10 games for less than 500 yards. He didn't make the playoffs.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:58 PM)

Sounds like a good time to promote the ESPN Fantasy Football Draft Kit!

Brett(San Diego)

Well the thing with Dante Hall is that he scored all 4 within the first 4 or 5 games and they were hugh touchdowns in each situation so he was getting a lot of publicity. i even remember mort saying he was the mvp of the league after week 5.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:58 PM)

Yep, there was MVP hype. It's just amazing how now everyone remembers it differently than it actually was.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:59 PM)

I need to head out. Thanks for the questions. This was fun, and we'll do it again. I hope everyone gets a kick out of the Fantasy Hall of Fame.