Buzzmaster

  (12:01 PM)

Nate Ravitz will be here in minutes to chat about ESPN.com's Fantasy Football Hall of Fame and any other fantasy football questions you may have!

Nate Ravitz

  (12:06 PM)

Hey guys. Sorry I'm late. Let's talk about the Fantasy Hall of Fame and also this year.

Galin (St. Louis)

Who do you think is the most likely to be inducted into the Fantasy Football Hall of Fame in a way similar to that of MJD?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:07 PM)

I think Vincent Jackson and D.J. Hackett both have a great shot to be "Out of Nowhere" guys this year. I also like Maurice Stovall.

Ted (Boston,MA)

Nate,I've got some bad news.I've landed with the dreaded 12 pick in my one year league.Who do I take,Steve Smith?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:08 PM)

If you want to go receiver, sure. At RB, I could see taking Reggie Bush, Travis Henry or Maurice Jones-Drew at No. 12.

Jill (Lansdale)

What RBs from this year's crop could be surpise members of the fantasy hall of fame, like Nick Goings?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:10 PM)

Candidates: Adrian Peterson of Chicago, Lorenzo Booker, Michael Bush. Jason Snelling of Atlanta could be a stunner.

Ogburn (Frostproof)

Is Carnell Williams a good 3rd RB or not worth a high pick?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:12 PM)

For me he's not a top 25 running back, but in a 12-team league that still makes him a decent No. 3. But I think I'd rather have a high-upside guy in a timeshare, like DeAngelo Williams or Chester Taylor, than Caddy.

Dmitri (DC)

Kenny Irons will be inducted after this season. Book it.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:12 PM)

I could see that. He's supposedly been very impressive in camp.

Tim (ATL)

santonio holmes seems like a guy who could really excel this year, he should see a lot of single coverage and certainly has the talent. What do you expect from him this year?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:14 PM)

I really like Santonio Holmes. I think he tops 1,000 yards with 6-8 touchdowns. We're always talking about how rookie wide receivers stink, and they do, so it's all the more impressive that Holmes had 800+ yards last season despite having a disaster at quarterback.

June (West Chester)

Who should I pick at #4 in a standard league? LJ scares me with injured O-line, holdout and poor QB, Alexander old and injured last season.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:15 PM)

I would take Joseph Addai pending LJ's status. The other guy you haven't mentioned is Gore, who scares me almost as much as Alexander.

Andrew (Ohio)

Does the hand injury really hurt Frank Gores draft status or is he still a top 10 pick?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:16 PM)

I don't think the hand injury should be a factor, but his extensive injury history should be.

Scott (MI)

Addai will go into the HOF this year after his 1800 yard 14 TD campaign to breakout this year

Nate Ravitz

  (12:16 PM)

I think that's very possible. I love Addai this year.

Jake (Mt. Pleasant, MI)

Were the 1999-2001 Rams the greatest NFL team translated to fantasy ever? Do they still beat out the Colts of the past few years?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:18 PM)

That's a great question. I think they probably were, just because Warner and Faulk were the best at their positions and Holt and Bruce were both studs, too. The Colts and the '98 Vikings are up there, but the Rams were the best.

egami (iowa)

Last year was Alexander's first season he didn't play all 16 games. I think people are over-reacting.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:19 PM)

That's fair, but the same injury that caused him to miss those games last year also was still bothering him as recently as a couple of weeks ago. Plus, he's 30, and he was very disappointing last year even before the injury - which might have had something to do with the departure of Steve Hutchinson.

Ryan (Boston)

Could Wes Welker be this year Brandon Stokley from 2004?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:21 PM)

Possible, but I doubt it. His skills are up to the task, but I don't think there's going to be 10 touchdowns for anyone but (maybe) Moss among the NE receivers.

Dan (CT)

This year's big first round bust will be...

Nate Ravitz

  (12:21 PM)

For me it's Alexander.

Andrew (Ohio)

Did Ben Roethlesburgers opening drive against the Saints move him up on your Big Board or is it still too early to tell?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:22 PM)

Not for me. He's somewhere in the 15-20 range for me among QBs. Decent backup, but that's it.

Scott (MI)

Any chance B. Jackson gets on a roll in GB?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:23 PM)

TMR loves him. I really don't see a ton of ability there, not to mention the fact that he has a very sketchy injury history.

Ryan (DC)

Shaun Alexander will always be my favorite inductee. The date was Sept, 29 2002, Sunday Night ESPN football. #37 had 5 TDs in the first half. He carried me to a win, and better yet, it was the end to a perfect day (I got married earlier that day). All my buddies went back to the bar at the hotel suite and watched the game. Remember it like yesterday.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:23 PM)

Your wife let you watch football on your wedding day? Yeah, I'd say that was a perfect day.

egami (iowa)

Nate, which high performance fantasy rookie from last year will most likely sophomore jinx on us?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:25 PM)

I really don't see any of them dropping too much, but it might be hard for MJD to repeat his TD production.

Sean (Philly)

The 98 Falconx were a great team as well. What do you see from Tony Hunt in Philly yhis year?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:27 PM)

Jamal Anderson and Terance Mathis were for that team, but no one else was really a fantasy stud. I'm not particularly high on Hunt this year. He's just a warm body.

Jake (Mt. Pleasant, MI)

The unthinkable happens, and you miss out on one of the big 6 QB's. Who do you like best after Bulger, McNabb and co.?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:28 PM)

I really like Jon Kitna unless there's a big penalty for INTs. 4,000 plus yards and 21 TDs last year and now you add Calvin Johnson to the mix?

Ken (St. Paul)

Where are you getting information that Alexander's injury from last year is still bothering him as recently as a couple weeks ago? I would think that would be pretty big news out of Seattle and I haven't noticed anything in their papers about it.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:31 PM)

Apologies. That's what I'd heard. But after checking a little bit it could have been bad information. Nonetheless, it was a serious injury, and he wasn't especially productive either before or after the injury.

aj (mn)

how do you get sleepers in an auction? it seems tough because you have to announce your preference for that player, and allow bidding to ensue, causing them to be overvalued where they were once a steal

Nate Ravitz

  (12:32 PM)

I don't play in football auctions anymore (tried it a few times, didn't like it), but in baseball I always try to wait and bring them up late .... OR throw them out at the very beginning when people are saving their money and don't want to spend that extra buck.

Sean (Philly)

I thought Chandler was good in 98 as well. I remember because that was my first year in a league, and I ended up with mostly Falcons and Vikings. Those were fun games to watch. Both teams were doing direct snaps to WR's and other trick plays.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:32 PM)

Chandler was good, just not elite.

Ryan (PA)

How about Michael Turner? Does he get traded this year or how good can he be next season for another team?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:33 PM)

I don't see any way he gets traded this year. After the year, very possibly. I'm not in the camp that thinks Turner is anything more than a very good backup.

DC (Boston)

Addai had a good season despite sharing carries, but he had nearly 200 yrds and 4 TD in 1 game. Remove that game and his stats were ordinary. Also, in Edge's big years in Indy he usually ended up with 9-11 TD's. What makes you think Addai is capable of 14 TD's and 1,800 yrds having never produced at that level and with the Indy RB spot never scoring that many TD's?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:35 PM)

Edge had 17 TDs in 99, 18 in 2000 and 14 as recently as 2005. I think 1,800 yards is a stretch, although if we're talking total yards it's very possible.

Jeremy (Bellevue)

NATE Alexanders injury isnt bothering hiim anymore? Who is your source? Did it bother him in his last 6 games last yr 100 yrd average and 5 tds? I am serious reveal your source if you have one.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:37 PM)

Listen, if I'm big enough to admit my mistake (which I did), you have to accept the apology. I'm more concerned about the fact that Alexander averaged well under 4 yards per carry in those last games.

Mike (Az)

How do you value the respective cardinals, I am predicting a big year for quan and maybe a slightly "off" year for Fitz. I see edge bouncing back yardage wise but not overwhelmingly in the TD catagory, Bryant Johnson is going ot be a bit of a sleeper pick, and Matty L is going to have a breakthrough year. Those are my thoughts of course, how bout yours nate??

Nate Ravitz

  (12:39 PM)

I think Edge has a slight bounce back and is a solid No. 2 back. I like Fitzgerald a bit better than Boldin but that's splitting hairs. Both will be 1,000 yards and 8 TDs. I like Leinart as a breakthrough and would take him around 13 among QBs. I'm not buying Bryant Johnson, though, unless someone gets hurt.

Ethan (Vermont)

Where do you rate Brees in the QB draft this year?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:40 PM)

I think Brees and Brady are 3A and 3B. I'd probably go with Brady, but you're happy getting either one in the 4th round.

Willie (Portland, OR)

Kevin Curtis finally gets his chance for a break out season, does it do it with McNabb at the helm?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:41 PM)

I don't think so. EK wrote a great piece about this in our 32 Questions section (check the FFL home page). I like Reggie Brown better.

Jake (VA Beach)

So what is YOUR preferred league format since you already said you don't like auctions? Standard, 3 WRs, WR/TE, 2 QBs, etc. It'd be interesting to know your opinion.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:42 PM)

I like the standard 12-team, 3 WR plus a flex. However, I LOVE going 2 starting QBs in a 10-team league, but it's been a couple of years since I played that way.

Brendon S (Saginaw, MI)

How do you see D Jack workin out in San Fran?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:43 PM)

Not well, frankly. He's playing with a lesser QB and still has all the same injury concerns as always.

Jake (Mt. Pleasant, MI)

Is ESPN's Flash player down or something, or am I having computer issues? The HOF isn't working right for me right now . . .

Nate Ravitz

  (12:44 PM)

I just checked it and it worked fine for me.

Craig (Seattle)

Do you play in IDP leagues? I can't stand these leagues where you pick an entire team's defense...that's pretty boring. If they're going to use defensive stats, why not use defensive players instead of a whole team's defense?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:45 PM)

I don't anymore. I used to, but we started only three IDPs each and it was tough to get much differentiation.

Jason (Fairfax, VA)

Do you see Travis Henry as a front line number 1, or a solid 2? Isn't 1500 yds and 12-13 TDs a reasonable expectation for him?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:46 PM)

It's a reasonable expectation if he keeps the job, gets all of the goal-line work, etc.. I fear Mike Shanahan.

Michael (Marietta, GA)

Vernon Davis is inducted into the Fantasy HOF next year. He has break out season. 700 Yds and 6 TDs. Very good production for a late round pick in a TE. Your thoughts?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:46 PM)

I think 700 yards and 6 TDs is about right, but that just makes him equal to guys like Chris Cooley. Not a Hall of Famer, for me, and he's actually been getting drafted reasonably high.

Willie (Portland, OR)

What's the word on the LJ situation? Do you see him still holding out when the regular season starts?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:47 PM)

The holdout makes me nervous, but at the end of the day I don't see him missing any games.

Chester (LA)

Nate -- I'm curious why you don't like auctions in football... thanks!

Nate Ravitz

  (12:49 PM)

Really just personal preference. I have nothing against the format. I do think part of the problem is there's no single format (cap, bid on just starters or both starters and reserves) that has really taken hold as the standard.

Sean (Philly)

I wonder if there is an All Defensive fantasy league somewhere? I can name fourth string WR's because of fantasy, but could name to many defensive lineman. I would play just to familiarize myself with more of the NFL.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:50 PM)

That's interesting. I'm sure you could start one up. Although you'd probably have to give up regular fantasy to commit to something like that.

Josh (Oakland, CA)

Have you ever noticed that NFL experts have no idea what they are talking about? They always pick the teams that won last year...even though teams rarely repeat. They write-off teams who played poorly in the previous year even though we've seen drastic turnarounds time after time after time. The Saints were a good example last year, the Jags the year before and the Bengals the year before that. I find it funny when the so called "experts" write-off the Raiders as if Art Shell is the still their coach. There is so much parody in football that it only takes a few minor tweaks to turn the team around. Everybody always knocks their O-Line but if they didn't notice, the line has talent but has been coached poorly. A new coach can change the mindset and get guys back into their rightful positions. I see a big year for the Raiders this season...maybe not playoffs but an 8-8 season is easily attainable with Daunte Culpepper behind center, good RB depth and one of the best defenses in the game.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:51 PM)

Wanted to let you get that off your chest. I actually think the Raiders could surprise people this year. Same thing with the Lions and Texans.

Willie (Portland, OR)

Nate, how long does a person have to play in order to be considered for the FFHOF? I'd like to nominate Mo Jones-Drew, if he has another spectatular season.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:52 PM)

Jones-Drew is in! We even have a commercial about it! You can watch it on this page (click on the HOF tab). The FHOF was created specifically for guys like Drew. http://games.espn.go.com/frontpage/football

Harper (LA)

How do you see Ronnie Brown doing this year. Thought to be a sleeper last year and hurt everyone who had him. I've read that he is in great shape after seeing a core-specialist in the off-season

Nate Ravitz

  (12:53 PM)

I'm not sure how he could have been a sleeper last year when he was going 6-8 overall in every league. I think he does better than last year but is not a stud.

Willie (Portland, OR)

Of all the rookie RB's this season, which one(s) do you feel will be fantasy stars?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:54 PM)

Probably Lynch, even though I'm not as high on him as others are.

Brendon S (Saginaw, MI)

If Kevin Jones is healthy, will he receive most of the touches, or is Detroit head for the dreaded "three-headed dragon" approach with bell and duckett?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:54 PM)

I think the Detroit RB situation is a mess this year, although I don't think T.J. Duckett will be much of a factor at all.

Sean (Philly)

I am sure there are some one hit wonders in the Rock and Roll HOF, so why not in fantasy.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:55 PM)

Might be a good category to add. Like Derrick Mayes that one year in Seattle.

Andrew (Toledo)

Do you see a return to glory for Jamal Lewis and where should I look to draft him?

Nate Ravitz

  (12:56 PM)

He's barely a top 30 back for me, despite all of the hype that he's in the best shape of his life. 3.5 yards per carry the last 2 seasons, and only one double-digit TD season in his career.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:58 PM)

I have to check out. Thanks for the questions and please check out the Fantasy Hall of Fame at http://www.espnfantasyhalloffame.com