Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:04 PM)

Hey gang! let's get to it - as always, all subjects answered....

Julius (Los Angele, CA)

MB, what's the deal with Rudi's injury? Do you expect him back this weekend vs Buffalo? Also, is Steven Jackson worth keeping, given the Ram's woes.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:07 PM)

Not sure yet w/ Rudi... or Kenny Watson, who is also banged up. Keep an eye on DeDed Dorsey, who is a dark horse to start. Whoever gets the start is a great start vs BUF... my guess is that it's Rudi's gig when he comes back but who knows? As for S Jax... the bulging disk is a concern. His upcoming sked is cake so hang tough for now - see what next week brings. Don't think you're screwed but it's not great... he's a #2 RB now, not a #1

Riaz, OH

all subjects answered? Who is hotter then? Jessica Alba or Jessica Biel?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:07 PM)

Alba. It's close but it's definitely Alba.

Chris (MI)

Where can I expect to draft David Carr in my Fantasy CFL league next year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:08 PM)

He's a third rounder. Go Rough Riders!

Jessica Simpson

Hey, how about me???

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:08 PM)

You're in 3rd

Nick (Omaha, NE)

TMR I need some helpful advice. I need a huge pick up, should i grab E. Grahm or D. Foster?? Help me TMR your my only hope! May the force be with you

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:09 PM)

How are these guys available?? I like Foster more than Graham long term but like both. Basically, I fear Michael Bennett more than D'Angelo, believe it or not

Rich (Boston)

IS it time for me to find a new league. 3, YES THREE, trades have been vetoed by the league involving the same 2 teams trying to get something done (and the 2nd team is a team short on RBs and QB injuries) #1. 2 weeks ago Henry For Wayne and last week #2. Thomas Jones and Owen Daniels for Kellen Winslow #3 Thomas Jones, Kitna, Heath Miller for Wayne and Winslow... right to be pissed off?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:10 PM)

Sure. Find a new league. Vetos are for word I can't use that implies being weak.

Carl (ND)

Are the ESPN offices just like the commercials? Litttle mascots running all over the place, ...? Does Santana Moss get it going soon, or is he becoming droppable?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:12 PM)

more than you think they would be, yes. I have run into athletes and mascots more often than you should during a normal work day. True story: Two weeks ago I walk out of the cafeteria and a guy says "Excuse me, where's building 4?" And I look and it's Steve Smith of the Panthers in full uniform. He's here to do a SC commerical, but still. So I walk with him to show him where the building is. Surreal.

Josh (Maryland)

Colston or S.Holmes?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:13 PM)

Holmes

Aaron (Seattle)

With Pennington out does that make Coles a sell high guy(since they have a good chemistry)? You say Lynch has a favorable playoff schedule, does that include Evans or were you only talking about the bills run game?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:14 PM)

Well, they play MIA, CLE and the NYG (at BUF) in 14-16, so it's all of them, but esp Lynch. No on Coles since he's banged up, so I'm not convinced he's a sell high... plus their defense is so bad they'll be throwing a lot

Carl (ND)

Thanks for the mascot insight, but you forgot to answer my S Moss question :)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:15 PM)

oh, yeah, S Moss is droppable.

Nate Ravitz Smells (Anywhere, USA)

In the a.m. chat, Nate was asked about Driver's declining production. I think it's easy to just look at the yardage recently and say "well he's done as a #1" but IMO he's still gonna have 1000 yards (plus he's never had 10+ TDs in a season so expectations shouldn't be so high anyways). In the game I saw, he was targeted twice in the endzone. One was a bad throw from Farve and the other was a tough fade pass and Driver dropped it. So my question is, do you think that Nate is right about Driver (no longer a #1) or do you think he continues to earn a starting spot (over say Calvin or Roddy White)?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:16 PM)

Yeah, we discussed Driver on the podcast this morning. I agree that Driver is CURRENLTY a #2 but I still like him. And yes, he is much better than Roddy or Calvin

Jarrod Cincinnati,Ohio

I was wondering who would be a good running back to get for Cedric Benson because I am looking to get rid of him because he is having a lousy season.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:17 PM)

ya think? Anyone you can get. Seriously. He's close to unownable.

Steve (Las Vegas)

Who would you rather have as your number 2 RB: MBIII or Lynch?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:18 PM)

Lynch

d

Scale of 1-10, how was your 'first time'?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:18 PM)

since this is a family chat, I'll assume you mean fantasy football and say a 6 is the answer you are looking for

Pete (ny)

Since Nate will not answer BBALL QUESTION?s?your great assistance is needed?with Jason Terry relegated to 6th man duties, how much has his stock dropped? Will his numbers decrease a lot? What do you see out of him this year? Thanks.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:19 PM)

his sotck has dropped only because there's no real upside there. he's 30, etc.... he's still a 17 pt, 5 asst guy with steals and 3's. Good not great

Pod Vader

am i taking forever to make todays podcast as bad as i can or is there just not going to be one today?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:19 PM)

no, we did one. It should be up...

The Fabulous Troy McClure (Springfield)

You may remember me from such questions as "What's the deal with Bulger" and "Is the Bears D okay?". How do you think the Cowboys RB situation pans out for the rest of this year and into next? Does Barber have the job to himself in '08? Thanks and look for me in the upcoming production of "Cats".

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:20 PM)

very funny question and yes, I don't see Julius having a lot of value going forward or in 08 on the Cowboys.

Bill Belichick (Boston)

Can I get a hug here? I just want to be friends again. You know I love you, TMR. Don't be this way.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:21 PM)

Go Die.

Mike Ny

Who is the Rb going forward in Houston. Green is my #2 and i am hurting right now. Do i bid on Dayne or Adimchinobe Echemandu. Is one of these guys a better option then Ryan Grant going forward? Romo or Anderson this week? I never get answered so i hope one of these questions stick.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:22 PM)

Grant over Echemandu for the season but I like Echemandu more than Dayne for this week if green is out. Romo is the guy but Anderson will have a good game vs SEA

Dirk, Bay Area, CA

TMR!!! Important question here PLEASE! Should I deal A.P. (Min) for LJ??? According to you in the ESPN Mag...LJ's sched is going to be easier??? Thanks

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:24 PM)

yes, but I wouldn't make that deal. I like AP more than LJ rest of way.... that said, LJ is a good trade target

Steve (Arlington, VA)

The sisters Ravitz - sell high?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:24 PM)

NEVER!

Todd (Fayetteville, AR)

I'm a Dolphins fan and all I have left to root for is my fantasy team. Should I use my number 1 waiver priority on Ryan Grant? I've lost Deuce and Ronnie for the season and only have Portis and Graham left at rb.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

Depends on who else is avail and size of league, but no, I don't expect grant to have the gig all year. He's the #1 pick-up this week

Jim (philly)

Is Travis Henry a sell high candidate (pun intended)? But seriously...is his year over yet or what?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

yeah, it's over

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:27 PM)

by the way, if you want to be my cyberfriend, you can do so here: http://myespn.go.com/MatthewBerry

Mike Scallywag Chicago IL

What can we expect for Shaun Alexander the rest of the way? I can acquire him in a trade, and would then have Alexander, Earnest Graham, and Fred Taylor as my #2 options. Will Shaun turn his season around?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:28 PM)

SA will be a #2 type RB rest of the season. Good match-ups, including this week vs CLE. He's not great but he is a clear upgrade over the RB you have listed

Rebecca (St. Louis)

Is Lendale White officially the man in Tenn?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:28 PM)

yes, I would say so. But I would make sure I had Chris henry of TEN...

Jason (Anchorage, AK)

I play in league where Head Coaches win count for +5 point and loss is -5. Would ESPN ever allow Head Coaches to be drafted?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:30 PM)

We currently offer this option. I own Tony Dungy in the one league I play in with this...

Ben (SF)

Jesse Chatman or Selvin Young for the rest of the year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:31 PM)

Chatman becauyse he is guranteed to have the gig

Chris (Philly)

Will you rank these waiver wire pickups that you talked about in your column today: Grant, Fargas, Echemandu and Henry. Thanks!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:32 PM)

For this week only? Grant, Echemandu, Fargas, Henry. Rest of year? Grantm Henry, Fargas, Eche

Chaz (Scranton, PA)

Is Wes Welker for Reggie Bush a fair trade? Which side would you prefer?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:33 PM)

amazing but yeah, it is. Still rather have the Bush side

Dan - San Jose

One more Grant question? I am in a super deep league that starts 3 RB's per team. Ryan Grant is auctioned off waivers tonite, and I, along with a couple others, have weak depth at RB. How much of a $40 waiver cap should I bid for him? $20 too much? Chatman went for $26 last week...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:34 PM)

$20 sounds about right... depends on how desperate you are... but i'd probably bid in 16 - 18 range.. enough to get him but not overpaying

Steve (DC)

Great piece on Belichick..couldn't agree more. Someone on the Pats is getting hurt this season if he keeps this classless stuff up...Secondly, I traded Steve Smith for MB III. Good deal?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

yes, great deal and thx for the props

Alex (Philadelphia)

Do all these Grant questions mean Wynn is no longer worth owning?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

pretty much, yeah. Grant already annoubnced as next week's starter

Drew (FL)

C'mon TMR, more buckets! Millsap's tasty 4 game schedule or Mike Miller's not so tasty 2 game schedule for Week 1?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:35 PM)

Miller until we see how many minutes Milsap is going to get

Cody Philly

TMR, where can we see this letter from the ASU student mentioned in your blog. Thanks

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:36 PM)

it was in "Love / Hate from week 7 I believe

Chris (Oklahoma City)

Where did the TRUM go?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

It's still around... I just do it only on Mondays now. I'll probably pick it back up once FB season stops but it's just too much with everything else during FB

Chris (TX)

TMR! Did you ever have Laynes chicken fingers while in College Station? Their sauce is the best! With Owen Daniels getting injured, who should I pick up in his place? V Davis, E Johnson, or T Schleffler?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:40 PM)

I say Davis and yes, Layne's is tasty

Jeff (Vegas)

In-n-out or Fatburger (leaving mayonnaise out of the equation)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:41 PM)

still fatburger

Jonah (SF)

Derek Anderson is on the trading block... What is his value right now?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:41 PM)

top 5 fantasy QB

Matt (GB)

Isn't tying Nate like kissing his sister?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:41 PM)

Excellent observation....

Rich (Weymouth)

wouldnt The pats taking a knee be more insulting? isnt their more chance of injury if the offense is playing half-assed? OF if the world knows they are calling a vanilla running play up the middle, then thay get pummled by the whole O-Line and all the LBs. F the opposition wants the Pats to put in their "B" team earlier, shouldnt hey also be putting in their "B" team earlier on OFfense and Defense and to stop all blitzing?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:43 PM)

No, they should just play normal football. Like you punt when you are at mid field with 6 min to go and up 45-0. You don't throw long. It was a huge insult to Joe Gibbs. That's what bothered me the most. It was INTENTIONAL

Nugget O'Cass (down under-ish)

More annoying fans: Boston, Philly, NYC, the rest (combined)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:43 PM)

PHILLY

Joe (San Diego)

Come on TMR, lets see a b-ball love/hate. You're the one who hyped Fantasy b-ball so much in the magazine...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:44 PM)

just didn't have time to do it right, honestly.... it's usually a 10,000 word column and i'm blessed that I'm so busy with everything we're doing football wise but I'm in the office 6 days a week

Robert (Eugene, OR)

You ranked the RBs. How would you rank these possible WR pickups (for the remainder of the year)? Hackett, Patten, Stokely, Hilliard, James Jones, S. Moss

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

Stokelym Patten J JOnes, Patten, Ike, Hackett, Moss

B (Minneapolis)

More props for the BB piece. His current behavior is actually far more insulting than the "cheating." Honestly, the entire nation was done talking about that after only one week; it was all Boston people that continued to beat the dead horse about other people "discrediting" them, which nobody was even really doing.

Willavery (Disgusta, Ga.)

are you a workaholic, well-paid, or just plain stupid?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

why can't I be all three?

Andrew (Boston)

Driver or Jennings now?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

still driver

brad (harrisburg, pa)

I agree w/ Joe in San Diego, no basketball Love/Hate was a BIG letdown. With that said, your thoughts on Raymond Felton this season? Any chance at top 5 PG?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:47 PM)

sorry. Just didn't weant to put out a sub par product and that's what it would have been. Barely got the Manifesto out and that's mostly just updating old stuff Top 10 on Felton, yes. Not top 5.

ricky (college station)

TMR - I need holloween costume help. Friend is having a party theme as "come as your biggest FEAR". Should I go as a fat chick in spandex or 'Just Married'???

Chris (STL)

Who are some buy low guys or sell high?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:51 PM)

still say S Jax and Alexander. I'd sell high on Carson Plamer whose overall numbers look good but hasn't really been that great. Buy low on Rudi

Philly Fan (Where else)

Hey! Just because we booed Santa, cheered when Mike Irvin got hurt, and constantly boo the best QB we've ever gotten doesn't mean we're the worst fans. We're in a serious drought. Give us a title and I promise we won't complain like Boston fans.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:52 PM)

not convinced of that. You booed Mike Schmidt too. Don't forget that

Tim(Detroit)

Don't workaholics work more then 4 months a year? (Sorry TMR)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:53 PM)

haven't had a day off in more than year... even on my one day not in office (sat) i am preppring for Sunday. Not complaining, i have the best job in the universe - but it doesn take longer than you think. We're already planning our baseball draft kit for 08, so it never stops

Rich (Weymouth)

i just think its the D's Job to stop them. These are all professionals. They are paid to play. These are not college/high school kids who you have to coddle or to try to be considerating of others "feelings". If you want the Pats to stop "trying" you also need to stop trying and "sort of surrender" and take out your own starters instead of leaving them in their to continue to take a beating. If the SKins pulled out Campbell and portis and (wait they dont have any #1 Recievers) and the same for the D, take em out. Then if the Pats continue their Air Assault with their #1's still in there, then i see you point. Im not sure how you can disagree with that.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:55 PM)

I don't disagree with that - it IS defenses job to stop them. But when it's apparent they can't, you ease off to show respect. When the boxer hits the ground, you don't stand over him kicking him while he rolls around on the ground. The Redksins players shouldn't have complained but that was a FU to Gibbs who is classy. I'm not saying they should have been leineint, but they don;t need to try and rub it in. If it were a tie game and they had 4th down at midfiled, they would have punted. THAT'S normal footbal... So why would they NOT punt when they are up 45 to 0 in the 4th?

Brick (brooklyn)

Was Wilt's 100 game insulting to the other team? When Federer wins in straight sets over and over again, is that insulting to the other players? When Tiger wins- again and again, is that insulting? Pats are just demonstrating their domination(and this comes from a Giants fan).

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

yes, it was. And Federer and Tiger are not appropriate comparisons.

Ryan

Joe Gibbs should have ordered a toss sweep to the Pats sideline and had Portis perform a flying dropkick on Belichek. Or had Lavar Arrington come back and hit Brady with his motorcycle. Or have Sean Taylor shoot him. Agreed?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:57 PM)

agree

Steve (DC)

If you read the article, TMR wasn't complaining about starters being in, he was complaining about BB airing it out on 4th and 2 from midfield, when he could have and should have simply punted with a 45-0 lead.

Jay (Sterling, MA)

Your job is not work, it's a game that requires research that many of us pay to play and do our own research, you're just lucky enough to actually receive a wage for it instead of paying for it. Props for that though.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

I am very lucky, but in fairness Jay, you have no idea what my job entails. I over see a budget and a P&L, I have many meetings with technology, sales, marketing, promotion and production (TV/Radio/Online/Mobile) in regards to fantasy. I appear on multiple platforms (TV, podcast, online, written content, radio, chats, etc) every day. I oversee a staff of close to 40 with all the free lance writers we have. Again, not complaining - I tuly believe I have the best job in the world - but I do more than look up a few stats and talk about them on TV...

Peaches (Detroit)

TMR, you and me are both alike. We get paid to do what everyone else is doing for free...

John, Orlando

Where the hell are all your articles?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:02 PM)

go to fantasy main page. there's a big embarrassing pic of me with a link to archive or search my name

Roy, Denver

Lighting round! Jacobs/Driver for Anderson?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:04 PM)

little too much to give up

Ghost (behind you)

Boo (Did I scare you?) Does the Wash DEF rebound this week?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:04 PM)

aginbst the Jets? Yes

Gerry (Athens, GA)

MJD or Kevin Jones?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:04 PM)

MJD for the season, KJ this week

Joe

I bet you feel a little sheepish about your Rick Reilly comments now

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:05 PM)

not really. I stand by them,

Jackson (big apple)

No joke, my friend from college hooked up with the middle Ravitz sister. He says real hot. Best move he ever made!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:06 PM)

Hmmm. Prove it by sending me an email....

Huge NBA Fan:

C'mon TMR! End the chat with a brief love/hate for basketball. Please!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:08 PM)

ok, quickly... LOVE: delonte west, lamarcus aldridge, trevor ariza, rajon rondo, tj ford, think Zach R has a big year, same for KJameer nelson, marvin Williams, Walter Herrman, tyrus thomas, brevin knight and sam cassell, chris kamen, luke walton

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:09 PM)

HATE: baron davis, vince carter, ray allen, shawn marion, steve nash (as a top 5 pick)... would have added Milsap to love by the way along with Okur

Shane (Edison, NJ)

BIGGEST FEAR COSTUME? Tell Ricky he could go dressed as the End Zone, and just tell people he is Thomas Jones. Rest of the year: Minn, GB, Wash?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:10 PM)

pretty good. I say WSH, GB, MINN

takis(walnut creek, ca)

love you man! when is terry glenn coming back? drop crayton for chris henry(CIN)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:10 PM)

he is not and no, keep crayton

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:11 PM)

ok gang. gotta run. thanks for stopping by!