Nate Ravitz

  (11:01 AM)

Hey guys. In the stretch run. Let's do this thing we call "chatting"

jon (la)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!! I need 1 WR please: Cotchery, Gaffney, or Bowe.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:03 AM)

I have to ask... how did you get to the championship game with those choices? I'll say Bowe.

Scott in Salt Lake City

How much will Addai and Gonzo play for the Colts this week and will we really see some Bush this week in New Orleans?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:03 AM)

Dungy told the Indy Star he's not resting guys yet, so I think you're safe to play your Colts. I doubt that Bush plays.

Mike (Dallas, TX)

Hey Nate---Struggling with who to start as my third WR in the championship game. Donald Driver, Anthony Gonzalez or Chris Henry?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:04 AM)

I'd go with Driver. I know the touchdowns have been missing, but he's the best player and hasn't been bad lately.

Matt (Lower Gwynedd, PA)

Nasty Nate, can Santana Moss be trusted? I have Hines and Anthony Gonzalez starting with him and Gaffney and Hillard on the bench. Slim pickings on the waiver wire. What should I do?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:05 AM)

Santana cannot be trusted, especially with Collins at QB. I'd probably start him over Gaffney or Hillard, but I'll bet there's a better option on the waiver wire.

Rod Santa Ana Ca.

Nate, Weekly viewer, First Fantasy Championship game. Starting R.Wayne need best three WR's from:Driver,Burleson, Gaffney,A.Gonzales,Mason,S.Mcdonald, or Patten?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:06 AM)

I'd go with Driver, Gonzalez, and McDonald

Ryan (Cleveland, OH)

Do you think Welker will bounce back this week or should I Start A. Gonzalez

Nate Ravitz

  (11:06 AM)

I think Welker bounces back huge.

Cal (St. Paul, MN)

Hey Nate...third straight year in my fantasy finals...which two out of these three get the nod at RB, Westbrook, Parker or Fred Taylor?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:07 AM)

Wow. Brutally tough call between Parker and Taylor. Both have great matchups. I think I have to go with Taylor the way he's playing right now.

Gray (Chicago)

Nate, how does the Cliff Floyd signing affect the Rays OF situation? Who just got hurt the most?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:09 AM)

I don't think it hurts anyone. Figure Crawford and Upton are everyday players, and between Floyd/Baldelli/Gomes they STILL don't have enough to fill out one OF spot and the DH, given the expected injuries for those guys.

Cal (Fl)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. With Shockey done, should I pick up Vernon, Des Clark, Watson, or Marcedes?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:10 AM)

Probably Vernon, especially with Watson not being healthy.

Brendan (Boston)

If your league's baseball draft was tomorrow and you got first pick, who'd you take?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:10 AM)

A-Rod, with Hanley and Wright close behind.

dave (nj)

hey nate,do you think garrard will continue his hot play against oakland this week?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:11 AM)

He's played well all season long. I'd forecast 200 yards and a TD. He could throw 2 or 3 TD passes, but I'll bet Taylor and MJD combine for at least 2.

RC(SF)

Are you supposed to get points when offensive players make tackles? I need APs 2 tackles last night to advance.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:11 AM)

Generally speaking, even if you play with individual defensive players, you would not get points when your offensive guys make tackles.

moogzilla

Hi nate, I usually don't ask for fantasy help, but I'm in a pickle. I've reached the final of my fantasy league against the league juggarnaut. I need every point I can get. With that in mind, who is a better play at wide receiver, Santonio Holmes or Deion Branch? My other two receivers are Randy Moss and Anthony Gonzalez. Please help.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:12 AM)

I'm not a Branch fan at all, but he's the better play over Holmes right now.

Doug (Orlando)

Is MJD a better start this week over A.Stecker? Stecker is the man right now, but if Bush comes back, he could lose touches. MJD produces no matter what, and even though Taylor is hot right now, OAK's rush D is pretty bad. You thoughts?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:13 AM)

I don't think Bush is coming back, but I like MJD over Stecker. Philly's run defense is OK.

Trent (Monticello, IN)

Love the chat and I need some help. With Dungy's comments would you start Peyton or Anderson this week. Also Hines Ward or Edge at my flex. I realize that you are supposed to start your RB over a WR but do I roll the dice? If it helps, I'm playing Brady and Moss this week.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:15 AM)

Peyton vs. Anderson is very tough. We all know what Anderson did the last time he played the Bengals. I give him a slight edge over Peyton. As for flex, WR over RB has been the play this season, and I like Ward better than Edge.

Ryan - Detroit

Take a minute and tell me HOW GOOD are the Detroit Tigers going to be next year?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:16 AM)

They have the potential to win 100 games, but I could also see them disappointing if Bonderman doesn't bounce back strong.

Dave (PHL)

Hey Nate, sorry I'm late. San Diego's D or Seattle's? Thanks!

Nate Ravitz

  (11:17 AM)

Apology accepted. I was wondering where Dave from Philly was. I'll go with Seattle's D.

Tom (Hackensack)

Welker plays his ex team too!! i need to pick a TE from Vernon Davis, Tony Scheffler and Donald Lee. Your thoughts?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:17 AM)

Vernon.

Greg (Long Island)

How do you go about picking between guys who have put up great stats for a short period of time vs. guys who have put up just solid numbers over the course of the season? I have to pick one of Willie Parker, Kolby Smith and Aaron Stecker. Parker's put up decent stats for the season, but Smith and Stecker have been better in the short period of time they've been playing, and they have better matchups. what do I do in my championship game?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:18 AM)

It's really just case by case, no system . I'd go with Parker and Kolby because, as I alluded to, I don't like Stecker's matchup too much.

Jill (Alpharetta)

Hi Sweet Nate! How about a little FF love here :) Which two? Jacobs, Lynch, S Jackson, F Taylor Thank you

Nate Ravitz

  (11:20 AM)

Those are good options. Jackson should be a no brainer but has a tough matchup. Then again, the Steelers were run over by the Jags. I think Taylor is a lock, and Jackson gets a slight edge over the other two

Mark (Chicago)

I have a chance to beat the same guy in the Championship two years running and I don't want to blow this. Do I bench TO for Andre Johnson next week (Colston is my other WR)? Whose my best #2 RB option MJD, SJAx or Willie Parker?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:22 AM)

I would only bench T.O. if Romo looks like a question mark. At RB, I'd go with Parker.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:23 AM)

I would only bench T.O. if Romo looks like a question mark. At RB, I'd go with Parker.

Greg (Long Island)

OK, but Parker or Kolby? I have to pick only one of them (starting McGahee and Jacobs as my RBs, this is for a flex spot). Thanks!

Nate Ravitz

  (11:24 AM)

Parker. Easy.

Mark (Akron, OH)

Hi Nate, Love the podcasts (sucking up if that helps you answer my question). Need some HELP! Please pick 3 from LenDale, AGonzo, Stecker, Gore, Gaffney, K.Smith

Nate Ravitz

  (11:26 AM)

It always helps. I'll say Gore, Lendale and Kolby.

Slay, Coram, NY

Nate I know u get a ton of questions and cant answer all of them but I have looked to you all season for help and now im in the chip. Please rank these recievers for me and pick a flex. l.fitz,b.marshall, h.ward. would u pick a.stecker over any of those guys for a flex.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:27 AM)

1. Fitz 2. Marshall 3. Ward, and no, I wouldn't pick Stecker over any of them.

Coin toss

Evans or Patten?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:32 AM)

Patten

Dan (Minneapolis)

please i just wanna be answered once :) ..... should i go with Steven Jackson Or Lendale White or Marshawn Lynch...Thanks really appreciate it !!

Nate Ravitz

  (11:32 AM)

If I could only pick one, I think it might be Jackson.

Joel (Roscommon, MI)

Nate, look in to your crystal ball for a minute and tell me how Ronnie Brown will bouce back next year. I may be able to keep him at a very cheap price and not lose a high draft pick.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:34 AM)

I think I'll have Brown somewhere around No. 10 in my preseason RB rankings next year

Brian, IN

I know you mentioned earlier the colts will play. But how much? I've got Wayne, Andre Johnson, and Galloway. Should I consider leaving Wayne on the bench in case he doesn't get any stats in the first half and sits out the second? Thanks

Nate Ravitz

  (11:35 AM)

I don't think the Colts will be pulling guys sooner than the fourth quarter, but of course I'm just guessing.

John, Denver

What about Anderson vs Hasselbeck? Hasselbeck is at home while Anderson is on the road and Baltimore's secondary is not 100%.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:36 AM)

I think it's still Anderson.

Dave (Orlando)

Now shooting for third place in a 1 player keeper league after an egg from Addai and TO...I am trying to avoid the "What have you done for me lately" feeling I am having with Addai, so please help me from a logical viewpoint. Who do I keep for the next few years? J. Addai or L. Johnson?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:36 AM)

What has Larry Johnson done for you lately? I think it's Addai.

Bob, AZ

Thoughts on Holmes this week. Is he 100%. Does playing in a dome help him? What about the short week?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:38 AM)

i really don't know what to make of Holmes right now, but he certainly doesn't seem like the guy he was earlier this season.

Rob (TX)

When you guys do the rankings for the week do you figure in weather or look strictly at personell matchups?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:39 AM)

We try to do both, but you don't always have accurate weather forecasts on Wednesday or Friday.

Rick (SD)

Nate - does anyone do keeper rankings? Someone at the worldwide leader needs to get on that.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:40 AM)

We generally do them in the offseason, but I'll see about getting someone to do them this week or next for those with early decisions.

Tovi (Santa Barbara, CA)

Marion Barber, full-time RB next year and Top 10?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:41 AM)

I think Julius Jones moves on, and unless the Cowboys bring in an obvious platoon back, yes, I think Barber is a top-10 guy. Possibly top 5.

Jason (Limbo)

HUGE DILEMA, a team in my league dropped all their players (that were droppable) before the championship game. My opponent picked up branch and told me it was strategy so i picked up holt. I won the championship and the commish (the opposing team's husband) is trying to force me to forfeit and lose all the money. The rest of the league is against this but and the end of the day its his call. What do i do?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:43 AM)

You keep the money. Why would you forfeit? It was his job to make those players unavailable.

Joel (Roscommon, MI)

Not to discredit Fred Taylor's hguge game, but was that more of a product of the Jag's o-line ? I hope SJax finds the same space, but I'm not as optimistic.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:44 AM)

Sure, but Jackson just averaged 6.0 YPC against the Packers, whose run defense is pretty darned good, too.

Mark (Akron, OH)

Thank you for answering my question and keep the "pressure" on TMR....if you beat him in a fantasy league maybe you can douse him in COKE ZERO

Nate Ravitz

  (11:44 AM)

I beat him in a league already this year. But he also got me in one.

Jamie, Helena MT

Need some keeper advise. Which QB to keep in a 2 QB league: Kitna (4th round), Schaub (11th round), Campbell (17th round), Russell (17th round).

Nate Ravitz

  (11:45 AM)

If you can only keep one, I'd keep Schaub. If 2, Schaub and .... I think Russell.

Teddy

I heard Matt Berry will appear on Dancing with the Stars. Any truth to that?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:45 AM)

No, but that would be his dream. I'm not sure he's famous enough yet, and yes, I realize you don't have to be too famous to be on that show.

Josh (New York)

Championship game. Do I allow my opponent to pick up a replacement TE for Shockey? He has nobody else and the rosters have been locked for the playoffs (stupid, I know). The only argument for it is to be a good sportsman.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:47 AM)

I can't imagine when the league decided to lock rosters for the playoffs they didn't think this was a possibility. Sportsmanship has nothing to do with it. He had a chance to have a backup TE and decided to use that spot on something else.

Mark, Cali

If you do early keeper rankings, you'd still do them again right before the season, right? Our keeper deadline is right before our draft. A lot can happen in the offseason...

Nate Ravitz

  (11:47 AM)

Yes. You can safely assume we'll have keeper rankings in next year's draft kit.

Kevin (Omaha)

In response to Jason's dilemma, Branch has outscored Holt in each of the past two weeks. In that case, I don't see how picking up Holt helped him win the title. A terrible job by the commish!

Nate Ravitz

  (11:48 AM)

right.

Frank (Chi-town)

Speaking of dancing, I have the Tampa Bay defense and I heard what you said on Fantasy Now, I knew you were off the mark and now you get to do the e-mail dance, are you really going to dance to Sir Mix Alot's "Baby Got Back"?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:48 AM)

I am a man of my word. Tune in to Fantasy Football Now on Sunday.

Alan Boston

Hi Nate. I?m really not a fan of starting two players from the same team but I think it could be my best option this week. Which two would you start out of Brees, Stecker, Big Ben or Chester Taylor?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:49 AM)

I'm assuming one QB and one RB, and I'd say Brees and Stecker.

Juan Pablo (Rocky Point)

Hola Nate! Which RB should I start in a PPR? K. Faulk, T-Hen, Rudi, or Chicago's A.P.?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:52 AM)

Yuck! I'll say AP.

Paul (Boston)

will try again under the gun for the championship this week w/ mediocre options for RB2 and flex: need 2 from K. Jones, T. Henry, D. Walker, S. Gado, S. Holmes

Nate Ravitz

  (11:53 AM)

I'd go with Jones and Holmes, but I don't like your chances.

Jordan (NJ)

Nate, very easy. In a PPR league, Kolby or Fred Taylor?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:53 AM)

Taylor.

Bob in the House

Tell the truth, did TMR get sloppy drunk and use awkward pickup lines at the holiday party?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:54 AM)

Unfortunately, I was snowed in and couldn't make it. But I know for a fact that TMR was designated driving.

Michael (NY)

Nate, with Fargas hurt, should I replace him with Rudi or Kolby? Need a RB #2 option. Thanks.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:54 AM)

Kolby.

Jon NYC

Welker or A. Johnson?...please it's my only question all week.

Nate Ravitz

  (11:55 AM)

Welker

Rich (Orlando)

Aloha Nate! Love the chats and thanks for answering this one - MB3 or Jacobs and Giants or Packers?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:55 AM)

MBIII, especially with Romo hurting.

Lonnie (Dallas)

Crystal Ball says Barber over Jones-Drew. You agree?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:55 AM)

Yes

Greg (IN)

Nate, are you still in the running for any Fantasy Championships in any of your leagues? If you were the first place team going into the playoffs and lost would you rather finish second or lose in the semi-finals?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:57 AM)

I'm in the finals of one league. Not a great year for me. I'd rather finish second.

Los (TX)

So, you think Barber is going to get more touches because of Romo's thumb? Is it really that serious?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:57 AM)

I think it's a possibility, esp. in a game the Boys should win easily.

Steve (Columbus)

Happy with Rodriguez as the new Wolverines coach?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:58 AM)

I'm not sure yet. There wasn't a single guy out there (including Miles) that I was dying to get. No matter what, I don't think we're going to be out-coaching OSU any time soon. Tressell is the best.

Keith

Where will McNabb play next season?

Nate Ravitz

  (11:59 AM)

My guesses would be 1. Chicago 2. Atlanta 3. Baltimore. Would not rule out any place that needs a QB.

Nate Ravitz

  (12:00 PM)

Time for me to go. Check out the TMR's chat at 3:00 pm ET. I will be off next Tuesday, so this is my last FF chat of the season. Thanks for the great questions and I'll see your for baseball next year.