Scott Engel

  (2:59 PM)

Hello - this is Scott Engel - Matt was not able to make it today, so I will be glad to take your fantasy football questions.

Dave (den)

A. Gonzolez, Curtis against the saints, or Rhodes this week at flex? Seems like Curtis is the safest bet - but is he the most productive?

Scott Engel

  (3:00 PM)

Curtis is the safest - McNabb looks to him often, Gonzalez could see reduced reps, and Rhodes may share carries with Jordan

Eric (Seattle)

Hey Scott, do you like Bulger this short week against a traveling PIT? Is Rosenfels in Indy any better?

Scott Engel

  (3:01 PM)

I like Rosenfels better - Bulger did not look sharp in his return

Scott-Atl GA

Ravens or Bills D

Scott Engel

  (3:03 PM)

Baltimore's defense is injury-riddled and so bad they could not hold off Miami - use Buffalo

Mark (State College, PA)

I'm starting Palmer but my second QB can either be Garcia, McNabb, or Garrard. I'm leaning toward Garrard but I like McNabb's matchup. Am I correct in not even considering Garcia?

Scott Engel

  (3:04 PM)

Garcia won't eb asked to do much now that TB has clinched, and Garrard is more steady than McNabb regardless of matchup

Lonnie (Dallas)

What's my chances of getting DJ Hackett back this weekend?

Scott Engel

  (3:06 PM)

Holngren said he may return to practice, but I would not want to use him, because he may be rusty, limited or both

Dave (Pueblo, CO)

Hey Scott, pick one - Ryan Grant vs. Chi, McGahee vs. Sea or Jacobs vs. Buf? All three look good, can you help?

Scott Engel

  (3:08 PM)

I would go with Grant, as the Ravens may play catch-up and abandon the run, and Jacobs is less of a threat to score

Lacey (Minnesota)

Will Addai play much this week? Would it be a smart idea to start Keith instead of him? Thanks Scott!

Scott Engel

  (3:09 PM)

I would think maybe he plays a quarter or a quarter and a half, and I would rather use Keith

Brian (Georgia)

***Superbowl Bound*** This is my first year ever playing fantasy sports and I have followed the ESPN staff all year to the Championship. Help me out for this last time, Aaron Stecker or MJD Pick One. Also, Chris Henry or Dwayne Bowe Pick One. Thanks man.

Scott Engel

  (3:10 PM)

I would go with Stecker, who is playing very well, and Bowe is more reliable than Henry

Mr.Jibberish

Would I be wise to bench Reggie Wayne and start Plaxico and Hines?

Scott Engel

  (3:11 PM)

Yes, especially when you consider Wayne may not play a full game

Lisa (Scottsdale)

Happy Holidays, Scott! Santonio Holmes or Shaun McDonald? Frank Gore or Selvin Young?

Scott Engel

  (3:12 PM)

Holmes is not 100 pct yet, so I recommend McDonald, while I stick with Gore, who is running hard and catching passes also

Ryan (Dover)

Pick 3: Addai, Gore, Jacobs, Young, Chatman/Gado

Scott Engel

  (3:14 PM)

I would bench Addai based on the possible decrease in reps and Gado based on the matchup

Robbie (Memphis)

All I want for Christmas is to win my fantasy league! Should I go with Reggie Williams over the erratic Chris Henry and Lee Evans?

Scott Engel

  (3:15 PM)

I would - Williams is a regular scoring target for Garrard

Nathan (San Jose, CA)

Should I play D. Patten over K. Jones in my PPR league this week?

Scott Engel

  (3:16 PM)

Neither is dependable, but based on the scoring system, I would rather use Patten

Tony (Greensboro, NC

San Diego will probably play LT2 the entire game (as long as it's not a blowout) right? They're trying to get the #3 seed over Pitt mandating that the studs play 4Qs wouldn't you say?

Scott Engel

  (3:17 PM)

Well, the hamstring is not really an issue and a third seed means putting off a trip to NE for another week, so I expect Tomlinson to get at least 15 carries

Mike (Marietta, GA)

I have to make a decision on QB by Thursday between Big Ben and Romo. Should I choose the safe play and go with Big Ben?

Scott Engel

  (3:18 PM)

If you have to choose by Thursday, Roethlisberger for sure

Tony (NYC)

Do you see Roydell Williams as a good # 3 this week? I have Cotchery,Gaffney and Coles.

Scott Engel

  (3:19 PM)

I don't trust him to be consistenta nd would much rather use Gaffney against Miami

greg (den)

who to sit between S Jax, Grant and J. Lewis?

Scott Engel

  (3:21 PM)

Very tough call, and I like Pitt even less with Aaron Smith out, but I would have to say bench Jackson

mike (Fair Lawn NJ)

I have heard a rumor about kurt warner being shut down for the year. any truth to this rumor?

Scott Engel

  (3:22 PM)

Whisenhunt has laready said he will not sit Boldin or Fitzgerald, so it seems unlikely

Joel (Roscommon,MI)

Would you start Keith over SJax ?

Scott Engel

  (3:24 PM)

No - the Pittsburgh run defense is much less effective without Aaron Smith and I would certainly not make that move

Jack (NYC)

Championship game questions: Portis or Edge? Jags D or Seahawks D? Thanks

Scott Engel

  (3:25 PM)

I would stick with Portis for another good outing, and Seattle to perform very well against Baltimore

Jeff (Philly)

I heard that Peyton was wanting more playing time to connect with the new guys. Is he a safe play?

Scott Engel

  (3:26 PM)

Yes, our latest player updates indicate he has campaigned not to eb rested, but that does not mean he will get his wish

Jamaal (Washington Twp, NJ)

Your advising to bench Steven Jackson for Lewis and Grant? How about for Marion the Barbarian?

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

Barber is too inconsistent - I would stick with Jackson

Kevin (Whoville)

Which Denver RB would you out your money on this week? Do you like Calvin Johnson over whover that Denver RB is??

Scott Engel

  (3:28 PM)

I prefer RBs for more touches, and I like Young better than Henry, who still may not be 100 pct

Pat (College Park)

Hey Scott, Dungy said he wasn't going to rest his starters (at least not this week) ... do you believe him? How does that affect how you feel about Addai (vs. Selvin Young, for example)?

Scott Engel

  (3:30 PM)

I don't believe him, and I have already read otherwise - of course, that all depends on your laternatives, and I would rather use Young

Chris, baltimore

Should I stick with Kolby Smith this week against the Lions??

Scott Engel

  (3:31 PM)

Definitely - Lions are playing awful and Smith will score at least once

Jared (NY)

Is one half of Peyton better than a full game of Sage Rosenfels?

Scott Engel

  (3:32 PM)

I would rather take the shot with Rosenfels, but one half of Peyton is better than a full game of Eli - again, it all depends on your alternative

CJ (FL)

Pick 1: Cheter Taylor, Stecker or Kolby Smith?

Scott Engel

  (3:35 PM)

I would stick with Stecker, whos is playing better than Taylor and is more versatile than Smith

Tom Brady

Am I playing all game? Do I need all game? Will I be victimized by the weather again?

Scott Engel

  (3:36 PM)

Belichick has not indicated he will sit anyone, and the forecast is for 44 degress, light winds and 10 percent chance of precipitation, so Brady is a fine play

Greg (Long Island)

Hey Scott. Who would you start at flex? Willie Parker at St. Louis or Kolby Smith against the porous Detroit Lions run D (worst in the league against opposing rushers with my league's rules)? Starting Jacobs and McGahee at RB...

Scott Engel

  (3:37 PM)

I would go with Parker, as Steelers have not clinched anything and he will be a big part of the offense

Willis McGahee (Baltimore)

Should I bench myself in favor of Kolby Smith?

Scott Engel

  (3:38 PM)

No - McGahee will be the focal point of the Baltimore offense at Seattle and has been the team's bright spot

Smoke, Charleston SC

Brady or Romo

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

Brady - no indications he will be rested and Romo has a sore thumb

Santa (North Pole)

Will Greg Jennings get the same work load as he has all year?

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

Yes - the Packers are still battling for the top seed in the NFC

Bernice (Ca)

Lee or Scheffler at TE?

Scott Engel

  (3:40 PM)

Both are good starts, but Lee has scored two games in a row and I think he is more reliable

David (San Francisco)

Mr. Engel. Must Disagree with you on the Colts sitting A. Gonz- I think he's a solid play. Why would they sit the rookie when he needs more reps and more time to gel with Peyton. The others, maybe. but aren't you overanalyzing the situation?

Scott Engel

  (3:42 PM)

No, I think maybe you own Gonzalez and hope I am wrong - it is clear he has his timing down with Manning already - they may need him to start in the playoffs so he may be rested for a half or more

Nathan Houston

I have to choose between Ron Dayne or Kolby Smith. I am starting Jamal Lewis, who do you go with?

Scott Engel

  (3:43 PM)

I go with Smith, based on the matchup

matt (FLORIDA)

How bad is Stecker injured and do you see Bush coming back for a game?

Scott Engel

  (3:44 PM)

Stecker is not injured to my knowledge and Bush is questionable and I would not expect him to contrinute much.

John (Freehold, NJ)

Who would be a better start this week, MJ-Drew, Parker or SJax?

Scott Engel

  (3:45 PM)

Jackson - he is playing well again and has the best chance of scoring of those three

Luke (Nashville)

Is Darius Walker a viable option for this week?

Scott Engel

  (3:46 PM)

If you are desperate, use him at flex - he may still share some reps with Dayne

Jay (SanDiego)

No questions - just facts for Engel Colts coach Tony Dungy told the Indianapolis Star that he plans to use his regulars "like we normally would" this week against the Texans, though he may take a more conservative approach in Week 17. "I think it is important," Dungy told the Star. "We've got some guys who do need to play, and we need to continue to get sharper. That's my thought right now?that we'll get those guys a lot of playing time, at least this week."

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

Thanks Jay - but I would hard-pressed to fully believe him and I have seen him rest guys before

Matt (Denver)

Indy does not plan on sitting/resting starters this week - I think you are misleading some folks

Scott Engel

  (3:49 PM)

I'm playing it safe - you can't believe everything a coach says publicly - maybe Dungy is being misleading - but it all depends on your alternatives - I would play Brees over Manning, but not Kitna over Manning

David (Chicago)

Will T.Holt be limited because of his knee? is I.Bruce be a better start?

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

Holt has been playing with the knee problem for weeks now, so I don't see any changes from the norm

Chris (North Haven)

Assuming Indy doesn't rest their starters (big assumption) is Fred Taylor still the better play over Addai?

Scott Engel

  (3:51 PM)

I would certainly not sit Taylor

Rob (Chicago, IL)

You stated K. Smith over R. Dayne due to the matchup. I don't understand, according to you, the Colts will have they're entire second team defense in after the first quarter. Won't Dayne run wild?

Scott Engel

  (3:53 PM)

I never said such a thing - I said there is a significant risk some top guys might not play a full game - Dayne is not 100 pct, so I still use Smith

Andrew (Bothell, WA)

Should I start Rudi at my flex or go with Stecker. Championship week going against TO, Moss, and LT this week. Also have Chester Taylor and Thomas Jones on my roster. Who do I start this week at my flex?

Scott Engel

  (3:55 PM)

Don't worry about your opponent - just play your own best guys - Rudi laid an egg last week and I would continue to use Stecker

James (Ft. Worth)

S. Holmes worth a start of should I call up Gaffney or N. Washington.?

Scott Engel

  (3:56 PM)

Holmes may still not be 100 pct, so use Gaffney against Miami

Lightning!!!

Hey Scott...I made it to the championship game...pick 1 for flex..Edge or Kolby Smith thanks

Scott Engel

  (3:57 PM)

Smith, based on the matchups

Dan (Chicago)

We get that all Indy guys have a risk because of rest. What other teams should we be weary of? Tampa bay? Earnest Graham scares me. What about the Pack? If they have a big lead over chicago, will we see Rodgers?

Scott Engel

  (3:59 PM)

You acn't worry about the Pack - you could see Rodgers in ANY week if its a blowout - they still have something to play for - Gruden won't bench Graham even if he reduces his workload, and Holmgren is unlikely to bench anyone after losing at Carolina

amzad (paterson, NJ)

my guys, dallas clark, roddy white, and joey galloway just got me a fat 0.75 points and cost me a spot in the finals. Do you think any of them are worth using in the 3rd place game?

Scott Engel

  (4:00 PM)

I would go with White to rebound this week

Joe (OK)

Bucs D or Pitt D?

Scott Engel

  (4:00 PM)

Tampa Bay - I like Pitt less without aaron Smith

Dave ( Sacramento CA)

Kevin Curtis or Dieon Branch??

Scott Engel

  (4:01 PM)

Branch - he has scored in three of his past four games. Thanks a lot everyone!