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Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:01 PM)

Hi gang.... Welcome aboard. Back from Vegas and feeling refreshed. Let's get to it - as always, all subjects answered...

Trey (VA)

What're your thoughts on Nick Markakis? Look at his stats, looks like a better value than Sizemore to me.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:03 PM)

Yeah, I love Markakis and I'm not alone. Power and speed - depends on how much they let him run - but he'll be a stud. My guess is he'll be one of those over hyped sleeper guys, so I'm not sure he'll be a big value, but he'll earn his keep. 30/110/ 16 SB with a .315 avg is my guess

Ari (Miami)

I asked Nate this morning where to sign up for Diet Soda's Man Baseball League, he said info will be coming. What cna you tell me? Thanks.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:05 PM)

That Nate and I talk and you won't get a different answer out of Dad by going to Mom. Nate's "Mom" in this example, incidentally.

Zach(San Diego)

What can I expect from my young OFs Markakis and Kemp this season. Do either of them turn into superstars within the next few years?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:06 PM)

Def on Markakis, but I'm not as high on Kemp as others. Talent isn't the question, playing time is. I'm not 100% convinced yet that Torre gives him 550 AB

Steve (NY)

Nate was hating on Troy Tulowitzki. Give us your impression oh great TMR.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:08 PM)

I drink the bathwater. He's a late 5th round pick to me. Look at his numbers after the first six weeks or so. That said, SS is actually deep this year

Ben (SF)

Now that Braun is solely an outfielder who has better value, him or Sizemore?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:08 PM)

Still Braun because he has 3b eligibility

Steven (tulsa)

when is the podcast returning? my life seems empty without it.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:09 PM)

I think later this week or early next week. We were just talking about that today. I have many vegas stories that need to be told

Jim (Boston)

How do you see MB3 doing next year if Jones is out of Dallas? Will he be better than LJ considering how much you said to avoid him last year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:10 PM)

Good question and yeah... depends on what DAL does in offseason w/ offensive line and if Garrett leaves that might effect it, plus I want to see what KC does with their offensive line, but if I drafted today, I'd take Barber ahead of LJ

Ken (Tarzana, Ca)

I'm not the only one who has mentioned this...But could you stop using the word SEXY to describe athletes? It's really creepy.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:11 PM)

Yeah, I know... saw the shout-out in Simmons' column. What can I say? I'm a single guy living in CT and slightly confused.

Sam (AZ)

Well, where is Barber on your RB list? Top 10?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:13 PM)

Here are my top 10 RB for next year as of today:1. LT2. Brian Westbrook3. Joseph Addai4. Adrian Peterson5. Steven Jackson6. Willie Parker7. Clinton Portis8. Marion Barber9. Willis McGahee10. Marshawn Lynch

Evan (NY)

In a keeper league, would you trade Wright and Soriano for Arod?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:14 PM)

NO. The difference between A Rod and Wright is NOT Soriano. Giving up too much

Griff (MA)

What are your projections for Corey Hart this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:15 PM)

I'm very high on him - more so than most. I say 30/30 with a .285 avg

doug (woodbridge, ct)

single and in connecticut? you mean the drunk girls at the brickyard in hartford dont get confused when you introduce yourself as "the talented mr roto"...i would think that is golden...5x5 standard league, who is a better met, reyes or wright?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:16 PM)

Yeah, they stare at me with blank faces. Then their boyfriend comes up and I have to spend the next 15 minute talking about his keepers.I say Reyes. But I value speed very highly.

Chargers

what percentage chance do you give us to be dancing on the pats log at the 50 yard line after the game Sunday?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:17 PM)

almost none. But, then again, I gave the Chargers no chance last week either. Especially when they got jobbed on the Cromartie call. That wasn't holding.

John (NY)

How much vacation do you get? I guess that's a relative term considering your status as "fantasy expert", but I'm curious considering you usually work 7 days a week during football season.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:18 PM)

I get two weeks just like anyone. I'm actually taking a week off next week... Janury is my month to recharge because we dive into baseball in a big way in Feb... I'm writng my Love / Hate, Manifesto and one more drat kit article this week

Matt: (San Diego, CA)

No Brandon Jacobs in your top 10? Also, when are your player rankings for conference championship being posted?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:19 PM)

Health was the only reason I had BJ out of the top 10. But he's top 15 next year. RB is suprisingly deep next year. Rankings for conf. champ will be posted tomorrow

Dan - San Jose

Stephen Jackson and Marion Barber? The Rams have no hope, and Marion has never carried a full load. Could one make an argument that Jamal, Gore or Fred Taylor project better?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:25 PM)

S JAx was a stud down the stretch and there's no WAY the Rams are as bad as they were last year. They said the full load argukment about Addai this year too. I don't trust Gore at all, worried about Taylor's age and Jamal's... Jamalness. All three are top 20, but I don't want any of those three above the ten I have listed

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:25 PM)

S JAx was a stud down the stretch and there's no WAY the Rams are as bad as they were last year. They said the full load argukment about Addai this year too. I don't trust Gore at all, worried about Taylor's age and Jamal's... Jamalness. All three are top 20, but I don't want any of those three above the ten I have listed

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:25 PM)

S JAx was a stud down the stretch and there's no WAY the Rams are as bad as they were last year. They said the full load argukment about Addai this year too. I don't trust Gore at all, worried about Taylor's age and Jamal's... Jamalness. All three are top 20, but I don't want any of those three above the ten I have listed

Brian (CT)

Tell Doug in Woodbridge that the Brickyard no longer exists. Otherwise you'd be golden!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

i know. I'm more of a Trumbull Kitchen, Pour House, Mayor Mike's, Koji type.... that's where I usually hang in Hartford. Those places.

Zach, TX

So can we get your early top 10 list for next year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:28 PM)

well, you just saw the top 10 RB... here's QB's:Top 10 QBs for 2008 1. Tom Brady2. Peyton Manning3. Tony Romo4. Drew Brees5. Ben Roethlisberger6. Derek Anderson7. Brett Favre8. Matt Hasselbeck9. David Garrard10. Carson Palmer

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:29 PM)

Top 10 WRs for 2008Randy Moss Terrell Owens Reggie Wayne Braylon Edwards Marques Colston T.J Housmanzadeh Chad Johnson Larry Fitzgerald Torry Holt Brandon Marshall

Zach, TX

'Twas the night before January 16th, and all through the town, people were wondering...will the fantasy baseball draft kit be InSiders only?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:30 PM)

Nope, it will be free. As always, there will be something extra for our Insider subscribers, but the majority of the kit willbe 100% free, just like all of our fantasy content.

Lee (tempe)

Can we ask a BBall question? Is Calderon a top PG? If Im trading for a shot blocker who does he compare too?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:31 PM)

I like him a lot but don't think he has proven himself enough to be a top PG yet. Dalembert level is what I'm thinking

Matthew (Greenville, NC)

No Andre Johnson in Top 10? And where does Welker fall in your WR rankings? Thanks!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:33 PM)

The concern is health.... As great as he was, he missed a huge chunk of time. As did his QB. And they don't really have a running game. He's just outside the top 10. besides, who on my list do you bump off? I'd have Welker in the low teens / high 20's right now. His production really fell off towards the end and it depends on if Moss resigns or not.

Jon, NJ

Palmer 10th, really?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:37 PM)

Really. Only 5 TD in his last 5 games. He was 9th overall in QB points this year. AND, if you take out his crazy 6 TD game vs. CLE, he only had 20 TD in 15 games. That was being 100% healthy and having 2 of the best WR in the game. And a bad defense that made them play catch-up.

Jim (Cambridge, MA)

What are you thoughts on Rickie Weeks, next year and long term? Keep him or Figgins as my last keeper?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:38 PM)

I like Weeks - he finally became Rickie Weeks down the stretch. That said, I have Figgins rated higher.... Figgy is always underrated and a safer play

Kevin -NYC

No Ryan Grant? He's a beast!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:39 PM)

Grant was the toughest leave off... and he may sneak in there. Problem is there's no guarantee Favre comes back. If they win the Super Bowl, he's gotta retire, right? Same for leaving Jennings off the WR list - I see a few questions about that too....

The Rog-Dude (Bothell, WA)

The Talented Mr. Roto? ALRIGHT!!! I thought this was an AJ Mass chat. That's like showing up to Safeco thinking it's a Jarrod Washburn start and finding out Felix got move up in the rotation! THINGS ARE FINALLY LOOKING UP FOR THE OL' ROG-DUDE!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:39 PM)

LOL

Z (MN)

How hot are Nate's Mom and Sisters?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:40 PM)

You've dated worse

Drew (South Jersey)

I'm really dissapointed in The Worldwide Leader's Fantasy Basketball coverage this year. The draft kit was decent but no podcast and just the Fantasy Minute on the Sunday TV show.Don't you think with all the emerging young stars taking over the league (Paul, Deron, Roy, Boozer, Howard) this would have been the year to make a big push?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

Really? Last year we had two articles a week. This year, we have THREE articles a day at least. And many of our chats are all sports. The honest answer is that the traffic, ratings and interest isn't there for hoops nearly as much as there is for NFL or MLB. Yes, no podcast ... hopefully next year - but I put our Fantasy Hoops coverage on par with anyone. I think we do the best job of any site in the business, frankly,

single conn. chick

You can buy me a drink anytime...as l;ong as you answer my question...Myt keeper team for next season..Hasselbeck,JLewis,KWatson,Edge,Selvin Young,TO,Colston,Chris Henry and Heath Miller...please give me your thoughts big guy....by the way, I drink Belvedere and cranberry

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:43 PM)

Wait, I have to answer the question AND buy you a drink?

Nick (Omaha)

Would you keep Markakis at $13 and 2yrs over Delmon Young at $4 and 1 yr?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:44 PM)

Yeah, I would. Your profit on Nick over the two years will be greater than your profit on Delmon this year

Bill (Denver)

Pick one to keep: Lackey, Tulowitski, Mauer, Kinsler?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:45 PM)

I'd keep Troy. Pitching is plentiful in a mix league

Steve (MA via E. Hartford)

John NY) asked the same question as the single conn. chick to Nate this morning...Hmmmm....

Chris (Baltimore, MD)

He may drink cranberry drinks....but that ain't no chick. He's asked every chatter for weeks now that same question about his crappy keeper team...answers always the same. Your RBs suck, WRs are pretty good...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:45 PM)

for the record, you'll notcied I didn't answer "her" question

Brandon (Vegas)

Bold Prediction: Rex Grossman will be in you top 10 quarterback ranking next year!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

Prediction: You're drunk in Vegas.

Jon, NJ

The "single conn chick" has posted on every chat that same question this week. Dude, your team isn't that great, get over it.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

wow, people hate you "conn chick." My screen is blowing up.

Craig (MPLS)

Most overvalued player? I'd say C. Granderson.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:48 PM)

I'd say Joe Mauer. Catcher is deep this year and Mauer is batting average dependent. If he doesn't hit for a crazy avarage, he get you a handful of steals and that's basically it. He's not worth the price it takes to get him. Bill in Denver, that's also why I would keep Troy over Mauer. Seriously, catcher is deep this year

Jim (Cambridge, MA)

Any baseball content coming out sooner than the draft kit? Last year Tristan has most of his rankings and player synopses out by now. Why is no one on that this year?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:49 PM)

Eric and Tristan have both been writing up a storm and yes, some stuff is coming, but the draft kit will launch pretty soon as well.

Dan (RI)

MATT, your thoughts on Carlos Pena this year? I'm not expecting last year's numbers, just a solid first baseman at a reasonable cost. Thanks.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:50 PM)

And that's what you'll get. 36 and 110 is my guess

Sam (Baltimore, MD)

Why can't Frank Gore return to the top 10? Everyone saw how much better he played when there was a threat of a passing game in SF. Plus with Martz there teams will not be able to stack the box. That being said, who is the best keeper league value: Gore (5th round, Turner (12th), Romo (6th), Marshall (16th)?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:51 PM)

Martz teams never run the ball well. That's another reason. Hard to turn down Marshall for just a 16th rounder....

Craig (MPLS)

Great point about catcher. But I say there is 0 (ZERO) chance Granderson matches last year but you have to pay heavy to get him.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:53 PM)

That's fair and I'd be surprised if he winds up on any of my teams but I don't think he's all hype... he'll be solid once again. Maybe 18/18 ish

Corey (Boston)

I noticed you have Adrian Peterson 4th for RBs. Some lists I've seen have him 2nd. Any reasons why you have him down lower than some people? Do you have doubts about him or do you just think Addai and Westbrook are safer bets?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

Westbrook and Addai are safer, I'm not convinced MINN figures out their QB situation and All Day was actually very inconsistent. Two MONSTER games, but single digit fantasy pts in 4 of the last 6 games he played. he's also an injury risk - hurt this year and in college ... it's not that he isn't a stud - I have him 4th - but I feel there are safer plays at 1-3

Jim (Cambridge, MA)

Sorry, that came off a bit as a dis - I love all (okay, well, most of) your content and know you guys all work hard.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

no worries. I've been called much worse

Brandon (Vegas)

True. But I stand by my prediction.

Jason (Cambridge)

What are your feelings on Jenna Jameson's retirement announcement at the AVN's?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:57 PM)

She's like Favre. She can say she is hanging it up, but I belive she won't be able to resist the allure.

Andy (Ann Arbor, MI)

Did you win any money in Vegas or just go see Celine Dion?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:59 PM)

I lost money and donated even more at a bar named after an angry aninal, but I DIDN'T see Celine, so ulitmately, yeah, I won.

Drew (Madison)

I heard the TMR was back and I cried like TO baby!

Tom (Boston, MA)

Just thought you'd like to know the header for this chat reads "Fantasy Sports w/Matthew Bery". They can't even spell your name right - does anyone respect you at the worldwide leader?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:59 PM)

Apparently not.

Tito Ortiz

You talking about my girl TMR? Careful unless you want some ground and pound.

Mrs Brafflowsky (reacting to JJ retirement news)

WHA-WHA-WHA-WHAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?!?!

Andy (Ann Arbor, MI)

Jenna Jameson is looking pretty fugly lately. Has she been sparring with Tito Ortiz to help him train? I'm glad to see her go.

Andy (Ann Arbor, MI)

Please confirm that Reggie Bush isn't even a top 15 RB. Will he go down as the biggest bust at #2 draft pick over Ryan Leaf?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:00 PM)

No, he is not a top 15 but no, he isn't Ryan Leaf esque either. Not even close. He's a lower tier #2 next year

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:02 PM)

Ok kids, I gotta run. Fun as always... thanks for stopping by!