Scott Engel

  (3:00 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! Welcome to the Monday fantasy football offseason chat! Also feel free to slip in your questions about the upcoming Arena Football season and I'll even talk a little fantasy racing if you like!

Scott Engel

  (3:04 PM)

My top 10 keepers - Tomlinson, Brady, Adrian Peterson, Addai, Peyton, Steven Jackson, Westbrook, Moss, Lynch, Ronnie Brown

Kyle (TCS)

If Eli plays great in the SUPER BOWL do you see his fantasy stock rising for next season?

Scott Engel

  (3:05 PM)

I think his stock has already rose to the point where people will consider him s a top 10 guy mext year at his position, but defenses will give him more respect over the full campaign in 2008 and he must prove he is up to that challenge. I still don't see him as a surefire regular starter in fantasy yet

Cameron (VA)

What happened to Frank Gore this past year????

Scott Engel

  (3:07 PM)

The loss of Norv Turner did not help, and he didn't have enough surrounding talent - now, with Martz coming in for 2008, he will look to upgrade the passing game significantly and that can take pressure off Gore, but also mean less work per game - he will be shaky as a No. 1 RB

Mike (PA)

You don't like Romo as a keeper? He was a fantasy machine this year.

Scott Engel

  (3:08 PM)

I am not saying I don't like him - he just missed the cut - I did consider him, and he will certainly get better each year

Andrew (Storrs, CT)

Ok, maybe I'm crazy - but isnt it SLIGHTLY possible to think that this new"Brady" info on "not throwing many passes" or being "10-90%" is just part of Belichick's master plan to make the Giants feel over-confident? This coach know manipulation, and how come NOW, BRADY, the star player of Belichick's philosophy is leaking this info that Belichick would NEVER do during the season. Something's fishy here...do you think Brady is actually MUCH better than what he's saying?

Scott Engel

  (3:10 PM)

I think the reports are accurate, plus the Giants are preparing as if Brady will be fully ready - I think it's honest, the injury reports, and at the NFL level, it's not that easy to fool anyone

Thomas (Florida)

To some people Jones-Drew was disappointment this year, so should I drafted hima s my #2 rb?

Scott Engel

  (3:11 PM)

If you compare him to 2006, yes, he was a disappointment, but the numbers will still good overall and he will be a good No. 2 fantasy RB, especially in larger and PPR leagues

Chris (Philly)

Is this finally the year that DeAngelo Williams is the #1 in Carolina? Top 20 potential?

Scott Engel

  (3:14 PM)

He's a small back, and may not be able to carry the load by himself - I think at best, he'll eb a good flex player and we should stop waiting for that big breakout year that will never happen

Ally (Gavilan Hills)

I've heard reports that "Ocho Cinco" will and won't leave Cinci. If he does, how much does this affect Carson Palmer's value?

Scott Engel

  (3:15 PM)

He is unlikely to be dealt, and I expect Palmer to still be a top 5 QB next year

Patrick (Agawam MA)

With Phillip Rivers situation, would it be wise to avoid him on draft day, or should we see what happens in preseason with his knee before we decide?

Scott Engel

  (3:16 PM)

It all depends on when exactly your draft happens - in early drafts, no one will take him as a starter, obviously - with enough time to heal, though, I anticipate him being just fine for the regular season in 2008

Ben (Malvern)

Scott, how is Brian Westbrook not the number one keeper in the majority of people's minds? I drafted him and traded for him in the last two years of my draft and he is by far the most reliably consistent RB in the league. He's ahead of Brady and LT in my book.

Scott Engel

  (3:17 PM)

I don't think he has to be number one to be very good - he is an excellent keeper and not being number one is not a negative at all

Steve (NY)

I loved Brandon Jacobs for this year and next until the emergence of Bradshaw. Now it seems like he may be a shaky #2 based on the playoffs. Thoughts?

Scott Engel

  (3:18 PM)

Looks like they are in line to share carries in 2008 and yes, that would make Jacobs a shaky No. 2 RB and better as a flex if possible

Jake (VA Beach)

Brees the 5th of your top 5 QBs?

Scott Engel

  (3:19 PM)

Brees is third after Brady and Manning in yearly leagues, Romo a very close fourth

Jake (VA Beach)

Does the fact that more and more teams are moving to 2-back systems place more value on the top-tier RBs and on WRs as a whole?

Scott Engel

  (3:21 PM)

I think a lot of teams will also stay with one prominent RB - I think the fact that less guys are dependable, though, for more reasons than sharing touches, raises the value of top QBs and WRs to where you consider the very best quite early

Chris (Boston)

Dont you think Eli Manning is getting to much credit after only four games? He hasn't won a super bowl and isn't even close to Brady's numbers. I think people are jumping on the Eli band wagon a little to early. Thoughts?

Scott Engel

  (3:22 PM)

I think he has turned a corner, but he is not in a league with a guy like Brady yet, especially from the fantasy perspective

Aaron (Pensacola)

Will Kellen Winslow II replace Antonio Gates as the top tight end?

Scott Engel

  (3:24 PM)

It's very possible, but even if that doesn't happen, Winslow should be one of the top TEs picked - again, you don't have to be the NO. 1 guy to be very good - if a guy on your team is not the No. 1 player at his position, that is not a negative at all - I am not going to call a guy the new No. 1 just to shake things up

Pete (St. Paul)

Will Sidney Rice be a serviceable #2 WR next assuming the development of Tavaris Jackson continues?

Scott Engel

  (3:24 PM)

I doubt it - both guys are still very early in their development

Travis (Wood Road)

One year Marshall Faulk flat out single-handedly one me my league, last year LT did this for me and this year i luckily had Brady. Do you see anybody being this go to guy next year?

Scott Engel

  (3:26 PM)

Hey, Brady looks as good as any to me - overa full regular season next year, the numbers will be excellent again even if they don;t match this year's output

Kevin (Atlanta)

Is Greg Jennings moving up to a #1 WR in the league?

Scott Engel

  (3:26 PM)

I think he has definitely played well enough to earn consideration as a No. 1 fantasy WR next year

Sean (Philly)

In a Ten team keeper league, what round pick should I offer another owner for Romo or Brees?

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

It may take a first-rounder, especially for Romo

Chris (Philly)

What are the chances that Michael Bush wins the starting job in Oakland? He was a monster in college!

Scott Engel

  (3:28 PM)

Well, Chris, this is not college, and he will have to prove himself in camp - I could see him sharing carries with Rhodes next year, as both Fargas and Jordan may be out of the picture in Oakland

Nick (Greenwich, CT)

Who's your Arena Bowl champion this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:31 PM)

Chicago is looking really good - I will recommend them often in our AFL pick 'em game - adding S. Bonner and D. Harrell as a QB/WR combo, plus Dan Alexander, the best RB in the league, could make them the team to beat

Justin (Boston)

Hey Scott, I stole All Day Peterson in the 6th round of my draft after my friend Beans accidently took the "other" Adrian Peterson a round earlier. How much longer can I give him a hard time for his mistake??

Scott Engel

  (3:32 PM)

As long as you want - make sure to rib him good on draft day next season

Geoff (NY)

How would you evaluate Marion Barber at this point? I dont really understand why running hard translates to "not being able to carry the full load." where is the connection?

Scott Engel

  (3:34 PM)

The one knock on Barber is that he is not fast or explosive in the open field, and when you have a RB like that, you want a speedster/ slasher to complement him - I think Barber will still share carries in 2008, but should get the majority of the workload again. Consistency may continue to be an issue, though

Korey (MI)

ryan grant top-10 back next year? Take him before a Moss or T.O.?

Scott Engel

  (3:35 PM)

He will definitely be top 10 at his position, and while I would take him over Owens, I would rather have Moss in a yearly league

greg (DEN)

eight keepers in a dynasty league. Should I be worried about Grant or DA as keepers. I could move DA and a pick for Palmer (who won me a championship 2 years ago).

Scott Engel

  (3:37 PM)

No reason to be worried about Grant,a nd you definitely have to hold onto him - the Browns are looking to retain Anderson, so you should be good with him for at least one more year

CJ (NY)

Do you see Darren McFadden becoming an instant fantasy star similiar to what Peterson did this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

The potential is there, but it all depends on where he ends up - Peterson was lucky enough to go to a team that has one of the best run-blocking lines in the league

JON (SPRINGFIELD, IL)

I AM IN A KEEPER LEAGUE AND NEED TO DECIDE WHO TO KEEP. ROMO OR CUTLER, MARONEY OR FARGAS, ANDRE JOHNSON OR GREG JENNINGS?

Scott Engel

  (3:41 PM)

I would take Romo over Cutler, because Romo is a better starter right now, even if Cutler continues to improve. Fargas will be a free agent and Maroney is on the rise, so I would keep Maroney. Fargas has been inconsistent overall in his career. Close call on the third one, but we have yet to see the very best of AJ regularly and he gets the slight nod

john (new york)

how will the jets do next season? usually they have a pattern of making the playoffs every other year.

Scott Engel

  (3:42 PM)

If you are leaning on that trend, it shows that the Jets have a very shaky outlook for 2008

Chris (Philly)

Scott - I have Michael Bush, DeAngelo Williams, Norwood, and Selvin Young. Do you think any of them will be the primary back for their respective teams and be good enough to be a #2 rb I can pair with FWP?

Scott Engel

  (3:45 PM)

Young has possibilities if Henry disappoints again, but at best, I am seeing timeshare outlooks for the other three guys

chris (narragansett)

do you think Laurence Maroney and kevin faulk are underrated?

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

I think Maroney improved as the year went on and will be a good value pick next year - late in the regular season, he became a more efficient inside runner. Faulk really has minimal fantasy value, as he is just a very good role player in real life. That doesn't usually translate well in fantasy

chris (new york)

should I pick the vikings D over the cowboys D?

Scott Engel

  (3:48 PM)

For now, I would, but there can be significant changes on either roster during the offseason and it's really too early to tell right now - with 11 starters, so much changes on defense from year to year

kevin (wisconsin)

if the giants can to tom brady the giants will win

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

Something I have heard about 18 times before this year, and that was wrong 18 times. I'll take the 18-game winning streak over the three-game streak

Patrick (Louisville)

There's a mouse in my office. Scott, I need advice? Try for the humane trap or just 'take care of it'?

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

Call the cat

Ninerfn4lfe (Bethel Island,Ca)

Do you think Alex Smith will benefit from the Niners signing Mike Martz to be their Offensive Coordinator? Personally I like the move and think Martz will have a great relationship with Smith and that will help Smith confadense on and off the field.

Scott Engel

  (3:51 PM)

I think so - Smith will pick up the offens every quickly, and if the Niners get the right personnel to upgrade the passing game, Smith will be a good fantasy backup next year

Chuck (Utah)

We keep 2 individual defensive players. With Willis and Beason as mine am I set for a long time?

Scott Engel

  (3:52 PM)

I think so - with only two IDPs, the focus is heavy on LBs, and you have two good ones

Dude (Somewhere in Bud Light Land)

DUUUDE, true or false, Plax has a game that will put him on the map as one of the best WR's in the game?

Scott Engel

  (3:53 PM)

I think he is already "on the map". I wouldn't call him elite just yet, though, as I'd like to see more consistency from him over a full year

paul (boston)

scott, do you think moss will be back in new england after the season? and if he leaves, how badly will that affect his (or tom's) game?

Scott Engel

  (3:55 PM)

I see no reason he will not return - he ha sfit very well and will be a first-rounder in yearly fantasy leagues in '08

Mark (Chicago)

How is Smith's noodle arm and suspect ability to take a hit going to thrive under Martz. My money is on JP Losman ending up in San Francisco.

Scott Engel

  (3:56 PM)

Losman is no improvement, and maybe even a downgrade. Smith is smart, just needs better personnel around him

Drew (FL)

Scott, question for rookie keeper eligibility rules in my keeper league. Is Ryan Grant considered a rookie in 2007? He didn't play in 06 after being un-drafted, can you give clarity on the rookie eligibility requirements?

Scott Engel

  (3:57 PM)

It's not like baseball - if a guy is on an NFL roster in any capacity in his first season, he is not a rookie thereafter

Brad(NM)

Where will Lynch rank amongst RB's next year?

Scott Engel

  (3:59 PM)

I was very impressed with Lynch, who ran hard against tough defenses in '07 and will only get better as a pass-catcher in 2008. I think he will be top 10 for sure, just outside the top 7 or so at RB in yearly leagues

Aundray (Irmo,SC)

With Big Ben's saying he wants bigger wide receivers and Hine Wards comments, do you there will be problems in Pittsburgh next season?

Scott Engel

  (4:01 PM)

Roethlisberger rebounded well last year - the offensive line may be an issue, especially because losing Faneca and another key guy or two is very realistic - the offense may be up and down, but Ben should still be a solid fantasy QB. Thanks a lot everyone!