Scott Engel

  (2:58 PM)

Good afternoon and welcome to the Monday Fantasy Football Chat! I will answer your keeper and dynasty league questions, and even address the upcoming Arena Football season for our annual Pick 'Em game.

dan vermont

how does eli's superbowl effect his fantasy value? has he turned a corner and can he be a top 5 qb next year

Scott Engel

  (2:59 PM)

I would not say top five yet, as he still has to show he can do it over a full season before I consider him elite. But he certainly did enough in the playoffs to crack my top 10 for next year for sure

Scott Engel

  (3:02 PM)

My top 10 QBs for 2008 - Brady, Peyton, Brees, Romo, Palmer, Hasselbeck, Roethlisberger, Eli, Garrard, McNabb

Moe, Larry, Curley

Hey Scott! Could you throw out some names to target in the upcoming Arena Football season? Thanks.

Scott Engel

  (3:09 PM)

Sure - the Chicago Rush certainly will have some great players to target - now they have Bonner at QB and have added Dan Alexander. Philly will have the combination of Graziani and Chris Jackson. Dallas will be strong again, especially Clint Dolezel. I will be interested to see what NY's Aron Garcia can do if he stays healthy - Mark Grieb will be good again, of course. Damian Harrell will be great in Chicago also

Nick (Greenwich, CT)

How do u think my New York Dragons will do? :( I want Garcia to succeed!!

Scott Engel

  (3:10 PM)

Of course, it is all about Garcia staying healthy, but the secondary is young and they won;t have the firepower to be a top contender - you will have to be very selective as to when to use them in AFL Pick Em

Moe, Larry, Curley

You thought I was serious???? Who cares about Arena Football other than you?

Scott Engel

  (3:12 PM)

They set impressive new attendance records last year - speak for yourself

Brett (San Antonio, TX)

Will Marc Bulger be able to return to Top 10 again and maybe even top 6-8? Al Saunders should have a big impact on that offense if they are able to add another WR say in the 2nd, get the OL Long with the 2nd pick and a healthy Pace.

Scott Engel

  (3:13 PM)

That's a lot to hope for - Bulger won;t get consistent enough protection to be a dependable starter unless they make a big free agent move or two to improve the blocking

Brett (San Antonio, TX)

Does Earnest Graham have Top 10 potential for 2008?

Scott Engel

  (3:14 PM)

I would say top 15 - it remains to be seen if he will split carries next year, and I don;t have full faith yet that he can carry a major load during a full schedule

Brett (San Antonio, TX)

More fantasy points next season....Selvin Young or Travis Henry?

Scott Engel

  (3:15 PM)

I think Henry has a lot to prove next year, and Shanahan still wants him to be the main man

Brett (San Antonio, TX)

Can you provide info on 2 WRs that I thought could come on the scene this year and weren't able to...Travis Wilson and Malcom Floyd.

Scott Engel

  (3:17 PM)

I think Floyd is more of a role guy who can use his height and strength to be an occasional factor, but not for fantasy. I think this upcoming season will really tell us if Wilson can be anything more than just a third or fourth option

Nick (Greenwich, CT)

How do u like both Larry Johnson and Ronnie Brown next season? Will they stay healthy enough to put top 10 numbers???

Scott Engel

  (3:19 PM)

I think Brown certainly can, especially if Miami improves the QB situation somehow - KC needs to improve th eline - LJ recently admitted he had a cracked bone in his foot, so I approach him very cautiously for 2008 - I would personally not take him in the first round

Brett (San Antonio, TX)

What kind of future do you see for Buster Davis?

Scott Engel

  (3:20 PM)

I think he is smooth and has good hands - but won;t be reliable for fantasy purposes for awhile with Chambers and Jackson ahead of him on the depth chart

Brett (San Antonio, TX)

Predictions for Chad Johnson next year as a Bengal...better or worst that he ends up elsewhere?

Scott Engel

  (3:22 PM)

I don't think he will be dealt, and you will see numbers similar to 2008 as he continues to draw a lot of double teams - consistency will still be an issue statistically

Brett (San Antonio, TX)

I can't stand that fantasy football doesn't last 365 days...any good simulation league sites to join in the offseason?

Scott Engel

  (3:24 PM)

Play some Madden! And start watching Arena Football and play our game. Plus, Fantasy NASCAR is like football in the sense that races are once per week and lineups are easy to manage while decision sare challenging and must be researched well.

Chris (Orlando, FL)

Since you're into Arena, how do you think the Grand Rapids Rampage will do this year? Another sad year or will we have something to celebrate?

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

I think they really need more stability at QB - that position may be decided in camp, and that's nota scneario you want in the Arena League

Dan (Baltimore)

What kind of roles do you see Derrick Ward and Reuben Droughns having next year?

Scott Engel

  (3:29 PM)

I don't see Droughns being a factor at all - It will likely be a time share between Jacobs and Bradshaw, also putting Ward into the background

Nick (Greenwich, CT)

Scott.. where do u see Moss going? Staying in NE? I heard the Pats don't like to pay WR's big money..like they did with Patten and Givens.. Whatcha think??? I'm the King of Madden! I'll play anyone anytime, even though Scott!!

Scott Engel

  (3:30 PM)

I think he worked out too well overall for him not to return, and despite his mostly quiet postseason, he'll be the first WR off the board in most fantasy drafts next season

Dan vermont

do you see plaxico as a 2nd round draft pick next year?

Scott Engel

  (3:32 PM)

Not too far off - I would say early third round - a lot of owners will stillw ant to get elite QBs and and at least one "safe" RB first if they can

Zachary (Pittsburgh)

What was everyone's favorite super bowl commercials? I loved the Big Ben American Idol, the Will Ferrell beer commercial, and the Budweiser horse commercial.

Scott Engel

  (3:33 PM)

I liked the preview for the new Iron Man movie. But I don't really watch the game for the commercials.

Zachary (Pittsburgh)

Will Wes Welker be drafted in the first round next year?

Scott Engel

  (3:34 PM)

No, he won;t even be top 5 at his position, as I see him going in about the fifth round - earlier if its a PPR league, though

Zachary (Pittsburgh)

Behind Brady do you think the order in the drafts will be LT, AP, and Willie Parker?

Scott Engel

  (3:36 PM)

I certainly don't see Parker going that high, and I can see both Brady and Peyton going after the top two RBs, with Steven Jackson or Addai 5-6 in many drafts

Dan (vermont)

I'm always looking for a sleeper. got welker this year on my team. do you see anyone in that mold for next year?

Scott Engel

  (3:38 PM)

If the Vikes bring in a veteran passer, I like Sidney Rice, and Ted Ginn Jr. is also one to watch. Free agency will tell us a lot about veterans, and Darrell Jackson can have a good rebound year with Mike Martz now in SF

Dan (Baltimore)

Is the rumor of MBIII going to Miami dead now?

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

It's way too early for any rumors to have any real life or not - certainly not dead, as Brown may be better off sharing some carries

Willie (Louisiana)

Right now, who is your # 1 overall fantasy pick and why?

Scott Engel

  (3:40 PM)

Tomlinson - pratctically guaranteed to put up outstanding numbers year after year

SearingSpear (Chicago)

What would take to zip-up the mouths of the surviving 1972 Miami Dolphins. Can't they count? They did not win 18 straight games, let alone 19 straight. Will someone please alert them that the seasons were different: 1972, 12 games; 2008, 16 games. Plus, there are at least three extra playoff games. Eventually, the '72 Dolphins will have to stop restitching their jerseys; they are full of hot air.

Scott Engel

  (3:43 PM)

I don;t think the Patriots enter into the conversation with the 72 Dolphins anymore. Not after losing the most important game. That said, it's a sad commentary on the Dolphins that they have to reach back 35 years for shining moments.

Phil (Cleveland)

So will the Patriots use Maroney more during next season like the last few week & playoffs this year? Or revert back to resting him for the playoffs again?

Scott Engel

  (3:44 PM)

They didn't rest him. They couldn't run effectively in the Super Bowl, period. That said, he looked much better the rest of the late seasona nd postseason and can be an outstanding No. 2 fantasy RB next year

Craig ( PA)

Why does Brian Westbrook still fall under the fantasy football radar? He is a do it all back who finished first or second among RB's in almost all leagues this year, yet he isn't in your top 6 picks for next year???

Scott Engel

  (3:49 PM)

He doesn't fall under the radar at all - he is just outside the top 5 - that doesn't mean anything negative about him

Brian (San Francisco)

I need help in deciding my final keeper, I have Joseph Addai and Steve Smith and am debating between Drew Brees and Travis Henry. I also have Shaun Alexander, but I doubt he regains his fantasy monster status.

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

I would keep Brees for sure, as he is due for more outstanding seasons. I would toss Alexander and Henry back into the player pool and regain the draft choices

Dan (Baltimore)

I don't think the current Dolphins have to reach back 35 years for shining moments and I didn't hear much about them... why shouldn't the surviving members of that team continue to celebrate their undefeated season? It's not an insignificant accomplishment and though this is obviously a different (and arguably harder) era, it shouldn't diminish what they did. That guy who couldn't even put in his real name seems to have little sense or appreciation of history. It's a once in a lifetime achievement and the Patriots' loss in the Super Bowl only underscores the difficulty of pulling off an undefeated season.

Scott Engel

  (3:52 PM)

The players on that team should always be proud - but the franchise and their fans need to realize they were only a field goal away from officially being the worst team ever in 2007 - that's the bigger story to me

Ike (Cleveland)

No Derek Anderson in your top 10 QBs for next year!? I think Quinn should get a chance to win the job but come on. The Cleveland offense is a fantasy wonderland!!

Scott Engel

  (3:55 PM)

My bad, Ike, good catch - I would put him just ahead of Hasselbeck.

Dan (Baltimore)

The current Miami team lost 6 games this season by 3 points each... they were bad, but I wouldn't call them "a field goal away from officially being the worst team ever"... bad luck has to do with it, as well.

Scott Engel

  (3:56 PM)

A loss is a loss - if Stover makes the field goal, they are 0-16 - and the worst ever. They are ceratinly one of the worst teams I have ever seen.

Tom (Chicago)

I have Tom Brady for $55 in a league with $160 for a cap. Should I keep him? Manning and Brees will be available, I'm guessing Brady will get to 30 TDs next year. Your thoughts?

Scott Engel

  (3:59 PM)

That's a good price to keep him at with that cap. I expect Moss to return and at least 35 TD passes.

Steve (NY)

Thomas Jones seemed to be around a low RB2/high RB3 last year going into the season. Despite disappointing totals, I think an offensive line improvement could make him a big sleeper based on his draft position. Thoughts?

Scott Engel

  (4:05 PM)

I think at best, look for steady production, nothing outstanding. The Jets need to make a lot of improvements all-around to boost the running game in turn. Thanks a lot everyone!