Scott Engel

  (3:00 PM)

Good afernoon everyone and welcome to the Monday Fantasy Football Chat! I will answer all your questions about player moves and even discuss the first week of Arena Football action for our Pick'Em Game!

Jack (Phoenix, AZ)

Since Atlanta signed Turner, how would you view Norwood in 2008 (low end #3 RB or a sleeper again)? Any thoughts what Norwood's FF stats could be also? Thanks.

Scott Engel

  (3:01 PM)

I see Norwood as a change of pace guy with some explosion, a guy who will be also catching passes out of the backfield on key downs - maybe Leon Washington type numbers with a few more scores

Dave(MN)

Will Shaun Alexander bounceback this year? Can he at least be a good RB3?

Scott Engel

  (3:02 PM)

I would consider him as a flex - he may share carries with someone else next year and will still be capable of producing pretty good TD numbers

Jason(Madison)

Who would be your top-5 sleeper QB's this season?

Scott Engel

  (3:05 PM)

In no certain order - I see these guys takinga step forward - Trent Edwards, Jay Cutler, Kellen Clemens, Matt Schaub, Jason Campbell

Steve (Denver)

What are your thoughts on Leinart this year? Also, I know we don't know where he will be drafted yet, but how would you rate Leinart against Matt Ryans? Thanks

Scott Engel

  (3:08 PM)

Leinart is obviosuly further along in his development, and this could be the year when he becomes more stable. I would draft him late as a backup. I have to see where Ryans goes first and I'm not big on rookie passers

Brian (DE)

Scott, what's your opinion on the Eagles offseason acquistion, Asante Samuels? Also, do you think they'll add a key offensive playmaker? Given the last time they added a marquee offensive force, T.O., I'm keeping the phaith!!!

Scott Engel

  (3:09 PM)

Samuel obviously is a great leader on and off the field, but they really need a No. 1 WR and there isn't much out there - the D should be solid next year for fantasy purposes

Nate, Wa

Do you the Seahawks staying with Alexander and Morris this year, or do they upgrade via trade, draft, etc?

Scott Engel

  (3:10 PM)

I think they draft Alexander's successor, and he could share some carries.

Mike (Phx)

Standard scoring league, and I need to choose from one of the following as my keeper alongside Reggie Wayne. Eli Manning, Mojo Drew, Marion Barber, or Ryan Grant?

Scott Engel

  (3:10 PM)

Wayne is going to be an elite WR for some time, and he's my top choice - after that, I go Grant, Drew, Manning, Barber

Nick (Greenwich, CT)

Good Afternoon Scott! Baseball Keeper League..What side wins? King Felix and Luis Castillo or Cano and Abbreu. My outfield is deep..Not deep on pitching!

Scott Engel

  (3:13 PM)

Nik - every time I have a chat, you type in your question1,000 times and make no room for anyone else. This is the last time I answer you if you keep it up. I still like gettingt hose Yanks to have Cano.

Joey(NYC)

Top 5 QB for next year?

Scott Engel

  (3:14 PM)

1- Brady 2 - Peyton 3 - Brees 4 - Palmer 5 - Romo

JQ

Now in Atlanta, is Turner in the top 10 RBs now? Top 20?

Scott Engel

  (3:16 PM)

Top 10, no way. Needs more offensive help around him. Top 15, yes.

Joey(NYC)

Thx Scott: follow up, where does Big Ben go. Dont you think that contract was excessive?

Scott Engel

  (3:18 PM)

Roethlisberger was a bit underrated last year, especially in fantasy, and it's not excessive when you consider he is a top NFL QB who has along career ahead of him

Scott Engel

  (3:19 PM)

My AFL picks for tonight - Dragons over Gladiators, Rush win in home opener over SaberCats

eric horstman (ripley ny)

which is a better pick brady or L.T.

Scott Engel

  (3:21 PM)

I'd go with Tomlinson - there seem to eb less dependable top-level RBs these days, and you have to start two guys at the position

Rob: Madison, WI

What kind of numbers are you expecting from Berrian in MN? I'm thinking 900 yards and 5 - 7 TD's.

Scott Engel

  (3:22 PM)

They need to improve that QB situation and add one more guy - those expectations seem realistio for now, and I would not go much higher yet

Ron (st louis mo)

maybe you can tell me tell my im crazy for thinking the rams shalled out all this money for a kicker but they have all kind of holes on their team like ol,wr,dline,cb i know josh brown is a great kicker but they have to score touchdowns first instead of field goals

Scott Engel

  (3:25 PM)

I agree with you Ron - Brown is perceived as a clutch guy, but as you know, we fantasy guys well know kickers can be randomly efefctive. I'd just as easily sgign an AFL guy - they deal with higher crossbars, less width and as opening weekend has already proved, pressure is high to win games. Shayne Graham and Birnoas played in the AFL. I won;t draft Brown any higher in fantasy leagues

Gray (Chicago)

That Berrian contract was absolutely ridiculous. He is not a #1 WR.

Scott Engel

  (3:26 PM)

No, he isn't, but the Vikings are desperate and there is not much out there on the free agent market, so he was destined to be overpaid

Jon: (Chicago, IL)

What kind of sick numbers are you expecting from Adrian Peterson next year?

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

I think his running style, which is reckless and physical, can limit his ability to play a full schedule - plus consistency can be an issue - plus, th epassing game is still a work in progress - he'll end up having like the fifth-most fantasy points at RB next year

Lincoln (Mercer Island)

How important are spring stats?

Scott Engel

  (3:29 PM)

Very important in Arena Football :)

Greg, Atlanta

Scott, I need to target 3 keepers from the following. Maroney, S. Holmes, R White, and G Jennings. Who are my best bets for next year and beyond?

Scott Engel

  (3:31 PM)

Maroney will take more steps forward next year and become more consistent, Plus Holmes and Jennings can be a great pairing for you for years to come

Seth (NYC)

Would you trade LenDale White for Michael Turner in a keeper league? Which back will have more value next season?

Scott Engel

  (3:32 PM)

I really think if you offer White for Turner in a keeper league, you will be turned down

Todd (San Diego)

Do you think Andre Johnson can be a top 5 WR next season?

Scott Engel

  (3:32 PM)

Not until they get him a better complemetary WR and Schaub gets more cosnsistent protection

John (WI)

Would you trade Brady in a keeper league if you could get a Brees/Palmer type of QB back along with a #1 WR?

Scott Engel

  (3:33 PM)

I would stronly consider it, yes. I would want Brees, though, slightly over Palmer

Dave (Phoenix, AZ)

Do you think JaMarcus Russell will be draftable this season?

Scott Engel

  (3:34 PM)

No - I think he will step forward as a starter, but will be too erratic for fantasy purposes

Seth (NYC)

Do you really think Turner will be that much better than White? Turner has no run protection in ATL and White is running behind a pretty strong line in TEN...

Scott Engel

  (3:35 PM)

Yes - Turner is simply more talented and the Falcons are going to make moves to improve their blocking very soon

Rob (Grand Rapids, MI)

Keep Fargus as a 6th rounder or M. Turner as a 9th rounder?

Scott Engel

  (3:36 PM)

I would keep Turner - I am not confident Fargas can sustain his success from last season, when he was in a contract year

James (Tulsa, OK)

Where do you rank Donald Lee amongst TEs now that Bubba Franks is gone?

Scott Engel

  (3:37 PM)

Even before Bubba left, it was clear Lee had surpassed him. I rank Lee just inside my top 10 at TE

Chris (Philly)

It looks like McFadden could slip to Jets at #6, if he ends up on the Jets, where do you rank him?

Scott Engel

  (3:38 PM)

Well, that's only local speculation right now - but the addition of Faneca was great and if McFadden ends up in Jersey, he could be worth a late second-rounder

Kevin (Boston)

I heard that the Raiders will use Michael Bush as a 3rd down back next year. Should Fargas owners handcuff him just in case? Fargas has always been injury-prone...but then again, so has Michael Bush...

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

I would definitely take the flier on Bush - never believe what you hear publicly coming from Oakland - Bush could be more than just a third-down RB

Turk (NJ)

Who's going to carry the load in the Giants backfield?

Scott Engel

  (3:40 PM)

I look for a split - Jacob scan get hurt if he carries too often, so I look for the Jacobs/Bradshaw split

Ken (Dayton)

Do you think Calvin Johnson will ever live up to the hype? Will he be a 1,000 yard WR this season?

Scott Engel

  (3:42 PM)

I think it will happen, yes, but not this year, and not with Kitna at quarterback. He can get close to 1,000 put won;t reach his potential for another year or two

Bill (Cleveland)

Can the Browns offense be improved from last year? What do you see B. Edwards doing?

Scott Engel

  (3:43 PM)

Adding Stallworth only helps, and Edwards has stamped himself as an elite fantasy WR already

Greg (Portland, OR)

What do you expect from Jay Cutler this season? Do you think he will become an elite fantasy QB anytime soon?

Scott Engel

  (3:43 PM)

He's not quite ready to be elite yet, or near that level. But he will be more respectable, especially in fantasy leagues.

Lee (NY)

I'm keeping LT already...now i must choose between Lynch, Ronnie Brown, Romo, TO, or Michael Turner...1 pt per rec, 6 pts all TDs, bonus pts for pass yds...who do you like?

Scott Engel

  (3:46 PM)

I would keep Lynch - stud RB who will only get better as a pass-catcher

Bob (Maryland)

IN a ppr league who is the better keeper B. Edwards, L. White, T. Holt or J. Fargas?

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

Edwards - he will help you or more years overall than Holt. He's at a much earlier point in his career

Michael (Akron, OH)

Do you think Chad Johnson will return to elite status next season? Or do you think T.J. and Chris Henry will make him less productive?

Scott Engel

  (3:48 PM)

Houshmandzadeha nd Henry can only help him face les s defenders - I think Johnson still draws a lot of defenders, though, every week, and will be top 10 rather than top 5

MJ (edmonton)

why do we get fantasy football chats in march but no fantasy baseball chats in November/December?

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

Fantasy football is hugely popular. Why do we get complaints from MJ? We have a lot of great fantasy baseball articles for you to read, many new ones today and every day. Go to the fantays baseball page instead of complaining here. Thanks.

Trevor (Los Angeles)

Where do you rank Ryan Grant this season? Is he a top 10 back?

Scott Engel

  (3:51 PM)

definitely top 10 with a good ofefnsive line and a passing game that helps open up running lanes for him. Not top 5, though, as he must prove he was no fluke

Jordan (St. Louis)

Speaking of living up to the hype...where do you rank Reggie Bush? Do you think he'll ever become an elite fantasy back?

Scott Engel

  (3:52 PM)

He's in my top 20, maybe near the top 15 - he can score any time he touches the ball and has goal-line potential when needed - consistency is an sisue, though, and may be for another year or two

DJ (Grand Cayman)

% chance that Randy stays in New England?

Scott Engel

  (3:53 PM)

90 - they are close to working out a deal and I doubt he is going anywhere else

Carlo (Green Bay)

Where do you rank GB's defense this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:55 PM)

Too early to start ranking defenses, as we are still going to see more personnel turnover - that said, I expect them to stay in the top 5 or close

Dan (Boston)

To follow up MJ's complaint...while it's true there is fantasy baseball content to read...ESPN only gives up 2 chats a day...many of your loyal readers look forward to it...and its a complete waste of time to read your football chats IN MARCH...I know people think about their football teams all year...but can't you focus on baseball 3 weeks before all our drafts are to begin...rather than answer KEEPER questions about a season SIX MONTHS AWAY!!!! michael turner might break his leg in April...stop worrying about keeping him on March 3rd!!!!!

Scott Engel

  (3:58 PM)

I don't look at it as ONLY two chats a day - I think that's a very healthy amount, plus the Answer Guys option as well. Maybe you think it's a waste of time - but there are many others asking football questions who think otherwise. If Turner breaks his leg, this room will get even more full. We are a full-service operation. Check out our baseball pages while we enjoy one hour of football here. Thanks

Mike (Phx)

Thx for the earlier advice, so my follow up is that I have the 2nd overall pick in my keeper league and Larry Johnson and Joseph Addai will be on the board due to a rule in our league where you cant keep 2 players that play the same position. Is it a no brainer to go with Addai or am I not giving LJ enough credit at this point in his career?

Scott Engel

  (4:00 PM)

I'd rather go with Addai - he is in a better ofefnse, is more versatiel and has a great future.

Tom ( Houston)

Can the Texans get a starting RB in the draft or FA?

Scott Engel

  (4:02 PM)

I don't think they are looking at any major impact RB sin free agency - maybe they will do something in the draft, but it's gotta get better than Ahman Green

greg (mississippi)

top 5 WRs

Scott Engel

  (4:04 PM)

1 - Moss 2 - Owens 3 - Edwards 4 - Wayne 5- Colston Thanks a lot everyone!