Scott Engel

  (2:58 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! Welcome to the Monday fantasy football chat! I'll gladly take your questions for keeper and dynasty leagues, as well as anything about our AFL Pick 'Em Game.

ryan, bloomington

have you ever smiled? if so, when?

Scott Engel

  (3:00 PM)

I am a proud father, so I smile often. I smile when I play Madden and I hear good music or watch a good comedy. And when I get a question like yours. :)

Chris (Philly)

Seems like a lot of people are down on Willie Parker, do you still consider him a starting fantasy RB this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:03 PM)

I consider him a No. 2 RB and you will still like the yardage, but I see them continuing to get their TDs from any other sources, including possibly a physical rookie RB they may draft

Marco (Tucson, AZ)

Oops! Thought this was baseball chat today. How about this? Steve Smith's value take a dramatic hit with the arrival of D.J. Hackett in Carolina?

Scott Engel

  (3:07 PM)

Actually, I think it helps him. Hackett can be a real solid complement, plus with Muhammad as a third WR, he should face less double teams. Much better supporting cast thean the departed Drew Carter and Keary Colbert. Baseball chats tomorrow! :)

Chris (NYC)

Eli turned the corner in '07...top 10 QB in '08?

Scott Engel

  (3:08 PM)

I think he can be in the lower half of the top 10 - he's confident now, makes crisper reads,a nd spreads the ball around better than ever before

Scott Engel

  (3:12 PM)

My Top five AFL teams - Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans, San Jose

jimmyb (auburn)

would you rather have jones or jackson/ and will Manning be better this year? o yeah, and your thoughts on Smith?CMON PEOPLE, WAKE UP AND REALIZE SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAME LAST NAMES...DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH

Scott Engel

  (3:15 PM)

Hmmm - Steven Jackson over Thomas Jones for sure, Already gave thoughts on Steve Smith. What do you think of Johnson?

Tim (DC)

Hey Scott - at this point, who are your top 5 Defenses?

Scott Engel

  (3:23 PM)

There are a lot of personnel changes every year on 11-man units, and we still have to see how the draft affects things, but for now - New England, Green Bay, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Seattle (underrated)

Marc (Dallas)

Who do you like better? Josh Willingham or Nate McLouth?

Scott Engel

  (3:26 PM)

Depends on what you need , category-wise - I really like McLouth if you need a cheaper source of steals

Larry Sellars (Camrose and Radford)

I have Jay Bruce on 2 teams. I don't think I need the space, so is it worth keeping him now or should I drop him. It's not like there is someone great available to take that spot.

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

If you can stash him, do it - I wish I had the room on my own roster to stash Longoria and Votto

Rob (MS)

Scott, questions about a couple of Blue Jays. What do you see Doc Halladay doing this year? BJ Ryan or Jeremy Acardo?

Scott Engel

  (3:29 PM)

I think Halladay can be a fine guy for you, get a lot fo wins, and you just can't expect him to anchor your staff anymore. Ryan worries me - I would stick with Accardo

Scott Engel

  (3:30 PM)

OK, bring on the baseball questions - you guys are the bosses! Open to NASCAR, too.

The Dirty (Raleigh, NC)

Hey Scott, wanted to get your opinion on potential trade bait early this season. I play in a 12-man h2h league and I could use a good 3B/OF w/power(Braun comes to mind). Which SP, coupled with Beltre, would you choose to dangle this early for a good offer? Bedard, Webb, Sabathia, Haren, Lincecum, or Harden? (Yeh, I went Pitcher crazy with this year's draft.) Thanks!

Scott Engel

  (3:32 PM)

To get a guy like Braun, I think you'll have to part with Sabathia - you should really keep Webb - I would advise setting your sights a bit lower and seeing who you can get for Haren

Roger (Hobbs NM)

Keep Brandon Marshall or Santonio Holmes? I was going to keep Marshall, but now his injury has me worried.

Scott Engel

  (3:33 PM)

Don't woory about the injury affecting him long term. I would still keep Marshall, expect him to be ready for the regular season, and think he will be more of a complete package with better overall stats

Peter (Baltimore)

11 Team, 6x5, Mixed, Roto - Trade away Braun, Hamilton & Gorzelanny for ARod & Capps? Have Loney and Bourn to replace Hamilton at Util and Soria & Borowski at Closer.

Scott Engel

  (3:36 PM)

Any time you can get A-Rod, I would do it, especially since you already have backup plans for the players you lose.

Hartwell (Denver, CO)

Soriano 35-35 club this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

I don't think you can expect quite that many steals anymore, I would look more for 25 and be happy with that

Quincy (Cemetery, ND)

Hey Scott! Projections on Roddy White for next year? Or is it too early and depends on his QB?

Scott Engel

  (3:40 PM)

I think the QB situation needs to become more clear, but I can see him catching seven TD passes,

Joe (West Hempstead, NY)

Hey Scott! I have Fielder, Braun, and Bill Hall...Too many Brews? Thanks!

Scott Engel

  (3:41 PM)

In fantays baseball, I don't believe having too many guys from one team is bad if its Rotisserie scoring and they are quality players - you have to keep Braun and Fielder, at least. Heck, I'm happy with Manny Ramirez and Ortiz

Lynn(Denver)

what system do you play madden on and what is your name?

Scott Engel

  (3:43 PM)

E-mail me and I will be glad to meet you on Xbox Live.

Vito (Canarsie)

What's crackin Scott? Better year next year: Portis or LJ? On top of that, who's the better keeper? Thanks bro!

Scott Engel

  (3:44 PM)

I like Portis better - still young, and I think the offense will improve around him, while LJ has a declining line and a shaky passing game around him - I would keep Portis

Matt (Manchester,NH)

Hey Scott!! One of my 4 teams has a somewhat questionable rotation. I was able to get Sabathia, Verlander, and Brett Myers but my other starters are Volquez, Lester, Manny Parra, and Micah Owings...do you think I'll be OK with the high upside guys or should I try and trade for another bigger name starter?? Thanks in advance!!

Scott Engel

  (3:46 PM)

I think you are answering your own question there, Matt, with that question! You are telling me you are not comfortable witht hat staff, and I cannot blame you. Make a deal

Harold, Boston,MA

Hey Scott, how do you feel about Miguel Tejada this season?

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

He's obviously not elite anymore, but I think the chnage of scenery will ultimately do him good, and the power num,bers will be slightly better than last year

John(NY)

Scott...Thoughts on Randy J. and M. Prior this season? projections? thanx

Scott Engel

  (3:48 PM)

I think Johnson can be a nice bonus for you if you are searching for starting pitching help, but Prior always scares me and I'd rather stay away

Joe (West Hempstead, NY)

Will the Jets new line help Cotchery's stats or am I looking at this through Green-colored glasses?

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

Cotchery is solid - I think it more dpends on whether they get more consistent QB play - it will take more than improved protection - I would not expect a sizable rise in overall numbers

Big Dog

Scott..what do you think of this rotation..Santana, Lowe, Cueta, Oswalt, Randy and Looper? thanx dude

Scott Engel

  (3:51 PM)

I would be more comfortable if you had one more solid guy, like a Maine or Penny, although I do like Cueto and I think you will too

Joe (NYC)

More saves in '08 - Rauch or Pena?

Scott Engel

  (3:53 PM)

Well, I'm not that confident about Brandon Lyon - so I would go for Pena

Scott Engel

  (3:56 PM)

Thanks a lot everyone - see you on Friday!