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Scott Engel

  (10:59 AM)

Good morning and welcome to the Wednesday fantasy football chat! I will take fantasy football and Arena Football questions first, but will also answer some baseball and NASCAR questions if you have them - Thanks!

Scott Engel

  (11:01 AM)

Bring on your questions regarding rookies as well, not just McFadden.

A. Peterson (MIN)

Do I really have a chance to be the First overall pick in Fantasy leagues this year ?

Scott Engel

  (11:02 AM)

I personally would not take Peterson first - Tomlinson is more established, versatile and dependable.

Baseball Fan (Detroit)

Kevin Smith. Projection?

Scott Engel

  (11:03 AM)

I like the guy, and I am certainly not high on Tatum Bell. He will likely split some carries and he runs high, but I could see 900-plus yards and about six TDs in his rookie year

Steve (Denver)

Is it time to panic about Johnny Cueto?

Scott Engel

  (11:04 AM)

No, not yet. He has good stuff and I think he will make the necessary adjustments to rebound also.

Joe (West Hempstead, NY)

Hey Scott! With the new offense(and new weapons) in Washington, does that positively or negatively effect Portis' value? Thanks!

Scott Engel

  (11:05 AM)

I think the rookies will take some time to develop, but the offense will be more balanced and I expect a slight increase in production, especially in the TD dpeartment, as Portis finishes off more scoring drives

Meat (NY)

How long before Scherzer gets into the D-Backs rotation?

Scott Engel

  (11:06 AM)

Could be in the very near future after how good he looked last night.

Tony - Philadelphia

Colston over Jennings in a Keeper league, right?

Scott Engel

  (11:08 AM)

Yes, for sure, especially with the QB change in Green Bay. Colston is the better all-around receiver.

Matt,mpls

Two sport question!!! Is FWP a keeper still? And in a vaccuum, would you trade Sherrill for Mark Reynolds?

Scott Engel

  (11:09 AM)

I don't expect Parker to be dependable with the drafting of Mendenhall, and would likely toss him back into the player pool. I am a Reynolds backer, and if you have other closers you can rely on, I would make that deal

Scott (Dallas)

Where is Tristan?

Scott Engel

  (11:10 AM)

He is in New Jersey, at home. I will tell him you asked for him :)

Stefano (Miami,FL)

Should I keep Chad Johnson in my keeper league?

Scott Engel

  (11:11 AM)

I would probbaly not keep him - how his situation turns out is anyone's guess and he was not reliable enough the past two seasons, anyway

Adam (Baltimore)

Is Ryan Grant a keeper candidate?

Scott Engel

  (11:13 AM)

As a No. RB yes. He is sure to get more defensive attention for at least the next two seasons with the QB situation, but he will still produce good, but not great fantasy numbers

Matt,mpls

Thoughts on Berrian this year? #2 or 3 WR? And where should Ronnie Brown be targeted? Or is it too early to tell?

Scott Engel

  (11:14 AM)

He won;t have enough help at WR in Minnesota and will be statistically erratic, a No. 3 fantasy WR. I would look to get Brown maybe early third round. He won;t have enough proven talent around him.

Frank (NY)

Does the drafting of Brandon Albert increase Larry Johnsons' value?

Scott Engel

  (11:17 AM)

I don't believe it does - he is just a rookie and I don;t expect major improvements in the line this season

Russell (Knoxville)

Scott, would you deal Smoltz for Ryan Howard at this point?

Scott Engel

  (11:18 AM)

I don;t know of anyone that would trade Howard for Smoltz right now or a commissioner that could approve that deal

Big Bear (Parts Unknown)

Over/under 8 on games Andre Johnson plays next year? Is he a #1 WR?

Scott Engel

  (11:19 AM)

Until he gets better complements he is not a reliable No. 1 guy. Johnson is nota surefire injury risk so I don;t lower his draft value based just on last year

Rob (MS)

Steve Smith (carolina) will be a top 5 receiver this season. True or false?

Scott Engel

  (11:20 AM)

False - but he will be top 10 if DJ Hackett stays healthy and finally acts as the quality complement Smith has lacked.

Matt, Raleigh

I have Palmer, Addai, Lynch, Bush, Turner, Colston, and Jennings in my heeper league...who is expendable?

Scott Engel

  (11:21 AM)

Anytime I hear the word expendable, I think of the second Rambo film. Bush and Jennings are the most expendable.

Rob (MS)

Dwayne Jarrett and the resigning of Mushin Muhammed don't help him? What are your top 5 Wr's?

Scott Engel

  (11:23 AM)

Jarrett has yet to establish himself and Muhammad is past his prime. Moss, Owens, Edwards, Wayne, Colston. Just because Smith is not in the top 5 doesn't mean he will stink and it's not a knock on him

Rob (LA)

With Martz at the helm I would consider Gore to be in the top 5 backs. Your thoughts?

Scott Engel

  (11:24 AM)

No way - Martz could mean an overall reduction in workload, and Gore should be viewed as a No. 2 fantasy RB for 2008, not near top 5.

Big Bear (Parts Unknown)

Jay Cutler will be a Top 5 fantasy QB next year, am I right?

Scott Engel

  (11:25 AM)

No - but he can crack the top 10.

Really?

Colston over TJ Housh and Plax?

Scott Engel

  (11:26 AM)

Houshmandzadeh could see a drop in production if Chad Johnson is not around, and Burress is close, too, but won;t be as reliable.

jim(ny)

eli - top 5?- top 10?

Scott Engel

  (11:27 AM)

I think he is certainly top 10 entering 2008, but he is certainly not elite yet.

Bill (Chicago)

Can only keep 1: Tom Brady or Adrian Peterson

Scott Engel

  (11:28 AM)

I would keep Brady, especially with Moss returning for another season

Bill, Raleigh

Scott, on Gore. He's a solid receiving back, something Martz will use. Wouldn't that offset some of his lost rushing touches?

Scott Engel

  (11:29 AM)

Yes, that is a good point, but he is still not close to the top 5 until the offense clearly improves around him.

Josh (VA)

Can Jason Campbell become a top 10 QB next year with the new offensive weapons? Doesn't their redzone offense become a ton better with the west coast offense and four big targets in Cooley, Davis, Thomas and Kelly? Is 3,200, 25 TDs and 15 Int a decent projection for Campbell?

Scott Engel

  (11:30 AM)

You are being overly optimistic, my friend. The rookies are not going to be major impact players right away and Campbell is still a work in progress himself. I say he is top 15 at best

Robbie (Indianapolis, IN)

Derek Anderson: top 5 fantasy QB next year? With that line and those weapons I'd have to assume so...

Scott Engel

  (11:31 AM)

And I would have to agree with you Robbie. He and Edwards will be quite a combo this year

Wes (OH)

So it sounds like you would advise me to keep Jacobs and lose a 2nd Round pick over Gore and a 1st Round pick?

Scott Engel

  (11:33 AM)

I would not keep either one of them and regain the draft choices. I think you can do better thn both in the upcoming draft.

Spyde (CA)

All indications are that Ronnie Brown will be good to go at the start of the season, top 5 back if true?

Scott Engel

  (11:34 AM)

he should be good to go, but the offensearound him is very shaky and he is not even top 10 I believe.

Steve (Kansas)

Keep B. Marshall over Ocho Cinco at this point? Garrard worthy a keeper spot (is he a top 10 QB)?

Scott Engel

  (11:35 AM)

Marshall appears to be the safer choice for now, especially with Darrell Jackson coming aboard in Denver. Gararrd is back of the top 10 and a solid keeper

Lynn(Denver)

Can Edge be a top 15 rb since they did not draft a rb in Arizona?

Scott Engel

  (11:36 AM)

I'm not sold on him as a top 15 guy, as the Cardinals may give his goal-line carries away this season

Mike (Hoboken, NJ)

Can Scherzer produce numbers similar to Lincecum from last year? 10-12 wins, 150+ K's and a 3.70 ERA.

Scott Engel

  (11:37 AM)

I can see that - Scherzer appears to be on the verge of moving into the rotation and has great stuff, as Lincecum does

Joel (East Longmeadow, MA)

What do you think about Shaub? He looked good to start the season, but didn't do much after the injury. Will he be "startable" in a 14 team league?

Scott Engel

  (11:38 AM)

I think a healthy Schaub will get in a good rrhythm and could be worth starting in a 12-team league

Bobby, Lynn MA

Can you pick 3 for this year's value only please and rank them? Select 4th in rookie draft and need a 3rd runningback.McFadden, Stewart, Mendenhall, Felix Jones, Chris Johnson, Kevin Smith, and Forte?

Scott Engel

  (11:40 AM)

McFadden has the most upside even if he doesn't start right away, and Stewart could be a workhorse and a close second. Forte is my sleeper, third, as he overtakes Benson

Willy (NO)

Will Calvin Johnson fully blossom this year without Martz? He is a no brainer keeper right?

Scott Engel

  (11:41 AM)

It's really not about Martz - CJ was not healthy last year and you should see some serious steps forward in 2008. I would certainly keep him

Matt,mpls

How close is Roy Williams to top 5 WR? And can I drop Delmon Young?

Scott Engel

  (11:42 AM)

he has yet to establish himself as consistent. I think he is just outside the top 10. I would be patient on Young.

Mike (Cleveland)

12 team keeper league: Keeping LT and get to keep one more of the following: Marshawn Lynch, Clinton Portis, Ryan Grant or Larry Fitzgerald? Who is my second keeper

Scott Engel

  (11:43 AM)

I would go with Lynch - he is versatile and will be a fantasy standout for many more years to come

Tim (St. Louis, MO)

What do I do with Phil Hughes? 14 mixed league

Scott Engel

  (11:44 AM)

Ina league of that size I think you have to hold onto him for a bit longer. There are probably not may appealing options on the free agent list

Argo (Toronto)

12 team keeper, no restrictions. Keeping Peterson, but need to pick between Gore and Big Ben.

Scott Engel

  (11:45 AM)

You have your anchor at RB, and Roethlisberger is quite underrated as a fantasy QB and you should retain him also

Kevin (Hartford)

Who do you like better for this season: Maine or McGowan, and would you drop either for Scherzer in a shallow mixed-league?

Scott Engel

  (11:46 AM)

McGowan obviously has more upside, but Maine is more dependable. I would drop a position player to get Scherzer if you can.

Fred (Putnam, CT)

I am in a 12 team keeper league (keep 1 qb, 1 rb, 1 wr, 1 te/k/def). I have 2 1st round picks including the #3 pick. Would you suggest drafting McFadden with an early pick or does stewart or mendenhall project better next year and the year following? Where do you rank Turner in the RB world now that he is finally a starter?

Scott Engel

  (11:48 AM)

McFadden has the most upside and should be picked over any other RB even if he does not start immediately. Turner will be a very good No. 2 fantasy RB, a top 15 guy.

Chris (Chicago)

Gotta cut one, Ian Snell or Johnny Cueto?

Scott Engel

  (11:49 AM)

I would like for you to keep both, but if has to be one, it would be Snell.

Ben (Minneapolis)

Thoughts on Jeff Clement? Is he being called up for sure?

Scott Engel

  (11:50 AM)

I think it's inevitable that he gets called up in the near future and gets his shot. I would add him now if you can.

Matt (Atl)

Is Michael Bush worth holding onto in a keeper league where salary escalates every season and RBs are paid premium $?

Scott Engel

  (11:51 AM)

I would not keep him. For now, he projects to be nothing more than a short-yardage back.

Kevin (NYC)

Scherzer or Adenhart? Will Adenhart stay up all year?

Scott Engel

  (11:52 AM)

Scherzer is my pick for sure of those two, but I can certainly see Adenhart staying in the majors and being a fine pickup

MJ (SC)

I have Acosta and I'm thinking about trading for Soriano to assure I keep the Braves closer. What is Rafael's status?

Scott Engel

  (11:53 AM)

I don't have an inside info, but he does not appear close to returning and Acosta may be safe in that role for awhile. Now I start thinking of that Family Guy episode - a-hwhile. Cool h-whip.

Brendan (DC)

I get 5 keepers for football, but all this Ronnie Brown bashing has got be worried. Would you keep Brown over Harrison and Tony Gonzalez?

Scott Engel

  (11:55 AM)

It's not bashing. he needs mor ehelp around him, and maybe three years form now he is elite. I would certainly keep him over Gonzo. Harrison is not keeper league material at all.

Tony (Toronto, Ontario)

Better production for the year - McClouth or Quentin?

Scott Engel

  (11:56 AM)

As much as I like and believe in Quentin, I think McLouth will help you more across the board

Tim (Phila)

10 man league. do I cut andrew jones?

Scott Engel

  (11:57 AM)

I would hold onto him - I am not giving up after one month and I expect a turnaround soon.

Beverly (St. Louis)

Hello Scott, Can Joel Piniero be a serviceable starting pitcher? He's had 4 very different starts vs. poor hitting teams. Thank you.

Scott Engel

  (11:58 AM)

Servicable, yes. He certainly won;t keep this pace up, though.

Joe, Syracuse

Another Ronnie Brown question. Why are you so down on him. Before he got hurt last year he was among the leaders in scoring and he had the same crappy team around him.

Scott Engel

  (12:00 PM)

I'm not down on him, but I don;t think he is elite. He has yet to prove he is durable and Miami has made changes and will be going with young guys around him in key roles. Thanks a lot everyone!