ESPN

Scott Engel

  (2:58 PM)

Hello everyone, and welcome to the Friday fantasy football chat! This is my final chat here at ESPN, so I greatly appreciate my last hour with all you guys and gals.

Larry; Tonowanda, NY

Hey Scott, do you think M Lynch will end up missing any playing time over this hit and run situation? This seems like some serious stuff he's gotten himself into.

Scott Engel

  (2:59 PM)

It could very well end up like the Lance Briggs scenario, so I would not have any major worries yet, and you should know more by your draft day for sure.

Joshua (Andover, MA)

I need help with running an auction draft. I have never done so before but would like to start a league with that draft format. Any tips/advice?

Scott Engel

  (3:00 PM)

There will be some good advice in the upcoming ESPN Fantasy Football Guide, along with dollar values. You need to just get the basics down on a slary cap and roster sizes, plus be prepared to have someone keeping track of team budgets so you can concentrate on your own team also.

Sean, NJ

Scott- bigger impact for a rookie RB; McFadden or Stewart? Who's a better keeper?

Scott Engel

  (3:01 PM)

I like McFadden in both yearly and keeper leagues, but I do like Stewart too, especially for seven or more TDs in his rookie year.

Mike (Chicago)

Forte...worth a #2 RB spot?

Scott Engel

  (3:02 PM)

We have to see if the Bears bring in another veteran, but I like hima lot regardless and think he is a fifth round pick with considerable upside

Alex (MO)

Name Game: A. Boldin or B. Edwards...

Scott Engel

  (3:04 PM)

I like Edwards as a top-5 guy now, while Boldin is more top 10 material, or just outside, but still very good.

MJ, Ohio

You're leaving us? *tear*

Scott Engel

  (3:06 PM)

Yes, MJ, sad to say I will be moving on, but I will still be in the fantasy biz and I won't disappear. Plus, the FFL coverage on ESPN.com here will continue to be top-notch. Sign up now! :)

Matt (Des Moines)

Thanks for all the great chats Scott! Is Maroney a top 10 RB in your rankings and do you think he could be a potential steal this season?

Scott Engel

  (3:07 PM)

Thanks, Matt, it's been a real pleasure. I have Maroney as top 15 - he has really improved as an inside runner and this is his true breakthrough year.

Ron (Mississippi)

You may know your fantasy football, but you're still a gomer in my book

Scott Engel

  (3:10 PM)

Thanks Ron, I appreciate your contribution, but all I really care about is that my wife my loves me, I'm happy, and there are people here who truly appreciate me and I appreciate all of them. What some random guy thinks of me doesn;t bother me, and I wish you the best of luck this upcoming season.

Ben (NYC)

Are the rumors true that you're leaving ESPN to take over Willie or Omar's job in Flusing?

Scott Engel

  (3:11 PM)

LOL - I wish! :)I'm keeping the faith. I'm a Mets fan since '68 and have been through worse.

Derek Cascade,MI

Scott what are the bears going to do at the QB position and do you see there starter have any fantasy value?

Scott Engel

  (3:12 PM)

Looks like it's going to be a battle between Orton and Grossman. I wouldn;t draft either one in fantasy.

Sean (NJ)

Who's going to be the breakout wideout this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:15 PM)

Two guys two watch are Sidney Rice and Buffalo rookie James Hardy. Also, Devard Darling could be a sleeper in KC.

MJ, Ohio

With whom shall we discuss random KISS facts now that you're leaving? Also, what do you see for a breakdown of position scarcity this year in fantasy football? (Deep TE pool, shallow WR, etc)?

Scott Engel

  (3:18 PM)

I won;t be disappearing from sight, so look for me elsewhere while continuing to lean heavily on ESPN.com's All-Star team of experts. I think there is a significant dropff after the elite QBs and RBs, plus TEs are deeper than ever and WR is pretty deep through the top 25 or so

Bart (Chicago)

Keeper league, Do you keep Portis or Wayne?Already keeping Gore and P. ManningI like to double di with the Manning Wayne Combo, but is Portis too valuable to throw back?

Scott Engel

  (3:19 PM)

I would keep Portis over Gore and then also Wayne - Gore is the guy I would throw back.

Craig (Portland)

What kind of numbers can i expect from john carlson this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:21 PM)

I think he may start slowly, but I see him finishing with about five Touchdowns - Hasselbeck spreads the ball around, so he won;t be a top-level TE right away

Phillip (Winston-Salem, NC)

I know he may not be a sleeper or breakout wideout... but do you think Colston could explode into that tier 1 league in this contract year for him?

Scott Engel

  (3:21 PM)

As longa she stays healthy, I see Colston as a top 10 WR, just outside the top 5.

Derek Cascade,MI

Scott as a student at Michigan State I gotta ask...DO you see Devin Thomas having and intimidate impact in fantasy this year at the Redskins?

Scott Engel

  (3:23 PM)

I think there is a learning curve for him that will likely make me want to mostly avoid him until 2009.

John Boy (Cincinnati)

Is Rudi cooked?

Scott Engel

  (3:24 PM)

I don;t think so - he still can be a quality No. 2 fantasy running back, but I will hold off on a full decision until I see more of him in training camp

James (Blacksburg, VA)

Name your top 7 QB's this year!

Scott Engel

  (3:26 PM)

Brady, Manning, Brees, Palmer, Anderson, Romo, Hasselbeck

Jason (Buffalo)

Do you think Anthony Gonzalez will have a bigger year with the colts and is draftable?

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

Great question, Jason. I don't trust Harrison to stay healthy and think Gonzalez will be a great value.

Jim (Washington,PA)

Is Willie Parker being underrated by the mock drafts so far? Or do you think Mendenhall will steal that many carries?

Scott Engel

  (3:28 PM)

I don't think he is underrated - Mendenhall is a serious threat to his overall production and will likely be the better TD option

JY (Indiana)

Scott, for two years now Jake Delhomme has burnt me...should I even consider drafting him this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:30 PM)

There will be many more reliable QBs available, so only consider him as a backup

Derek Cascade,MI

Scott who are your top 10 RB's?

Scott Engel

  (3:33 PM)

Tomlinson, Jackson, Peterson, Addai, Westbrook, Lynch, Grant, McGahee, Portis, Gore

brian (nyc)

big ben not in your top 7 QBs??

Scott Engel

  (3:33 PM)

Just missed the cut - I like him a lot - very underrated as a fantasy QB

Brad(NM)

So you're big on James Hardy huh?..What do you think he'll do for Evans' production? Sorry to see you going Scott, you've always given top notch advice.

Scott Engel

  (3:34 PM)

Thanks Brad - people like you are really top-notch and why I do this. I think he helps Evans become more consistent in terms of yardage production.

Dan (Iowa)

D.J. Hackett. The move to the panthers an upgrade or downgrade?

Scott Engel

  (3:35 PM)

The production should be similar if he and Delhomme both stay healthy, but those are very big "ifs".

Bo (roanoke, Virginia)

Calvin Johnson may fly under the radar in some drafts. What do you expect from him? Is he a solid #3 WR in Fantasy terms?

Scott Engel

  (3:36 PM)

He is expected to be healthy, so he can actually emerge as a pretty good No. 2 WR

Sam (IN)

Will Steve Smith return to form, or is it all about the QB situation there?

Scott Engel

  (3:37 PM)

I do believe it relies heavily on Delhomme. Matt Moore has a strong arm, but would not be consistent

Jeff (NJ)

Hey Scott... thanks for the great advice in these chats. Hopefully they find a decent replacement for you. Would you keep Addai with a 2nd round draft pick? I've got Gore in the 7th but just wondering if its worthwhile or throw him back in the pool and allow myself to get someone on the way back.

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

Thanks for the kind words Jeff. There is no one to "replace" me at ESPN - they already have a great team and won;t miss a beat. I'd rather have Addai over Gore, regardless of round.

Matthew (ATL)

My friends and I are looking for a different format this year (normally just go standard). Any suggestions for a fun change of pace? (12 teams)

Scott Engel

  (3:40 PM)

Beginning with this year's draft, consider two to three keepers, plus one point per reception and individual defenders over team defenses

Marc

Best of luck Scott - Keep 3, but who? Addai, Peyton Manning, W. Welker, M. Colston, or G. Jennings. It's a PPR league! Best of luck in your future endeavors Scott!

Scott Engel

  (3:42 PM)

Thanks a lot Marc - Manning is obvious, then I would also keep Colston and Welker for a very good pair of WRs - I obviously like Jennings less without Favre

MJ, Ohio

Which offensive line has improved the most since last year that will help their team's running game?

Scott Engel

  (3:43 PM)

I think Seattle really helped themselves by adding Mike Wahle, and the Jets, with Woody and Faneca

Tom (Chicago)

Scott, I have Tom Brady for $50 in a league with a cap of $160. I expect Manning and Brees to be available in our auction. Is Brady worth keeping at that price?

Scott Engel

  (3:44 PM)

Definitely, especially with Moss returning. Brady is a top three pick in a regular draft, he's worth it, and you can have peace of mind instead of hoping to get one of the two others

Scott (HI)

Scott, what are your sleeper RB's for 2008? High risk = High reward

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

Julius Jones, Rudi Johnson, Kevin Smith and Ryan Torain

Jason (Atlanta)

Scott! Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate all of your hard work. I hope to find your stuff down the line. Thanks for the articles, the chats, and all the rest! Good luck!

Scott Engel

  (3:48 PM)

Jason, I know you have been here nearly every week and I will really miss people like you. I appreciate all the well wishers today and without you guys, I could not be here, so I am very grateful.

Steve ( Ny)

who has more value in the giants running game Jacobs or Bradshaw?

Scott Engel

  (3:49 PM)

Jacobs, obviously, but he runs with such reckless abandon that Bradshaw becomes a top handcuff in any format

Tony (NY)

With alot of teams having two solid running backs instead of having one go to guy do you think it would be a wise strategy to draft a brady or manning and then draft Two Stud WR's the next two picks and then snatch a RB like a stewart,felix jones, t.bell/k.smith,fred and chester taylor, A.Bradshaw,medenhall..guys like that??

Scott Engel

  (3:51 PM)

I would consider taking a top QB in the first round, then depending on how things roll in your draft, get that first RB in the second or third round. I would still feel safer to take my first RB before the fourth round

Tim (DC)

Scott, are you leaving ESPN to play "The Show" professionally?

Scott Engel

  (3:52 PM)

LOL - good one, Tim - play me sometime - my screen name is ack41.

Frank (Providence)

Or are you going to follow Kiss from stop to stop, painting your face and wearing pumps

Scott Engel

  (3:53 PM)

I've considered that too, although platforms are a lot different than pumps - catch Ace Frehley on his current tour if you can - I have seen him twice and he is simply outstanding these days

James (Detroit)

Who are your top 8 WRs this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:55 PM)

Moss, Wayne, Owens, Fitz, Colston Plaxico, Holt, Houshmandzadeh

Matt (DC)

Scott, sorry to see you go, always enjoyed your chats. With that said, what do you expect out of Michael Turner this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:57 PM)

Thanks a lot, Matt, you guys are making me misty-eyed, but glad to say I will just be somewhere else, not gone completely - LOL. I will still be here every day as a fantasy fan myself because of the great writers here. I expect inconsistency, because the passing game will still be shaky and will be a detriment in terms of offensive balance

Rob (State College)

Scott - No question, just a lot of appreciation for your time, hard work, and good advice! Oh wait, one question. When you were a kid, did you have any idea what Plaster Caster was really about??? Neither did I!!! Great luck in whatever you're heading to!

Scott Engel

  (3:58 PM)

Thanks, Rob - yes, I knew about Cynthia Plaster Caster, but not until I was a teenager!

Kev (NYC)

Top fantasy QBs: 1. brady 2. manning 3. romo 4. carson 5. brees 6. ben 7. hasselbeck 8. manning 9. mcnabb 10. delhomme.. How'd I do?

Scott Engel

  (3:59 PM)

I could easily agree with your top eight, but not 9 and 10. :)

Kev (NYC)

Is BMarshall not in that list because he's only done it over 1 year?

Scott Engel

  (4:00 PM)

He just misses the cut, and he is certainly in my top 13. The addition of Darrell jackson really helps his outlook.

Scott Engel

  (4:02 PM)

Thanks so much everyone. I wish you all the best during the upcoming FFL season and hope we all stay in touch somehow. Stay right here at ESPN for more of the best FFL coverage anywhere, and be sure to pick up the new ESPN Fantasy Football Guide!