ESPN

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:02 PM)

Hey everyone! I know you've all got lots of football questions, as draft season starts to get busy, so feel free to throw those out, as well as the usual baseball and occasional basketball today!

Josh Medford Ma

Hey i just got my draft selection and i am last(10). Given that Brady and Moss will b out in the 1st round, that leaves two 1st round backs that will b pushed outa the top picks. Who, in your opinion do you think should b my 1st two pick if all draft projections go as planned and how can i take advantage of having 2 back 2 back pics?? Thankyou

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:06 PM)

Well, right now the top 9 going in standard ESPN leagues are as follows: LT, Peterson, Westbrook, Brady, Addai, Jackson, Moss, Gore and Portis.And I think you have to take the best players available, so don't think about position, Josh. That means you'll have the likes of Barber, Lynch, T.O., Peyton, L. Johnson, etc. to choose from.Taking two backs isn't the worst idea in the world, in this case ... and I see nothing wrong with grabbing Barber and Lynch in this spot.

ryan teague ( cincinnati)

who will be the more productive back, bush or edge

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:07 PM)

I'm actually high on Bush this season and think he should start putting up some big games occasionally that we've been waiting for. And in a PPR league, it's even more of a no-brainer for me. That being said, I think Edge is being undervalued right now.

Josh (NJ)

Better option the rest of the way, Verlander, Maine, or Kershaw?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:10 PM)

Assuming he comes out of his start from last night OK, I like Maine the most. I want to hear positive reports about no discomfort (he said he was still sore, but I'm OK with that) today, but I like him more than Kershaw, because he could have his starts limited in September as he nears that 170-inning limit the Dodgers set for him in the preseason. He's at 128 so far. And Verlander's just hard to recommend the way he's looked in his past four starts.

Mike (Desperation)

Hey Mr underrated, Trade deadline today!! In a 16 team league where we keep two pitchers. Going with the hometown hero shields, but will vazquez cut it in the second spot or should I target someone like Cain or Billingsley? Please rank those 4! This is crucial! Thanks Buddy

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:14 PM)

That's a good one, Mike. I happen to be a Billingsley fan, so I'm going to pick him. I think he's going to continue to mature and put up these numbers for years to come. And in ranking them, I think for keeper leagues, you have to put Cain ahead of Vazquez, simply because Vazquez could be headed for the end of his career, while Cain is still growing, much like Billingsley.

Bob (Flanders, NJ)

You were often referred to as "the underrated Keith Lipscomb" in an earlier chat with Eric Karabell. How do you feel about that? Better than Kaz Matsui-anal fissure, right?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:15 PM)

While I'm generally uncomfortable with being called underrated, because as one post stated weeks ago, "Don't you have to BE rated to be underrated", I definitely like it much better than poor Kaz's start to his season, yes.

MD (Houston)

Big Ben...Keep or not in the 4th round. 12-team.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:16 PM)

As a point of reference, Roethlisberger's going 32nd in ESPN leagues, on average, right now, so he's a good value in the fourth round.I'm not sure if you have only one keeper, and if you have better choices or not, but thought I'd provide that context. Hope it helps a little.

evan (zona)

cueto wait til next year or got something in the tank?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:18 PM)

It really depends on what type of league you're in. If you're in an NL-only league, you've got no choice but to throw him out there, since he's still capable of giving you Ks and maybe picking up some wins, but in mixed leagues, I'm not so excited about him the rest of the way.

Jack (Hartford, CT)

Hey Keith. Best end-of-rotation guy for the rest of the season: Guthrie, Duchsherer or Baker?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:22 PM)

Jack, I think I'd go with Baker, then Guthrie, then Duchscherer ... and I really like the Duke.I just think he's running out of gas, having never pitched this many innings in the bigs in a season. He's been more susceptible recently and I think that will continue. Baker and Guthrie should continue to be consistent and be able to handle the workload the rest of the way. Just an educated guess.

eno (Jersey City)

Wow! 3/4 minutes for a post at times. Slowest...chatter...ever. Like Pietrus in Orlando this year??

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:24 PM)

Sorry I'm not up to par on speed, Eno, but I like to give reasons why when I answer (and I'm not the speediest typer, I guess).While I think Pietrus will play well, I'm not as big on his fantasy potential. I don't see him making much more of a splash than he did in Golden State, really. Deeper leagues, sure, but not much for 10-team leagues.

Bob(NY)

FOOTBALL KEEPER. Wayne 3rd round, A. Johnson 5th, or Burner Turner 8th? 1/2 ppr and we start 2 Wr's, 2 Rb's, and flex, Ty

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:27 PM)

Well, Turner's easily the best value, because you'd never get him anywhere near that round. Johnson's difficulty staying on the field scares me a little and I'd keep Wayne in the 3rd ahead of him just because of that. Since Turner won't likely be catching many passes, it won't matter much for your league, but he'll still fetch better than 8th-round value. You could still get Wayne in the draft in the 2nd round (if you keep just one in your league), which is only one round different.

Makr (Akron)

What would be your Draft Strategy in a 2QB league for the first 6 rounds??? It is PPR league we start 2QB,TE,K,DEF and Flex 6 RB/WR/TE. NO keeper. 6 pts. For all TD?s League has 10 teams and 18 rounds... We are drafting 8th then 13th and so onWould you go QB, RB, WR, TE (if top 3 available), Then Best available? Most mock Drafts are for 1QB leagues?Please help!!! Thanks

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:29 PM)

Well, one thing's for sure in 2-QB formats: You need to get your QBs early, because of the lack of quality depth at the position. I don't think it's out of the question to draft 2 in the first 3 rounds, if they are the best guys available, especially at 6 points for every TD. And you can definitely wait on TEs.

Blair (CT)

Where would you rate Favre? 5th best QB?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:32 PM)

I'm not that bullish on Favre, but I have him in my Top 10. I think last season was an aberration, and that it's more likely he puts up lesser numbers, closer to '05 and '06, when he actually threw more picks than TDs. He'll still be strong and I would put him in the 7th to 9th range, in a tier with Hasselbeck, McNabb, etc.

Chaz (Scranton, PA)

In a 12 team, 1 keeper league with 6 points for all TDs, who is the best keeper value: Brady in round 3, or MBIII in round 5? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:33 PM)

Hard to argue with Brady, because even if he falls to 35 TDs this season, he'll likely lead the league. And I like Barber in the 5th, but at 6 points per TD, that makes the decision for me.

Paul (Rochester, NY)

Keith, in a keeper league, who would you keep; Selvin Young or Earnest Graham? And why? Thanks!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:35 PM)

I've gotta go with Graham, just because at least you know his starting job is much more secure. In Denver, you never know what's going to happen. And besides, Graham should score more TDs even if both wound up as full-time options.

Borger,Texas

T.O or Braylin Edwards at WR?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:37 PM)

I'll go with T.O. there, Borger. Obviously, Edwards is close and in the conversation, though.

Michael, Kailua, HI

Pat Burrell. Ride it out or cut bait?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:38 PM)

Gotta ride it out with Burrell. That's a rule of thumb when you own him. He's going to be hot and cold and even though he's scuffled this month, he could just as easily homer in 4 straight games this week, ya know?

Tom ( NY )

Who would you start in a H2H league, Rick Ankiel or Ichiro? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:39 PM)

This is a good question, because Ichiro is considerably higher in the overall rankings every year, but in this case, it depends on how badly you need Ichiro's .300+ BA. If you don't need it, then I go with Ankiel, because he can offer so much more in the power categories. And Ichiro simply hasn't run for more than a month and isn't the asset he was in that category at the All-Star break.

Neal (Mesa, Arizona)

Matt Garza - inconsistent and overrated. Agree?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:41 PM)

Inconsistent for sure. I think he still has time to grow and become more consistent, so I'm not sure he's overrated. He's been great at home this season, so I think you make sure he's in the lineup in all home starts and proceed with caution on the road.

Fernando (Pembroke Pines)

Hey Keith, who would you rather have Josh Johnson or Matt Cain?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:43 PM)

I assume this is for the rest of the season, and although the Giants may not help him get many wins, I'd still rather have Cain. He's finishing strong and has shown he can handle the large workload. Johnson has been encouraging, though, hasn't he?

Tom (Hackensack)

what are your thoughts on sacrificing WR and selecting 2 RBs and a QB in the first 3 rounds?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:45 PM)

I'm not even sure that it's sacrificing, if you think you took the best players at that point in the draft. I definitely don't think you take a receiver that not in the same tier as what's available at QB/RB just because you wanted to go 1-1-1 in the first three rounds. Receivers can be fickle, because they depend on other factors more than the QBs and RBs. You can still get decent WR value in Round 4.

Jim (DC)

Hi Keith-Interesting decision for me as I have the 6th pick in the draft and a choice of two retainers. Should I retain Big Ben and take Portis or retain Selvin Young and take Brady? 1 QB and 4 pt for passing TD. Thanks!!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:47 PM)

If you're sure those are the scenarios that will play out, I like the first choice better, even though Brady's not involved. I don't think Ben will have as many TDs as last season, but he's steady and should still be a good QB1, and Portis should be decidedly better than Young and I'd feel much better about having him as my top back. You will have a chance to draft Young much later.

Pat (Plainview,Texas)

Keith, is Jake Peavy going to have a better season next year? Is he a keeper?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:49 PM)

No question, he's a keeper, Pat. He hasn't been as bad as you think this season. Maybe he didn't match expectations because of the low win total and missing some time, but he's delivered great numbers in all other categories.

Dan (Iowa)

Why did the standard leagues change qb td to 4 points? Why devalue points for the MOST important position in football?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:50 PM)

The reason why many leagues only offer 4 points per TD pass for QBs is because they throw more TDs than most players score, so it balances it out so that QBs don't instantly make up the top 10 scorers in your league every year. But as long as everyone knows the league's rules, you can make the values whatever you want.

Mike (NJ)

so lets say i have the 10th pick in a 12man league and i take barber. who do you take coming back...peyton, TO, grant, or LJ?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:53 PM)

I think I'd go with the most sure thing I could find in that group, which would be Peyton or T.O., despite the knee surgery for Peyton and the age for Owens. You'd have the No. 2 player at either of those positions and you can feel good about that.

John (Syracuse)

Are you buying Ramon Sessions?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:54 PM)

I'm not buying that he'll average double-digit assists, like he did as a starter at the end of the season when he went crazy. But I do think he's a good point guard for that team, because the Bucks have plenty of guys willing to shoot it. I want to see what Scott Skiles has in mind for Luke Ridnour, too, because if they end up sharing time, neither player will be easy to rely on regularly.

Brad (Mi.)

Your opinion on Anthony Reyes please?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:56 PM)

I think he's got a home in the middle to the back of the Indians' rotation for 2009. I wonder if he just needed a change of scenery after being played around with a little bit in St. Louis. I think that the Indians got a steal with him. Not a stud, but definitely serviceable.

Ryan (Rochester, NY)

Maroney for a 8th or Turner for a 17th?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:57 PM)

Turner could actually outperform Maroney, and even if he doesn't, it should be close enough that the 17th is better value.

Gerard (IA)

Wilson Chandler a good breakout candidate?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:59 PM)

Relatively speaking, yes. I still want to see what D'Antoni's rotation is going to look like once we get into camps, but he's definitely athletic enough to play a nice role in that up-tempo attack. No question.

Pete (ny)

Keith, in an auction league I decided to take the under achievers route. I drafted Gore, Parker, Thomas Jones, and McFadden. We start 2 RB's and a flex. How do you feel about Gore, Parker, and TJ???? Bounce back years???

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:01 PM)

It's hard to say with Parker, because I'm still a little unclear about how much the Steelers will use Mendenhall (and when), but in an auction, when you're trying to use your money wisely, I think that's a good group, especially if you were able to have more money to fortify your WR corps and get a solid QB. I think Gore should do well in SF and I expect Thomas Jones to do what many thought he would last season. McFadden could wind up being a steal, for all we know. We'll see how things play with between him and Fargas, or whether an injury occurs.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:02 PM)

That's all the time I've got for today, everyone. Lots of variety from you, so I thank you for that. Have a great day!