James Quintong

  (3:05 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! I'll try to take as many football questions as baseball ones today, especially with draft season really heating up.

Andy (Ann Arbor, MI)

I have the 1st pick in a 10 team snaking draft. Is LT still a no-brainer? Would I be crazy to take Brady?

James Quintong

  (3:06 PM)

I would take LT first, but not knowing all the rules of your league, I can't be too sure if Brady would be a good pick there. I don't expect Brady to be as ridiculous as he was last year, if you're expecting 50 TD passes.

San Antonio, TX

AP or Westbrook in a non-ppr league? This decision is driving me nuts.

James Quintong

  (3:07 PM)

In a non-PPR league, I'd probably go with Peterson, although it's still a close call in my mind. If it's PPR, it's Westbrook.

Jay (NY)

Draft Tonight! Need help! 6th Pick in 2QB League. Assuming, LT, AP, Brady, Westy and Addai go before me, who do you take at 6? SJax? Someone else?! You the man!

James Quintong

  (3:08 PM)

SJax isn't bad here, although with a 2QB setup, I might actually look at Peyton or Romo there, since QBs are in even shorter supply in a league like this.

Todd from Cleveland, OH

List these sleeper RBs in order of PPR fantasy value: Forte, Mendenhall, Ricky Williams, Felix Jones, Chris Johnson, Ray Rice.

James Quintong

  (3:09 PM)

Forte, Mendenhall, Rice, Williams, Johnson.

Steve(Hartford)

Braylon Edwards was a mid round fanasty draft pick last year who exploded for big numbers. Who is this years Braylon Edwards?

James Quintong

  (3:11 PM)

I think it might be a veteran guy like Coles or Cotchery with the Jets, given what they could do with Brett Favre now throwing to them.

B (Minneapolis)

Michael Turner. What do you think?

James Quintong

  (3:12 PM)

I'm taking a wait-and-see attitude on him, although I think he could be like Chester Taylor in his first season with the Vikings. However, I think Jerious Norwood could still get his share of carries.

Rick (NY)

Who do you like more in TD ONLY Keeper League: Thomas Jones or Reggie Bush and Matt Forte or Rashard Mendenhall?

James Quintong

  (3:13 PM)

To rank in some sort of order, Jones over Bush, Mendenhall over Forte.

James Quintong

  (3:14 PM)

OK, on to some baseball.

Stephanie (Hartford, CT)

Hi James! If in need of saves down the stretch and into the playoffs, who would you recommend grabbing now: Balfour, Wheeler, or Lewis? Thanks!

James Quintong

  (3:15 PM)

I think Lewis might seize the job going forward in Cleveland, and he'll be a bit safer than the Rays guys, although I like Wheeler over Balfour.

Greg (NY)

What's the deal with Verlander? Is he finished as being productive (and I use that term loosely) this year? Should I bench him against Baltimore tomorrow?

James Quintong

  (3:17 PM)

When he's not facing the White Sox, Verlander is OK. The Orioles have struggled against Verlander combined, so he's actually a favorable start tomorrow.

Carlo (Omaha,NE)

Big jimmy, love your work. Your thoughts on two Chrises; Carpenter and Young (SD)? Time to cut lose and any suggestions of FA pitchers to pick up for the remainder, currently in first but injuries are rearing their head!! Thanks so much!

James Quintong

  (3:18 PM)

I'd stick with Carpenter, he may only miss one start. Young may be done for the year, and with the Padres out of it, there isn't much incentive throwing him out there.

Will (Dayton, OH)

Good afternoon, James. Any chance you see Saito take back over the closer role in LA once he's healthy?

James Quintong

  (3:20 PM)

Yeah, I think the job is his again. He was fine before he got hurt. The question is when he'll return.

Geoff (Minny)

With the Yankees releasing Sexson and sending Melky down, do you think Giambi will get more at bats?

James Quintong

  (3:22 PM)

Absolutely, Giambi gets more at-bats. Sexson was getting his looks against some lefties, but I think Giambi reclaims some of those at-bats over Wilson Betemit. The Melky Cabrera demotion is interesting, although he's been struggling badly too. And there are some rumblings that the Melky demotion might also serve as a wake-up call to Robinson Cano, who's close with Melky but has had his struggles recently as well.

Evan (New York)

Pick two for the rest of the season: Slowey, Parra, Gallaraga? Thanks.

James Quintong

  (3:23 PM)

I like Galarraga a lot, and I think I have a tad more faith in Parra going forward.

Buckets (Tulsa)

Tulowitzki is cold as ice again! Do you forcast a rebound or should we look elsewhere?

James Quintong

  (3:24 PM)

He's so maddeningly inconsistent, it's crazy. I think he's got one more run in him this year, but maybe not for a couple of more weeks. If you've got good bench options, you may want to use them for the time being.

Scott (reno)

Need a replacement after trading Cliff Lee for a big bat. Byrd, Slowey, Wellemyer, Myers, Vasquez all available. Leaning towards Byrd for the ability to replace the W's and only take a slight hit in K's as compared to Lee. What do you think?

James Quintong

  (3:27 PM)

I try not to chase wins since it can be a really fluky category. It's better to find a guy with good ratios and/or decent K rates instead. I think Byrd is OK, but I'd probably go with Slowey or even Myers at this point. Wellemyer is not a bad choice, either.

James Quintong

  (3:27 PM)

OK, back to some football questions. I'll get to some baseball in a bit.

Tom (Hackensack)

James, Please explain to me what is so great about AP. He splits time, 70% of his games last year were average stat lines at best, his QB is iffy and he gets hurt every year? i dont get the hype...

James Quintong

  (3:30 PM)

I guess when he's good, he can be really good, and there's still plenty of upside with that. He can probably win games by himself in the right week. The time share can keep him fresher in games or over the course of the season. But I'm with you in that he needs to produce on a consistent weekly basis. Plus, catching some passes might help him out as well, but that's not usually his game. There's a lot of potential for gigantic games, but there's also potential for bust games as well (and that's not even accounting for injuries).

please help!!!!!!!!!

so very few fantasy football chats and i have had the same question for about 2 weeks, but can't get an answer: standard (non ppr, non keeper) league, choice is between m-barber or m-lynch. who and why?

James Quintong

  (3:32 PM)

Probably Lynch over Barber. While I like Barber a lot this year, I think Lynch will get more overall touches (especially in the passing game) and can carry a still fledgling Bills offense.

Lee (Cincinnati)

James, hoping you can answer this question. I am looking at the end of my bench and have Kolby Smith. As an Addai owner with Rhodes already taken should I get Hart instead? Or should I drop Kolby for a flier at WR like Jason Hill?

James Quintong

  (3:34 PM)

At this point, you might as well take some fliers like Hill at the end of your draft. If they don't pan out, they're easy to drop when that next big thing comes on the scene. Hill Is a good bet here, maybe a little more than Hart.

Jason (Parker, CO)

Is Devin Hester worth a flier as a late round WR given that my league credits return yards as well? Better than a Sidney Rice type? Thanks!

James Quintong

  (3:35 PM)

With return yards in the mix, Hester should zoom up the draft charts. We'll see if teams decide to kick to him this year, but if they do, you can clean up in certain weeks. The fact that the Bears now like him as a receiver just enhances his value more.

Aaron (NYC)

trying to decide btw andre or braylon as a second keeper (westbrook is my other). ppr league. please help.

James Quintong

  (3:36 PM)

I think I'd go with Braylon. Both are great, but Edwards seems to be a better bet, health-wise.

Lyell (New York)

Is taking Matt Leinart as one of my QB's too risky, it doesn't sound like there is much confidence in him in Arizona.

James Quintong

  (3:38 PM)

If you're taking him as your second or third QB where you start one QB, then it's fine (especially if your first QB is a top-flight guy). I still think he's got a bright future, but Kurt Warner gives them enough reason not to trust Leinart completely.

Reggie (Gurnee, IL)

Any Bears WR's gonna be any good dis year?

James Quintong

  (3:39 PM)

Hester is the one intriguing guy in Chicago. I might keep an eye on Bradley, but that's about it.

Chris (Saratoga, NY)

True or false: Kevin Boss will be a top-10 TE this year.

James Quintong

  (3:41 PM)

He's close to being a top-10 guy given how he was used late last year. He makes for a nice safety valve at the very least. I'm curious to see what he'll do as the starter for the whole year.

Jessica (Hollywood)

Dude, what's up with my main man Shockey? Is he a Top 5 TE?

James Quintong

  (3:42 PM)

And to follow up on the Boss note, I don't think Shockey is top-five guy, but he and Shockey are both pretty close in the tight end rankings now. Shockey has experience, and Drew Brees can definitely operate well with a tight end. There are a number of good tight ends these days, so it's hard to have Shockey top-five now, but he's in the back half of the top 10 now.

Perry (Boston)

Does Rudi Johnson rebound this year? Is he a good RB/WR?

James Quintong

  (3:44 PM)

I think he'll rebound a little, if only because I think he'll respond well to the competition from Chris Perry and Kenny Watson. He won't get as many overall carries, but he can get goal-line touches. As a flex guy, he's fine. I wouldn't rely on him much more beyond that.

Allen (Seattle)

With Matt Hasselback's receivers dropping like flies, do you think he still ranks as high? Also, what type of season will Burleson have? He looks to be the #1 wideout now.

James Quintong

  (3:46 PM)

I think he's in the back half of the top-10 because he's found ways to produce with all sorts of receivers on the team. I've never been a big Burleson fan, but if he's healthy, he can be a WR2/3 type.

Deon (Oakland)

Do you think Selvin Young will be the starting tailback in Denver or will there be some Shananegans going on?

James Quintong

  (3:47 PM)

Young has done enough to merit starting the opener, but how many carries he'll get the rest of the way is up in the air, as it always is in Denver. Let's just say I'd still keep an eye on Andre Hall and even Michael Pittman or whoever else is there.

Dan (Philly)

Hi James, Do you prefer a "flex" position over three wide receivers? If so, why? Thanks.

James Quintong

  (3:49 PM)

I've been in leagues where I've done both a flex and three receivers. The more points, the merrier, plus it gives you more players to scout and contribute. But if it had to be one or the other, I might go with the flex -- more options to fill that spot.

James Quintong

  (3:50 PM)

Back to some baseball ...

The Lud(MVPville, USA)

Ryan Ludwicks value as a keeper? With every day that goes by the "fluk-o-meter" drops lower and lower. Does he have to play a full season as a top 10 player just to get top 50 billing for next year, or what? Thank Q

James Quintong

  (3:52 PM)

I'm definitely thinking about this myself since I've got Ludwick at a cheap price in an auction league and considered trying to deal him for someone who thinks he's a great keeper. While I think he's had a great season, I have to wonder if it's a career year -- he has made his way around the majors before with minor success before this year. Your keeper rules will determine what to do with him, but I wouldn't call him a no-brainer keeper.

John (Borger, Texas)

Hey James, is Carpenter a keeper for next season?

James Quintong

  (3:54 PM)

Again, depends on your keeper rules, but he's borderline. I want to see how he does when he comes off his current injury. Carpenter still has something left in the tank, but how much is a different story.

Gerard (IA)

Good afternoon James! Looking for some solid production off the waiver wire down the stretch (and speed would be a good bonus - other things being equal). F.Lewis, C.Dickerson, or J.Francouer (good game last night)?

James Quintong

  (3:55 PM)

I like Lewis, especially for his speed. I want to like Francoeur more, but he's been a big disappointment and I'm not sure he's got a big late-season run in him.

JOHN (KC)

So now that people have found out the Buchholz is human, can you play the name game with him vs. some other young pitchers? Buchholz, Price, Gallardo, Liriano for the next 2-3 years. Thanks

James Quintong

  (3:56 PM)

Let's go Gallardo, Price, Liriano, Buchholz.

Marc (Edmonton)

Is Meche a good start tonight against the Yankees?

James Quintong

  (3:58 PM)

He's pitched well lately, and the Yankees bats are all over the place lately, so why not.

Josh (ATL)

Buzzer Beater!! Start Cliff Lee against the Angels tonight?

James Quintong

  (3:59 PM)

Hard not to go with the frontrunner for the Cy Young.

LEE

James, put a waiver on Maholm and drop Chris Young even with news that he is on a pitch count?

James Quintong

  (4:00 PM)

Sure. I'm not sure Young comes back this season.

James Quintong

  (4:00 PM)

OK folks. That's all the time I've got. Thanks for all the questions and have a good weekend.