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Keith Lipscomb

  (3:00 PM)

Good afternoon, everyone. I'm sure your football drafts are coming up soon, if they haven't happened already. So, we'll take plenty of football questions, but also mix in whatever baseball and basketball you've got for me as well.

Guancous

Why was Alex Gordon lifted after a walk in his first at bat? I'm at work and I can't check. Thanks for the update!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:02 PM)

He left with a tight right quad.

Michael (Tucson, AZ):

As Simmons says, if everyone keeps talking about how underrated you are, eventually you'll become overrated. Now, who makes a good fill-in for my injured Kinsler: Infante, Mark Ellis, Willy Harris, the newly-activated Alexi Casilla, or someone else? Dynasty league, 6x6 with OPS.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:04 PM)

It might be a little bit of a gamble since he hasn't had a great season, but Mark Ellis has really finished well the past three years. Take a look at his September numbers. If he can come anywhere close to them, you'll have a decent fill-in.

Luke (New Jersey)

Your top 3 fantasty WR sleepers?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:07 PM)

All things being relative, I think Marvin Harrison is going way too late in drafts. I also like Jerricho Cotchery to be Favre's go-to guy and score some TDs this year, so I think he could wind up as a top-15 or 20 WR, much higher than his current draft position. Ted Ginn is another guy I like to take a big step this season. And for deeper leagues, I like Josh Morgan of the Niners to make some noise.

Tom (NY)

What are your thoughts on Marshawn Lynch? I have heard a lot of mixed opinions about him. I am thinking about grabbing him at 11 in my draft!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:08 PM)

I think 11th is just fine for Lynch. He runs hard, can catch the ball and is the guy in Buffalo, which isn't something you can say about a whole lot of backs anymore.

Steve (Long Island, NY)

I'm getting a lot of flack for taking McNabb before Roethlisberger, but here's my argument: Ben scored an abnormally large amount of his team's offensive touchdowns (83%). For comparison, Brady was below 80% and D. Anderson and Manning were below 70%. My contention is that McNabb was better in yards and INTs and the TDs should normalize for BOTH since McNabb's TDs were VERY low. Thoughts on my analysis?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:10 PM)

Actually, my biggest concern would be McNabb making it through the season more than anything. I agree, though, that Big Ben's TDs were a little high and he should come down some.

thank goodness s jack is in camp!

i have s jackson- should i trade him straight up for t.o.? my wrs are weak..after the trade, this would leave me with mjd and lendale white as my rbs.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:11 PM)

I'm not sure how weak those WRs are, but I'm not all that excited about White as a No. 2 back, really. His yardage should come down, even if he still scores 7 TDs. I would hang onto S-Jax.

Peter (Baltimore)

If Brady is your 1st keeper, who do you take from this list: Garrard (16th rd), Jennings (7th) or Reggie Williams (16th)?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:13 PM)

I'd say to keep Jennings, because he's most likely to help you this season. And you're still getting him much later than you could in a draft scenario. Garrard's a nice value, but with Brady in the mix, he'd only play one game.

Scott (chi)

Hey Keith, TE's this year seem to have a bunch of quality options. Who are a couple guys you think will be around in later rounds that could outperform their draft spot? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:15 PM)

You're right, Scott. I love the depth at TE this year. I've seen guys like Tony Scheffler, Todd Heap and Owen Daniels last a while in a few drafts, but if you're talking about a little deeper on the board, Ben Utecht is a decent option, and watch out for Dustin Keller of the Jets, since you know Brett Favre loves his TEs.

Greg (Orlando)

What are your expectations for RB Kevin Smith this year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:17 PM)

I'm always trying to temper my enthusiasm for any rookie. Just look at Calvin Johnson last year.But Smith appears to be headed for the starting gig in Week 1 at the moment. I still think he'll be sharing carries to some extent with Tatum Bell even if he wins the job, but I think he's a solid No. 3 RB at the moment, with the possibility of becoming a No. 2 RB during the season.

Ryan (Michigan)

Is Jonathan Stewart worth drafting as a no.3 RB anymore? I'm in a 10-team league that starts two RBs. Thanks!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:18 PM)

I don't know if you'll have to draft him as a No. 3 since hasn't had much of an impact in camp so far. But that being said, it's a long season and he could easily find himself getting plenty of touches early in the season at some point. Right now, I wouldn't feel good about him as a No. 3, but he does have lots of potential. DeAngelo Williams isn't going away, though.

Pete (ny)

Keith, I got Brandon Jacobs relatively cheap in a auction keeper league - what do you see out of him and who is his handcuff? Bradshaw or Ward?? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:20 PM)

Well, Jacobs is a tough guy to predict for me, but I do think he still gets the goal-line carries and scores the majority of rushing TDs for the Giants. But I do think Bradshaw will get his share of touches, so I think he'd be the handcuff there.

brandon uhrichville,ohio

i have fourth pick in my fansty football league,im allowed to move to any spot in the drafting order once its my turn(12 man league).do i move to 12th spot if westbrook,l.t.andpetterson are gone.draft down from1 and then back up

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:22 PM)

What's wrong with Joseph Addai at No. 4? I like him and wouldn't necessarily want to move down to 12 and 13. You'll still get a very good player at 21, too.

Jeff (left coast)

Shoppach or B. Molina for the rest of the year? Leaning towards Shoppach but worried about playing time with VMart coming back.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:24 PM)

I'd rather have Molina, because he offers a higher average and drives in more runs. I know Shoppach has more HR power, but all things being equal I'd still rather have Molina. Shoppach will still catch a lot, because Martinez will DH and play 1B, as well as get some days off, from the reports I've seen.

Hank (NH)

Is it time to shut down the Duchs and pick up, say, Myers or Marcum?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:26 PM)

Yeah, Hank. It might just be that time. It's tough to do, since Duchscherer's been so good, but he may have hit the wall. The A's are likely going to skip his next start as it is. And Myers has looked great since returning, hasn't he? Marcum hasn't been able to go deep into games, but has still been much better than Duch lately.

Chris (Saratoga, NY)

Hello Keith...I've been trying to get this question answered all week...is Brandon Jackson a must-handcuff to Grant owners?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:27 PM)

I'm not a huge handcuff guy overall. If you've got 5 RBs on your roster, I'm more apt to do it, than if it's just 4. But Jackson should be able to be productive if Grant were to go down, sure.

Mike (Nashville)

Can you comment on the Bengals RB situation? Rudi is hurt (again!) and it seems Chris Perry is in line to take the starting job. What happened to Kenny Watson? Do you like Perry as a RB3 if he is the guy in Cincy?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:29 PM)

If he winds up getting the lion's share of carries, then Perry could wind up being a No. 3 back, yes. The team sure seems to want him to win the job over Watson, don't they? Right now, assuming Johnson can't get back on the field in a meaningful way, I'd say Perry will get plenty of chances before the team goes to Watson.

Marc (Toronto, Canada)

Do the values of Mcnabb and Westbrook take a hit because of Kevin Curtis's injury?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:32 PM)

I don't really think so, Marc. In fact, I think it's possible the team asks even more of Westbrook, if that's even possible. He already does everything for this team, but the load may be that much heavier, so hopefully that doesn't wear him down even more. I think DeSean Jackson will step in and is capable of having a big game here and there, much like Curtis did, really. I don't think Jackson will put up Curtis' full-season numbers, but he is a possible sleeper for sure.

Galen (Montreal)

It doesn't seem 100% that Manning will play the opener, how much does that drop him in your opinion?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:33 PM)

I'm not dropping him right now, even if it's determined he's only going to miss the opener. However, if I draft him, I'm going to make sure to get a decent No. 2 QB earlier than I normally would when drafting Manning, just in case that knee doesn't respond well.

Dave (Frisco, Texas )

Who do you like better out of these not top 60 SP's for the rest of the year: Pelfrey, Marquis, or Moyer? I've been streaming for matchups but it looks like the rest of the league is on to me and even mediocre SP's have become scarce. I need to hold on to the best of the three. What do you think? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:34 PM)

It's hard to argue with Pelfrey, as good as he's been the past few months.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Follow up on your Manning comment: So would Donovan McNabb be a good enough #2 QB if you already have Peyton?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:35 PM)

Most definitely. He'll be a starting QB in most leagues, so if you can get him as the No. 2, that would be plenty of insurance. Hopefully, you won't need it.

Craig (PA)

No IDP love Keith? I was offered Braylon Edwards and Ricky Williams for Kerry Rhodes and Steven Jackson (Other RB are Parker(RB2) and Fargas(W/R), plus Baily replaces Rhodes). With Boldin,Driver and Randle El at WR, should i do this?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:38 PM)

Well, you definitely need another starting RB that you can depend on, and at least you've got two other quality starters in Boldin and Driver. You're getting the best player in the deal in Jackson, so that should help you out. Just hope that Driver doesn't show his age or Boldin doesn't leave the Cards!

james (NJ)

better pair, cotchery/coles or steve smith/anthony gonzalez?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:39 PM)

Even though they are teammates, I still think Cotchery/Coles is better. Gonzalez is still option No. 4 in Indy when Harrison is healthy (which he is right now).

Craig (PA)

No Keith, im giving up Jackson

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:41 PM)

Sorry, Craig. Sure, I can read.I wouldn't do that deal. You've got good enough WRs and you'd be sacrificing a great RB and be left with no guaranteed starter as your No. 2. Not a good idea, to me.

Bubba

Keith, in a league where all TDs count the same and we start 2QBs, 3RBs, and 4 WRs, I have the #3 pick. Is it crazy to take Manning or Romo? The top 4-6 QB's are gone by the end of the second round in this league every year. Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:43 PM)

Not crazy, but since you're starting 3 RBs, you'll have to decide where you want to "take the hit", per se. There are so few RBs with unequivocal No. 1 status. It really depends on which position you want to be a "challenged" by in the draft. I would take a RB at No. 3, but it's not crazy to go QB in such a league.

Ron (NYC)

Just read Chris Young should be back in Sept, should I drop Carpenter for him?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:46 PM)

I think you have to wait until you know more about pending returns on both accounts. The Cards are going to tread lightly with Carpenter, since he just came back from such a major surgery and got injured so quickly. And Young has had a rough year with injuries and could still have setbacks as he works to get back. I would hold still for now.

Matt,MPLS

Backup TE, Vernon Davis, Tony Scheffler, Todd Heap, or Oween Daniels?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:47 PM)

I like Scheffler, especially while Marshall is out. While some might feel that Marshall not being there will make it harder for Scheffler to catch balls, I think Cutler will want to go to him more. I'd take Scheffler among this group.

Vito (Cicero, IL)

In a 12-team FF League, who are great early 3rd rounders?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:50 PM)

In a standard league, I think that you can get some quality receivers at that time. I've seen Colston, Burress and Holt go then recently. And I've seen Jones-Drew and Willie Parker go there in recent drafts, too. I'm not as worried about Parker losing carries as much as some others.

KGRamone (Louisville, KY)

Chris Johnson or Felix Jones to end up with better numbers this year (PPR) league)?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:51 PM)

I would have to go with Chris Johnson, if for no other reason than the guy ahead of him isn't as good. Johnson will provide a speed element the Titans haven't had in a while. And while Jones can provide the same for Dallas, the Cowboys have other weapons that need their touches.

Jay (Chicago)

Hit with the injury plague..thinking of dropping Wagner and Sherrill and picking up Lewis and Wheeler...your thoughts?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:53 PM)

I'm assuming the DL isn't an option for you. Well, Wagner could miss a few more weeks still and Sherrill is out for 2 ... so with saves being streaky, and assuming you need them badly, it's hard to argue with that. Both Lewis and Wheeler appear to be the true No. 1 options in Cleveland and Tampa, respectively. It's hard to be patient if you're trying to gain ground, and saves are so streaky, you don't want to miss out on a good run.

MGD (OH)

Manning or Romo? Why? I am afraid of Mannings injury and schedule.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:56 PM)

I don't really think there's much of a difference between them, so if you're concerned about Manning's injury, then Romo is fine to pick. It's always nice to give yourself peace of mind when drafting, isn't it?

Bryan (TX)

Keith, in a 14 team keeper league - who has more value: Chris Perry or Kenny Watson? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:56 PM)

I would have to say Perry, just because the team apparently is giving him the greater opportunity right now.

Chris (Vegas)

Buzzer beater...Graham, LenDale White, Matt Forte, Kevin Smith, Jonathon Stewart, or any other rookie running back in a keeper league?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:58 PM)

I have Graham as a solid No. 2 RB, while the others will have to earn that label. I try not to think too far in the future when drafting early, even in keeper formats, just because injuries are so common in football and predicting the future is very difficult. I want to win this year, so I draft accordingly ... and if I'm torn on two guys, THEN I take the player with more upside.

brian, ma

Cano or stewart rest of the way?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:59 PM)

I have to go Stewart, especially if you need help in the power categories.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:01 PM)

All right, I've got to run, but we'll do it again next week as we get ever so close to those final drafts. See you then!