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Eric Karabell

  (3:01 PM)

Hello all and welcome to another fantasy sports chat session. Lots going on in fantasy football as we get to Week 4... and I'll take baseball and hoops questions as well.... so let's go!

Larry Fitzgerald (Phoenix)

You have me, Plaxico Burress, Greg Jennings, and Desean Jackson all on one team. Which two of us would you start?

Eric Karabell

  (3:04 PM)

Well, Larry, if this really is your name, those are three really, really good wide receivers, and an overhyped rookie. For the next two weeks we need not worry about Plaxico, because he has a bye and has been suspended by the Giants. Make a trade. I think Fitz is always a play, and then I guess with Plaxico and the league's leading receiver (Jennings) it's matchups. Wow.

Ben (Mankato, MN)

Willie Parker owner, pick one to start in his place: Mendenhall, D'Angelo Williams or Bryant Johnson.

Eric Karabell

  (3:05 PM)

That's the other news, as well as Plaxico, that Parker is out at least this week. Everyone seems to love Mendenhall, but against the Ravens I do not. Pick him up and bench him. I haven't done my flex ranks yet, but I'd think D'Angelo will top Bryant Johnson.

Burr (FXE)

Jamal Lewis or Steven Jackson this weekend?

Eric Karabell

  (3:07 PM)

The rankings are up and flowing... enjoy. I had Jackson a few spots better, but not much. http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=week4rbranks

Danny (queens, ny)

whats the word on colston and westbrook?

Eric Karabell

  (3:08 PM)

Last I heard Colston needed at least one more week, and Westbrook is going to try and play this week, and I think he will.

Chris-CT

Top "buy low" rb besides S-Jax?

Eric Karabell

  (3:09 PM)

Good one. MJD, Ryan Grant and McGahee all jump to mind. And Peterson will still be a monster.

Todd (San Fran)

Speaking of the rankings...Westbrook? Care to explain?

Eric Karabell

  (3:10 PM)

Sure. I can defend all my choices. I think he is going to play and play well. Not top 10 well, but good enough to use. If the Eagles make an announcement that alters this, then I can move Westbrook down or out of the ranks. I think he will play.

Dave E - Orlando

OK, I saw the rankings...but Cotchery, Roddy White, and Donald Driver were all next to each other in them! I need to pick two out of the three...give me some reasoning!

Eric Karabell

  (3:12 PM)

Can't do it. I had them 13, 14 and 20, I guess Driver is my odd man out. Someone in our ranks had Driver 4 though. If I rank someone 13 and someone 14, it's not like I really choose one much over the other. I think the Falcons can throw, and Matt Ryan will make big plays this season. I think White is fine.

Mark (TX)

Fred Taylor, what about his future for fantasy production this season. Looked strong last week.

Eric Karabell

  (3:14 PM)

I think part of what the Jaguars did running the ball was their line is beginning to gell, and part was that the Colts can't stop the run anymore. I do have Taylor and MJD in good spots this week.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Will Chansi Stuckey continue his emergence as Brett's go-to red zone guy or will he eventually get lost in the shuffle?

Eric Karabell

  (3:14 PM)

I wouldn't call him the go-to guy. Favre has happened to go to him a few times, but this is not a trend.

Steve (Daly City, CA)

You had Larry Johnson ranked pretty high this week. Is it still time to sell high? I'm think about packaging one of my receivers (I have Marshall, Fitz, Megatron, and TJ Hous) and LJ for SJax. Probably will to give either Megatron or TJ.

Eric Karabell

  (3:16 PM)

I think it's smart to buy low on Steven Jackson, but I wouldn't throw one of those receivers with LJ into a deal. Not me. I agree LJ will be inconsistent and it's not a bad time to move him, but that's a lot to give up.

Zack (Albany, NY)

Roy Williams, irrelevant? Discuss.

Eric Karabell

  (3:17 PM)

Irrelevant this week with the bye, but otherwise, not at all. Just had a few tough weeks, that's all. Still very talented and relevant.

Craig (AZ)

In a PPR league, what do you think of giving up Reggie Wayne for Housh, Engram, Ronnie Brown?

Eric Karabell

  (3:19 PM)

I think it's a wise move. Wayne is great, but is he that much better for fantasy than Houshmandzadeh? Brown is a significant part of that trade and tilts it too much.

Mr. 0-3 (Loserville)

I traded MJD and Drew Brees for Addai and Hasselbeck. Was I a total idiot, or will Hasselbeck be a strong play when he gets some receivers back? Thanks!

Eric Karabell

  (3:19 PM)

Well, you sold high on the wrong people, and bought low on the wrong ones. But who knows, it could work out.

Jan(MA)

I love Steve Slaton, do you? I am offering Marvin Harrison...too much?

Eric Karabell

  (3:21 PM)

Not too much at all. Slaton is good, though I think his team will hold him back a bit. I'm not really buying low on any Colts these days. Manning looks slow and old, and it might be like this all season. Harrison seems like he's on his way to 60 catches and 5 scores to me.

Sean (LA)

Wait, your saying MJD outperforms Addai from here on out? Is that right?

Eric Karabell

  (3:22 PM)

No. I'm saying I'm buying low on MJD, but not Addai. Big difference. They will end up a lot closer in season stats than people think, though.

Kelly (Scottsdale, AZ)

The "biggest buy low" candidates are asked/talked about a lot... how about your top 3 sell high candidates?

Eric Karabell

  (3:24 PM)

At QB, I would say Rivers and Rodgers a bit. They've been in shootouts, and Rodgers gets only one more game against the Lions! At RB, as much as I like Turner and own him everywhere, I don't think he finishes No. 1. Ronnie Brown, Julius Jones and Willie Parker as well.

T (miami)

Why is everyone not ranking M Turner higher? He has done well in the past as tomlinson's backup and now on his own.

Eric Karabell

  (3:27 PM)

I'm not sure, but I keep ranking Turner well! I do want to see him run all over a good defense, but the key is Atlanta is better than people think, and Turner will get opportunities all season.

Mike (DC)

Hey Eric, can I sneak a baseball question in? Three man sprint for the title this week and its tight in era, whip and strikeouts. How do you feel about Zambrano today? Thanks.

Eric Karabell

  (3:29 PM)

I am not using Zambrano for a team today. Two starts ago he throws a no-hitter, then he got obliterated. I don't think he'll go deep into this game at all. But maybe that's just me. Any other baseball questions?

Gary Bettman (NHL Front Offices)

What, no hockey questions? First games are 10 days away!

Eric Karabell

  (3:30 PM)

Get a good goalie, early. Can't win without 'em! How about Marty Biron!

David (Michigan)

I have Braylon Edwards on my team. I luckily have not played him yet and he is sitting on my bench, but I feel as if he is due to break out one of these weeks. Is this week against the Bengals perhaps a time to start him in place of either Hines Ward or Michael Turner (in the RB/WR spot)?

Eric Karabell

  (3:31 PM)

I think Braylon and Ocho boy and a bunch of Bengals and Browns will have a nice week in this 35-31 game. I would play Braylon over Ward. He has to face Baltimore.

James, Ca

Eric, Baseball Keeper, Which one, David Wright or Evan Longoria?

Eric Karabell

  (3:32 PM)

Longoria will be in my top 25. But Wright will be in my top 5.

Ed (NJ)

Andre Johnson is killing me. I drafted him as a WR1 and Schaub is a disaster and Andre is dropping balls. Thoughts on him for the rest of the season? Sell low or wait for better days?

Eric Karabell

  (3:34 PM)

He's not killing you. He's just off to a slow start. He and Schaub will get a lot better. Or maybe Andre has turned into Lee Evans. I doubt that.

Matt (Baltimore, MD)

I hear "sell high" for Julius Jones, but who or what type of value should I be looking for, for him?

Eric Karabell

  (3:35 PM)

Everyone who asks "who should I expect to get" for so and so is missing the point. If I had a team in your league, I could say what I would give. In a vacuum, I'm not paying much for Jones. But if someone in your league offers Andre Johnson, then I'm very interested. That's how trades work. Shoot for the stars, then backtrack.

Greg (Toronto)

what's randy moss' value going forward, in your opinion?

Eric Karabell

  (3:38 PM)

In trouble. I really thought Cassel would have a better game against Miami, and now it's possible the Patriots look elsewhere for a QB. Amazing how fast things change. In baseball it takes a lot longer to change opinion. In football, four quarters. If you own Randy, I don't see how you can get full value for him. Everyone must know this situation. Wait, and maybe Randy can be useful still.

Dan (New York)

You ranked Bowe the lowest, don't you think the Chiefs will throw all day playing catch up? He has the most targets for WR's.

Eric Karabell

  (3:40 PM)

I thought when I was doing the ranks I was giving Bowe a pretty strong rank, but apparently not. I like him. I guess my only justification against the others is I liked other WRs more than Bowe. But he's fine, even with the QBs they have. I also ranked the Denver D in the top 5.

Phil (Tampa)

If you went back and looked at the rankings that you 4 guys have given, who is the most consistent ranker through 3 weeks? Do you guys talk about your rankings before they are posted on espn.com?

Eric Karabell

  (3:41 PM)

I have no idea, but my money on the best ranker is on Harris. I think we all do a good job. We do not talk about our rankings at all, before or after. Check out the Tristan Cockcroft column each week in which we aim to justify our thoughts, it's fun.

Matt (Missoula, MT)

I have a baseball question..... If I give up Warner and Grant for Portis would I hit a homerun? Seriously, your thoughts?

Eric Karabell

  (3:42 PM)

Portis is the best RB in the deal, but I think Warner is totally legit and will finish with more fantasy points. So maybe this would be a foul pop to third base?

David (Davis)

More value over the year .... Desean Jackson or Lee Evans?

Eric Karabell

  (3:43 PM)

I am hardly a fan of Evans, who was ruined fantasy seasons before, and everyone knows my fave team is the Eagles, but still... not even close. I take Evans.

Bob (TN)

Basketball question...Felix Jones becoming a slam dunk flex play? See I'm clever too.

Eric Karabell

  (3:45 PM)

I like it! By the way, I'll answer real hoops questions. I haven't seen any yet. I did my third hoops draft on Monday, and will start writing next week. Anyway, I wouldn't say slam dunk flex play, but more like a 15-foot jumper. He keeps scoring, even though Barber is a top-10 guy. Felix is pretty good, too.

Aaron (Elkhart, IN)

Boxing question - Is Dallas Clark down for the count?

Eric Karabell

  (3:46 PM)

Great job! No boxing questions today, sorry. I've been through with the Sweet Science for years. Anyway, Clark is going to make it through 10 or so rounds of the 12-round fight. He'll be bloody and bruised, but still productive.

Chris (NC)

Why are people so confident in Westbrook playing this week when he's quoted as saying that he believes he has a high ankle sprain? He's questionable on the injury report...you really think he can play through a high ankle sprain? I say good luck...because the Eagles aren't going to say anything more than they have to...

Eric Karabell

  (3:47 PM)

I don't read it that way at all. I think if he plays, he will play well enough to use in fantasy. I don't think Andy Reid plays these Belichick games on the injury report. For today, I think Westbrook plays. It could change, though.

Randy (New Haven, CT)

Curling question...who do you want scrubbin the deck as your #2...C.Johnson, E Graham or S. Slaton, this week?

Eric Karabell

  (3:49 PM)

Nice going! I had Slaton as the No. 2 from my ranks, then Graham. Chris Johnson needs to break some TDs here, because LenDale is getting all the love.

Pete (Queens, NY)

Olympic diving question: Will Garrard make a splash this week?

Eric Karabell

  (3:50 PM)

Excellent! What creative chatters we have today! I ranked Garrard No. 13, the best of the group, which I find odd. I guess there are other QBs I just like a bit less. I don't think Garrard goes off for big stats, but he won't commit turnovers and could get like 200 yards and a score.

Reed (Philly )

Equestriann Question. Who would you rather have as your horse the rest of the season, Willie Parker or Housh?

Eric Karabell

  (3:52 PM)

OK, so maybe I need to nip these questions in the bud... anyway, I am a bit concerned that Parker's knee problem is more than a one-week thing. Let's say this, I think Housh is a top-10 WR. I think Parker will have a tougher time doing the same thing at RB, especially if Mendenhall manages to play well in his absence. It's a shame for Parker owners, he was playing so well and had no comp, then one bad game with an injury and it could change everything.

Dave (Albany)

Mental Health question... Am I nuts to trade T.O. for Calvin Johnson and McGahee??

Eric Karabell

  (3:53 PM)

OK, so one more. Not nuts, and I think that's good value. I want the best player in the deal, and it's a really good time to buy low on T.O. because he had one bad game. In fact, I don't think I would make the deal, unless I needed RB depth.

Mike (San Diego)

Ride out a Schaub/Griese/Collins team until Schaub puts it together or trade a RB (MJD Addai Jones) for a QB?

Eric Karabell

  (3:54 PM)

I think maybe you can get away with what you have, because Griese has a decent matchup this week, and then Schaub's sked gets a bit easier. I really thought Schaub would do better than this, though it didn't show in my preseason ranks.

Tim (PA)

What do you think Mendenhall's value is from here on out? Do I drop McClain for him as a flex option?

Eric Karabell

  (3:55 PM)

I think he needs to be owned on the chance he does something special on Monday and takes Parker's job. I don't expect this will happen, but then again, in Baltimore I don't see all the fuss over McLain. McGahee is fine.

micah (atlanta)

A quick one please! I'm trading Chad Johnson and Derrick Mason for Braylon Edwards - I'll grab Branch off of waivers to fill my roster...good trade?

Eric Karabell

  (3:56 PM)

I would prefer Braylon to Chad, but I wouldn't expect Branch to be so helpful.

Paymon, Pensacola FL

Baseball...Leading my league by 3 points. I'm undecided on starting Brett Myers tonight. It could mean the season. What would you do?

Eric Karabell

  (3:56 PM)

He will pitch a great game tonight. And JoJo Reyes will not.

Frazer (NC)

Who scores more fantasy points the rest of the year: Jamal Lewis or Thomas Jones?

Eric Karabell

  (3:57 PM)

I say Lewis, but don't give up on Jones yet. I did think both would be better.

Jeff (Oakland)

What order would you claim these RBs off the waiver? Slaton, Perry, Mendenhall and Buckhalter? (I'm a Westbrook owner)

Eric Karabell

  (3:59 PM)

You see, because you're a Westbrook owner you probably expect me to pick Buckhalter. Handcuffing doesn't always work. I don't think if Westbrook sits this week Buckhalter will have a great game. Anyway, I would rank Slaton and Perry 1-2, then Mendenhall. Perry has been pretty good recently, and if he didn't have injury history, I'd say him first.

Eric Karabell

  (4:00 PM)

OK, I guess that is all the time we have for today. More chats are coming on Thursday. Thanks for the questions and best of luck in winning your baseball leagues, and in Week 4 of football!