ESPN

Matthew Berry

  (3:02 PM)

Hi gang... Welcome to my new Thursday afternoon slot. As always, all subjects answered...

Steve Texas

Matthew, I usually use the rankings to rate my squad for the week, but why is there such a discrepancy between the ESPN projections and the composite rankings. For example Turner is projected as the 5th highest scoring RB but the rankings have him at 11. Payton ranked 4 Projected 11. Just curious?

Matthew Berry

  (3:04 PM)

The projections are the official ESPN projection for the week. The rnakings are the indivula thoughts of 4 guys, me included. None of us have anything to do with the projections... this is just our opinion. And then they take a composite.... The "official" numbers you want are the projections. If there is an analyst you trust more, his rankings are listed

Jamaal Charles

That crystal ball of yours may need some cleaning!

Matthew Berry

  (3:05 PM)

season's early still. we'll see.

Derek (Flagstaff Arizona)

What do I do with TJ Housh? Is he done? Is this that fateful end? I have Steve Smith and Calvin Johnson starting.

Matthew Berry

  (3:08 PM)

You can deal him but I feel he will be better than he has shown, and yes, I still start him this week regardless of QB

Tobias (Chicago)

Would you drop Palmer to pick up one of the following guys: Hasselbeck, Campbell, O'Sullivan, Garrard or Delhomme?

Matthew Berry

  (3:09 PM)

Yes... Rather have Campbell and Hasselbeck actually

Tim (Fayetteville, NC)

C'mon steve from texas AJ answered that at 11 for youI'm trying to make a move on a couple RB's are these good offers?Andre Johnson and either JLewis or the Burner for Marion.Andre Johnson and Hightower for MarshawnI also own MJD,Steve Smith, Santana and DeSean

Matthew Berry

  (3:09 PM)

Steve... people are crushing you for asking that again...

CG, Hollywood

Please rank these guys in flex order, need to drop one. Deangelo Williams, Rudi Johnson, Tim Hightower, or Bobby Engram.

Matthew Berry

  (3:10 PM)

Hightower has the least value but I'd drop Rudi

Josh (Arlington, TX)

Holt and Fargas are available on Waivers... which do I take?

Matthew Berry

  (3:10 PM)

u have the order correct

Joe (NJ)

Steve probably kept that ready to cut and paste for 4 hours. What a LOSER!

Pete (Green Bay, WI)

I am worried about the pounding Big Ben is taking so far this year. Could you rank the following QB's for the remainder of the year as back up to Ben (Garrard, Edwards, Schaub, and Kitna)? In addition, Engram is available and I play in a PPR league. Would you drop Bowe, Welker or DeSean Jackson for him? Thanks for the help!!!

Matthew Berry

  (3:12 PM)

Kitna, Garrard, Schaub, Edwards. Keep your WR

Tim (Fayetteville, NC)

Matt you just crushed me, first time I got through and we went back to steve from texas.I'm trying to make a move on a couple RB's are these good offers? Andre Johnson and either JLewis or the Burner for Marion. Andre Johnson and Hightower for Marshawn I also own MJD,Steve Smith, Santana and DeSean

Matthew Berry

  (3:13 PM)

like the Marshawn one ... think Lewis turns it around

Tim (MD)

Today on the Podcast, you and Nate said you liked Deion Branch as a #2/3 receiver. Would you drop Kevin Walter or Isaac Bruce to pick him up?

Matthew Berry

  (3:14 PM)

Yes, I would

David Letterman (NYC)

So about this ESPN creep who always talks about you? Whats his name, Berry or something?

Chad (Chicago, IL)

Who would you rather have in this trade for the rest of the year? Slaton or Forte?

Matthew Berry

  (3:15 PM)

forte

Addai

Back or bust long term?

Matthew Berry

  (3:15 PM)

Back...

Jeff ( Pittsburgh, PA)

Berry: It's time for a new ESPN picture. You wish your hairline was that healthy. Anyways, this week, please rank: Lendale, Deuce, Fred Taylor and McClain.

Matthew Berry

  (3:17 PM)

Probably right... Though it looks like that when I am facing straight on have let my hair grow... I'm wearing it short these days. Not answering ranking questions dude - I rank 200 players every week specifically so I don't have to deal with questions like this...You can read them online

Kurt (Phoenix)

With my man Boldin out am I now worth below supermarket value?

Matthew Berry

  (3:18 PM)

You'll be fine

Matt (Philly)

When people ask you to rank players from the same position, why don't you just tell them to look at your column in the rankings??

Austin (Boise Idaho)

Can Breaston follow up his performance from last week this week?

Matthew Berry

  (3:18 PM)

I don't think so. BUF is much stronger against the pass

Will (Sacramento, CA)

What's your outlook on Mewelde Moore this week? I'm in a deep league that awards a lot of points for receptions.

Matthew Berry

  (3:19 PM)

I think he'll be all right. Maybe 85 total yards and possibly a score

JP - Atlanta

You were pretty down on Frank Gore before the season. So much so that I decided to select Ryan Grant over him in my draft. Are you sold on Gore at this point or do you still believe that Grant will end up with better numbers?By the way...I more than made up for the Grant pick by landing Chris Johnson in the 10th round. I give you full credit for that one!

Matthew Berry

  (3:20 PM)

Yes, I still believe. Grant turns it around, starting this Sunday. And I think Gore comebas back to Earth. Sorry...

Matt (Rockville, MD)

Best sleeper WR for this week: Breaston, Steve Smith (NYG), or Ginn?

Matthew Berry

  (3:21 PM)

like toomer and hixon more than any of those. But of those 3, I say Breaston

Reagan, Austin Texas

What do I do with Todd Heap? I thought I got a steal in the last rounds of the draft, but he's been a non-factor thus far. Other available TEs in our league are Bo Scaife, LJ Smith, Alge Crumpler, Zach Miller and Randy McMichael and Reggie Kelly.

Matthew Berry

  (3:23 PM)

Drop him, sadly, after the bye week for LJ Smith (if healthy) and Zach if not

Mrs. Berry (College Station)

Matthew, did you feed Macy this morning? And would you start Bobby Engram this week?

Matthew Berry

  (3:24 PM)

Yes and yes...

Grant (Seattle)

Just saw a quote in the ESPN Fantasy News e-mail from one of your coleagues saying LT's lost a step and won't be a top guy this year. You buying this?

Matthew Berry

  (3:24 PM)

I am not, no. Don't feel he has lost a step...

Ryan (Newark)

This might be a first, but I have a Streak For The Cash strategy question. Do you pick as many matchups as you can, hoping to give yourself the most opportunities, or do you only pick matchups that you feel confident in (e.g. USF over Pitt tonight)?

Matthew Berry

  (3:27 PM)

I only pick match-ups I feel strong about... You'll get there almost as quick and be a lot more likely to suceed. I also think the Prop" questions are suckers bets

Chris-CT

Best buy low RB(s) now that S-Jax has turned it around?

Matthew Berry

  (3:28 PM)

Ryan Grant

Bobby Engram (Seattle)

Hi Matthew- When you did your rankings, did you assume that I would be limited in my reps or, as the AP is now reporting, that I would get a full compliment? If you assumed I would be limited, does that change my value this week? Name game...ahead of say Chris Chambers and Roy Williams?

Ummmmmm....

Bills D or Pats D? This week and for the rest of the year?

Matthew Berry

  (3:28 PM)

Bills for both

Hartford City, Indiana

Also, is it time to trade and give up on A. Johnson for this year??

Matthew Berry

  (3:30 PM)

NO. Patience w/ Andre

Ash (San Diego, CA)

Anne stopped smoking? Does this move her to the top of your list by a wider margin?

Matthew Berry

  (3:30 PM)

Many of the things I have recently learned about her have increased her appel, yes

Eric (Princeton, NJ)

Matt, help out a desperate former member of the TMR Yahoo group; Pick 4 (standard ESPN league) out of the following: Roy Williams, Driver, Branch, Matt Jones, Berrian, Breaston, Norwood, M.Pittman

Dude - Houston, Texas

I was offered the following tradeI get Randy Moss / Steve Slaton forMatt Hasslebeck / Willis McGaheeWhat do you think?

Matthew Berry

  (3:33 PM)

Do it in a heartbeat

Matt T. Arlington, TX

Matthew- In the preseason, all the talk was that TE was really deep this year so it's ok to wait to draft one. Now it seems that Witten (who went in the first 2 rounds in my league- see my location and you'll understand why), Gates, Gonzalez, Winslow, and maybe Owen Daniels, TE seems to be very feast or famine. Are there any TE's likely to be available on waivers that can be counted on most weeks for 40 yards or so?

Matthew Berry

  (3:35 PM)

Just 40 yards? Aim higher. Love Fasano - this week and rest of season. Zach Miller is on a bye but I like hm...

Jing, MI

who would you say is a better pickup for the long run, Branch or Engram? It seems that Engram had a much better year last yr, but I think Branch can break away for bigger plays. thanks.

Matthew Berry

  (3:36 PM)

Branch

Ray (NY)

Do you usually favor wr's or rb's in the flex? I've got to pick between C Chambers and Mewelde....

Matthew Berry

  (3:40 PM)

i tend towards RB initially and then WR... I'd probably go Chambers

Norm (Boston)

Would you dump Cooley for Fasano or Zach Miller?

Matthew Berry

  (3:40 PM)

NO

Matthew Berry

  (3:42 PM)

Sorry

Matthew Berry

  (3:42 PM)

Tons of this guy or that guy emails...

David Garrard

Yo hoss, thanks for the love. you go with me or Cassel for the rest of the way?

Matthew Berry

  (3:43 PM)

You

Eric (Albany)

Just read Fantasyland by Sam Walker......he makes you out to be a jerk. True?

Matthew Berry

  (3:44 PM)

You'd have to ask others if they think I am a jerk, but I didn't think so. I got a lot complinets on my portrayla in the book

Joe (Bristol, CT)

Who do you like the rest of the way.....T. Jones or Jamal Lewis? Hines or Holmes?

Matthew Berry

  (3:44 PM)

Lewis and Holmes

Curious

Best thing about your job? Worst?

Matthew Berry

  (3:46 PM)

Best is the stuff you expect - gettot talk, write and discuss fantasy all day. Just being at ESPN. Meeting lots of cool peoole.Worst is not having enbough time to do everything the way you want. Or the day after you go on national TV and make a call that turns out to be wrong. That's never fun...

Joe (San Diego)

When is your love/hate going to be.... oh, wait... well done! Now we don't have to sift through pointless complaining about how lazy you are. So what are you doing for the rest of the day now that you're done with everything? Pace yourself....I kid, I kid. Keep up the great work.*end butt kissing*

Mark, OH

Hi Matt, Nice interview with DMac..Need some FLEX HELP...PPR league, Pick 3 from J.Stewart, Engram, Muhammed, Reg Brown, Ps. If Rodgers doesn't play does Grant become a Flex? GO WARRIORS Thanks

Matthew Berry

  (3:49 PM)

Thanks. grant, J Stwe, emgram

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

You still answer questions or just post daily affirmations of yourself?

Matthew Berry

  (3:50 PM)

little of both

Kyle Orton (IL)

You say you love me and then rank me 19th for this week? I can't understand fantasy sportswriters.

Matthew Berry

  (3:51 PM)

Normnally I have you in the 20's... I love you above what your normal rank is.

Joe (Dallas)

Doesn't seem like you shouldget ripped so much...People ask questions because they can't decide. And you have to take a side otherwise you'd be no help at all. Anyone can say "I don't know." Kudos to you for stepping out and not fearing being wrong.

Matthew Berry

  (3:52 PM)

Thanks, Joe. It's what they pay me to do, so I don't think I'm all that brave - I'm lucky to get to do it

Aaron (Desperateville)

is it me, or Did LeRon McClain look good last Monday night (with or without McGahee)?

Matthew Berry

  (3:52 PM)

not just you. Yes, he looked good

Cindy (New york)

Feelings on A. Johnson and R. Grant going forward.

Matthew Berry

  (3:53 PM)

Like both of them as buy lows...

Chris (CA)

Bye-week strategy question, and for an example I'll relate it to my team. Next week for week 6, my QB(Big Ben), D/ST(Titans), and Kicker (whoever) are all on bye. Kicker replacement is an easy swap-out, but for the other positions I'm looking at dropping Owen Daniels(backup to Dallas Clark) for a Delhomme or somebody, and after that, I'd have to drop either Selvin Young or D. Williams for a D/ST, because I have to keep the Titans. ---OR--- do I keep either the D/ST or K spot OPEN for that week and keep my resources, even if it might cost me a loss?

Matthew Berry

  (3:55 PM)

good question. Depends on size of league and what your record is - how desperate do you need a win. Overall though, I only keep one TE, K, D and often only one QB.... So hard to answer without knowing more but I will say this... I'm okay with taking a zero one week to have a stronger team the ret of the year

your fans

You seem chippy today. Everything OK?

Matthew Berry

  (3:56 PM)

I'm fine, actually. Thanks... a little tired... but no... It's just weird.. not my normal chat... doesn't seem to be as many typical questions that I get, etc etc

Anne Hathaway

It is pretty gross to have a bald fat guy obsess over me in his "fantasy" column. You are really creepy.

Matthew Berry

  (3:56 PM)

I'm balding and I'm not fat. How about just "creepy" and we lose the really?

Brad - Idaho

TOTALLY agree with "your fans"! I think you're ignoring my questions out of spite!

Joe (Montreal, Canada)

Buzzer beater --- who is your top buy-low QB from here on out?

Matthew Berry

  (3:57 PM)

Hasselbeck

Jared (CA)

Is Jacobs no longer a top 10 RB, since Ward and Bradshaw are playing larger roles?

Matthew Berry

  (3:58 PM)

Correct

Soap Opera Fan

Are you really One Life to Live's Matthew Berry? Omigod.

Alex (NY)

What's a good excuse to call out of work tomorrow? Thanks.

Matthew Berry

  (3:59 PM)

food poisoning is always good. no one wants a lot of details.

Lee (Cincinnati)

TMR, would you rather have Kevin Smith or Fred Jackson on your bench for the season?

Matthew Berry

  (4:00 PM)

Smith unless I owned Lynch

Matty you are the Best (Notville, USA)

It seems the only people getting their questions answered are the ones complimenting you. I like it better when you post the ones of people busting on you.

Matthew Berry

  (4:00 PM)

Haven't found that many

Tim (DC)

Selvin Young - time to cut the cord? Worth dropping him for Branch?

Matthew Berry

  (4:01 PM)

Depends on who you have at both RB and WR but I'm okay with it

Dan (NJ)

No real question, just bored at work, got nothin better to do.

Nick (Charlotte)

Come on just one, Ryan Grant for Ocho in a PPR league?

Matthew Berry

  (4:01 PM)

rather have ryan

Todd (Boston)

Cowboys or Titans D this week ??

Matthew Berry

  (4:02 PM)

TEN

Simon (Columbia, SC)

Is Lance Moore this year's Wes Welker?

Matthew Berry

  (4:03 PM)

Need to see it two more weeks but very possibly

Adam (Chicago)

Play Branch this week? If yes, sit Roy Williams or Mewelde Moore (flex).

Matthew Berry

  (4:03 PM)

Not for those two

Joe (San Diego)

Hypothetical: the lowest amount of money you'd take to write another Croc Dundee movie?

Matthew Berry

  (4:03 PM)

2 million for just me.

Jeff (NC)

Not to get you in trouble for playing favorites, but who is your favorite "analyst" on ESPN Sunday Countdown?

Matthew Berry

  (4:05 PM)

I get along with Merril very well. He's a cool guy. Tom Jackson might be the nicest guy I have ever met in my life. Everyone's great but those two jumped to mind first

Clueless

Third times the charm? Edwards, big ben, or warner?

Matthew Berry

  (4:05 PM)

Warner, Ben, Edwards in that order

Annoying Fan

Hey, is Nate here?

jeff (ct)

What are your "football Sundays" like...? Do you and the rest of the Fantasy guys actually get to sit and watch games?

Matthew Berry

  (4:06 PM)

yes...

Aerosmith (JADED!)

2 million??? Its not like you'd have to try. I bet you could bang it out in an hour for 50 grand.

Matthew Berry

  (4:07 PM)

I wish but not true at all. Meetings and outlines and more meetings and... turst me... it's not worth it.

Frank (NY)

Is Trey Wingo a jerk? It seems like he thinks your segment are insignifcant compared to the "real football experts".

Matthew Berry

  (4:08 PM)

Just the opposite, actually. Trey's been a huge supporter of Fantasy behind the scenes and a good friend to me personally. Seriously - he's one of the guys I go to for advice. I'm a very big Trey fan. Think he's really good at what he does

Matthew Berry

  (4:08 PM)

Just the opposite, actually. Trey's been a huge supporter of Fantasy behind the scenes and a good friend to me personally. Seriously - he's one of the guys I go to for advice. I'm a very big Trey fan. Think he's really good at what he does

Austin (Atlanta, GA)

What did you have for lunch?

Matthew Berry

  (4:09 PM)

Chicken sand; diet coke

Tim (Towson)

Can you rank these underperforming WRs for the rest of the year: Andre, Braylon, Chad

Matthew Berry

  (4:09 PM)

You have them ranked correctly.

Futrue Matthew B (Bristol, CT)

You will eventually be replaced by an algorithm that also tells bad jokes.

Matthew Berry

  (4:10 PM)

And we have a winner. Well played, sir. Well played. Okay, gotta run. See you guys next week. Thanks for stopping by .. remmeber to watch Fantasy Football NOW on Sundays at Noon ET on ESPN.com