Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:01 AM)

Good morning everyone! Let's get right to your questions...

Phil (Syracuse, NY)

Best news of the day....Colston might play week 7, how realistic is this?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:02 AM)

I don't think it's that realistic; I'm thinking Week 8 is more likely.

Jared (CA)

Speaking of injured Saints, what's the latest on Shockey?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:03 AM)

Last I checked Week 7 was a possibility for him. Probably slightly ahead of Colston.

chris PA

LT or Addai from here on out?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:04 AM)

I'd no longer have LaDainian Tomlinson No. 1 due to his toe issues, but I'd still have a hard time not trusting him more than Joseph Addai.

Dennis, NY

Hey Tristan, with the Titans on a bye I need to pick up a D this weekend. Any waiver wire recomendations?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:06 AM)

I'm in the same boat, Dennis. Among the under-50-percent ownership group in ESPN leagues -- and yes, it's an ugly group -- I'd trust the Panthers first, and probably the Jets second. And Carolina is no slam dunk in a road game, keep in mind. Big risk with both most weeks, but nowhere near as much as with any other team in that bracket.

Ben (NY)

Is Baltimore Def a must start every week? Even against lets say...indy?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:07 AM)

This might be one of the defense's weaker weeks, but the Colts don't look quite themselves. Unless you're just stacked at the position -- a luxury few can boast -- I wouldn't be too worried.

Xay - Chicago

Tristan, who do you like more the rest of the way; Kevin Smith or Deuce?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:08 AM)

I'm going to be honest, Xay, I just am not a Deuce McAllister fan. I think his fantasy heyday has come and gone, and I'd really rather see Pierre Thomas begin getting more of those carries. I just think he can offer at least as much, is probably more stable long-term in the health department and at least has some upside. So I guess what I'm saying is, Smith.

Chris (Boston)

Tristan, I have GB against Sea, but do you like WSH better as a one week fill in vs. STL? Thanks.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:09 AM)

Sure, who wouldn't? The Rams play much weaker football on the road, and it's a cross-country trip to boot. They looked awful in Philly, and I don't see them faring a lot better in D.C.

Micah (Jonestown, PA)

ESPN has Barber and Addai projected really low this week. Do I sit them?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:11 AM)

I continue to stress the basis for our projections; player track record and matchup, and all purely statistically based. If you see something you like and can make the case, by all means don't let our numbers be the be-all and end-all. They're for guidance. But to be fair, I think Joseph Addai is in for a pretty mediocre game. Matchup is awful, and if I have stronger alternatives -- some teams do -- I'd consider it this one week. No way I'm sitting Marion Barber. No way.

Phil (Syracuse, NY)

Speaking of Barber, should I sell on him to get someone like Sjax?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:12 AM)

Not a chance. I can't tell you that Marion Barber doesn't stand a chance at finishing No. 1 in fantasy points among running backs this season. I can tell you that Steven Jackson will not. And I liked S-Jax a lot heading into the year.

Jem (Westchester)

Kicker question (I know): I REALLY don't want to drop Bironas on his bye this week in a 14-team league. Is it foolish to drop A. Bryant or Chris Henry instead (Gage and Mike Walker would be the best guys on the waiver wire if I couldn't get back the guy I dropped).

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:13 AM)

Quick answer, because it's kickers: I wouldn't be afraid to lose a kicker, but then Chris Henry wouldn't be a horrible loss for you if you're that bothered.

Matt (Cincinnati)

Need some help here Tristan. Do I stick with Cutler this weekend, or go with Jason Campbell and his great matchup against STL?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:14 AM)

Jay Cutler won't be sitting for me, bottom line. Every-week start, period. Though you're onto a really promising matchup there with Campbell, I do admit that.

Oz (Charleston, SC)

Week 6 vs. Chicago - McClain or McGahee?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:16 AM)

Usually when a team faces a stiff run defense and it plays that aspect by committee, I want the stronger goal-line bet. Think of it like this: A goal-line back doesn't have to do the work grinding down the defense to get near enough to drive it home, so it's not like he's the one subject to being beaten down by the awful matchup. I know, I know, it's not easy to beat a good defense in a goal-line situation, but wouldn't you say the probability of the more point-generating play is stronger with that guy than the one who has to break off a long score against an elite defense? Le'Ron McClain for me.

Brandon (Holland)

Keller or Z.Miller rest of the way?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:17 AM)

Both interesting sleepers looking forward, but I'm going with the offense here, and that's Dustin Keller's. I do see Zach Miller as an intriguing Week 6 sleeper, though.

MJ (OH-IO)

Tristan would you be kind enough to pick two of the following?? Jonathan Stewart @ Tampa Bay, Sammy Morris @ San Diego, Steve Slaton vs Miami or Tim Hightower against Dallas? As a follow up what is your fiscal policy and how will you clean up Wall Street and the Banking industry?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:19 AM)

I don't like the Stewart matchup, but he'd be my No. 2 nevertheless behind Slaton, an obvious top pick of those four. And my fiscal policy is simple: Don't spend money you don't have! (Duh.) Beyond that, no expert on that front.

echem (ny)

except for the fact that baltimore plays IND and not CHI this weekend...

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:21 AM)

Yup, damn good point, good catch, Echem. Scrolling through quickly it's hard not to take a question at face value; and the point stands, so long as you're talking such players against elite defenses. Ravens guys are not -- both are good flex plays at least.

Matt and OH

Main man Tristan: Do I drop Young for Fargas or K.Smith?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:23 AM)

Well, I'd need to know which "K. Smith" -- Kolby or Kevin? Big difference. I'd rank 'em Kevin Smith, Justin Fargas, Selvin Young, Kolby Smith.

mike anytown,usa

parker or lynch the rest of the year?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:23 AM)

I'd have said, do say and will continue to say Marshawn Lynch, be it June, August, October, December.

Rob (PA)

Do you feel Fargas will handle the workload more so than DMC this week?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:25 AM)

Well, Darren McFadden is a tad nicked up, and Justin Fargas is due back as the starter this week. Something to think about. It'll need to be tracked, but as things stand this second, I'm thinking Fargas will be the strongest play.

Nick (PA)

I dropped Steelers defense on the bye to pick up the Jets. I am now regretting, because I may have given up on a fantasy elite. If I can't get them back, will I be okay playing matchups the rest of the season in a league where most teams carry only one defense?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:26 AM)

It tends to get harder and harder to find a defense you can trust for the long term the deeper we get into the season, because, simply put, more is known about the league's defenses as a whole the more numbers there are to measure them. I would try to get Pittsburgh back right away if I could, but I also wouldn't panic if I couldn't. All this really means is you'll need to pay extra attention every day the rest of the season seeking weekly sleepers. Not a great strategy, but not totally unworkable, and certainly not something that should drive you to over pay for one in a trade.

Joel ( Roscommon MI)

Thoughts on Ryan Torain ?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:28 AM)

Interesting name to track the next couple of weeks, and I'm hearing Week 9 for his potential return. Normally I say don't expect a lot from a guy who has missed so much time due to injury, but it's awfully curious that the Broncos didn't IR the guy. Suggests to me he's absolutely going to be a factor down the stretch. That Mike Shanahan, always frustrating us with his running backs. If I'm in a deep, deep league with oodles of bench room, I'd think about it.

Brian (Dayton, OH)

I have good depth at WR and want to trade Santonio Holmes for a DEF (Carolina is all I got). Should I target Philly or the Giants?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:29 AM)

Man, I hate trading guys of that value for defenses, but if you're deep at receiver, I'd certainly be going for the Giants before the Eagles.

John (MA)

Tristan, Speaking of Rookie TE's - Keller or Carlson?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:30 AM)

Dustin Keller. Too troubling to me that the Seahawks seem to want to include John Carlson in the offense, then go out and don't do it each week. Uncertain roles do not breed trustworthy fantasy players.

Ant (washington heights)

Can you give me a reason why a GM would not trade me Barber & AJohnson for Brown, Slaton, DJax and Engram? It's a sweet trade right? Could it be cause he's a hater and doesn't want me with Marion & AP on the same team?!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:32 AM)

Well, Ant, you can't make a team trade with you. Bottom line. And I don't even know which "Brown" that is. Even if it's Ronnie Brown, I wouldn't make that trade with you, either. Darrell Jackson is practically worthless. Bobby Engram's OK, but nothing that special. And Marion Barber is easily better than either back you're tossing back. Plus it's a top receiver coming your way.

Marc (Northridge,CA)

Need a back-up QB..Would you pick up Cassel, Ryan, or someone just dropped Derek Anderson from the wire???

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:33 AM)

I'd almost rather have Brady Quinn than Derek Anderson at this point. If you look at the matchup, Anderson is due for another stinker, and I can't see him holding that starting job into Week 7 if that happens. Of those guys, I'd probably take Matt Cassel for now.

Dan (DC)

What about a backup te - Daniels, I also have Witten - for a defense? Also too much, or is that more defensible (pun intended)?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:35 AM)

Certainly defensible.

Andrew (Pennsylvania)

Barber hasn't done well in Fantasy the last two weeks. Should I sit him for Mcclain or Slaton?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:35 AM)

C'mon, Andrew. All I can say to that.

Chad (Winona, MN)

keeper trade: Owens/Jamal Lewis or Forte/Sa Moss? I wanna win now!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:36 AM)

I'd rather have the former than the latter. The running backs are comparable, but I see the wide receiver split being deeper.

Eric (Bluffton, Ohio)

Are Colts players good buy-lows for later this season? I've got a trade offer to get Addai, but don't really need him now. Not sure if I'm setting myself up for a strong playoff run or jumping on a sinking ship.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:37 AM)

Oh, don't get me wrong. I might be down on Joseph Addai for this week, but I absolutely think he's a buy-low candidate. Fact is, I think he might be a stronger one a week from now! And I look deep down the schedule and see some huge matchups for Addai et al.

Shane (NJ)

Tristan, the QB pool is AWFUL this year! I have Hasselbeck, JTOS and a plethora of good WRs. If I was looking to trade a Berrian/Engram/Welker/Coles type WR, what QBs do you value as enough of an improvement the rest of '08 to make the deal? Doesn't make any sense to trade for a T.Edwards or J.Campbell right?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:40 AM)

Well, it might for Jason Campbell, since he's looking pretty decent of late. Another sleeper I'd like to toss your way: Matt Schaub. Both are regarded as No. 2 options, but I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised with their output looking forward. Mark it down: Schaub is going to surprise you. (And I don't mean by suddenly sitting with an illness at the last second, ugh.) Offering, say, Berrian for Schaub might pay off bigger than you think.

Ryan (Indiana)

Hey Tristan, would you give up Roy Williams to take a chance on Colston, now? Many thanks.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:40 AM)

Absolutely.

James, Ca

Sleeper WR to look for that is available in most leagues?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:43 AM)

From the under-50 crowd, like in the earlier question, guys I like: Robert Meachem, Deion Branch, Devin Hester, Steve Smith (the Giant), Greg Camarillo.

Jay (Washington, D.C.)

Tristan--This week pick 3 RB, por favor. Fred @ Denver (duh), Thomas Jones vs. Cinci, Hightower @ Dallas and Fargas @ NO. Who sits??

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:44 AM)

Clearly Tim Hightower, and I'd say Justin Fargas, until we know whether he's going to start and whether Darren McFadden will play. Let's say Fargas gets a full week of great practices and is declared the starter, with DMC out; I'd say him over Fred Taylor. But that's the only way I would.

Chris (Vegas)

Meachem or Torain, which is a better sleeper?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:45 AM)

I've ridden the Robert Meachem bandwagon since the preseason, and will continue to do so.

Ravi (Chicago, IL)

Who is a better RB (PPR league) to keep the rest of the way and for the future (keeper league): Slaton or Chris Johnson?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:46 AM)

Well, I always want to win now, and I think Steve Slaton provides you a little better chance of that right now. Long term? I think it's Chris Johnson, no doubt. It's close enough that if you need to forecast ahead, take Johnson. But I'm saying it very clearly, if it's 2008 and 2008 alone, I'll take Slaton.

Austin (Dallas)

Tristan, your personal thoughts on Moss? Sell high or sit back and reap the rewards of being patient?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:48 AM)

Never been a big fan, didn't seem like a perfect fit for the system heading into the year and I worry that he can be a little bit boom-or-bust (as evidenced by his recent stinker). So take that for what it's worth. I admit Santana Moss is off to a good start, and certainly No. 2 capable. I do not think he's a No. 1 receiver, plain and simple. If you can get that kind of value, sure, sell high. Hope that helps!

Riaz, OH

Tristan, I have two questions. Saints defense or Panthers this week? Also Jessica Alba or Megan Fox?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:49 AM)

Panthers. I need to go with the team with stronger personnel, bottom line. As for the second question, is "yes please" a fair answer?

Doug (FL)

Speaking of QBs... what do you think of Carson the rest of the way? Christopher Harris has him as 18th QB... and how about M.Ryan (23rd)?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:50 AM)

I made a comment to a good friend of mine about five days ago: "Carson Palmer -- Tommy John surgery. Wouldn't shock me." I'm not trying to create a panic, but understand that if that's the ultimate outcome in the event he suffers a setback, I won't be at all shocked. Good for now, but I'm saying high risk, and I think that's why Christopher ranked him where he did. If I'm a Palmer owner, I'm making sure I have a solid backup to him, that's all, and then I'd play the matchups.

BJ (Chicago)

if we get word in enough time that Westbrook is out for this week, do you start Buckhalter over Joseph Addai due to matchups? Overthinking????

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:52 AM)

I'd call that overthinking. Now, to be fair to both sides of the argument, I'll say this: While I'm down on Addai, I do recognize he scored two touchdowns against the Ravens in their 2007 meeting; his yardage was what was ugly. So it's not 100 percent unthinkable he has an acceptable game. I just see a low ceiling for him in terms of fantasy point potential. Like 10-12, that'd be a pretty good game.

Johnny (Cali)

How much value does A. Bryant have as a fill in this week, esp. if Garcia starts?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:53 AM)

Decent No. 3 receiver, best way to put it.

Robert (Eugene, Or)

S. Moss may not be a WR #1, but I think what you call a stinker will only benefit his value in the long run. The Eagles gameplanned to shut down Moss. They had Asante Samual on him all day, and rolled a safety to him as well. End result Portis, Cooley, and Randle El have big days and Redskins win. As teams realize devoting exessive resources to stopping Moss is NOT the way to beat the skins, Moss will be more open and have more huge days. He actually is a perfect fit for this system, a quick receiver who runs good routes AND can get the deep ball.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:55 AM)

Fair point, Robert, and why I chose to post it. Though I will stress that games like that do count in the fantasy stats, and that absolutely matters. Could happen again, and it'll frustrate you. I don't think we're really on different pages on Moss, from the sound of it. My ranking of him is still pretty good, considering I regarded him as a bit more of a No. 3 than a No. 2 heading into the year. I've warmed to him; truth is I have historically not been a fan, but I can recognize improvement when I see it.

Rick (Tenafly, NJ)

Keeper league: Get Matt Ryan NOW?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:57 AM)

Well, sure, but understand that you shouldn't jeopardize your chances at winning this year in the process. Good example: I own Brady Quinn at a dirt-cheap price in my keeper league. Have since last season. Not that it's a bad thing to do, but it does lock up a bench spot for me, and maybe once or twice in running my free-agent adds this year I've been tempted to let him go. It's something I have to grapple with every single week, and helps demonstrate why you need to plan very carefully how you're going to approach the keeper angle. (My league has a deep bench, eight-plus guys, by the way, so it's easier to do.)

Andrew (NYC)

Non keeper league, 14 team, get Matt Ryan now?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:58 AM)

Um, no. Unless adding a No. 2/3 quarterback to exploit maybe a small handful of favorable late-season matchups is actually going to benefit you.

Helpless Harold

Rank the following for the rest of the year: Braylon, Jericho, Lee Evans. Thanks

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:59 AM)

I'd flip-flip Lee Evans and Jerricho Cotchery from the order you listed them.

sam

I have been offered Lee Evans for Slaton? Would you pull the trigger?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:00 PM)

You know, if my running back corps was deep enough to afford it, I would make that deal. I think that's pretty good value for Mr. Slaton.

Groveling for an answer

T-Money! Help a brotha out! Rivers for R.Brown and Plax? I already have Cutler and Orton. Thanks homey!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:00 PM)

I wouldn't deal Plaxico Burress alone for Philip Rivers. Gives you a sense which side I like better.

Buzzer Beater Bob

J Lewis or Mcgahee the rest of the year?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:01 PM)

Jamal Lewis. Le'Ron McClain is absolutely not going away in Baltimore. Browns have to get better, and it all starts with Lewis.

Ted:IA

You seem high on Schaub. Would you rather have Schaub or Hasselbeck?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:02 PM)

So so very close in value, I'd say. And you know, I want to have a little fun for this, and take some shots to win this thing. So I'm saying Matt Schaub. A little higher ceiling there. I've got a good feeling.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:04 PM)

Well, that's all for today. Thanks for all your questions, and sorry if I didn't get to yours. Good luck to you all in your Week 6 matchups!