Matthew Berry

  (3:06 PM)

Hi Gang. As always, all questions answered. Remember, fantasy hoops for free with free live scoring. Let's get to it.

Frank (Baltimore)

I almost can't believe I am saying this but is Larry Johnson a buy low? After week 9 he has some sweet matchups. I am think of offering up a Deangelo Williams or another RBBC on my bench in a deal for LJ.

Matthew Berry

  (3:08 PM)

Yeah, I think he is, actually. His value can' get much lower. As long as you realize he may not play again this year (if they just get sick of him - very possible - herms' last stand)... you'll be fine. But if you're getting him for a guy like D'Angelo that you wouldn't really start anyways... go for it,

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Hey Matt, based on their schedule who would you rather have the rest of the year: Marion Barber or Ronnie Brown? Steve Smith (Car) or LT?

Matthew Berry

  (3:09 PM)

Barber and LT

Steve (Chicago)

Hey TMR! Do I dare bench Peyton against Tenn on Monday night? I think Delhomme has a better match-up.

Matthew Berry

  (3:09 PM)

Yes, you dare. I dn't like Manning this week at all. Either of them, actually.

Kyle (NY)

Looking at your weekly WR ratings i see you have Josh Morgan at 49 against Seatle. Why so low?

Matthew Berry

  (3:10 PM)

I'm just not convind he gets a lot of looks. They still have Bruce, Gore, Davis, Johnson... one good week puts him on the listbut I'm not convinced he's an every week guy yet

Your ex-Girlfriend (US)

Matthew - Need you help big time! You think I should trade either Portis (tough schedule) or AP for LT (easy schedule) in a point per reception league??

Matthew Berry

  (3:11 PM)

In a PPR, yes, I would rather have LT than AP.

Frank (Baltimore)

Thanks for taking my question since I didn't make the cut for the fantasy basketball man's league. I was the guy offering to make any movie you guys wanted (on a very low budget.)

Matthew Berry

  (3:12 PM)

yeah, that one was weird... .Bill and I had to write the script and everything - lotta work for us.

Joe V

Its amazing how people like yourself, always have to give their two cents about the Cowboys. Just worry about your Redskins. You are just another example of a jealous writer who just focuses on the negative. Sorry to tell you that players on your Redskins are also bad seeds. Shawn Taylor, Dexter Manley etc... Its just that the media wonn't leave the Cowboys alone and stress everything that happens to the team. Good luck with coach Zorn, you need it.

Matthew Berry

  (3:15 PM)

I'm not sure chaacter issues are waht you want to bring up in defending the Cowboys. And you have to go to a player tragically killed and a player that played over 20 years ago? You really think it's th media's fault? That Jerry Jones is this shy guy? That Tony Romo wishes he had fallen in love with some unknow singer? That T.O. has decided to NOW come out of his shell? I'm a Redskins fan. And a Cowboy hater. Doesn't effect my analysis and wouldn't you rather know a columnist's opinions?

Chris (TX)

Does ANYONE complain more about how much "work" being a fantsy writer is?

Matthew Berry

  (3:17 PM)

Do I complain? I don't mean to. It's not complaining so much as it is... Well, here's why this is late... here's why I'm no longer doing a flex column... I'm really really lucky but even in the best job ever, working seven days a week for 5 months straight does take it's occasional toll.

Brandon winona, ks go vikes!!

Love the podcasts....I'm entertaining offers for Colston. Can you list a few wr's you'd rather have the rest of the year? Perhaps, the name game (not the same without the drop)

Matthew Berry

  (3:18 PM)

Not a lot, frankly, You'll notice I have Colston in my top 10 thisweek. Rather have Wayne. Owens. Marshall. That's about it. Yes, I'd rather have him than Moss.

Rob (Storrs, CT)

Hello Matthew, I'm a Romo owner and instead of starting fitzpatrick, i have a trade offer to get Moss and Delhomme for Ronnie Brown and Bowe. I need to do this right?

Matthew Berry

  (3:19 PM)

yes

Nathan(MN)

What is more crazy? Giving all my money to someone besides Chuck or thinking of starting Schaub over Brees this week?

Matthew Berry

  (3:19 PM)

starting Schaub over Brees.... Teams tend to run against CIN and I expet Brees to bounce back big

Andrew(Chicago)

I am a first year commish and I was wondering how the keeper settings work in ESPN leagues. Do our keepers take up a draft pick?

Matthew Berry

  (3:21 PM)

1-888-549-ESPN. Talk to a real live human and they help you step by step

Smitty (Ark)

Matt, need your expertise please....nobody seems to want to answer my question.....Got offerred TO for L Evans.....what are your thoughts on value now and towards the playoffs?

Matthew Berry

  (3:22 PM)

I do the deal. As much as I like Evans and think he's legit, TO will be back with Romo in a few weeks and will be a stud down the stretch

Steve (OH)

Hey Matthew, do you think that B. Westbrook will get enough work this week coming back from injury that I should play him over Thomas Jones & Chris Johnson?

Matthew Berry

  (3:25 PM)

Yes, I play him over Johnson.... hard to screw that one up....like all 3. But if Westbrook plays you can't bench him

Dave (ut)

Do you think Tim Hightower sees more touches per game going forward?

Matthew Berry

  (3:26 PM)

Yes, I do. Very high on him...

chris ( New Jersey )

really ? you like Colston THAT much ? more than Plax andre johnson greg jennings larry fitz ? I think I even like roddy white more. aren't you worried at all about his thumb being he has to catch balls thrown at him with such force ? or worried at all that Brees spreads the ball too much for him to be a true number one, especially with Bush out so defenses can shadow Colston ? I normally agree with you so I'm not hating like others do I'm just curious why you would put him above any of those guys, if you I'll go around to all the computers in my computers class tomorrow and go to your last article so you can get your web hits.

Matthew Berry

  (3:29 PM)

Plax: Worried about Eli's famous second half fade. Andre: Injury always a concern plus HOU's sked gets tough here in a bit. Jennings - weather in Green Bay and Fitz needs Warner to stay healthy. All are studs of course, it's splitting hairs, but no, I am not concerned with Bush's injury hurting Colston. Think it helps. And no, the thumb is 100% healed at this point

Walt (Timonium, MD)

What are Eric Kuselias's credentials? Where did he come from?

Matthew Berry

  (3:31 PM)

Erik is a long time radio host who used to do the "portsBash" show on ESPN Radio. Recently, he's started doing some TV work - he was the host of NASCAR NOW last year and he often fills in on Mike and Mike in the morning. He's a long time fantasy football player and when the producers of Fantasy Football Now were looking for a host, they asked Erik.

The Rain Gods (London, England)

So it seems you and your group of prognosticators completely ignore my influence of your SD-NO "football" game on Sunday. All of you envision this big air-it-out offensive showcase. Might I remind you that a) the field last year was crap and b) it has rained here 4 of the last 5 days, and there is a 95% chance of rain again on Sunday. Personally, I may up the stock a bit on LT, Deuce & both DEF's and lower it on everyone else. Thoughts, comments, concerns?

Matthew Berry

  (3:33 PM)

Totally agee with you. I don't expect a huge offensive shoot out and I do like Deuce quite a bit here. But two bad defenses and there's not a lot of great match-ups elsewhere either....

Joe (Grand Rapids, MI)

Should be leaving for school, but I'll ask one question, is it really Greg Poehler? Why didn't you guys both get to pick 4? I mean you basically let Bill pick all of them...

Matthew Berry

  (3:35 PM)

Yes, i' really Amy's brother inthe Bill "Man's League." And honestly, it's more Bill's league than mine... It was his idea to do the league and I was the one who went through all the entries basically... so I didn't "present" anyone I didn't want in the league. Not all of the podcast was heard - probably 30 minutes was cut between the two... we both talk very long... I like the league. Nice cross section of good bribes, clever entries, different types of people...

Jem (Westchester, NY)

I don't get it. You didn't rank Antonio Bryant who keeps his starting split end spot, faces a weak Dallas secondary and is playing against his former team. So who would you sit out of him, Holt and Lance Moore?

Matthew Berry

  (3:37 PM)

Braynt not being ranked was a technical error with our internal ranking system. I had him at 35. Still lowest among the rankers... Garcia hasn't thrown more than one touchdown pass in any game, they might get Galloway backand the last tie he had a huge game he disappeared the next week.

Matthew Berry

  (3:37 PM)

ranks will be correct in the Friday update

Joe (Grand Rapids, MI)

Thanks TMR...I'll leave for school now. Good explanation

Matthew Berry

  (3:39 PM)

i am nothin if not pro education

Ben Montgomery NY

Why arent my questions being answered? Did u get them?

Matthew Berry

  (3:39 PM)

I like other people more than you.

Jessica (MIA)

no humor, no quick responses and very dull. where is matt?

Matthew Berry

  (3:39 PM)

I answer what I get, baby. Fairly dull questions this week....

Nick (LA)

How close to crying were you when you saw Kobe injure his knee?

Matthew Berry

  (3:40 PM)

Waterworks....

Matt (PA)

Why do they call you TMR? And who do you start Delhomme or Favre?

Matthew Berry

  (3:41 PM)

TMR stands for Talented Mr. Roto...And you know I rank players every week, right

Nick (NJ)

I've never played fantasy basketball but have played/followed it for years. I'm a die-hard Nets fan since the days of Kenny Anderson and..gulp..Yinka Dare. If I played, I would most certainly risk everything to get Devin Harris, Brook Lopez and CDR. I'd be easy picking to exploit in the Man's League. If I had e-mailed in would I have had a shot?

Matthew Berry

  (3:42 PM)

Not at all. We got tons of entries that sai "I'm really bad, pick me" and "I'll only take white guys" or "I'll take Shaq in the first and start him every week... that sort of thing,

charles (bmore)

Matty Boy, As someone who knows the fantasy Terrain, lets talk Torain, where does he land? Lotta buzz about this kid so is he worth dropping Edge or Deangelo Williams to pick up off waivers? thx

Matthew Berry

  (3:44 PM)

No, not either of those guys. There's no guarantee that he gets the starting gig and is any good. He's worth a gamble for sure but not at the expense of those two. DEN has a tough run sed the rest of the way

Andy (Phoenix)

Any plans to update your nickname? Mr. Ripley wasn't all that great or popular of a film, and few people likely get the reference any more.

Matthew Berry

  (3:45 PM)

No... People don't even know Roto stnds for Rotiserie which is what Fantasy usedto be called.... but it's stuck with me since 1999 and people remember it, so I'm stuck with it I believe. It's served me well...

Mark, OH

I can't believe you guys? Based on ESPN rankings/projections you would play JTO(who is a turnover machine)12th/17pts over Garrard 16th/4pts??? ...and I know its all about the match-ups ...but please explain better ???

Matthew Berry

  (3:49 PM)

Well, I don't do our projections so I can't seak to that. But I can tell you that if Garica can get 300 vs. SEA, JTO certainly can... and CLE is actually 7th vs the pass.

Drew (Bronx)

Which Matt has more value as a backup QB: Hasselback or Ryan?

Matthew Berry

  (3:49 PM)

Like both but I will say Hasselbeck actually. Sked gets better and WR get healthier

Greg (Toronto)

TMR, i'll DL todays podcast 42,000 times if you help me out with trades (just yes or no works fine, really): Brees and Gates for AP and Clark? (I get AP and Clark, have Warner and Eli, also). And would you give up Slaton to get Colston?

Matthew Berry

  (3:50 PM)

NO and NO. Start downloading

Ryan (Phoenix)

If Sammy Morris doesnt play does BenJarvus Green-Ellis come a must start? Or a good start even though we havnt seen much from him?

Matthew Berry

  (3:51 PM)

A MUST start? No. But a good start, yes...

Eric (Richmond, VA)

Berry, why don't you get your fantasy columns out earlier in the day? Most people like to handle their fantasy business during working hours and we appreciate your insight.

Matthew Berry

  (3:53 PM)

Research takes time. So does crafting crappy jokes. I can only write so fast and then it has to go through two sets of editors... Once I turn it in I have no control when it gets posted. And Idon't turn it in until I am happy with it. or can at least live it.

Dave Atl

TMR!! is stucky a good play with coles and cotchery having injury issues? THANKS!

Matthew Berry

  (3:54 PM)

a so-so number 3 though expect to see a lot of TJ and Leon plus Brad Smith

Danny (LA)

How insane is it that Phil is playing Kobe this preseason? Come on. Who are you worried about posing a threat to the Lakers in the west?

Matthew Berry

  (3:55 PM)

San Antonio. Utah and Phoenix. Watch out for Portland.

Huh?

WOW!! You wouldn't give up Brees and Gates to get ADP and DAllas Clark if you had Warner and Eli as QBS? Please explain!

Matthew Berry

  (3:56 PM)

Didn't see the QB depth part of that question. That makes it more do able....

Joe (DC)

Are you stunned by the number of complaints you receive over the FREE advice you give to what amounts to a hobby?

Matthew Berry

  (3:58 PM)

No, not at all. Anytime your jobis prediciting the future, you will have people complaining and arguing. And being on ESPN only heightens that. Plus, I certanly encourage it by posting a decent amount of it, etc

Andre Johnson

Are you worried about B. Marshall? Last three games haven't been that great?

Matthew Berry

  (3:59 PM)

No, I am not. He continues to be targeted at a high rate

Matthew Berry

  (3:59 PM)

Drew in Florida... that's a very funny idea. Email it to me and I will see what I can do

Chris. Mahwah, NJ

Are you on a computer where a 3 yr old pulled out some keys?? Every other word is missing a letter...with you becoming a bit shot- you'd think ESPN could spring for a new laptop!

Matthew Berry

  (4:00 PM)

My computer is pretty beat up and I answr quickly to get to as many as possible...

Matt (East Hartford via Albany)

Are we going to have any hoops-only fantasy chats once the season starts? Not all of us play FFB (as crazy as that sounds).

Matthew Berry

  (4:01 PM)

Probably not, honestly... we've done them before and they just are't that well attended....

Dan - San Jose

I am benching LaDanian this week and starting Chris Johnson, Brandon Jacobs, and Marshawn instead. I'm sick of leaving one of those guys on the bench, and since I have the horses, I don't have to be AS patient, do I? Am I nutz?

Matthew Berry

  (4:03 PM)

Yes... Never bench LT.

Matthew Berry

  (4:03 PM)

ok gang, I have to run. Thanks for stopping by!