ESPN

Matthew Berry

  (3:08 PM)

Hi Gang... TV thing ran over. Let's get to it... Happy Halloween, remember to vote and, um...yeah, ask away.

Frank (Medford, MA)

Don't tell me you are late because you were combing your hair...

Matthew Berry

  (3:09 PM)

That doesn't take long

nat (peach pit)

plax or colston for the rest of the season...?

Matthew Berry

  (3:10 PM)

I'll say Colston. Feel the Saints take the bye week to figure out how to get him more involved, ELi still has to prove he can play in the second half... it's close but I like Colston

Dave (Sarasota, FL)

Good Afternoon Mr. Berry, I am glad to see you have Berrian, Avery, Royals, and Curtis ranked 13,14,15,16. I have them all along with Fitgerald. Why is there such a difference in the projections Berrian 13 cool, Avery 7 not cool, Royals 13 huh?, and Curtis 5 blah!. Berrian is an easy #2 for me but I'm torn between Avery and Royals for # 3 given there match-ups, even Curtis a little, but until he shows more he'll sit were no one else can get him. Thanks.

Matthew Berry

  (3:12 PM)

None of the 4 rankers, myself included, do the projections. Those are based on ESPN statistical analysis, research, etc. The ranks are the personal rankings of each of the rankers... I don't know how you sit Avery...

Chaddy P (Miami)

Am I going to make it rain this week in Denver? Or should I say, make it snow?

Matthew Berry

  (3:12 PM)

Yes

Jon - Buffalo, NY

Is Joey Galloway or Reggie Brown worth a spot this week?

Matthew Berry

  (3:12 PM)

Not unless you are desperate.... Brwon is, at best 4th option and not crazy about TB passing gmaet at KC - think it's all run game

John, nyc

Need a waiver TE replacement with Witten almost definitely out. Shiancoe, any of the 3 Millers, Scheffler (is he playing?), M Bennett, D Keller? Who's your pick?

Matthew Berry

  (3:13 PM)

If Sheffler's playing he's the guy - he was limited in practice yesterday. If not him, I like Zach

mark (philly)

Torain!!!! Torain!!!!!! I see you're much higher on him than other rankers. Care to explain?

Matthew Berry

  (3:15 PM)

Not convinced Pittman plays. I will wait to see how practice plays out today before updating my rankings tomorrow morning. But that's the thinkng - thats hel'l get the majority of carries. If Pittman is playing I will drop him significantly

Mark (San Diego)

Matthew, you've stated that you would never sit MBIII, would you sit him in favor of Ronnie Brown this week?

Matthew Berry

  (3:15 PM)

No, still wouldn't

Kyle (Birmingham, AL)

TMR! I noticed you are higher on Brandon Lloyd than most. Do you think he's a top 30 rest of the year? Is he a better option than Ted Ginn?

Matthew Berry

  (3:15 PM)

top 40 and yes

Megan Fox will never date a guy with a Fu Manchu!-

What's up TMFu! Everyone says that you don't set your studs (when healthy) regardless of matchups. What RB's are still considered must starts? (Ex. Ryan Grant...has he regained the must start? Or is going with someone like Hightower ok now based on matchup?)

Matthew Berry

  (3:18 PM)

Love "TMFU" - very funny. RB must starts: Portis, Barber, LT, Westbrook, Lynch, Slaton, AP, Forte, S Jax, C Johnson, Addai, Gore. That's my list though if you wanted to add Turner and Jacobs to it, I'd be okay with it.

Jon (DC)

How much matchup risk do you feel comfortable with in a Football lineup? I can either play Boldin and Breaston or McNabb and Curtis this week, and I have visions of the STL secondary or the SEA secondary having a monster day. This is a must win week for me to have a chance at the playoffs I think...

Matthew Berry

  (3:21 PM)

It depends on other options and what I think I need to win. If i am facing a loaded team and I've got some bye week issues, I'll probably gamble a bit more than if I feel I should win if I just play it safe and get solid production. Boldin and McNabb are must starts for you.

Brian, MI

Any love for Fred Taylor or Ricky Williams this week? Their matchups are pretty nice.

Matthew Berry

  (3:22 PM)

Yeah I like both guys

Mark (San Diego)

But you ranked Brown Higher. Can you explain, I'm confused.

Matthew Berry

  (3:26 PM)

Rankings are how I see the players ending up after the week. #1 will have the most points, #2 the second most, etc. That said, the difference between Brown and Barber is not significant this week ranking wise and Barber is just a guy you DON'T bench. Ever. DEN is at home, off a bye... I like Brown a lot obviously, but there's a chance he doesn't have a huge game. I'll probably adjust a little tomorrow but the point is... even if it's not a great week - like I have Portis outside the top 10 - I don't expect him to finish as a top 10 back this week, you still have to play him because he is more likely to do something good than most. Rankings are a tool designed to help with line-up decisions. But there's no decision with Barber. That make sense?

Nick (Canada)

What's the outlook on McFadden for the rest of the year?Would he be considered a fantasy bust? Does he even have any impact on fantasy from here on out? It's been pretty frustrating being a McFadden owner so far, especially after drafting him in the 3rd round. I picked up Peterson last year in the 3rd round, and was hoping for the same type of year out of McFadden.Are his feet EVER going to be ready to put on a show the way he did in week 2?

Matthew Berry

  (3:27 PM)

I feel like they evenutally will be - the fact that he is missing games is actually a good sign I think - chance to heal. But it may not be in time to help most folks. Believe me I get it. I own him in a lot of leagues too.

Tim (Fayetteville NC)

You ranked MJD 16 this week and Lynch 8 even though Lynch is going against the number 4 rush D and MJD is at Cincy. Do you really think MJD wont go off? I have both players and need to start one. Thanks

Matthew Berry

  (3:28 PM)

I think he has a good shot to, but with Taylor and Garrard there... I KNOW Lynch gets all the carries and Lynch is one of those you don't bench guys. That said, Taylor missed practive yesterday and if he isn't playing I would up MJD in a big way

Micho (Lansing, MI)

You have Matt Jones ranked ahead of Housh but he's facing a tough Bengals pass D...What do you expect from Jones and Houzh, respectively?

Matthew Berry

  (3:30 PM)

It's not that tough... you saw HOU light it up, didn't you? And I love JOnes - I see TJ getting 6 for 70 and Jones getting 5 for 95 and a score.

brian (de)

Don't Ronnie Brown's and Earnest Graham's favorable matchups make me sit Steve Slaton and his seamingly bad matchup?

Matthew Berry

  (3:32 PM)

I understand the thinking and Slaton vs MIN doesn't help but Graham hasn't scored a TD on the road this year and Slaton is not a guy I sit.... Honeslty, like all three this week so don't think you can go wrong

Joe (Grand Rapids, MI)

Isn't the bet between you and Bill Simmons pretty ridiculous? I mean we never see the guy, while you are all over ESPN...I mean Bill needs to be more public when he has his Fu Manchu or the bet is a joke...

Matthew Berry

  (3:32 PM)

A few people have brought this up and I agree with you... We'll fix it somehow. Maybe he will have to change his column photo

Rebecca

Halle Berry named sexiest woman alive by Esquire, yay or nay

Matthew Berry

  (3:33 PM)

Nay. She's up there, but not top.

Evan (Tucson, AZ)

Any chance you'll take a basketball question now that the season's underway and your non-hirsute look is riding on it: Why is Shaq going for 5 times less than Bynum when he might post similar stats and they're both just as big an injury risk?

Matthew Berry

  (3:34 PM)

Well, Shaq is a category killer, that's why and Bynum has ton of upside. That said, I'm with you in spirit, especially in head to head leagues. Shaq is so undervalued these days he's actually a decent sleeper. I got him for $4 in a $200 auction recently.... He's not SHAQ anymore, but he is a porductive 16 and 9 guy with high FG% and a block a game.

Alex (Columbus, Ohio)

Oh TMR please reassure me Colston will be the fantasy stud we both know he can be

Matthew Berry

  (3:35 PM)

There there. It'll be okay. Come here baby. There there.

Dylans dad

rank em for the home stretch:roddy, plax, berrian

Matthew Berry

  (3:35 PM)

You have them ranked correctly.

Jared (SC)

Should I attempt a trade Joseph Addai for Reggie Bush? I have 4 of your RB must starts and Addai is the odd man out. Should I go for Bush as a potential keeper?

Matthew Berry

  (3:36 PM)

No, I like Addai long temr more than Bush,... if you HAVE to deal a RB, get a stud WR

Dave (KY)

Between Bulger and Pennington Week 9, seems like Bulger's is going to be a shootout so why rank Pennington higher?

Matthew Berry

  (3:36 PM)

Mostly because you never know with Bulger and if S Jax is healthy he may not be throwing that much

Bizzle (Chi-Town)

You guys are garbage!!! I've been jumping up and down all year about how Matt Jones IS the man. He is Gerrard's #1 (only one really, and has been all year), and then he finally has a breakout game and now u guys are all jocking him. Dont you think the next defense he faces won't try to shut him down 1st and foremost?!?!?! Next time, give them the praise BEFORE they go off!!!! THAT requires much more "talent" ohhhhh talented one.

Matthew Berry

  (3:38 PM)

He's been mentioned many times before last week, actually. And for the record, I am the only one chatting, so it's not guys plural. I'm the garbage. Just me.

Mike

Should I start desean Jackson this week?

Matthew Berry

  (3:38 PM)

Think he has a huge game at SEA... clearly the #1 WR in PHI

Rob (Santa Monica)

How about them Knicks? Any prediction on what happens with Starbury and Curry?

Matthew Berry

  (3:39 PM)

Nothing that you want to be a part of

Trick or Treat (NYC)

Your take on trading Slaton to get Ronnie Brown - good treat, bad trick?

Matthew Berry

  (3:40 PM)

Rather have Slaton

Brian (NY)

If S. Jax can't go this weekend do I pick up M. Moore, Fargas, Fragile Fred, K. Faulk or hope that Edge has 1 good game left in him? Thanks

Matthew Berry

  (3:40 PM)

Fargas vs ATL will go off

Jack (NY)

Hey TMR, would you drop buckhalter for torain if you owned westbrook?

Matthew Berry

  (3:40 PM)

NO

Pat (K.C)

Rumor is that the Bears have been using Hester in a Wildcat like formation this week in practice. How much does this effect his value?

Matthew Berry

  (3:41 PM)

It helps. It shows he is healthy and they want to find more ways to get him the ball.

Mike (Boston)

Would you drop BenJarvus to pick up Matt Jones? Then would you play Jones over Hines Ward?

Matthew Berry

  (3:45 PM)

yes and yes. Jordan should be back this week though Faulk is the NE RB I'm starting

Skip (Fennville)

Assuming Pittman is out and Torain gets a majority of the carries; if he puts up a MAN game, do you see Shanny sticking with his pre-season pet, or more of the same in Denver?

Matthew Berry

  (3:45 PM)

Predicting Mike Shanhan is a fool's errand...

David - Indianapolis

So you're saying Fargas is better than Grant this week?

Matthew Berry

  (3:46 PM)

Yes.. Grant on road at TEN... tough matchup

What Would TMR Do?

Berrian and Grant too much to give up for TO??? I'm 6-2 and looking at the playoff picture.

Matthew Berry

  (3:46 PM)

A little too much, yeah

Jim (Los Angeles)

I'm good friends with Tattoo Mike in your fantasy basketball league, I'm dying to know what the tattoo's gonna be...

Matthew Berry

  (3:48 PM)

Me too. Any suggestions?

T.O. (Dallas, TX)

Where do you get off ranking me so low? Don't you know I'm a must start. Is Romo really that important?

Matthew Berry

  (3:48 PM)

Read my Love Hate column today. It'll be up soon.

brian (de)

Who are some of the "Never sit" receivers?

Matthew Berry

  (3:51 PM)

Both Moss, Wayne, Andre, Jennings, Boldin and Fitz, S Smith CAR, Marshall, Colston. Roddy and Plax.

Shane(green bay)

Would you give up pittman and torain for slaton?

Matthew Berry

  (3:51 PM)

in a heartbeat

Adam (Jersey)

Lee Evans approaching that tier?

Matthew Berry

  (3:52 PM)

getting there, yeah. Love him this week.

Matthew Berry

  (3:52 PM)

Gotta run guys - sorry to cut short. Have an interview with Lance Moore at 4... I'll ask him what's up with Marques

Matthew Berry

  (3:52 PM)

Thanks for stopping by!