Eric Karabell

  (3:01 PM)

Hello all and welcome to another fantasy chat session.... we've got football, hoops and baseball today if you want it, so let's go....

Jack (Santa Clara)

Eriiiiic... How do you play the Rhodes/Addai situation this week? If Addai is out, Rhodes is a great play, right? But what if Addai is like last week - in but potentially limited? Roll w/ Addai, go with Rhodes, or avoid it alltogether? Thanks man!

Eric Karabell

  (3:04 PM)

I'm assuming Addai does play, but he will be limited and the touches will be split. I ranked Addai a cautious 21, and Rhodes as a flex. I'd say avoid, but both or one of them could be really good in a nice matchup.

steve,ca

Hi Eric You always look so cool sitting next to Molly Qerim..I Would be intimidated! Would I be nuts to start Pierre Thomas AND Reggie Bush this week if my other options were Fargas, Benson, Tatum bell , Julius jones, ricky Williams, jeriuos norwood and Mcgahee?

Eric Karabell

  (3:05 PM)

Molly is terrific, I just try not to mess up. That's a LOT of running backs you have... I would start both Saints there. They aren't really competing for touches all that much, not like Addai and Rhodes for example.

John, nyc

Hey Eric, rankings aside, I need to know WHY you guys think Witten will have a decent day this week against the brutal Giants (over someone like John Carlson). Also, S-Jax over Gore (if he plays)?

Eric Karabell

  (3:07 PM)

I don't think there will ever be a time I would rank Carlson over Witten, no matter the matchup. The "why" is because Witten is better, safer, more reliable and potentially a 15-point guy. Carlson has been better of late, but I don't trust him entirely.

Walter (NY, NY)

Hey Eric, in your column on December 6th you said DeAngelo is a must start. If that is the case, who would you start with him this week Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson? I can't believe I am actually considering benching AP, but I had weeks where Peterson has been outscored by Williams and Johnson.... Also, T. Jackson is back so I figure AZ will key in on AP even more.

Eric Karabell

  (3:09 PM)

The way DeAngelo is playing, I can't name too many players I would use over him. He just exploded on a team that had allowed ONE rushing TD all season. I don't use the term "must start" much because what if you have the top 3 RBs? I dunno... so much is instinct. But I trust DeAngelo now, and did rank him over everyone but Westbrook.

Ryan (MD)

Hey, Eric. Can I trust Evans and Coles right now? It's a miracle I made it in the way they've been stinking it up lately. Would you start others like Branch and/or VJackson in their place? Thanks!

Eric Karabell

  (3:11 PM)

I would stick with Lee Evans, but I could see using those others over Coles. The Jets are a mess. I probably ranked Vincent Jax pretty well.

Tony (St. Louis, MO)

Thoughts on Barber? I've put in a claim for Choice but if that falls through would you use MBIII or go with Rhodes?

Eric Karabell

  (3:12 PM)

I would be very surprised if Barber sits again, after what Jerry Jones said. I barely ranked Choice at all. That all said, Barber is not a good option this week against the Giants, even though Westbrook destroyed them.

Horton (MIAMI)

Fantasy hoops (?) is oft- injured in the early season kevin martin worth holding onto? should i try to get something for him trade wise, a great buy low candidate maybe?

Eric Karabell

  (3:14 PM)

I am starting to think Kevin Martin is one of those guys who can't stay healthy. He's good, a 22-ppg guy when out there, but I would see if someone would take him. He might be the Sacto version of McGrady...and nobody wants that.

Will (STL)

Kbell, in your recent Instant Replay you questioned why anyone would sit Welker. Well, what if your other option was Bowe w/ a soft matchup (other starters are TO and Roddy)? I agonize with this decision weekly, but I've usually gone with Welker over Bowe and haven't been burned yet. THC recommend Bowe, who would you choose in a half PPR?

Eric Karabell

  (3:15 PM)

I would play Welker, but I do understand that Bowe has a very good matchup this week and I keep recommending Tyler Thigpen. I just like having players like Welker you can count on every week, even if they rarely deliver really big weeks.

Peter (Bethlehem PA)

Lendale White or Reggie Bush in a non ppr league

Eric Karabell

  (3:18 PM)

Non PPR, I'd have to say LenDale. Another good matchup for him, he's going to score and we can't say that about Reggie...

Displaced Reds fan (Harlem)

BASEBALL QUESTION!! IF Jermaine Dye was to go to the Reds, do you see 40+ homers, 100+ RBI as a pretty good estimate in GABP, as it's SO hitter-friendly?

Eric Karabell

  (3:19 PM)

Where the White Sox play is pretty homer friendly as well. Everything I've heard is that this trade is not happening, so let's not get too into it. The Reds need to find an outfield spot for defense-deficient Edwin Encarnacion. But dare to dream!

Dan (Philadelphia)

Hey Eric. Would you start Matt Ryan against the Bucs over a shaky Romo against a tough Giants D? What about Thigpen? And pick one RB: Lynch @ NYJ or Pierre Thomas @ Chi in non-PPR. Thanks!

Eric Karabell

  (3:20 PM)

I actually ranked Romo 11 and Ryan 16 for this week, based on matchups and the fact Carolina should play decent defense, too. Plus, that tough Giants D just got strafed. Thigpen was the only one of the three to make my top 10. I'd start him. And I had Lynch 12 and Pierre 14, so it's close.

Nick (Philly)

I know this Addai/Rhodes issue is tricky, but do I start Tatum Bell or Mo Morris over Addai even if he is a go on Sunday? It almost sounds too drastic to me. My other RB is LT.

Eric Karabell

  (3:21 PM)

I would start Addai. Let's not get crazy here with Tatum Bell. Addai could do damage in half a game...

Steve (Norfolk VA)

Hey Eric K. Toughest decision alll season, I ride Jacobs and Barber into a first round bye, now (WELL)! Gotta start R Brown and one of these WRs, Colston, RWhite, or Boldin. Do you suppose I should just go ahead and start Barber?

Eric Karabell

  (3:23 PM)

I don't know how you could sit Boldin, but then again, I'd probably say that about White, too. I'd start all three of those receivers over Barber though.

Rakes (Iowa City)

What do you think L. Moore will do tomorrow night? (I hate Thursday games!) Should I go with Moore, Witten, B. Jacobs or D. Ward????

Eric Karabell

  (3:24 PM)

I'd be OK with Moore there.. I wouldn't want to rely on the NYG running backs yet, though I do think Jacobs will play.

Marc (Toronto, Canada)

I'm leaning towards starting Orton over Ryan, but am scared off because of the weather factor. If my opponent is starting Roddy White, does that swing my play to Ryan?

Eric Karabell

  (3:24 PM)

No, no, no. Doesn't matter what your opponent does. And the weather hasn't mattered much in any game all season... don't overrate it. I'd use Orton.

Will (STL)

Who would you feel most comfortable starting this week? Matt Ryan, Matt Cassel or Chad Pennington (Tavaris Jackson and Seneca Wallace are on waivers)?Thanks.

Eric Karabell

  (3:26 PM)

None of those QBs made my top 15. Ryan was 16, then Pennington. Cassel against the Raiders is not a good matchup. Ryan should be OK, I just thought there were 15 better choices.

Sam (Rhode Island)

EK i know your not high on the Barbarian this week but whom would you play at your flex given the choice between Marion and J.Stewart?

Eric Karabell

  (3:26 PM)

On what info we have now, I'd start Barber. He HAS to play.

Dan (New York)

Can you defend ranking mcnabb one spot above Thigpen? I have both, and Cleveland's secondary is much better than San Diego.

Eric Karabell

  (3:27 PM)

How can one defend intuition? I trust them both, but let's face facts on Thigpen, he's not a sure thing. McNabb at home seems safer to me, but it's like splitting hairs.

Mike (New city, ny)

which morris do you start this week? Maurice or Sammy?

Eric Karabell

  (3:28 PM)

Can I say neither? I ranked Sammy better. Tough to trust a Seahawk these days, and Holmgren keeps waffling on his RBs to start with.

Beavercreek, OH

Yikes! With Gore's Questionable status... Do I roll the dice with Mo Morris, DSproles, Hightower, or Gore's Back-up Foster or Cedric Benson. What's the lesser of these many evils when you're talking Play-off life or death?

Eric Karabell

  (3:29 PM)

I think we'll know about Gore before Sunday, and I think he's not likely to suit up. If he plays, I use him. Of the group you named, at least Hightower seems to score most weeks, I'd go there.

Franklin (Albuquerque, NM)

Schaub or Garcia this week? Everyone said Garcia last week, but I stuck with Schaub and I'm thinking about doing the same this week.

Eric Karabell

  (3:30 PM)

You're right, everyone did say Garcia, and he wasn't bad. What Schaub did is hard to predict. I mean, nobody had EVER done that, missing a week and then throwing for 400 yards. He missed a month. This week, with Schaub against Tennessee, no way. It's Garcia. But surprises do happen.

Derek, Manhattan

Hey Eric I got a tough one for you. Should I go with McClain in the early games on Sunday, or take a chance on Jacobs playing with Bradshaw as my insurance policy?

Eric Karabell

  (3:32 PM)

I'd go McClain, unless we find out early enough that Jacobs is a definite play. I wouldn't call Bradshaw any insurance policy, either. It's clearly Derrick Ward after Jacobs. And really, McClain should be a fine start.

Kim (Philly, PA)

Fantasy Basketball trade question. Which side of this deal do you take?: LBJ and LaMarcus Aldridge for Joe Johnson, Bynum (is he injury lasting?), and Deng/Ariza?

Eric Karabell

  (3:33 PM)

I'd take the LeBron James side. I do like Joe Johnson, but Aldridge is productive.

John (Austin, TX)

Any concerns that the fridgid conditions in Chicago might make for a low scoring affair and drop player values? I'm deciding on Pierre vs. Royal at flex.

Eric Karabell

  (3:34 PM)

No concerns. These guys are pros, they can perform in cold weather, rain, snow, whatever. I think P.Thomas is a very good play this week.

Jerry (CT)

Hi Eric - you had LT ranked slightly above MJD this week in the composite rankings. Was that before or after the news about Fred Taylor potentially going on IR came out?

Eric Karabell

  (3:35 PM)

It was before I knew that, but I don't think I would have changed much. I already had MJD ranked very well, and wouldn't jump him over T.Jones or Turner the Burner!

Bryan (Seattle)

Your rankings indicate you think Jacobs plays for the Giants this week. If he ends up sitting, would you be comfortable playing Ward over Addai? (we must be approaching a record for most Addai questions in a single chat)

Eric Karabell

  (3:36 PM)

We must, but I haven't seen anyone complaining like after I answer ONE kicker question or a hoops one... anyway, I think Barber and Jacobs do play, but I ranked them conservatively. If Jacobs sits, I would not have Ward better than Addai.

Tony (Cleveland, OH)

Pierre or Kevin Smith in place of an injured Gore? (Do I put all eggs in one basket... have Brees, Forte, and Chi D all on Thurs night.)

Eric Karabell

  (3:37 PM)

That's a dangerous basket... but I probably would. Look, Gore might play, but if you wait until Sunday and Thomas already scored 15 points...

Kevin (FL)

Mr. Karabell. First week of the playoffs and I need a WR and a flex out of this bunch (mo morris, ricky, mcgahee, colston, driver, djax, toomer, bess). Uggh. Any suggestions?

Eric Karabell

  (3:38 PM)

Colston is the WR... after that, wow. I guess Mo Morris over Driver for flex... but when I actually do the flex ranks, I don't expect to see Morris do overly well.

Max (DC)

Hoops EK - I was offered Al Jefferson or Elton Brand for Deron Williams. I'm leaning Al Jeff. Who you like more?

Eric Karabell

  (3:40 PM)

Depends solely on need. Deron will be fine, just be patient as he gets fully healthy. And Brand will be OK, too. Al Jeff is the safest, I guess.

Travis, PA

Do you really think Aaron Rodgers will have better day than Tony Romo?

Eric Karabell

  (3:40 PM)

Yes, apparently I do. And since Rodgers is the No. 2 player in ALL of fantasy for the entire season, it doesn't look that strange to me at all!

Brent (Los Angeles)

You have Hartley ranked fourth and didn't even rank Carney. Care to explain?

Eric Karabell

  (3:41 PM)

Based on points. Saints will score. Giants might not. And I'm way too tired of the Giants having two kickers.

Phils Fan (PA)

Pick one...Colston, Evans, DJax....Thanks.

Eric Karabell

  (3:42 PM)

Colston. Did you know the Bears have the eighth-worst defense against WRs in fantasy?

Brad (Houston)

to follow up on the Bowe-Welker talk, what is your take on starting a QB and a WR from same team in FFL playoffs pretty risky? also I know he rankings but Portis over Slaton do tell.

Eric Karabell

  (3:43 PM)

Risky to a degree, but if they are obvious choices, like Peyton and Reggie Wayne, don't go reaching for Bryant Johnson. I start teammates plenty of times. It's about points. And Week 15 is the same as Week 5 to me in that respect, UNLESS it's a two-week playoff and I need to protect or make up points. Anyway, Portis is gonna go off this week. He torched his coach, he'll get many touches, and the Bengals are hopeless to stop it.

Dan (New York)

Flex question before your rankings come out: A Bryant, D Ward, M Morris, or S Morris? and why?

Eric Karabell

  (3:44 PM)

I would guess Bryant will be ranked the best of that group. It was quite the Monday night performance. But also, none of those RBs excite.

Chip (NC)

EK- I need 100 yds. I don't care about TDs or fumbles, just 100 yds. Who's most likely to get it for me...Mo Morris, M Colston, K Walter, or W Dunn?

Eric Karabell

  (3:45 PM)

I'd take Colston, then Walter. I'm skeptical either RB will get close.

Jason (S Ozone, NY)

Hi Eric! I'm curious... Do you ever have a "fear" of seeing good numbers on the bench for 3 days (if you have players that play in the Thursday game)? Along the same lines, do you like having that last-ditch effort, kind of like last-licks in baseball, to get points by using players that play on ESPN's Monday Night game, especially if your opponent has none?

Eric Karabell

  (3:48 PM)

Great questions! No, I never fear that, but sometimes it does make your opponent panic if you get off to a 20-0 start. I'd only use P.Thomas if he was my best option, but I have thought about it. I never worry about who I didn't play, nor do I root against them. Never made sense to me. It doesn't affect the matchup. My active guys are my active guys. Anyway, for Monday, I don't really worry about when the game is, but I do make sure if I have to make a move on a questionable Monday guy he's in my flex spot, so I can use more options...

Dan (Sacramento CA)

Thomas Jones is just too hot to sit right now. Right? So, which one of these RB?s starts alongside Jones: Steve Slaton vs. Titans, Portis at the Bengals, or LT at the Chiefs? Thanks.

Eric Karabell

  (3:49 PM)

There are no "must" starts... especially if you have 4 top-10 RBs like you do. I'd use Jones and LT here, but wouldn't laugh if those were the ones sitting, either.. Well, I might laugh a little.

Asa (Boston)

Would you go with Campbell or Thiggy??

Eric Karabell

  (3:49 PM)

I'm not a Campbell fan. His numbers kinda bear that out.

Vinny (DC)

Yo Eric, my gut tells me to start Thomas instead of Bush at flex this week. What makes you lean one way or the other?

Eric Karabell

  (3:49 PM)

My gut tells me that as well. It's about touches, and Thomas gets them.

Bob (Arizona)

Need a Gore replacement-McClain or Ronnie Brown?

Eric Karabell

  (3:52 PM)

I ranked Brown better, but I do think McClain is a safe bet as well. And even if Gore dresses, not sure I'd use him over these guys.

John, nyc

With Jerricho Cotchery being nigh on useless the past few weeks, would you take a big ol chance with Domenik Hixon or Davone Bess this week? Santonio Holmes? Thanks!

Eric Karabell

  (3:52 PM)

Bess I like. He's getting plenty of catches, and it's a decent matchup. Watch the Jets score 40. I doubt it, though.

Jasen (San Mateo, CA)

Do you think Zorn is going to punish Portis this week for his comments by limiting his touches?

Eric Karabell

  (3:53 PM)

Not at all. I think Zorn gives him double the touches to make up for it. Portis is going off this week.

Andy (Rittenhouse Sq)

Eric, I stopped at a Rittenhouse coffee shop just so I could catch your chat! I hate choices - especially during the playoffs. My TE options are Keller, Daniels, & Carlson. Def options are Jets, Washington, & Arizona. In your opinion, is there a clear preference at either position or should I just flip a three sided coin? Thanks for the help this season!

Eric Karabell

  (3:55 PM)

Flip a coin! Then you can't beat yourself up about the choice. I think at TE it could be any of them - weren't those three my 13, 14 and 15? At defense, I'd use Washington against Cincy. It's a gimme. The Bengals score 3 every week.

Steve (Boston, MA)

I'm starting Thomas tomorrow, and then do I go with Hightower, or wait on Barber/Choice (I have both). Thanks!

Eric Karabell

  (3:55 PM)

I'd wait until Sunday, but I really think Barber plays, and plays well enough.

Tony, Pa

Hey Eric, when will you pinch hit again on the Fantasy Focus? Who do I start with Thomas Jones? Portis or C. Johnson?

Eric Karabell

  (3:56 PM)

Whenever I am needed.. .don't know when. And Chris Johnson is always a good start. Yes, over Portis, who will also be good.

John (Minneapolis)

Do the Giants want to beat the Cowboys bad enough that Jacobs will play even if he's less than 100%? Also, if not, who is the best of these three: Sammy Morris, Anthony Gonzalez (would give me a twin Tony Gonzalez lineup), and Deion Branch?

Eric Karabell

  (3:57 PM)

I think the Giants really want to win. Remember, in Week 16 they play the Panthers for the top seed... and the Giants could, in theory, lose the bye. They stunk against Philly... they need to win.

Bob (Philly)

With the winter meetings going on, it has me in the baseball mood and I figured I'd try to sneak in a question by saying "Go Phils!". I'm keeping Soto and Longoria and need to pick 2 OF from Markakis, Kemp, Justin Upton, and Ethier. Who stays and who goes back into the draft? Thanks!

Eric Karabell

  (3:58 PM)

Yay basebalL! I'd keep steady Markakis and runner Kemp.

Matt (MD)

Eric, do you have any worries that Rivers will not perform well due to the 1 pm EST start time (he hasn't so far this year) and will that effect the other players. Also, Cutler or Thiggy?

Eric Karabell

  (3:59 PM)

Some worries, but it's just a trend, and not something I rely on. And Cutler over both.

Eric Karabell

  (3:59 PM)

OK, I thank everyone for the questions and wish you all luck in Week 15.. .remember, it starts Thursday!