Fantasy Baseball w/AJ Mass
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AJ Mass (10:59 AM)
Good morning, gang! Back again for 60 minutes of fantasy chat. Second cup of coffee in hand - call it in the air!
George (Boston)
Tashard Choice or Kevin Smith this week?
AJ Mass (11:01 AM)
I go with Choice. Smith versus the Steelers is not the best matchup, and even if MB3 is going to play, I think it's enough of a timeshare to go with Tashard against the pitiful KC D.
CJ (Michigan)
Yo AJ!! Please help out a crushed Tigers fan! Who should I start alongside AP this week -- Mendenhall, Bradshaw or Moreno??
AJ Mass (11:02 AM)
Rodney should never have pitched that last inning!I'm going Rashard against the Lions. I do think Mewelde gets 10 carries or so, but Mendenhall should get the goal-line work.
Mark S (AT Mile Post 9310, Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Could you say something bad about Calvin Johnson? I'm trying to drive his value down so I can trade for him.
AJ Mass (11:02 AM)
That Calvin Johnson sure has sloppy handwriting.
Grant (T.O.)
Why is this Fantasy Baseball chat on the football page?
AJ Mass (11:03 AM)
It is a fantasy sports chat. All sports welcome.
Dawson (Yuma)
Hey Mr. Met! I really enjoy your blogs. In your opinion who is going to have the bigger upside this week: Witten against a terrible KC defense or Celek with McNabb back in the game?
AJ Mass (11:04 AM)
Thanks Dawson - love your Creek. Witten is the man for me. I don't now, nor will I ever like an Andy Reid offense.
Brandon (Chicago)
I have A. Johnson. I need to fill two other receiver spots with TO, Berrian, and B. Edwards. Who do you start? Non PPR
AJ Mass (11:05 AM)
I can't start Braylon this week, with a new playbook to learn, and a rookie QB - just not enough time in less than a week to get settled.
Mark (NY)
Bye week value rest of year (3WR, keeper league): Hicks or Hixon?
AJ Mass (11:06 AM)
Hakeem Nicks? Is that who you mean? If so, him.
Brad (MA)
YOOO AJ!! - Do i dare sit my #1 pick in Tom Brady (@DEN) for Mr Magic himself - Brett Favre (@STL). The matchups would say so..but im torn...
AJ Mass (11:08 AM)
Check the injury reports this week as Favre is pretty sore - but yes, I start Favre over Brady this week if healthy. Tom has shown little, especially without Welker at full speed.
Matt (Missouri)
What is your thought on Cadillac now that the offensive coordinator has said its time to become more committed to him as a full time guy? Are you buying? Would you rather have him over Lynch or J. Harrison?
AJ Mass (11:09 AM)
I think Ward getting hurt had a lot to do with that assessment. I am buying him over Harrison, but not yet with Lynch. Still time for him to emerge.
Percy H. (Minnesota)
Would you pick me (the TD Machine) against the Sad Rams...or would you go with "The" Steve Smith (NYG) with a hurt "Other" Manning?? Choose Wisely!
AJ Mass (11:10 AM)
Harvin. Manning will play, but I can see a large reliance on the run plus Nicks getting a few extra looks this week.
Brandon ("The OC" Ca.)
Hey AJ, I've got Jacobs as my RB 1 this week. Who would choose between Turner @ Niners, Coffee vs Falcons, or Rice vs Bengals? Thanks! Keep up the good work.
AJ Mass (11:11 AM)
Gotta go with Turner. Not that it is by any means a "lock" but fresh off a bye, he should be raring to go.
Rob (Philadelphia)
Once again Matthew Berry and Erik Karabell are down on Ocho Cinco. He has put up solid numbers each week. Why can't they bring themselves to jump on the bandwagon?
AJ Mass (11:12 AM)
I think it is more an overall down on Carson Palmer and that O-line. When it takes you 15 minutes of OT to get into FG range against the Browns, there are issues.
brian (mass)
hey wats up who would you rather have going foward olsen or shockey
AJ Mass (11:13 AM)
I have to say Shockey, simply because for whatever reason, the Bears offense is not relying on the TE as much as I thought they would.
Mike (Syracuse)
AJ. Need your help big time. Would you trade Roddy and McCoy (Eagles) for Benson and Braylon?
AJ Mass (11:14 AM)
Nope.
Brent (Hollywood)
AJ, Love your chats! Who do I start Chester Taylor or Justin Fargas? Sigh.
AJ Mass (11:15 AM)
Fargas. He and Bush will share equally, and even against the NYG that's worth a few points.
Brian (Maryland)
Have Brees on a bye week, should i pick up Derek Anderson or Shaun Hill as a plug and play for one week? Thanks
AJ Mass (11:15 AM)
Hill. At home, with possible Crabtree versus DA on road, down a receiving option for the week.
BRIAN (CLEVELAND)
START BURLESON OVER MASSAQOUI? I ALSO HAVE TJ HOUS. BYE BYE STONE HANSDS
AJ Mass (11:16 AM)
I do go with Nate. Massaquoi has plenty of potential, but he's not a 140-yarder each week, not by a longshot.
Dave (Minneapolis)
I know his handwriting is bad, but do you have any worries about starting 'Tron this week? Culpepper hammy steelers=????
AJ Mass (11:18 AM)
I actually think Daunte helps his value, because he's looking short-term success and will throw deep more than Stafford. And that Steelers D without Troy is very mortal. The hammy is the only real concern, but I'm not that concerned.
Bruce (Maine)
Miami D or Boys D this week
AJ Mass (11:19 AM)
Boys. I'd be surprised if Cassel finishes upright.
Christopher Wimpfheimer (New York)
flacco or warner
AJ Mass (11:20 AM)
Warner. For whatever reason, I'm just envisioning 42-38 there.
Eric (CA)
AJ, bye weeks and injuries are putting me in a tough RB2 position... D. Brown, Caddy, Beanie, or Mike Bush?
AJ Mass (11:21 AM)
Caddy. Even though the Eagles are a good D, I still like him better than the other three.
Jon (KC)
How significant will Mike Bell's fantasy impact be when he comes back next week? I'm thinking it's okay to drop him for a BYE week replacement.
AJ Mass (11:22 AM)
Bell will be the backup, plain and simple. It's Pierre and Reggie there. Barring injury, he won't be used much.
Yoda (Degoba System)
Tough matchups i have. Help you must give me... Pick 2 Sjax, Kevin Smith, Mendenhall. Also Welker or Jerricho Catchery as i like to call him.
AJ Mass (11:24 AM)
Going with Catchery, especially if Edwards even makes a cameo to distract the D as Welker hasn't quite yet busted out and continues to be hurt enough to be "game-time decision" though I have no doubt he plays. Sitting my boy Cutback Suarez in Detroit. Even the force shall help him not.
Richard (Greensboro, NC)
Considering trading what amounts to Slaton for NYG Smith . . . What are your thoughts on trading what looks to be a top tier WR for a slightly below top tier RB?
AJ Mass (11:25 AM)
RB is all about depth. There simply are never enough on the waiver wire to cover injuries as there are for WR. Personally, I'd always go with the RB starter.
Darth Vader (Death Star)
The little green muppet can't even spell Degobah right. This is why the dark side is stronger!
AJ Mass (11:26 AM)
How's that Death Star working out for you, V?
Dave (Minneapolis)
Is the KC offence nauseating enough to give up on D-Bowe?
AJ Mass (11:26 AM)
Bench? Yes. Cut? Not yet.
Brad (NM)
I'm having troubles starting Romo anymore. I'm seriously considering going with Garrard over Romo this week..what do you think?
AJ Mass (11:28 AM)
When I wrote Romo wasn't top-10 in the preseason, you should have seen the outrage. Now, not so much. I actually do like Romo this week - Garrard isn't going to throw for 300 too often - but it isn't a ridiculous question, Brad.
C (Canada)
Pierre Garcon, Manningham, Roddy White, Roy WIlliams Pick 2.
AJ Mass (11:30 AM)
No Roy - ribs might force a DNP this week. I'm torn between Garcon and Mario for the second slot (gotta start Roddy) leaning towards Pierre.
Steve (ND)
Second cup of coffee in hand - F Jackson or J Stewart? S Jackson or R Rice?
AJ Mass (11:31 AM)
Jackson on both counts. Fred gets 50-50 at worst this week and at home, I still like SJax.
Mary Croft (Florida Keys)
I picked up Sims-Walker off the waiver wire, even with my 8 of 8 waiver order. I found out later that another player in our 8 man league also tried to pick him up, but their transaction (which was entered after mine) did not go through. Would you do the honorable thing and give up the pick up?
AJ Mass (11:32 AM)
You snooze, you lose. It's an 8-team league. There are other fish in the sea. It's not like you manipulated the pick.
All Browns, all the... towns? (Seattle)
From here on out, do you like Jackson or Lynch to take the majority of the carries in Boofalo? Or is it too early to tell?
AJ Mass (11:33 AM)
I think Lynch can "win the job back" to a 60-40 split or so, but Jackson will still get a series a quarter even if that's the case. Until Lynch proves he can do better than 1.0 YPC, though, it will be 50-50 at worst for Fred.
tom (hackensack)
Better Forte bye week replacement: L. washington, beanie or derrick ward...i know, its rough
AJ Mass (11:34 AM)
Washington. Quite frankly, if TJ doesn't show something early, Leon may get three quarters of action.
joe (ar)
Do you think Berrian will see enough targets this weeks to make him worth playing over Kevin Walter in Arizona?
AJ Mass (11:36 AM)
Short answer, no. I think Walter has more upside this week.
Jeff (NJ)
Bye week replacement... who would you rather start Jason Campbell or Derek anderson??
AJ Mass (11:37 AM)
I've been high on Campbell for two weeks, but I have to admit that I was impressed enough with DA last week to roll with him on a one-week bye trial. Campbell has a far lower upside.
Fred (NY)
Does Eddie Royal have ANY upside or is he worth DROPPING?
AJ Mass (11:39 AM)
Royal love confuses me simply because if you take away his Week 1, no Brandon Marshall, outing last year, he's been a slightly more talented Devery Henderson. I don't see much upside for 2009.
Rodrigo (Rio De Jinero)
I was offered LT for Chris Cooley. I have to take that, right?
AJ Mass (11:40 AM)
I think you do take it, with so much TE talent around this year, but see that fork sticking out of LT? It's not all the way in yet, but a few tines are lodged in place.
Jeff (California)
I have Gates on a bye this week. Who is the best pick up Pettigrew, Miller, or Boss?
AJ Mass (11:41 AM)
Heath.
Jim (Denver)
Wait, Royal caught 90 balls last year. That does not impress you at all?
AJ Mass (11:42 AM)
Cutler threw about 5000 times. And most of those receptions were in three games. With Orton at the helm, and the "rotation" now in place, I'm not impressed. That's for this year, mind you - he's not washed up forever, but clearly it's not going to happen in 09.
Shonne (NJ)
Does your Leon comment above mean that there may be significant carries for me this year?
AJ Mass (11:43 AM)
Indeed - another reason for the TJ concern is the fact that Ryan put Shonn in for the first time last week. That limited audition spoke volumes.
drew (houston)
Do I go with an injured Eli this week or a struggling Romo against the chiefs?
AJ Mass (11:45 AM)
Romo - but not because Eli is injured, as he's had this injury for some time. I just think the Giants run the ball far more than they have been lately and shorten the game to "save" Eli.
Weak@WR (Detroit)
To "save" Eli...therefore, you are saying Romo because of the injury. Come on buddy. Get it together.
AJ Mass (11:48 AM)
Yes and no... I'm saying even a healthy Eli would be "saved" in this regard - it's standard operating procedure for the Giants.
Nate (NY)
TO's value is so low right now I couldln't GIVE hima way. Do you see him picking it up in the next few weeks to be a servicable bye week flex, or upping value for future trade bait?
AJ Mass (11:48 AM)
I'm sorry, who are we taking about again? I don't follow Canadian players.
Help (College Station, TX)
Rest of the year - LT or Addai? Vernon Davis or Celek?Oh, and if you could help the Texas AandM's football team I'd take that as well.
AJ Mass (11:50 AM)
LT, Vernon. Addai has value when he scores, but the yardage, not so much, especially with Donald Brown coming on strong... and I believe in Hill-Davis combo more than McNabb/Kolb/Vick/Westbrook-Celek. As for the Aggies, you'll have to 'Gig em on your own.
Adam (Washington, DC)
This week: R.Rice or G.Coffee?
AJ Mass (11:51 AM)
Still siding with Coffee, though a PPR leaguer has a case for starting Rice.
Sidney (End of a 40yr old's arm)
Play me (s. Rice) or Manninham as flx?
AJ Mass (11:52 AM)
Sidney, and no, I didn't need the full explanation... how many WR's named Sidney with 40-year-old QB's do you think there are?
Brent (Boston)
Ride the Niners D vs. Atl or do you have another sleeper D you would play instead?
AJ Mass (11:54 AM)
Not a lot of sleepers left, are there? By now we pretty much have a firm sense of all. SF is a good one.
Kyle (OH)
In a fantasy baseball keeper league, do you advocate keeping hitters over pitchers? (Won the league last week with top hitters and streaming pitchers based on matchups. And yes, I have a championship certificate to prove that I am a tremendous fantasy GM).
AJ Mass (11:55 AM)
You are tremendous, so far be it from me to tell you what to do. For the rest of you out there, I always keep hitters over pitchers. Exhibit A: Brad Lidge.
Very suprised football nerd (Michigan)
Someone just dropped (Car) Smith in my league! Should I drop D. Ward or J. Stewart for him?
AJ Mass (11:56 AM)
Either. Way too soon to cut bait on a top WR like Smith. Personally, with the buzz on Caddy in TB, I'd let Ward go.
Fake Kyle (OH)
I think I just pulled my triceps from trying to pat my own back so hard.
Steve (NYC)
AJ, love your chats. Can you justify starting Walter (vs Arizona) over Marshall, Roddy or Sims-Walker?
AJ Mass (11:58 AM)
Not over Marshall or Roddy, but over MSW? Yes I can. I'm not convinced he's a true WR1 yet, and Walter plays like one more often than not when teams go double on AJ.
AJ Mass (11:59 AM)
Time for one more!
Buzzer Beater!! (Orlando)
Dare drop Felix Jones for Shonn Greene? For upside if anything.
AJ Mass (12:00 PM)
I love Felix for upside this season only - as long as that knee holds up, Felix has my vote.
AJ Mass (12:01 PM)
Thanks, gang. It's been fun. Sorry we can't get to every question, but with the thousands that pour in, it's just not possible. Feel free to find me on Twitter, though. And we'll see you the next time on Villa Alegre!
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