ESPN

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:00 PM)

Hi kids. Thaks for stopping by. A reminder - you can follow me on Twitter as @MatthewBerryTMR. I may or may not be enteratining and helpful on it. As always, all subjects answered. Let's get it on...

Anne Hathaway (Your Heart)

My Dearest TMR...based on this weekend, which of the 3 do you think has the biggest impact from here on out, Shonn Greene, Alex Smith or Beanie Wells? I have the number 1 waiver wire pick (which gives you an idea where I'm at after 7 weeks).

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:01 PM)

I like Wells more than Greene because he's got a chance to be the #1 guy. As long as Jones is healthy, Greene is a secondary choice. Smith is a distant third.

Hutch (Houston)

Is Miles Austin a top 15 WR?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:03 PM)

Top 20. But yeah - was talking about him before his big breakout game and said after it - not a fluke

Hutch (Houston)

Is it time to sell high on Deangelo Williams?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:03 PM)

No. His value is about where it should be. Have no issue dealing him but it's not "high" - he'll continue to produce

Joe (LA)

So what's TMR going as for Halloween? Got any suggestions for the rest of us?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:05 PM)

Good question. Not sure. Never been a huge Halloween guy. Thought about going as Balloon Boy but too bulky a costume. At a party, you want clever but you also want to be able to move around. Any suggestions?

Carson Palmer (Cincinatti, Ohio)

Am I breaking out and returning to my 2005-2006 form, or did I just have a good week against a mediocre pass defense?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:06 PM)

Somewhere in between... on a bye next week and his next few games are tough defenses but he'll finish relatively stong.

Chris (Lynchburg, VA)

Who's the better podcast producer, Pod Vader or Pad Vader's Wrestling Buddy?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:08 PM)

Clearly the wrestling buddy. He at least can't mess it up. For those unaware, he's talking about this: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/gallery/?id=4582884

Jason (Bethlehem, PA)

Matthew: is there some sort of magic pendant or voodoo doll offered by ESPN that I can order? I currently lead the league in points AGAINST and need some help! Thanks.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:09 PM)

Print out a picture of me and keep it under your pillow.

Igor (Boston)

Whats the deal with Steve Smith(NYG)?Was it just a quick start for him or are the rest of the giants WR the real deal?Do you trade him while his value is still pretty high or hope he bounces back?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:12 PM)

Still like him. Defenses are now adjusting to him. He'll now adjust and will be fine. I rank the NYG WR the rest of the way like this: Smith, Nicks, Manningham.

Max (Providence)

Whats up TMR, you hardly ever talk about trades but (partially because of your advice) I handcuffed Beanie Wells to Hightower and Shonn Greene to Thomas Jones and now own all 4 on the same team. Do I trade any of them, and if so who and what should i expect in return? Thanks! (Lincoln freed the slaves and always start your TEs against San Diego)

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:14 PM)

Hah! Excellent. I'd rather trade the AZ guys than the NYJ tandem but yes, deal away for other needs. Jets RB are top 10 worthy, so don't deal unless you get something simialr in return. I would not split the pair up, though - defeates the purpose of having the handcuff...depends on your other RB depth. But Wells and Greene are top 35 Rb the rest of the way

Phil (Cleveland)

Long time player but first time playing in this format for basketball, H2H and they only use the 5 basic categories (Pts, Reb, Ast, Stl and Blks). Got the 4th pick out of 12 guys. Am I crazy thinking Dwight Howard would be the obvious pick assuming the 1st 3 are LeBron, Paul

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:15 PM)

No. If you don't count FT%, Howard is a beast and the best C in the league.

Thomas (LA) [via mobile]

I've been offered Ramon Sessions for Kevin Love. Do I take it, or do I sit on him until he comes back? Bear in mind that he's my best rebounder

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:16 PM)

via Mobile! Love it! I think Sessions will split with Flynn so I'd pass.

Andy (Phoenix)

Good Afternoon, Matthew! Are you still believing in Maroney? I've got TJ, and I'm thinking of dropping Maroney for Greene. Also, where would you rank Marion Barber III for the rest of the season? Top 15? 20?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:18 PM)

Well, sort of. I like Maroney to an extent - he's really all they have and they will score. That said, I have no issue with dropping him for Greene. PATS on a bye this week and Greene will get some run. Barber is top 25... worried about Felix/Choice and health

Junior (Elizabethtown, Kentucky)

Hey Matthew! You are def. one of the better fantasy columnists out there. I have a trade question. I got offered Ochocinco and Megatron, for AJ. Do I give up the #1 WR for two top 10's. I have Roddy White as my other receiver and it is a PPR league. Your thoughts?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:20 PM)

Hey Junior! You are def one of the better posters in this chat! I'd do that, absoultely... assuming you start three guys.

TheRealPTinLV (LV)

Whats up with Dustin Keller? Dumpsville?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:21 PM)

And has been for a few weeks now

Garrett (Austin, TX)

Thoughts on Crabtree's debut?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:22 PM)

Thought he looked solid. He was on last weeks pick-ups and will be again

Jeff (Atlanta)

Are your columns sponsored by the inventor of parentheses? Do you receive any type of licensing fee or stipend for their use in your column? Just asking...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:23 PM)

I like... them. They help emphasize... my points. And they are useful for... timing. Which is crucial when you are trying to tell a joke. Also, it hacks off guys like Jeff from Atlanta

Nick (Go as Bill Simmons!)

Happy Halloween!!! Go As Bill simmons!!! So I have Harvin and I'm worried about his lack of receptions and durability (we count return yards though)...think I should sell him or ride him? Who would I target?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:26 PM)

You mean wear a bunch of Celtics and Red Sox gear, stay out all night to get a cold so my voice is really nasally and carry a DVD of Karate Kid? I like it.As for Harvin, he got a decent amount of targets from favre on Sunday - I'd actually hang tight unless you got a crazy offer. I'm not worried, espcially if your league counts return yards

Andrew (Philadelphia)

Hey TMR, where do you get your info on how defenses perform against different positions? Like Houston/SF being tough against the TE (at least prior to this weekend). Is that something we fans can find or is that something that Russell Baxter provides exclusively to you employees?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:29 PM)

The stuff Russell Baxter provides is for use of our NFL TV Talent - NFL Countdown, etc... He's terrific but his stuff comes out later in the week - I'm usually done with my research for the week by the time it comes out since I have columns and TV hits all week long. The points against feature is available to everyone for free on ESPN.com. http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/pointsagainst

Bucky (NH)

Is Forte fantasy kryptonite yet? He's killing my team...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:32 PM)

No. Fantasy Kryptonite (copyright Simmons) is when you keep drafting some guy who always lets you down but you keep thinking... THIS is the year he busts out. A sleeper you have an unnatural attachment to. Forte was actually GOOD last year and folks were justified, based on that, to draft him high this year. Laurence Maroney, for example, is fantasy krypotnite for some. Roy Williams. Prior to this year Matt Schaub. My current hoops one is Tyrus Thomas. I love him so... and he lets me down every year.

Brad (Delaware)

Balloon Boy is easy, just have a silver helium filled balloon suspended over your head, and dress in your normal juvenile casual wear...

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:33 PM)

Not bad...

Joe (Chicago)

A group of us are going as characters from Mario.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:33 PM)

Love you, Joe, but myu guess is your coming home with the same group you're going with.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Go dressed as a dollar bill so when women ask you can say, "I'm money."

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:33 PM)

That might be a winner.

Steve (NY)

Can I start Ricky as my RB3 in the same league where Ronnie is my RB1 and feel good about that from here on out?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:34 PM)

Totally. There's lot of situations like that - I've talked about it a lot where you can start both RB from the same team...

Beadle Fan (NJ)

The number one waiver wire pickup of the week is ______, hands down.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:36 PM)

Hah. You should send this to @sportsnation on Twitter. I actually say it's Beanie Wells if he's avail (50% in ESPN leagues). Shonn Greene #2.

Dan (San Jose)

Here's a good Halloween costume: you can be my date!

Steve (NY)

TMR, have you ever had a fantasy season, or at least one league, where EVERYTHING you did just blew up in your face and your team was awful? I feel like I'm having a Murphy's Law season.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:38 PM)

Yes. it happens. Nothing you can do. Certain amount of luck is needed in real life sports and fantasy is no different. Just laugh and live to fight another day. May I suggest ESPN / NBA.com Fantasy Basketball? 100% free, with free live scoring and auction drafts!

fred (omaha)

you could wear a leopard print thong, and go as a naughty Tarzan.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:38 PM)

You sure you're not Dan from San Jose?

Steve (NY)

Jason thinks that's bad? Someone in my league has had more points scored against him than the best team has scored so far this season!

Dan (Ann Arbor)

I'm worried about Pierre (the Thomas variety) and I'm thinking about benching him against a tough Falcons run defense next week in favor of Beanie Wells (vs. CAR). Do you endorse this decision?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:40 PM)

No. Look, I'm a Pierre owner too and I'd be lying if I said I was nervous. I'm gonna try and figure out what's going there and talk to some folks... but on Sunday, Bell was the better RB. That simple. Right now, it looks to me like it's a pure time share. I can't imagine benching a Saint these days, however. Especially not Beanie, who I have liked all year but don't trust yet.

Vic (kailua, Hawaii)

Your thoughts on a Brees for AP trade at this point in the season?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:41 PM)

Fair deal.

Hester (WV)

Larry Johnson is "jumping the shark" with his Tweet rants. Jamal Charles time?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

I hope so. I keep pimping Charles like he's an ESPN Fantasy product. So far, no indication. But LJ WILL be in Dumpsville this week

Shahab (San Diego)

stop answering questions about pillows and get to football you freak.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

Another satisfied customer!

Jason (Ellicott City, MD)

If I am printing a picture of you, do I get the current bald one or the former one with hair?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:42 PM)

I prefer the current one

Anna Lynn McCord (Beverly Hills)

Do I go as a sexy skeleton for Halloween or a piece of rope?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:43 PM)

a THIN piece of rope.

Chris (Lynchburg, VA)

Wouldn't a picture of you just cause Jason's bad luck to extend to the ladies as well?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:44 PM)

How dare you. Oh, and well played.

Michael (Ashville, NC)

I saw yesterday on the fantasy pregame show you said you liked Marshawn Lynch the rest of the way. I own him, but I'm getting really sick of every time I watch a Bills game he slams into a Def wall on every one of his plays because no one respects their passing game. Plus their OL is not that great. Can you explain why you like him the rest of the way to help make me feel better about owning him?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

Just because he's the guy getting the majority of carries on a run first team that will be in bad weather soon. Wouldn't say I love him, but yes, feel he's a top 20-25 guy the rest of the way. And thank you for watching Fantasy Football Now on ESPN2 and ESPN.com Sunday mornings at 11:30am ET

Ted Ginn (Miami)

You should go me. All you need for the costume is to never have the ball in your hands.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:46 PM)

hahaha

Alex (Manhattan, KS)

Who are some good buy-low players to target in trades?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:48 PM)

Anyone in Seattle. Steven Jackson.

T. Choice (Dallas)

Am I still relevant???

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:49 PM)

As long as Barber and Felix are healthy... not really. Sorry

Matt (Ohio)

BYE WEEK AVOIDANCE: Would you trade Steve Slaton and Moreno for Jones-Drew? I'd avoid Slaton's bye.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:49 PM)

No. Slaton's been red hot lately.

Nicole (LA)

It's so much easier on Halloween for us girls. Just insert Slutty whatever and you've got a costume.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:50 PM)

Pretty much. This is the best part of Halloween. Best excuse all year for women to dress skimpy.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:51 PM)

Hey, Dan in Ann Arbor. You've sumbitted the same question over 150 times now. We get it. I've seen it. Thanks.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:52 PM)

Jared in NY - yes, great costume but can't post it. Joe in Miami - no idea what that means.

Dan (Ann Arbor)

No prob. Another satisfied customer :)

mendel (fl)

BASKETBALL!!! Im trying to convince one of the owners to send me d-howard and tmac for carmela and westbrook. Am i offering too litte?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:53 PM)

Yes, because you're only offering Howard. Tmac can't be considerdd anything but a flyer at this point.

T Owens (Dumpsville)

Go as me, and just don't show up.

Mr.Lonely (Singlesville)

Nicole, can I come to your Halloween party?

DC (Milwaukee)

Can you talk about Brett Farve playing at Lambeau this coming Sunday? I think it's a great story that is going to go unnoticed

Nicole (LA)

Depends, can you handle a bunch of hot girls drinking with minimal clothing?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:55 PM)

Hahahaha

Matthew Berry (At some Halloween Party)

Show up as me. All alone :(

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

Hahaha. Well played.

Caleb (Pullman)

B. Jacobs or Pierre Thomas rest of year

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:56 PM)

Still believe in Pierre.

Phil (Seattle)

You touched on this at the beginning of the chat, but how do you think Shonn Greene replacing Leon Washington effects Thomas Jones' value for the rest of the season?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:58 PM)

Not much. If anything it helps Jones because they won't trust Greene in every situations they did with Washington. So a little more work for TJ

Ben (Dorr, MI)

Forte?!?! I can get Roddy White for him...take it?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:58 PM)

Yeah, I would do that deal.

mendel (fl)

Berry im giving carmelo/westbrook and getting howard/tmac.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:58 PM)

then do it.

Nicole (LA)

Oh, and you have to be willing to take shots off us too.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:59 PM)

hahahah! You are SO a dude. But a funny one.

Bored (Everywhere)

You have so many podcasts, articles, tv appearances, etc. and you say the same thing over and over again.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (3:59 PM)

Thank you for watching / reading / listening to ESPN!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:03 PM)

Honestly, that's true and it's a bit by design. First, most people don't catch everything so (and I'm not the only one) we offer the same content sometimes on different platforms to make sure we are reaching as many fans as possible. Second, there's a time factor. With only so many hours in the week and so many demands on everyone here at ESPN, you need to use some stuff again. And finally... there's only so much you can talk about in a given week. You're gonna start your studs. Bench your dogs. So it's really about the handful of flex plays out there.... Stephania handles injures better than I ever could, so I'm not touching that... hopefully that answers your question somewhat. The podcast and the columns are the places on ESPN where I have the most time / space to express my thoughts on a given week, so those are the things I wuold check out if you are looking to cut down on your TMR time but still get something.

Steve Smith (Carolina)

After yesterday, which do you choose? A) The start of becoming Steve Smith again B) The best game I'll play this year C) Get rid of me while you still can

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:03 PM)

B and C

Steve (NY)

Based on this season, I don't think anyone would notice the difference between a ghost costume and Steve Smith (CAR). They're both invisible.

Joe (Austin)

Would you give up your job to be with Anne?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:04 PM)

No, honestly, I would not.

Brad (Delaware)

Go as Bret Farve and say you're not going, then that you are, then that you aren't, then go after the party host flies to your house to invite you...

Dave (DC)

Are you saying Nate Burleson and Julius Jones are good buy lows?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:06 PM)

Yes. weeks 14-17, SEA plays HOU; TB; @ GB; TEN. Burlson more than J Jones. But TB is terrible, TEN will have packed it in by then... HOU's defense is inconsistent (but better vs run recently)... and GB could be good in the snow (missed tackles, etc)

Brad (Delaware)

Who you got: Phillie or Yankees?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (4:07 PM)

Phillies. And with that... thanks for stopping by!