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AJ Mass

  (11:00 AM)

Good morning gang... rain is raining and I'm switching to my first cup of tea due to early flu symptoms. Don't want the Hini my hizzy! Anyway, we've got a game tonight, and questions to get to... lets kick it off!

David (Philly)

AJ, one of your fellow writers suggested that down the stretch you pick up handcuffs to major stars. I have MJD and Rice, do you agree that it would be a good idea to pick up R Jennings and Mclain and drop someone like Knox, Nicks, or S Morris if I don't think I'll ever use them the rest of the year?

AJ Mass

  (11:02 AM)

Absolutely. The last thing you want to have happen is a major injury derail your playoff run - especially since if your team is doing well, you'll likely not be able to get these handcuffs off the waiver wire due to your priority. Once the bye weeks are done, clear out the bench.

RJ (Atlanta)

I'm short some Texans this week, so who do you like? Sanchez or A. Smith? Maroney, Mike Bell, or Jamaal Charles? Thanks!

AJ Mass

  (11:03 AM)

I like Sanchez - at least he's the safer pick in my eyes, especially after Vernon got the Bears all riled up. For back I'll take Maroney.

Eli (NY)

From a fantasy perspective, don't you think that QB's will perform better when the game is more competitive than when the game is more lopsided? Who do you like better this week: Cutler or Flacco?

AJ Mass

  (11:06 AM)

No, not really. Consider a 28-0 game at the half. QB A may have four touchdowns. QB B will now spend the whole second half throwing the ball, padding his stats. If the game was closer, teams would run more. Of course, too lopsided and the QB gets an early bench... six of one, half of another.

Dan (NY)

AJ, Return yards count in my .5 PPR league. Do you think Amendola, playing against the saints, would be a better play than Sims-Walker or Collie?

AJ Mass

  (11:08 AM)

I'd still be wary of post-concussion symptoms with Amendola. Generally speaking, I like to see players go through live action before starting them after recovering from a concussion. I'd go MSW.

Dan (Ann Arbor)

Are you buying the resurgent Titans defense? I'm thinking of starting them as sleeper this week against the woeful Bills with a rusty Trent Edwards back under center.

AJ Mass

  (11:08 AM)

I'm buying against Edwards, absolutely.

bill (halifax)

Which RB has a better week?....gore or s.jax.

AJ Mass

  (11:10 AM)

I go with Jackson. The Saints should win easily, and that gives plenty of cushion for Jackson to operate.

Rooster (Houston)

Tomlinson, Moreno, Charles or Wells the rest of the way?

AJ Mass

  (11:12 AM)

I go Beanie. LDT is done. Charles isn't going to be given a fair chance as the Chiefs want Kolby Smith to get the job. Knowshon is my second choice.

Jay (DC)

Shonn Greene or Derrick Ward? Who is more likely to break-out in the fantasty playoffs (weeks 13-16)? Thanks DAWG!

AJ Mass

  (11:13 AM)

I think Ward. Schedule not even entering into it, I think Thomas Jones has done enough to show he'll still be getting plenty of carries late into the season.

Dave (Rochester)

Hi AJ! I need help because of the early week game. I picked up Heath Miller last week only to play him over Greg Olsen. I guess that was a mistake. I don't think Olsen goes off like that this week, but should I pull the trigger on him today or go with Miller on Sunday? Thanks.

AJ Mass

  (11:15 AM)

This is a classic case of chasing your tail, Dave. I think Miller is the better play on a weekly basis, but Olsen is going to have weeks like last week. I go with steady Miller rather than always switching around trying to guess.

Dave (Dulles, VA)

AJ...with LT pretty much done when will SD realize this? Could it be that SD is not that sold on Sproles?

AJ Mass

  (11:16 AM)

I think they're just not a very good run block team, and rely on Rivers to save their bacon. Sproles isn't going to perform much better on the ground, but at least he's a pass-catching factor.

BarryO (napa,Ca.)

Mornin A.J.!Commish's court Question.A leaguemate is asking to "borrow" a QB from other teams for a week because her's is on a bye.Fair or foul?Doesn't seem right to me.

AJ Mass

  (11:19 AM)

If your league rules don't prevent it, then it's OK. I think they SHOULD prevent it, with a "no-tradeback" clause or some such restriction. And there's no way I would make such a trade, as there's really nothing in it for me as an owner, except perhaps helping a team I don't like to lose, which is slimy and underhanded...

Chris Johnson (Tennessee)

Did my coach finally turn the corner with me and realize that LenWhale can't compare to me? I was thrilled to get some goal line carries last week.

AJ Mass

  (11:20 AM)

I do believe it's safe to stash LenDale deep deep down the pecking order from this point forward, yes.

Corbin on Torts (Class)

Betts, K. Smith, Maroney...need 2?

AJ Mass

  (11:21 AM)

I'm sitting the Lion.

Brian (Raleigh, NC)

I was going to pretend to be Devin Hester to get you to answer my question, but Chris Johnson beat me to it. Would you play Hester over MB3 this week in a PPR and return league?

AJ Mass

  (11:23 AM)

I'm not sure Hester has a ton of value in returns, so I'd probably go with MB3 for this week. I expect Dallas to move the ball well in Green Bay.

Spalding (Nantucket)

Real deep league, who is worth more come playoff time if they inherit the job from the unproductive starter. Forsett or Kolby Smith?

AJ Mass

  (11:24 AM)

Kolby. As I said before, it just seems the KC staff wants Kolby to get this job. He'll get far more chances going forward, and just might well win it outright.

Dave (Delaware)

In a league with no negative points, who ya got this week, Favre or Cutler?

AJ Mass

  (11:25 AM)

I'm riding Favre until his arm falls off.

Jeff (Portland, ME)

Would you deal Deshaun Jackson and Ronnie Brown for S-Jax and Hines Ward?

AJ Mass

  (11:27 AM)

No I wouldn't. I'm a big DeSean fan and think Ward has good weeks and bad weeks. Plus Brown gets 30 touches a game - got to like his odds for success each and every week.

Mike W (Chicago)

Defensive issues today. Who do you like SF tonight vs Chicago or NYJ vs Jacksonville?

AJ Mass

  (11:29 AM)

I like the Jets. MJD should still do well, but other than that, I don't see too much upside to the Jags offense with the Jets having a week off to prepare.

Desperate Owner (inside the building)

MAJOR PROBLEM!! Pick 2 from S. JAx, Gore, T. Jones ... I know good problem ... but they are so close in ranks need some insight on which to sit ... I always sit the wrong one!!

AJ Mass

  (11:30 AM)

As I said before, I like Jackson because I think the Rams get torched early, making the Saints D a lot more passive. Jacksonville isn't the greatest D in the league, so I like TJ as well. Got to sit Gore.

mike (texas)

i need to start 1, a.collie, d.henderson or j.jones. thanks

AJ Mass

  (11:31 AM)

Go with Devery. I like Collie, but I'm not sure how bad that injury of his is right now.

Zack (Chicago)

how well do you think jason Campbell will do this week i need to play him becasue eli is sitting

AJ Mass

  (11:33 AM)

I think Campbell has actually had a really nice fantasy season. That said, I'm not high on him versus Denver - at least not the Denver team that showed up in the 1st half against Pittsburgh.

Trey (Ft. Smith, AR)

*HELP* I'm a Shaub owner and I have to choose from Flacco or Hasselbeck, who should be more productive?

AJ Mass

  (11:34 AM)

Wacko for Flacco! Especially against Cleveland.

Randy (Duval Co.)

Commish Court Question: We have 2 guys who have given up in our league. I tried to trade one of the guys Forte and Nicks for Benson. Commish vetoed saying the trade was equitable, but not fair. He then goes on to say nobody is allowed to trade with either of the 2 people. Me thinks he's a little upset that I'm in 2nd place and he's in 4th.

AJ Mass

  (11:36 AM)

Of course he is. However, if he made an edict that nobody is allowed to trade with those owners and didn't tell you, then he's a lousy Commish to begin with. You don't rule in secret.

Tony (Detriot)

Do you think Bush will really get 14 fantasy pts?

AJ Mass

  (11:37 AM)

Bush has actually been utilized as the goal-line back lately. Plus, he gets plenty of targets each game... it's certainly likely.

Rashard (Richmond)

hey AJ who should I start crabtree or Braylon edwards???

AJ Mass

  (11:38 AM)

I'm with Edwards. He just made a statement that he wants to play in NY next season... now watch him go out and show the team why they'll want him.

John (Detroit)

I have a feeling Boldin will go OFF this week. I know what the rankings say, but am I NUTS for starting him over D. Jackson @ SD?

AJ Mass

  (11:39 AM)

John, it's your team. Go with your gut. I always say that... but keep track of how well your gut does. When the evidence starts to show it's usually wrong, then tell it to be quiet.

AJ Mass

  (11:39 AM)

John, it's your team. Go with your gut. I always say that... but keep track of how well your gut does. When the evidence starts to show it's usually wrong, then tell it to be quiet.

Justin (St Paul)

Please pick two in my ppr league: Benson, Sjax, Rice?

AJ Mass

  (11:41 AM)

I'd sit Benson.

David (Minneapolis)

Do you agree with Karabell that now we can believe in Mendenhall after last Monday's performance?

AJ Mass

  (11:42 AM)

I'm not on the Mendenhall train just yet. I do think he's the starter right now and that FWP's best days are behind him. But inside the five, Rashard isn't all that impressive. Either Willie or Mewelde is going to vulture scores, and Pitt is still going to pass a lot more than they used to.

Charles in Charge (Dallas, TX)

I'm having a dispute with my league on a scoring change for the Indy Defense. Last week Moats fumbled at the 2 and Indy recovered it and received a touchback, after challenging and winning the review. Shouldn't Indy have received 2 points for that?

AJ Mass

  (11:45 AM)

If memory serves the official ruling, which the ref was very clear on, was that the ball was fumbled and that the defender did NOT establish position in-bounds, so the ball was not "recovered" but rather "fumbled out of the end zone" meaning there was no fumble recovery and no points for the D.

Sean (FL)

Any chance Crabtree does well tonight? I'm 8-1 and my opponent is starting Forte tonight so thought it would be fun to both have players starting tonight. This is supposed to be fun right?

AJ Mass

  (11:46 AM)

Well, of course there's a good chance Crabtree does well. The question is whether he does better than the rest of your WR options. But if you need a pony in the race to enjoy it, who am I to stop you?

Doug (Orange County, CA)

Would you pick up Sammy Mo. or McFadden as a sleeper for the rest of the way?

AJ Mass

  (11:47 AM)

I definitely want DMC on my bench right now. He could easily be gaining 100 yards come the playoffs.

Joshua (Sunny Michigan!!!)

Yeah, but if Moats loses 2 for fumbling, shouldn't the defense get points for causing the fumble and getting the ball? A turnover is a turnover man.

AJ Mass

  (11:48 AM)

I feel you. We play by official stats, though.. if the NFL says there's no fumble recovery and we award fantasy points on fumble recoveries, then there's no points.

CJ (Michigan)

Hey AJ!! Assuming Portis is out, who should I start alongside AP -- Beanie, Moreno or McFadden?? Or would you drop McFadden to pick up Ladell Betts?

AJ Mass

  (11:50 AM)

I think that's a good assumption. I'd start Moreno. Keep DMC.

Justin (Chicago)

Eddie Royal has been getting a ton of targets lately. Shouldn't he be projected a little higher at this point?

AJ Mass

  (11:53 AM)

I don't think so. Marshall is still the #1 option and Orton is far more efficient at completing passes to Scheffler. Without those return scores, he's really only had 1 decent game this season.

Ray (Omaha)

New England or the Colts in this weeks big game? Brady or Manning, who has the better day?

AJ Mass

  (11:54 AM)

Brady more yards, Manning more TDs. Colts win a slugfest.

Gary (Fresno)

Cutler vs Rivers - can you compare their long term, keeper prospects?

AJ Mass

  (11:56 AM)

Cutler, IMO, is the better QB but right now Rivers has the better offense for fantasy points. I think over the next few years, Cutler is the better keeper.

Jeff (NC)

Pick one in a PPR: Collie, Garcon, or Cotchery?

AJ Mass

  (11:57 AM)

Garcon. If I was 100 percent convinced of Collie's health, I'd go with him, though. It's definitely one of the Colts.

Scott (Dallas)

Who do you prefer Moats or DMC as bench depth?

AJ Mass

  (11:58 AM)

Moats... but only because Cable is completely clueless.

Corey (D.C.)

Do you think that "Tightness of Spiral" should be a FF stat category? As a purist of the game I get frustrated seeing QBs throw lame ducks, and believe if two QBs have identical stats then the one with the tighter, prettier spiral should get a few more points to break the tie. What do you think?

AJ Mass

  (11:59 AM)

I think it's time to get another cup of tea. Great chat gang. Thousands of Q's rolling in... sorry we couldn't get to them all. You can try to catch me on Twitter or the blogosphere. Until the next time, we'll see you at Villa Alegre!