SharonMBS (Rochester ny)

It's noon...where r u MB

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:03 PM)

Right here, Sharon. What's up party people? Congrats on caring about fantasy in week 17. Let's get to it - as always, all subjects answered but start / sit questions about the same position - like Tebow or Rivers? - can be answered by looking at my rankings, which are now updated. Thanks

Dave (Texas)

Love your columns. Hilarious! You rank A. Brown higher but do you think D. Moore has more upside? Need the points in a PPR! Thanks.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:04 PM)

Upside for a crazy game? Yes, Moore has more upside based on Ben's health. but also more risk - I ranked Brown higher.

Taco Filling (Chi-town)

You seem to be the only one who thinks Stafford/Lions have nothing to pay for? Isn't avoiding Saints in 1st round by itself enough? Have you read or heard something specific from Lions org. to make you think Stafford/Lions won't play it like a regular game?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:07 PM)

Well, true, they would rather face NYG/DAL winner but they'd also rather be healthy no matter who they face. I raised Stafford in the updates because I keep hearing how 11 wins is important to Schwartz and I don't think GB shows up. BUT - given Stafford and Calvin's injury history, I don't think they play the whole game, especially if the Lions get a lead. Shaun Hill and Titus Young can lead Det to a win against the GB second team too... So after reading more and talking to a few people internally here, I like them more than I did but I am still lowest on both.

Mark (India)

I need to pick 2: Bowe, D. Thomas, or J. Stewart?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:08 PM)

I actually bench Bowe. He's traditionally really struggled against Champ

Matt (Foster)

After his showing the last two weeks, do you think Khalil Bell will get a shot to play next year? Would you keep him rostered in a dynasty league?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:10 PM)

I do. He's impressive. Depends on what happens with Forte. Expectation is that they franchise Forte, but maybe with Bell, if they can't come to a deal with Forte they go with Bell. Not likely, but not entirely out of the question. If Bell had converted those goal line runs last week that would have helped and we'll see how he does this week, but yes, they like him a lot.

Mark R. (Cincy)

Good afernoon TMR: Just wanted you to know that I am a huge fan and love the podcast. My question is my concern about Michael Turner's playing time due to his groin and Atlanta already clinching playoff spot. Would you consider using LoRo at flex. I am already playing Austin and Witten. I could also play Snelling. Thanks for your help!!! BTW This is the Championship game!!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:12 PM)

Thanks Mark. We discussed this on the pod. I think I'd probably wait to see what happens with DET game. If Det wins at 1, then I'd play Snelling. If DET loses, go Turner. I like Laurent a lot and it's a good match-up but that's a lot of eggs in the DAL basket with no idea how Romo's hand really is.

Judge and Jury (Court of Proper Conduct)

Berry, I have an owner threatening violence on another owner over a lineup change during the Semi-Final. The lineup change is controversial. But the lineup issues aside, threatening to come over someone's house to fight them is grounds for dismissal, right?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:13 PM)

No question. That's insanity. There's nothing - NOTHING - in fantasy football that justifies violence or the threat of it.

Sam (Iowa City)

You being one of the out-of-towners on The League would be awesome! Worried about rested starters. Would you start Antonio Brown over Roddy White if the Lions beat the Packers?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:14 PM)

YES

Jessica (Nashville)

Hey TMR!! Please tell me it's not true... Do I have to trust Blount over a short play-time Kevin Smith this week after my team has been riddled with injury? Or will he produce more in 10 or less carries than Blount does vs. ATL?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:15 PM)

Sad as it may be, I think you're going Blount. I can't imagine they let Smith touch the field at all.

Darren (TX)

Any injury update on Reggie Bush? Will he play?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:15 PM)

Stephania discussed on pod this morning. Check back Sun morn but yes, think so.

Joe (NY)

Busting out some baseball, my last keeper spot, The Buzzsaw or Vance Worley. Im leading toward the Buzzsaw

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:15 PM)

Buzzsaw

Andy (IND)

Never had a question answered before, but I keep trying. Thoughts on Calvin Johnson this week? Will he play enough to produce or should I go with Floyd or B. Wells over him? Also, what is your take on teams helping players reach the 1,000 yard milestone? There are certain WRs and RBs who are close and I figured they would be good bets in my salary cap league this week?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:17 PM)

Think it depends on the situation for 1,000 yard folks - but yeah, in some case - like PHI has said they really want to try and get McCoy the rushing record (insane, but they'll try)... but not every team is as accomodating....I'd go Floyd - I don't think V Jax plays

David (Herndon, VA)

Happy Belated Birthday Broseph!I know that you have Foster above the two backups I have (Ridley, Rodgers, P. Thomas), but what's the point where you just one of those guys over him anyway just to make sure the points are put on the board?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:19 PM)

Thanks. I think it depends on who else you have in your lineup and whether you need safe points or just need to roll dice on upside or not. In the case of Foster, you should know before the game if he is active or not....I Do think NO goes for it so Thomas should be ok.

Jason (New York)

Any idea if the Texans give Ben Tate a heavy workload this weekend since they don't have anything to play for? I feel like he could be a solid flex option.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:21 PM)

I agree with you. Also think Ward gets into the mix - I ranked him this week. TEN is bad vs the run.

Ryan (Trenton, NJ)

Berry... Thanks for the help this year I was able to win both of my leagues this year even though I went against your advice sometimes. Do you do anything for FFB during the playoffs? Thanks!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:23 PM)

Congrats and thanks, I think. We offer a Playoff version of Gridiron Challenge, a salary cap gamehttp://games.espn.go.com/gridiron-playoff-challenge/en/frontpage

Brock (Arlington)

Hey Matthew, Nice work on the League btw. Ive got Miles Austin, Percy Harvin, and Toby Gerhart, which 2 do I play?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:24 PM)

I'm benching Toby, who I like this week but he has the worst matchup and is least proven of the 3.

Christian (San Diego)

There was the Elite 8 QB's Vick, Rodgers, Brees, Brady, Rivers, Romo, Schuab, and Big Ben in the beginning of this fantasy year. Does this list the same next year or does it get bigger or smaller?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:25 PM)

Obviously, you are adding Cam and Stafford to that list next year. I'd probably drop Schaub from it. If Tebow keeps the job he's be borderline on that list. In general, I think it expands.

Andrew (Robbinsville, New Jersey)

Every year 5-6 QBs score more points than the top RB. Can you explain why analysts continue to rank RBs higher in the preseason? Thanks

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:29 PM)

Because of depth of position. 32 NFL teams. ESPN standard leagues start 2 RB, 2 WR and one Flex, egenrally a RB/WR. So... 10 team league, you're looking at 50 players (20 RB, 20 WR, 10 RB/WR) from 32 teams.You only start 1 QB. So, only 10 out of 32 ...By the way, to the elite QB list next year, you probably have to add Eli after the year he's had. He's definitely in the conversation.

Jason (Indy)

Is there any chance you can pass this along to the developers? For next year, it would be very helpful for the league manager to be able to manually input keepers for specific rounds in the draft. Thanks, TMR! Happy New Year!!!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:30 PM)

Consider it passed along. Thanks!

Brad (Syracuse, NY)

Will Belichick have an answer for the past two weeks of CJ Spiller fantasy greatness?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:30 PM)

I don't think so. I expect a high scoring game.

Seth (HELP!)

I KNOW I CAN LOOK AT THE RANKINGS. But I wanted some explanation. DeAngelo, Felix, Kahlil, and Ahmad are my RB's in the championship. Why are you so high on felix because I am leaning toward Kahlil and DeAngelo unless you persuade me on Felix.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:32 PM)

Felix: Averaging over 5.6 yards per carry over his last three games, had 137 total yards the last time these two teams played. Romo banged up, expect Dallas to focus on run game even more. Giants have given up 15 rushing touchdowns this year and allow 4.5 yards per carry.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

Will JC Superstar be a gerat 2nd round pick a la Wes Welker coming back from surgery, or is he going to be risky? Him or DMC?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:34 PM)

Think I'd rather have JC. Wait to see how he looks in preseason, but DMC has continually had injury issues while this is first of JC's career. Don't think I'd take either in 2nd round - think it's another year before JC is back to being a super stud - but given how long JC has had to rehab, I like his prospects more

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

Who would you be most scared to draft next year - JC Superstar, All Day or FJax?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:35 PM)

All Day. That was bad. Next would be F Jax, based on his age and Spiller's likely increased role.

Brett R (Tulsa, OK)

Is it too cute of me to bench Stafford for Eli? I did it once 2 weeks ago and it almost kicked me out of the playoffs (I won by less than a point)...Thanks

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:35 PM)

Not at all. We KNOW Eli is playing the whole game barring injury. Lotta question marks on Stafford

Mike (Wayne, NJ)

Happy Belated Birthday Mr. Roto! Since I am one of the over 1,000 people who voted that Stephania Bell is the ice cream cone of fantasy football, can you please explain it means to be the "cone"!?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:39 PM)

Like most things on the podcast, it's totally dumb. Someone emailed in calling Nate and I "Fantasy Sundae's" or something and we discussed, if we were an ice cream cone, what would all of us be? We decided (I believe) that Nate and I were the ice cream, Pod was the cherry or whipped cream or something and Stephania was the cone. She took great exception to that, which of course only made it funnier. So we let listeners decided if she was, in fact, the cone. America voted - she's a cone.

Mike (Cleveland)

Best guess as to the better long-term keeper: Vereen or Ridley?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:39 PM)

Ridley. But it's NE. Just a guess.

Jerry (TX)

Is the Romo injury enough to make one consider starting Rex Grossman over him this week or is that pushing it too much?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:40 PM)

Way too cute. If Romo plays poorly and you lose, fine - wasn't meant to be for you this year. But if you start Rex and lose? Against Phi, who he threw 4 picks against earlier? That's on you.

Alan (Columbus, Ohio)

Hi TMR! Hypothetically speaking, if the Lions rest players, do you see this having any effect on Brandon Pettigrew? My other TE option is Celek.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:41 PM)

I do - think you'd see more Scheffler. I like Celek a lot this week.

Scott (Northglenn, CO)

Wanted to give you a chance to toot your own horn, since you have a tough time doing that...er, anyways...what were your favorite predictions you made that came to fruition?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:44 PM)

I was all in on Stafford and Calvin. Matt Forte. Jimmy Graham. Fred Jackson. My overall theory about stockpiling midlevel RB's & WR in general worked out, with Jackson, Sproles and McGahee being among the poster children.I had Mendenhall on the pre-seaosn hate list .... Huge on Tebow before he ever started. Got into an on air argument with Herm Edwards before the SF-PHI game on Numbers Never Lie where I said SF had a chance to win the game and that their offense wasn't as bad as everyone was saying. Herm strongly disgagreed with me. I love Herm, but that gave me a lot of pleasure.

Sheila (Houston)

Gates didn't practice, injury prone, nothing to play for..would you ever consider benching Gates? I never have but am thinking so to go with red hot Cook

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:45 PM)

I wouldn't but I get it and I have both top 10 this week.

Paula (San Diego)

With Michael Vick: I think you forgot the #1 fantasy rule that players ALWAYS regress after a stellar year. That said, draft low on Cam Newton next year, right?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:48 PM)

I didn't forget it and I don't think that always holds true. Rodgers and Brees both had great years last year. They've been even better than that this year. As we've seen with Cam and Tebow... rushing QB's make a huge difference. Vick was always a high risk, high reward pick and I never said different. I was willing to take the risk.As for Cam next year, I probably have him behind Rodgers, Brees and Brady...

CAM (Chicago)

WR question for Mr. Roto- Would you start Bryant AND Austin this week? I could also play Colston or Maclin. The whole "2 WRs from the same team" is tripping me up.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:49 PM)

I always play my best team and don't really worry about same team. In this case, though, given Romo etc... your best team is Miles and Colston.

Andrew (Boston)

TMR. Love your stuff. My teams are garbage, but I still look for your advice weekly - if only I would take it. My question is, who has more upside in a keeper league - SuperCam Newton or the Red Rocket (who I am completely convinced does not wear a helmet, just dyes black stripes on to his hair)?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:49 PM)

Who is the Red Rocket?

Scott (KY)

Happy Birthday and I must give you credit, you made me pick Lynch and he help me win at the end of the year and Jimmy Graham help me all year man, can you give me you choices on 2 keepers for next year have to give up a pick for each one next year here are the choices Brees for 1st, Jennings for 2nd, Bowe for 3rd, Lynch for 5th, Jimmy Graham for 6th , Helu, K Bell or D Thomas for 10th or 9th if pick 2 out of these last 3?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:51 PM)

Thanks Scott. Lynch another poster boy for mid level non sexy RB's. He was also on pre-season love list. I keep Graham in 6th and probably Lynch or Helu. Wait to see what happens with those guys on their respective teams. Lynch is a FA.

Matt (Philly)

2011 gave you a new wife, kids, Number Never Lie, and an appearance on The League. Not bad. 2011 gave us your same mediocre fantasy advice, somehow i finished 2nd in baseball and in championship for football. I need some flexual healing. Who do you start out of K. Bell, McGahee, Harvin or Marshall? Its killing me.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:54 PM)

Yeah, it's been a good year. Given the kind of production we've seen out of Harvin when AP has been out, I think I go there. Like all of them but Harvin is my choice.

Dave (Texas)

I think the Red Rocket is Andy Dalton. That's... not the worst nickname I've ever heard for him.

Andrew (Boston)

The Red Rocket is Kyle Orton.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:54 PM)

Seems to be some confusion. Just look at my ranks.

will (ohio)

So im playing my fiancee in the finals and she's up by 16. Im listening to the podcast Thursday and she asks what Im listening to and I say TMR. She looks at me and says why, your not going to help you win. Great work all season. Can't wait til next year

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:54 PM)

Hahahaha. Hilarious.

Matt H (Hawkeye nation)

Who do you think has a better chance of logging a full game? Drew Brees, Tom Brady, or Both?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:55 PM)

Both

David (Dallas)

Keeper question for next year - $200 auction format, I can keep Lynch for $34 or Stafford for $18. 14-team league, 6pt passing TDs, everything else standard.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:55 PM)

Stafford.

Shane (AZ)

Thoughts on Peyton Hillis this week? I know his matchup sucks, but he's looked great the last couple weeks against tough run Ds.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:55 PM)

Think he'll be okay. I agree with you and you can run SOMEWHAT on PIT. Think he's a flex play

Pat (Texas)

Could you explain the differnece in your rankings of cincy and broncos def. from the other rankings?????????

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:58 PM)

I like DEN at home against a QB they are very familiar with (Orton ran the scout team vs them for a while) instead of CIN, who had just 1 pt the last time they faced BALT. Ravens need to win, so I expect a fairly conservative game plan on road, lots of Ray, so not a lot of scoring opps for CIN D. That's a short version of the thought process.

Andrew (Boston)

I'm not confused...just curious who has more upside in a keeper league. Obviously I'd rather have Orton this week...but I'm not sure who to keep for next year.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:58 PM)

Dalton over Orton.

Joe (MA)

I came on here last week asking DeAngelo or Tolbert in a PPR which may sound like a simple answer but when you play for a title you second guess yourself. I played DeAngelo as instructed and won due to it. So thanks and keep up the good work!

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:59 PM)

Whew!

Jon (Chicago)

Why so high on Laurent Robinson versus the other analysts?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (12:59 PM)

Look at his production and look at the matchup. NYG secondary is terrible. Think game is a shoot out.

Newton (Charlotte,NC)

Witten or Cook? PPR

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:00 PM)

Witten

Michael (Houston )

Howdy TMR from the Lone star state. Love your columns and podcast's. Keep doing what your doing. In a 10 team ppr championship for lots of jellybeans with a bunch of college buddies. Need some advice on a flex play. going with gore and Kalil Bell as RB's and Calvin Johnson and Mike Wallace as WR. I have Mike williams, law firm, donald brown, tate, and Royster as options. Leaning on Tate due to amount of work in a meaningless game. Thoughts?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:01 PM)

If Helu is declared out, go Royster. Otherwise, I agree - Tate.

Brandon (Indiana)

LeSean McCoy gonna be ok to go on Sunday?

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:01 PM)

Yes, I expect him out there

Mike (IN)

I'm going to miss you over the next couple months. Enjoy the off season.

Matthew Berry - The Talented Mr. Roto

  (1:02 PM)

Thanks Mike. I'll miss all you guys as well. I'll be back soon enough for fantasy baseball but yes, after Sunday, I'm taking a little time off and very much looking forward to it. Thanks all and good luck this weekend!We'll still be doing Fantasy Football Now on ESPN2 at 11:30am ET. See ya then. Matthew