We had our inaugural live Q&A today.  If you missed it, shame on you.  You missed a good time.  But good news, the transcript is just past the link below!  Be sure to join us next Thursday at noon to get in on the action.

Carlos: I’ve never played Fantasy Football before. Is it too late to join a league for this season?
Danny Willis: No, not at all. If anything a late-start league is a little easier since you already know who’s playing well before you draft, and you’re playing against other casual players. It’s a good first-time sort of thing.

Jon: Question from Ken, who couldn’t get logged in: He’s got Tom Brady and his backup is Tarvaris Jackson. His deadline for pickups is later today, can you give him some names of potential guys to target, either through trade or waiver wire?
Jeremiah Oshan: First off, I would look at Brady’s replacement Matt Cassel. In a post earlier this week, I predicted stats in the range of 3,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. He’s playing in the same offense with most of the same coaches that allowed Brady to break the NFL record for touchdown passes. If he’s available, take him.

John: I have both Randy Moss and Wes Welker on fantasy team. Should I get rid of one since Brady is out for the season? Will they still have a good year?
Danny Willis: I’d keep Moss and ditch Welker. Shop him around for a trade, people may still be high on him if they get all their NFL info from ESPN alone, but I think Welker’s going to be the one who suffers most from Brady’s injury. Moss will be fine though. He’s done fine with worse quarterbacks.
Jeremiah Oshan: On a side note, I’d be reluctant to give Welker away too cheap, though. He’s had a history as a possession receiver and there’s plenty of reason to expect Cassel to look to him while he finds his footing. The thing about Moss is that he’s primarily a long ball threat, so multiple things need to be working for him to be effective.
Danny Willis: True, but Welker never really shined until he had Brady throwing to him. There’s always the chance he’ll do fine but I’d worry about having two receivers with a backup quarterback throwing to them.

Jon: Question from Barry: Is J.T. O’Sullivan worth having? Is there anyone beside Frank Gore who’s worth having on the 49ers?
Danny Willis: I’m not touching this one, things might get ugly. Jeremiah?
Jeremiah Oshan: I hate to answer this way but, it really depends on the depth of your league. If it’s a 10-team league where you only have one starting QB, JTO is probably not worth having. But I think he can be one of the top 20 QBs.

grafe: What do you think of Bryant Johnson? Any chance he could have a breakout year?
Danny Willis: Ok, I will take this one. I actually like Bryant Johnson. Even though he has O’Sullivan throwing to him he looked great against the Cardinals, showed solid hands and ran good routes. I don’t know that I’d start him but if the offense looks more Martz-like he could become valuable down the stretch.
Jeremiah Oshan: I like Johnson, too. he’s never had a chance to be the focus of the offense and Mike Martz has made less-skilled players into effective fantasy producers.

Ringo: Eddie Royal. Great receiver or Greatest Reciever? Should I pick him up or will Marshall take away too many catches?
Jeremiah Oshan: I’ll go with decent fantasy option. At the very least, he’s shown that he can be very productive as long as Marshall is out. If he has even one more game anything like what he did Monday, Marshall’s presence won’t make a differene. I’d definitely add him if he’s available and start him if you own him.

Mike: Why do people keep saying Mike Martz can work miracles? When’s the last time somebody was better off for having played for him? Years? Six years? Mike Martz is a myth and people who draft fantasy players based on this reason and wasting their time.
Zack: I agree with Mike.
Danny Willis: I disagree. He made Jon Kitna a 4,000 yard passer. Jon Kitna! He always manages to inflate at least one person on a team he coaches, be it the RB, the QB or the WRs.
Jeremiah Oshan: Kevin Jones also blossomed under Martz. And Mike Furrey.
Ringo: Jon Kitna had a good year with the Bengals before Martz ever got to him …. not buying it.
Mike: Kevin Jones? I rest my case!
grafe: roy williams broke out once martz got there though, and as he joshan said mike furrey too
Danny Willis: And just look what happened to Marc Bulger after Martz left. That was the start of his quick decline. Martz may not be the best coordinator, but he’s the best fantasy coordinator. Mark my words, he’s going to turn at least one Niners player into a solid player.
Jeremiah Oshan: Say what you will, but Jones posted 1,200 rushing/receiving yards his first year with Martz.

Zack: How do you guys rate Phillip Rivers? I would’ve thought
Zack: whoops!
Danny Willis: I’m actually pretty high on Rivers. He had an amazing game Week 1 and he’s got a couple solid receivers in Chambers and Jackson. Now that Brady is out, Peyton is struggling and Carson Palmer imploded Rivers is close to joining the elite.
Geison: Rivers is a punk. Runs his mouth, too much. But I’m a Chargers fan …

Gieson: Is Vincent Jackson finally ready to step into the No. 1 role? Can you win if you have to count on him each week?
Jeremiah Oshan: Counting on Vincent Jackson is a dicey proposition. He’s great to stash on your roster, but don’t relying on him just yet.
Danny Willis: I don’t know, Jackson might break out. He’s got great size and now that Rivers is starting to look like a first round pick he could show something. Especially if LT is limited by his toe injury and they have to throw more.

Tony: What about the Broncos’ tight end situation? Nate Jackson starts, but I feel tony Scheffler is the better receiver …. do you avoid both?
Jeremiah Oshan: As with any TE, I think you focus on guys who are clear starters. There’s at least 10 out there. Let the situation in Denver work itself out before you start relying on one.

grafe: any thoughts on eli manning? do you think everything started to click in last year’s playoffs and he’ll be a great fantasy guy or do you think he just hit a hot streak?
Jeremiah Oshan: I’m not real high on Rivers, but I do like Eli Manning. He’s got a solid cast around him and the confidence he gained last year is huge.

Patrick: Any idea what to do with the Raiders running backs? I have both Fargas and McFadden … both looked good. Will they be splitting carries? If I had to pick one, who should I pick?
Jeremiah Oshan: Follow the money. All things being equal, he’s the guy the Raiders are counting on. So should you.
Jeremiah Oshan: That McFadden.
Danny Willis: I say Fargas right now, probably McFadden in the long run. They should both put up good numbers just because of how terrible the Raiders’ receivers are looking. I was surprised at what a high percentage of the carries Fargas got but, like Jeremiah said, it’ll shift by year’s end.

Geison: What’s the word on LT? Is he starting this week? should I start him this week?
Danny Willis: LT is starting, he’s going to play through the injury, so start him. LT at 80% is still a top-three fantasy RB. Dude’s good.

Becker: Michael Turner. One week stud or long-term production? I had him and didn’t start him. Dangit.
Jeremiah Oshan: I’m not going to predict Pro Bowl or anything, but with numbers like that you simply have to play him until he shows it’s a fluke.
Danny Willis: The Falcons are leaning on him to avoid destroying Matt Ryan’s career, they learned from Mike Nolan’s mistakes, so he should put up solid numbers all year barring injury.
Becker: Yeah, but what’s gonna happen once Ds really key on Turner? You think they can keep it up? I’m afraid he’s gonna have a VERY tough road ahead of him.
Danny Willis: It’s going to hurt him when he starts facing eight-man fronts but Ryan looked surprisingly polished, even a rookie can take advantage of single coverage. He won’t be a superstar but he’ll be good enough for a #2 role on fantasy teams.
Jeremiah Oshan: 200 yards is not a fluke. He might not equal that all year, but I don’t think the Lions were exactly game-planning to stop the vaunted Falcons passing attack either.
Jeremiah Oshan: I think the real concern with Turner will be durability. Luckily he has a decent backup in Norwood, so you should probably have him too.

Wally: I saw you guys are down on Palmer. It’s not like he forgot how to play QB … and he still has two GREAT WRs. Where’s the love?
Jeremiah Oshan: I drafted Palmer pretty early in one of my league’s, I don’t see any reason to jump ship. QBs have bad games, they just don’t usually come in Game 1. Don’t worry too much.
Danny Willis: My worry is that he’s got less around him. Mr. Ocho Cinco isn’t at 100%, the line’s not looking very good and their RB situation is sketchy. Even Palmer can’t do it alone.

Wally: What’s the word on Rudi Johnson in Detroit? Is he even worth having on my team?
Danny Willis: I’d worry about having anyone on the Lions. I mean, they’re the Lions. But it looks like Rudi’s not going to start so I’d avoid him.

Boston Born: I drew the short straw and was able to draft Tom Brady this year in two different fantasy leagues. I know with the ACL his points will be significantly down but am I wrong to continue to expect at least 20 per game?
Danny Willis: Absolutely. Tell everyone from Boston and all my opponents in all my leagues.

Mike: Better numbers at the end of the year … Cutler or Manning?
Jeremiah Oshan: Eli or Peyton?
Mike: Jeremiah, don’t be silly. Eli sucks. I’m talking Peyton.
Jeremiah Oshan: Oh, in that case, bet it all on Cutler!
Danny Willis: I’m going out on a limb and saying Cutler. I have a strong suspicion he’s going to break out and Peyton looks like the injury is affecting him more than he’s admitting.

Zack: Maurice Jones-Drew is either feast or famine. I love him because he’s a local kid … but is he too risky to be an every-week starter?
Danny Willis: As an Ygnacio Valley graduate I recommend cutting every De La Salle player you’ve got. But as a fantasy player I say Week 1 is a fluke and MJD will return to 2007 form.
Jeremiah Oshan: I really like Jones-Drew, also. I just hope you have someone more reliable in your RB rotation.
Ringo: Ygancio Valley has a football team??? since when?
Danny Willis: Hey, they were good in 2000.
Becker: Just like Mike Martz!

Ringo: OK, I’ll bite … eli or cutler?
Jeremiah Oshan: I do think Cutler will be good, but let’s temper our enthusiasm. He’s still throwing to mostly untested WRs. Still, he’ll be better than Eli.
Wally: Mostly untested? Marshall had 103 catches, the tight ends are in their 3rd, 4th years, stokley is a vet, jackson is a vet … Royal’s the only untested one.
Jeremiah Oshan: Marshall had one good year. Stokley and Jackson are past their prime. Maybe untested was the wrong word, but that’s hardly the second coming of the Three Amigos.
Mike: The Three Amigos were overrated (and I grew up in Colorado!) … they were fun but they never put up good numbers.
Danny Willis: Jackson never had a prime. But I’m still pro-Cutler. You don’t need superstars at WR, just decent players, and Denver’s WR corps is decent at worst.
Zack: You should check at what Stokley did last year before you say he was past his prime … he was nails on third down. Great slot receiver, great third receiver!
Jeremiah Oshan: He’s back to being a role player. He’s not going to go for 1,000 yards or 100 catches. We’re talking fantasy production, not real world contributions.

Ringo: What about that QB in Washington, Whathisname? I feel Portis HAS to start declining at some point. Can Campbell carry the load if Portis starts to wear down (ala Larry Johnson)?
Danny Willis: After last season I would say yes on Campbell, after this season so far I’d say maybe not. He was making progress last year but, wow, he looked bad. The Giants’ front seven is pretty good but I’d expect a little more than I saw.

Wally: Larry Johnson? Buying or selling?
Danny Willis: Sell. I drafted him as my #2 back and, man, I’m regretting it. I don’t think he’s ever going to recover from that 400-carry season.
Jeremiah Oshan: I was never a big LJ fan. If you can sell him for 75 cents on the dollar, go for it.

Monty from Greeley: I have Tom Brady.
Monty from Greeley: Tell me what to do.
Monty from Greeley: Please
Danny Willis: As it turns out I wrote a post on that very subject: http://www.ibabuzz.com/fantasysports/2008/09/08/so-you-drafted-tom-brady/
Monty from Greeley: Look at you, Danny! you’re not really gonna sell people on Cassel?
Danny Willis: Cassel can be decent, but Jeremiah is his big supporter. I’m selling people on the other guys mostly.

Wally: Is there another KC back that will pick up the slack or should we avoid KC all together?
Jeremiah Oshan: Other than Bowe, I don’t think there’s anyone on KC that I really want.
Wally: thought they had some tight end who knew how to play football?
Jeremiah Oshan: He’s going to make a great model some day.

Martin: I realize he’s coming off an injury but as he recovers will Todd Heap be able to score numbers or will he be limited by the QB carousel here in Charm City?
Jeremiah Oshan: His bigger problem is the QB position. I’m not even remotely convinced Flacco can carry that team as a rookie.
Danny Willis: I was surprised about how poorly Heap did. I wouldn’t start him until he’s back at 100%, but if someone cuts him I’d pick him up. Rookies usually rely more on their TE as a safety valve so he may get a lot of short dump-offs.

Danny, Evans: Adrian Peterson … am I the only one who thinks he’s not great? he’s good, sure. but I don’t see the monster season out of him that other people do. anybody with me?
Danny Willis: You’re the only one. Sorry. He’s a great back behind an even better line on a team with no passing game. He’ll be a top-five back.
Danny, Evans: I’m not saying he’s gonna be bad … he’ll still be better than most. But I’ve seen predictions of 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns for AD. I don’t think he gets close. I say 1,200 and 8 TDs … good, but not great
Danny Willis: I think AD will get at least 1,500 yards and at least 10 TDs.

Aptos: Randy Moss and Earnest Graham for Adrian Peterson?
Jeremiah Oshan: No way.
Danny Willis: If I was the one getting Peterson I’d take it, but if I was getting Moss and Graham I’d run away.

Parlayjay: Who would trade? Carson Palmer or Kurt Warner? I need WR
Jeremiah Oshan: You’re not going to get much for Warner, but if it’s either or, I’m keeping Palmer.
Danny Willis: Right now Warner might have more trade value and Palmer is the better long-term option. Shop Warner around out of the two.
Mike: I’d trade warner … if he slumps, Leinart will play. Palmer’s not getting benched at all. He’s the safer pick in the longrun.

Mike: Fantasy yokels have long hated Shanahan for his running-back by committee approach, but more teams seems to be doing it. do you think this spread-the-carries around approach is a trend that will catch on?
Jeremiah Oshan: Two-back offenses are here to stay, I’m afraid to say.
Danny Willis: Yeah, especially after what happened to Larry Johnson coaches are trying to spread out carries. But a good back will continue to be a good back.

Brian: My league has a flex position (WR/RB/TE) I am trying to decide between Tory Holt and Felix Jones. Any recommendations. Holt was worthless last week but if Barber is back, will Felix be worth it?
Danny Willis: I’d go Holt this week. Jones is the #2 against the Eagles D. But usually I’d say Jones.
Jeremiah Oshan: I think you always play a talent like Holt until he’s proven he’s done.
Parlayjay: Should I be real worried about Torry Holt? Cause I’m worried about my bench wr, Ginn and Matt Jones. My tother two starters are Andre and Calvin Johnson
Jeremiah Oshan: Give Holt another couple weeks before you do anything drastic.
Danny Willis: I wouldn’t be. Holt will be solid. He’s not going to match any career highs but you could do worse. Ted Ginn for example.

Tony: Is this a good week to start Rick Upchurch?
Danny Willis: Wow, time warp.
Tony: Just want to make sure you were paying attention!

Aptos: Who has better long term value? Tim Hightower or Rudi Johnson?
Danny Willis: Hightower. He’s younger and it looks like the Cardinals are grooming them to be their #1, he should get more carries as the year goes on. But neither is a great option.

Guest: Derrick Anderson or Brett Favre?
Danny Willis: Favre. I’ve been saying all offseason I don’t think Anderson will make it to Week 8. They really want Quinn to play.

Mike: Is Parker gonna keep Mendenhall off the field all year? can we expect anything out of the rookie?
Danny Willis: Parker looked amazing and Mendehall looked terrible, I think they might limit his carries for a while to avoid completely destroying his confidence. I had high hopes for him but things went downhill quickly.
Jeremiah Oshan: If Parker runs like that, Mendenhall will hardly play. But, since this is the NFL, he’s still worth keeping around.

Aptos: Are you guy’s going to be doing this every Thursday?
Danny Willis: And yes, we are. Tell your friends. Check the blog for a link every Thursday morning.

Zack: Tell me your thoughts on Randal-El ….. I’ve been debating with myself about him ever since the draft. I need a second opinion.
Jeremiah Oshan: He’s basically Santana Moss. I wouldn’t bet too much on him.

Ringo: What’s looking like the best and worst picks you two made so far this year?
Danny Willis: On one team I have Larry Johnson, Ocho Cinco and Todd Heap. They all started. I lost 117-67. That whole team, that’s my worst pick.
Jeremiah Oshan: Palmer killed me in Week 1. So did Maurice Jones-Drew. And Braylon Edwards. But I really think they’ll rebound. Maybe Roy Williams in the fourth round.

Aptos: Word….Should I pick up Fasano and drop Zach Miller?
Danny Willis: Keep Zach Miller, Russell loves him, but I like Fasano as a backup, it looks like he should put up solid numbers thanks to Pennington not being able to make throws deeper than a TE dump-off.

Mike: Spaghetti or a sandwich for lunch? I’m starving ….help me out.
Jeremiah Oshan: You gotta go with spaghetti. Much bigger upside.
Danny Willis: The BMT is the daily special at Subway, that’s how I’m going.

Jason: Can I expect anything out of Coles this or any weekend?
Jeremiah Oshan: If he ever stops sulking about losing his best friend Pennington, he and Favre could really develop something worthwile. Until then, I’d look elsewhere.

Randy: Is it worth taking a flyer on Brian Griese?
Jeremiah Oshan: No.
Danny Willis: I’m going with a hearty no. He looked pretty bad in Chicago.

Zack: Gimmie a sleeper … who’s got a favorable matchup that you would start, even though he’s not an every-week starter?
Danny Willis: Who are the Raiders playing? Someone on the Raiders.
Danny Willis: Whoever their opponent is may be looking past them.
Jeremiah Oshan: Eli Manning against the Rams. Is that too much of a copout.

Wally: Make sense of the Seattle running back situation for me ….
Jeremiah Oshan: I’m betting Julius Jones ends up starting by midseason.
Danny Willis: It’s pretty bad. I’m not sure what they were thinking getting that group of guys to be honest.

Danny Willis: Our esteemed editor JB has crashed so he’s asked me to say thank you, but we’re calling it a day. Be sure to come back next week for another round of insulting my high school and getting top-quality fantasy advice. See you next Thursday!
Danny Willis: And remember, we take questions on the blog too. http://www.ibabuzz.com/fantasysports/2008/09/09/week-2-question-submissions/