Here are some recent questions our experts have received, along with their responses. If you have a question for one of our experts, you can submit it here. Please limit yourself to no more than two questions per week. For lineup questions, please also consult our value meter.
I have Nabokov/Huet and my format is points only and goalies get W-2 SHO-3. Should I pick up Nieme (or Crawford) and Greiss? I like the idea of handcuffing goalies on two strong teams but we only have 3 bench spots. With Markov out, I should have 1 free spot from that but would have to drop someone else. I also have Niittymaki. Thanks!
I'm wrestling with the same decision in one of my leagues as I also have Huet. I told myself at the draft that Huet was a boom or bust pick. You certainly don't want to read to much into the fact that Huet had a bad first game and Nieme had a shutout, but the Blackhawks know they are a Stanley Cup contender this season and may have Huet on a shorter leash than normal. In my league I'm going to pick up Nieme and I would advise you to do the same. George Kurtz RotoWire Beat Writer
I have the opportunity to pick up Mike Bell or Cadillac Williams. Which one to you believe will have the better year?
Cadillac Williams over Mike Bell, and I don't think it's close. Bell is going back to the bench when Pierre Thomas returns. Cadillac will play all year, health permitting. Good luck Mark Stopa
Reading ROTOWIRE.com magazine...HOW TO EVALUATE INJURY RISK by JEFF STOTTS. QUESTION: What about groin pulls & shoulder bruise injuries? Those sorts of injuries spook me when evaluating players since players can be haunted for months after because FEEL good quickly BUT...there inlies the issue. Thanks for all you "ALL" do for us!!! Doug Williams Chinook Pass, Washington
Doug, Groin pulls are usually a lingering issues for a player especially running backs. The groin is utilized in explosive running and lateral movement so it often becomes an ongoing issue because those motions are repetitively used by the injured player. Some players will attempt to return to play but lack their explosive movements that make them a touchdown or big play threat. While minor groin strains are easier to overcome than tears, if a player has a history of groin injuries it would be wise to handcuff that player to their backup. Shoulder injuries are bit more complicated. If the shoulder is subluxed or dislocated (subluxed is a minor dislocation where the joint self relocates) it becomes easier to reinjure. The joint loses some of its stability and can become a chronic issue. Wide receivers are particularly bothered by shoulder injuries since they need to have full range of motion to make difficult catches. Often when a receiver has an injured shoulder, extra padding and support will be added to the shoulder pads. While these measures increase stability, it is often at the expense of some range of motion. Bruised shoulders are not as serious as long as the integrity of the joint has not been compromised. There is a distinct difference and it is generally included in a team's injury report. Hope that helps. - Jeff Stotts
I have until June 16th to decide on 3 keepers from the following. We start 1qb,2rb,2wr,1w/r.The league is converting to a keeper league and you can keep players indefinitely. I won last year so I'm going to be drafting last in a 9 man league. Steven Jackson Marion Barber Calvin Johnson Roddy White Marques Colston Matt Ryan I would usually go heavy on the rb's, but i'm concerned about jackson coming back and barber losing carries. Plus if we can keep them indefinitely I like the ages of Ryan, White, and CJ. Am I crazy 2 drop 2 top 10 rbs?
Awesome team. No wonder you won. Anyway, I think you have to take CJ. He's a stud this year and will be for many more. Then, I eliminate Colston - too many injury issues. Then it gets tough. In terms of this year, I think SJax has the most value of the rest of the players on the board. It's close, though. The problem I see with taking Ryan and White (along with CJ) is that it limits you severely in the draft - you'd already have 2 WRs and your QB, so you'd almost have to take a RB with your first pick, and probably your second, too - but what if the good RBs are all taken? Plus, I think you are far more likely to get Ryan in the draft (or a QB comparable to him) than you'd be to get SJax or Barber. That's why I'd go CJ, White, and SJax. That gives you three studs and gives you the flexibility to take the best player on the board when you draft at 9th overall, regardless of position. IOW, it wouldn't be "crazy" to drop SJax and Barber, but I'd keep SJax, CJ, and White. Good luck Mark Stopa
I was just offered Ben Gordon for Caron Butler. What do you think about this trade as a long term deal?
I think you can do a little better than Gordon for Butler. Gordon's been playing well, but he really only contributes (points and 3's). Butler is a much better all-around player, but the Wiz are awful and might start to play some of their young guys more. I still think you can get a better player than Gordon so I would counter and see what else you can get. Good luck, Eric
Is there a ranking for all the drivers for each race? Is the recommended drivers, ..., sleepers etc. in order? Is there a place to find loop data on all drivers, not just the first 10? Thanks.
We would highly recommend that you check in every week for our race preview. This is a comprehensive preview, crafted for each and every track on the circuit and considers current trends. You can get this week's Daytona 500 preview at this link: http://www.rotowire.com/racing/features/weeklypreview.htm We outline the contenders, solid plays, sleepers and flops for each race. Loop data for single, past races can be found at www.racing-reference.com. This is an excellent research tool for drivers and tracks. However, we recommend you check in with us first for the weekly race preview, because we do all that leg work for you, and our race preview includes loop stats this season as well. Good luck with your Daytona 500 team!
I purchased only the GOLF draft kit. I was wondering why the 2009 Golf Cheat Sheet & Projected Earnings doesn't include Casey Wittenberg or Brenden de Jonge? Also, why the projected rounds to be played in 2009 by Y.E.Yang is only 6 when he played 29 times in 2008? You also show only 5 rounds projected for Notah Begay when he was on tour previously he played a lot?
I am sorry that the Cheat Sheets have not been updated. Here are my projections of these guys after Q School. Y.E Yang-27 events-$641,984 Notah Begay-24 events-$420,589 Brenden De Jonge-27 events-$841,319 Casey Wittenberg-24 events-$317417 Sorry for the dublicate on Begay and the ommissions. Good Luck this year!