Below is an interview segment that Smitty did with Dan LeBert, a respected contributor to Fox Sports Radio and Sirius NFL Network. Dan also is the owner of FantasyTailgate.com, one of the most well respected fantasy football Sites on the Web.

Interviewer Dan LeBert | FantasyTailgate.com

Being Interviewed Smitty | Fantasy Football Xtreme

DAN: Ok Smitty, tell our readers a little about yourself and FantasyFootballXtreme. How did you guys get into the fantasy football industry? SMITTY: Well, my start in the sports industry began in the world of SportsRadio, which eventually led me in the direction of fantasy football. I founded FantasyFootballXtreme.com in 2005 with one goal in mind, which was to provide year-round fantasy football content. The Site started with about two staff members back in ‘05 and quickly grew to what we have now, which is three co-owners and 10 total staff writers, with more contributors to come on top of that. I love this business and I can’t think of a job I would rather have. DAN: Let’s put our hands in the dirt here! After LT, who is the best number two pick (in any fantasy format) and why? SMITTY: Steven Jackson is what most would say here, but I’m not betting against Larry Johnson until he falters. Johnson has rushed for over 1,750 yards in each of his last two seasons and has scored 40TDs over the last two seasons (and he really has just one full season under his belt, as he started just 9 games in 2005). I’m sorry, but it is somewhat crazy to doubt a guy that is averaging 1.6TDs and 153 total yards per start in his 25 straight NFL starts. I realize there are holdout concerns right now, and of course a lot of people are concerned about LJ’s 416 carry-season last year. Well, I wouldn’t bet on LJ holding out long and before you worry about LJ’s 416 carry-season, note that the runner only touched the ball 21 times more than Steven Jackson in the 2006 regular season. If you are worried that LJ was overworked in 2006, that means that you are also worried about Steven Jackson being overworked (90 receptions in 2006). DAN: Who are your top 3 most overrated fantasy players entering the 2007 season and why? SMITTY: I’d have to say that Brandon Jacobs is by far the most overrated player entering 2007. He has never carried the ball more than 11 times in any one NFL game and he has yet to run the ball for over 54 yards in an NFL game. Yea, I know… he hasn’t been given the chance until now, but I’m telling you right now that the RB won’t last the season if he even sniffs 15-20 carries a game (which is the word on the wire). When you are 6-4, 264 pounds, you can’t take the abuse that a starting RB faces, and his only shot at staying healthy (and doing well in 2007) is to get around 10 carries a game. He can’t pick himself off the ground any more than that, I’m sorry, I just don’t see it. Other overrated players, but to a lesser degree, would have to be Philip Rivers and rookie RB Marshawn Lynch. Rivers needs to prove a lot more to me before I draft him as high as he is going these days. And as far as Lynch, it isn’t so much that I doubt his talent, it is his situation that concerns me. Lynch is playing for a team that couldn’t create room for a much more talented RB in Willis McGahee… and on top of that, Buffalo has the worst rushing schedule in the entire NFL in 2007. I have a feeling many fantasy owners are expecting way too much out of Lynch in his rookie season. I’m not saying he can’t eventually turn into a solid pro, but I wouldn’t be shocked if another rookie runner outscored him this year in fantasy points, like Brandon Jackson for example. DAN: Rookies! Some fantasy GMs hate them while others ride them to fantasy football promise land. Who are you high on? Give our readers some “blue-light” specials to stock on their rosters. SMITTY: I love Brandon Jackson right now, but that could all change in the coming weeks. From what I’ve heard so far, the kid has character and a drive to succeed like none of the other rookies (past CJ and AP). I think if any of the rooks can exceed expectations in 2007, it is Jackson in GB for sure. I also like Ken Darby, the rookie runner out of TB. I think this kid could turn some heads in 2007 if his number is called (and don’t be shocked if it is called, as Caddy isn’t the kind of RB that is going to play 16 games). Probably my favorite rookie of the bunch is WR Mike Walker (JAX). This kid could (key word is could) be this year’s Marques Colston. He is turning heads in camp and could easily emerge from that group of underperforming WRs in Jacksonville. DAN: Do you believe in the 3rd year WR rule? (i.e. Players-WRs either break or bust in their 3rd year of play.) 3 specific players come to mind, Reggie Brown, Vincent Jackson & Mark Clayton. Share your thoughts on these players for the 2007 season. SMITTY: I believe in the rule at times, but it doesn’t always work. I like Reggie Brown a lot this year, especially with McNabb expected to be back in time for week one. Any time you have a RB like Brian Westbrook keeping defenses honest, your WRs will be able to make big plays early and often. I expect Brown to be a top 15WR (easy) in 2007, but only if McNabb can stay on the field. As for Vincent Jackson and Mark Clayton, I believe both can have very productive seasons and could both be worth starting as WR3s in larger leagues heading into 2007. DAN: Who are the top 1-2 FantasyFootballXtreme.com “Sleepers” of the 2007 season and why? SMITTY: My biggest sleeper this year is Michael Turner. I know that this means that LT has to get hurt, and while I don’t want that (as I own LT in numerous Expert Leagues), I think it could happen. The running back has carried the ball over 300 times in 6 straight seasons as a pro, and now that the offense is being led by offensive guru Norv Turner, I think that LT will be abused more than ever. Michael Turner will play like a top 5RB in every game that he starts, even if it is only one or two. My gut tells me that Turner will hold the kind of value this year that Ladell Betts held last year, which was a top 12RB in most scoring formats. Anything can happen, and one certainly cannot predict injury, but we are on the topic of sleepers, not guarantees, so this is my choice. Turner might just win you a league… mark it down, Championship! My next two biggest sleepers would have to be Vince Young and Jay Culter. Both QBs are ready to breakout and become top 6ish fantasy QBs as soon as this season. I also like Chris Chambers a lot heading into 2007. Chambers finished 6th in Total Targets and 25th in Target % in 2006. This means one thing if you ask me… that Chambers is still a top 10-15WR and his lack of production last season was due to the Dolphins’ QB situation. With Trent Green now on the roster in ‘07, you can bet that Chambers will being seeing a lot more pass that he can catch. DAN: 2007 NFC Champion? 2007 AFC Champion? Super Bowl winner? SMITTY: AFC: San Diego, NFC: Chicago, Super Bowl Winner: San Diego DAN: Smitty, thanks so much for your time and info! Where can our “Tailgaters” see more of your advice? What do you guys have cooking for 2007? SMITTY: Thanks for having us, Dan! “Tailgaters” can mix it up with the “Xtremers” anytime on our new Fantasy Football Forums. We respond to a lot of the posts on there, so advice can always be had on the forums. As far as what is cooking for us and the Site this year, we have just launched our 2007 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator which allows you to roll through mock draft after mock draft against 11 other computer teams, that are controlled by Fantasy Football Xtreme rankings. We also plan to launch our new Fantasy Football TV Online sometime this off-season. Be sure to check it out. Maybe we can get good old Dan to call-in during a show or two. Thanks again, Dan!