Fantasy Football Today: Mailbag & Fantasy Cops! (12/06/25)

Episode Overview

This episode of Fantasy Football Today, hosted by Adam Aizer with analysts Dan Schneier and Dave Richard, is a lively combination of fantasy football advice, answering listener mailbag questions, and the return of the popular "Fantasy Cops" segment to settle league disputes. The crew tackles start/sit dilemmas, weighs in on strategy and scoring debates, and resolves drama from the trenches of home leagues—all with their signature blend of insight, banter, and dad jokes.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Injury & News Updates

• Marvin Harrison Jr. is OUT
• Kyler Murray ruled OUT for the year
• Trey Benson also ruled out and uncertain to return this season.
• Mike Evans & Tristan Wirfs practiced; Evans questionable.
• Jaden Daniels will START this week, Higgins expected to play.

“I don’t know the specifics, but Kyler Murray—he’s been ruled out for the year.”
—Adam (03:18)

Listener Mailbag: Start/Sit & Flex Dilemmas

Rapid Fire Start/Sit Advice

• Devonta Smith vs. Chris Godwin vs. Kyle Menangai

  • Consensus: Smith has the most upside; Godwin is consideration if Evans sits.

    “I just think that there's more upside with Smith, especially in a matchup that's favorable.” —Dave (05:42) “I actually think I’d go Godwin here.” —Dan (06:19)

• Superflex: Tyler Shuck/Jaden Daniels vs. Sutton/Myers

  • Start the QBs, especially in superflex. (08:56)

• Flex 2 (McLaurin, Dobbs, Worthy, Schultz, Rodriguez)

  • McLaurin and Rodriguez, with some debate about Schultz for half-PPR. (09:33)

Notable Running Back Quandaries

• Devin Neal, Ashton Genti, RJ Harvey, Bam Knight

  • Harvey is a lock, leaning Genti for PPR floor despite O-line woes. (08:22)

• Tyler Shuck and Jaden Daniels or Sutton/Myers (Superflex):

  • “I’m always starting the quarterback.” —Dan (08:56)

• Omarion Hampton vs. Charbonnet vs. Jordan Mason (and tight ends for FLEX):

  • If Aaron Jones is out, Mason is safe. Otherwise, Hampton. For FLEX, lean Kyle Pitts depending on volume, but Kincaid is a consideration if active.

Strategic Fantasy Debates

RB vs. WR Value & Zero/“Hero” RB

• Discussion of this season’s RB/WR landscape and implications for future draft strategy.
• Dan points to “meta” NFL trends (zone defenses) and proliferation of RB committees—making “hero RB” (1 stud early, then wait) the preferred approach.

  “It's become a stud or dud-type position at running back… It probably makes sense to go hero running back, never zero.” —Dan (30:25–30:45)

• Adam: Top RBs are dominating as a group, but the RB depth falls apart quickly after RB10 or so; WR busts/injuries compounded the issue.

Point Per First Down vs. PPR

• Lively debate about the merits of point-per-first-down scoring vs. traditional PPR.
• Dan advocates for point-per-first-down to reward meaningful plays, not just receptions; Adam argues the difference is incremental and prefers half-PPR for balance.

  “You get points for first down...I like the idea of changing scoring rules, but if we're looking for a standard…” —Dan (36:30) “Catching a ball is a good thing.” —Adam (38:55)

Fantasy Cops: League Dispute Resolutions

1. Collusion Text Revealed (43:20)

• Scenario: Manager Cason initiates a “let’s collude” text to stop a powerhouse team, resulting in a trade. Pete (recipient) confesses and provides the text evidence.
• Dilemma: Should both be banned from playoffs? Does coming clean count for leniency? Eject from league next season?
• Judgment:
  • Dan: Both must be banned from the playoffs and removed from the league—“Once a colluder, always a colluder.” (45:25)
  • Adam: Ban from playoffs is minimum, removing from friends’ leagues is tough but justified; at least ban playoffs.

“They cheated and there’s grounds for removal, but in real life...it’s easier said than done.” —Adam (45:54)

2. Trade Review Window Controversy (47:13)

• Should a previously agreed trade be voided if, during the review window, one team is eliminated?
• Both: Let the trade go through—decision was made in good faith before elimination; “review windows” are antiquated and slow things down.

3. Old Trade Offer Accepted Weeks Later (Sleeper League) (48:11)

• Controversy: Standing trade offer accepted 8 weeks after being “rejected” via message but not in app.
• Adam: Strongly says it should NOT go through—intent matters and fantasy is for fun, not exploiting technicalities. “Who cares? Reject the trade!” (50:35)
• Dan: Leans Adam’s way, but notes that managers should be careful and clear about outstanding offers.

Lifestyle, Banter & Notable Moments

Dad Joke Scale & Running Jokes

• Dan repeatedly rates dad jokes, revealing some as “4” or “2.3” on his scale.

  “That’s a four. Four on the dad joke scale.” —Dan (13:45)

Movie Culture Gaps

• Dan reveals he’s never seen Terminator or any Rocky film, drawing mock concern from Adam and Dave.
• Extended debate over “curmudgeon” label—Adam insists Dan’s aversion to classics and dad jokes earns him the title; Dan protests.

Sandwich & Lunch Stories

• Adam recounts getting a sandwich with a bug in it and still returning to the same shop—Dan is incredulous and compares it unfavorably to his planned lunch at Ferraro’s. Hijinks ensue.

Rankings & TV Debates

• Listeners push back on crew’s TV rankings (The Shield vs Wire), prompting Dan’s passionate defense and claims that The Wire is “the greatest show of all time.” (40:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Let's collude so Ethan doesn't win fantasy… I honestly want to collude so that he doesn't win.” —Casein in Fantasy Cops text (43:26)
• “I'm just gonna try to walk into a Sharb[onnet] touchdown there. I don't love what's there.” —Dan (23:29)
• “Are you a supposedly guy? Because supposedly does drive me…” —Adam, about pet peeves (34:33)
• “Fantasy is supposed to be fun. Don’t be such a B-buster!” —Adam on the old trade loophole (50:00)
• “Am I the only psycho that’s really not that worried about Lamar?” —Listener question (54:57)
• “I keep hearing your love for the show the Shield...Give [The Wire] another shot.” —Listener Chris (39:32)
• Ending dad joke: “What did the constipated curmudgeon say? I don’t take crap.” (61:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:07] News: Marvin Harrison Jr., Kyler Murray updates
• [05:42] Start/Sit: Devonta Smith vs. Godwin/Menangai
• [08:22] Start 2: Neal, Genti, Harvey, Bam Knight
• [23:11] Mailbag: Charbonnet, Hampton, Mason, Pitts, etc.
• [28:48] Zero/Hero RB Meta-Analysis
• [34:04] Listener Language Pet Peeves ("espresso" vs "expresso")
• [36:03] Scoring Formats: Point per First Down vs. PPR
• [43:20] Fantasy Cops: Collusion and Text Thread Drama
• [47:13] Fantasy Cops: Trade Review Window Dispute
• [48:11] Fantasy Cops: Old Trade Offer Accepted
• [53:22] Tanking or Throwing a Match for Matchup Advantage
• [61:21] Final Dad Joke, episode close

Final Thoughts

This was a classic, rapid-fire FFT episode, balancing expert advice with league drama, lively debates, and plenty of friendly ribbing. The crew fielded every conceivable start/sit situation, settled some tricky league disputes, and shared authentic reflections on strategy as the fantasy playoffs approach. For fans or newcomers, it’s a snapshot of why the show remains a fixture for fantasy footballers everywhere.

For more live questions, listen Sundays 11am EST, and don’t forget to vote for FFT for best sports podcast at the64.com!