Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "Bold Predictions & Player Analogies - LIVE in Phoenix"

Release Date: August 27, 2018

Hosted by the expert trio Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, this live episode from Phoenix dives deep into player analogies, bold predictions for the 2018 NFL fantasy season, and engages with listeners through a live mailbag session. The discussion is rich with analysis, humor, and strategic insights designed to help fantasy football enthusiasts dominate their leagues.

1. Player Analogies: Crafting Memorable Comparisons

The Fantasy Footballers have a tradition of using creative analogies to describe players' performances and roles within fantasy football. Reflecting on past analogies:

• Dirty Cake: Described a player on a struggling team, comparing his performance to "eating cake off the floor."
• Big Salad: Represented players like Sean Drona, equating them to less desirable fantasy options, such as "lettuce in the salad."
• Pink Moose: Assigned to Antonio Brown, albeit humorously acknowledged as "the literal worst analogy of all time."

New Analogies Introduced:

• Lamar Miller – "Never Gonna Give You Up": Mike Wright likens Lamar Miller to the iconic Rick Astley song, suggesting that fantasy managers might repeatedly "fall for the trick" of overvaluing him, much like getting "Rickrolled" online. (Timestamp: 03:31)

  Mike Wright: "The joke is actually not on me because this song is catchy and it sinks into your bones... that Lamar Miller gets to be a three down back."

• LaShawn McCoy – "One Day Expired Milk": Andy Holloway paints McCoy as a reliable but questionable asset, much like milk that's past its prime but still usable in a pinch.

  Andy Holloway: "LaShawn McCoy, I've said it this whole offseason, he has so many problems... but he's probably going to touch the ball 300 times. So, yes, he's stinky expired milk."

• Sam Bradford – "Sammy Biscuits": Jason Moore creatively compares quarterback Sam Bradford to himself, emphasizing Bradford's underrated and surprisingly athletic qualities despite questionable past performances.

  Jason Moore: "I'm going to compare Sam Bradford to Jason Moore... surprisingly athletic given the body type."

2. Bold Predictions for the 2018 Fantasy Season

The hosts lay down their audacious forecasts for the upcoming NFL season, aiming to shake up conventional wisdom.

Mike Wright: Arizona Cardinals' Offensive Explosion

Mike predicts that the Cardinals' offense will outperform expectations dramatically, finishing the season with players in the top 12 at all four major starting positions: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end.

Mike Wright: "The Cardinals offense are going to shock, stun, and surprise many people when they finish the season with a player in the top 12 of their position at all four major starting positions for fantasy football." (Timestamp: 09:26)

Jason Moore: Derek Carr's Resurgence & Cleveland Browns' Playoff Push

Jason forecasts that Derek Carr will return as a top-tier quarterback, leveraging the Oakland Raiders' favorable schedule and offensive talents like Amari Cooper and Martavis Bryant. Additionally, he boldly asserts that the Cleveland Browns will not only make the playoffs but also perform unexpectedly well in the fantasy landscape.

Jason Moore: "Once again, Derek Carr will be back for 2018 to the tune of a quarterback one season." (Timestamp: 14:16)

Jason Moore: "The Cleveland Browns are making the playoffs. I believe the Browns will be the team that does what Mike said the Cardinals would do." (Timestamp: 31:44)

Andy Holloway: The Downfall of the New England Patriots

Andy presents a contrarian view by predicting a decline for the Patriots, citing potential weaknesses like Tom Brady's age, internal team turmoil, and key player uncertainties. He suggests that despite their historical dominance, the Patriots might struggle to maintain their elite status.

Andy Holloway: "I believe that in 2018, is the beginning of the end for the New England Patriots." (Timestamp: 18:11)

3. Rookie Running Backs: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Mike Wright introduces a daring prediction about rookie running backs, branding Rashad Penny, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, and Ronald Jones as the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" poised to wreak havoc on fantasy football leagues during the latter half of the season.

Mike Wright: "These four running backs are not necessarily players that I am interested in the draft season. I'm not even interested in them in the first four weeks. But... they're going to ride in and destroy fantasy seasons for all that oppose them." (Timestamp: 23:15)

Meanwhile, Andy Holloway counters by suggesting that only Saquon Barkley will emerge as a standout rookie running back, predicting he will be the sole rookie in the top 15 by season's end.

Andy Holloway: "Saquon Barkley will be the only rookie running back in the top 15 at the end of the season." (Timestamp: 35:00)

The discussion highlights the complexities of drafting rookie running backs, emphasizing the importance of evaluating talent, opportunity, and timing within the season.

4. Live Mailbag: Listener Engagement and Strategic Advice

The live segment features listeners posing various fantasy football-related questions, prompting insightful and often humorous responses from the hosts.

Example Q&A Highlights:

• Transaction Restrictions in Leagues:

  Listener Brian asks about participating in a league with a transaction limit of 10 per year, including trades.

  Mike Wright: "I'm going to have at least two quarterbacks. I'm going to crush the quarterback position." (Timestamp: 41:03)

  The hosts advise maintaining flexibility by drafting multiple quarterbacks late and prioritizing positions like tight end early to conserve transactions for mid-season adjustments.

• Draft Strategy Dilemma – Saquon Barkley vs. Alvin Kamara:

  Listener Saquon seeks advice on choosing between drafting Saquon Barkley or Alvin Kamara with the sixth pick in a 12-team PPR league.

  Andy Holloway: "I am firmly on the Saquon Barkley side. I want the volume... his floor is 10 and his ceiling is 1." (Timestamp: 45:47)

  The consensus leans towards selecting Saquon Barkley for his higher usage and versatility, essential in maximizing fantasy points.

• Keeper League Confusion:

  Listener Dre navigates the complexities of joining a keeper league with inherited teams.

  Andy Holloway: "If you draft the best team imaginable and then don't stay committed through the season... you have no chance of winning." (Timestamp: 28:17)

  The hosts recommend embracing the keeper aspect by focusing on drafting players who can outperform their draft positions and contribute consistently throughout the season.

5. Conclusion: Solidifying Bold Predictions

Wrapping up the episode, the Fantasy Footballers reiterate their bold predictions and encourage listeners to engage with their strategies.

• Mike's Cardinals Offensive Prediction
• Jason's Claims on Derek Carr and Browns Playoff Run
• Andy's Warning on Patriots' Potential Decline
• Rookie Running Backs' Mid-Season Impact

The hosts emphasize the dynamic nature of fantasy football, where adaptability and strategic foresight are crucial for success.

Andy Holloway: "You do not win your championship at the draft. You build the foundation." (Timestamp: 57:20)

Listeners are encouraged to stay informed, remain flexible with their rosters, and leverage the insights shared to secure their fantasy championships.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Wright (03:31): "The Cardinals offense are going to shock, stun, and surprise many people when they finish the season with a player in the top 12 of their position at all four major starting positions for fantasy football."

• Andy Holloway (35:00): "Saquon Barkley will be the only rookie running back in the top 15 at the end of the season."

• Jason Moore (14:16): "Once again, Derek Carr will be back for 2018 to the tune of a quarterback one season."

• Andy Holloway (18:11): "I believe that in 2018, is the beginning of the end for the New England Patriots."

Final Thoughts

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a blend of humor, strategic insights, and bold forecasting that exemplifies fantasy football at its finest. Whether you're navigating rookie runs, making critical draft decisions, or strategizing for a keeper league, the discussions provide valuable takeaways to enhance your fantasy football experience.

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