Fantasy Footballers Podcast: Early Breakouts & Busts - LIVE in Chicago
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
1. Introduction and Live Show in Chicago ([00:00] - [03:10])
The episode kicks off with the Fantasy Footballers trio—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright—welcoming listeners to their first live show of the 2019 tour from Chicago's Pristine Auction.com Studios. Mike humorously remarks on the vibrant atmosphere, noting, “[00:39] Mike Wright: Not bad, not bad.” The hosts engage in playful banter about Chicago’s sports scene and local culture, setting an energetic and entertaining tone for the episode.
2. Growing Up: Player Comparisons ([03:10] - [06:26])
Andy introduces a segment where each host selects a player under 25 and discusses their potential growth and career trajectory. Jason humorously compares himself to "Detlef Shrimp" before selecting David Montgomery, asserting, “[05:09] Jason Moore: I believe he will grow up to be Frank Gore.” Mike shares his childhood aspirations, initially wanting to be a dinosaur, then an astronaut, and ultimately embracing his role on the podcast. This segment blends personal anecdotes with insightful player analysis, adding depth to the discussion.
3. News Update: Matthew Stafford's Injuries and Fantasy Impact ([13:28] - [16:00])
The hosts delve into recent news about Matthew Stafford, revealing that he played through broken bones in his back during the previous season. Andy expresses frustration, “[13:52] Andy Holloway: Matthew Stafford... playing through broken bones in his back all of last season.” They analyze how Stafford's early-season performance was promising, with an average of 273 passing yards and two touchdowns per game in the first seven weeks ([15:06] Mike Wright), but his performance declined sharply due to injuries and changes within the team. Jason emphasizes Stafford's historical consistency by stating, “[16:00] Jason Moore: Matthew Stafford has been a quarterback one... in the top 12 of the last eight years.”
4. Main Topic: Early Breakouts & Busts ([20:21] - [56:27])
a. Breakouts: Dante Pettis and Kyler Murray ([22:23] - [37:14])
Jason advocates for Dante Pettis as a breakout candidate, highlighting his college performance with 163 receptions, over 2,200 yards, and 24 touchdowns. He notes Pettis's versatility and potential under Kyle Shanahan’s offense: “[25:04] Jason Moore: He is very well rounded. I believe he will be... a high end RB2 for a long time.”
Mike champions Kyler Murray as his breakout quarterback, citing his exceptional rushing ability and passing accuracy. He states, “[29:55] Mike Wright: This year's breakout for me... Kyler Murray will be a breakout at the quarterback position.” The hosts discuss Murray's dual-threat capabilities and his fit within the Arizona Cardinals' revamped offense, comparing his potential to that of elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes.
b. Busts: Sony Michel, Amari Cooper, and Darius Geist ([37:18] - [56:27])
Andy selects Mike Williams as a potential bust, questioning his target consistency despite impressive touchdown numbers last season. He remarks, “[38:16] Mike Wright: 10 receiving touchdowns for Mike Williams... opportunities with a great quarterback.”
Jason points out the pitfalls of drafting Sony Michel, citing his dependency on touchdown volume without significant receiving involvement: “[44:20] Jason Moore: Sony Michel will be a bust... if he's not catching the ball and he's not up in the double digit touchdowns, then it's not happening.”
Mike criticizes Amari Cooper for his inconsistent performance, stating, “[55:36] Mike Wright: He is a great wide receiver. But somehow he just manages to disappear in over half of his games.” Additionally, Darius Geist is highlighted as a bust due to his injury history and limited role within a crowded backfield: “[56:20] Andy Holloway: Variables are stacked against him. You have injury… it’s just not going to be worth drafting him.”
5. Live Mailbag: Listener Questions ([62:55] - [78:47])
Listeners engage with the hosts through live questions, primarily focusing on auction drafts and dynasty league strategies.
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Auction Draft Tips: Tyler asks about common pitfalls in auction drafts. Mike advises against getting caught in bidding wars over mid-tier players, emphasizing sticking to a strategic tier-based approach: “[64:08] Mike Wright: Avoid overpaying due to room excitement.”
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Dynasty League Q&A: Daniel inquires about drafting Tyreek Hill in dynasty leagues. The hosts discuss the balance between his high potential and associated risks, particularly his contract year status and the unpredictability of his performance.
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Quarterback Settings: Taylor seeks advice on quarterback scoring systems in dynasty leagues. Jason and Mike advocate for balanced scoring that rewards both passing and rushing performance without overvaluing one aspect.
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Deciphering Coach Speak: Rocky asks how to interpret coaches’ comments about players. The hosts recommend focusing on comments from positional coaches rather than head coaches and being wary of overly positive headlines that may not reflect true performance or role integration.
6. Conclusion and Giveaway ([79:04] - [80:37])
The episode wraps up with a giveaway of a signed Mitchell Trubisky helmet to a listener named Christopher. The hosts express their gratitude towards sponsors Pristine Auction and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, encouraging listeners to support these partners. They also promote their upcoming tour stops in New York, San Francisco, Louisiana, and Phoenix, inviting listeners to join their live shows.
Mike humorously concludes with, “[80:22] Mike Wright: Foot Classic. And if you're listening at home, guess what? We love you too. We'll see everybody next time. Goodbye,” leaving listeners with a sense of community and anticipation for future content.
Notable Quotes:
- Mike Wright ([00:39]): "Not bad, not bad."
- Jason Moore ([05:17]): "He's very well rounded. I believe he will be Frank Gore."
- Andy Holloway ([13:52]): "Matthew Stafford... playing through broken bones in his back all of last season."
- Mike Wright ([15:06]): "Through the first seven weeks, he was averaging 273 passing yards, two touchdowns per game."
- Jason Moore ([16:00]): "Matthew Stafford has been a quarterback one... in the top 12 of the last eight years."
- Mike Wright ([29:55]): "Kyler Murray will be a breakout at the quarterback position."
- Jason Moore ([37:18]): "Sony Michel will be a bust... if he's not catching the ball and he's not up in the double digit touchdowns, then it's not happening."
- Andy Holloway ([38:16]): "10 receiving touchdowns for Mike Williams... opportunities with a great quarterback."
- Mike Wright ([55:36]): "Amari Cooper is a great wide receiver. But he just manages to disappear in over half of his games."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the dynamic discussions, insightful analyses, and engaging interactions between the Fantasy Footballers hosts during their live Chicago show. Whether you're a seasoned fantasy player or new to the game, this episode offers valuable perspectives on identifying breakout talents, avoiding potential busts, and navigating various league formats effectively.