Fantasy Fallout: McKinnon, Lev, Cuts & Breaking News – Detailed Summary

In the September 3, 2018 episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast titled "Fantasy Fallout: McKinnon, Lev, Cuts & Breaking News," hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into the latest developments impacting fantasy football as the NFL season kicks off. This comprehensive summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode.

1. Jerick McKinnon’s Injury and Its Impact

The episode opens with significant attention on the recent injury to Jerick McKinnon, a pivotal player for many fantasy teams.

• Andy Holloway shares his personal experience during a money league draft:

  “...McKinnon has unfortunately gone down with a non-contact injury. It looks serious.” ([03:08])

• Mike Wright emphasizes the severity:

  “We're going to tackle the fallout from the very devastating news that Jerick McKinnon has suffered a torn ACL.” ([05:07])

The hosts discuss the ramifications of McKinnon's injury, highlighting the necessity for fantasy managers to stay updated and make informed decisions promptly.

2. Alfred Morris vs. Matt Breida Debate

A substantial portion of the podcast centers around the debate between selecting Alfred Morris and Matt Breida in light of McKinnon's injury.

• Andy Holloway presents statistical arguments against Breida:

  “...running backs under 200 pounds just don't get it done.” ([10:31])

• Jason Moore counters by highlighting Breida's potential:

  “I have Burrito significantly ahead of Alf in just fantasy points scored.” ([13:45])

• Mike Wright aligns with Moore's perspective:

  “Jason and I both side with the Matt Breida side when it comes to who to go with in this situation.” ([10:46])

The discussion delves into Breida's explosiveness and potential role in the offense versus Morris's reliability and experience. The consensus leans towards Breida being a more affordable and high-ceiling option, while acknowledging Morris's proven track record.

3. Team Updates and Player Cuts

The hosts provide a thorough rundown of player movements across various NFL teams, essential for fantasy managers to adjust their rosters accordingly.

• Arizona Cardinals:

  • Signing of Bryce Butler, with a preference expressed for Chad Williams over Christian Kirk.

• Baltimore Ravens:

  • Farewell to Brashad Perryman:

    “He is working out with the Jets and irrelevant for further conversation.” ([20:20])

• Buffalo Bills:

  • Release of Corey Coleman and shift focus to Nick O'Leary, who has been cut.
  • Nathan Peterman named starter to protect Josh Allen:

    “This is not good. Nathan Peterman is the best quarterback of all.” ([23:06])

• Chicago Bears:

  • Acquisition of Khalil Mack, positioning their defense as a strong fantasy asset.
  • Adam Shaheen placed on injured reserve:

    “Trey Burton is going to miss at least the first eight weeks.” ([27:21])

• Dallas Cowboys:

  • Cutting of Dan Bailey and Bo Scarborough:

    “Dan Bailey has not lost a step here. This must be a money situation.” ([29:02])

• Denver Broncos:

  • Release of Paxton Lynch and handling of the Henderson players.

• Los Angeles Chargers:

  • Signing of Antonio Gates, adding depth to their tight end position:

    “Gates stabilizes that defense is something to pay attention to for fantasy.” ([26:47])

• Miami Dolphins:

  • Jason Sanders wins the kicking job over Greg Joseph.

• Pittsburgh Steelers:

  • Ongoing saga with Le'Veon Bell, who did not report to practice, leading to considerations around drafting James Conner as his replacement.

• Seattle Seahawks:

  • Ed Dixon placed on injured reserve, with Nick Vannette stepping in as the starter.

• Oakland Raiders:

  • Release of Martavis Bryant, signaling turmoil within the team.

• Philadelphia Eagles:

  • Confirmation of Nick Foles starting Week 1, affecting their offensive projections.

4. Mailbag: Listener Questions and Advice

The episode features a segment where the hosts address listener questions, offering tailored advice to specific fantasy dilemmas.

• Question on Dropping Players:

  “Where or Wilkins? I have both Spencer Ware and Jordan Wilkins... Need to drop one for a temporary quarterback.” ([50:30])

  Jason Moore advises dropping Spencer Ware in favor of retaining Jordan Wilkins due to his role as a potential starter.

• Kicker Selection:

  “I need to drop one wide receiver to pick up a defense for Week 1. Who should I drop? Either Kelvin Benjamin, Chris Godwin, or Michael Gallup.” ([50:47])

  Hosts recommend dropping Chris Godwin, citing his performance and potential over other options.

• Commissioner’s Power Play:

  “As the commissioner of a dynasty league, I was asked to use my commission powers to add a player from the free agents to a team's IR spot...” ([51:22])

  Jason Moore and Andy Holloway caution against circumventing standard league rules, emphasizing fairness and adherence to established protocols.

• Playoff Schedule Consideration:

  “When do you start considering playoff schedules? I always finish top three regular season...” ([51:50])

  Mike Wright advises starting to consider playoff schedules around Week 8, once more data becomes available.

5. Notable Highlights and Insights

Throughout the episode, the hosts interject with humor and personal anecdotes, enriching the discussion with relatable content for fantasy football enthusiasts.

• Humorous Segment: The hosts engage in a mock "fantasy court" to arbitrate disputes, injecting levity into the episode.

• Snack Preferences: In response to a listener's question about draft day vs. game day snacking, Jason Moore humorously suggests:

  “My go-to snacks for sure. Oreos on draft day. Double stuff. Get out of here with that single stuff garbage.” ([49:05])

• Player Performance Predictions: Andy Holloway and Jason Moore share their perspectives on player performances, such as Nick Foles' impact on the Eagles' offense and Antonio Gates' role with the Chargers.

6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with the hosts reinforcing the unpredictable nature of fantasy football, urging listeners to remain adaptable and proactive in managing their teams amid injuries and roster changes.

• Mike Wright emphasizes resilience:

  “It's part of the game. Sometimes your players get hurt... it's the nature of fantasy football.” ([46:08])

• Jason Moore encourages maintaining optimism:

  “Every single year, people lose round one running backs, round one wide receivers... they win the championship.” ([46:31])

The hosts conclude by promoting their community resources and encouraging listeners to stay engaged with the latest updates to enhance their fantasy football strategies.

This episode serves as a crucial update for fantasy managers, providing timely insights into player injuries, strategic drafting decisions, and essential roster adjustments. By addressing real-time developments and offering expert analysis, the Fantasy Footballers equip their audience with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the fantasy football season effectively.