Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Buy Low Guys, Pump the Brakes, #Footclan Questions
Release Date: September 20, 2017

The Fantasy Footballers hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into the strategies and insights essential for navigating the early weeks of the fantasy football season. This episode, released on September 20, 2017, focuses on identifying undervalued players, cautioning against overhyped picks, and addressing listener questions to optimize team performance.

1. Current Fantasy Football Landscape

The trio opens the discussion by reflecting on their personal team standings, emphasizing resilience despite setbacks. Andy Holloway shares his optimism about the season's start but acknowledges challenges with players like David Johnson and Sam Bradford. He reassures listeners who've started poorly, citing success stories where late-season turnarounds led to championships:

Andy Holloway [02:05]: "Don't get discouraged if you are 0-2 right now. That's absurd."

Jason Moore echoes this sentiment by highlighting past comebacks, reinforcing the message that early losses don't define the season:

Jason Moore [02:05]: "Anything that happens can happen in reverse. That 0-2 can become 2-2."

2. Buy Low Candidates: Maximizing Value Early in the Season

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to identifying "buy low" candidates—players who are undervalued due to early poor performances but possess high potential for future success.

Le'Veon Bell

Andy Holloway emphasizes the opportunity to acquire Le'Veon Bell at a reduced price following a slow start, attributing his performance dip to factors like a lack of training camp preparation and facing a strong rushing defense:

Andy Holloway [02:46]: "I really like I made a trade offer this morning for Le'Veon Bell. So I'm putting my money where my mouth is."

Mike Wright supports this choice, noting Bell's substantial snap count against Minnesota, indicating his continued involvement:

Mike Wright [03:42]: "He's on the field, he's getting the carries. It will happen for Le'Veon Bell sooner than later."

DeMarco Murray

Jason Moore advocates for DeMarco Murray, arguing that emotional reactions to his initial struggles make him affordable. He believes Murray's foundational role in his offense ensures a turnaround:

Jason Moore [03:54]: "DeMarco Murray, I don't think the injury severe and I think he'll get it on track and I think you can buy him cheap."

Ty Hilton

Mike Wright suggests Ty Hilton as another undervalued asset, especially if Andrew Luck remains out. Hilton's potential return to form makes him a strategic pickup:

Mike Wright [04:37]: "If you were a 0-2 team and your roster is looking very solid, you can go to that team and maybe they happen to be one of the 0-2 teams and they're like Ty Hilton."

Jason Moore also mentions other potential buy-low targets like Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate, citing their historical performance trends that tend to improve as the season progresses:

Jason Moore [05:54]: "Doug Baldwin... Traditionally Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin, they don't kick it into gear until about halfway through the year."

3. Pump the Brakes: Cautioning Against Overhyped Players

In the Pump the Brakes segment, the hosts warn listeners about players who may seem enticing based on initial performances but lack consistent fantasy value.

Chris Thompson

Jason Moore cautions against investing in Chris Thompson despite his impressive few performances, highlighting his limited involvement over four seasons:

Jason Moore [16:08]: "Chris Thompson... he has had more than 10 carries in a game, one single time in his career. He's only had more than five receptions in a game four times in three-plus years."

Andy Holloway concurs, advising that Thompson may only be valuable in PPR leagues due to his occasional receiving contributions:

Andy Holloway [17:54]: "More so in PPR."

Jacquizz Rogers

Andy Holloway expresses reservations about Jacquizz Rogers, especially against a formidable Minnesota defense. Despite Rogers' increased workload, the upcoming matchup raises concerns about his reliability:

Andy Holloway [18:06]: "I think you're going to have a different feel for your happiness level, a different outcome."

4. Game Previews: Rams vs. 49ers Showdown

The hosts analyze the upcoming Thursday night game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, providing fantasy advice based on team performances and defensive strengths.

Andy Holloway highlights the Rams' offensive improvements under new leadership and questions the reliance on their defense:

Andy Holloway [10:15]: "The Rams offense has shown the ability to sustain drives for the first time since Jeff Fisher arrived... I think it's going to surprise people."

Conversely, Mike Wright expresses skepticism about the over/under set by Vegas, suggesting a lean towards the under due to limited offensive firepower:

Mike Wright [10:15]: "I'm going to take the under of the 39 and a half."

Jason Moore offers a balanced perspective, acknowledging the defensive prowess of both teams while remaining optimistic about potential fantasy production:

Jason Moore [10:00]: "There's a lot of shaking up that's going to happen up in New York."

5. Listener Mailbag: Answering Fan Questions

The episode features a robust Q&A session addressing various fantasy football dilemmas submitted by listeners.

DeMarco Murray vs. Derrick Henry

Nick from New York City asks which back to start between DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry in a full PPR league. The hosts provide divergent opinions:

• Andy Holloway [29:18]: Prefers DeMarco Murray, emphasizing his role as the starter.
• Mike Wright [30:15]: Favors Derrick Henry for the week against Seattle, anticipating higher touches.

Jason Moore [31:04]: "In a full PPR, I still lean Murray."

A.J. Green's Viability Amid Bengals' Struggles

Nathaniel questions whether A.J. Green remains a must-play despite the Bengals' underperformance. Andy Holloway and Jason Moore advocate for Green, citing his importance in the offense and potential leadership changes:

Andy Holloway [32:35]: "A.J. Green is a must start. He'll almost certainly be in my top three wide receivers this week."

Handling Odell Beckham Jr.'s Season Outlook

Rose inquires about treating Odell Beckham Jr. as a top-tier receiver given his ankle issues and offensive line struggles. The hosts agree that Beckham remains valuable and expect his role to expand as the season progresses:

Mike Wright [33:25]: "Yes, I would treat and trade him like a top-tier wide receiver."

Marcus Mariota's Future in Fantasy Rosters

Two coaches ask about holding or bailing on Marcus Mariota given his tough matchups against Seattle and Houston. Andy Holloway suggests holding onto Mariota, anticipating future high-scoring opportunities:

Andy Holloway [36:26]: "He can put up such gargantuan numbers in the right matchups."

Mike Wright recommends considering the matchup against Seattle, favoring Jay Cutler as a temporary alternative:

Mike Wright [36:26]: "Cutler for me. Minnesota is great. They don't."

Larry Fitzgerald vs. Tyler Higbee

Mike Genta asks about starting Larry Fitzgerald over Tyler Higbee. The hosts express doubts about Fitzgerald's current involvement and performance, leaning towards playing Higgins if needed:

Jason Moore [44:02]: "Would you play Higgins this week over Larry Fitzgerald? Fitz is the 46 ranked hotness."

6. Special Segments and Community Engagement

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with sponsors like SeatGeek and Proflowers, offering listeners exclusive discounts. They also encourage participation in their Foot Clan community, providing additional resources like premium projections and flex rankings.

Andy Holloway shares a personal highlight of acquiring a new puppy, Rocky, adding a relatable touch to the conversation:

Andy Holloway [27:53]: "I got a new puppy yesterday. It's the best dog that has ever existed."

7. Key Takeaways and Strategic Insights

• Early Season Resilience: Don't be disheartened by initial losses; strategic acquisitions and patient management can lead to successful seasons.

• Identifying Buy Low Candidates: Le'Veon Bell, DeMarco Murray, Ty Hilton, and Doug Baldwin are prime targets for undervalued trades or pickups.

• Caution with Overhyped Players: Players like Chris Thompson and Jacquizz Rogers may not offer consistent fantasy value despite occasional strong performances.

• Matchup-Based Decisions: Analyzing upcoming game defenses and offensive line strengths is crucial for making informed start/sit decisions.

• Active Community Engagement: Leveraging resources like Foot Clan can enhance team management through shared strategies and listener support.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway [02:05]: "Don't get discouraged if you are 0-2 right now. That's absurd."

• Jason Moore [03:54]: "DeMarco Murray... you can buy him cheap."

• Mike Wright [04:37]: "Ty Hilton will return to form as a low-end wide receiver."

• Andy Holloway [16:02]: "I'm going to pump the brakes on Chris Thompson."

• Jason Moore [32:01]: "AJ Green is still the 26th ranked. So he's still in that wide receiver tier despite the worst scenario that could happen."

• Mike Wright [36:26]: "Cutler for me. Minnesota is great."

This episode equips fantasy managers with actionable insights, emphasizing the importance of early-season strategy adjustments, player performance evaluation, and community involvement to navigate the complexities of fantasy football effectively.