Fantasy Football 2017 - Commish Tips + NFC West Breakdown
Release Date: August 4, 2017
In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into essential commissioner tips and provide a comprehensive analysis of the NFC West teams ahead of the upcoming fantasy football season. Skipping over the introductory segments and advertisements, the trio offers valuable insights and strategic advice for both new and seasoned fantasy league commissioners, followed by an in-depth breakdown of the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers.
Commissioner Tips
The episode kicks off with a segment dedicated to assisting new league commissioners in fostering a high-quality and enjoyable fantasy football league.
Key Recommendations:
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Avoid Restrictive Roster Transactions
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Foster Effective Communication Channels
- Establish platforms where league members can interact, trade, and engage actively. Options like Slack, Facebook, or official league apps are suggested to keep everyone connected and informed.
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Optimize League Size
- Mike Wright advises against inflating league sizes unnecessarily: “Maybe it's better to have a solid 8 or 10 team league with good owners than a 12 team league with 2 or 3 bad apples that are going to ruin the experience for everybody.” (04:27)
- Maintaining a balanced number of teams ensures competitiveness and reduces the impact of inactive or unreliable league members.
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Encourage Active Participation
- Active engagement is crucial for league longevity and enjoyment. Commissioners should promote regular participation and enthusiasm among all members.
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Promote the Podcast
- Jason Moore suggests leveraging the podcast to enhance league quality: “Tell your entire league about this show. Right, because then everybody becomes better and it's just more fun.” (05:04)
Notable Quote:
“A great fantasy football league is great because you have awesome people there and you're communicating.” – Jason Moore (03:45)
NFC West Breakdown
Transitioning to the NFC West, the hosts provide a detailed analysis of each team, focusing on player performances, potential injuries, and strategic moves that could influence fantasy football outcomes.
Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson's Performance and Injury Risks
- Mike Wright examines Wilson’s consistency: “He ended up a top 12 QB... but the percentage has been declining each year.” (13:13)
- Concerns about Wilson’s injuries and offensive line struggles are discussed, impacting his draft position in fantasy leagues.
Wide Receiver Analysis
- Jason Moore critiques Doug Baldwin’s boom-or-bust nature: “He really is not [consistent] for fantasy. He has been a boom bust, a touchdown reliant player for those big games.” (19:22)
- Andy Holloway and Jason Moore debate the reliability of other receivers like Tyler Lockett and Paul Richardson, highlighting their potential and injury histories.
Notable Quote:
“Russell Wilson doesn't. Isn't there an injury risk that maybe places him in this late seventh appropriately versus saying he deserves to be ahead of that?” – Mike Wright (16:35)
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback and Offensive Line Improvements
- Jason Moore discusses Carson Palmer’s adaptation: “He had like the majority of his throws came in under two seconds from the snap.” (26:17)
- Emphasis on the Cardinals' improved offensive line and its positive effect on Palmer's performance and overall team offense.
Running Back Dynamics
- The uncertainty surrounding Joe Mixon and the rise of Jeremy Hill are analyzed: “There are three legitimate NFL starting caliber running backs on that team.” (08:14)
- Mike Wright suggests a cautious approach towards drafting Mixon due to his fluctuating involvement and injury history.
Wide Receiver Concerns
- Jason Moore expresses skepticism about John Brown’s health and performance: “I don't think he's going to be able to be healthy this season.” (30:45)
Notable Quote:
“If John Brown can actually... I do think there will be a bounce back for the offensive, you know, totality for the Cardinals.” – Jason Moore (29:48)
Los Angeles Rams
Todd Gurley’s Potential and Offensive Enhancements
- Mike Wright fervently supports Todd Gurley: “I am very, very optimistic about Todd Gurley this year. I think he offers fantasy owners a top five potential player at a good value.” (34:20)
- Discussion on the Rams' improved offensive line with the addition of Andrew Whitworth and its benefits for both Gurley and Jared Goff’s protection.
Running Back Debate: Gurley vs. Lamar Miller
- Jason Moore controversially places Gurley higher than Lamar Miller, emphasizing Gurley’s volume: “He... He is going to be okay as your RB2.” (36:31)
- Andy Holloway remains skeptical, focusing on Gurley’s past performance and injury risks: “I don't think that he's bad by any stretch.” (35:20)
Notable Quote:
“If you have the depth and you think that by the end of this year... you have to buy that.” – Mike Wright (09:36)
San Francisco 49ers
Coaching Changes and Player Acquisitions
- Mike Wright highlights the impact of new head coach Kyle Shanahan and key acquisitions like Pierre Garcon and Brian Hoyer: “They bring in Kyle Shanahan, new head coach...” (34:20)
- Jason Moore praises Garcon’s potential under Shanahan: “He is just such a complementary piece to a fantasy roster.” (44:55)
Offensive Strategy and Receiver Potential
- Emphasis on the 49ers' shift to a more structured offensive system and how it benefits receivers like Garcon and newcomer players.
- Andy Holloway points out Garcon’s experience with Shanahan: “He brought Pierre Garcon before... He wanted to get Pierre Garcon and his team.” (43:35)
Notable Quote:
“They are using technology to track every single thing done. And once a player reaches whatever their load is... they shut him down.” – Jason Moore (28:42)
Best Ball Segment
In addition to the main breakdown, the hosts introduce their weekly Best Ball segment, explaining its mechanics and encouraging listeners to participate. Jason Moore emphasizes the importance of consistency in Best Ball leagues, advising players to prioritize reliable performers over high-ceiling boom-or-bust candidates.
Key Takeaways:
- Jason Moore: “Consistency is great. Don't rely on the super boom bust until the late picks.” (48:49)
- Mike Wright and Andy Holloway discuss practical tips for excelling in Best Ball formats, such as targeting players with steady performances rather than sporadic high scores.
Notable Quote:
“One of my tips that I think is not said enough is do not discount consistency... they're going to crack your roster every single week.” – Jason Moore (48:49)
Closing Remarks
The episode concludes with reminders about their live Best Ball drafts and encourages listeners to engage with their content through social media and the official website. The hosts express enthusiasm for the upcoming NFL season and the strategies they’ve discussed throughout the episode.
Final Thought:
“You have this awesome draft... [and] if your team has the most points, you win the prize.” – Jason Moore (50:21)
This comprehensive episode serves as an invaluable resource for fantasy football enthusiasts, offering actionable commissioner advice and detailed team analyses to navigate the complexities of the 2017 NFL season effectively.