Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Fantasy Court + Key Questions for 2017
Release Date: August 31, 2017
1. Introduction and Promotions
The episode kicks off with hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright welcoming listeners to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast from Play Draft Studios. Andy announces the release of the Ultimate Draft Kit, urging listeners to prepare for upcoming drafts by visiting ultimatedraftkit.com (00:00–00:27).
Notable Quote:
Andy Holloway [00:00]: "Hey, Foot Clan. It is not too late. What am I talking about here? The ultimate draft Kit."
Additionally, the hosts promote giveaways and partnerships with companies like Pristine Auction and StadiumGoods.com, offering listeners opportunities to win memorabilia and discounts on premium sneakers and apparel.
2. Ezekiel Elliott Suspension Discussion
The conversation shifts to the contentious topic of Ezekiel Elliott's suspension. Andy expresses surprise at the polarized opinions surrounding Elliott's stance on his suspension, debating whether he will accept a reduced punishment or continue to fight his innocence (01:24–03:17).
Notable Quotes:
Andy Holloway [02:04]: "But if you're innocent, if he believes he's innocent, then he doesn't want to accept the punishment for something he didn't do."
Jason Moore [02:18]: "He's a steal out of second round pick then."
Mike and Jason discuss whether to prioritize Elliott in drafts if his suspension is reduced, comparing him to other running backs like DeMarco Murray.
3. Fantasy Court Segment
Introducing the playful Fantasy Court, with Judge Giamatti presiding, the hosts engage in humorous legal-style debates over player rankings.
a. Golden Tate Reception Denial
Mike Wright sues Andy Holloway for denying Golden Tate his deserved reception rankings. Jason presents Tate's consistent performance metrics (05:18–09:16).
Notable Quotes:
Jason Moore [05:39]: "Golden Tate gets to slide right back in to where he's even more comfortable, even more devastating coming out of the slot."
Andy counters by questioning the consistency of Tate's performance, arguing that high reception numbers don't always translate to reliable weekly fantasy points.
Andy Holloway [07:34]: "You cannot expect me to entrust my fantasy roster with a player who's finished as a wide receiver 1 or 2, 31% of the time as a 1 or 2."
The court rules in favor of the defendants, dismissing Tate's reception capabilities for their purposes (09:12–09:16).
b. Demaryius Thomas Fabrication of False Evidence
Jason Moore charges Mike Wright with underrating Demaryius Thomas's floor as a wide receiver, highlighting Thomas's safety and potential despite quarterback uncertainties (10:09–15:26).
Notable Quotes:
Mike Wright [10:53]: "Demaryius Thomas is one of the safer players in fantasy football."
Jason retorts by emphasizing Thomas's dependency on a top-tier quarterback to achieve elite fantasy rankings.
Jason Moore [13:50]: "He's a 90 reception type of guy, and he's not going to be anywhere near double digit touchdowns."
The court again rules in favor of the defendants, dismissing Thomas's high floor expectations (15:21–15:26).
c. Martavis Bryant Conspiracy to Create a Wide Receiver
Andy charges Jason Moore with unfairly ranking Martavis Bryant too low, arguing Bryant's potential when healthy (15:29–20:19).
Notable Quotes:
Andy Holloway [16:13]: "Martavis combines size, skill, speed, and dare I say, sauciness."
Mike counters by highlighting Bryant's injury and suspension risks, asserting that these factors justify a lower ranking.
Mike Wright [17:48]: "There is risk with Martavis Bryant that says we need to lower him."
The court rules against Andy, marking his first defeat in Fantasy Court and humorously reflecting on the proceedings (20:14–20:19).
4. Listener Mailbag
The hosts address listeners' questions, providing expert insights on various fantasy football topics.
a. Preseason Performance vs. Regular Season Expectations
Question: Which preseason standout might underperform in the regular season?
Responses:
- Mike Wright [24:03]: Highlights Chris Carson, citing depth chart challenges despite his preseason performance.
- Andy Holloway [24:04]: Identifies Chris Hogan as a player who may not sustain preseason hype.
- Jason Moore [25:19]: Suggests focusing on players beyond the "Chris" names, mentioning Cameron Artist Payne and Corey Grant.
b. Value of Defenses in Fantasy Football
Question: Why do defenses receive negative attention despite some scoring well?
Responses:
- Mike Wright [26:12]: Attributes dislike to the unpredictable nature and high turnover rates among top defenses.
- Andy Holloway [26:38]: Emphasizes the difficulty in predicting and drafting consistent defenses.
- Jason Moore [27:39]: Advocates for streaming defenses based on weekly matchups rather than drafting them early.
c. Perfect League Setup
Question: What constitutes the ideal fantasy football league format?
Response:
- Mike Wright [29:12]: Prefers a 12-team, half-point PPR league with specific roster configurations, favoring flexibility and simplicity.
d. Player-Specific Queries
-
CJ Prosise's Viability:
- Andy Holloway [31:02]: Admiration for Prosise's talent but concerns over his injury history.
- Mike Wright [31:21]: Mirrors concerns about durability despite his pass-catching abilities.
-
Alfred Morris as a Late Handcuff:
- Andy Holloway [40:55]: Initially supports Morris based on preseason impressions.
- Jason Moore [40:59]: Contrarily views Morris as outdated, no longer a viable fantasy option.
- Mike Wright [41:14]: Agrees with concerns over Morris's lack of a defined role.
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Bonus Points for 50+ Yard Touchdowns:
- Martin McIlwain's Question [41:20]: Inquires about the impact on player valuations.
- Mike Wright [41:48]: Suggests minimal impact, with slight boosts to explosive players like Brandon Cooks.
- Jason Moore [42:05]: Agrees, noting that while bonuses exist, they don't significantly alter player rankings.
e. Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAB) Strategies
Question: Tips for excelling in FAB leagues.
Responses:
- Mike Wright [36:37]: Recommends strategic bidding, saving budget for playoffs, and targeting consistent contributors.
- Andy Holloway [37:01]: Advises investing early in reliable players, treating FAB budget akin to draft picks.
f. Adam Thielen vs. Jordan Matthews Decision
Question: Should a player drop Adam Thielen for Jordan Matthews?
Responses:
- Mike Wright [38:28]: Prefers Jordan Matthews for his consistent role, but acknowledges Adam Thielen's higher ceiling.
- Jason Moore [39:08]: Chooses Thielen for his higher potential, even considering water bets (39:36–39:37).
5. Live Show Promotion
Andy announces a live podcast event scheduled for Monday near Phoenix, encouraging local listeners to attend via ballerslive.com. Attendees can participate in live Q&A sessions and engage with the hosts in person (44:02–44:26).
6. Conclusion and Final Promotions
The episode wraps up with final promotions for PlayDraft.com, urging listeners to engage with the platform for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) action. Hosts remind listeners not to miss the upcoming MVP episode featuring multiple experts (44:26–45:07).
Notable Quote:
Mike Wright [45:07]: "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast."
Key Takeaways:
- Player Evaluations: Detailed discussions on players' fantasy value, considering factors like consistency, injury risk, and team dynamics.
- Strategic Insights: Emphasis on adaptable strategies, such as streaming defenses and smart FAB bidding.
- Engagement: Interactive segments like Fantasy Court and Mailbag foster listener participation and provide diverse viewpoints.
- Community Focus: Promotions and live events underscore the podcast's commitment to building a strong fantasy football community.
This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for fantasy football enthusiasts preparing for the 2017 season, blending analytical discussions with engaging, lighthearted segments to enhance listeners' fantasy strategies.