Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode Summary

Title: Fantasy Football 2017 - Pump the Brakes, #FootClan Questions, Playoff Push
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Release Date: November 29, 2017
Knowledge Cutoff: October 2023

Introduction

In this episode of Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway and Jason Moore delve into strategies and insights to help listeners navigate Week 13 of the NFL season and make informed decisions as fantasy playoffs approach. With Mike Wright temporarily absent, the duo ensures a comprehensive discussion enriched with astute analysis, player evaluations, and listener engagement.

Pump the Brakes: Reevaluating Player Performances

One of the core segments of the episode revolves around the "Pump the Brakes" strategy, where hosts advise fantasy managers to temper their expectations on certain high-performing players who may face challenging matchups or declining performance trends.

• Ben Roethlisberger (Big Ben):

  • Jason Moore suggests caution in starting Big Ben against Cincinnati, highlighting historical performance metrics:

    "Big Ben has had two straight 42-point fantasy games at home, but against Cincinnati over the last three years, he averages half a touchdown less and more interceptions." [03:53]

  • Andy Holloway supports this stance, citing Big Ben's inconsistency and potential regression:

    "I like pumping the brakes here because I believe there are going to be a lot of fantasy players who start Big Ben this week, they're not going to listen to you and they should." [05:56]

• Tevin Coleman:

  • Jason Moore advises caution in starting Coleman against the Minnesota Vikings due to their robust run defense:

    "Minnesota has been good against running backs recently. Tevin Coleman’s expectations should be tempered, especially with Devonta Freeman returning from concussion protocol." [07:41]

  • Andy Holloway concurs, emphasizing the need to manage expectations rather than outright benching:

    "You have to temper expectations. You can't just look at, well, he's going to retain this goal line role." [08:23]

News and Notes: League Updates and Player News

The hosts provide updates on various league-related news and player statuses affecting fantasy decisions.

• Suspensions:

  • Michael Crabtree and Akib Talib have their suspensions reduced to one game. Andy Holloway critiques the NFL's decision-making:

    "I think that's why they got two games because they're going to appeal, but AJ Green's incident was 200 times more egregious." [09:36]

• Player Returns and Injuries:

  • Devonta Freeman clears concussion protocols and is expected to contribute significantly:

    "Devonta Freeman has cleared concussion protocols and will be the starter. Start both Coleman and Freeman this week." [07:41]

  • Geno Smith starts for the Giants, with discussions on the implications for fantasy quarterbacks:

    "Geno Smith has struggled in his NFL career but has had productive starts. However, the Giants face a tough matchup against a strong defense." [12:01]

• Other Noteworthy Updates:

  • Darren McFadden retires, affecting any potential fantasy considerations.
  • Seth Roberts of the Cowboys is discussed as a streaming option, though concerns about his efficiency persist.

Mailbag: Listener Questions and Expert Advice

The hosts engage with listener-submitted questions, offering tailored advice for various fantasy scenarios.

1. Keeper League Decision: Jordan Howard vs. Mark Ingram vs. Alvin Kamara

   • Tyler from Kankakee, Illinois asks for guidance on keeping players in a half-point PPR keeper league.
   • Jason Moore leans towards Mark Ingram, citing a more secure role and team's offensive structure:

     "Mark Ingram is the better pick here because his role is solidified in a strong offensive team like the Saints." [27:20]

   • Andy Holloway prefers Jordan Howard, expressing concerns over Ingram’s contract and potential free agency:

     "Mark Ingram's role is more secure than Jordan Howard’s, assuming he remains with the Saints." [29:43]

2. Roster Dumping by a League Opponent

   • Ethan in Virginia inquires about handling an opponent who has dumped their entire roster.
   • Jason Moore advises against capitalizing on unethical practices and suggests pushing to have such actions sanctioned:

     "I'd try to push really hard to get this guy kicked out of the league and make those players ineligible." [31:21]

3. Flex Position Dilemma: Danny Amendola vs. Danny Woodhead vs. Rex Burkhead

   • Richard in Seattle seeks advice on selecting a flex player in a full PPR league.
   • Andy Holloway and Jason Moore prefer Danny Woodhead, citing Amendola’s declining performance and Burkhead’s inconsistency.

4. Starter Decisions: Case Keenum

   • Case Keenum’s potential as a starter is debated.
   • Andy Holloway dismisses Keenum as an auto-start option, emphasizing the importance of quarterbacks with consistent performance:

     "Case Keenum doesn’t crack the list of quarterback you have to start every week regardless of matchup." [35:16]

5. Marvin Jones as a Must-Start Receiver

   • Mitchell Ryan Lee questions whether Marvin Jones is matchup-proof.
   • Jason Moore confirms:

     "Marvin Jones is a must-start due to his consistent performance and favorable matchups coming up." [44:10]

Community and Show Growth

As the episode progresses, hosts reflect on the podcast's evolution and community engagement.

• Andy Holloway highlights the growth in chemistry among the hosts and the supportive Foot Clan community:

  "Our show has a really solid foundation because of you guys, the listeners who engage and support us." [41:28]

• Jason Moore emphasizes the importance of listener feedback in enhancing show quality:

  "We are constantly taking a step back and asking how we can make the show better for you." [43:28]

Conclusion

Wrapping up, the hosts encourage listeners to join their fantasy football community at jointhefoot.com and engage with them on Twitter @theffballers. They also tease an exclusive Foot Cast episode available later in the day, promising continued insights and interactions with their dedicated audience.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore on Pumping the Brakes for Big Ben:

  "A lot of fantasy players start Big Ben this week, they're not going to listen to you and they should." [05:56]

• Andy Holloway on Devonta Freeman’s Role:

  "You have to temper expectations. You can't just look at, well, he's going to retain this goal line role." [08:23]

• Jason Moore on Danny Amendola:

  "I think the time of confidence in Danny Amendola is coming to an end this year." [34:18]

• Andy Holloway on the Podcast’s Growth:

  "Our show has a really solid foundation because of you guys, the listeners who engage and support us." [41:28]

For more detailed analysis and community interaction, visit fantasyfootballers.com and follow @theffballers on Twitter.