Fantasy Footballers Podcast: Episode Summary Episode Title: Fantasy Football 2017 - Pump the Brakes, Playoff Questions, Meat Cupcake
Release Date: December 6, 2017

Introduction

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into critical fantasy football strategies as the season approaches its climax. Skipping the usual advertisements and intros, the trio focuses on providing listeners with actionable insights, player evaluations, and answers to pressing fantasy questions to help secure playoff success.

Pump the Brakes

The "Pump the Brakes" segment is a highlight of the episode, where each host identifies players they believe fantasy managers should be cautious about starting in the upcoming weeks.

• Mike Wright on Devin Funchess (02:44):
  “I gotta pump the brakes on Devin Funchess... I like Devin Funchess moving forward. This is a pump the brakes. This is not a I am automatically benching Devin Funchess. I'm just saying I'm lowering what I expect the output for Devin Funchess to be.”
  Mike explains his concerns about Funchess's consistency and the tough matchup against Minnesota, suggesting managers temper their expectations rather than outright benching him.

• Andy Holloway on Derek Henry (04:22):
  “I am pumping the brakes on Derek Henry, running back for... backup running back for the Tennessee Titans.”
  Andy cautions against relying on Henry in certain game situations, noting his tendency to go for big plays when games are already decided, which may not always translate to reliable fantasy points.

• Jason Moore on Charles Clay (05:52):
  “I'm going to put the don't start marker on Charles Clay. I think you have more exciting options with Steven Anderson in Houston...”
  Jason expresses reservations about Clay's recent performance post-injury, advocating for alternative tight end options with higher upside.

Community Shoutouts

The hosts take a moment to acknowledge listeners' support and share positive feedback from the community.

• Review from Dustpan (07:21):
  "This is my first season as commissioner and I'm in 12th place of 12... The Fantasy Footballers help make a league competitive and fun. A must for leagues lacking these things."
  Andy shares a five-star review praising the podcast's impact on enhancing league competitiveness and enjoyment.

FSTA Award Voting

The Fantasy Footballers encourage their listeners to participate in the FSTA Awards, specifically voting for the best social media fan base.

• Mike Wright on FSTA Voting (09:02):
  “This is really for the best social media... we know it's the Foot Clan. We know this.”
  The hosts emphasize the importance of voting to recognize their dedicated fanbase, with Andy humorously suggesting they might send pieces of the award to listeners.

News and Notes

A comprehensive rundown of the latest NFL news affecting fantasy managers.

• Player Suspensions and Injuries (10:07):

  • Juju Smith-Schuster and Rob Gronkowski: Both suspended for one game, impacting their respective teams' performances.
  • Bruce Ellington and CJ Fedorowicz: Placed on injured reserve for Houston, with Jason advocating for starting Steven Anderson as a tight end replacement.
  • Amari Cooper and Doug Martin: Still in concussion protocols, raising concerns about their availability and potential impact.

• Matthew Stafford's Hand Injury (15:05):
  “Matthew Stafford's hand modeling career is over.”
  The hosts discuss the severity of Stafford's injury, expressing doubts about his performance and reliability moving forward, which has implications for fantasy quarterbacks.

Mailbag

Listeners submit questions, and the hosts provide tailored advice to address various fantasy scenarios.

• Chelsea from Detroit on Quarterback Options (25:55):
  “Do you trust Dak this week against the Giants or would you stream another quarterback when both Winston and Garoppolo are available to pick up?”

  • Andy leans towards starting Derek Carr over Dak Prescott due to Prescott's recent inconsistencies.
  • Jason supports Derek Carr but acknowledges the potential upside of Garoppolo.
  • Mike recommends Garoppolo if the manager feels other roster players need to perform exceptionally to secure a win.

• Avery in Palo Alto on Commissioner Behavior (28:03):
  “Avery in Palo Alto, California commissioner just lost Gronk by suspension and changed the league settings to add an additional week to the season...”
  The hosts express strong disapproval of the commissioner's actions, emphasizing the importance of integrity and fairness in league management.

• Charles from South Florida on Bench Decisions (30:20):
  “I have back-to-back Foot Clan titles looking to make this repeat. Should I bench Fournette against Seattle?”

  • Jason and Mike agree on playing P. Ryan over Fournette due to Fournette's inconsistent performance and injury concerns.
  • Andy echoes support for P. Ryan, highlighting the matchup against the Chargers' strong pass defense.

• Brandon from Maine on Streaming Positions (35:52):
  “Can I trust the Eagles defense this week against the Rams or is it worth picking up either the Titans or the Packers defense?”

  • Andy and Mike recommend sticking with the Eagles defense, citing their consistent performance and lack of weaknesses.
  • Jason advises against relying on defenses like the Packers or Titans for substantial fantasy returns.

• Brendan in Maine on Playoff Rules (38:49):
  “Is it acceptable to still pick up players from waivers if you missed the playoffs or got eliminated during the playoffs?”
  The hosts debate the ethics and strategies of adding players late in the season, ultimately emphasizing the importance of league rules and fair play.

Thursday Night Football Preview

A detailed analysis of the upcoming Thursday Night Football game between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

• Key Players and Matchups (17:32):

  • Mark Ingram: Held out of practice with a toe injury, raising uncertainties about his participation.
  • Alvin Kamara: Viewed as an unstoppable running back, providing immense value in fantasy lineups.
  • Drew Brees vs. Julio Jones: Despite a high over-under for total points, the hosts recommend starting Brees, arguing that the Falcons' improved run defense might force Brees to rely more on the passing game, potentially benefiting Julio Jones.

• Strategic Insights (19:25):

  • Mike suggests maintaining Barry’s trust in Devonta Freeman as an RB1 and using Travis Kelce as a flex option due to the Falcons' weakening defense against the run.
  • Andy emphasizes the reliability of Drew Brees as a safe floor player, even if he may not reach the heights of a top-tier quarterback.

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers Podcast delivers a comprehensive and engaging episode filled with expert analysis, strategic advice, and interactive listener segments. By focusing on pivotal topics like player evaluations, playoff strategies, and timely NFL news, Andy, Jason, and Mike provide invaluable support to fantasy managers aiming to triumph in their leagues.

Note: Timestamps are approximate and referenced in minutes and seconds for clarity.