Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 6 Keep/Trade/Cut, Pump the Brakes, Big Questions

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 6 Keep/Trade/Cut, Pump the Brakes, Big Questions
Release Date: October 11, 2017
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, and Jay Grizz
Podcast Information: The Fantasy Footballers break down the world of Fantasy Football with expert analysis, strong opinions, and matchup-winning advice to help listeners win their leagues.

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Introduction and Weekly Updates

The episode kicks off with the hosts—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike Wright, and Jay Grizz—engaging in light-hearted banter about Andy’s tumultuous vacation at Disneyland, referencing the unexpected fires enveloping the park. This friendly exchange sets a jovial tone for the episode.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [01:09]: “Yeah, there's fire like all around Disneyland. Apparently, the hills are on fire and ash is raining down at Disneyland.”

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Pump the Brakes Segment

"Pump the Brakes" is a recurring segment where the hosts advise listeners to hold back on starting certain players due to unfavorable matchups or performance concerns.

1. Adrian Peterson (Arizona Cardinals)

   • Discussion: Andy expresses caution about starting Peterson against Tampa Bay, citing his limited practice time with the new team and challenges with the offensive line.
   • Quote:
     • Andy Holloway [03:20]: “I'm pumping the brakes on Adrian Peterson because I'm still realistic with expectations.”

2. Elijah McGuire (New York Jets)

   • Discussion: Mike warns against starting McGuire despite tempting reports of a heavy workload, emphasizing the Jets' struggling offense against the Patriots.
   • Quote:
     • Mike Wright [04:56]: “I don't trust him. I'm pumping the brakes on him.”

3. Conclusion: Both Peterson and McGuire are flagged as players to approach with caution for the week.

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News and Notes

The hosts provide a roundup of notable NFL news affecting Fantasy rosters:

• Tom Brady’s Injury: Reports of Brady missing practice due to a shoulder MRI.
• Kevin Hogan Named Browns Starter: Mike advises adjusting fantasy lineups accordingly.
• Sam Bradford’s Knee Aggravation: Andy and Mike discuss the implications for Bradford’s availability.
• Devin Funches and Sterling Shepard Updates: Injuries and practice statuses impact their fantasy viability.
• Team Transactions: Releases and signings, including Chris Johnson by the Cardinals and Deontay Thompson by the Bears.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [09:12]: “He takes care of his body. Reminds me of the DeLorean.”

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Keep/Trade/Cut Segment

In this segment, the hosts evaluate various players, advising whether to keep, trade, or cut them based on recent performance and future prospects.

1. **Devonte Parker (Miami Dolphins) – Keep

   • Rationale: Despite Miami’s underwhelming offense, Parker has consistently produced solid fantasy numbers when involved.
   • Quote:
     • Mike Wright [13:15]: “This is an easy keep for me.”

2. **Martavis Bryant (Chicago Bears) – Trade

   • Rationale: Concerns over Bryant's performance consistency and offensive connections prompt a recommendation to trade him.
   • Quote:
     • Andy Holloway [14:58]: “I have no desire to deal with the ups and downs right now. This week you’re going on the road to Kansas City. That’s not good for Big Ben.”

3. **Ben Roethlisberger (“Big Ben”) – Cut

   • Rationale: Facing a challenging matchup against Kansas City, cutting Roethlisberger is advised to avoid potential low performances.
   • Quote:
     • Mike Wright [17:17]: “I would cut him as well.”

4. **Jacquis Rogers (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Hold as Handcuff

   • Rationale: While Rogers is a valuable backup, his utility is contingent on Doug Martin’s health.
   • Quote:
     • Andy Holloway [17:25]: “He’s a talented handcuff, but that’s all he is.”

5. **Jay Ajayi (Miami Dolphins) – Keep

   • Rationale: Ajayi remains integral to Miami’s ground game, and despite a slow start, his volume warrants retention.
   • Quote:
     • Andy Holloway [21:05]: “I think I'm keeping both of these guys or trading for them on the cheap.”

6. **DeMarco Murray (Tennessee Titans) – Keep

   • Rationale: Murray’s performance remains stable, especially with Cam Mariota back enhancing the offense.
   • Quote:
     • Mike Wright [33:59]: “I would keep Ty Montgomery as well.”

7. **Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) – Trade if Possible

   • Rationale: While Gore still contributes, his declining role suggests seeking better options through trade.
   • Quote:
     • Andy Holloway [37:11]: “If you can trade Frank Gore and Tariq Cohen for a better running back, just a more solid every week starting running back, I would do that.”

8. **Samuel Watkins (New York Giants) – Trade

   • Rationale: Watkins’ inconsistent targets and performance make him a candidate for trading.
   • Quote:
     • Andy Holloway [39:22]: “He is going to disappear… I think you can play the matchups with Amari Cooper.”

9. **Amari Cooper (Dallas Cowboys) – Keep at Low Cost

   • Rationale: Despite volatility, Cooper’s talent justifies keeping him at a low cost due to his high upside.
   • Quote:
     • Mike Wright [28:56]: “I stand alone in that because usually when people get them, they're stale and...”

10. **Tyreek Hill (Kansas City Chiefs) – Keep

    • Rationale: Hill remains a crucial asset despite concerns over usage, owing to his integral role in the Chiefs’ offense.
    • Quote:
      • Andy Holloway [55:16]: “I do not think that's happening. He's just too important to the team.”

Summary: The Keep/Trade/Cut segment provides strategic advice on roster adjustments, emphasizing the importance of evaluating player performance trends and upcoming matchups to optimize fantasy lineups.

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Thursday Night Preview

The hosts turn their attention to the upcoming Thursday night game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Carolina Panthers, offering insights and starting recommendations.

1. Philadelphia Eagles Offense

   • Running Backs:

     • LeGarrett Blount vs. Christian McCaffrey: A debate on whether to start Blount over McCaffrey, with considerations for matchups and scoring formats.
     • Quote:
       • Andy Holloway [44:35]: “McCaffrey is worthy of starting.”

   • Wide Receivers:

     • Alshon Jeffery vs. Secondary Options: Focus on starting reliable receivers like Alshon Jeffery over less consistent options.
     • Quote:
       • Andy Holloway [46:25]: “I think I'm playing just Alshon.”

2. Carolina Panthers Offense

   • Quarterback: Cam Newton

     • Recommendation: Start Cam Newton against the Eagles' defense, considering his ability to adapt and the team's offensive adjustments.
     • Quote:
       • Andy Holloway [41:44]: “I am absolutely playing Cam Newton in this game.”

   • Running Backs and Wide Receivers:

     • LeGarrett Blount vs. McCaffrey: Analysis of running back performances and strategic starts.
     • Tight Ends: Ed Dixon is advised against starting due to Philadelphia's strong defensive coverage on tight ends.
     • Quote:
       • Mike Wright [47:07]: “I would not start Ed Dixon.”

Notable Quote:

• Mike Wright [43:00]: “I would consider mine a belly flop. Oh, yeah, because I'm all in for this week in particular.”

Summary: The Thursday Night Preview offers tactical advice on player selection for the Eagles vs. Panthers game, emphasizing quarterback and running back matchups, as well as tight end strategies, to maximize fantasy points.

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Mailbag: Listener Questions

In the Mailbag segment, the hosts address listener-submitted questions, providing personalized advice for specific fantasy football dilemmas.

1. Andre Ellington vs. Adrian Peterson

   • Question: Does the addition of Adrian Peterson affect Andre Ellington’s value? Should Ellington be traded?
   • Answer: No significant impact as both serve different roles; Ellington remains valuable, especially in PPR leagues.
   • Quote:
     • Andy Holloway [49:15]: “Adrian Peterson is not going to come in and take… four or five targets in the passing game.”

2. Trades During Game Weeks

   • Question: Is it advisable to make trades once Sunday games have started?
   • Answer: It’s generally a bad idea due to potential injuries and the complexity of league processing rules.
   • Quote:
     • Mike Wright [50:27]: “Don't trade players who are already playing football games.”

3. Camara vs. Gilliesslee

   • Question: Should one start Camara over Gilliesslee in a PPR league?
   • Answer: Yes, starting Camara is advisable in PPR formats due to his receiving involvement.
   • Quote:
     • Andy Holloway [59:28]: “It's not crazy. I don’t blame you at all.”

4. Carson Palmer vs. Jameis Winston

   • Question: Who to start between Carson Palmer and Jameis Winston?
   • Answer: Carson Palmer is favored due to a better matchup and home-field advantage.
   • Quote:
     • Andy Holloway [58:34]: “I will have Carson ranked ahead of Jameis.”

Summary: The Mailbag segment effectively addresses diverse listener concerns, offering actionable advice tailored to individual fantasy team situations.

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Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The episode concludes with the hosts reiterating the importance of strategic player management, timely roster adjustments, and informed decision-making to excel in fantasy leagues. They encourage listeners to engage with the Fantasy Footballers community for ongoing support and insights.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [61:04]: “Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter the FFballers.”

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Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast provides comprehensive analysis and strategic advice tailored for Week 6 of the 2017 fantasy football season. Through segments like "Pump the Brakes," "Keep/Trade/Cut," and listener Mailbag questions, the hosts deliver valuable insights to help fantasy managers optimize their teams and navigate the complexities of the NFL season.

Transcript

[Andy Holloway]

Hey, Foot Clan. If you are planning on playing any daily fantasy football this week, or any week for that matter, on DraftKings or FanDuel, you've got to check out the DFS pass. That is our ultimate draft kit for daily fantasy purposes. We have some of the highest ranked DFS players in the world putting out hot content there and we're even adding to it every week. So check it out. Go to dfspass.com it's a one price for the whole year. Foreignasy footballers podcast coming to you from the Play Draft Studios with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[Mike Wright]

Holy Toledo. We've made it to day three, still alive. The Fantasy Footballers Podcast. I am your host, Mike the Fantasy Hitman. Right. I'm joined by Jason Moore.

[Andy Holloway]

Happy to be here.

[Mike Wright]

Also joined by Jay Grizz. Andy Holloway enjoying his vacation, enjoying his family, I hope.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, there's fire like all around Disneyland. Apparently the hills are on fire and ash is raining down at Disneyland. No joke, that is his current vacation.

[Mike Wright]

It's gone from the happiest place on earth to the ashiest.

[Andy Holloway]

Ooh, see what you did there?

[Mike Wright]

You changed a word and I made it work.

[Andy Holloway]

All right.

[Mike Wright]

So welcome into the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. You want to follow us on Twitter, please do. And that's where you're going to get all your. Your quick hitting updates. You can do that at the FFballers. If you want the personal musings of myself and my colleagues, you can find me at FF Hitman, find Jason at jasonffl and find Jay Grizz. Of course.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. What is, what is it?

[Mike Wright]

I don't even remember.

[Andy Holloway]

It's at jgriz.

[Mike Wright]

Is it F. J Grizz? Ffl.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes.

[Mike Wright]

The Bear, the Cardboard Bear has a Twitter account and it's actually.

[Andy Holloway]

It's very funny. It is a great account. It is. It is an awesome. I think they have over 2000 followers.

[Mike Wright]

What you don't realize is that there are bear pictures for every occasion.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

And somehow Jay Grizz is able to communicate with them.

[Andy Holloway]

You'll enjoy. You'll enjoy the follow.

[Mike Wright]

So check out the website, the fantasy footballers.com new articles going up each and every day. The rankings will be going up today. It is Wednesday. That means it is rankings day.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. This afternoon. Be sure to check the site. Our rankings will go live, including our flex rankings for everyone over at a part of the [e-mail] I hope your.

[Mike Wright]

Waivers went well today. And do not forget it's waiver day. That means you need to Drop it like it's hot. Drop it like it's hot. Go check out those drop skis. See who is available. You may find a gem. A gem. We're gonna move to the quick question, but instead of the quick question, because it is Wednesday, we are going to pump the brakes.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, oh, oh. O'Reilly, O'Reilly Auto Parts. A full team effort today. We got Brooks and Jay Grizz in on it.

[Mike Wright]

We made it. This is Pump the Brakes brought to you by O'Reilly Auto Parts. Jason.

[Andy Holloway]

Yo.

[Mike Wright]

Who are you pumping the brakes on this week?

[Andy Holloway]

Look, we are in Arizona. I shamefully will admit that I am excited to have Adrian Peterson a part of the team. Like, I actually have excitement, but I don't want to admit that here. I am now admitting it to the world, but I'm pumping the brakes on Adrian Peterson because I'm still realistic with expectations. Tampa Bay traveling to Arizona is a very beatable matchup, so maybe he is able to perform, but he's on a short week as far as being able to practice before the game for a new team. He won't know the offense. He can't be a guy that's out there on 70% of snaps.

[Mike Wright]

He's already listed as the starter, right?

[Andy Holloway]

He will be the starter and he will get at least 10 carries, plus. But my point is, I don't think with that offensive line, all the. All the issues there. I mean, look at Adrian Peterson right now. I believe he was averaging about 2.6 yards per carry with the New Orleans Saints, who have a much, much better offensive line. So now he travels to Arizona, new team, new offense, and a much worse offensive line. I don't see how he's going to all of a sudden become a superstar just because he is Adrian Peterson, the Hall of Famer. I'm picking him up. I'm. I'm hoping for a great game against a beatable matchup at Tampa Bay this week. I'm not going to start him if I have him. I don't trust him. I'm pumping the brakes on him. If he performs well, I will. I will look to trade him. So I'm. I'm just tempering the expectations. For those of you that picked up Adrian Peterson, you better hope that you.

[Mike Wright]

Are right because we will know in about 60 seconds if you will be facing up against a Adrian Peterson in our league of record.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, that's right. Waivers are going and we are facing off this week. You and I. Motto, Imano.

[Mike Wright]

My running back situation for this week is desperate. Is Desperate at best, you can call it. So you could be going up against Adrian Peterson. My pump the brakes this week. Running back for the New York Jets, Elijah McGuire. Now, why am I pumping the brakes on Elijah? The matchup is juicy. It's the New England Patriots. I've. I have a statement I'd like to make. It's a trap. The reports of, oh, Elijah McGuire expected heavy workload. I just, I don't see a world where the New York jets are able to have a sustained offense and put points up against the Patriots. I know that the Patriots defense has been terrible lately. We saw some signs of life. Granted last week against the Buccaneers, I put more blame on Jameis Winston than the actual defense succeeding. But Bill Belichick in division against the Jets, Elijah McGuire is going to have to be very involved in the passing game to give you a good fantasy day in my opinion. Now he could be the only show in town with Forte if Forte is out. Bilal Powell was training to be out as well. That's why I think that this is such a trap that people are, are beside themselves. They're very excited to start Elijah McGuire. Now if I have him and I, you know, situation, like I said, I'm in a desperate need here where I tried to grab Adrian Peterson. Right. Because I'll be playing him.

[Andy Holloway]

You did not get him.

[Mike Wright]

I did not.

[Andy Holloway]

Really? Yeah. You did not get Adrian Peterson.

[Mike Wright]

That is devastating because I thought I put a very sizable bid to get Adrian Peterson.

[Andy Holloway]

You did. You bid 18. Someone bid 30.

[Mike Wright]

Okay, well, I wasn't going to.

[Andy Holloway]

They should have listened to pump the brakes first.

[Mike Wright]

But if you got him and it's your option, I'm just saying I'm not, I'm not overly excited looking at the matchup on paper saying this is the time, this is Elijah McGuire's time to shine. Jason, do you have any thoughts on McGuire?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, look, it could be a trap game. I said beforehand in the studio I missed the button. I said this before the show in the studio that I actually think the Patriots are a playable defense this week because yes, they are the worst, the last ranked defense and the jets are on a three game winning streak. So I think a lot of people are just saying, oh, you got to avoid that. I don't believe so. I think the coaching, I think things will come back, you know, to the mean to where you expect these teams to be playing at and they are a startable defense. However, I would, you know, I have a hard time pumping the brakes on Elijah McGuire because if there's no Matt Forte and no Blow Powell. I mean, that's Elijah McGuire have to be involved. He's going to get the bulk of the rushes and the targets out of the backfield. You've seen him break a few plays off and you've seen the Patriots give some big plays. So, yeah, I mean, certainly could be a trap. I've got him in a couple leagues where I'm at that decision, where he is questionable as to whether I'm starting him in my flex or if I would go with someone else, you know, I would start Devin Funches over him, for example.

[Mike Wright]

Yes, I would as well. That was Pump the Brakes Brought to you by O'Reilly Auto Parts. Elijah McGuire, Adrian Peterson, remember O'Reilly Auto Parts. Better parts, better prices every day. Let's talk some news.

[Andy Holloway]

News and notes from around the league. Uh oh, what happened?

[Mike Wright]

The golden child. The golden boy. Touchdowns, homie. He missed practice on Tuesday and he had an MRI performed on his left shoulder.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it's never good news. And, and I do think you need to take injuries serious with players of his age. We said this, you know, in the, in the draft season. The fact that, look, Tom Brady hasn't lost anything. He's great.

[Mike Wright]

Have you seen that diet that he's on?

[Andy Holloway]

Right. No, exactly. I mean, he takes care of his body.

[Mike Wright]

He eats only cardboard. He multiplies it into a shake, and that's all his nutrition.

[Andy Holloway]

Reminds me of the DeLorean. You just put the. You put everything in.

[Mike Wright]

Mr. Fusion.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. You know, the thing with, with his injury that makes it okay is it's obviously it's the left shoulder. He injured it two weeks ago and, you know, re aggravated it against Tampa Bay. So you've already seen him play with this injury and he was phenomenal. So I'm not extremely worried about it, but I do caution if. If more injuries pop up with Brady. I mean, you saw Peyton Manning go from incredible to not being able to get over. Was it the foot? Was it a foot for Payton? There was some injury that is just a small, seemingly, you know, easy to recuperate from injury. He wasn't ever able to turn the corner.

[Mike Wright]

The Browns have named Kevin Hogan the starter for week six. Adjust your Browns players accordingly.

[Andy Holloway]

Which would be what?

[Mike Wright]

Keep them on the bench.

[Andy Holloway]

There you go. Adjust them from the bench. And you want to rearrange the order on the bench.

[Mike Wright]

Let's.

[Andy Holloway]

You're playing Duke Johnson and there's hope.

[Mike Wright]

For Ricardo Lewis with Kevin Hogan. I mean, Kevin Hogan now, it's always been the quick change for Kevin Hogan coming in. And so defense is not necessarily used to his style of play, but he's always succeeded when he came in. I mean, last week he came in for Sean Kaiser.

[Andy Holloway]

Finishes the quarterback 11. Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

So who knows? Who knows what they have in Kevin Hogan. Sam Bradford underwent an MRI after leaving Monday's game with an aggravation of his knee. The testing revealed no new injury.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I mean, that's a problem. He came in with the same thing he's been struggling with. He wasn't necessarily hit or took. He just played a little bit of football and wasn't able to play the second half. It's a hard position. I feel like Sam Bradford is done.

[Mike Wright]

You think that he'll end up on the ire eventually?

[Andy Holloway]

I do think he'll end up on the ir, but I hope he doesn't. If it is what they said it was, which was a knee bone bruise. Bone bruise, then time and rest should recover it and he should be back on the field. It's just weird to me that there's. They're always talking about the swelling and other issues that seem at odds with that.

[Mike Wright]

Devin Funches is dealing with a knee issue. The Panthers do expect him to play on Thursday night. He did return to practice today.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. His Tuesday practice off is essentially the Wednesday practice off that you usually see from players because they're on the Thursday night game. So no worries with Funches.

[Mike Wright]

Sterling Shepard was spotted in a walking boot on Tuesday. He is not practicing today.

[Andy Holloway]

He better not play. I mean, this is. You're playing against the Broncos in Denver. Just take your loss, heal up, and come back the next week because I want Sterling shepherd to be good rest of season. I don't expect him to play.

[Mike Wright]

It's fair enough. Coach Sean Payton says that Willie Sneed's hamstring is 100%. Chris Johnson was released by the Cardinals and he was replaced by Adrian Peterson. And the Bears have released Deontay Thompson.

[Andy Holloway]

That one's strange, but not. It doesn't really affect anything for so. Anyone.

[Mike Wright]

Well, I mean, Trey McBride.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm not. You know, look, I'll take a flyer on Kendall. Right. And Zach Miller and that's it. And that's it. All right.

[Mike Wright]

On Wednesdays, we like to break down some questionable players, and I think this.

[Andy Holloway]

Is the best segment of the week.

[Mike Wright]

And give some advice on how we are handling them for fantasy football.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, we actually tweeted out this week. Brooks took care of it and asked you all, hey, who are the players? You want to know what to do with these really questionable guys. So let's get it. Keep trade cut.

[Mike Wright]

Now, before we move into keep trade cut, I need to confirm. Did you say let's goo it.

[Andy Holloway]

It was going to be let's go to it or let's go and so let's go it.

[Mike Wright]

Let's go it.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, we're going to go it right now. Who are we going first?

[Mike Wright]

The number one request on Twitter is what do you do? I think this is kind of shocking that people are asking this question, but the number one request on Twitter, devonte Parker, wide receiver from the Miami Dolphins. What do you do with Parker?

[Andy Holloway]

It does surprise me because there's a lot of people in this list that I think are more difficult to determine what to do with. Devonte Parker.

[Mike Wright]

This is an easy keep for me.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, he's been great. He might miss this week, but he's been, he's been fine. He's shown everything that we hoped in. So yeah, yeah, you hold him, you keep him. You benchmaphies injured.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. The offense for Miami, they've been putrid, but devonte Parker still been coming through with good fantasy lines. The offense did this last year. The exact same thing happened to the Dolphins last year. They were terrible to start the year and then a switch clicked on and they were fantastic. Now, a lot of that was J. Ajayi showing up and becoming a stud last year. So there's just, there's a outcome where they do get things turned around. Maybe they go to Matt Moore, but you can't, can't get down on a guy because he got hurt in the first quarter. I mean, that really sucks.

[Andy Holloway]

Right?

[Mike Wright]

But you don't just say, well, I'm going to cut you because you got hurt in the first quarter.

[Andy Holloway]

Right. No, hold on, hold on to Parker.

[Mike Wright]

This name is much harder, especially because he's near and dear to my heart. Martavis Bryant. Keep, trade, cut.

[Andy Holloway]

Jason, I am trading Martavis Bryant. There are still players out there like you who value Martavis value the name, value the big playability. I have not really ever been one. I remember having to go to judge Giamatti to defend my low ranking of Martevis Bryant. I believe the judge ruled against me, but I think he ruled with you. Yeah, I think he did. Okay. I must be thinking of Terrell Pryor.

[Mike Wright]

Hey, Prior's on the ups.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, sure he is. So the thing is, with Martavis Bryant, in fact, in one of our dynasty leagues, we just saw someone trade for Martavis Bryant, give up picks plus Kevin Hogan Chris Hogan. Chris Hogan, yes. Which good. For whoever's trading away Martavis Bryant, I would trade him for sure. I don't want to deal with the ups and downs right now. This week you're going on the road to Kansas City. That's not good for Big Ben. Not good for Martavis Bryant. I don't want to do.

[Mike Wright]

That's the problem for Martavis is Big Ben has been big bad. Big bad, Big bad Ben. This year it's been.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, let's talk about Big Ben.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. Because he's next on the list. So I guess my official position with Martin Martavis would be if you can trade him. I would. I mean, I am.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm willing.

[Mike Wright]

I am the Martavis. Brian Truther on this show. I still believe in his talent and I've seen him breaking free, making things happen. But there's just the connection between Big Ben and Martavis is not there. You have juju Smith Schuster outperforming Martavis Bryant the last couple of weeks.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. You know, the thing is, is whenever we're talking about the keep trade cut guys, usually it's. It's guys that are somewhat disappointing and you're not sure what to do with them. When we say trade. They're not guys that are always heavily sought after. So, you know, package them with somebody. Take Martavis Bryant, put them with one of your running backs or one of your wide receivers that are okay to upgrade that position because then you're going to pick someone up off of waivers. I mean, who has the better week this week, Martavis Bryant or Taylor Gabriel, I would assume. Taylor Gabriel, yeah. Pick him up off of waivers.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. That's tough. So, Big Ben, what are you doing?

[Andy Holloway]

I'm cutting Big Ben or, you know, trade him if you can, but I don't think you can't trade him, so I'm cutting him. You're not going to play him this week on the road to Kansas City.

[Mike Wright]

And Bengals next week.

[Andy Holloway]

In two weeks you cut him, pick him up later in the year when he's regained form.

[Mike Wright]

I would cut him as well. Jacques Rogers, running back for Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup running back Are you holding him as a handcuff?

[Andy Holloway]

That's all he is. He's a valuable handcuff. So if I am the Doug Martin owner, sure, I'll hold him. I think it's worth it. Depending on who's on waivers, this is the time of year where handcuffs can can be valuable to have on your roster. When you look at the waivers and you go, there's no One I really need. Now, if there's someone that you really need, I'd rather have that than a handcuff. You know, if Alex Collins was out there and you need someone that can start, I would rather have him. If I'm not the Doug Martin owner, I try to trade him to the Doug Martin owner does.

[Mike Wright]

But does Jaquez have the value that at this point, I mean, you want. We're getting to this point of the season where you want to have at least one of your. Excuse me, you're one of your handcuffs. But Jacquist Rogers, we've seen him be valuable when Doug Martin is out. Now, he came in, he looked great in his week one or his first. First game performance. But if something happens to Martin, all those carries go right back to Jacquiz Rogers.

[Andy Holloway]

Absolutely. That's what I'm saying. He's a talented handcuff, but that's all he is. He's a handcuff. He's not going to be, you know, like Tevin Coleman, you know, is a startable handcuff. You could start him with, you know, him every week with the Freeman healthy. But if Freeman goes out, then he's even more valuable. That's not the case with Jacquist. Jacquiz is, you know, he's cuttable. Unless if Doug Martin gets injured, Quiz would be like the number one pickup. So that's where he's worth rostering as the Doug Martin owner. I don't usually, unless my team is bad and I'm swinging for the fences, I don't usually like rostering. Other handcuffs. Fair.

[Mike Wright]

J. Ajayi Running back, Miami Dolphins what do you do with Jay Ajayi?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, that's Jay Ajayi. DeMarco Murray. Yeah. Two highly drafted.

[Mike Wright]

Let's just combo those guys.

[Andy Holloway]

Two highly drafted running backs who have just been disappointing you. You have to start them if you've got them on your roster. So they're still getting volume? Yeah, they're getting volume. They're killing your team. What do you do with this? I went back and looked at last year to see if there are examples of guys that started really slow and came on hot. And of course, there are many, but almost every single one of those was a change of situation. So JJ was one of them. Well, he went from not being the starter to being the starter.

[Mike Wright]

He went from not traveling with the team, right?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, he wasn't even involved. And then it's like, oh, you're the starter. Most of them were really injury to the other guy. Or change of role, and then they came on strong. There was, however, an example that I think is worth noting. Jonathan Stewart. Jonathan Stewart, last year through the first five weeks, he was injured for a couple of those. The games that he did play, the highest finish that he had was 41st. So, I mean, you're going, okay, what do you just cut this guy right from week six through the end of the season? I think this will shock you. This is just last year. Where did j. Where did Jonathan Stewart rank in among running backs from week six to 17 on a point per game base?

[Mike Wright]

Shocking. I'm going to go running back 15.

[Andy Holloway]

Four. Okay.

[Mike Wright]

I'm shocked.

[Andy Holloway]

I know. So they're. You know, he was a volume back that had a very slow start and got it together. I believe Jay Ajayi. I believe that Jay Ajayi has the volume and the team has to get better.

[Mike Wright]

So you're keeping him?

[Andy Holloway]

I think I'm keeping both of these guys or trading for them on the cheap. On the cheap. You know, I'm not sitting here calling for DeMarco Murray and Jay Ajayi to be these great players, but they are rare. It's rare to have a running back that gets a ton of volume. There's just not that many out there and they're not getting it done with their volume. But I'm chasing the volume, not the points, because if they keep getting the carries we've seen them produce, it's just too hard for me to say move on from these guys. I think for the average fantasy roster, you're going to be making a mistake.

[Mike Wright]

Now, Murray was. He's been over four yards of carry the last two weeks, but two weeks ago against Houston, only seven carries, and then 14 this past week against Miami. He did have. He did get those five targets, but once again, it's Matt Castle. Yeah, that's the quarterback that changes things a lot for the Titans offense. And Mariota will be back.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. But I doubt he's back this week.

[Mike Wright]

He's a matchup with the Colts, though, so.

[Andy Holloway]

No, I know. It's juicy. It's very juicy. I think you're going to start DeMarco Murray either way. But I see the outlook for him being much better with Mariota than without Mariota. Just the offense will have more opportunity to score touchdowns, and that's where you know your major fantasy points are going to come. All right, a lot of names here to still cover, including Marcus Mariota. What do you do with him? But before that, I want to thank today's sponsor Indochino. Indochino makes custom tailored suits for you. I mean, it's not one of those suits where you're getting off the rack and it doesn't fit you. Right. If you've never had a custom tailored suit, if you've never tried one on, you don't know what you're missing. Usually these suits, you know, you're talking $800 to thousands of dollars for custom made tailor suits, but you can get one right now for $359 with our promo code. Here's how it works. They send you this little kit and you give them the measurements. Super easy to do.

[Mike Wright]

Super easy.

[Andy Holloway]

I was worried about that at first. It was very easy. Send them the measurements or you could stop in one of their showrooms and you pick out everything, customize it on their website and you get the perfect suit ready to make. If you've got weddings coming up or any events. So right now, go to Indochino for the best deal ever. $359 for any premium [e-mail] when entering footballers at checkout. That's 50% off the regular price for made to measure premium suit plus Shipping is free. Indochino.com, promo code. Footballer. You'll love it. You'll never go back to other suits.

[Mike Wright]

Want to thank Pristine Oxen for sponsoring the show. Jason Pristine Auction has apparently got the memo. Yeah, people want Kareem Hunt gear.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Because he is. I talked about him a couple days ago with that helmet. They have another one of those helmets.

[Andy Holloway]

You were loving that helmet.

[Mike Wright]

I was not able to get it. Maybe, maybe I'll get this with the fully authentic signature. I know that Kareem Hunt, he's had his hands on this helmet. They also got. They got signed jerseys from him. They got some Beckham stuff going on. They have new stuff every single day. Every day. You could jump on Pristine Auction and say, well, what do you got for me today? And then you find what you want. You find what you want. You find all these signed jerseys from your favorite athletes. And I'm not talking just modern day athletes. I'm scrolling through here. Tony Dorsett got a signed jersey. Pick him up.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, you can go all the way back. I've seen Babe Ruth sign balls on there. Amazing.

[Mike Wright]

So you got to check it out. Foot Clan, that's Pristine Auction. P R I S T I n e auction.com. you make a completely free account. You make sure you let them know that the fantasy footballers sent you back to the keep trade cuts because there Are there are some names here that. Then what do you do with. What do you do with Latavius Murray? Are we to the point now where people are just going to jump completely off the ship? Because two weeks ago, I mean, he's kind of the presumed starter when, when Dalvin Cook went down, people went crazy for latavius Murray. Jerick McKinnon comes out hot hands his way into the perceived starting role because he was the one who had the good game. He's the one who got the bulk of the snaps.

[Andy Holloway]

He turned into that Dalvin Cook role.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, had the big play. I mean it was the pass catcher. Are you ready to move on from Latavius Murray?

[Andy Holloway]

No, you have to hold him at least one more week. He came out, he was the clear first and second half.

[Mike Wright]

This is not a full hug. You're just giving him just a light gentle brace.

[Andy Holloway]

You're holding his hand. Cradle.

[Mike Wright]

You're going to cradle him, saying, hey.

[Andy Holloway]

Let'S cross the street, let's see what happens next week. And after that, if he is relegated to being a clear backup, then I cut him. If he comes out and is the starter in the goal line back, which is what I expect to happen, then I think you've got an asset there that you can flex.

[Mike Wright]

That's the unknown is who is the goal line back.

[Andy Holloway]

Right. We haven't seen that yet. I definitely think it's going to be Murray.

[Mike Wright]

I would agree. So at this point I would keep him as well. Tariq Cohen trade.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm trading him. He's still got such value and what.

[Mike Wright]

I saw, he is still rocking that. What happens in the first two games of the fantasy football season in the minds of many players, everyone, they lock it in.

[Andy Holloway]

Even us, it's so lock it in. So hard to get past if those first two weeks someone is awesome or terrible. That's just what they are this year.

[Mike Wright]

Now we know.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, and now you know because you didn't, you didn't just get the first week. You waited two weeks. And now I really know how old guy is. I mean, you know the first two weeks. Last year, Jonathan Stewart was the 70th ranked running back.

[Mike Wright]

Week one, three, Cohen 12 targets. Week two, nine. And now we're talking nine combined total targets in weeks three through five.

[Andy Holloway]

Only two targets last game.

[Mike Wright]

I thought it was just one.

[Andy Holloway]

I think it depends on how you calculate targets. Different sites have one, different sites have two.

[Mike Wright]

Whatever. It's still bad.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it's bad. And usually those, those calculation differences are because it was a throwaway that is technically targeted, but one is probably more apt as far as one legitimate target. You know, the way they used him and what I saw from him, which was he was trying way too hard to get back to the special nature. I mean, he was running backwards every single play, going full college. You know, I can. I can outrun everybody. And he wasn't. And so I. Yeah, I mean, for me, I think he's still got name value. You're going to be able to trade him. Unlike these other guys. People want Cohen.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, I agree. I would trade him as well. The one target from Mitch. Mitch T. We got to work on a name for Tribis.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, that's not the one. No, honestly, it's Baby Face. Dude, I look at when he's got that helmet on and those brown eyes that are just black with this baby face without a wrinkle on it, it's like. Yeah, Baby Face Trubisky.

[Mike Wright]

Is there a good Baby Face tune we could sing?

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, we'll find.

[Mike Wright]

We'll find one.

[Andy Holloway]

You know we will.

[Mike Wright]

All right, so I would trade him because that was troubling usage, especially. And the increase of snaps for Benny Cunningham, that's also troubling to me as well. Speaking of a troubling player, many, many dynasty players have already put this guy in the hall of Fame.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, you're going. You're going.

[Mike Wright]

My guy, Amari Cooper, who has. Houdini, he has vanished from the face of the fantasy earth, and yet he's one of just a handful of receivers to have a thousand yards in his first two seasons. Right?

[Andy Holloway]

But he is a talented receiver who is not getting it done. Definitely not returning on his price. And we've seen this. You know, last year you got big games and you got disappearing acts. Full. Full Houdini, as you say, right? Now you can get Amari Cooper for.

[Mike Wright]

For circus peanuts.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. I mean, I was going to say.

[Mike Wright]

People don't even like circus peanuts.

[Andy Holloway]

I love circus peanuts. No, you don't do. There's no, you don't.

[Mike Wright]

The orange.

[Andy Holloway]

The orange. Circus peanut candies, those are. It's just straight sugar. And look, sugar is delicious.

[Mike Wright]

Judge Giamatti, what is your ruling on circus peanuts?

[Andy Holloway]

Of course he's gonna hate them.

[Mike Wright]

Disgusting.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, no, I know. I stand alone in that because usually when people get them, they're stale and.

[Mike Wright]

Someone likes them because they're still in stores.

[Andy Holloway]

That someone is me keeping them in business. But, yeah, I mean, I was going to say you can get them for pennies on the dollar, but you don't need to spend pennies for Cooper owners.

[Mike Wright]

With Cooper, 2 pence.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. Hey, Governor, I'll give you 2 pence for a lot of Cooper. They basically want to be done with them. They want to drop them. I traded for him last week. I sat him. If Derek Carr is playing, I play him. If Derek Carr is not playing, I sit Amari Cooper. But I still believe. You know, a lot's made of last season where the second half of the year, how do you feel about.

[Mike Wright]

Rightly so? Rightly so. The second half of the season was rough.

[Andy Holloway]

So his last. Cooper, his last seven games, how many do you think he was in the top 24 wide receivers, which is.

[Mike Wright]

I'm going to go with two.

[Andy Holloway]

Three.

[Mike Wright]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

Three of those.

[Mike Wright]

Seven in the top 24, though.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, he was in the top 22 all three of those games, which is an absolute start.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, but I mean that you're talking majority out of the Wide Receiver 2 Foundation.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes.

[Mike Wright]

However, that's a bad start.

[Andy Holloway]

That's most. That's most wide receivers, though, because wide receivers are so deep. When you look at finishing in the top 24, the vast majority of games are not finished in the top 24. The problem is that when he doesn't finish in the top 24, you're talking about looks like week 12 last year, 81. He must have had one, you know, 58, 77, 42. He. You know, he's. He just goes away. But I do believe in the talent of Cooper. I think they'll get it done. You know, he's still got one more target on the season than Brandon Cooks. Despite only getting two targets last week. He's cheap. But you cannot see Amari Cooper. You cannot see Amari Cooper as a weekly starter. If Derek Carr comes back, you can't see him as a matchup proof. You got to play the matchups with him. You know, if they're going up against.

[Mike Wright]

That's the hard thing about Denver or Kansas City.

[Andy Holloway]

I know. Because of his division.

[Mike Wright]

I'm just saying the name value, the potential, like that's. It's like desean Jackson. I mean, you, you can try to play the matchups, but the only way you're really going to get the value of desean Jackson is if you play him every single week. But you know that he's going to crap your team.

[Andy Holloway]

I kind of. I mean, but like, I have not wanted to start desean Jackson this whole year until last week. I tried to bid on him. We all did in our league because he had that new England Patriots matchup and you, you bid on him, you grab him, you start him and you were rewarded. He had a great game. I think you can play the matchups with Amari Cooper.

[Mike Wright]

All right, Ty Montgomery, running back, Green Bay Packers. The starting running back who was getting about 95% of snaps every single time he's on the field, you have Mike McCarthy, Coach McCarthy talking about Aaron Jones has earned more playing time, has earned more snaps. You've also seen Mike McCarthy go all or nothing with his running backs. Those when Montgomery was in, it was all Montgomery. Aaron Jones. Last week it was all Aaron Jones. I think Jamal Williams got two snaps, but he was healthy. He could have played, but they kept going with Aaron Jones. So where are you temperature wise on Time Montgomery?

[Andy Holloway]

I'm still strong on Montgomery. I do think that that's not a temperature. Okay. I am a warm 90 degrees.

[Mike Wright]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. I mean, yeah, we've seen when, when it was Eddie, Eddie Lacy and James Starks, they were both used, but Eddie Lacy was the predominant guy. He was the guy that for fantasy purposes, he was the only one you were starting. James Starks in a pinch could be used or, you know, if Eddie Lacy missed a game, you'd start him. I expect something more along the lines of that I still like Ty Montgomery. He's not going to be playing 90 plus percent of snaps anymore, but maybe that's good for Time Montgomery, he's got an injury history going back to college where if you can keep him healthy, utilize him in the passing game, have him be the first second down back. I still really like Montgomery. I don't.

[Mike Wright]

He's a full keep for.

[Andy Holloway]

He's a full keep.

[Mike Wright]

I would keep Time Montgomery as well. I have said on the show I believe Aaron Jones has earned himself some more playing time and removing 8 to 12 touches from time Montgomery per week once he comes back and is the starter. That is unfortunate because he was the only show in town. But I still think that Montgomery carries a ton of value with just being such a dynamic and well rounded weapon.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, Mike, Isaiah Crowell. Oh, what do you do with Isaiah? You own Isaiah Crowell. I mean, you don't really, but if you did, what do you do? He has only one week this entire season with less than double digit carries. Got 16 carries last week, 12, 10, 17. The first three weeks of the season has been putrid. Yeah, with those carries, I mean, Duke.

[Mike Wright]

Johnson's clearly the better player right now.

[Andy Holloway]

What do you do?

[Mike Wright]

I would try to trade him. I mean, he's definitely Not a must keep. I would try to trade him.

[Andy Holloway]

Would you cut him? That's the question every Crowell owner is asking. Do you?

[Mike Wright]

Probably not.

[Andy Holloway]

Isaiah Crowell?

[Mike Wright]

Probably not. Because running backs that are getting that volume, even though he's not really a startable player right now, he's getting the volume. So I would bench him.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I mean, I really want to come out and just say, no, cut him. I really do. I want to say cut him, but.

[Mike Wright]

The truth is, I don't think it's good advice.

[Andy Holloway]

We say this. We say this all the time, or we've at least said it before. Ask yourself this. If he was on waivers, would you pick him up and where would you sort him in?

[Mike Wright]

So let's say I would pick him up.

[Andy Holloway]

You know, let's say this. Last week you had, you know, Adrian Peterson, Isaiah Crowell, Elijah McGuire.

[Mike Wright]

McKinnon. Well, McKinnon was there.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, McKinnon was number one. So I'm just saying, of the lower tier, like, where would you mix them in? Alex, who would you rather have, Alex Collins or Isaiah Crowell? Adrian Peterson or Isaiah Crowell?

[Mike Wright]

I would.

[Andy Holloway]

I'd probably rather. I think I'd rather have Peterson. I'd rather have Peterson and Collins. So I think it's a matter of your waivers. I think he has cut a bull if you have better running back options. But I very rarely cut a running back with carries for a wide receiver. I'm not going to cut him, you know, to pick up Taylor Gabriel, unless you have to start him this week.

[Mike Wright]

Sure. He has a curious case, that Isaiah Crowell.

[Andy Holloway]

He's got 34 PPR fantasy points over five weeks.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. That's not getting it done.

[Andy Holloway]

Getting it done for your opponents. I mean, they love you.

[Mike Wright]

Speaking of it, we'll go to another running back, Frank Gore.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, this is.

[Mike Wright]

This is the elder statesman, Frank Gore. That's an easy keep for you.

[Andy Holloway]

That's an easy. I mean, that's not even. I don't even understand what the. Are you saying. Maybe you try to trade him because you're worried about Marlon Mack. Yeah, yeah.

[Mike Wright]

He's not a cut. Well, it's not just Marlon Mack. I mean, Robert Turbin, you're talking. Last week he got barely over 50% of the snaps.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I'm keeping Frank Gore. I don't really.

[Mike Wright]

He's getting phased out of the red zone.

[Andy Holloway]

I think you're going to see what is the upside of Frank or running back 12. I mean, we know this.

[Mike Wright]

Touche.

[Andy Holloway]

You have three of the five weeks that he's played right now where he's double digits at the running back position with Jacoby beef brisket, you know, where's the beef?

[Mike Wright]

Hey, where's the beef?

[Andy Holloway]

There you go.

[Mike Wright]

Thank you.

[Andy Holloway]

When Andrew Luck comes back, the offense gets better. The boxes are stacked less. I mean, he is still the clear starter. He is getting it done. Unlike Isaiah Crowell, he has no weeks on the season with less than double digit carries. Yeah, he's not Frank Gore of three or four years ago where he's rolling out as an RB1, but in the right matchups, he's absolutely startable.

[Mike Wright]

So against Tennessee, yeah, I would start.

[Andy Holloway]

Him this week, man, I would have.

[Mike Wright]

Started him as well if I had him. But I mean, look, everybody getting cloudy for Frank Gore.

[Andy Holloway]

Everybody out there. If you can trade him for better value, then sure. And there are, you know, Marlon Mack behind the scenes. Maybe you get scared about Marla Mack taking over rest of season, in which case try to turn Frank Gore into a same caliber or better caliber in a, in a package trade running back. But don't get rid of a running back without getting something back.

[Mike Wright]

I feel like that's the best approach right now for Frank Gore and Crowell. If you can do a twofer where you have a shiny piece that somebody really wants and then you package in Crowell or Frank Gore, you're getting a starting running back who's getting double digit carries. Talk them into that and get the better player back.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, if you can trade Frank Gore and Tariq Cohen for a better running back, just a more solid every week starting running back. I would do that.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, man, go to that, go to that tilting Jai owner.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Mike Wright]

Just, just send it. It's. I don't really like sending over putrid offers and that's not a, that's a pretty bad offer for Jai. But people are tilting right on on Twitter and everywhere. All right, one last name for keep trade cut before we move into the Thursday night preview because this is a Jason Moore special. Oh, Samuel Watkins.

[Andy Holloway]

The goose. The goose. I didn't not just.

[Mike Wright]

I mean he had the goose and he had the sub two points the week before in the targets are not going to Sammy. They're going all over the place.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, you can't really trust Sammy Watkins right now.

[Mike Wright]

Jacksonville.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. You can't play Arizona.

[Mike Wright]

Bye week Giants.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

That's a four week stretch of despair.

[Andy Holloway]

That's a one week stretch of despair to me. I think you can play him against Arizona. I think you can play him. You don't get New York Patrick Peterson.

[Mike Wright]

Who will he be lining up against? He's been shadowing. He's been eliminating the wide receiver one for a team.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I think with a team like the LA Rams where we don't know who their number one target is right now it seems like it's Cooper Cup. I don't think they're going to shadow with Peterson. I think that Sammy Watkins is going to have his opportunity in the game. Plenty of wide receivers have been getting it done against Arizona, the Giants.

[Mike Wright]

Not the ones.

[Andy Holloway]

Sure, not the ones, but we don't know the Sammy Watkins.

[Mike Wright]

I think that teams will still treat Sammy Watkins as the one.

[Andy Holloway]

The following. The following. The. By the New York Giants. I think you're living on last year at this point with the Giants defense. They're just. They're not what they were last year. And so, yeah, I mean he is, you know, a wide receiver three type of player now. I just traded for him in our league of record. But this was for the most part on the back of him being a great keeper option because I still think he's one of the five or six most talented wide receivers in the entire league and he's going to be a free agent at the end of the year.

[Mike Wright]

So, yeah, the Rams would have to franchise Sammy Walker at this point of the season. And judging from his weird cryptic messages on Twitter, at this point the Rams would have to franchise him to keep him.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Mike Wright]

And are they willing to do that or not? All right, Thursday night matchup. The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Carolina Panthers. The surging Carolina Panthers. Cam Newton's looking healthy in Carolina, favored by three to get it. And Cam Newton's getting done. Let's start with Cam Newton. I think that's the best place to start here. Are you playing him against the Eagles? The Eagles secondary now The Eagles are 4 and 1. However, their past defense is 29th in allowing yards.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I am absolutely playing Cam Newton in this game. I said last week when I, when I kind of gave the pump the brakes on Cam, that if he got it done against Detroit, I would buy in to healthier Cam, what he's able to do with McCaffrey and functions and some new weapons now. You know, it's ironic because you lose Greg Olson and all of a sudden Cam Newton has to spread the ball around and be an actual better quarterback, not have his crutch.

[Mike Wright]

That's what happened.

[Andy Holloway]

Exactly what happened in Cam's huge 15 year two or three years ago when he lost Kelvin Benjamin and then all of a sudden had to Figure out ways to make it work. The Eagles defense has not been great. I mean, they've been good for fantasy because they're, they're a ball hawking type of defense. But, you know, I don't fear them shutting down the Panthers offense, especially in Carolina and with Carson Wentz on the other side of the ball. I know Carolina's defense has been good, but Carson's pretty much getting it done on everybody right now. And so if they're able to keep the score, you know, racking up then Cam Newton, I think is a start, is a start.

[Mike Wright]

This year you've gone from full to single toe dip to cannonball right into the waters of Cam Newton.

[Andy Holloway]

I think I've gone with an elegant dive. I'm not splashing on people. I'm just taking a nice dive, little splash, that's it.

[Mike Wright]

I would consider mine a belly flop. Oh, yeah, because I'm all in for this week in particular, but a belly flop hurts, so you might have to get out of the pool in the very next week. I agree. Carson Wentz, despite the matchup being terrible, you have to start him. What about any of these running backs for the Philadelphia Eagles? LeGarrett blunt Smallwood, if he plays.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't expect Smallwood to play.

[Mike Wright]

We expect him out.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, he's. He still hasn't even practiced. Limited. He's out. And this is a Thursday night game, so you've got Corey Clement coming in to back up LeGarrett blunt. I don't think this is a good matchup for LeGarrett Blunt. This is one where you're chasing a touchdown. I don't think he's going to get it done on the yards against Carolina in Carolina. So I don't really trust any of the running backs there for the Philadelphia.

[Mike Wright]

Eagles and I mean 14 for 74 against the Cardinals and that's a, that's a startable week.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, certainly LeGarrett Blunt has. He has looked better the last few weeks. And I'm certainly not saying you have to bench him because he has the opportunity for the touchdown and maybe he gets, you know, another 70 yards. Especially with Wendell Smallwood out, he'll have more utilization. But I'm not excited and I think a lot of teams out there are going to have better options. So here in the same game, would you rather start LeGarrett blunt or Christian McCaffrey?

[Mike Wright]

Oh, my goodness. Christian McCaffrey has been, I mean, he.

[Andy Holloway]

Scored last week, but overall you're talking mostly a disappointment.

[Mike Wright]

Mostly a disappointment. As well. Scoring format certainly matters. I know that's a cheap way to get out of answering the question because in PPR, you have to play McCaffrey.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Mike Wright]

But all things considered, I'd probably start. I'd probably start Legarre Blunt over McCaffrey.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I leaned McCaffrey. I think if you're in half point.

[Mike Wright]

Or more, of course, yes. But just total yardage. So the total yardage wise, I would lean that Legra Blount will have more yards than McCaffrey.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I mean, it's a strong. It's a strong argument right now. McCaffrey is one of the. I think he might be the only running back in the entire NFL with 30 or more carries that does not have 100 yards on the ground total. You know, if you look at his.

[Mike Wright]

He's not getting it done.

[Andy Holloway]

No. The yards in the last five weeks on the ground for Christian McCaffrey, 10, 16, 16, 7. But all his utilization comes in the passing game. He's at over 30 yards receiving every single game, one of which was over 100 yards. You know, most of the time he's catching four or five passes. I think his baseline, if you're in any kind of PPR or half PPR is. Is worthy of starting.

[Mike Wright]

Zach Ertz is an auto start being targeted almost ten times a week. You play him. But what about the wide receiver core for Philadelphia? Aguilar, the big touchdown. Tori Smith, the big touchdown. Alison Jeffrey, the number one, got shut down for the most part by Patrick Peterson. Are you playing just Alshon or are you looking at these secondary options?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I think I'm playing just Alshon. Panthers against the wide receivers, they've been middle of the pack. I think they're the 14th ranked against fantasy points. Alshon, I believe in the talent and someone else will get it done. I mean, if Carson Wentz throws for less than 250 yards and less than two touchdowns, I think I'll be surprised. And so someone's going to get it done. Probably Zach Ertz. But I can't play the guessing game. I can't start Nelson Aguilar, Tory Smith. I start Alshon. I start Ertz. And then we've talked about Blunt. That's pretty much the Eagles for me.

[Mike Wright]

All right, the Panthers side, Ed Dixon coming off of a sizable performance of absolute ridiculousness over 170 yards. Ed Dixon, I think is a fine tight end. Stream in a pinch. In a pinch. But there's a lot of better options likely on your waiver wire. Either you grab them Like Kobe Fleener, I would much rather play him over Ed Dixon. The Carolina Panthers wide receivers, though. Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funches. Funches has been getting it done in a big way the last few weeks since Greg Olson has left, but he is dealing with the knee issue. Do you have any qualms starting both of them or just one of them? Are you out of funches because of the knee injury?

[Andy Holloway]

No, I. I'm. I'm fine with funches. I'm also fine with Benjamin. I would start both of those guys almost pumped the brakes on Ed Dixon this week. I would not.

[Mike Wright]

That would have been a bold, bold.

[Andy Holloway]

I would not start Ed Dixon. The Eagles, if you look at how they've been performing against tight ends, they haven't been the best, but over the last few years they have been. They've. They've been really good at guarding the tight end. And it was week two where Travis Kelsey and the Kansas City chiefs that over 100 yards and a touchdown with the tight ends against the Eagles. But outside of that, they've yet to give up 50 total yards to a team at tight end and only one other touchdown. So I don't think Ed Dixon's going to be the guy to get it done here. But starting Kelvin Benjamin, starting Devin Funches.

[Mike Wright]

Right before we close out the show, want to hit that foot Clan? Mailbag.

[Andy Holloway]

Mailbag. Mailbag.

[Mike Wright]

I gotta hit the button and sing.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, you did it.

[Mike Wright]

Very talented.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm so proud of you.

[Mike Wright]

Thank you, Mailbag. This one comes in from Jeffrey in Indianapolis, says, does the Cardinals getting AP hurt Andre Ellington's value? If. If so, should I try to trade him before this weekend? This is a full point PPR league.

[Andy Holloway]

That's a great question. I don't think Adrian Peterson hurts Andre Ellington's value too much because they're different skill sets right now. If I asked you who in the NFL is leading the league in targets from the running back position, you'd be wrong unless you answered Andre Ellington. So Adrian Peterson is not going to come in and take, you know, four or five targets in the passing game.

[Mike Wright]

I hope he doesn't.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, as a Cardinal fan, I hope he does it because he's probably not going to do as much with it as Ellington. I think Ellington has been fine. He's actually the last three weeks been an RB one every week. If you're in a PPR or half point, then you. Then you start him.

[Mike Wright]

This one comes in from Brooks from across the room. Oh, says, can you talk about making trades once the Sunday games have Started any given week. And why it's a terrible idea, especially if your league has a processing period.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, we get questions and comments and sadness over things like this all the time. Look, if you're going to trade once games have started, you need to realize that you're on the hook for that. Guy gets injured, you're taking them on.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean, if you are taking the risk, and the league needs to be aware of that too, because you know the league's gonna. Okay, this trade is accepted. Everyone understands the risks. And then a guy gets injured and the league might want to go, hey, I'm going to veto that. I, you know, you can't trade an injured guy, but it's like you are.

[Mike Wright]

You didn't. You traded a healthy guy.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. The trade is done now. It does get murky, though, when there is, as Brooks from across the room brings up, when there's that waiting period, that voting trading period, because then technically, the trade has not gone through, has not been accepted by the league. And at that point, you can make an argument that it is viewable because you're trading an injured guy for not.

[Mike Wright]

Injured, but it shouldn't be. If you make a trade in the middle of games, you have to live with those results, which I've learned a few things working for the fantasy footballers in this office. Number one, never when you're playing foosball, never shoot with your goalie. Right. That's a good tip. And two, don't trade players who are already playing football games. Yeah, I mean, we. We were just talking to someone on the phone the other day who he traded for Beckham in the middle of, like, the first quarter.

[Andy Holloway]

He traded away Beckham or traded.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, traded away Beckham and the game had already started. I mean, worked out. Worked out for him. But you just.

[Andy Holloway]

But then the league vetoed it, in.

[Mike Wright]

Which they shouldn't veto it. I mean, it creates this whole messy disaster that you should not have to deal with. All right, we got Jacob in Boulder, Colorado. Camara or Tevin Coleman. Who would you rather have the rest of the season? This is a standard league.

[Andy Holloway]

That's a great question. In a standard league, I'm going to go with Tevin Coleman.

[Mike Wright]

Touchdowns.

[Andy Holloway]

Touchdowns. I think we have a larger. I mean, both of these guys have that breakaway touchdown ability, but we've got a larger sample size to go on with Tevin Coleman. I think Tevin Coleman is better at running the ball as a. As a pure running back. If this was a full PPR league, I might lean Camara because Coleman catches pass. Coleman does catch passes, but Camara caught 10 passes last. Like Camara is going to catch more balls rest of season than Coleman. I believe they're both good at that. These are similar players, but I would go Tevin Coleman.

[Mike Wright]

Want to talk briefly about the Saints backfield because with Adrian Peterson out, Mark Ingram, Alvin Camara, are you, are you more excited for these players now with Peterson out? Because I've heard, I've heard both sides of the coin here.

[Andy Holloway]

You've heard both sides? Is that coin talking when you know.

[Mike Wright]

When you spin a coin and then in the movies it's like, yeah, I have heard. I've heard all parts of that coin spinning in the air. Okay, I'm going to dig that hole.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm going to keep digging until I.

[Mike Wright]

Reach the other side of the mountain. Yeah, that. Well, Adrian Peterson's not getting very many snaps per game, so whatever. But then you talk about, well, Adrian Peterson's getting six or seven touches a game. So let's just say you 50, 50. That now marking and Camaro getting three more touches each.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it does make a difference. The reason that I don't see it as significantly different like when I talk about this, I don't see it very different because I had written Adrian after this last performance, I basically thought Adrian Peterson's going to be done. I didn't expect him to be traded, but I expected it to be a complete two man show. Maybe Adrian Peterson would take a snap or two. But for most people, and which means there is a difference from what we've seen the first five weeks and the rest of season. You've got a guy in Mark Ingram who the last two years has been a top 10 fantasy football running back who's now in the exact same position passed his by. If you can trade for Mark Ingram, I would absolutely do it. I think he's going to be great. I like both of these guys. Rest of season they're going to be startable every single game.

[Mike Wright]

This one comes in from Football House. Are you concerned with Tyreek and his usage? He doesn't seem to be you there in the red zone or in as many plays as much. Is it time to sell? We're talking Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs.

[Andy Holloway]

No, I'm not really.

[Mike Wright]

He is correct on the year. Tyree Kill has one red zone target.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, yeah, he's not. But his red zone threat or his touchdown threat is usually from far away.

[Mike Wright]

It's from the other. It's from the other red zone, the blue zone.

[Andy Holloway]

Exactly. Yes.

[Mike Wright]

For the 80 yard touchdown.

[Andy Holloway]

He scores in the red zone all the time. It's just the other red zone. His usage hasn't changed as much as you might think.

[Mike Wright]

He played sub 60% of snaps against Houston.

[Andy Holloway]

His targets here. Let me read his targets throughout the season. Eight targets. Week one, six targets. Eight. Six. Six. Now six targets a game is probably not enough to sustain a wide receiver One. You know, right now Tyree Kill is much more in the wide receiver two.

[Mike Wright]

We know because of week one, he's a wide receiver one.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Mike Wright]

I mean it's stamped in. It's locked in.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. I mean I would say this. If you could trade him for wide receiver 1 value then I would. But I'm not concerned with Tyree Kill as in I think he's going to disappear or there's a downward pointing arrow that means we haven't seen the basement yet for Tyreek Hill. I don't think that's happening. He's just too important to the team. I mean, they have to get Kelsey the ball, they have to get Hill the ball, they have to get Hunt the ball. They got three pieces. And now with Chris Conley gone, you'll see Albert Wilson step up. But you might see Tyreek Hill step up too.

[Mike Wright]

This one's from Dominic in cons.

[Andy Holloway]

Who says is wait in cons In.

[Mike Wright]

Khan's K O N Z. Bonjour.

[Andy Holloway]

That has to be from far, far away.

[Mike Wright]

Very nice. Is Jacoby Brissette. Hey, where's the name? A good pickup. I'm not passing that up. Every time I can hit that drop, I'm going to do it. Is Jacoby Brissette a good pickup? If I have Mario to wait and see. If. If Mario to plays on Monday night.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, we didn't.

[Mike Wright]

Are you going to take the risk? I'm waiting on Mario. Or would you play a streamer like Jacoby Brissette?

[Andy Holloway]

Jacoby Brissette's the perfect option, I think. You know, you've got the. He was your stream of the week.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

Right. And so he's in. He's in a matchup that is beatable. And if you have to stream him, you're going to be okay because of what he can do on the ground. But I just cut Marcus Mariota in our league of record last night because I didn't want to. You know, I had Philip Rivers. There's other guys on the waivers. I love Mariota, but it's not worth hanging on. Especially with the Monday night game. I just decided whatever. But if you can hold on to him with a. With the other guy in the Monday night Football. You don't have to worry about that. Wait and see. I think Brissette is the perfect pickup for Mario to owners.

[Mike Wright]

All right, we got this is from Sam in Oakland. He's asking a quarterback question. Carson Palmer or Jameis Winston? This week they're facing off Mono E. Mono duel in the desert.

[Andy Holloway]

That's a great question.

[Mike Wright]

Versus Palmer.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm going to go Palmer.

[Mike Wright]

Carson versus James.

[Andy Holloway]

I wish they had nicknames.

[Mike Wright]

Old guy versus crab legs.

[Andy Holloway]

Really? You went old guy? Like old guy versus young guy was right there for the taking because one of them is very old, one of them is very young. But you went crab legs.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Was that a throwback to his college years?

[Mike Wright]

It was. It wasn't my best.

[Andy Holloway]

That's shameful. I apologize, James, but I am going to take Carson over you solely because the Arizona Cardinals defense is better than the Tampa Bay defense. There's no Cardinals are playing at home. Tampa Bay is playing on the road. Those two things mix together and say, I will have Carson ranked ahead of Jameis.

[Mike Wright]

All right. And this last one comes from Nate in Iowa.

[Andy Holloway]

He's very excited about Iowa.

[Mike Wright]

Who's not?

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, man. Give me that corn. They have corn in Iowa.

[Mike Wright]

They have it in Nebraska. There's a lot of husking.

[Andy Holloway]

They're all the lot of husk. Yeah. There's got to be corn in there.

[Mike Wright]

There's corn everywhere.

[Andy Holloway]

There's corn everywhere. This is America. We love corn. We pay for corn. Give me the corn syrup. Subsidize everything. I want corn. I want my football helmets made out of corn.

[Mike Wright]

The good news is, if the economy were to ever collapse, the zombocalypse happens. Corn is the new currency.

[Andy Holloway]

That's. Hey, Iowa.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. We need to become friends with Nate.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, Nate. Let's be friends.

[Mike Wright]

Says, I know Gillislee has a good matchup this week, but would it be crazy to want to start Camara over him? This is a ppr.

[Andy Holloway]

No, it's not crazy. I mean, Camara in a full PPR is going to have a baseline that you can't necessarily get with with Gillislee. I. I don't blame you at all there. Ironically, I think Camara is the safer start between the two.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Probably the floor is higher because if, you know, you figure, okay, let's say.

[Mike Wright]

Let's say Lewis is ruining everything.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, and not only that, but Rex Burkhead might be back this week. I'm just saying, you know. Yeah. Again, you take four or five touches away, that's going to matter. But I mean, if Gillislee doesn't get in the end zone and gets, you know, 10, 12, 13 carries for 50 yards, okay, he's got five points in a, in a, in a PPR if he's not catching the ball. But you give Camara five receptions and he gets zero yards with all of those, he's equal.

[Mike Wright]

It seems a little fishy. I mean, I know that's how we score fancy points, but it's dumb.

[Andy Holloway]

That's why we like half point Mike.

[Mike Wright]

Gilsley running for 50 yards or a guy catching five passes for zero yards.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. That equal, right?

[Mike Wright]

This is equal for my fantasy football team.

[Andy Holloway]

Half point is the Goldilocks sure have. Point is, you know, it's not too hot, not too cold. It's just right.

[Mike Wright]

We fit in that seat.

[Andy Holloway]

All right.

[Mike Wright]

All right, Foot Clan, thanks for sticking around. We will see you tomorrow. Of course. Make sure you check out draft.comballers if you want to get in on that DFS action tomorrow starts of the week.

[Andy Holloway]

Thanks, Dave. Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter the FFballers.