Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 9 Studs & Duds, Rising Stars, Over-succeeding
Release Date: November 6, 2017

Introduction

In this Week 9 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into the highlights and lowlights of the current fantasy football week. They provide in-depth analysis of standout performers, underperformers, rising stars, and players who are exceeding expectations. Additionally, the hosts discuss key injuries, coaching strategies, and offer valuable fantasy advice to help listeners optimize their lineups.

Weekly Rewind: News and Updates

The episode kicks off with a recap of significant news affecting fantasy teams:

• Jameis Winston's Injury:
  Andy Holloway highlights that Winston aggravated a shoulder injury in Sunday’s game, likely sidelining him for at least the next week. Jason Moore adds, “I expect him to miss the next week,” emphasizing the impact on fantasy lineups (10:32).

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Struggles:
  The Buccaneers are grappling with offensive inconsistencies, particularly with offensive coordinators affecting players like Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. Andy questions whether to adjust their usage based on Ryan Fitzpatrick's quarterback play (12:07).

• Des Bryant’s Ankle Injury:
  Jason Moore expresses concern over Des Bryant’s injury, suggesting it may develop into a high ankle sprain, potentially sidelining him for multiple weeks (12:41).

• Leonard Fournette’s Suspension:
  Mike Wright discusses Fournette’s suspension for conduct detrimental to the team, noting this provides additional flexibility in the running back lineup (15:56).

• A.J. Green’s Altercation:
  The hosts anticipate a suspension for A.J. Green following his ejection from the game due to fighting, warning fantasy managers to monitor his status closely (16:45).

Studs & Duds: Week 9 Performances

Studs (Top Performers):

• Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles):
  Andy Holloway praises Wentz’s efficient performance, throwing for 199 yards and four touchdowns in a single game, questioning his long-term sustainability but recognizing his current dominance (24:33).

  "With 199 yards and four touchdowns, Carson Wentz has been an absolute stud this week, and I believe he'll surpass Alex Smith in total points this week." – Andy Holloway [25:03]

• Marshawn Lynch (Oakland Raiders):
  Despite an injury, Lynch delivered two touchdowns and solid rushing yards, reaffirming his value as a reliable RB despite the team’s inconsistent offense (28:29).

  "Marshawn Lynch has proven once again that he’s indispensable. Dropping him would be a mistake, especially given his touchdown potential." – Jason Moore [29:11]

• Jared Goff (Los Angeles Rams):
  Goff's performance under Sean McVay's innovative offense has turned him into a rising star, making the Rams the highest-scoring team in the league (24:33).

Duds (Underperformers):

• CJ Anderson (Chicago Bears):
  Anderson struggled with low production and limited involvement in a poor offensive system, prompting discussions about trading or cutting him from fantasy rosters (14:08).

  "CJ Anderson's three single-digit weeks are a concern, especially with the Bears' offense being three and five. It's time to consider moving on." – Andy Holloway [14:05]

• DeAndre Hopkins (Arizona Cardinals):
  Although Hopkins had a touchdown, his efficiency was questioned due to the poor play-calling by quarterback Tom Savage, leading to doubts about his future performance (35:16).

  "With Tom Savage’s inefficiency, relying on DeAndre Hopkins is risky. It might be time to consider trading him for a more reliable receiver." – Mike Wright [37:03]

• Doug Martin (Chicago Bears):
  Martin's disappointing performance and subsequent benching raised red flags about his reliability and future role in the Bears' offense (51:35).

  "Doug Martin's eight carries for seven yards are impossible to overlook. It's time to seriously evaluate his role moving forward." – Andy Holloway [51:35]

Rising Stars of the Week

Damian Williams (Miami Dolphins):
Mike Wright highlights Damian Williams as a rising star due to his increased involvement in the passing game, despite overall skepticism about his running abilities. His versatility makes him a valuable plug-and-play option for fantasy managers (40:50).

"Damian Williams may not be the best RB overall, but his role in the passing game is making him a reliable option this week." – Mike Wright [42:15]

Cole Beasley (Dallas Cowboys):
Andy Holloway points to Beasley’s two touchdown receptions as a reason to consider him in place of injured or suspended players like A.J. Green. His consistent target volume makes him a dependable option (44:00).

"With injuries in the Cowboys' offense, Cole Beasley becomes a necessity and a potential game-changer for your lineup." – Andy Holloway [44:00]

Over-succeeding: Players Exceeding Expectations

Corey Clement (Philadelphia Eagles):
Jason Moore notes Clement’s ability to overperform in Week 9, capitalizing on opportunities and becoming a more integral part of the Eagles' offense. His steady performance makes him a valuable fantasy asset.

"Corey Clement has overperformed with his workload and involvement in the passing game, making him a strong asset moving forward." – Jason Moore [27:29]

Marquis Goodwin (San Francisco 49ers):
Andy Holloway is impressed by Goodwin’s unexpected rise in targets, marking him as a player to watch as he becomes a significant part of the 49ers' passing attack despite being traditionally seen as a deep threat.

"Marquis Goodwin is emerging as a top target in SF’s offense, offering valuable points despite his reputation as a deep threat." – Andy Holloway [55:31]

Player Operations: Trades, Drops, and Waiver Wire

CJ Anderson vs. Damian Williams:
Mike Wright advocates for keeping Anderson as the starter due to his consistent role despite mediocre stats, suggesting only temporary usage based on weekly performance.

Robert Woods (Los Angeles Rams):
Andy Holloway and Jason Moore discuss Woods’ fluctuating performance, considering trading him for more stable receivers given the Rams' high-scoring offense that might already provide significant value.

DeMarco Murray (Tennessee Titans):
The hosts express concerns over Murray’s health and future performance, recommending fantasy managers monitor his condition closely and consider alternatives due to his inconsistent usage and injury history (48:40).

Fantasy Advice and Conclusions

Carson Wentz’s Dominance:
The hosts agree that Wentz is currently the top quarterback in fantasy football, projecting him to maintain or increase his lead in total points, especially given his efficient touchdown-to-yardage ratio (24:33).

Running Back Stability:
Marshawn Lynch and DeAndre Hopkins are emphasized as essential players to retain for their high upside and reliable production, despite some inconsistencies in team performance.

Wide Receiver Considerations:
Corey Clement and Cole Beasley are highlighted as valuable assets due to their increased targets and consistent involvement in high-scoring offenses, making them safe picks for the remainder of the season.

Injury Watch:
Listeners are advised to stay vigilant about player injuries such as Jameis Winston, Des Bryant, and Leonard Fournette, as these can significantly impact team compositions and fantasy lineups.

Notable Quotes

• "If you are listening and you pooped yourself, we are going to need an email." – Andy Holloway [45:21]

• "You can't drop players like Marshawn Lynch, who, even though they're underperforming right now, they're still giving you points." – Jason Moore [29:13]

• "We are going to over succeed for the rest of this season, that is for sure. Oh, yeah. Mom's going to be proud." – Mike Wright [28:20]

Final Thoughts

The Fantasy Footballers provide a comprehensive analysis of Week 9, offering actionable insights for fantasy managers. By identifying key studs, duds, rising stars, and over-succeeding players, they equip listeners with the knowledge needed to navigate the latter half of the fantasy season successfully. Additionally, their discussions on injuries and player operations emphasize the importance of staying informed and adaptable in fantasy football strategies.

For more detailed discussions and premium resources, listeners are encouraged to join their fantasy community at jointhefoot.com and follow them on Twitter @the_ffballers.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the podcast's original timeline, providing context for the quoted discussions.