Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "Fantasy Football 2018 - The Overreaction Episode, Blake the Snake Gets Paid"

Release Date: February 27, 2018

Introduction to the Overreaction Episode

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright tackle the theme of overreactions in fantasy football. As the NFL offseason heats up with the Combine and free agency approaching, the trio aims to help fantasy managers navigate the noise and make informed decisions without falling prey to inflated or deflated perceptions of player performances.

Key NFL Dates and Updates

The hosts begin by outlining important NFL dates to keep fantasy managers in the loop:

• NFL Combine: Starts either the day of recording or the following week (clarification needed). It spans from Tuesday through March 5th ([04:43] Mike Wright).

• Free Agency: Opens at 4 PM Eastern on March 14th. This marks the beginning of player signings and team restructuring ([05:03] Jason Moore).

• NFL Draft: Scheduled for April 16th through 18th, where fantasy managers can secure their team rosters for the upcoming season ([05:03] Jason Moore).

Quick Question: Dropping Kickers and Defenses

A listener named James posed a question on Twitter: "How do you convince a league to drop their kickers in their defense positions?"

Jason Moore responds by suggesting to simply "lay off" and leave them alone ([07:01] Jason Moore). However, Andy Holloway and Mike Wright discuss the unpredictability of kickers, highlighting their inconsistency and the challenges they present in fantasy leagues. They recommend nerfing kickers by adjusting their scoring metrics instead of eliminating them entirely, thereby reducing their impact without removing their strategic value ([08:34] Jason Moore).

News Highlights

The podcast covers several critical NFL news items that have fantasy implications:

1. Blake Bortles' Starting Role:

   • Jason Moore made a public bet that Blake Bortles would start in Week 1 for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The discussion reveals uncertainties about Bortles' role, especially with the team's recent signing and draft choices ([09:27] Jason Moore).
   • Andy Holloway questions the legitimacy of the bet in light of possible injuries, urging to consider whether Bortles will indeed start without unforeseen setbacks ([10:01] Jason Moore).

2. Rams Acquire Marcus Peters:

   • The Los Angeles Rams traded for Marcus Peters from the Chiefs, exchanging a 2018 fourth-round and a 2019 second-round pick. This move is seen as both teams restructuring and potentially benefiting from the acquisition ([13:07] Jason Moore).

3. Jaguars Release Chris Ivory:

   • The Jacksonville Jaguars released running back Chris Ivory. The focus shifts to other players like TJ Yelden and the legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri, albeit humorously ([13:56] Mike Wright).

4. Dolphins Release Julius Thomas:

   • The Miami Dolphins plan to release Julius Thomas, adding to their roster changes and affecting fantasy managers who may have him on their teams ([14:17] Mike Wright).

5. Cardinals and Kirk Cousins:

   • Mike Jarecki reports that the Arizona Cardinals are not interested in pursuing Kirk Cousins, citing financial limitations and the need to bolster their offensive line instead ([14:49] Jason Moore).

6. Vikings and Case Keenum:

   • The Minnesota Vikings are not expected to franchise tag Case Keenum, keeping their options open unless there's a significant change in strategy ([15:10] Mike Wright).

Main Segment: Overreactions in Fantasy Football

The heart of the episode revolves around identifying and discussing players who might be subject to overreactions—either being undervalued or overvalued—based on their past performances, injuries, or team dynamics. Each host presents their selections with supporting arguments and statistical insights.

1. Jameis Winston

• Overview:

  • Jason Moore defends Jameis Winston, highlighting his improved completion percentages and reduced interceptions in the latter half of the previous season.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Jameis Winston does not suck as an NFL quarterback, and he does not suck as a fantasy quarterback.” ([20:11] Jason Moore)

• Conclusion:

  • Fantasy managers shouldn't dismiss Winston based on last year's inconsistencies; his potential for high fantasy output remains strong.

2. Carson Wentz

• Overview:

  • Andy Holloway cautions against overdrafting Carson Wentz, despite his impressive season, suggesting that expectations may lead to inflated valuations.

• Notable Quote:

  • “People will be overreacting to how good he was when healthy this year and he will be overdrafted this coming season.” ([23:26] Andy Holloway)

• Conclusion:

  • While Wentz's performance was stellar, managers should assess his sustainability and not let hype drive their draft picks excessively.

3. Drew Brees

• Overview:

  • Mike Wright argues that Drew Brees remains a top-tier fantasy quarterback despite a dip in touchdown numbers, emphasizing his efficiency and high completion rates.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Drew Brees is going to be a fantasy steal for me in drafts.” ([26:56] Mike Wright)
  • “Don't overreact to the dip in Brees’ touchdown production; his overall efficiency and yardage still make him a valuable asset.” ([31:30] Mike Wright)

• Conclusion:

  • Managers should recognize Brees' consistent performance metrics and avoid dropping him due to isolated setbacks in touchdowns.

4. Ty Hilton

• Overview:

  • Despite a less productive season, Ty Hilton retains elite status due to his leaping ability and high yards per catch, which can still translate into substantial fantasy points.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Don't overreact to the down season... and just move on.” ([31:00] Mike Wright)

• Conclusion:

  • Hilton's underlying talent ensures that his performance won't be permanently sidelined by a single underwhelming year.

5. Amari Cooper

• Overview:

  • Andy Holloway defends Amari Cooper's value, pointing out his consistent performance in the first two years and attributing last season's struggles to factors like injuries.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Don't overreact and leave him for dead the way that a lot of people did with DeAndre Hopkins during his down year.” ([35:26] Andy Holloway)

• Conclusion:

  • Cooper remains a valuable wide receiver, and his down season should be viewed as a temporary setback rather than a red flag.

6. Mike Evans

• Overview:

  • Mike Wright discusses Mike Evans, noting his fluctuating red zone efficiency but emphasizing his consistently high reception and yardage totals.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Don't overreact to Mike Evans on a down touchdown year.” ([38:26] Mike Wright)

• Conclusion:

  • Evans' reliability in receptions and yardage solidifies his status as a top fantasy receiver, despite variations in touchdown production.

7. Kareem Hunt

• Overview:

  • Jason Moore expresses reservations about Kareem Hunt's elite status, citing last season's inconsistent performance and potential changes in the Jaguars' offensive strategy.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Don’t overreact and think he's a guaranteed elite player.” ([45:31] Jason Moore)

• Conclusion:

  • While Hunt demonstrated significant talent, managers should consider the Jaguars' depth chart and possible workload distribution before committing high draft picks.

8. Kirk Cousins and Washington's Running Game

• Overview:

  • Andy Holloway warns against overhyping Kirk Cousins' move to a new team, suggesting that the accompanying running game may not live up to expectations.

• Notable Quote:

  • “People are going to overreact and say, I don’t want Kirk Cousins.” ([46:44] Andy Holloway)

• Conclusion:

  • Managers should critically evaluate Cousins' potential impact within his new team structure rather than succumbing to prevailing narratives.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Jameis Winston does not suck as an NFL quarterback, and he does not suck as a fantasy quarterback.” – Jason Moore ([20:11])

• “Don’t overreact and leave him for dead the way that a lot of people did with DeAndre Hopkins during his down year.” – Andy Holloway ([35:26])

• “Drew Brees is going to be a fantasy steal for me in drafts.” – Mike Wright ([26:56])

• “Don't overreact to Mike Evans on a down touchdown year.” – Mike Wright ([38:26])

• “People are going to overreact and say, I don’t want Kirk Cousins.” – Andy Holloway ([46:44])

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers Podcast episode serves as a crucial guide for fantasy managers, encouraging them to look beyond the surface and avoid knee-jerk reactions to player performances. By dissecting various players' situations and underlying statistics, the hosts empower listeners to make strategic decisions that can enhance their fantasy teams' competitiveness.

For more insights and strategies, listeners are encouraged to engage with the podcast community and utilize resources like the Ultimate Draft Kit to dominate their 2018 fantasy drafts.

Note: This summary intentionally omits advertisement segments, intros, and outros to focus solely on the core content and discussions of the episode.