Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - 15 Gems for the 2015 Fantasy Season, News & Notes, Mailbag
Release Date: July 30, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

The episode kicks off with Andy Holloway (00:00) urging listeners, affectionately known as the Foot Clan, to participate in a listener survey at podsurvey.com/footballers. The survey aids in securing top-tier sponsors and keeps the podcast free for fans, with the added incentive of a monthly $100 Amazon gift card giveaway.

Jason Moore (01:21) welcomes listeners, noting the excitement as the football season approaches. Mike Wright (01:29) echoes this sentiment, expressing eagerness for the incoming season.

Listener Engagement and Community Building

The hosts engage in light-hearted banter about Andy's Larry Fitzgerald practice jersey and Mike’s playful teasing about a bet concerning Fitzgerald's team allegiance, culminating in Jason Moore (02:05) mentioning their first "watered" bet payout, which can be viewed on their YouTube channel.

A listener review from Mr. Meowmix (05:22) is shared, praising the podcast’s sound quality, commentary, and analysis, highlighting its positive impact on his workday.

Main Segment: 15 Fantasy Gems for the 2015 Season

The core of the episode revolves around the hosts presenting 15 "fantasy gems" intended to provide listeners with strategic advantages in their fantasy football drafts.

1. Mark Tressman’s Passing Strategy (17:16)

   • Andy Holloway delves into Tressman’s consistent approach to passing to running backs, emphasizing Justin Forset’s role as a dependable pass-catching back in the Baltimore Ravens’ system. He advocates for drafting Forset and handcuffing him with Buck Allen.
   • “Justin Forsett is a wonderful pass catching back. The perfect prototypical player for Tressman’s system.” – Andy Holloway 17:16

2. Carson Palmer as a Value Quarterback (17:28)

   • Jason Moore highlights Carson Palmer’s impressive passer ratings and improved team offensive line, positioning Palmer as an underrated quarterback worth targeting.
   • “Watch out for Carson Palmer. He’s being drafted outside the top 15 at the quarterback position.” – Jason Moore 17:41

3. Jeremy McCoy’s Consistent Performance (19:11)

   • Mike Wright praises McCoy’s reliability in catching passes with minimal drops, suggesting his consistent involvement in the offense makes him a valuable pick.
   • “Fred Jackson has been so solid as a third down running back.” – Mike Wright 19:22

4. Eddie Royal’s Synergy with Jay Cutler (21:18)

   • Andy Holloway underscores Eddie Royal’s connection with quarterback Jay Cutler, noting Royal’s high reception numbers and potential for increased targets.
   • “Eddie Royal is a value here because of the relationship between him and Jay Cutler.” – Andy Holloway 21:24

5. Alex Smith’s Accuracy and Opportunity (23:11)

   • Jason Moore discusses Alex Smith’s improved accuracy with the Kansas City Chiefs and the addition of Jeremy Macklin, positioning Smith as an underdrafted asset.
   • “Alex Smith is being underdrafted and is a solid streamer option.” – Jason Moore 23:52

6. Lamar Miller’s Efficiency (37:38)

   • Andy Holloway and Jason Moore advocate for drafting Lamar Miller, highlighting his efficiency and increased involvement in the Miami Dolphins’ offense.
   • “Lamar Miller is an extremely good value in the back of the third round.” – Andy Holloway 37:38

7. Jason Whitten as a Tight End Prospect (27:25)

   • Jason Moore presents Jason Whitten as a top-tier tight end who is being drafted too late, emphasizing his consistent target rates and touchdown potential.
   • “Jason Whitten is being drafted way too late and has a real shot at a top five tight end.” – Jason Moore 27:25

8. Golden Tate’s Potential Without Calvin Johnson (29:06)

   • Mike Wright and Jason Moore discuss Golden Tate’s surge in production when Calvin Johnson is injured, making him a valuable target in redemption formats.
   • “When Calvin Johnson is not around, Golden Tate is a must-have due to his increased yardage.” – Mike Wright 29:06

9. LeGarrett Blunt as a Reliable Running Back (25:59)

   • Jason Moore recommends LeGarrett Blunt as a dependable RB1 for the Patriots, noting his consistent touches and touchdown involvement despite occasional fluctuations.
   • “LeGarrett Blunt is going to be one of the more workhorse guys you can draft.” – Jason Moore 26:02

10. Matt Forte and Joy Bell Investing in Early Running Backs (24:42)

    • Mike Wright references Matt Forte and Joy Bell’s successful strategies of drafting running backs early, reinforcing the importance of securing high-volume ball carriers.
    • “Only two out of the top 12 RBs have sub 4.0 yards per carry, emphasizing the value in high-efficiency backs.” – Mike Wright 24:42

11. Jimmy Graham’s Consistent Targeting (35:31)

    • Mike Wright critiques the Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson for diluting coverage, suggesting that Jimmy Graham remains a top tight end due to his high targeting and touchdown potential.
    • “Jimmy Graham continues to be a reliable target and should remain highly valued.” – Mike Wright 35:31

12. Teddy Bridgewater’s Emerging Role (32:53)

    • Jason Moore explores Teddy Bridgewater’s improved accuracy and increased passing yards, projecting his rise as a valuable quarterback with enhanced offensive support.
    • “Teddy Bridgewater has the potential to become a top-tier quarterback with his increased passing efficiency.” – Jason Moore 32:53

13. Colin Kaepernick’s Upside (38:07)

    • Jason Moore emphasizes Colin Kaepernick’s upward trajectory in both passing and rushing yards, along with new offensive weapons like Reggie Bush, positioning him as a high-upside quarterback.
    • “Colin Kaepernick’s potential improvements make him a top-five quarterback candidate.” – Jason Moore 41:36

14. Jeremy Hill’s High Yards Per Carry (42:53)

    • Mike Wright lauds Jeremy Hill’s efficiency, comparing his yards per carry to legends like Adrian Peterson, and predicts significant involvement and touchdown opportunities.
    • “Jeremy Hill is poised to be a touchdown dominator with high carry volumes.” – Mike Wright 42:53

15. Final Gem: Lamar Miller’s Consistency and Opportunity (38:07)

    • Andy Holloway and Jason Moore conclude with Lamar Miller’s consistent performance and the Miami Dolphins’ commitment to increasing his carries, marking him as a valuable mid-round pick.
    • “Lamar Miller is incredibly efficient and set to receive more carries, making him a high-value draft pick.” – Andy Holloway 37:38

News and Notes

A significant portion of the episode covers current NFL news impacting fantasy football:

• Tom Brady’s Suspension (07:01): Jason Moore announces that Tom Brady’s four-game suspension has been upheld, leading to frustrations among fans and discussions on its fantasy implications.

• Roddy White’s Injury (09:27): Mike Wright mentions Roddy White’s recurring knee issues but downplays their impact on his fantasy value.

• Dean Bell’s Suspension Reduction (08:36): Jason Moore shares that Le'Veon Bell’s suspension has been reduced from three to two games, enhancing his draft value.

• Jordan Reed’s Return and Injury Concerns (11:05): Jason Moore updates on Jordan Reed being cleared to start training camp but notes reports of him being injured again.

Listener Mailbag

The hosts address listener questions, offering personalized advice:

1. Tony Meatballs’ Inquiry on Le'Veon Bell (45:29)

   • Andy Holloway recommends pairing Le'Veon Bell with Trey Mason to secure a robust running back duo, emphasizing the value of Bell’s production and Mason’s potential as a handcuff.

2. Zack Garner’s Keeper Dilemma (47:20)

   • Jason Moore and Andy Holloway advise evaluating the specific dynamics of Zack’s league before deciding between keeping Le'Veon Bell or Antonio Brown, highlighting the importance of tailoring decisions to league tendencies.

3. Alexa’s Question on Stealing Away Nick Foles (50:15)

   • Mike Wright suggests drafting Nile Davis in the eighth round to counteract the rival’s Jamal Charles, while Jason Moore emphasizes strategic responding based on league dynamics.

4. Dan’s Keeper League Scoring Format (52:00)

   • Andy Holloway and Mike Wright advocate for a half-point PPR format, balancing player value without overly skewing positions like wide receivers.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with:

• Andy Holloway and Jason Moore reiterating the importance of filling out the listener survey at podsurvey.com/footballers.
• Jason Moore promotes fantasydraftwizard.com for mock drafts to prepare listeners for their fantasy drafts.
• A brief promotion for FanDuel’s daily fantasy sports platform with a promo code for listeners.

Final Quotes:

• “Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to draft well, you help him win his league.” – Mike Wright 49:20
• “Go do your mock drafts. Win championships and fill out that survey for us.” – Andy Holloway 55:53

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Drafting: Emphasis on identifying undervalued players ("fantasy gems") to gain a competitive edge.
• Adaptability: Encouragement to tailor draft strategies based on league dynamics and opponent tendencies.
• Community Engagement: Importance of listener participation through surveys and Q&A for a thriving fantasy football community.

Note: This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting strategic insights, player evaluations, and community interactions to provide valuable takeaways for fantasy football enthusiasts.