Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: “Big Questions for 2015, NFL.com's Matt Harmon, Mailbag”
Release Date: September 4, 2015
Introduction and Show Overview
The Fantasy Footballers kick off their September 4, 2015 episode with hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright diving straight into the world of fantasy football. After a brief welcome and acknowledgment of the week’s NFL games, the trio sets the stage for a content-rich episode focused on key season questions, expert insights from NFL.com's Matt Harmon, and listener mailbag interactions.
Post-Draft Trading Strategies
Timestamp: 01:29 – 02:51
The discussion begins with Andy Holloway posing a strategic question about post-draft trading—the critical period between the draft and Week One. Jason Moore expresses enthusiasm for this phase, highlighting the opportunity to exploit teams that made suboptimal draft choices. He states:
“I love post draft trading because you can … target teams that made mistakes.”
— Jason Moore [01:59]
Mike Wright adds his strategy by focusing on players’ handcuffs and the possibility of leveraging them in trades, emphasizing flexibility before the season starts.
Andy underscores the importance of reacting to breaking news, illustrating with his experience of acquiring Tom Brady following his suspension lift and capitalizing on subsequent trade offers:
“Somebody came after him that had Gronk and so he wanted that combination.”
— Andy Holloway [02:28]
iTunes Review Highlight
Timestamp: 03:53 – 04:24
The hosts read a positive review from listener Dorf58, praising the podcast’s depth and entertaining analysis:
“It's a show with so much information amid snarky comments and Oreos that I can't wait for the rest of the season.”
— Dorf58 [03:53]
They emphasize their commitment to delivering valuable content throughout the season, including waiver wire pickups and start-sit advice.
News and Notes
Timestamp: 05:00 – 10:35
The podcast transitions to current NFL news, covering several key updates:
-
Tom Brady’s Suspension Lifted:
Andy Holloway clarifies that contrary to earlier reports, Brady is set to start the season as the NFL plans to appeal his suspension without seeking an injunction. -
Cleveland Browns Running Back Battle:
Mike Wright discusses Browns’ RB Isaiah Crowell gaining an edge over Terrence West, noting Crowell's potential as a valuable early-season pick. -
Preseason Player Performances:
- Monte Ball: Critiqued for poor preseason performance, leading to speculation about his roster future.
- Dwayne Bowe: Raises concerns about his commitment despite a significant contract, with rumors of being on the roster bubble.
- Legarrett Blount and Devontae Parker: Both underperformed, highlighting the volatile nature of the RB position.
Notable Quotes:
“They had no reason to draft, say that second quarterback and I can get them really cheap.”
— Jason Moore [02:04]
“I had Sam Bradford on one of my rosters and when the news broke on Brady, I picked up Brady right away.”
— Andy Holloway [02:28]
Big Questions for the Season
Timestamp: 12:19 – 25:38
The hosts delve into five pivotal questions shaping the 2015 fantasy football season, though they primarily cover two major topics in this episode:
1. Top Picks Potential to Bust
Timestamp: 13:10 – 20:22
Discussion Points:
-
Historical Bust Data: Mike Wright shares research indicating a high bust rate among top drafted RBs and WRs in previous seasons.
“In 2014, the top 12 ADP running backs drafted… three busts.”
— Mike Wright [13:31] -
Potential 2015 Bust Candidates:
- Mike Evans: Despite his rookie success, concerns about his sophomore leap amidst a volatile quarterback situation.
- C.J. Anderson: Vulnerable to reduced playtime if the RB behind him earns more snaps.
- Latavius Murray: Highlighted as a third-round pick with significant upside but uncertain consistency.
“Players will bust. Some percentage of them will bust.”
— Mike Wright [18:00]
2. Quarterback Landscape Shift
Timestamp: 20:53 – 24:36
Discussion Points:
-
Veteran QBs Transitioning Out: Debates whether 2015 will mark a shift from legendary veterans like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady to newer talents such as Andrew Luck.
“Is this going to be the year where it changes from the old faithful to the new hotness.”
— Jason Moore [21:50] -
Sam Bradford and Emerging QBs: Matt Harmon suggests that Sam Bradford could serve as a reliable fantasy option if he emulates his rookie performance, despite past injuries.
“...I find myself just not being able to take him at his asking price.”
— Matt Harmon [26:43]
Guest Segment: Matt Harmon from NFL.com
Timestamp: 29:40 – 43:53
Matt Harmon, creator of Reception Perception, joins the podcast to provide expert analysis on wide receivers with a focus on their route-running and target efficiency.
Key Discussed Players:
-
Sammy Watkins (Buffalo Bills):
- Reception Perception: Did not perform well, potentially misrepresenting his overall ability.
- Opportunity Concerns: Tied to a poor offense with Rex Ryan, limiting target potential.
“There's a lot of risk with Watkins right now and I'm usually finding myself shying away from him.”
— Andy Holloway [32:24] -
Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
- Rating: Positive outlook despite a less experienced QB, Jameis Winston.
- Potential Leap: Expected to become a WR1 with high target volume.
“I think his ceiling is just so tremendous and he can definitely win you weeks in games where Tampa Bay is going to be throwing to catch up.”
— Matt Harmon [34:36] -
Devonte Adams (Green Bay Packers):
- Role Expansion: Increased targets due to Jordy Nelson’s injury.
- Efficiency Concerns: Previous year’s inefficiency might limit his breakout potential.
“In a season-long basis I think he's still going to be a volatile asset.”
— Matt Harmon [35:38] -
Alan Robinson (Jacksonville Jaguars):
- Target Potential: High due to Blake Bortles’ reliance on him, especially with Julius Thomas out.
- Reception Perception: Strong route-running and separation skills make him a prime pickup.
“I'm all in on John Brown. I pretty much stake the flag to him.”
— Matt Harmon [42:14] -
Jeremy Maclin (Kansas City Chiefs):
- BDD: Reduced production expected due to team dynamics, yet remains a solid WR2 option.
“He’s going to contend with Travis Kelsey to lead the team in targets.”
— Matt Harmon [40:10] -
John Brown (Arizona Cardinals):
- Potential: Compared to Antonio Brown for his ability to evolve into a top-tier WR.
- Scheme Fit: Thrives in Bruce Arians' offense, expected to receive plenty of targets.
“I can totally see it … making that same leap.”
— Matt Harmon [42:14]
Matt Harmon emphasizes the importance of balancing upside with efficiency, advising cautious optimism when drafting high-potential WRs.
Listener Mailbag
Timestamp: 44:32 – 48:20
The hosts address listener questions, providing actionable advice for fantasy team management:
-
Flex Position Decision:
-
Question: Should Jason Moore start Mike Wallace, Marshawn Lynch, or Kendall Wright in his flex spot?
-
Advice: Opt for Kendall Wright in PPR leagues due to higher target volume.
“If it's a PPR, I want the surefire targets, and that's got to be Jarvis Landry.”
— Jason Moore [46:19]
-
-
Brandon Marshall vs. Jarvis Landry in Flex:
- Advice: Jarvis Landry edges out slightly in PPR due to target consistency.
-
Week One Matchup Preference: Cam Newton vs. Teddy Bridgewater:
-
Advice: Favor Teddy Bridgewater based on preseason performance and favorable matchups.
“I'm going with Teddy Bridgewater.”
— Jason Moore [47:21]
-
Conclusion and Teasers for Next Episode
The podcast wraps up with a light-hearted water bet between hosts and a tease for the next episode, which will focus on Week One strategies and further trade discussions. They encourage listeners to submit questions via their website or voicemail and express enthusiasm for the upcoming NFL season.
Key Takeaways
- Post-Draft Trading: A strategic window to optimize team rosters by exploiting draft mistakes and reacting to player news.
- Potential Busts: Awareness of historically high bust rates among top picks, with careful evaluation of players' injury risks and team dynamics.
- Quarterback Evolution: Anticipation of a potential transition from veteran QBs to emerging talents affecting fantasy strategies.
- Reception Perception: Utilizing advanced metrics to evaluate WR performance, focusing on route efficiency and target reliability.
- Listener Engagement: Practical advice tailored to specific fantasy league questions, highlighting the podcast's commitment to actionable insights.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Moore [01:59]: “I love post draft trading because you can … target teams that made mistakes.”
- Andy Holloway [02:28]: “Somebody came after him that had Gronk and so he wanted that combination.”
- Matt Harmon [34:36]: “I think his ceiling is just so tremendous and he can definitely win you weeks in games where Tampa Bay is going to be throwing to catch up.”
Follow the Fantasy Footballers:
- Website: www.thefantasyfootballers.com
- YouTube: All episodes available for streaming.
- Social Media: Follow them on Twitter @FFballers and on various podcast platforms including iTunes and Stitcher.
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the core discussions, insights, and actionable advice presented in the Fantasy Footballers' September 4, 2015 episode, providing valuable takeaways for both seasoned and novice fantasy football enthusiasts.