Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2015 - BONUS Episode: Mailbag and Listener Questions
Release Date: June 13, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Episode Overview

In this bonus episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, the expert trio—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright—dedicate the entire show to addressing listener questions and providing in-depth analysis on various fantasy football topics. This comprehensive mailbag session offers valuable insights for both novice and seasoned fantasy football enthusiasts, covering trade strategies, keeper league dilemmas, draft position advantages, and roster management tips.

Best and Worst Fantasy Football Trades

Discussion Highlights:

The hosts kick off the episode by sharing their personal experiences with the best and worst fantasy football trades they've been involved in.

• Mike Wright's Best Trade:
  At [02:05], Mike recounts trading Donny Avery for D'Angelo Williams just before the trade deadline. This move paid off as Williams transformed into a top-tier fantasy running back, leading Mike's team to the title game.
  Mike Wright: "…trades Donny Avery, wide receiver for the Rams, out there and bring back D'Angelo Williams before he went on his massive scoring tirade…"

• Andy Holloway's Best Trade:
  Andy shares his successful trade where he offered Matt Ryan and Doug Martin in exchange for Adrian Peterson, who later achieved a stellar season.
  Andy Holloway: "I traded … Matt Ryan and Doug Martin … and got Adrian Peterson and then Peterson decided he was going to run for 2,000 yards…"

• Andy Holloway's Worst Trade:
  Reflecting on a keeper league scenario, Andy discusses trading Adrian Peterson and a first-round pick for Gio Bernard and a sixth-round pick. Despite the trade appearing unfavorable on paper, it ultimately led Andy to win the championship.
  Andy Holloway: "…the trade ended up being Adrian Peterson and a first-round pick for Gio Bernard and a sixth-round pick. I won the championship and I played Gio three times."

Keeper League Strategies

Listeners seek advice on managing keeper leagues, particularly focusing on preventing "super teams" and combating tanking behaviors.

• Limiting Trade Flexibility:
  Jason suggests restricting the trading of future draft picks to minimize the formation of super teams.
  Jason Moore: "I would remove the ability to trade future picks…"

• Implementing a Hard Trade Deadline:
  Andy recommends setting a firm trade deadline early in the season to ensure teams commit to their strategy and prevent late-season manipulations.
  Andy Holloway: "Make sure you have a hard trade deadline. It has to be… slightly after the halfway point."

• Balancing Keepers:
  Mike discusses varying keeper formats, such as randomizing which players are kept, to maintain competitive balance.
  Mike Wright: "We mixed up the keeper situation where our teams would keep four players and three of them would go into a lottery…"

Draft Position Advantages

Listener Alex inquires about the strategic advantages of different draft positions, particularly favoring the seventh or eighth spots in a snake draft.

• Optimal Draft Spots:
  The hosts agree that mid-round draft positions like the seventh or eighth spots offer a balanced advantage, allowing access to high-performing players like Foster and Hill.
  Andy Holloway: "When I'm doing my fantasy draft wizard, the teams I like the most tend to be from that 7, 8 spot."
  Jason Moore: "My favorites are the 8."

Trade Analysis and Player Recommendations

Listeners present hypothetical trade scenarios and roster compositions seeking the hosts' opinions.

• Trade Scenario:
  Andy, Jason, and Mike analyze a trade where one team offers Jordy Nelson, Greg Olson, and Joyk Bell for Lev Bell, D'Angelo Williams, and Kobe Fleener in a dynasty PPR league.
  Mike Wright: "I think I'd rather be the guy getting Jordy and Olson and Joyk. Yes, I'm going with that."

• Running Back Depth:
  A listener named Daniel G. is advised against retaining running backs Pierre Thomas and Ahmad Bradshaw due to their uncertain performance prospects. The hosts emphasize the importance of securing reliable running backs over speculative picks.
  Jason Moore: "Personally, if that's your running back core, blow up your team. Don’t keep your roster full with the potential of those two guys because it’s not going to be good enough."

Roster Management and Player Analysis

The hosts delve into specific player evaluations and roster decisions, helping listeners optimize their teams.

• Keeper Decisions:
  For a listener deciding between keeping Matt Ryan or Jeremy Macklin, the hosts unanimously recommend retaining Matt Ryan due to his higher value and consistent performance.
  Andy Holloway: "I'm taking Matt Ryan over Macklin."
  Jason Moore: "Yeah, I'd go Jamal Charles and Calvin Johnson. If it looks like it's just a guaranteed locked-up backfield with C.J. Anderson, then I would rather have C.J."

• Handling Injured Players:
  Nick from the audience asks whether dropping Le'Veon Bell and drafting D'Angelo Williams is a viable strategy when Bell is out for three weeks. The hosts advise against immediately handcuffing Bell with Williams, suggesting exploring other running back options to maintain depth.
  Jason Moore: "The answer to the question from me is no, you don’t need to draft him."

Draft Strategies Based on Scoring Systems

Greg from a competitive family PPR league seeks advice on whether to draft two running backs early or mix positions, given his league's scoring system of one point per catch and half a point per carry.

• Prioritizing Running Backs:
  The hosts concur that securing two stud running backs in the early rounds is crucial in a scoring system that rewards both receptions and carries. They emphasize the importance of volume and reliability in running back selections.
  Jason Moore: "Definitely two stud running backs in the first, if you get a half point per carry and you can get the studs…"

Listener League Announcement

The Fantasy Footballers announce the launch of their Listener League, inviting listeners to join and compete alongside the hosts. They highlight the creativity of initial participants, including unique entrants like a rapper who crafted a personalized theme song for the league.

• Creative Participation:
  Jason Moore: "…if you listen to last week's mock draft show, then you pretty much know exactly where we're going to draft if we're at the sixth spot."
  Listener Submission: A listener named David M., aka Deaf Mutant, contributed a rap detailing the hosts' strengths and the benefits of joining the league.

Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, the hosts share light-hearted banter about the rapid progression of the season and express excitement for upcoming episodes. They encourage listeners to engage with them on social media and through their website for further support and community interaction.

Andy Holloway: "Goodbye."
Jason Moore: "Thank you for listening to another edition of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast…"

Notable Quotes

• Mike Wright [02:05]: "…walked him through. And at the time of the trade it wasn't like it was going to be vetoed by anybody because Dwell hadn't done enough for the league to think, oh, this is unfair."

• Andy Holloway [05:02]: "Can’t believe I made this trade. Adrian Peterson."

• Jason Moore [09:25]: "I would be able to trade draft picks as soon as you have those draft picks."

• Jason Moore [12:19]: "I was just going to say I'm right."

• Mike Wright [23:19]: "I feel stupid."

• Jason Moore [31:02]: "Stripper."

Key Takeaways

• Trade Wisely: Understanding the potential long-term impact of trades is crucial. Sometimes, what appears unfavorable initially can lead to championship success.

• Keeper League Balance: Implementing rules like hard trade deadlines and limiting future pick trades can maintain competitive balance and prevent the domination of super teams.

• Draft Position Strategy: Mid-round draft positions (7th or 8th) offer balanced access to top-tier players, making them strategically advantageous.

• Roster Management: Prioritize reliable, high-volume players over speculative picks to ensure consistent performance throughout the season.

• Engage with the Community: Participating in listener leagues and engaging with the podcast community can enhance the fantasy football experience.

This bonus episode serves as an invaluable resource for fantasy football managers, offering practical advice, strategic insights, and actionable recommendations tailored to various league formats and scoring systems. Whether you're navigating keeper league complexities or fine-tuning your draft strategy, the Fantasy Footballers provide expert guidance to help you achieve victory in your league.