Fantasy Footballers Podcast: "Bounce Backs, Busts, and Mailbag"
Episode Release Date: April 16, 2015

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into the upcoming fantasy football season. They explore potential player breakouts, identify likely draft busts, and answer listener questions to aid fantasy managers in making informed decisions.

Introduction

The episode kicks off with the hosts re-establishing their rapport and outlining the show's agenda. Andy Holloway sets the stage by mentioning the key segments: news and notes, bounce backs, busts, and a mailbag section where they address listener inquiries.

News and Notes

Sammy Watkins' Training Camp Status
Andy excitedly shares that Sammy Watkins is expected to be ready for training camp. He remarks, “Sammy Watkins is going to be ready for training camp because I've made a couple of water bets already this off season around Sammy Watkins” (03:01). The trio discusses Watkins' resilience despite last year's hip surgery and injuries, debating his potential for a strong comeback.

Adrian Peterson's Reinstatement
A significant portion of the discussion centers around Adrian Peterson's possible reinstatement into the NFL. Mike Wright expresses optimism, while Jason Moore criticizes the NFL's handling of the situation, labeling it "absolute foolishness" (04:19).

Greg Jennings and Steven Ridley Updates
The hosts touch upon Greg Jennings potentially signing with the New Orleans Saints, delving into his age and draft value. Andy puzzledly says, “How old is Greg Jennings? I thought I would have guessed” (05:30). Additionally, they highlight Steven Ridley's minimal guaranteed contract with the Jets, suggesting uncertainty about his role (07:05).

Partnership with Audible.com
The podcast announces a partnership with Audible.com, offering listeners a free audiobook as a thank-you for their support. Andy enthusiastically encourages listeners to take advantage of the deal: “Grab Fantasy Life by Matthew Berry. Go grab Game of Thrones” (07:38).

Bounce Back Candidates

The hosts identify six players poised to rebound after disappointing performances last season. They emphasize the importance of selecting undervalued players to maximize draft value.

1. Keenan Allen (San Diego Chargers, WR)
   Andy touts Allen as a prime bounce-back candidate, noting his drop from 17th to 48th in WR rankings due to injuries and offensive rhythm issues (09:21). Mike supports this by highlighting Keenan's potential rejuvenation with the addition of Stevie Johnson: “Stevie Johnson goes to the Chargers... he had three straight years of 1000 plus yards and 13 yards of catch” (10:46).

2. Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys, TE)
   Despite a drop from 6th to 10th in TE rankings, Jason Witten remains a reliable and durable option. Jason Moore notes, “Every statistical thing about Jason Witten says he performs just as good” (14:48).

3. Vincent Jackson (Formerly with Tampa Bay, WR)
   Jackson's significant drop from 14th to 38th in WR rankings is attributed to reduced touchdowns and target efficiency. The hosts argue that his high ADP makes him a steal if he returns to form (16:53).

4. Reggie Bush (San Francisco 49ers, RB)
   While concerns about Bush's health loom, the potential for increased involvement in San Francisco's offense presents a favorable scenario for a bounce back (19:28).

5. Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons, WR)
   Roddy White's dip in production last year is seen as an outlier. If he remains healthy, he could stabilize as a top-tier receiver, although the ceiling might be slightly lower (27:06).

6. Jeremy Macklin (Kansas City Chiefs, WR)
   Although discussed later as a bust candidate, initial mentions of Macklin highlight his potential under the Chiefs' system, albeit with skepticism (40:15).

Bust Candidates

The hosts caution fantasy managers against overvaluing certain players who are likely to underperform relative to their draft positions.

1. Andre Ellington (Arizona Cardinals, RB)
   Despite being a hometown favorite, Ellington is predicted to have a limited workload and low production. Mike warns, “You give him 83 more carries, you don't get any more production out of him” (32:46).

2. DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles, WR)
   Jackson's switch to a new team and role may hinder his ability to replicate last season's performance, labeling him a probable bust (35:42).

3. Kelvin Benjamin (Carolina Panthers, WR)
   After a promising rookie year, Benjamin is expected to face regression in targets and efficiency, making him a risky draft pick (37:52).

4. Jeremy Macklin (Kansas City Chiefs, WR)
   Macklin is critiqued for his low catch rate and limited yardage, with the hosts confidently predicting his decline despite his role in Kansas City (40:15).

5. Matt Forte (Chicago Bears, RB)
   As a veteran approaching career longevity, Forte's production is anticipated to wane. The hosts advise avoiding drafting him too high due to declining efficiency and potential role changes (44:24).

Mailbag

Listener Question: Overly Competitive Keeper League
Kyle, a listener, describes his dilemma in a highly competitive dynasty league. He’s torn between keeping Julius Thomas or Jordan Matthews at the 13th round. The hosts unanimously recommend retaining Jordan Matthews due to his better long-term value and fantasy potential (46:51).

Listener Review

A glowing review from Cut This City praises the podcast's approachable and insightful analysis. The reviewer states, “It's like they're just sitting around the table enjoying pizza and beer and just talking about football. I would definitely trust them with helping me with my picks” (51:57).

Conclusion

Wrapping up, the hosts tease upcoming segments, including a mock draft review and deeper insights into streaming strategies. They reiterate their Audible.com partnership and encourage listeners to engage via their website and social media platforms.

Andy concludes with a humorous nod to their "water bet" traditions, ensuring listeners are entertained alongside being informed. The episode ends with the usual sign-offs, promising more valuable content in future shows.

Key Takeaways

• Value Identification: Focus on players poised for a bounce back to maximize draft efficiency.
• Risk Management: Avoid overvaluing players with questionable roles or declining performance.
• Engagement: Utilize mailbag segments to address specific listener concerns, enhancing the show's relevance and utility.
• Resource Utilization: Take advantage of partnerships and available resources, such as the Audible.com deal for additional perks.

By meticulously analyzing player potentials and pitfalls, the Fantasy Footballers provide listeners with actionable strategies to excel in their fantasy seasons.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway on Sammy Watkins: “Sammy Watkins is going to be ready for training camp because I've made a couple of water bets already this off season around Sammy Watkins” (03:01).

• Jason Moore on Adrian Peterson: “Adrian Peterson, you're allowed to play in the NFL... and when we get it, we are not going to look at it” (05:06).

• Mike Wright on Kelvin Benjamin: “He averaged 54 yards a game with Cam Newton... he had 11 drops of basically a 50% catch rate” (39:23).

• Jason Moore on Matt Forte: “He's got nowhere to go but down. His yards per carry were not even at four last year” (44:24).

Note: Timestamps are included for reference to specific segments within the podcast transcript.