Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - Detailed Summary

Hosts:

• Andy Holloway
• Jason Moore
• Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Release Date: August 6, 2015

1. Arian Foster's Injury and Its Fantasy Impact

The episode opens with a somber discussion about Arian Foster's unexpected injury. Mike Wright expresses his disappointment, stating at [00:31], "What is going on, everybody? It is Thursday, August 6th, and I'm depressed." The trio reflects on their decision to draft Foster, emphasizing their confidence in his upside despite the injury concerns.

At [02:03], Andy Holloway defends their strategy:

"Here's why you're not wrong, because when you make the pick for Foster, that is upside. You're not being safe. You're putting yourself out there and you're trying to win."

The conversation delves into the implications of Foster's surgery to reattach his groin muscle, anticipated at [08:05], where Mike shares:

"He is out to go. He is out for eight games and then they have a bye week. And so earliest he could be back is week 10."

The hosts discuss Foster's potential rankings, projecting him as a late-round pick (RB10-RB50) due to his injury status and the uncertainty surrounding his return.

2. League News and Player Updates

The hosts provide updates on various NFL players:

• Martavis Bryant: Confirmed to be behind Antonio Brown on the Steelers' depth chart, aligning with previous predictions about Marcus Wheaton's initial standing. [09:01]

• LaShawn McCoy and Others: LaShawn McCoy is held out due to toe soreness, while Anthony Dixon and Rashad Perryman face their own injury setbacks. Mike notes at [10:09]:

  "Damian Williams is the leader in the backfield to be the number two guy behind Lamar Miller."

• Zach Ertz: Highlighted as a significant addition to the Eagles, yet concerning due to his limited participation with the second-team offense. Jason Moore adjusts his rankings, expressing caution about Ertz's snap rates. [11:05]

• Michael Floyd: Discussed his injury (a finger dislocation) and the potential for a delayed return, which could impact his draft value. [11:38]

3. Interview with Chris Meaney from Fantasy Sports Network on Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Introduction of Guest: Chris Meaney joins the podcast to shed light on Daily Fantasy Sports, particularly focusing on FanDuel.

DFS Basics: Chris explains the operational framework of DFS, emphasizing roster construction within a salary cap. At [14:32], he outlines:

"You need two running backs, you need three wide receivers, you need a tight end, a kicker, and a defense. The average that you can spend on each position is about $6,000 per guy."

Strategies for Different Contests:

• Guaranteed Prize Pool Tournaments (GPPs): Large field contests where contrarian picks and high-upside players like Ryan Fitzpatrick can differentiate lineups. [18:35]

• Cash Games (50/50s and Head-to-Heads): Focus on safer, high-floor players to ensure top 50% finishes, such as Julio Jones for his consistent targets. [19:00]

Translating Season-Long Strategies to DFS: Chris emphasizes the importance of exploiting weekly matchups and Vegas over/under metrics to maximize DFS performance. [21:18]

Notable Quote:

"Matchups are key. If you look at the over/under and expect a high-scoring game, you can stack players like Murray on the ground if Atlanta is giving up yards after the catch." – Chris Meaney [22:00]

4. Breakout Candidates Analysis

The hosts identify and debate several players poised to exceed expectations:

a. Allen Robinson vs. Jarvis Landry

Andy Holloway champions Allen Robinson as a "Target Monster," citing his preseason performance and improved team dynamics. In contrast, Jarvis Landry is seen as a short-yardage, high-catch target but lacks the deep threat potential.

Notable Debate: Mike questions Robinson's touchdown potential compared to Landry, leading to a robust discussion on each player's offensive role and fantasy viability. [28:07]

b. Jordan Matthews

Both Andy and Jason project significant improvements for Matthews, anticipating:

• Jason's Projection: 90 receptions, 1,150 yards, and nine touchdowns.

Jason asserts:

"He is the perfect type of guy that I want because in the fourth round, if he underperforms, his floor is still very high." [31:16]

c. Tyler Ifert and Travis Kelce

The discussion shifts to tight ends, with emphasis on Travis Kelce's potential despite a modest previous season. The hosts highlight his role in the Chiefs' offense and David Gregory's development following injuries.

Notable Insight:

"Travis Kelce is the best run-blocking tight end in football. He's not leaving the field. He's going to be a Jason Witten type guy where he's there 90-plus percent of snaps." – Andy Holloway [35:11]

d. Ruben Randle vs. Victor Cruz

Ruben Randle is lauded as an undervalued receiver with potential for increased touchdowns and yardage. Conversely, Victor Cruz is deemed overrated, prompting the hosts to favor drafting Randle in later rounds.

Notable Exchange: Mike asserts, "You can draft him very late, you're not drafting him to be a starter," while Jason supports Randle's value over Cruz. [43:26]

e. Sam Bradford and Frank Gore

Sam Bradford is discussed as a potential breakout quarterback due to his move to the Eagles' offense under Chip Kelly. Frank Gore is praised for his consistency and potential resurgence in Indianapolis.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason on Bradford:

  "He is going to have a large role in the Eagles' offense, and his deep ball accuracy is phenomenal." [47:29]

• Mike on Frank Gore:

  "Frank Gore is in the same mold as Marshawn Lynch. He is not dead until he's dead." [55:00]

5. Mailbag and Listener Questions

The hosts address several listener inquiries, focusing on preseason performance and information overload:

a. Preseason Impact on Rankings

Listeners ask how much preseason performance should influence fantasy rankings. Mike emphasizes that while preseason stats can be misleading, they are useful for understanding offensive roles and game plans.

Advice Given:

"Trust your eyes and trust your eyes against first-string defense. Don’t be shocked when a third-string guy is crushing third-string defense." – Andy Holloway [52:08]

b. Ingestion of Fantasy Information

Patrick from Iowa questions whether it's possible to consume too much fantasy information. Jason reassures that as long as the sources are reliable, absorbing extensive insights is beneficial.

Jason's Response:

"You can never ingest too much fantasy football, Patrick." [53:18]

c. Other Listener Comments

A playful exchange occurs when a listener urges the hosts to trust in veterans like Frank Gore, with the trio responding humorously about beach invaders and player ages. [54:51]

6. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a reinforcement of breakout candidates and a humorous nod to ongoing draft strategies. The hosts remind listeners to follow them on various platforms and encourage engagement through their website.

Final Remarks:

"Look out for downtown John Brown." – Andy Holloway [58:05]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Wright on Feeling Down Over Foster's Injury:

  "[00:31] What is going on, everybody? It is Thursday, August 6th, and I'm depressed."

• Andy Holloway on Drafting Foster for Upside:

  "[02:03] Here's why you're not wrong, because when you make the pick for Foster, that is upside."

• Chris Meaney on DFS Lineup Construction:

  "[14:32] You need two running backs, you need three wide receivers, you need a tight end, a kicker, and a defense."

• Jason Moore on Jordan Matthews' Breakout Potential:

  "[31:16] He is the perfect type of guy that I want because in the fourth round, if he underperforms, his floor is still very high."

• Mike Wright on Frank Gore's Consistency:

  "[55:00] Frank Gore is in the same mold as Marshawn Lynch. He is not dead until he's dead."

Final Thoughts

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of the fantasy landscape as of August 2015. From the emotional impact of Arian Foster's injury to strategic insights on Daily Fantasy Sports, breakout candidates, and listener engagement, the hosts provide valuable content for both novice and seasoned fantasy football enthusiasts. Notably, their balanced approach in evaluating player potentials and cautious optimism in drafting strategies underscore their expertise and passion for the game.