Fantasy Football Podcast Summary

Title: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - Free Agency, LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, Mailbag
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In this episode of The Fantasy Footballers, the expert trio dives deep into the bustling free agency period, analyzing key player movements and their implications for fantasy managers. From LaShawn McCoy's controversial trade to Brandon Marshall's latest move, the hosts provide insightful commentary and actionable advice to help listeners navigate their fantasy rosters effectively.

Free Agency Highlights

LaShawn McCoy's Trade from Philadelphia to Buffalo

The episode kicks off with a heated discussion about LaShawn McCoy’s recent trade from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Buffalo Bills. The hosts express skepticism about the trade's impact on McCoy's fantasy value.

• Jason Moore expresses disappointment, stating, “I think his average draft position is going to take a bump because he's going to be getting all the carries and they're going to be excited about being a Rex Ryan offense” (04:01).

• Andy Holloway highlights McCoy's performance decline, noting, “he finished with 4.2 yards per carry. And he's going from the best blocking line to the worst in the league” (05:09).

• Mike Wright offers a tempered view, suggesting McCoy could still finish as a top 10 running back, saying, “he is pretty much a lock to be top 10 and you want security for that pick” (07:06).

The consensus leans towards cautious optimism, acknowledging McCoy’s potential to remain valuable despite concerns about his new team's offensive line.

Brandon Marshall Traded to the New York Jets

Next, the hosts delve into Brandon Marshall's trade to the New York Jets, evaluating his fantasy prospects in the new offensive setup.

• Andy Holloway believes Marshall remains a high-end fantasy receiver, stating, “I still believe that Marshall can produce high end wide receiver 2 if not in the lower wide receiver 1 category” (10:44).

• Jason Moore concurs, adding, “I think he's going to be fantasy relevant” (12:16).

• Mike Wright discusses the potential impact of a new quarterback on Marshall’s performance, mentioning, “if Ryan Fitzpatrick came in there, at least you put yourself in a position to be a better passing team” (12:51).

The trade is seen as an opportunity for Marshall to thrive in a more pass-friendly offense, though concerns about his personal stability linger.

Julius Thomas and Jeremy Macklin Signings

The episode also covers the signings of Julius Thomas to Jacksonville and Jeremy Macklin to Kansas City, both of whom are viewed skeptically.

• Jason Moore offers a eulogy for Jeremy Macklin, describing him as, “a man and as a wide receiver that could catch touchdowns” but lamenting his short-lived performance (15:35).

• Andy Holloway praises Julius Thomas for chasing the money, stating, “I do not blame him at all for chasing the money” (16:24).

Both signings are critiqued for their questionable impact on their respective teams and fantasy viability.

Frank Gore and Andre Johnson to Indianapolis

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Frank Gore's expected three-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts and the potential signing of Andre Johnson.

• Jason Moore champions Gore’s move, highlighting his pass-catching capabilities and role in protecting Andrew Luck: “He's a great pass catcher. He's a great, I mean, all around” (22:23).

• Andy Holloway remains cautious, noting Gore’s declining pass-catching stats: “Frank Gore actually has not been a Pass catcher since 2010” (22:52).

• Mike Wright likens the Colts' offense to a potent setup with Peyton Manning, expressing excitement about Gore’s role: “how do you not love the number one running back in that situation?” (24:43).

Regarding Andre Johnson, the hosts are optimistic about his potential resurgence in Indianapolis, comparing his possible role to Reggie Wayne’s in relation to Andrew Luck.

Mailbag: Listener Keeper Questions

Keeper Selections

Listeners submitted questions about choosing keepers in their fantasy leagues. The hosts provide tailored advice based on team composition and league settings.

• James from Fort Lauderdale is advised to keep DeMarco Murray and Julio Jones for their high fantasy value, despite Jason noting that Macklin’s recent performance doesn’t make him a preferred keeper (39:35).

• Todd from Dallas, restricted from keeping first three-round drafted players, is recommended to select Frank Gore over other options like Drew Brees or Ryan Matthews, considering Gore’s potential upside in Indianapolis (42:03).

League Preferences: 10 vs. 12 Teams, Keeper vs. Redraft

Another question addresses the preference between different league formats.

• Jason Moore favors 12-team leagues for their strategic depth, while Andy Holloway prefers the competitive balance they offer over 10-team leagues (44:58).

• Mike Wright emphasizes the importance of active participation over league size, advocating for engaged 10-team leagues rather than inactive 12-team ones (46:31).

General Philosophy on Player Signings and Team Changes

The hosts discuss strategies for evaluating players who have switched teams, emphasizing the importance of offensive schemes and quarterback performance.

• Jason Moore advises evaluating whether a player’s new team has an improved quarterback, which can significantly impact a receiver’s value: “If their quarterback improved or did their quarterback get worse” (37:29).

• Andy Holloway adds that offensive schemes must suit the player’s skills, citing Darren McFadden’s decline after offensive changes (38:04).

Overall, the philosophy centers on assessing how team dynamics and player roles change post-signing, rather than relying solely on player reputation.

Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with announcements about upcoming shows, additional content on their new website, and a call for listener engagement through reviews and email submissions. The hosts encourage listeners to subscribe, leave five-star reviews, and stay tuned for more in-depth analysis in future episodes.

• Andy Holloway promotes their latest articles on second-year running backs at fantasyprose.com (48:44).

• Mike Wright highlights their partnership with fantasypros.com for consensus rankings, enhancing fantasy planning tools for listeners (49:10).

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore: “I think his average draft position is going to take a bump because he's going to be getting all the carries and they're going to be excited about being a Rex Ryan offense.” (04:01)

• Andy Holloway: “he finished with 4.2 yards per carry. And he's going from the best blocking line to the worst in the league.” (05:09)

• Mike Wright: “how do you not love the number one running back in that situation?” (24:43)

• Jason Moore: “If their quarterback improved or did their quarterback get worse.” (37:29)

Conclusion

This episode of The Fantasy Footballers offers a comprehensive analysis of the early free agency moves of 2015, providing valuable insights for fantasy managers looking to capitalize on or avoid certain player signings. With expert opinions and strategic advice, listeners are well-equipped to make informed decisions as they prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season.

For more detailed analysis and additional content, visit TheFantasyFootballers.com and follow the hosts on Twitter.