Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2015 - Week 1 Review, Studs and Duds, MNF Preview, Fantasy News
Release Date: September 14, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Week 1 Review

1. Studs of the Week

Mike Wright (13:56):

"All right, let's go ahead and talk about some of the players that stood out this week and some of the ones that stood out in the wrong ways."

Andy Holloway (15:56):

"Keenan Allen was spectacular. Last year was a considered down year, but this season's targets were through the roof, especially against Detroit."

Jason Moore (17:06):

"Hopkins had the better fantasy week. He had two touchdowns and showcased fantastic route running."

Highlights:

• Tyler Eifert emerged as a top tight end with two touchdowns over 100 yards, outperforming expectations despite the Oakland defense.
• Travis Kelce scored two touchdowns early in the game, demonstrating his dominance at the tight end position.
• Keenan Allen had an impressive performance with 15 receptions for 166 yards, redeeming his sophomore slump.
• DeAndre Hopkins delivered a strong fantasy performance with two touchdowns, showcasing his elite route-running skills.

2. Duds of the Week

Mike Wright (21:10):

"Chris Ivory performed very well, almost at 100 yards rushing with two touchdowns, making Matt Forte look underwhelmed."

Andy Holloway (23:37):

"Calvin Johnson showed nothing but downward parts of his game this week."

Jason Moore (23:35):

"I wasn't watching Greg Olson live the game. He had one target for one catch for 11 yards, and the game kept moving without further involvement."

Highlights:

• Sammy Watkins underperformed, getting swallowed up by Vonte Davis and failing to make significant contributions.
• C.J. Anderson faced potential injury concerns with a possible sprained toe, affecting his role in the Denver offense.
• Calvin Johnson showed signs of decline, raising concerns about his longevity and future performance.
• Tom Brady's limited involvement raised questions about his usage, despite being a high-profile quarterback.

Injury Report

1. Key Injuries Impacting Fantasy

Mike Wright (04:10):

"Andre Ellington's injury is currently a PCL strain, which is more favorable than an ACL tear. Owners should consider Chris Johnson as a short-term solution and David Johnson for long-term needs."

Andy Holloway (06:48):

"DeSean Jackson’s hamstring injury could result in anything from one to two weeks of downtime, impacting his team's offense."

Mike Wright (08:54):

"Dez Bryant has a broken bone in his foot, leading to a 4-6 week injury recovery period."

Implications:

• Andre Ellington's PCL injury allows for Chris Johnson to step up in the short term, with David Johnson as a reliable long-term replacement.
• DeSean Jackson's hamstring injury poses a significant challenge for fantasy owners relying on him as a key offensive weapon.
• Dez Bryant's injury sidelines him for several weeks, necessitating strategic adjustments, including targeting Terrence Williams and Jason Whitten.

Fantasy News and Analysis

1. Quarterback Performances and Implications

Andy Holloway (03:46):

"Mariota only threw the ball 16 times. If you can get a touchdown every fourth pass, sign me up for that."

Mike Wright (08:13):

"Andrew Luck disappointed tons of fantasy owners this weekend, signaling potential challenges for Buffalo's defense."

2. Running Backs Spotlight

Andy Holloway (18:22):

"Amir Abdullah is electric. On his first run, he made the safety look ridiculous with a 22-yard gain."

Jason Moore (20:46):

"It's still week one; don't overreact based on a single game's performance."

Mike Wright (21:10):

"Chris Ivory’s performance with two touchdowns nearly reaching 100 yards highlights his potential as a reliable starter."

3. Wide Receivers Performance

Andy Holloway (15:56):

"Keenan Allen's targets against Detroit were through the roof, making him a top fantasy asset."

Jason Moore (17:06):

"DeAndre Hopkins' two touchdowns and excellent route running make him a must-own for this week."

Monday Night Football Preview

Upcoming Games:

• Eagles vs. Falcons
• Vikings vs. 49ers

Mike Wright (44:31):

"Do you expect the over or the under on that? I'm taking the under. I think these things sometimes don't pan out as expected."

Jason Moore (44:42):

"I'm taking over. I think the Eagles are going to put up 44 points."

Key Players to Watch:

• Ryan Matthews vs. Brandon Coleman
• Sammy Watkins vs. Vonte Davis

Mailbag: Listener Questions and Advice

1. Encouraging Trade Activity in Conservative Leagues

Andy Holloway (38:13):

"Build up the community. Engage your league members through platforms like Facebook to foster interaction and trust, making trades more likely."

Mike Wright (38:13):

"Avoid overwhelming your league with excessive trade offers. Quality over quantity helps in getting trades accepted."

2. Team-Specific Advice

Listener: Genie in New York (39:28)

Question:
"Who should I target if Ty Hilton is out? James Jones, Kendall Wright, Dante Moncrief? Also, is Wheaton worth dropping?"

Jason Moore (39:46):

"Wheaton is worth dropping. Go with Moncrief as the perfect replacement for Hilton."

Andy Holloway (40:36):

"Moncrief's value will increase if Andre Johnson continues performing well and if Bill's defense remains strong."

3. Flex Position Decisions

Listener: Ryan Matthews vs. Tevin Coleman vs. Mike Wallace (41:10)
Answers:

• Andy Holloway: Chooses Tevin Coleman due to Freeman's limited usage.
• Jason Moore: Prefers Ryan Matthews but acknowledges Tevin Coleman's reliability.
• Mike Wright: Opts for Tevin Coleman, citing his consistent opportunities.

Concluding Insights

Mike Wright (44:44):

"As a Bradford owner, I am very excited."

Andy Holloway (43:54):

"Tevin Coleman is reliable with Devontae Freeman's limited availability, ensuring consistent touches."

Jason Moore (42:13):

"Ryan Matthews is a dream scenario, but practicality leans towards Tevin Coleman for steady production."

Takeaways:

• Community Engagement: Building relationships and active communication within your fantasy league fosters a more dynamic and active trading environment.
• Strategic Flex Decisions: Balancing risk and opportunity is crucial when selecting flex players, with Tevin Coleman emerging as a preferred choice for consistent performance.
• Player Performance Trends: Early-week performances can set the tone, but strategic patience is necessary to evaluate long-term potential versus week-one anomalies.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore (01:07):

  "They might have pooped in their big boy pants."

• Mike Wright (02:20):

  "He got man zoned."

• Andy Holloway (29:56):

  "It was interesting that people are not talking about this."

References:

• Timestamps in brackets (e.g., 13:56) correspond to specific moments in the transcript for context.

For more insights and to join the conversation, visit thefantasyfootballers.com and follow them on Twitter @the_ffballers.