Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - Week 4 Review, Studs and Duds, MNF Preview, Fantasy News
Release Date: October 5, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Week 4 Review

Surprising Performances:

• Josh McCown (QB, Cleveland Browns):
  Andy Holloway expressed surprise at McCown's performance, noting, "He played pretty good, you know, 356 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions. That is not the line that I would ever expect from Josh McCown on the Browns." ([02:14])

• Kirk Cousins (QB, Minnesota Vikings):
  Jason Moore highlighted Cousins' clutch play, stating, "Cousins was jazz. He completed a clutch pass and then celebrated like a fourth grader." ([02:52])

• Gary Barnidge (TE, Cleveland Browns):
  Barnidge emerged as a fantasy asset with 67 yards and a touchdown, surprising the hosts. Mike Wright remarked, "Gary Barnage, man, that 67 and a touchdown." ([03:46])

Studs and Muffins

Top Performers:

• Philip Rivers (QB, San Diego Chargers):
  Rivers delivered a strong performance with 23 completions for 358 yards and three touchdowns. Jason Moore praised his consistency, "If you have Rivers right now, hold on to him. The schedule is going to be great for him moving forward and he gets Gates back." ([17:06])

• Sammy Watkins (WR, Buffalo Bills):
  Watkins returned from suspension, earning the label "Sammy Biscuits." His performance was notable, and Andy Holloway hoped fantasy managers capitalized on his return. ([17:55])

• Chris Ivory (RB, New York Jets):
  Ivory showcased his ferocity with 29 yards and a touchdown, revitalizing his fantasy value. Mike Wright complimented, "The Ivory just looked... absolutely ferocious." ([31:54])

Notable Mentions:

• Drew Brees (QB, New Orleans Saints):
  Brees bounced back with an 80-yard touchdown, bolstering his fantasy standing despite previous struggles. ([18:38])

• Devonta Freeman (RB, Atlanta Falcons):
  Freeman exceeded expectations with multiple touchdowns, prompting Andy to admit, "I was wrong" regarding his previous assessments. ([28:54])

Duds: Players Who Underperformed

Quarterbacks:

• Peyton Manning (QB, Denver Broncos):
  Manning had a lackluster game with 213 yards, two pickups, and one touchdown, raising concerns about his weekly reliability. Andy Holloway noted, "How do you start someone else over them" despite their high draft value. ([36:50])

• Matt Ryan (QB, Atlanta Falcons):
  While not a bad game, Ryan ranked 20th among quarterbacks, leading to discussions about streaming options versus sticking with high-name QBs. ([36:50])

Running Backs:

• Carlos Hyde (RB, Jacksonville Jaguars):
  Hyde struggled with 8 carries for 20 yards, leading to debates on his future value in fantasy lineups. Jason Moore suggested, "Fantasy wise, you hold on to him," but Andy expressed skepticism about his long-term production. ([38:19])

• Lamar Miller (RB, Cincinnati Bengals):
  Miller mirrored Hyde's poor performance with another subpar game, placing him low in weekly rankings. Andy advised, "Neither one of them are cuttable," but Mike was hopeful for improvement post-coaching changes. ([38:19])

Wide Receivers:

• Mike Evans (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
  Evans had a disappointing week with limited targets and a lackluster performance against a tough defense. Andy voiced concerns about his matchup consistency, while Jason remained confident in his target volume. ([26:37])

• Roddy White (WR, Atlanta Falcons):
  White underperformed with 2 receptions for 8 yards, prompting Andy to reminisce about his past greatness and question his current form. ([40:26])

Monday Night Football (MNF) Preview

Seattle Seahawks vs. Detroit Lions:

• Matchup Insights:
  The Seahawks were favored by nearly ten points. Discussions revolved around Detroit's offense featuring Calvin Johnson, Choo Choo Abdullah, and Joy Bell, although Johnson was sidelined. Jason Moore mentioned, "He was out today," referring to Johnson. Andy and Mike debated between starting Abdullah or Rawls based on matchups and potential opportunities. ([11:15] - [12:30])

• Strategic Plays:
  The Steelers’ offense was highlighted with the return of Antonio Gates and Martavis Bryant from suspension. Hosts discussed the positive impact on the offense, especially in opening up the field and supporting players like Le'Veon Bell. Andy considered starting Martavis Bryant despite some reservations about his initial performance. ([05:00] - [07:10])

• Player Dynamics:
  The return of key players like Bryant was seen as a boost, and the hosts evaluated how this would impact the Steelers' offensive dynamics. Jason emphasized, "Martavis Bryant opens up the field for everybody." ([06:12])

Fantasy News

Coaching Changes:

• Joe Philbin Fired (Miami Dolphins):
  The Dolphins parted ways with head coach Joe Philbin amidst poor performance and questionable play-calling decisions. Jason Moore humorously suggested he could take over as coach, highlighting the chaotic state of the team. ([19:13])

Player Movements:

• Martavis Bryant Return:
  Bryant’s return was a significant talk point, with hosts debating his immediate impact versus long-term benefits. Despite a rocky start, Andy was willing to start him in the upcoming week. ([06:12] - [07:16])

• Antonio Gates & Owen Daniels:
  With Gates returning, Andy and Jason recommended fantasy managers to consider signing Daniels, who was showing increased target volumes and red-zone involvement. ([43:00])

Mailbag Highlights

Listener Questions:

1. Cece in Chicago's Dilemma:
   Facing a 19-point deficit with options between Abdullah and Rawls, Jason advocated for Abdullah's potential big-play ability, while Mike leaned towards Rawls based on consistency. ([44:09] - [46:02])

2. Evan and Livingston's Triple RB Decision:
   With choices among Jamal Charles, Arian Foster, Devonta Freeman, and Justin Forsett, hosts recommended prioritizing Charles and Freeman based on matchups and current performance trends. ([46:13] - [47:43])

3. Trade Evaluations:
   Discussions centered around trading Jarvis Landry and Jeremy Hill for C.J. Anderson and Amari Cooper. The consensus leaned towards retaining Landry and Hill due to inconsistent performances from Anderson and Cooper's potential availability. ([48:21] - [49:53])

Conclusion

The hosts wrapped up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with their community through jointhefoot.com, follow them on social media, and participate in their upcoming Twitter blitz. They emphasized the importance of building a strong fantasy team through informed decisions based on player performances and matchups discussed throughout the episode.

Notable Quote:

• Jason Moore on Devonta Freeman's Emergence:
  "Devonta Freeman hits the... He just five for 81 through the air, 14 for 63, 68 and three and played half a game." ([28:54])

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This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and advice shared by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright during the Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode 2015 - Week 4 Review.