Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Episode – Week 8 Fantasy Forecast, Starts of the Week, News

Release Date: October 29, 2015

The Fantasy Footballers trio—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright—deliver another insightful and engaging episode, delving into crucial aspects of fantasy football such as the impending trade deadline, league integrity concerns like collusion, essential player news, and their strategic fantasy forecasts for Week 8. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their discussions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

1. Trade Deadline Discussion

[01:02] The hosts kick off the episode by addressing the looming trade deadline in their three-man keeper league. Andy Holloway explains the rationale behind an early trade deadline to prevent teams from becoming super-powered or garbage-laden through excessive trading.

Andy Holloway [01:02]: "We don't want teams... super power teams and super garbage teams because everybody has either bought in or sold the farm."

[02:00] Jason Moore shares his satisfaction with his team's depth but notes the absence of star players like Gronk or Julio Jones, expressing hope that Elshon Jeffrey can fill that void.

Jason Moore [02:06]: "I lead the league in points, but it is missing one of those absolute top tip top pieces."

[03:05] Mike Wright discusses his dilemma with tight ends Travis Kelce and Jordan Reed, pondering whether to trade Kelce despite his consistent performance or hold onto Reed, who is an injury risk but a high-upside player when healthy.

Mike Wright [03:05]: "Do I trade him? Do I believe that he stays at this mediocre level or... holds Reed, given his injury risks?"

2. League Integrity and Collusion

[07:16] The conversation shifts to the sensitive topic of collusion within fantasy leagues. Mike Wright presents a scenario where a team manipulates player transactions without mutual agreement, prompting questions about whether such actions constitute collusion. The hosts agree that true collusion requires mutual agreement between parties to unfairly influence league outcomes.

Mike Wright [07:16]: "It's only collusion when they collude if both parties know exactly what is going on."

Andy emphasizes that trades intending to benefit one team without explicit agreement do not qualify as collusion, advocating for the "big boy" approach where managers handle their own teams responsibly.

Andy Holloway [09:44]: "Only if two owners are conspiring to make one team better or another team worse."

3. Player News and Updates

[09:49] The hosts provide updates on various players, focusing on injuries and practice reports:

• Carlos Hyde: Initially reported not practicing, later cleared, giving Andy confidence to start him.
• Dion Lewis: Questionable status for the upcoming game against the Patriots. The Patriots' strong defense influences decisions on Lewis's lineup placement.
• Christian McCaffrey and Jeremy Maclin: Returning from injuries, with Maclin showing promising signs and being considered a reliable start.

At [13:39], Mike Wright touches on the controversial vetoed Drew Brees-Adrian Peterson trade, hinting at future discussions without delving into specifics.

4. Fantasy Forecast for Week 8

The hosts analyze key matchups affecting fantasy performances:

Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots

[18:52] Andy Holloway humorously predicts a Dolphins win, but acknowledges Jason Moore’s skepticism due to Miami’s challenging remaining schedule.

Andy Holloway [20:25]: "I think they get crushed tonight by the Patriots."

San Diego Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens

[29:47] Jason Moore opts to start Philip Rivers without hesitation, praising his consistency despite the Chargers' recent performance struggles. Mike Wright supports starting Steve Smith due to favorable defensive matchups against the Ravens.

Jason Moore [29:47]: "You're starting Philip Rivers and starting him without hesitation."

Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs

[24:35] Discussion revolves around the Lions' offensive improvements under new coaching and the Chiefs' offensive weapons. Mike Wright highlights Eric Ebron’s value despite Travis Kelce's presence, emphasizing matchup advantages.

Mike Wright [26:05]: "That is Eric Ebron. Would you start Eric Ebron over Travis Kelsey in this game? No, no, no."

Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings

[38:20] Jason Moore advocates for starting Jay Cutler and key Bears players like Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffrey, considering the Vikings' middling defenses.

Jason Moore [39:02]: "I like Jay Cutler in this. I like, pretty much all of you know, I like Jay Cutler, obviously. I like Forte, love Alshon Jeffrey."

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

[43:29] Anticipation builds for this high-stakes game, with Jason Moore predicting a high-scoring affair and Mike Wright favoring Martavis Bryant due to Antonio Brown’s return bolstering the Steelers' offense.

Mike Wright [44:31]: "Antonio Brown... opens things up for Martavis Bryant and he does what he does."

5. Start of the Week Picks

The trio shares their top player selections for the upcoming week:

Running Backs:

• Andy: Chris Johnson vs. Cleveland Browns – Advantageous matchup.
• Jason: Darren McFadden vs. Seattle Seahawks – Sees high usage potential.
• Mike: Kendrick West vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – High upside against a weak run defense.

Quarterbacks:

• Andy: Matt Stafford vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Exploiting the Chiefs' secondary weaknesses.
• Jason: Jay Cutler vs. Minnesota Vikings – Confidence in Bears' offense.
• Mike: Matt Ryan vs. Tampa Bay Falcons – Trusting Ryan’s recovery and matchup.

Wide Receivers:

• Andy: Tavon Austin vs. San Francisco 49ers – Favorable matchup against a weak WR defense.
• Jason: Dante Moncrief vs. Carolina Panthers – Target-rich environment against a susceptible pass defense.
• Mike: Martavis Bryant vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Leveraging Antonio Brown’s return.

Tight Ends:

• Andy: Ben Watson vs. New Orleans Saints – Consistent target volume.
• Jason: Crockett Gilmore vs. San Diego Chargers – High upside against a poor TE defense.
• Mike: Ladarius Green vs. Arizona Cardinals – Breakout potential in the absence of Philip Rivers.

Andy Holloway [48:29]: "My start of the week is Chris Johnson of the Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland, and they are 30th against the run."

Mike Wright [50:19]: "My running back start of the week... Kendrick West, the running back of the Kansas City Chiefs."

Jason Moore [52:22]: "My quarterback start of the week is Jay Cutler. He's at home. He's got his tools back that he hasn't had for a while."

6. Listener Interaction and Promotions

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with listener feedback, read reviews, and promote their merchandise and the Sportsmanias app. They acknowledge their audience’s support, encouraging more interaction via their website and social media channels.

Jason Moore [14:00]: "I've been playing Fantasy Football since 1994... no other source has helped me withstand victories more than the fantasy footballers."

Conclusion

In this Week 8 episode, the Fantasy Footballers provide a blend of strategic insights, player analytics, and engaging banter, helping fantasy managers navigate the complexities of their leagues. From managing trade deadlines to selecting optimal starters based on matchups and player health, Andy, Jason, and Mike equip listeners with the knowledge to make informed decisions and enhance their chances of winning their leagues.

For those looking to stay ahead in fantasy football, this episode offers valuable takeaways and entertaining discussions that epitomize the high-quality content Fantasy Footballers are renowned for.