Fantasy Footballers Podcast - Week 9 Summary (November 4, 2015)

Episode Title: Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - Week 9 Fantasy Football Questions, Mailbag
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Release Date: November 4, 2015

Introduction

In this engaging Week 9 episode of Fantasy Footballers, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright dive into listener questions, offering strategic insights and expert analysis to help fantasy managers navigate the complexities of their leagues. The trio maintains their signature blend of humor and professionalism, ensuring both entertainment and valuable advice for their audience.

Mailbag Session

The core of this episode centers around the Mailbag segment, where fans submit their pressing fantasy football questions. The hosts systematically address each query, providing well-thought-out recommendations backed by their extensive knowledge of NFL players and matchups.

1. Trading for Players with Favorable Playoff Schedules

Listener Question:
"Which player or players are you trying to trade for due to their easier playoff week schedule?"
— Quick Question Segment

Discussion Highlights:

• Jason Moore suggests three running backs with favorable schedules in weeks 14-16:

  • Lamar Miller (New York Giants)
    • Quote: "Lamar Miller goes New York Giants, San Diego Chargers, and the Indianapolis Colts." [02:14]
  • Mark Ingram (Tampa Bay)
    • Quote: "Mark Ingram goes Tampa Bay, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville— not bad." [02:27]
  • Frank Gore (Jacksonville)
    • Quote: "Frank Gore, Jacksonville, Houston, and Miami." [02:44]

• Trade Considerations:

  • Andy Holloway emphasizes the importance of team durability, noting that all three players are already on his team, making them unavailable for trade.
    • Quote: "I can't trade for them. They’re all on my team." [02:58]

• Mike Wright raises a hypothetical scenario about trading Andrew Luck for Philip Rivers, ultimately advising against it.

  • Quote: "No, I wouldn't either." [03:55]

2. Julio Jones' Playoff Matchups

Discussion Highlights:

• Andy Holloway expresses concern over Julio Jones facing Josh Norman in crucial playoff weeks, questioning how this matchup might affect his performance.

  • Quote: "Julio Jones is maybe the best wide receiver in all of football, but... he’s going to be Josh Norman." [04:22]

• Mike Wright discusses the scheduling difficulties and its potential impact on Julio Jones:

  • Quote: "What an NFL scheduler does... it’s ridiculous." [05:11]

• Jason Moore and Andy Holloway agree that while the matchup could lower Jones' ceiling, his elite talent should still enable him to perform well.

3. Choosing Between Running Backs: Chris Ivory vs. Charkandrick West

Listener Question:
"Who would you rather have the rest of the season, Chris Ivory or Charkandrick West?"
— Charles in Boston [09:32]

Discussion Highlights:

• Andy Holloway and Mike Wright lean towards Chris Ivory due to his consistent performance and more reliable schedule.

  • Quote (Andy): "It's Chris Ivory by a mile to me." [10:28]

• Jason Moore acknowledges Charkandrick West's strong schedule but still prefers Ivory for his higher reliability.

4. Running Backs Decision: Lamar Miller vs. Latavius Murray

Listener Question:
"Should I start Lamar Miller or Latavius Murray this week?"
— Michael in Boston [09:54]

Discussion Highlights:

• Jason Moore favors Latavius Murray for his consistent weekly performance despite occasional fumbles.

  • Quote: "I would lean Lamar Miller here just because... you need those big, big weeks." [13:04]

• Mike Wright concurs, citing Murray's reliability over Miller's higher upside but lower floor.

  • Quote: "It's probably Murray, man." [12:57]

• Conclusion: Both hosts recommend Latavius Murray for his steadiness and fewer risks.

5. Starting Wide Receivers: Randall Cobb vs. Emmanuel Sanders

Listener Question:
"Who's got the best rest of season outlook? Randall Cobb or Emmanuel Sanders?"
— Trey in Spartanburg, SC [15:00]

Discussion Highlights:

• Jason Moore and Mike Wright advocate for Randall Cobb, citing his improved health and favorable schedule ahead.

  • Quote (Jason): "Randall Cobb. He is getting over his shoulder injury... his schedule gets really good." [15:00]

• Andy Holloway echoes the sentiment, emphasizing Cobb's return to top-tier performance expectations.

6. Flex Position Decision: Brandon LaFell vs. Tavon Austin

Listener Question:
"Should I play Brandon LaFell or Tavon Austin in the flex?"
— Nick in St. Louis [16:28]

Discussion Highlights:

• Mike Wright supports Brandon LaFell due to his substantial workload and consistent performance.

  • Quote: "I'm going with Brandon LaFell." [16:57]

• Jason Moore concurs, noting LaFell's favorable matchup against the Redskins.

  • Quote: "We're gonna go Martellus Bennett here." [29:22]

• Andy Holloway also aligns with LaFell, favoring his reliability over Tavon Austin's limited opportunities.

7. Tight End Choice: Jordan Reed vs. Tyler Ifert

Listener Question:
"Which tight end should I keep for the rest of the season, Jordan Reed or Tyler Ifert?"
— Jared in Los Angeles [17:11]

Discussion Highlights:

• Jason Moore opts for Tyler Ifert, anticipating potential injuries with Jordan Reed.

  • Quote: "I would rather go Tyler Ifert." [17:19]

• Mike Wright considers Ifert the safer choice but acknowledges Reed's higher ceiling if healthy.

• Conclusion: The consensus leans towards Tyler Ifert for his availability and lower injury risk.

8. Handling an Inactive League Member

Listener Question:
"One of the guys in my league has gone AWOL with several top-tier players. How should the commissioner handle this?"
— Corey in Alabama [31:52]

Discussion Highlights:

• Jason Moore recommends replacing the inactive owner if possible.

  • Quote: "If that guy wants out, then that's what I would do." [32:05]

• Andy Holloway and Mike Wright discuss options like freezing the roster or maintaining league integrity by ensuring active lineups.

• Jason Moore emphasizes maintaining fairness and competitiveness within the league by addressing absenteeism promptly.

9. Flex Position Decision: Michael Crabtree vs. Ronnie Hillman vs. Willie Snead vs. Devonte Adams

Listener Question:
"In the flex, should I play Michael Crabtree, Ronnie Hillman, Willie Snead, or Devonte Adams?"
— Bob in Los Angeles [29:17]

Discussion Highlights:

• Devonte Adams is dismissed due to recent poor performance against Carolina.

• Mike Wright and Jason Moore debate between Ronnie Hillman and Willie Snead:

  • Mike Wright: Favors Willie Snead for his consistent performance.
    • Quote: "It's between Snead and Crabtree for me." [24:35]
  • Jason Moore: Prefers Crabtree for his recent surge.
    • Quote: "I'm gonna go with Devonte Adams." [23:24]

• Andy Holloway and the hosts collectively decide in favor of Willie Snead for his reliability.

• Outcome: While the debate is lively, the recommendation leans towards Snead and Crabtree based on matchups and recent form.

10. Kicker Management During Bye Weeks

Listener Question:
"Are McManus and Goskowski the only kickers you keep through the bye weeks? Should I drop Hauschka?"
— Baron in Houston [20:50]

Discussion Highlights:

• Jason Moore advises keeping McManus and Goskowski as top-tier kickers and suggests dropping Hauschka.

  • Quote: "Those are the only two that I think are absolutely... I would keep them and not drop them through a bye." [20:50]

• Mike Wright shares his personal preference for holding onto Justin Tucker and retaining Hauschka.

  • Quote: "Mike Hauschka, I think, is pretty close, but I am a Justin Tucker owner in many formats." [21:01]

• Andy Holloway underscores the importance of strategic roster management, especially as the playoffs approach.

• Conclusion: The hosts recommend maintaining reliable kickers and considering the strategic depth of your roster when deciding to drop or keep kickers during bye weeks.

11. Handling Jordan Matthews' Status

Listener Question:
"Is Jordan Matthews still a must-start player?"
— Martinez in New Mexico [19:25]

Discussion Highlights:

• Mike Wright and Andy Holloway advise against starting Jordan Matthews, suggesting he should be a bench player instead.

  • Quote (Andy): "Jordan Matthews is struggling." [19:39]

• Andy Holloway explores the potential of Nelson Aguilar as an alternative for later-season pickups.

• Conclusion: Matthews is not deemed a must-start, and managers are encouraged to consider other options with better performance metrics.

12. Handling Suspicious Trades and League Integrity

Listener Scenario:
A league member trades Jordan Reed for Adam Vinatieri, reportedly involving family connections and sudden changes.

Discussion Highlights:

• Jason Moore and Andy Holloway express concern over potential collusion and unethical trading practices.

  • Quote (Andy): "You can't let the trade go through and you gotta punish the guy." [34:58]

• Mike Wright emphasizes maintaining league integrity by addressing suspicious trades promptly and ensuring fair play.

• Conclusion: The hosts advocate for strict adherence to league rules and prompt action against any form of collusion to preserve the competitive balance.

Key Takeaways and Strategies

• Playoff Preparation: Focus on players with favorable schedules in the fantasy playoffs (weeks 14-16) to maximize scoring potential during critical matchups.

• Player Reliability vs. Upside: Prioritize consistent performers like Chris Ivory and Latavius Murray over higher-upside but riskier players.

• Roster Management: As the season progresses, strategic decisions regarding kickers, tight ends, and handling inactive team members become crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.

• League Integrity: Vigilantly monitor trades and team activities to prevent and address any signs of collusion or unethical behavior.

Notable Quotes

• Mike Wright: "The thing that is going to separate listeners of this show from their league mates is going to be 1, 2, 3 of the little things every week." [21:32]

• Andy Holloway: "We're just healing the world." [09:16]

• Jason Moore: "We want to put the odds ever in your favor." [21:32]

Conclusion

Week 9 of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a wealth of insights into effective fantasy football management. From evaluating player matchups to maintaining league integrity, Andy, Jason, and Mike provide actionable advice that can help listeners optimize their teams and improve their chances of winning. Their collaborative approach and engaging banter make complex fantasy decisions more accessible and enjoyable for all fantasy football enthusiasts.

For more expert advice and to engage with the Fantasy Footballers community, visit thefantasyfootballers.com and follow them on Twitter @theffballers.