Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Episode – Biggest Surprise, Fantasy Questions, News (August 30, 2016)

The Fantasy Footballers return with their August 30, 2016 episode, diving deep into the most pressing topics for fantasy managers as the NFL season approaches. Hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright provide insightful analysis, answer listener questions, and discuss the latest news affecting fantasy football. Below is a detailed summary of the episode's key segments.

1. Hosts' Personal Updates and Show Kickoff

The episode begins with a brief personal exchange among the hosts. Mike Wright humorously shares his recent illness, mentioning his reliance on NyQuil to recover:

Mike Wright [01:31]: "NyQuil was all day yesterday, and it was wild. It was a wild ride."

Andy Holloway acknowledges Mike's recovery and emphasizes their commitment to presenting strong, reliable content:

Andy Holloway [01:35]: "I didn't even tell people you were sick. We just said, we'll have them back tomorrow. I wanted you to appear very strong and not weak."

2. Biggest Fantasy Surprises of the Season

The hosts each present their predictions for the most unexpected developments in fantasy football for the upcoming season.

a. Mike Wright: Cleveland Browns' Fantasy Relevance

Mike Wright forecasts a surprising rise in the fantasy value of Cleveland Browns players, citing potential breakout performances from players like Terrell Pryor and Josh Gordon:

Mike Wright [04:25]: "Cleveland Browns players are going to win you fantasy weeks. You're going to have Terrell Pryor started... people are going to draft Josh Gordon and stash him late, and he's going to get you a 50-yard bomb touchdown that's going to win you a week."

He envisions a "bizarre world" where Browns players become late-round gems capable of game-winning plays.

b. Andy Holloway: Early Round Running Backs Delivering

Andy Holloway counters with a perspective that early-round running backs will exceed expectations, rebounding fantasy owners' confidence in the position after a high bust rate in previous seasons:

Andy Holloway [06:06]: "The fantasy running backs taken in the first two rounds are going to perform up to expectations this season. It’s going to reset the minds of fantasy owners towards the running back position."

He emphasizes the consistency expected from top-tier running backs, positioning them as reliable early picks.

c. Jason Moore: Dallas Cowboys as Championship Champions

Jason Moore takes a contrarian stance by predicting that Dallas Cowboys players will play a pivotal role in fantasy championships, despite concerns over Tony Romo's injury:

Jason Moore [07:00]: "The Dallas Cowboys are going to play an integral role in winning your fantasy championships... you’re going to have players like Dez Bryant available cheaply in the latter part of the season."

He highlights the Cowboys' favorable playoff schedule and potential for late-season pickups to secure championship victories.

3. News Segment

The hosts delve into recent NFL news impacting fantasy football, discussing player injuries, team updates, and preseason performances.

a. Kenny Stills' Injury and Devonte Parker's Opportunity

Andy Holloway shares updates on Kenny Stills, who sustained a back injury during practice but is not considered serious:

Andy Holloway [11:44]: "Kenny Stills got hurt... it's not considered serious. However, Devonte Parker might seize the opportunity if Stills remains sidelined."

Mike Wright believes Stills will reclaim his position despite the setback:

Mike Wright [11:56]: "I think Kenny Stills, even if he's not there at the beginning, would reclaim his spot."

b. Tony Romo's Health Update

A significant focus is on Tony Romo's recent injury—a broken disc in his back—which casts uncertainty over his season debut:

Andy Holloway [12:01]: "Jerry Jones came out yesterday. Tony Romo has a broken bone... unsure when he'll return, possibly a 4 to 10-week window."

The hosts express skepticism about Romo's immediate return, noting the potential impact on fantasy owners who relied on his performance.

c. Randall Cobb and Other Player News

Randall Cobb of the Packers is reported to have played the entire previous season injured, raising concerns about his effectiveness:

Andy Holloway [13:12]: "Mike McCarthy said Randall Cobb played the whole season last year injured. I'd love to see Randall Cobb rise to relevance."

Additionally, updates on Jordy Nelson's return to practice indicate his potential involvement this season.

d. Preseason Injury Trends

Jason Moore observes a lack of significant injuries during the preseason, contrasting with previous years:

Jason Moore [15:20]: "We got through this preseason without a lot of injuries. The biggest injury is Tony Romo's back for a few weeks."

This trend suggests a relatively stable start to the season, with fewer early threats to fantasy rosters.

4. Mailbag: Listener Questions and Expert Advice

The hosts address several listener-submitted questions, providing strategic advice for various fantasy scenarios.

a. Trade Evaluation: Doug Martin and Des Bryant for Eddie Lacy and Landry

A listener from Statesboro, Georgia, asks whether trading Doug Martin and Des Bryant for Eddie Lacy and Terrance Landry is advisable in a PPR league.

Jason Moore and Mike Wright concur that the trade is unfavorable:

Jason Moore [20:34]: "No, I think that's a bad trade. You're overreacting and making a lateral move without sufficient upside."

Mike Wright [21:01]: "I would not do that. I agree with Jason."

The consensus is to retain Martin and Bryant for their consistent contributions.

b. Kicker Scoring: To Penalize Misses?

A caller from Burlington, New Jersey, inquires about the appropriateness of assigning negative points for missed field goals and extra points.

Andy Holloway acknowledges varying league settings but suggests a balanced approach:

Andy Holloway [22:15]: "Minus one for anything they miss from 30 to 40, and minus one for extra points."

Jason Moore advocates for minimizing the kicker's impact:

Jason Moore [22:54]: "Stop giving crazy bonuses for long field goals and penalize moderately for misses."

This approach maintains kicker relevance without disproportionately affecting weekly scores.

c. Roster Strategy: Balancing Wide Receivers and Running Backs

A Minnesota listener seeks advice on whether to maintain four running backs (Ingram, Woodhead, Duke Johnson, Riddick) versus trading wide receiver depth for additional RBs.

Andy Holloway recommends seeking balance:

Andy Holloway [24:23]: "I would look to make some moves to acquire an RB2 without sacrificing your top players."

Jason Moore and Mike Wright emphasize flexibility and strategic trades to bolster the running back position without weakening the receiving corps.

d. Handling Tony Romo's Injury Impact

Josh from Seattle asks whether news of Tony Romo's injury should influence his management of players like Des Bryant and Terence Williams.

The hosts advise caution and strategic drops:

Jason Moore [26:03]: "I would drop Terence Williams."

Mike Wright [26:22]: "There’s probably a better flyer on your waiver wire than Terence Williams."

They emphasize focusing on players with secure roles and consistent usage.

e. Drafting Late-Round Quarterbacks to Pair with Tom Brady

A caller from Portland, Maine, seeks recommendations for late-round quarterbacks to complement Tom Brady.

Andy Holloway and Jason Moore suggest options based on favorable early-season matchups:

Andy Holloway [30:12]: "Matthew Stafford has a good first week matchup with the Colts defense."

Jason Moore [32:01]: "Derek Carr opens with the Saints, Falcons, Titans, and Ravens—all manageable opponents."

They highlight the importance of dual-quarterback strategies in maximizing roster flexibility and weekly performance.

5. Additional Insights and Closing Remarks

Towards the episode's end, Andy Holloway discusses the performance of Dak Prescott, differentiating his potential from Tony Romo due to Prescott's rookie status and the transition into a new offensive system. The hosts emphasize realistic expectations and the inherent challenges rookies face in establishing themselves:

Andy Holloway [27:46]: "Dak Prescott was a fourth-round pick and he's acclimating to the offense. He won’t have things handed to him like Romo did."

Mike Wright adds that prepared defenses will adapt to Prescott's style, potentially leading to mixed game performances.

In wrapping up, the hosts encourage listeners to engage with their fantasy community, join contests, and utilize tools like Sleeper Bot for real-time alerts. They also tease upcoming episodes, including the highly anticipated "My Guys" segment where each host selects standout players to champion throughout the season.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Wright [04:25]: "Cleveland Browns players are going to win you fantasy weeks."

• Andy Holloway [06:06]: "The fantasy running backs taken in the first two rounds are going to perform up to expectations this season."

• Jason Moore [07:00]: "The Dallas Cowboys are going to play an integral role in winning your fantasy championships."

• Andy Holloway [12:01]: "Tony Romo has a broken bone... unsure when he'll return, possibly a 4 to 10-week window."

• Jason Moore [22:34]: "Most leagues play with a kicker and most leagues do have negative scoring for missed feels."

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast delivers comprehensive coverage of expected fantasy surprises, crucial player news, and strategic advice tailored to listener queries. The hosts' expert opinions, coupled with their engaging banter, offer valuable insights for fantasy managers aiming to optimize their teams for the upcoming NFL season.

For more detailed discussions and future episodes, visit thefancyfootballers.com and follow The Fantasy Footballers on Twitter @theffballers.