Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Episode - Fantasy Football Podcast 2016: Fantasy Mailbag, Injury News, Review-a-Saurus

Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Release Date: May 19, 2016

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright delve into a variety of topics essential for fantasy football enthusiasts. From addressing listener questions in the Mailbag segment to analyzing injury news and providing strategic advice, the trio offers comprehensive insights designed to help listeners dominate their leagues.

Key Segments

1. Cry-Worthy Players Heading into the 2016 Season

The episode kicks off with the hosts discussing players they fear will disappoint in the upcoming season. This segment allows listeners to gauge potential risks when drafting their teams.

• Mike Wright on Ryan Matthews [03:34]

  Mike expresses deep investment in Philadelphia's Ryan Matthews, stating:

  "I have already invested time into a trade. I have already traded for him... If he disappoints, the tears will come streaming down my face."
  (03:34)

• Jason Moore on Sammy Watkins [04:22]

  Jason preemptively voices concerns about Sammy Watkins' performance:

  "I think Sammy Watkins shouldn't be a sneaky good wide receiver. He should just be like a known great wide receiver."
  (04:22)

• Andy Holloway on Lamar Miller [05:17]

  Andy highlights the potential disappointment if Lamar Miller underperforms:

  "If Lamar Miller fails in this opportunity... if he disappoints, it will be very sad."
  (05:17)

2. Listener Reviews and Apologies

The hosts take a moment to read a heartfelt review from Zach Hams, who appreciates the podcast's role in maintaining his sanity amidst sleepless nights with a young child.

• Zach Hams' Review [06:50]

  "The off-season podcasts have let me keep my sanity... The quality of the shows and the content is excellent."
  (06:50)

Jason also addresses a previous mistake regarding the New England Patriots' bye week:

• Jason Moore's Apology [09:12]

  "Last week I said that the Patriots had a week four bye and the truth is they did in 2015, but they do not have that in 2016."
  (09:12)

3. Injury News: Sammy Watkins

The trio discusses the latest updates on Sammy Watkins' foot injury, providing insights into his expected return and the implications for fantasy managers.

• Mike Wright on Watkins' Status [10:11]

  "He should be back for training camp. He might miss the beginning of the season... it's still a very hodgepodge up in the air situation."
  (10:11)

• Jason Moore on Injury Details [11:36]

  Jason breaks down the specifics of Watkins' surgery and recovery timeline:

  "A seven to eight week timetable for returning... almost 90% that he should be fine."
  (11:36)

4. Philadelphia Eagles' Backfield Analysis

The hosts analyze the Philadelphia Eagles' running back situation, debating the potential of Wendell Smallwood versus Lamar Miller.

• Jason Moore on Wendell Smallwood [14:08]

  "He should be on your radar... the backfield situation for the Eagles right now looks promising."
  (14:08)

• Andy Holloway on Veteran Signings [15:09]

  Andy speculates on potential veteran additions:

  "I think Philadelphia will sign a veteran back... a Robert Turbin type of guy could end up in that backfield."
  (15:09)

5. Michael Thomas and New Orleans Saints Update

The discussion shifts to Michael Thomas's arrival at the Saints, assessing his immediate impact potential.

• Mike Wright on Michael Thomas [16:39]

  "He could be creeping into draft consideration... for Dynasty leagues, people are all over him."
  (16:39)

• Jason Moore on Thomas's Role [17:21]

  Jason emphasizes the high upside with low risk:

  "It's a high upside, low risk because you're grabbing him with your last pick."
  (17:21)

6. Mailbag: Listener Questions and Strategies

The Mailbag segment features questions from listeners, with the hosts providing tailored advice on various fantasy football dilemmas.

• Brendan in Orlando on Drafting Eagles Players [21:44]

  Brendan asks about drafting multiple Eagles players. The hosts debate the value, focusing on Ryan Matthews and discussing the potential of Jordan Matthews and Reuben Randall.

• Cody in Flagstaff on Keeper League Decisions [25:57]

  Cody seeks advice on trading running backs versus wide receivers in a keeper league. Jason recommends prioritizing Lamar Miller for his positional separation potential, while Andy concurs.

• Chris in Missouri on Trading for Allen Robinson [30:06]

  Chris inquires about trading tight ends. Both Jason and Mike advocate for keeping Allen Robinson over other options like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson in a four-keeper league.

• James in Burbank on Drafting Strategies [43:10]

  James asks about drafting strategies based on scoring systems. The hosts explain the nuances between standard scoring and PPR leagues, emphasizing the importance of tailoring draft strategies accordingly.

7. Fantasy Basics: Understanding Scoring Systems

A segment dedicated to educating new fantasy players on different scoring types, ensuring they draft players effectively based on their league's rules.

• Mike Wright on Scoring Types [43:13]

  "You have standard scoring where a reception does not count for a point... and then you have half point and full point PPR."
  (43:13)

• Jason Moore on Quarterback Importance [45:58]

  "There is the whole thing goes out of the window. You're not streaming quarterbacks in a two quarterback league."
  (45:58)

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore on Sammy Watkins [04:29]:

  "I really, really hope he has a great year and he'll be fine."

• Andy Holloway on Lamar Miller [05:17]:

  "It's not the perfect comparison, but all the hype around a guy like Percy Harvin... is what makes you cry if he disappoints."

• Mike Wright on Michael Thomas [16:27]:

  "The landing spot could not have been better for Michael Thomas."

• Jason Moore on Determining Draft Value [24:07]:

  "I'd go Matthews in the 6 because I don't believe in the talent of the other two."

Strategic Insights and Recommendations

1. Drafting Risky Players:

   • Ryan Matthews: High potential but past injury concerns. Consider his 90% recovery likelihood against the risk of another surgery.
   • Lamar Miller: Offers positional advantage due to scarcity at running back. Potential top-five running back if he performs well in Houston.

2. Position Prioritization:

   • In PPR leagues, prioritize pass-catching running backs and wide receivers to maximize point potential.
   • Quarterbacks become less of a necessity unless in two-QB formats, where their importance skyrockets.

3. Keeper League Strategies:

   • Prioritize keeping high-value players like Allen Robinson over high-profile quarterbacks who can be streamed.
   • Limit the number of keepers per position to maintain roster flexibility and maximize trade value.

4. Adapting to Injury News:

   • Stay updated on player injuries and recovery timelines to make informed decisions on drafting or trading impacted players.

5. Understanding Scoring Systems:

   • Tailor your draft strategy based on whether your league is standard, half-PPR, or full-PPR.
   • Recognize the value differences between scoring systems to optimize player selection.

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a blend of strategic advice, injury updates, and personalized listener interactions. Whether you're a seasoned fantasy manager or a newcomer seeking foundational knowledge, the hosts provide valuable insights to navigate the complexities of fantasy football effectively.

For more detailed discussions and strategic advice, visit thefantasyfootballers.com and follow the hosts on Twitter at @FFballers.