Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - #FootClan Mailbag Show, Fantasy News, Podcast Awards Summary

Release Date: June 28, 2016

1. Celebrating the Podcast Awards Victory

The episode kicks off with the hosts—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright—expressing their excitement over winning the Podcast Awards. This achievement is a testament to their dedicated listener base, affectionately known as the Foot Clan.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [00:48]: "This was a victory for all of us... just an unbelievable moment for all of us and that we got to share with the families as well."
• Jason Moore [04:43]: "Our Foot Clan, our listeners, you guys... you listening are the most beautiful, the smartest, and the best listeners of all podcasts. We've done it. You have done it."

The hosts shared personal anecdotes about preparing for the awards, highlighting their unique personalities and the supportive environment at home. Mike mentioned logistical preparations for potential win announcements, while Jason showcased his celebratory spirit with a "giant celebratory belt."

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [03:23]: "I wanted to get upstairs, make sure Skype was set up in case we won. Gotta be ready."
• Jason Moore [04:04]: "Champs, gonna champ."

Expressing gratitude, the trio thanked their listeners and acknowledged the support from other podcast hosts in the industry. They emphasized the collective effort behind their success, underscoring the importance of the Foot Clan's votes.

2. Fantasy Football News and Updates

Following their celebration, the hosts transitioned into discussing the latest fantasy football news, providing insights and analysis on various NFL players and team strategies.

a. Detroit Lions and Amir Abdullah

The conversation began with an update from the Detroit Lions' beat writer, Tim Twentyman, stating that Amir Abdullah is expected to "get every opportunity to carry" in the Lions' backfield.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [07:05]: "Lions expects Amir Abdullah to get 'every opportunity to carry,' 'most of the load' in the Detroit backfield."
• Andy Holloway [07:49]: "When they have Zenner, they sign Steven Ridley to single him out and say, we're going to give him the chance to be the guy."

The hosts debated the implications of this strategy, considering Abdullah's size and past performance. They agreed that while Abdullah is a smaller running back, his talent could translate effectively under the Lions' system.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [08:08]: "He is a little bit smaller, but I think that he has the talent to get it done."
• Jason Moore [08:16]: "There's a world where he gets the entire workload without Joy Bell there and now has dealt with his fumbleitis or the problems that he had."

b. Sammy Watkins' Foot Injury

Sammy Watkins' uncertain status heading into training camp was another focal point. Mike expressed concern over Watkins' foot injury and its potential impact on his readiness for Week 1, emphasizing the importance of injury-free players for early-season success.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [09:17]: "If you're going to spend a second or third-round pick on a guy, you want to know that he's going to play Week 1."
• Jason Moore [10:22]: "The question is really his health."

Mike and Jason discussed how Watkins' injury could affect his draft value, with Mike suggesting it might lower his standing, while Jason remained optimistic about Watkins' eventual return to form.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [10:27]: "So you're not worried about setbacks even if he takes his time?"
• Jason Moore [10:30]: "If I'm drafting in August, I'm going to have an idea of he's back, he's running, he's healthy."

c. Sterling Shepard's Draft Prospects

Sterling Shepard's projection as a second-round receiver by NJ.com sparked a detailed discussion. Andy and Jason shared differing perspectives on whether Shepard's potential justifies his high draft position, weighing his immediate impact against seasonal consistency.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [11:01]: "I don't have a huge projection for him. I'm not expecting wide receiver 2 or 3 steady numbers."
• Jason Moore [11:25]: "I have him right now down for 70 catches, 750 yards, and five touchdowns. Those are pretty darn good numbers for a rookie."

They engaged in a mock draft scenario, debating Shepard's value against other receivers, ultimately favoring Shepard in multiple matchups due to his established role and opportunity.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore [12:12]: "I would take Sterling Shepard."
• Andy Holloway [12:29]: "I'll go with Shepard."

d. Julius Thomas' Touchdown Projections

Julius Thomas was another topic, with Mike citing Hayes Carian's expectation of double-digit touchdowns. The hosts weighed the feasibility of this projection against Thomas' historical performance and the Jaguars' offensive dynamics.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [14:02]: "If he gets 10 touchdowns, he's a great tight end option."
• Jason Moore [14:32]: "I'm putting the over-under on like six and a half touchdowns. So I do not buy into the double-digit touchdowns here personally."

Jason highlighted uncertainties in Thomas' performance due to offensive changes and past vulnerabilities, leading to a cautious outlook on his touchdown potential.

3. Mailbag: Listener Questions and Analysis

The heart of the episode was the Mailbag segment, where the hosts addressed listener-submitted questions, providing tailored advice and strategic insights.

a. Quarterback Selection: Matthew Stafford vs. Marcus Mariota

Listener CMB323 posed a question about which quarterback—Matthew Stafford or Marcus Mariota—offers the most starter upside late in drafts.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [18:14]: "Matthew Stafford has the track record of elite fantasy football seasons. He had the efficiency towards the back half of the year."
• Andy Holloway [19:11]: "Yeah, I go with Stafford for all of those reasons and just the weapons."

Both Mike and Jason endorsed Stafford, citing his proven performance and offensive support, while acknowledging Mariota's potential but favoring the consistency and upside Stafford brings.

b. Best 12-Team Dynasty or Keeper League Formats

A listener inquired about optimal formats for 12-team dynasty or keeper leagues, especially for those transitioning from redraft leagues.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore [27:20]: "All redraft leagues are better as keeper leagues. I do it."
• Jason Moore [27:48]: "My preference is three guys. I like keeping three. I like the rule where you can't keep more than one at each position."

The hosts advocated for keeper leagues, recommending retaining a limited number of players to maintain draft diversity and competitiveness. They emphasized the importance of strategic retention rules to prevent positional imbalances.

c. Drafting Strategy: Taking Undervalued Players in Early Rounds

FFManderson asked about selecting players in the first round who are being drafted in later rounds.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore [38:07]: "I think I'm going to take Alshon Jeffrey this year. I wouldn't water bet that because they're both phenomenal."
• Andy Holloway [38:46]: "I love Mike Evans this year."

Andy and Mike suggested taking high-value receivers like Mike Evans and Alshon Jeffery early, recognizing their consistent target volume and scoring potential, despite their later-round draft positions in some drafts.

d. PPR and Touchdown Scoring Adjustments

A listener queried how a scoring system that awards 10 points for touchdowns and 300+ passing yards affects draft strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore [40:17]: "My take is it changes the draft strategy around high-yardage quarterbacks."
• Andy Holloway [40:15]: "It actually, it hurts guys like Rogers. Russell Wilson."

The hosts discussed how heightened touchdown rewards favor quarterbacks who score multiple touchdowns per game, potentially disadvantaging consistent yardage-based quarterbacks. They highlighted the need to prioritize QBs with high touchdown potentials in such scoring settings.

4. Rookie Running Backs and Wide Receivers with High Value

Listener FFManderson sought opinions on rookie players with the most value and usage based on their teams' offensive strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [22:15]: "My two favorite running backs as far as value would be CJ Prosise and Kenneth Dixon."
• Jason Moore [23:04]: "I think Jeremy Langford is the guy... He didn't put up great efficiency numbers, but he still had a ton of fantasy points."

Andy and Jason identified CJ Prosise and Kenneth Dixon as promising running backs due to their roles in their respective offenses. They also discussed wide receivers like Josh Dockson and Will Fuller, assessing their potential based on team dynamics and offensive schemes.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore [25:14]: "I think they're going to put him [Will Fuller] in a niche role with a few deep shots."
• Andy Holloway [25:26]: "Josh Dockson is a value rookie to watch in Washington's high-powered offense."

5. Handling League Dynamics and Draft Participation

A listener named Seth 280 sought advice on addressing a league mate's consistent absence from drafts without damaging their friendship.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [20:24]: "Numbers. You don't hurt somebody's feelings as much if it's kind of a group decision."
• Jason Moore [21:14]: "If before the draft you say you have to be at the draft from here on out or you can't be in the league."

The hosts recommended a collective approach to enforcing draft attendance rules, suggesting league votes and pre-established guidelines to maintain league integrity while preserving personal relationships.

6. Potential Breakouts and Busts

Listener at STLP333 asked about players who might either exceed expectations (breakouts) or underperform (busts) in the upcoming season.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [30:24]: "A player that you may potentially regret drafting is Sammy Watkins."
• Jason Moore [31:03]: "My quarterback bust is Ben Roethlisberger because he's going ahead of guys that are definitely going to outscore him."

The hosts identified key players to monitor, such as Matt Forte as a running back bust due to overvaluation and Ben Roethlisberger as a quarterback with declining performance. Conversely, they highlighted Tyler Lockett and Jameis Winston as potential breakouts due to their roles and team dynamics.

7. Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead

In concluding the episode, the hosts teased upcoming shows, including a special episode featuring Brandon Marion Lee from Pro Football Focus. They encouraged listeners to engage through their website and social media channels for the latest updates and insights.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [45:35]: "We've got a good show for you on Thursday... Brandon Marion Lee from Pro Football Focus."
• Jason Moore [46:12]: "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter the FFBUK dollars."

The episode wrapped up with playful banter about their personal lives and the upcoming "Game of Thrones" finale, maintaining the hosts' characteristic blend of professionalism and camaraderie.

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offered a dynamic mix of celebratory moments, in-depth fantasy football analysis, and interactive listener engagement. From winning prestigious podcast awards to dissecting player performances and addressing audience queries, the hosts provided valuable insights tailored to both seasoned fantasy managers and newcomers alike. Their commitment to delivering astute analysis and fostering a supportive community underscores why the Fantasy Footballers remain a favorite among fantasy enthusiasts.