Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2016 - October 19: Pump the Brakes, Mid-Season Game, TNF, News, Mailbag

In this engaging mid-season episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into crucial fantasy football strategies, provide insightful news updates, and entertain listeners with interactive segments. Released on October 19, 2016, this episode is a treasure trove for fantasy enthusiasts aiming to refine their teams as the season progresses.

1. Pump the Brakes Segment (04:11)

Sponsored by O'Reilly Auto Parts, the hosts introduce their inaugural "Pump the Brakes" segment, emphasizing the importance of not overreacting to immediate fantasy temptations.

• Matt Forte Warning:

  • Andy Holloway (06:19): "Pump the brakes and it's a full stop on Matt Forte as a RB1 or RB2."
  • Discussion centers on Forte's declining performance over recent weeks, highlighting his reduced carry count and fantasy points.

• Denver Passing Attack:

  • Mike Wright (05:53): "Look, I'm pumping the brakes on the Denver passing attack this week..."
  • Insight into Trevor Siemian's inconsistent performance against Houston's solid pass defense.

• Antonio Brown Consideration:

  • Jason Moore (07:19): "Definitely not holding Big Ben for the next four to six weeks taking up a bench."
  • Analysis of Antonio Brown's potential decline due to Big Ben Roethlisberger's injuries impacting the Pittsburgh offense.

2. News and Notes (09:12)

The trio provides timely updates on player injuries, team dynamics, and their implications for fantasy managers.

• Ben Roethlisberger's Injury:

  • Jason Moore (09:33): "This is not good for any of the fantasy pass catchers in Pittsburgh."
  • Big Ben Roethlisberger could miss 4-6 weeks post-surgery, raising concerns for Antonio Brown's availability and performance.

• Carolina Panthers' Running Back Situation:

  • Andy Holloway (12:16): "Packers expect Eddie Lacy to miss several weeks..."
  • Exploration of the Packers' options with their running back roster, including potential impacts on David Johnson and Nile Davis.

• DeAndre Hopkins Status:

  • Mike Wright (11:31): "DeAndre Hopkins is not, he's not 6'5 Mike Evans."
  • Discussion on DeAndre Hopkins' potential regression and his value in fantasy leagues.

3. Interactive Game: Top 10 Targeted Wide Receivers with Zero Touchdowns (18:52)

Mike Wright introduces a game challenging the hosts to identify top wide receivers who have high target counts but lack touchdown production.

• Key Players Identified:

  • Mike Wright (19:17): "Jarvis Landry is number 10. He has 57 targets on the year."
  • Jason Moore (20:01): "Demarius Thomas is averaging 0.1 points more than Cole."
  • Andy Holloway (21:31): "John Brown and Alshon Jeffrey have not scored this season despite high target volumes."

• Notable Quotes:

  • Mike Wright (20:11): "Among the top 25 most targeted wide receivers, there are two that have zero touchdowns on the season."

• Insights:

  • Emphasis on potential positive regression for players like Jarvis Landry and Amari Cooper, suggesting increased touchdown opportunities in upcoming weeks.

4. "I Got a Case of the Bezels" Segment (21:45)

A comparative analysis where the hosts evaluate whether certain players are outperforming or underperforming compared to Cole Beasley.

• Player Comparisons:

  • Mike Wright (22:07): "Alan Robinson is scoring less points per game than Cole Beasley."
  • Jason Moore (24:06): Disagreement on Brandon Marshall's performance relative to Beasley.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Mike Wright (24:15): "Alshon Jeffrey is number 24 with 44 targets. I think over the course of the season, there has to be some positive regression coming for these two guys."

• Takeaways:

  • Encouragement to monitor players like DeAndre Hopkins and Alshon Jeffrey for potential improvements in touchdown production.

5. Preview of Thursday Night Football: Bears vs. Packers (36:18)

A detailed analysis of the upcoming matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

• Packers' Depleted Roster:

  • Mike Wright (36:37): "Mike McCarthy has said that Demarius Randall and Quentin Rollins will be hard pressed to play Thursday night."

• Fantasy Implications:

  • Andy Holloway (38:13): "The Packers are ranked number one in the league against fantasy for points given up to fantasy wide receivers."

• Predictions:

  • Jason Moore (33:02): "Bay is going to win by nine."
  • Mike Wright (40:04): Contrarily, he believes the Bears' defense could surprise and be a solid fantasy play.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Mike Wright (40:07): "The Bears are a sneaky DST play this week with the Green Bay Packers."

6. Mailbag Segment (42:22)

Listener questions are addressed, providing personalized advice to fantasy managers.

• Big Ben Roethlisberger Worth:

  • Question from Andy in Toronto: "Is Big Ben Worth stashing at all?"
  • Hosts' Response: Consensus is that Big Ben is not worth holding onto given his upcoming injury return timeline.

• Lamar Miller vs. Denver Matchup:

  • Question from Michael in Conway, Arkansas: "Is it okay to flex Miller this week versus Denver?"
  • Jason Moore (43:25): "He's an okay flex. My expectations aren't high for him either."

• Edelman vs. Dez Trade:

  • Question from Matt in Milwaukee: "Would you trade Edelman away for DEZ in a half point PPR league?"
  • Andy Holloway (45:28): "I say no, I would not do that."
  • Mike Wright (46:22): "I'm going to go Edelman, half point."

• Frank Gore and Mike Wallace for David Johnson Trade:

  • Question from Jeremy in Alabama: Concerns about trade fairness.
  • Hosts' Discussion: Emphasis on evaluating trades based on league rules and preventing collusion.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Jason Moore (43:37): "I'm madly in love with Lamar Miller."
  • Mike Wright (44:48): "I am playing him over Drew Brees this week."

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (49:45)

The hosts wrap up the episode by thanking sponsors and listeners, emphasizing community engagement and encouraging reviews and subscriptions.

• Sponsor Mentions:

  • Five4Club and Pristine Auction are acknowledged for their support, with brief promotions highlighting their offerings.

• Closing Remarks:

  • Andy Holloway (49:55): "Hope you enjoyed the show, the game, the segments, the fun."
  • Encouragement to join their fantasy football community at joinhefoot.com and follow on Twitter.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Decisions: Emphasis on patience with players like Matt Forte and strategic flexing with running backs such as Lamar Miller.
• Player Monitoring: Close attention to injury reports and performance trends, particularly with star players whose availability significantly impacts fantasy outcomes.
• Interactive Engagement: The podcast fosters a community by addressing listener questions and incorporating interactive games to enhance listener involvement.
• Seasonal Adjustments: As the season progresses, the hosts advocate for proactive yet calculated adjustments to maximize fantasy success.

This episode serves as an essential guide for fantasy football managers navigating the complexities of the mid-season landscape, offering expert analysis, actionable advice, and a touch of humor to keep the competitive spirit alive.