Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode: "Pump the Brakes, Wk 17 Playoff / Keeper Mailbag"
Release Date: December 28, 2016
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction and New Year Resolutions (00:00 - 03:05)

The episode kicks off with the hosts greeting each other warmly, setting a positive and motivational tone. Andy Holloway introduces the upcoming New Year plans, hinting at new segments such as "The Truth About Fantasy Running Backs and Tight Ends" and "Footy Awards." The trio shares their excitement about crafting New Year's resolutions tailored for fantasy football, aiming to apply lessons learned from the previous season to enhance their strategies in 2017.

Notable Quote:

Andy Holloway (00:58): "Positive, positive, positive."

2. Announcing the Playoff Bracket Challenge (01:42 - 02:18)

The hosts announce a friendly competition among themselves: a playoff bracket challenge for Week 17 and the Super Bowl. Andy humorously stakes the bet by threatening to choose lunches for the losers if he wins, adding a light-hearted competitive edge to the discussion.

Notable Quote:

Mike Wright (02:05): "So if I win, I get to choose both of your lunches for a week."

3. Overview of the Show's Agenda (03:05 - 04:00)

Andy outlines the main segments for the episode, including the "Pump the Brakes" segment sponsored by O'Reilly Auto Parts, news articles from their website, and the mailbag segment featuring listener questions about playoffs, dynasty, and keeper leagues. The hosts express excitement for the final show before the playoffs begin, despite the absence of a Thursday night game that season.

Notable Quote:

Andy Holloway (03:55): "How are you doing, Jason?"

4. Pump the Brakes with O'Reilly Auto Parts (04:19 - 09:43)

In this segment, the hosts discuss players they recommend "pumping the brakes" on for Week 17, meaning they suggest benching or avoiding these players due to unfavorable matchups or declining performance.

• Tyrod Taylor & E.J. Manuel: Mike initially supports Tyrod Taylor but acknowledges the late decision to start E.J. Manuel, emphasizing the unpredictability of such choices.

  Notable Quote:

  Mike Wright (04:49): "In my heart, yeah."

• Denver Wide Receivers: Andy advises against starting Denver's wide receivers, citing poor performances from players like Emmanuel Sanders and potential quarterback instability with Paxton Lynch.

  Notable Quote:

  Andy Holloway (05:00): "So that you're safe."

• Melvin Gordon: Jason and Andy express skepticism about Gordon's future performance, predicting he won't maintain his earlier season's momentum due to team dynamics and workload management.

  Notable Quote:

  Jason Moore (08:54): "But here's what I'm actually saying is that Melvin Gordon next year is going to be looked at as, you know, one of those top five, six, seven runs."

5. News and Notes (09:43 - 18:16)

The hosts delve into recent news impacting fantasy football:

• Jordan Reed and Buffalo Bills Coaching Changes: Andy and Jason discuss the firing of Rex and Rob Ryan, speculating on the implications for players like Sammy Watkins. Jason remains cautiously optimistic about Watkins' future under a new, potentially offense-focused coaching regime.

  Notable Quote:

  Jason Moore (10:08): "This is Washington. They have to win. This is a, you lose, you go home."

• Player Status Updates: Updates on players like Cameron Brate (on IR), Melvin Gordon (game-time decision), Ryan Fitzpatrick, and E.J. Manuel are provided, with Mike sharing insights on Antonio Brown's potential limited playtime.

  Notable Quote:

  Mike Wright (14:32): "Big Ben has come out and said he does not want to play. He wants to rest up."

• Team Motivation Analysis: Utilizing Matt Camp's chart, Andy breaks down the motivation levels of various teams for Week 17, explaining how motivation affects player performance and fantasy decisions.

  Notable Quote:

  Andy Holloway (15:59): "Washington's obviously motivated."

6. David Johnson Themed Game (18:01 - 21:00)

The hosts engage in a fun, interactive segment comparing receptions of various players to David Johnson’s impressive 77 receptions. They debate whether specific wide receivers will surpass or fall short of Johnson's mark, enhancing their analytical approach to player performance metrics.

Notable Quote:

Mike Wright (18:12): "David Johnson has double the points of the running back."

7. Mailbag Q&A (24:00 - 49:19)

Listeners submit questions covering a range of fantasy football topics. The hosts provide thoughtful answers, blending strategic advice with their characteristic humor.

• Stat Corrections: Armand from Glendale asks about holding out for potential stat corrections affecting his score. The hosts advise that holding out is worthwhile if under a point threshold.

  Notable Quote:

  Jason Moore (25:12): "Usually when guys are stat corrected it's worth a point."

• Roster Decisions: JBush21 seeks advice on starting players in a PPR league. The hosts analyze the merits of players like Mike Wallace, Dixon Stewart, and others, emphasizing the importance of receptions in PPR formats.

  Notable Quote:

  Andy Holloway (26:22): "I'm locking. I'm going to go ahead and lock the Crow in there after last week's."

• Keeper League Strategies: James from Pennsylvania inquires about selecting keepers, specifically deciding between Andrew Luck, Doug Martin, Eddie Lacy, and Kenneth Dixon. The hosts discuss the pros and cons of each, ultimately favoring quarterbacks like Luck and reliable running backs like Dixon.

  Notable Quote:

  Jason Moore (35:52): "I think Adams seems to be the safest of the three picks."

• Overrated and Underrated Players: Jake from Washington asks which players will be overrated in early drafts and which will be underrated, prompting discussions about players like Melvin Gordon and Alan Robinson.

  Notable Quote:

  Andy Holloway (44:13): "I think you can double down. Who are you going with?"

• Additional Questions: Questions about selecting between players like Ertz or Alshon, and points per carry versus points per reception, are addressed with strategic insights.

  Notable Quote:

  Jason Moore (48:57): "It's just about balance."

8. Sponsored Segments and Announcements (21:00 - 50:15)

Throughout the episode, the hosts intermittently discuss their sponsors, including pristineauction.com and Five4Club, providing promotional information and discount codes for listeners. These segments are seamlessly integrated without detracting from the main content.

Notable Quotes:

Andy Holloway (22:00): "Let them know that the Secret of Nim..."

Mike Wright (22:34): "They are padding your wardrobe with quality gear."

9. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Highlights (49:19 - End)

As the episode nears its conclusion, Andy teases future discussions, including matchups and mentions of key players like Steve Smith. The hosts encourage listeners to join their community, engage on social media, and utilize their resources for the upcoming fantasy football season.

Notable Quote:

Jason Moore (50:15): "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast."

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Player Management: Emphasis on strategic decisions for Week 17, including when to "pump the brakes" on underperforming or high-risk players.

• Impact of Coaching Changes: Analysis of how coaching dynamics, particularly in the Buffalo Bills, can influence player performance and fantasy value.

• Keeper and Dynasty Strategies: Insightful advice on selecting keepers in various league formats, balancing star power with reliability.

• Balance in Scoring Systems: Discussion on the importance of balancing points per reception and points per carry to maintain competitive fairness in leagues.

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a comprehensive blend of strategic analysis, listener interaction, and engaging discussions, providing invaluable insights for fantasy football enthusiasts preparing for the final stretch of the season and beyond.