Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2016 - Rising Stars, Preseason Takeaways, News, Injuries
Release Date: August 29, 2016

Introduction

In this August 29, 2016 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway and Jason Moore delve into the latest happenings in the fantasy football landscape. With preseason games in full swing, the duo provides listeners with insightful analysis on rising stars, key takeaways from recent games, and updates on player news and injuries. Although co-host Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright is absent for this episode, the discussion remains robust and informative.

Waiver Wire Systems Debate

Timestamp: [02:06] - [05:10]

The podcast opens with a listener question from Twitter user @LC Kimball regarding waiver wire systems. The league in question is split between adopting a FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) bidding system and a worst-team-first waiver priority.

• FAAB Support:

  • Jason Moore champions the FAAB system, emphasizing that the initial weeks of the fantasy season often present the best waiver wire opportunities. He argues that allowing all teams to bid based on their needs and available budget ensures a fairer and more strategic approach.
  • Andy Holloway echoes this sentiment, highlighting the excitement and strategic depth FAAB adds to the waiver process. He believes it maintains engagement throughout the season, enhancing competitiveness even into the playoff weeks.

• Worst-Team-First Argument:

  • While acknowledging the reasoning behind giving priority to struggling teams, both hosts converge on the belief that FAAB offers a more balanced and dynamic system.

Notable Quote:

Andy Holloway [04:15]: "I think it's more exciting. It adds another layer of strategy to the entire season-long process."

Rising Stars Segment

Timestamp: [16:44] - [22:36]

This segment spotlights two emerging players who could significantly impact fantasy leagues:

1. Desean Jackson (Rising Star Selection by Jason Moore):

   • Performance: Demonstrated elite speed and versatility in preseason games, making him a consistent target and threat on the field.
   • Draft Value: Currently available in the eighth round, Jackson presents exceptional value given his potential to finish as a top-tier wide receiver.

   Notable Quote:

   Jason Moore [17:24]: "He’s in the eighth round. That’s silly."

2. Melvin Gordon (Rising Star Selection by Andy Holloway):

   • Performance: Showed improved agility and ability to find open lanes, coupled with his prowess in the receiving game.
   • Fantasy Impact: Expected to be a focal point in his team’s backfield, potentially performing as a dual-threat back, enhancing his fantasy value.

   Notable Quote:

   Andy Holloway [21:43]: "He’s got the touchdown monkey off his back for the preseason."

Weekly Rewind: Preseason Game Takeaways

Timestamp: [22:36] - [65:13]

Andy and Jason provide a comprehensive review of several preseason games, extracting key takeaways relevant to fantasy football managers.

1. New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers:

   • Patriots:

     • Chris Hogan’s Involvement: Despite Tom Brady’s suspension and minor injuries, Chris Hogan remained integral to the offense, receiving consistent targets.
     • Tyler Gaffney: Displays reliability and versatility, making him a valuable tight end option.

   • Panthers:

     • Cam Newton’s Performance: Showed signs of inconsistency compared to his stellar 2014 season, raising concerns about his repeat performance.

   Notable Quote:

   Jason Moore [07:06]: "Blunt and Gaffney both make this roster and I think they split."
   Andy Holloway [07:00]: "It feels better than Tony Romo feels."

2. Baltimore Ravens:

   • Injuries:
     • Ben Watson: Tore his Achilles, sidelining him indefinitely.
     • Kenneth Dixon: Torn MCL, expected to miss four weeks.
   • Fantasy Impact: These injuries disrupt the Ravens' backfield depth, impacting players like DeAndre Washington and Duke Johnson.

   Notable Quote:

   Andy Holloway [09:49]: "This is a beautiful disaster in the sense that, like you saw some flashes of good things, but from too many different guys to have any semblance of security."

3. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints:

   • Steelers:

     • Big Ben Roethlisberger: Displayed efficiency with two touchdowns.
     • Jesse James: Emerged as a promising tight end option, combining physicality with receiving skills.

   • Saints:

     • Drew Brees and Mark Ingram: Brees showed potential for deep passing, while Ingram’s role in the backfield remains uncertain.

   Notable Quote:

   Jason Moore [32:25]: "Jesse James looked like Heath Miller with legs."

4. Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers:

   • Packers:

     • Aaron Rodgers' Struggles: Without Jordy Nelson, Rodgers faced challenges in finding open targets, similar to last year.
     • Jared Cook: Stood out as the primary tight end, vital for fantasy contributors.

   • 49ers:

     • Colin Kaepernick: Despite defensive dominance, Kaepernick’s performance was underwhelming, casting doubts on his fantasy reliability.

   Notable Quote:

   Jason Moore [36:43]: "Jared Cook is definitely the playing ahead of Reuben Randall."

5. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears:

   • Chiefs:

     • Offensive Scheme: Emphasis on a run-first approach with Alex Smith effectively managing the game.
     • Travis Kelce and Jeremy Maclin: Both emerge as reliable tight end and wide receiver options, respectively.

   • Bears:

     • Jay Cutler’s Performance: Underperformed, raising concerns about his fantasy ceiling.
     • Kevin White: Viewed as a project with potential upside in dynasty leagues.

   Notable Quote:

   Jason Moore [40:40]: "I probably still wouldn't be looking for him, but he will have his games."

6. New York Jets vs. New York Giants:

   • Jets:

     • Defensive Line Dominance: Exceptional performance by the Jets' defense, making them a key defensive unit for fantasy managers.

   • Giants:

     • Offensive Struggles: Limited effectiveness from Eli Manning and a sparse receiving corps impact their fantasy viability.

   Notable Quote:

   Jason Moore [51:16]: "Their offense didn't look good. Their defense looked amazing to me."

7. Tennessee Titans vs. Oakland Raiders:

   • Titans:

     • Melvin Gordon’s Role: Central to the Titans' offense with significant rushing opportunities.
     • Derek Henry: Potential to be a league-winner if he continues his strong preseason showing.

   • Raiders:

     • DeMarco Murray and DeAndre Washington: Both show promise, with Washington highlighted as a possible fantasy asset despite recent setbacks.

   Notable Quote:

   Andy Holloway [53:05]: "Does Derek Henry have a chance to be this year as David Johnson? That's the question."

8. Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals:

   • Texans:

     • Brock Osweiler: Impressively efficient in preseason, enhancing his value as a fantasy quarterback.
     • DeAndre Hopkins: Continues to establish himself as an elite wide receiver with multiple receiving threats.

   • Cardinals:

     • John Brown’s Role: Despite injury concerns, Brown remains a key asset for the Cardinals’ offense.
     • Will Fuller: Showcases deep threat potential, making him a valuable pick-up option.

   Notable Quote:

   Jason Moore [60:33]: "I am so excited for Lamar Miller this coming year."

9. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cincinnati Bengals:

   • Jaguars:

     • Jason Bernard and Tyler Hill: Both running backs exhibit significant potential, with Bernard showing great patience and efficiency.

   • Bengals:

     • Offensive Consistency: Mixed performances but show promise with emerging talent.

   Notable Quote:

   Jason Moore [63:04]: "They represent decent floors for where they're going and very high upside."

News and Injuries

Timestamp: [06:04] - [43:45]

Throughout the episode, hosts discuss various player injuries and their implications for fantasy football:

• Ben Watson (Baltimore Ravens): Tore his Achilles on the first play of the game, ruling him out indefinitely.

  Andy Holloway [10:00]: "He may never see a snap in Baltimore at this point."

• Kenneth Dixon (Baltimore Ravens): Torn MCL expected to sideline him for at least four weeks.

  Jason Moore [10:00]: "What in the world do you do with that backfield?"

• AJ Green (Cleveland Browns): Scored touchdowns but left the game limping, causing fantasy owners to reconsider drafting him.

  Jason Moore [11:07]: "I had AJ Green, fell us in the second round of a 10 team league."

• Josh Gordon (Cleveland Browns): Questions about his return to form after injuries, leading to uncertainty about his fantasy value.

  Andy Holloway [29:40]: "You're losing him for four weeks and then he has to return to form."

• Travis Simeon (Denver Broncos): Marked as the starter, potentially impacting the Raiders' fantasy receivers.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [65:13] - [66:24]

As the episode wraps up, Andy and Jason emphasize the importance of staying updated with preseason developments to make informed fantasy decisions. They also highlight upcoming segments, including "My Guys," where they feature players they believe will be indispensable fantasy assets. Additionally, listeners are encouraged to participate in giveaways and engage with the Fantasy Footballers community through their website and social media channels.

Notable Quote:

Andy Holloway [66:24]: "Thanks for tuning in. Hopefully Mike will be back tomorrow."

Key Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Adopt the FAAB System: Enhances strategic depth and maintains engagement throughout the season.
• Target Rising Stars: Players like Desean Jackson and Melvin Gordon offer significant upside at later draft rounds.
• Monitor Injuries: Stay vigilant about player health updates to adjust your roster proactively.
• Leverage Preseason Insights: Use the hosts' game takeaways to identify undervalued players and potential waiver wire gems.
• Engage with Community: Participate in forums and giveaways to stay connected and gain additional insights.

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