Fantasy Football Podcast Summary

Podcast: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - The TRUTH About Fantasy TE's in 2015, News, Review-a-Saurus
Release Date: January 14, 2016
Hosts: Andy Holloway and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction and Show Overview

The episode begins with Andy Holloway and Mike Wright welcoming listeners to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Jason Moore is notably absent, leading to some light-hearted banter between Andy and Mike about dancing antics and upcoming personal events, such as Mike's NFL game predictions and personal jersey choices.

Notable Quote:

• Mike Wright [02:02]: "In horrible irony, my wife's parents get into town from Wisconsin and they just happen to be the world's biggest Packer fans and we just happen to be playing each other when they come into town."

2. Listener Feedback and Reviews

The hosts take a moment to appreciate listener reviews, highlighting feedback from Joe P., who praises the podcast for its insightful advice and entertaining banter. They humorously discuss Joe's mention of "handsome fancy beard oil," adding a personal touch to the interaction.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [03:01]: "This is a man of wisdom. This is a man who knows what he's talking about."

3. News Segment

a. Franchise Moves: Chargers to Los Angeles Andy and Mike delve into the potential relocation of the Los Angeles Rams and the uncertainty surrounding the Chargers' future. They discuss the contractual oversights that allowed the Rams to demand their return and the Chargers' limited timeframe to decide on moving to LA.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [05:08]: "They didn't do the official term and I'm not super keen and hip to legalese."
• Mike Wright [06:18]: "They would share a stadium then? If the Chargers decline that option, the NFL will subsidize with some cash."

b. Steelers Injury Updates The conversation shifts to the Pittsburgh Steelers, focusing on key player injuries. D'Angelo Williams is unlikely to play, Antonio Brown is in concussion protocol, and Ben Roethlisberger suffers torn ligaments in his throwing shoulder. The hosts express concern over these injuries affecting Mike’s ability to co-host next week.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [07:20]: "If you recall before last week's game, the Steelers were very tight lipped, very secretive about an ankle injury to D'Angelo Williams."

c. Helmet Safety Technology Mike introduces new helmet technology aimed at reducing concussions, highlighting a $10 million investment with partial funding from the NFL. He critiques the NFL's allocation of funds, suggesting more should be invested in player safety rather than stadiums.

Notable Quote:

• Mike Wright [09:14]: "These helmets were crazy because it showed a side by side comparison of them, almost like crash testing."

d. Other NFL News Additional updates include DeVonte Adams' MCL sprain, doubts about Coach Hugh Jackson's potential role with the San Francisco 49ers, and ongoing discussions about team stability and coaching changes.

4. Weekend Game Predictions

Andy and Mike share their predictions for upcoming NFL matchups:

NFC Picks:

• Andy: Seattle Seahawks over Carolina Panthers ([12:07])
• Mike: Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals ([12:31])

AFC Picks:

• Andy: Denver Broncos over Pittsburgh Steelers ([12:34])
• Mike: New England Patriots over Kansas City Chiefs ([12:43])

They engage in a friendly debate about choosing between the Chiefs and Patriots, with Andy favoring the Chiefs due to concerns over Tom Brady's health and the Patriots' recent performance.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [12:53]: "They are as hot as you can possibly get as a team."
• Mike Wright [13:46]: "I got Denver and I got New England."

5. Main Discussion: The Truth About Fantasy Tight Ends

The core of the podcast centers around an in-depth analysis of the top 12 fantasy tight ends from the 2015 season, evaluating their performance, consistency, and future potential.

a. Rob Gronkowski - The Number One TE Rob Gronkowski is lauded as the premier tight end, praised for his consistency and high performance. Despite injury concerns, his ability to dominate week after week makes him a valuable first-round pick in fantasy drafts.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [16:10]: "Gronk represents everything that you could possibly want at the highest level of guarantee."
• Andy Holloway [18:17]: "Gronk is locked and loaded. Every single week you put him out there."

b. Gary Barnage - A Solid Second Choice Gary Barnage is highlighted for his impressive target numbers and consistency, rivaling Gronkowski. The discussion touches on his growth and the influence of the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation on his performance.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [19:10]: "You can throw those out pretty much so from a consistency standpoint, he was as consistent as Rob Gronkowski."
• Mike Wright [20:52]: "If you had to choose one of those two, would you rather have Gronk or Gary Barnage?"

c. Jordan Reed - A Rising Star Jordan Reed is commended for his consistent performance and high target volume, positioning him as a strong fourth to fifth-round draft pick. His potential for future growth is discussed, though concerns about his injury history are noted.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [24:14]: "Jordan Reed is a beast in half point or full point PPR leagues."
• Mike Wright [24:14]: "He has more momentum than anybody heading into the draft next year."

d. Greg Olson - The Consistent Veteran Greg Olson is recognized for his reliable production, making him a valuable asset despite not being a flashy pick. His stability within the team structure and ability to avoid being sidelined make him an attractive option for fantasy managers.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [28:51]: "He has a very cool name, and he's reliable."
• Mike Wright [28:54]: "He's putting up good performances, top 10 performances every once in a while."

e. Delanie Walker - Late-Round Value Delanie Walker is identified as a late-round gem, offering high target numbers and significant opportunities despite a slightly reduced role in the latter part of the season. His chemistry with the quarterback and potential for increased involvement make him a worthwhile pick in the later rounds.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [31:28]: "He's shaping up to be one of those great late-round guys."
• Mike Wright [32:00]: "He's the only tight end who never once finished outside the top 20."

f. Tyler Eifert - High Risk, High Reward Tyler Eifert's performance is scrutinized due to his touchdown dependency and inconsistent week-to-week production. While his high target numbers are appealing, the variability in his scoring makes him a riskier pick compared to more consistent tight ends.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [35:04]: "Tyler Ifert is not going to be on any of my teams because Ifert's name got big this year."
• Andy Holloway [36:41]: "If you had to choose between Ifert or Barnage, Ifert will go before Barnage."

g. Travis Kelsey and Benjamin Watson - Veteran Options Travis Kelsey and Benjamin Watson are discussed as solid backup options. Kelsey's performance didn't meet expectations, while Watson, despite his age, proved reliable. Both are suggested to be drafted in the later rounds or picked up from waivers, depending on team needs.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [39:52]: "If they don't make a move for a tight end in New Orleans, give me Ben Watson."
• Mike Wright [38:54]: "Julius Thomas over Antonio Gates because he had five top 10 performances."

h. Lower-Pack Tight Ends - Julius Thomas, Eric Ebron, and Others The hosts briefly touch on other tight ends like Julius Thomas and Eric Ebron, highlighting their potential upside and better consistency compared to veterans like Antonio Gates and Jason Whitten. These players are recommended over others for their balance of talent and reliability.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [48:16]: "I would take Julius Thomas over Antonio. He had five top 10 performances."
• Andy Holloway [49:35]: "All of those players over Richard Rogers next year."

6. Additional Tight End Discussions

Towards the end, Andy and Mike explore miscellaneous tight end prospects, including Zach Miller, Jimmy Graham, Ladarius Green, Crockett Gilmore, and Rob Hausler. They provide quick evaluations, often expressing skepticism about certain players' reliability and potential contributions to fantasy teams.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright [50:30]: "No way for Jimmy Graham."
• Andy Holloway [53:38]: "I was able to handle the truth."

7. Conclusion and Sign-Off

The episode wraps up with playful exchanges about handling truth and jokes about prostate health, maintaining the show’s light-hearted tone. Andy and Mike remind listeners to visit their website and follow them on Twitter for more content.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway [53:55]: "Thank you for listening to another edition of the Fantasy Fantasy Footballers Podcast."

Key Takeaways:

• Rob Gronkowski remains the top fantasy tight end due to his unparalleled consistency and high performance.
• Gary Barnage and Jordan Reed are solid choices for fantasy managers, offering reliability and substantial target volumes.
• Greg Olson and Delanie Walker provide valuable late-round options with consistent production.
• Tyler Eifert presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario, making him a less favorable pick compared to more dependable tight ends.
• Veterans like Travis Kelsey and Benjamin Watson are viable backup options, while players like Jimmy Graham and Richard Rodgers are generally not recommended.
• The potential relocation of the Rams and Chargers to Los Angeles introduces uncertainty for fantasy managers with players on those teams.
• Injury updates, particularly concerning key Steelers players and helmet safety advancements, are crucial for managing fantasy rosters effectively.

This episode provides comprehensive insights into the tight end position, helping fantasy football enthusiasts make informed decisions for the upcoming season.