Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode: Values & Injury Review, News, Mailbag

Release Date: March 17, 2016
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Podcast Title: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast

1. Introduction

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright dive deep into the intricacies of player injuries from the previous NFL season. The discussion centers around how these injuries impact player value, recovery prospects, and strategies for the upcoming fantasy draft. Additionally, the team covers the latest news and answers listener questions in their popular mailbag segment.

2. Quick Opinions on Players

The episode kicks off with a lively debate about players who are undervalued despite their popularity.

• Andy Holloway expresses skepticism about C.J. Anderson, stating:

  "I'm down on him because I do not believe he is an elite player and will ever show that again."
  (03:30)

• Jason Moore aligns with Andy, highlighting Anderson's mixed feelings about rejoining Denver:

  "He wasn't excited. He was kind of sad when Denver matched the offer because he felt disrespected."
  (05:01)

• Mike Wright counters by praising Anderson’s performance metrics:

  "C.J. Anderson... from week eight on to the end of the season, 85 carries, 540 yards, five touchdowns. That's 6.3 yards per carry."
  (06:01)

• Jason Moore also shares his doubts about Jeremy Langford:

  "He had a 2.7 yards per carry that was the lowest in the NFL for running backs with 50 or more attempts."
  (07:23)

Summary: Andy and Jason express concerns about Anderson and Langford's fantasy value, while Mike provides supportive statistics for Anderson’s performance.

3. News and Notes

The hosts transition to updating listeners on recent NFL developments that affect fantasy decisions.

• C.J. Anderson Re-signs with Denver Broncos:

  • Anderson agreed to a four-year, $18 million contract, rejecting Miami's offer.
  • Andy remarks:

    "He has been paid to be that starting running back."
    (11:15)

• Mike Wallace Joins Baltimore Ravens:

  • Wallace secures a two-year, $11.5 million deal.
  • Jason criticizes Wallace’s comments about former QB Teddy Bridgewater:

    "He's just saying I want to go to a place where I can trust the quarterback."
    (12:16)

• Zach Miller Re-signed by the Bears:

  • Miller signs a two-year, $6 million contract.
  • Andy notes Miller’s limited demand due to past injuries:

    "He was very headstrong and staunch that he was gonna get 5 million a year."
    (13:05)

• Kimbrell Tompkins Signing:

  • The Jets sign WR Kimbrell Tompkins to a one-year deal, deemed "mediocre" by Andy.
  • Andy says:

    "We forgot there was an end to that. Kimbrell Tompkins has been signed to a one-year deal."
    (13:31)

4. Injury Reviews and Player Analysis

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing players who were injured last season, evaluating their recovery status, and predicting their impact on fantasy leagues.

Andrew Luck and Keenan Allen

• Andrew Luck suffered a type A lacerated kidney but is now fully recovered.
• Keenan Allen is healthy and expected to continue his strong performance.

  "Type A lacerated kidney is not a recurring injury. Both these guys are completely ready to hit the season."
  (16:58)

Jamal Charles and Dion Lewis

• Jamal Charles is recovering from a torn ACL, with expectations of a solid comeback.
• Dion Lewis also faced an ACL tear, raising concerns about his immediate impact.

  "Jamal Charles has already done it once. So I think you have to put your side you're betting on."
  (31:43)

Kelvin Benjamin

• Kelvin Benjamin returns to the Carolina Panthers after an ACL injury.

  "Kelvin's yards after catch were non-existent. I just don’t see a monster season for Kelvin."
  (24:38)

Le'Veon Bell

• Le'Veon Bell is coming back from an MCL/PCL injury and remains a top draft pick despite uncertainties.

  "Le'Veon Bell is at the top of a lot of people's draft boards. He's on the top of mine."
  (42:37)

Thomas Rawls and Arian Foster

• Thomas Rawls is recovering from a fractured ankle, with potential competition for his role in Seattle.
• Arian Foster is dealing with an Achilles injury, leading to doubts about his return to form.

  "Arian Foster can't carry the load. He's not carrying it in Houston anymore."
  (46:45)

Carlos Hyde

• Carlos Hyde is healing from a stress fracture and shows promising signs in workouts.

  "Carlos Hyde, stress fracture in the foot, started strong... I love Hyde moving forward."
  (48:50)

Summary: The hosts meticulously review each player's injury status and potential fantasy impact, offering insights into their readiness and expected performance.

5. Mailbag

In the mailbag segment, listeners submit their fantasy dilemmas, and the hosts provide tailored advice.

Keeper Decisions

• Will from Brooklyn seeks advice on which players to keep in a 14-team standard league.
  • Andy recommends keeping Julian Edelman in the 12th round.

    "I take Edelman in the 12th."
    (54:28)

  • Jason suggests choosing between Edelman and Devonta Freeman, leaning towards Freeman in standard leagues.

Dynasty League Dilemmas

• Caller from Jacksonville asks about dropping Calvin Johnson versus keeping other players like D'Angelo Williams, Lamar Miller, or Jericho McKinnon.
  • Andy advises dropping Johnson due to his retirement:

    "I think you drop Calvin Johnson, let him go."
    (57:29)

  • Jason concurs, emphasizing Johnson’s low chance of return.

0 RB Strategy

• Listener contemplates transitioning to a 0 RB strategy due to uncertainties in the running back pool.
  • Andy and Jason discuss potential sleeper running backs to draft in later rounds, highlighting names like Latavius Murray, Jonathan Stewart, and Justin Forsett.
  • Mike emphasizes leveraging the draft to find value in later rounds, suggesting options like Bilal Powell and Duke Johnson.

Summary: The mailbag segment offers practical solutions for keeper leagues, roster management, and strategic drafting, reinforcing the hosts' expertise in navigating common fantasy challenges.

6. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to support the podcast by subscribing, leaving reviews, and joining their exclusive community on JoinTheFoot.com. They highlight upcoming live streams and additional content available to members, ensuring fans stay engaged and well-informed throughout the fantasy football season.

Notable Quotes

• Andy Holloway on C.J. Anderson:

  "I am down on C.J. Anderson compared to everybody else."
  (04:47)

• Mike Wright on Jeremy Langford:

  "He had a 2.7 yards per carry that was the lowest in the NFL for running backs."
  (07:23)

• Jason Moore on Jamal Charles:

  "I am betting on Jamal Charles this year."
  (31:43)

• Jason Moore on 0 RB Strategy:

  "If you go 0 RB and you’ve got Antonio Brown and... Keenan Allen and Jordan Reed."
  (60:51)

Key Takeaways

• Injury Analysis is Crucial: Understanding player health trends is essential for making informed fantasy draft decisions.

• Player Value Shifts: Injuries can significantly alter a player's perceived value, necessitating strategic adjustments in drafting and roster management.

• Strategic Keeper Decisions: Selecting which players to keep hinges on their recovery prospects and future potential, balancing risk and reward.

• 0 RB Strategy Viability: While unconventional, a 0 RB strategy can be effective if supplemented with reliable wide receivers and sleeper running backs.

This episode serves as an invaluable resource for fantasy football managers, offering deep dives into player health, value assessments, and strategic advice to enhance draft success and overall team performance.