Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Episode "Waivers, Streams of the Week, Injury News" (September 13, 2016)

Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, the expert trio—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright—dive deep into the aftermath of the NFL's Week 1 games. They dissect player performances, analyze injury reports, recommend waiver wire pickups, and suggest streaming options to help fantasy managers navigate the early stages of the season effectively.

1. Week One Game Recaps and Fantasy Feedback

Timestamp: [02:00] – [05:54]

The episode kicks off with a critical analysis of the Los Angeles Rams' dismal performance. Andy Holloway humorously encapsulates the frustration:

Andy Holloway ([01:35]): "Roses are red, violets are blue. Neither of these teams has a shot at making the playoffs."

Jason Moore voices concerns over Jared Goff’s lackluster showing:

Jason Moore ([03:33]): "This just proves how bad Jared Goff is. And people are like, what? He's not even playing. That's the point."

Despite the Rams' struggles, Andy offers a silver lining by highlighting an upcoming favorable matchup against the Seattle Seahawks:

Andy Holloway ([02:56]): "The good news is for Rams fans, they have the Seahawks next week."

The discussion then shifts to Todd Gurley's limited usage, with Jason advocating for holding or trading Gurley amidst the Rams' offensive woes:

Jason Moore ([05:54]): "At this time, sit on Gurley or, in my opinion, trade for Gurley if you can buy him at half the value because people are freaking out."

2. Injury News

Timestamp: [10:49] – [15:25]

The hosts provide a comprehensive update on key injuries impacting fantasy rosters:

• Zach Ertz (TE, Philadelphia Eagles): Likely out for multiple weeks due to a rib displacement.

• Robert Griffin III (QB, Cleveland Browns): Placed on short-term IR with a broken bone and non-throwing shoulder, expected to miss at least eight weeks.

• Demaryius Thomas (WR, Denver Broncos): Returning to practice but uncertain for the upcoming week.

Andy Holloway ([12:20]): "Pay close attention to Demarious Thomas this week. I do not think he is a guarantee to start this week. It’s 50/50 right now for me."

• Jamal Charles (RB, Kansas City Chiefs): Continuing to face uncertainty with potential for missing additional time.

Jason emphasizes the importance of maintaining Gurley’s value despite performance concerns:

Jason Moore ([06:08]): "No, no, no, no, no, no. [...] I think David Johnson is a three-down back."

3. Waiver Wire Picks: Wide Receivers

Timestamp: [17:37] – [26:28]

The trio identifies top wide receiver pickups to bolster fantasy teams:

• Jason’s Top Pick: Will Fuller (WR, Houston Texans)

  Jason Moore ([17:53]): "Will Fuller looked to be the real deal the way he was used. He is clearly the wide receiver, too, for a team that I expect to have a very good offense."

• Andy’s Top Pick: Tajie Sharp (WR, Tennessee Titans)

  Andy Holloway ([18:47]): "Tajie Sharp a lot. I think it was very clear that Sharp was the number one in Tennessee."

• Mike’s Recommendation: Chris Hogan (WR, New England Patriots)

  Mike Wright ([20:36]): "Chris Hogan is an extremely talented receiver. [...]"

Additional mentions include Eli Rogers and Mike Wallace for those looking to take a flyer on high-upside players.

4. Waiver Wire Picks: Running Backs

Timestamp: [26:33] – [30:00]

The discussion turns to running backs, highlighting potential pickups:

• Jason’s Top Pick: Tevin Coleman (RB, Atlanta Falcons)

  Jason Moore ([28:05]): "Tevin Coleman [...] If something happens to Freeman, he's a monster."

• Andy’s Top Pick: Theo Riddick (RB, Cleveland Browns)

  Andy Holloway ([27:36]): "Theo Riddick is the guy that I would prefer to have. [...]"

They debate the merits of Coleman’s high upside against Riddick’s immediate usability, advising managers to consider their team’s depth and needs.

5. Waiver Wire Picks: Tight Ends

Timestamp: [32:11] – [34:35]

For tight ends, the hosts recommend:

• Eric Ebron (TE, Tennessee Titans)

  Andy Holloway ([32:40]): "Eric Ebron [...] he’d be one of the top waiver pickups on my roster if I didn’t have a tight end."

• Jason’s Alternative: Kobe Fleener (TE)

  Jason Moore ([34:27]): "Kobe Fleener will probably be dropped in most leagues. [...]"

They caution against over-relying on volatility, suggesting Ebron as a more reliable option compared to high-upside but inconsistent players like Dwayne Allen.

6. Streaming Quarterbacks

Timestamp: [35:22] – [43:58]

The hosts explore streaming quarterback options based on Week 1 performances and upcoming matchups:

• Andy’s Favorite: Matt Ryan (QB, Atlanta Falcons)

  Andy Holloway ([38:30]): "Matt Ryan can do enough this week. He racks up production out of the backfield with Coleman and Freeman."

• Jason’s Favorites: Andy Dalton (QB, Cincinnati Bengals) and Jameis Winston (QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

  Jason Moore ([36:15]): "Jameis Winston looks good. [...]"

• Additional Streamers: Joe Flacco (QB, Baltimore Ravens) and Marcus Mariota (QB, Tennessee Titans)

Jason also touches on the complexities of Jameis Winston’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, urging caution despite his on-field weapons.

7. Defenses to Start

Timestamp: [37:22] – [38:08]

For defensive streaming, the top recommendation is:

• New York Jets Defense

  Jason Moore ([37:37]): "Sheldon Richardson is back from suspension. So I mean the jets would be my number one far and away."

Other defenses considered include the Philadelphia Eagles versus Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars versus San Diego Chargers, though these were deemed less favorable.

8. Additional Insights and Community Engagement

Timestamp: [09:57] – [10:35], [22:30] – [27:36], [34:06] – [35:23]

The hosts engage with their listener community, acknowledging contributions and promoting their online platforms:

Andy Holloway ([10:11]): "Join the Foot.com that's where our fantasy football community is. Extra episodes every week. We got giveaways."

They also integrate sponsor messages seamlessly, promoting the Draft app and Five4Club without detracting from the main content.

Notable Quotes

• Andy Holloway on Rams' Performance:

  “Roses are red, violets are blue. Neither of these teams has a shot at making the playoffs." ([01:35])

• Jason Moore on Todd Gurley:

  “At this time, sit on Gurley or, in my opinion, trade for Gurley if you can buy him at half the value because people are freaking out." ([05:54])

• Andy Holloway on Streaming Quarterbacks:

  “Matt Ryan can do enough this week. He racks up production out of the backfield with Coleman and Freeman." ([38:50])

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a thorough analysis of Week 1 performances, highlighting critical insights into player evaluations, injury impacts, and strategic roster moves. By providing clear recommendations and leveraging their extensive expertise, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright equip fantasy managers with the tools needed to navigate the early season challenges effectively. Their blend of humor, expertise, and community engagement makes the podcast an invaluable resource for fantasy football enthusiasts.

For more insights, exclusive content, and to join the Fantasy Footballers community, visit fantasyfootballers.com and follow them on Twitter @ffballers.