Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2016 - Week 9 Waivers, Streams of the Week, MNF Madness

Release Date: November 1, 2016

Introduction and Week 9 Overview

The Week 9 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast kicks off with the hosts—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright—diving into the latest developments in the fantasy football landscape. They discuss the unpredictability of player performances, the impact of injuries, and the strategic considerations teams must navigate during this pivotal week.

Key Discussions and Highlights

1. Player Performance and Analysis

• Jordan Howard's Inconsistent Play: Andy Holloway expresses frustration over Jordan Howard's fluctuating performance, noting, "Congratulations, no one played Jordan Howard. Here's the headline that I wanted to get out there..." (02:18). Despite Howard's talent and upside, his inconsistent usage under coach John Fox makes him a risky asset for fantasy owners.

• Alshon Jeffery's Touchdown Issues: Mike Wright highlights a critical moment where Alshon Jeffery was effectively neutralized by Jay Cutler, stating, "Alshon Jeffrey touchdown. ... Alshon Jeffries breaking deep doesn't even turn around and just gets pelted." (04:15). Jason Moore adds, "This is why after last week we recommended trading for Alshon Jeffrey..." (04:23), emphasizing the complexities of adding him to a fantasy roster.

2. Waiver Wire Strategy

The hosts delve into the intricacies of the waiver wire, emphasizing the importance of timely pickups and strategic drops to navigate injuries and bye weeks.

• Running Backs to Watch:

  • Jamal Charles: Andy Holloway underscores Charles as a top waiver wire target, especially given Spencer Ware's concussion. "He's the guy that's going to step into that role on an Andy Reid offense..." (24:26).

  • Char West: Jason Moore and Mike Wright discuss Char West's potential resurgence, highlighting his past performance and the strategic advantage of the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive scheme. Moore notes, "Char west can get it done... Andy Reid knows how to maximize running backs." (25:18).

  • Dion Lewis and Others: The trio also mentions Dion Lewis as a valuable pickup due to James White's lack of production, along with other potential running backs like Robert Kelly and Alfred Morris.

• Wide Receivers on Waivers:

  • Kendall Wright: Jason Moore praises Wright's efficiency, stating, "He has been a startable asset and I expect at the end of the year he's going to finish no lower than a wide receiver three." (35:24).

  • Devonte Adams: Adams is highlighted for his high target share and impressive performance, "He has been great for... he's got 12 catches on 14 targets." (35:59).

3. Streaming Strategies

With key quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, and others on bye, streaming becomes essential.

• Quarterback Options:

  • Colin Kaepernick: Andy recommends Kaepernick as a streaming quarterback, highlighting his mobility and potential upside. "Colin Kaepernick faces the New Orleans Saints... he has had 23 and 17 fantasy points in his two games." (46:56).

  • Sam Bradford ("Sammy Biscuits"): Jason Moore introduces Bradford as a viable option despite recent poor performances. "The last two weeks have left a very poor taste... but the previous few games when he was at home... he put up good fantasy games." (47:17).

  • Ryan Tannehill: Mike Wright suggests Tannehill against the Jets, emphasizing the Jets' struggling defense. "Ryan Tannehill at home against the New York Jets... The Jets are allowing the lowest yardage." (48:37).

• Defense Streaming:

  • Dallas Cowboys: Mike favors the Cowboys' defense against the Browns, mentioning their strong unit compared to other teams. "The Cowboys as a unit are much better than the Jets as an entire defense." (42:08).

  • Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers: The hosts discuss these defenses as potential streaming options based on upcoming matchups and defensive performances.

4. Tight End Considerations

Tight end streaming is crucial, especially with players like Rob Gronkowski on bye.

• Eric Ebron: Mike Wright names Ebron as a top tight end due to his involvement in the offense. "He is involved in the offense. If he's going to play, you can count on him for some decent yardage." (39:02).

• Cameron Brate: Jason Moore considers Brate a potential sleeper pick, especially with a favorable matchup against Atlanta. "He's got just a delightful matchup this week against Atlanta who is terrible against tight ends." (39:43).

5. Notable Player Updates

• J.J. Nelson ("Skeletor"): The Cardinals name J.J. Nelson as a starter, earning the nickname "Skeletor" from Ron Wolfley. "J.J. Nelson is the starter... he deserves that role." (15:00).

• Derek Henry: Despite low availability in leagues, Andy contends that Derek Henry should be picked up due to his potential. "Grab him for sure." (32:25).

Strategic Insights and Recommendations

• Managing Bye Weeks: The hosts emphasize the importance of preparing for bye weeks by strategically picking up players who are either on bye or about to be on bye. Andy suggests, "These are situations you need to be looking for... it's a strategic apex for your season." (19:07).

• Trade Opportunities: They discuss leveraging trades to skip bye weeks, gaining an advantage by acquiring players who can provide consistent production during critical periods.

• Handling Inconsistencies: The team advises avoiding players with fluctuating performances unless their potential upside significantly outweighs the risks.

Concluding Thoughts

As Week 9 approaches, the Fantasy Footballers provide a comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of waivers, streaming options, and player management. Their insights aim to equip fantasy managers with the strategies needed to optimize their rosters amidst injuries, bye weeks, and fluctuating player performances.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway on Jordan Howard:

  "Congratulations, no one played Jordan Howard. Here's the headline that I wanted to get out there..."
  (02:18)

• Jason Moore on Alshon Jeffery:

  "This is why after last week we recommended trading for Alshon Jeffrey..."
  (04:23)

• Mike Wright on Diluting Fantasy Teams:

  "He's the guy that's going to step into that role on an Andy Reid offense..."
  (24:26)

• Andy Holloway on Streaming QBs:

  "Colin Kaepernick faces the New Orleans Saints... he has had 23 and 17 fantasy points in his two games."
  (46:56)

• Jason Moore on Sam Bradford:

  "The last two weeks have left a very poor taste... but the previous few games when he was at home... he put up good fantasy games."
  (47:17)

• Mike Wright on Ryan Tannehill:

  "Ryan Tannehill at home against the New York Jets... The Jets are allowing the lowest yardage."
  (48:37)

This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and strategic advice from the Fantasy Footballers Podcast Week 9 episode, providing valuable insights for fantasy managers aiming to enhance their teams and secure victories.