Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - Willie Snead, NFC South, Foster News
Release Date: July 19, 2016

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into the intricacies of the NFL's NFC South division, providing astute analysis, strong opinions, and matchup-winning advice tailored for fantasy football enthusiasts. The episode is particularly notable for featuring a special guest, Willie Snead of the New Orleans Saints, who shares his insights and experiences from the field.

NFC South Divisional Preview

The hosts kick off the discussion with a thorough examination of the NFC South, which includes the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They explore the strengths, weaknesses, and key players of each team, offering listeners a comprehensive overview to aid in their fantasy football preparations.

Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton stands out as a focal point in the Panthers' offense. The hosts debate his consistency and potential for another stellar season. Andy Holloway remarks, “Cam Newton is somebody who I think it's very easy for fantasy football owners to react in two ways... the truth lies in the middle” (22:45). Mike Wright echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that "it doesn't make him a top pick for me. But what are your guys thoughts on Cam Newton?" (21:48).

The running back situation is another hot topic. Jonathan Stewart's performance is scrutinized, particularly his red zone efficiency. Mike Wright highlights, “Since 2010, Jonathan Stewart has scored on one of his 82 red zone rushes from outside the five. That's 1.2%” (26:19), raising concerns about his reliability in critical situations.

New Orleans Saints

With the departure of Jimmy Graham, the Saints are reshaping their receiving corps. The introduction of Michael Thomas and Brandon Coleman aims to fill the void left by Marques Colston. The hosts are optimistic about Drew Brees and his new receiving targets, predicting a potent offense ready to produce high fantasy points.

Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan's performance is under the microscope, especially after a down year in touchdowns. Andy Holloway asserts, “Matt Ryan is very, very, very undervalued right now” (52:21), predicting a bounce-back season as the offensive coordinator develops better rapport with the quarterback and receivers. The running back duo of Devontae Freeman and Tevin Coleman is also analyzed, with Mike Wright stating, “If I'm drafting anybody from this, the Miami backfield, I would only draft Foster if he became what I saw as a great value” (09:49), highlighting the complexities in evaluating running back performance.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers' offense, led by Jameis Winston and Mike Evans, is scrutinized for potential pitfalls and opportunities. Jason Moore discusses the adjustments under new head coach Dirk Koetter, expressing both optimism and caution about the team's performance in a challenging division.

Breaking NFL News

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing Tom Brady's four-game suspension. Mike Wright informs listeners, “if Tom Brady is done. I think Tom Brady knows that there's nothing” (13:33), indicating that Brady will fulfill his suspension, affecting his team's schedule and fantasy projections. The hosts analyze the fantasy implications, particularly concerning Rob Gronkowski’s potential decline in early-season performance without Brady.

Willie Snead Interview

A highlight of the episode is the in-depth interview with Willie Snead, the New Orleans Saints' wide receiver. Willie shares his journey, reflecting on completing his degree and striving to enhance his explosive capabilities on the field. Key takeaways from the interview include:

• Offseason Developments: Willie discusses finishing his degree in sports management and his focus on increasing his explosiveness and agility. “This year, once I get the ball in my hand, I want to be more explosive and just, you know, see the change of speed in my game” (32:13).

• Undrafted Struggles and Success: Willie recounts the challenges of going undrafted and his perseverance to earn a spot on the Saints' practice squad, eventually securing a place on the 53-man roster. “I had to fight. I had to prove myself... I just had to stay faithful and, you know, count my blessings and take advantage of the opportunities that came my way” (33:25).

• Goals and Team Dynamics: He outlines his personal goals for the season, including surpassing the 1,000-yard mark and increasing his touchdown count. Willie emphasizes the collaborative effort of the Saints' receiving unit to compensate for the departure of Marques Colston. “Without him being there, the defense is more, you know, time studying on cooks and me... it's the type of backfield I like avoiding” (38:48).

Willie Snead's insights provide invaluable perspective for fantasy owners, particularly regarding the Saints' receiving targets and offensive strategies.

Fantasy Implications and Player Analysis

The hosts offer comprehensive analysis on various players affecting fantasy football outcomes:

• Jay Ajayi vs. Arian Foster: The signing of Arian Foster by the Dolphins is scrutinized for its impact on Jay Ajayi's workload. Mike Wright posits, “Foster's coming off a very, very severe injury... he's going to become more of a value this year and you're probably looking at drafting a Jay in” (06:09).

• Devontae Freeman: The unpredictability of Freeman's performance is debated, with Jason Moore cautioning against overreaction to his previous season's highs. “If you see a healthy, dynamic C.J. Spiller in the preseason, that's going to have a... earthquake shake up effect on average draft position” (46:35).

• Matt Ryan: Underappreciated by the fantasy community, Matt Ryan is expected to return to his previous touchdown numbers. Andy Holloway forecasts, “I think he'll throw 28 touchdowns this year, which would bump him up drastically” (52:21), highlighting Ryan's potential resurgence.

Upcoming Episodes and Community Engagement

The podcast wraps up by teasing future episodes, including an upcoming Thursday show featuring Todd Gurley, and encourages listeners to engage with their community through jointhefoot.com and social media platforms.

Notable Quotes

• Andy Holloway: “Matt Ryan is very, very, very undervalued right now” (52:21).

• Jason Moore: “I think we can wait, you know, if you can wait to make this decision, there's a lot more information that will be coming your way” (11:47).

• Willie Snead: “I just want to get a thousand [yards] this year a lot sooner” (36:23).

• Mike Wright: “He threw a little too many on the interceptions, so if he can cut that down...” (54:23).

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast provides a wealth of information for fantasy football participants, blending expert analysis with firsthand insights from Willie Snead. Whether you're strategizing for upcoming drafts or seeking to refine your in-season management, the detailed discussions and breakdowns of key players and team dynamics are invaluable resources for gaining a competitive edge in your fantasy leagues.

For more in-depth analysis and future episodes, visit jointhefoot.com and follow the Fantasy Footballers on Twitter @theFFBallers.