Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - Wk 14 Studs, Duds, Rising Stars, Playoff Madness
Release Date: December 12, 2016
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Introduction
In this engaging Week 14 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright delve deep into the tumultuous world of fantasy football, analyzing the week's standout performers, disappointments, emerging talents, and pivotal playoff implications. Skipping the usual banter and advertisements, the trio offers listeners astute insights and actionable advice to navigate the high-stakes fantasy playoffs.
Disappointing Performances
The hosts open the discussion by addressing the week's myriad of underperforming players commonly referred to as "poopers." Andy Holloway reflects on the unpredictability of players like Mike Evans, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, and James Winston, emphasizing the difficulty in forecasting these performances:
Andy Holloway [01:07]: "You cannot predict epic failure in these guys. But you can assemble a roster that affords you some margin to survive."
Jason Moore concurs, sharing a listener's sentiment about a particularly lackluster playoff matchup:
Jason Moore [02:10]: "Someone sent me a message and said this is the worst playoff matchup they've ever seen."
The trio highlights the importance of depth and strategic roster assembly to weather such disappointments, ensuring that struggling players are counterbalanced by equally underperforming opponents.
League Management: Introducing Rule Changes
A segment of the conversation focuses on enhancing league dynamics through rule modifications. Responding to a listener's query from Twitter about gently introducing new league rules and scoring changes, Jason Moore and Andy Holloway provide a step-by-step approach:
Jason Moore [04:50]: "Step one, you've already got out of the way which is do it now. And I would always put it to a vote."
Andy Holloway [05:37]: "Don't be reactionary about the rule change... do a little postseason write-up and summarize how all the teams did and then introduce a few ideas and take a vote early so that people can prepare their draft based on the new rule changes."
Mike Wright adds, underscoring the necessity of assertiveness when proposing significant changes:
Mike Wright [06:25]: "Sometimes you need to be gentle like a baseball bat though. Just..."
Andy Holloway [06:30]: "...it’s not always gentle."
The hosts advocate for transparent communication and unanimous decision-making to ensure smooth transitions and maintain league harmony.
Weekly Rewind: Injuries and Key Events
In the Weekly Rewind, the hosts recap significant injuries and events that impacted Week 14 performances:
- Melvin Gordon exited late in the game with leg and hip injuries but remains "okay" pending an MRI.
- Dion Lewis anticipates stepping up amidst injuries to teammates.
- Matthew Stafford battled a dislocated finger yet secured a victory with a game-winning touchdown.
- Alshon Jeffrey returns from suspension, available on waivers in 63% of leagues.
Jason Moore emphasizes caution with injured players:
Jason Moore [08:29]: "If they do play him, you're not worried about him being iffy because why would they play him iffy?"
Andy Holloway and Mike Wright discuss strategic decisions regarding active injured players, highlighting the balance between opportunity and risk.
Stud Muffins: Top Performers
The Stud Muffins segment spotlights standout performers who excelled during Week 14:
- Matt Ryan delivered three touchdowns without relying on Julio Jones.
- Le'Veon Bell dominated with 38 carries, totaling 236 yards and 34 receiving yards.
- Bilal Powell showcased his versatility with 29 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns, alongside five receptions.
- Carlos Hyde impressed with 17 carries for 193 yards, demonstrating elite efficiency.
Andy Holloway praises Matt Ryan's consistent performance:
Andy Holloway [14:13]: "He didn't need Julio."
Jason Moore highlights Bilal Powell's potential as a valuable waiver pickup:
Jason Moore [29:18]: "Bilal Powell can get the job done. ... he's going to be the type of waiver wire pickup ... that can help you win a championship if Matt Forte stays out."
Raising Canes Rising Stars: Emerging Players
In the Raising Canes Rising Stars segment, the hosts identify emerging talents poised to impact Week 15 and the playoffs:
- Tevin Coleman stands out as a reliable option, especially with potential Julio Jones absences.
- Atlanta Falcons DST emerges as a strong defensive pick with favorable playoff matchups ahead.
- Zach Ertz and Tyreek Hill receive commendations for their performances, though concerns loom over upcoming strong defenses.
Andy Holloway underscores Tevin Coleman's importance:
Andy Holloway [31:25]: "Tevin Coleman can get his way into the end zone next week... he's my raising canes rising star."
Pooped in His Big Boy Pants: Disappointments
This segment focuses on the week's most disappointing performers who let fantasy teams down:
- Drew Brees struggled, going nine quarters without a touchdown.
- Jameis Winston underperformed against the Saints despite expectations.
- Devonte Booker and Jimmy Graham missed crucial plays and touchdown opportunities.
- Terrell Pryor was harshly criticized by Pacman Jones and deemed "garbage" by the hosts.
Andy Holloway lists several underperformers, emphasizing the need to reevaluate or drop these players:
Andy Holloway [43:23]: "Terrell Pryor, Mike Evans, Larry Fitzgerald disappeared. Nothing from Alan Robinson, Kelvin Benjamin, nothing."
Jason Moore advises caution, urging fantasy managers to monitor player performance closely:
Jason Moore [45:27]: "If you're in a keeper league, make sure you go pick up C.J. Anderson."
Monday Night Game Preview: Ravens vs. Patriots
As the episode nears its end, the hosts turn their attention to the highly anticipated Monday Night game between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots. They discuss fantasy implications, potential disappointments, and strategic plays:
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Disappointment Predictions: Andy Holloway predicts Smith as a potential letdown, while Mike Wright focuses on Senor Mitchell, and Jason Moore zeros in on Malcolm Mitchell.
Jason Moore [52:19]: "Malcolm Mitchell."
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Performance Predictions: Mike Wright expresses cautious optimism, favoring the Ravens defense's ability to limit scoring:
Mike Wright [52:35]: "I want to pick the Ravens. I don't think I have the courage to do it. But I will take the Ravens to cover."
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Player Focus: The discussion highlights key running backs like Dion Lewis and how defensive strategies might influence their fantasy value.
Jason Moore [53:10]: "Talent is the only way to beat that defense. And so Dion Lewis has it over James White."
Conclusion
Wrapping up the episode, the hosts encourage listeners to engage with the forthcoming Waiver Wire Show and utilize resources like fantasyjocks.com for winning strategies. They reiterate their commitment to helping fantasy managers secure the "Foot Clan Title" through insightful analysis and dedicated support.
Andy Holloway [54:25]: "Good luck this week. We'll be back with you all week long. Very excited to get you that Foot Clan title."
Notable Quotes
- Andy Holloway [01:07]: "You cannot predict epic failure in these guys. But you can assemble a roster that affords you some margin to survive."
- Jason Moore [04:50]: "Step one, you've already got out of the way which is do it now. And I would always put it to a vote."
- Mike Wright [09:00]: "He would have a light jaunts and."
- Andy Holloway [14:13]: "He didn't need Julio."
- Jason Moore [29:18]: "Bilal Powell can get the job done. ... he's going to be the type of waiver wire pickup ... that can help you win a championship if Matt Forte stays out."
- Andy Holloway [43:23]: "Terrell Pryor, Mike Evans, Larry Fitzgerald disappeared. Nothing from Alan Robinson, Kelvin Benjamin, nothing."
For more insights and to join the Fantasy Football community, visit fantasyjocks.com and follow the hosts on Twitter: @AndyHollFF, @JasonFFL, and @ff_hitman.