Fantasy Footballers Podcast – Week 9 (2016) Summary

Release Date: November 7, 2016

The Fantasy Footballers hosts—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright—delve deep into Week 9 of the NFL season, providing expert analysis on studs, duds, rising stars, and essential updates to help fantasy managers optimize their lineups.

1. Opening Remarks and Giveaway Announcement

• Andy Holloway kicks off the episode by announcing the Foot Clan Giveaway with exciting prizes, including signed jerseys, championship belts, bobbleheads, and gift cards. [00:00]

2. Overview of the Week's Fantasy Landscape

• The hosts briefly discuss the absence of significant injuries over the weekend, setting a calm stage for the week's analysis. [01:15]
• Mike Wright humorously references a "Colin Kaepernick type of weekend," indicating a relatively uneventful period. [01:25]

3. Monday Night Football Preview and Upcoming Episodes

• The trio outlines their plans, mentioning the special "Megalodon" episode scheduled for November 23rd, promising an extensive and engaging discussion. [02:50]

4. Listener Question: Bench Strategy When Leading Finely

• A listener, Brian Canoe, asks whether it's advisable to bench Monday Night Football players when leading by a narrow margin, especially if the opponent's score is set.

  Andy Holloway advises against benching unless there's a high risk of negative points, emphasizing the low probability of stat corrections impacting the game significantly. [04:14]

  Jason Moore concurs, highlighting that defensive players often face negative scoring and suggests benching defenses if leading by more than a point. [05:26]

  "If I'm up by more than a point, I would always bench my defense because defenses go negative all the time." – Jason Moore [06:03]

5. Social Media and Verification Banter

• The hosts engage in light-hearted banter about Twitter verification, emphasizing its importance for credibility and community engagement. They joke about verifying each other and the challenges faced in getting verified accounts. [07:04 - 08:23]

6. Weekly Rewind: Key Player News and Updates

• Jeremy Macklin's groin injury leads to him being downgraded in fantasy rankings, cautioning managers against relying on his performance this week. [09:52 - 10:24]
• Travis Kelce faces potential suspension after being ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, adding uncertainty to his availability. [10:24 - 11:02]
• Derek Henry's calf injury during warm-ups raises concerns about his availability and future performance. [11:44 - 12:44]
• Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard's injury updates are discussed, with implications for their teams and fantasy value. [14:02 - 14:16]

7. Stud Muffins and Top Performers

• Matthew Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees are highlighted for their strong performances this week. [14:21 - 14:47]

• Eli Manning and Dak Prescott emerge as significant stud muffins, with Prescott notably securing three touchdowns despite tough matchups. [15:18 - 16:32]

  "Dak Prescott had three touchdowns and never slowed down, even securing an impressive lead." – Jason Moore [15:26]

• Melvin Gordon is praised for his resurgence, now considered a top-tier running back with versatile capabilities. [22:47 - 23:20]

• Latavius Murray and Jay Ajayi also receive commendations for their pivotal roles in their respective teams' victories. [23:49 - 26:14]

  "Jay Ajayi is legit. He's got a good upcoming schedule and continues to demonstrate his value." – Jason Moore [26:14]

8. Duds and Underperformers

• Mark Ingram struggles with consistency, prompting some managers to consider benching options. [25:05 - 25:35]
• Eli Manning's erratic performance and Andrew Luck's turnovers are highlighted as significant concerns. [17:25 - 17:46]
• Cam Newton faces criticism for inconsistent fantasy output, leading to debates about his long-term viability. [46:34 - 47:40]

9. Rising Stars of the Week

• Paul Perkins and Derek Sprouls are identified as rising stars with increased involvement and potential future value. [40:11 - 42:34]

  Andy Holloway emphasizes Perkins' rising snap percentage and potential for more explosive plays:

  "Paul Perkins is getting more involved and is an explosive option that fantasy managers should keep an eye on." [40:20]

• Michael Thomas is lauded as a must-play weekly wide receiver, showing consistent performance and leading the Saints in receptions and touchdowns. [43:26 - 45:46]

  "Michael Thomas is filling the role of the Saints' leading pass catcher and is a weekly must-play." – Jason Moore [43:38]

10. Tight Ends and Other Positions

• Jason Whitten and Antonio Gates receive positive mentions for their touchdown contributions despite some inconsistencies. [37:34 - 38:28]
• Golden Tate and Jordy Nelson's performances are scrutinized, with debates on their current and future fantasy value. [32:30 - 34:12]

11. Rising Canes Rising Stars of the Week

• Mike Wright selects Darren Sprouls as his rising star, noting his high snap percentage and effectiveness.

• Andy Holloway focuses on Paul Perkins, praising his increased involvement and potential as the Giants shift their running back rotation.

• Jason Moore champions Michael Thomas, highlighting his role as the Saints' leading wide receiver and his favorable playoff schedule.

  "Michael Thomas is leading the Saints in receptions and touchdowns, making him a consistent and valuable asset." – Jason Moore [43:26]

12. Listener Questions and Mailbag

• Buffalo Running Back Decision: Advice to start McCoy over Gillespie if McCoy is active, given his consistent performance. [56:31]

  "If McCoy is active, that's who you play." – Andy Holloway [57:35]

• Trade Evaluation: Managers consider trading Alan Robinson for Michael Thomas to prepare for playoff matchups. Both Andy Holloway and Jason Moore recommend making the trade, valuing Thomas's consistency and future potential over Robinson's uncertain schedule. [57:43 - 57:52]

  "I would do it. I'd rather have Michael Thomas." – Jason Moore [57:52]

• Eifert’s Fantasy Value: A listener posits whether to sell Alan Robinson amidst doubts. The hosts agree that trading might be beneficial, considering Robinson's inconsistent performance. [58:03 - 58:18]

• Trading Strategy: A listener inquires about trading Jay Ajayi and Julian Edelman for Doug Martin and DeAndre Hopkins. The hosts advise against it, citing Martin's ongoing hamstring issues and uncertainty. [59:06 - 59:17]

13. Strategic Insights and Final Thoughts

• The hosts discuss the importance of adapting strategies based on player performance trends and upcoming matchups.
• Emphasis is placed on valuing players with favorable playoff schedules and consistent performances over those with sporadic or injury-prone histories.
• Mike Wright underscores the significance of Depth in fantasy lineups, encouraging managers to leverage rising stars and trade opportunistically.

14. Sponsor Mentions and Promotions

• Original Grain Watches: Highlighted for their unique handcrafted hardwood and stainless steel designs, offering a 15% discount at OriginalGrain.com/footballers. [19:25 - 20:27]

  "OriginalGrain.com footballers – 15% off the entire purchase." – Mike Wright [19:55]

• SeatGeek: Recommended for purchasing tickets to live events with a $20 rebate using promo code "footballers." [20:27 - 21:39]

15. Closing Remarks

• The episode wraps up with reminders to follow the hosts on Twitter and visit their website for more insights and community engagement. The hosts express gratitude to listeners and tease upcoming content for continued fantasy football dominance. [60:00 - 60:26]

Notable Quotes:

• "If I'm up by more than a point, I would always bench my defense because defenses go negative all the time." – Jason Moore [06:03]
• "Michael Thomas is filling the role of the Saints' leading pass catcher and is a weekly must-play." – Jason Moore [43:38]
• "If McCoy is active, that's who you play." – Andy Holloway [57:35]

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the Fantasy Footballers' Week 9 episode, providing actionable insights, player evaluations, and strategic advice to elevate your fantasy football game. Whether you're navigating player injuries, assessing weekly performances, or contemplating trades, the Fantasy Footballers deliver the expertise you need to win your league.