Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Episode Featuring David Johnson and Backfields to Avoid (June 22, 2017)

Hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, the expert trio—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright—delve into critical fantasy football strategies for the 2017 season. The episode prominently features an insightful interview with David Johnson, the dynamic running back for the Arizona Cardinals, offering listeners valuable perspectives on player performance, injury recovery, and team dynamics.

Discussing Backfields to Avoid in 2017

Timestamp [02:04]: The hosts kick off the discussion by identifying backfields that fantasy managers might want to steer clear of for the upcoming season.

• Mike Wright expresses concerns about the Seattle Seahawks' running back group, citing a crowded roster with players like Eddie Lacy, Thomas Rawls, and CJ Prosise. He highlights issues such as the questionable effectiveness of Lacy post-injury, Prosise’s role as primarily a third-down back, and Rawls's limited impact:

  "How, how effective is Eddie Lacy going to be off coming off of his injury with his conditioning problems?" — Mike Wright [02:16]

• Jason Moore shifts focus to the Detroit Lions, recommending avoidance in standard leagues due to their low run percentage and an unproven running back lineup featuring Amir Abdullah, Theo Riddick, and Zach Zinner:

  "They are in the bottom 10 in terms of percentage of run versus pass, which is a concern." — Jason Moore [03:35]

• Andy Holloway concurs with the avoidance strategy, emphasizing the lack of a reliable running game in Green Bay Packers and expressing skepticism about investing draft picks in players like Ty Montgomery. He also voices strong reservations about the New York Jets' backfield, especially regarding Blel Powell and Matt Forte:

  "I think if you're not your number one draft pick, I think you might be doing it wrong." — Andy Holloway [20:31]

Interview with David Johnson

Life as a New Dad

Timestamp [07:35]: The podcast features an interview with David Johnson, who shares his experiences balancing professional football and new fatherhood. He expresses joy and enthusiasm about his growing family:

"DJ, our son, he's a tremendous baby. He's always laughing, always smiling." — David Johnson [08:17]

Reflecting on Past Season's Personal Success vs. Team Struggles

Timestamp [08:40]: David reflects on his successful personal performance last season juxtaposed with the Arizona Cardinals' struggles, particularly the team's failure to make the playoffs. He acknowledges his own shortcomings in critical moments:

"It's good to have personal success, but it really doesn't mean too much, especially when the team is struggling." — David Johnson [09:20]

Injury Update and Recovery

Timestamp [10:07]: The conversation shifts to David's injury at the end of the previous season. Suffering a grade 2 MCL, he discusses his rehabilitation process and current readiness for the upcoming season:

"I'm feeling great. Got cleared a while ago, before OTA started, before football started and I was already training." — David Johnson [13:21]

Workload and Performance Goals

Timestamp [13:43]: Addressing concerns about handling a heavy workload, David expresses confidence in managing his role effectively. He outlines his goals for the season, including achieving 1,000 rushing and receiving yards:

"I feel very comfortable. I feel like I'm still young, still in my first contract." — David Johnson [14:21]

Insights on Team Players: John Brown and Chad Williams

Timestamp [15:10]: David provides updates on teammates John Brown and Chad Williams, sharing positive observations about their performances and potential contributions to the team's success:

"John Brown is doing great... Chad is our rookie. He's doing a tremendous job because he has such a great leader in Larry and all the other guys." — David Johnson [15:44]

Reflections on Todd Gurley's Comments

Timestamp [18:23]: The hosts touch upon Todd Gurley's remarks from a previous episode, with David responding graciously and focusing on mutual improvement:

"Biggest words I have for him is, you know, keep grinding and, you know, we'll both be one of those leaders from our class." — David Johnson [18:43]

Fantasy Football Q&A

The latter half of the episode transitions into a dynamic Q&A session, where the hosts address listeners' fantasy football inquiries:

Michael Thomas’s Performance and Assessment

Timestamp [23:03]: A listener named Lee from Los Angeles asks about wide receiver Michael Thomas—whether his performance was due to defenses focusing on Brandon Cooks or his inherent talent. The hosts provide a thorough analysis:

• Mike Wright praises Michael Thomas's route running and consistent performance across various routes:

  "He's a tremendous wide receiver. The ball will be spread around... I think that he comes through." — Mike Wright [24:13]

• Andy Holloway underscores Thomas's exceptional talent and compares his rookie year dominance to stars like Odell Beckham and Mike Evans:

  "Michael Thomas is the real deal. And when I watch film, the guy is great." — Andy Holloway [25:11]

• Jason Moore adds a cautious note, reflecting on historical performance trends and potential regression:

  "I worry a little bit about... I moved DEZ Bryant ahead of Michael Thomas." — Jason Moore [27:26]

Quarterback Strategy in Unusual Scoring Leagues

Timestamp [28:02]: Jerrell from Fort Myers, Florida, inquires about quarterback strategies in a unique 10-team PPR dynasty league where quarterbacks earn points per completion. The hosts discuss potential late-round quarterback targets:

• Mike Wright suggests Andy Dalton as a prime candidate, highlighting his regression potential and favorable touchdown percentages:

  "Andy Dalton is a prime positive regression candidate..." — Mike Wright [28:50]

• Andy Holloway and Jason Moore reinforce the idea of targeting quarterbacks who provide high completion counts without the need for top-tier selections, such as Matthew Stafford.

Dynasty Auction Draft Tips

Timestamp [38:00]: A listener named David from Fort Myers seeks advice on approaching a new dynasty auction draft using an old-school email format. The hosts offer strategic recommendations:

• Andy Holloway advocates for blind bidding to prevent haggling and ensure fairness:

  "If you're doing this, make every player that comes up, it's a blind bid." — Andy Holloway [39:32]

• Mike Wright complements this by suggesting the use of a commission or third-party verification to manage bids effectively.

Best Fantasy MVP Picks

Timestamp [41:02]: RJ from Rochester, New York, asks for predictions on the fantasy MVP for the year. The hosts present varied opinions:

• Andy Holloway leans towards Andy Dalton, praising his potential to be a top fantasy performer if he maintains health and production:

  "Matt Ryan last year was he was a fantasy MVP. He helped people win." — Andy Holloway [42:19]

• Jason Moore takes a unique stance by selecting Rob Gronkowski, highlighting his dual role and high-impact potential:

  "I'm going to go Rob Gronkowski... he has the ability to be the wide receiver 5 on your tight end spot." — Jason Moore [43:02]

• Mike Wright supports the Gronkowski pick, emphasizing his value and high ceiling in fantasy scoring.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with lively banter among the hosts, reinforcing the camaraderie and expertise that make the Fantasy Footballers Podcast a go-to resource for fantasy enthusiasts. They encourage listeners to utilize tools like the Ultimate Draft Kit for consistency charts and to stay connected via their website and social media platforms.

Notable Quotes:

• "Winning is fun." — Jason Moore [01:47]

• "I don't want to invest the pick to see if he will." — Andy Holloway [04:17]

• "All the other guys have had a little bit of baggage where David Johnson has not." — Jason Moore [20:48]

• "If you’re not your number one draft pick, I think you might be doing it wrong." — Andy Holloway [20:31]

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and expert opinions shared during the episode, providing valuable information for both seasoned fantasy managers and newcomers alike.