Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2017 - Frequently Asked Fantasy Questions
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction to Frequently Asked Fantasy Questions (FAFQ)

The episode kicks off with the hosts introducing the concept of FAFQ (Frequently Asked Fantasy Questions), positioning it as the first in a series of offseason shows. They aim to address a wide range of topics, from league setup and commissioner issues to advanced strategies and keeper league mechanics.

2. Player Analysis: Amari Cooper vs. Michael Crabtree

A significant portion of the discussion centers around whether Amari Cooper will surpass Michael Crabtree as Oakland's top wide receiver.

• Andy Holloway advocates for Cooper's potential:
  "[04:10] I believe it is most certainly the year."
  He emphasizes Cooper's youth and the improvement in his red zone targets, suggesting that with changes in Oakland's route targets, Cooper's fantasy output could surpass Crabtree's.

• Jason Moore counters with concerns about Cooper's red zone usage:
  "[06:26] Numbers don't go up for Amari, certainly Amari could outproduce Crabtree."
  He highlights that Cooper's red zone targets were lower compared to Crabtree, affecting touchdown potential.

• Mike Wright adds statistical insights:
  "[06:43] Yes. That's great."
  He points out that while Cooper has shown promise, his touchdown numbers are still in flux.

Conclusion: While Cooper shows promise as a rising star, Crabtree remains a more reliable and less volatile option for fantasy managers.

3. NFL News Bits

a. John Ross's 40-Yard Dash Record

• Jason Moore announces:
  "[08:00] John Ross the official 40 time for John Ross at the combine over the weekend 4.22 broke the record of Chris Johnson was setting Twitter abuzz."
  However, Andy Holloway clarifies that Ross's performance didn't qualify for Adidas's promised reward since he wasn't wearing their shoes:
  "[09:11] So he doesn't qualify."

b. Brandon Marshall Released by the Jets

• Andy Holloway expresses optimism:
  "[11:34] Oh, this is such great news for your boy Andy, because honestly, there's no way I could have predicted good fantasy value for Brandon Marshall if he stayed with the jets."
  Jason Moore adds that Marshall could be a valuable addition to teams like Baltimore or New England.

c. Mike Gillislee's New Contract

• Jason Moore discusses Gillislee's signing:
  "[16:03] Jason Moore: Suppose you've had two years the way he just had them, I don't know if he's going to be at the top of the list."
  Mike Wright suggests that other teams might overpay:
  "[16:36] And for another team, they just would have to give up a fifth-round pick."

4. Promotion: Ultimate Draft Kit

The hosts promote their Ultimate Draft Kit, highlighting its comprehensive features:

• Jason Moore states:
  "[18:07] What we do is we put together this Ultimate Draft Kit and we include not just, you know, our rankings, which we do, our stat projections, every positional ranking."
• Andy Holloway adds the inclusion of Matt Harmon’s exclusive stats:
  "[19:12] He's never done that before. He has never started out 50 NFL players before."

They encourage listeners to pre-order at ultimatedraftkit.com for early bird pricing.

5. League Setup Advice

a. Finding and Organizing a League

• Andy Holloway recommends forming leagues with friends or acquaintances rather than joining random online leagues for better engagement and camaraderie.
• Mike Wright suggests using a private Facebook group as a communication hub for trades, discussions, and league-related chatter.

b. Redraft League Setup

• Andy Holloway prefers a 12-team league with the following roster structure:
  "One quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, a tight end, a defense, and a flex."
• Mike Wright advocates for 5-6 bench spots, emphasizing the importance of active roster management without an excessively large bench.

c. Fractional vs. Standard Scoring

• The hosts are strong proponents of fractional scoring, arguing that it provides a more accurate reflection of player performance:
  "[25:40] It's a conundrum."
  Mike Wright elaborates:
  "[25:46] It's not 1991."
• Andy Holloway criticizes non-fractional scoring as outdated and less precise.

d. Keeper League Basics

• Andy Holloway and Mike Wright discuss keeping 2-3 players in a keeper league to balance draft significance with continuity.
• Jason Moore highlights the importance of rewarding good drafting through keeper mechanisms without skewing league balance.

e. Waiver Systems: FAB vs. Priority

• Andy Holloway describes two main waiver systems: Waiver Priority (based on reverse standings) and Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAB).
• Mike Wright and Jason Moore express a preference for FAB, citing its strategic depth and increased league activity.

6. Playoff Rules and Strategies

The discussion touches on optimal playoff settings, advocating against having playoffs in Week 17 due to the unpredictability of player performances and potential for key players being inactive:

• Jason Moore recommends ending playoffs by Week 16 to ensure fairness and consistency.
• Andy Holloway and Mike Wright agree, emphasizing that late-season games often result in unreliable fantasy outcomes.

7. Commissioner Issues

a. Vetoing Trades

• The hosts unanimously agree that vetoing trades should be rare, only justified in cases of collusion where multiple teams conspire to disadvantage others.
• Andy Holloway states:
  "[41:55] Never. Yeah, there's one reason to veto a trade, one reason only."

b. Handling Inactive Members

• Jason Moore advises setting clear ground rules from the outset and maintaining a waiting list of interested players to replace inactive members.
• Andy Holloway suggests fostering a committed league atmosphere to minimize inactivity and ensure all members are engaged.

8. Trade Strategies and Examples

• Jason Moore shares a personal trade example from his dynasty league:
  "[54:53] So I'm in a Dynasty league, and I had Julio Jones and someone came."
  He traded Julio Jones and Russell Wilson for Michael Crabtree, Andrew Luck, the number two pick in the rookie draft, and a first-round pick for next year.
• Mike Wright critiques the trade, expressing difficulty in giving up Julio Jones:
  "[55:06] Yeah, I mean, you..."

The discussion underscores the complexities of evaluating trades in dynasty leagues, where long-term value often outweighs immediate gains.

9. Draft Order Determination Methods

The hosts brainstorm creative methods to determine draft order beyond traditional reverse standings:

• Jason Moore suggests incorporating events like the Kentucky Derby or a March Madness bracket where the performance in the event determines draft positions.
• Andy Holloway and Mike Wright propose fun competitions such as tricycle races, beef jerky eating contests, video game tournaments (e.g., Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros.), and raffle-style drawings.
• Jason Moore recommends using tools like Doodle.com to coordinate and select draft dates based on league members' availability.

10. Conclusion and Next Steps

The episode wraps up with the hosts previewing future FAFQ topics, including deeper dives into draft strategies, trade negotiations, and the impact of free agency signings on fantasy leagues. They encourage listeners to engage with their content on YouTube and follow them on Twitter (@heffballers) for ongoing insights and community interaction.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore [03:05]: "Hey, we've already answered. Go listen to that one."
• Andy Holloway [26:24]: "They don't go away."
• Mike Wright [39:07]: "I love it. I don't think it's. To me it's not."
• Andy Holloway [42:00]: "It's collusion. Meaning if there are teams that are kind of teaming up with one another to make a strategy that is, you know, good for one team..."
• Jason Moore [54:23]: "What do you think of my... My big. My Dynasty league trade?"

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and strategic advice offered by the Fantasy Footballers in their 2017 episode focused on frequently asked fantasy football questions. Whether you're a seasoned manager or new to the league, the hosts provide valuable guidance to enhance your fantasy football experience.