Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2017 - The Fantasy Court with Judge Giamatti: A Detailed Summary
Release Date: July 4, 2017
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Special Guest: Jay Grizz
Introduction
In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, the hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright delve deep into fantasy football strategies and player evaluations. The standout feature of this episode is the innovative segment titled "The Fantasy Court with Judge Giamatti," where the hosts playfully litigate their differing opinions on player rankings under the humorous oversight of their mock judge, Judge Giamatti.
The Fantasy Court with Judge Giamatti
[14:00 - 37:49]
The core of the episode revolves around the Fantasy Court segment, where Jason and Mike present cases against each other's player rankings. Judge Giamatti presides over these debates, offering rulings that add both entertainment and insight into the complexities of fantasy football decision-making.
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Case 1: Rob Kelly's Ranking
- Plaintiff: Andy Holloway
- Defendant: Jason Moore
- Issue: Jason is accused of concealing evidence supporting his high ranking of Rob Kelly.
- Arguments:
- Andy: Argues that Rob Kelly's performance waned in the latter half of the season, citing a drop from 4.78 to 3.33 yards per carry.
- Jason: Defends Kelly by emphasizing his strong first eight weeks, including 10 rushing touchdowns, and counters by questioning the impact of the defenses faced during Kelly's lower-performing games.
- Ruling: Judge Giamatti rules in favor of the defendant, Jason Moore, supporting his higher ranking of Rob Kelly.
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Case 2: Keenan Allen's Ranking
- Plaintiff: Jason Moore
- Defendant: Andy Holloway
- Issue: Andy is charged with defamation for undervaluing Keenan Allen as an injury-prone wide receiver.
- Arguments:
- Jason: Highlights Allen's resilience, mentioning his recovery from a lacerated kidney and torn ACL, and argues for his potential to achieve 100 receptions in the upcoming season.
- Andy: Critiques Allen's production over the years and emphasizes the risk associated with drafting a player who hasn't played a full game in two years.
- Ruling: Judge Giamatti sides with the defendants, rejecting Andy's low ranking of Keenan Allen.
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Case 3: Dak Prescott's Ranking
- Plaintiff: Andy Holloway
- Defendant: Jason Moore
- Issue: Jason is accused of "felony fantasy entrapment" for overrating Dak Prescott at the 7th quarterback spot, alongside a minor charge of public intoxication.
- Arguments:
- Andy: Questions the sustainability of Prescott's performance given the Cowboys' run-first offense and his challenging playoff schedule.
- Jason: Emphasizes Prescott's impressive rookie season, his matured rapport with teammates, and historical trends where successful rookie quarterbacks continue to excel.
- Ruling: Judge Giamatti rules in favor of the plaintiff, Andy Holloway, deeming Prescott's ranking too high.
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Case 4: David Njoku's Ranking
- Plaintiff: Jason Moore
- Defendant: Andy Holloway
- Issue: Andy is charged with aiding and abetting rookie overhype and creating unrealistic expectations for David Njoku.
- Arguments:
- Jason: Criticizes Njoku's potential based on past rookie tight end performances and the support system around him, arguing that current team dynamics do not favor Njoku's fantasy production.
- Andy: Defends Njoku by highlighting Cleveland's offensive changes, Njoku's talent, and the opportunity for significant fantasy production.
- Ruling: Judge Giamatti rules in favor of the plaintiff, Jason Moore, dismissing the high expectations placed on David Njoku.
Notable Quotes:
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Jason Moore on Rob Kelly's performance:
"His 16 game pace from the time that he was the starter... he would have had 10, 68 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns... That's ahead." [17:00] -
Mike Wright defending Dak Prescott:
"Dak Prescott just recorded the third best rookie quarterback season of the past decade..." [28:01]
Mailbag Q&A
[37:15 - 46:49]
Following the intense Fantasy Court proceedings, the hosts shift gears to address listener questions, providing personalized advice and further showcasing their expertise.
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Drafting Multiple Players from the Same Team
- Listener Question: "Thoughts on drafting multiple players from the same team?"
- Discussion Points:
- Jason: Emphasizes roster makeup and the balance between high-powered teams versus maximizing upside with handcuffs.
- Mike: Agrees, highlighting scenarios where drafting multiple players from the same team can be beneficial, especially when team dynamics support sustained production.
- Notable Insight: Drafting multiple players from a high-performing team can amplify scoring potential but might limit upside if both players can't perform simultaneously.
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Choosing Between Running Backs
- Listener Question: "In a 12-team standard league, would you keep Evans for a second-round pick, Shady for a third, or Crowell for an eighth?"
- Discussion Points:
- Jason: Advocates for valuing running backs highly due to their significant impact, suggesting that securing quality running backs early can provide a competitive edge.
- Mike: Aligns with Jason's reasoning, expressing preference for reliable running backs over lower-ranked options.
- Notable Insight: Prioritizing running backs in early rounds can offer stability and higher point ceilings in standard leagues.
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Drafting Shady over Zeke Elliott in PPR Leagues
- Listener Question: "Is it crazy to draft Shady over Zeke Elliott or over Antonio Brown/Julio in a PPR league?"
- Discussion Points:
- Jason: Generally advises taking Antonio Brown over Shady in PPR formats but acknowledges the nuances based on individual league dynamics and player health.
- Mike: Highlights the risks associated with Shady's age and injury history, suggesting that while not crazy, it's essential to weigh the potential upside against his durability.
- Notable Insight: In PPR leagues, balancing reception potential with reliability is crucial; elite receivers like Antonio Brown may offer a safer floor compared to players with injury concerns.
Sponsor Highlights and Giveaways
Throughout the episode, the hosts mention their sponsors, Play Draft, and Pristine Auction, promoting mock drafts, best ball formats, and autograph memorabilia giveaways. They encourage listeners to engage with these platforms for enhanced fantasy football experiences and chances to win exclusive items.
Notable Promotions:
-
Play Draft:
"If you have not played on Play Draft, you are missing just... you're taking fun out of your life for no good reason." [12:14]
Link: playdraft.com/ballers -
Pristine Auction:
"They are just the absolute best. Everything's authentic, really good company." [21:21]
Link: pristineauction.com
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with a comprehensive recap of the Fantasy Court proceedings, acknowledgments to sponsors, and encouragement for listeners to participate in upcoming segments and giveaways. The hosts maintain their engaging and informative style, ensuring that listeners gain valuable insights while being thoroughly entertained.
Final Thoughts:
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Jason Moore:
"You cannot draft Jarvis Landry, Michael Crabtree, Brandon Marshall, Julian Edelman, all at the same draft day value." [25:27] -
Mike Wright:
"It’s not necessarily get super locked into the order of these guys... you just need to go with your gut on that." [44:43]
Listeners are encouraged to join the Fantasy Footballers community at jointhefoot.com and follow them on Twitter @theFFballers for more updates and fantasy football wisdom.
This episode masterfully blends humor, competition, and expert analysis, offering both seasoned fantasy managers and newcomers valuable perspectives to enhance their game strategies.