Fantasy Football Podcast 2017 - Trending or Ending, News & Notes, Mailbag
Release Date: February 16, 2017
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Studio Transition
The episode kicks off with the hosts announcing a significant transition: moving to a new studio. This marks the final recording from their old setup, celebrated humorously with references to burning the studio down.
Notable Quotes:
- Andy Holloway [00:36]: "A date that shall live in infamy, really?"
- Jason Moore [01:05]: "This is the official last recording of the show and our old studio."
The hosts express excitement about the upcoming debut in the new studio next Tuesday, encouraging listeners to subscribe on YouTube to experience the change.
Keeper League Insights
A substantial portion of the discussion revolves around keeper leagues, offering expert advice to listeners new to this format. They outline their league’s approach, emphasizing fairness and strategic retention of players.
Key Points:
- Scoring Preferences: The hosts advocate for full point per reception (Full PPR) as the most equitable scoring system.
- Keeper Rules: Each team selects three keepers:
- Guaranteed Keeper: One franchise player is guaranteed to be retained.
- Keeper Lottery: Three additional keepers are drawn randomly, with two being retained each year.
Notable Quotes:
- Mike Wright [05:01]: "Half point PPR I think is the most fair scoring."
- Jason Moore [05:55]: "We have teams select one franchise player and that player is theirs to keep, guaranteed."
They also touch upon draft pick trading, allowing flexibility and strategic maneuvering during the offseason.
News & Notes
The hosts provide updates on notable NFL players, assessing their potential impact on fantasy leagues.
Highlights:
- Sammy Coates: Recovery from a sports hernia surgery with uncertain future prospects.
- John Brown (Arizona Cardinals): Expected return with resolved sickle cell issues, poised to be a high-value draft pick.
- Martavis Bryant: Potential return to the Steelers roster with lingering questions about consistency.
- Victor Cruz: Limited fantasy relevance due to team dynamics, though he shows potential for veteran impact.
- Tyrod Taylor: Speculation about his potential move if cut by Buffalo, with discussions on his contract implications.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Moore [10:30]: "He is a perfect steal of the draft in our ultimate draft kit."
- Mike Wright [10:43]: "I won't be using any of my draft picks on him [Ladarius Green]."
Trending or Ending
This segment delves deep into analyzing whether certain players are on a positive trend or declining, influencing their future fantasy value.
1. Todd Gurley
The hosts debate Gurley’s performance, scrutinizing his rushing efficiency and offensive line support.
Key Points:
- Gurley’s yards per carry have declined, raising concerns about his future productivity.
- The Rams’ offensive line ranked poorly, contributing to Gurley’s struggles.
- Despite talent and coaching changes, improvements in Gurley’s performance remain uncertain.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Moore [19:11]: "I think this is the new normal for Todd Gurley."
- Mike Wright [22:09]: "He did not pass my eyeball test."
Conclusion: The panel leans towards ending for Gurley’s current performance trend.
2. DeMarco Murray
Murray is discussed as a potential resurging player for the Titans, with emphasis on his red-zone efficiency and consistency.
Key Points:
- High red-zone targets and scoring opportunities position Murray as a valuable RB1.
- Despite competing with Derrick Henry, Murray remains a workhorse with significant upside.
Notable Quotes:
- Andy Holloway [24:04]: "He is a high capacity workhorse running back."
- Jason Moore [25:34]: "I'm betting my house and I need to pick one guy to stay trending. It's actually Michael Thomas for me."
Conclusion: The consensus is trending upwards for Murray.
3. Rookie Sensations: Jordan Howard, Michael Thomas, Dak Prescott
The trio’s rookie seasons are analyzed to predict their future fantasy potential.
Michael Thomas:
- Viewed as a standout rookie with high reception potential.
- Expected to remain a top-tier wide receiver.
Jordan Howard:
- Despite an impressive rookie year, concerns about consistency and team performance persist.
- Mixed opinions on whether his trend will continue upward or if recent performances indicate a decline.
Dak Prescott:
- Praised for his efficiency and the supportive Cowboys offensive line.
- Expected to solidify his position as a reliable QB option.
Notable Quotes:
- Mike Wright [28:20]: "Michael Thomas has a Hall of Fame quarterback and another year under his belt."
- Andy Holloway [26:56]: "Fantasy Football Calculator DeMarco Murray and Todd Gurley are going back to back. Murray is going one slot ahead of Todd Gurley."
Conclusion: All three are trending positively, with varying degrees of confidence.
4. Cam Newton
Newton’s inconsistent passing performance is scrutinized, highlighting his reliance on athleticism over mechanics.
Key Points:
- Despite an MVP season, his passing completion percentage remains low.
- Future performance hinges on improvement in passing mechanics.
Notable Quotes:
- Andy Holloway [32:01]: "Unless I see that improvement of the passing, I just, I think that is what we expect from Cam Newton moving forward."
- Jason Moore [33:55]: "Cam Newton being a lower tier quarterback."
Conclusion: Newton is ending his trend as a top QB, expected to decline further.
5. Jeremy Hill
Hill’s performance trajectory is analyzed in the context of team changes and workload distribution.
Key Points:
- Despite fluctuating usage, Hill remains a solid RB20 with goal-line opportunities.
- Potential stability with improved team dynamics could counter previous downward trends.
Notable Quotes:
- Andy Holloway [35:52]: "He was the running back 20 in half point scoring formats and he did not play in week 17 and barely played in week 16."
- Mike Wright [36:07]: "I think Jeremy Hill is going to continue trending downward to an RB3."
Conclusion: The panel is split, but the general sentiment leans towards ending the downward trend with potential stabilization.
6. Tyreek Hill
The discussion centers on Hill’s inconsistent usage and special teams contributions affecting his fantasy value.
Key Points:
- Hill’s fluctuating snap counts and reliance on big plays raise questions about his reliability.
- Concerns over injuries and limited targets in the offensive scheme impact his draft stock.
Notable Quotes:
- Mike Wright [40:35]: "I'm not drafting Tyreek Hill right where he's going right now."
- Andy Holloway [42:14]: "He's tied for 55th in targets and 42nd for receptions."
Conclusion: The consensus is mixed, with arguments for both trending upwards due to talent and ending due to inconsistency. However, skepticism leads the panel to lean towards ending the current trend.
Mailbag
The hosts address listener questions related to league management and player decisions.
1. Keeper League Strategy
Question: Eric from Lawrence, Kansas asks about keeper selections, considering options like Julio Jones, Derrick Henry, Julio Jones, Crabtree, and others.
Advice:
- Favor high-value, consistent performers like Julio Jones and Michael Thomas.
- Prioritize longevity and potential over immediate but possibly fleeting performance.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Moore [47:57]: "I'm going to take A.J. Green."
- Andy Holloway [47:57]: "I'm going to take A.J. Green as well."
2. Managing Multiple Leagues
Question: Christian from Los Angeles inquires about handling player overlaps across multiple leagues.
Advice:
- Draft based on the best strategy for each league independently.
- Accept the inherent challenges without overcomplicating draft decisions to suit multiple leagues.
Notable Quotes:
- Mike Wright [52:17]: "Draft the best you can. Don't go out of your way to say, I want the same guys."
Final Thoughts
The episode concludes with a promotional segment for the Fantasy Footballers’ Ultimate Draft Kit and encourages listeners to engage through social media and the website. The hosts reiterate their excitement for the new studio and the upcoming 2017 fantasy football season.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Moore [53:30]: "We're excited. It's going to be a great 2017."
- Andy Holloway [54:17]: "Check out the show after the show on YouTube."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the episode's primary discussions, providing valuable insights for both seasoned and novice fantasy football enthusiasts.