Fantasy Football Podcast for Week 7/8 - Detailed Summary
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Hosts: Andy Holloway and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Podcast: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
1. Introduction and Host Updates
The episode kicks off with Andy Holloway and Mike Wright rejoining the show after a brief hiatus. Mike shares his excitement about returning to the studio, joking about missing "the smell of this studio" (00:30). Both hosts reaffirm their commitment to delivering top-tier fantasy football analysis, emphasizing their goal to help listeners "win your league—for sure and for fun" (00:41).
2. League Updates
Andy and Mike discuss their personal fantasy football records, both holding impressive standings at 5-2 (02:37). Mike humorously mentions dropping a couple of players out of kindness to make the league more competitive, highlighting his struggling performance against the Atlanta Falcons (02:03 & 02:18).
3. NFL News and Notes
a. Percy Harvin Trade:
A significant trade occurs as the Seahawks trade Percy Harvin, acquired last year with substantial draft picks and a hefty contract, to the Jets (03:17). Mike critiques the investment, pondering Harvin's impact on the Super Bowl and likening the trade to a "fantasy football trade" with no clear loser for the Jets (04:11 & 04:35).
b. Buffalo Bills Injuries:
The Bills face setbacks with key running backs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller sustaining injuries (05:06). Mike describes the impact on Buffalo's backfield and anticipates potential waiver wire pickups to fill the gaps (05:20). Additionally, Pierre Thomas suffers a shoulder injury, sidelining him for two to three weeks (07:22), leading to discussions about his value versus emerging players like Travers Cadet.
c. Detroit Lions Struggles:
Trent Richardson's hamstring injury and James Starks' ankle injury exacerbate the Lions' offensive woes (09:31). The duo's diminished performance raises concerns about their fantasy relevance, especially with the team's offensive line issues and inconsistent goal-line play (09:44).
d. Miscellaneous Injuries and Team Performances:
Roddy White and Torrey Smith from the Falcons return from injury, displaying mixed performances (16:38). The discussion highlights the Falcons' offensive struggles despite White's consistent performance, leading Andy to express skepticism about the team's prospects (18:05).
4. Fantasy Stud Muffins
Stud Muffins of the Week (10:23):
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Quarterbacks:
- Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins): Displaying improved performances with high QBR ratings (11:07). Andy praises the Dolphins' offensive line and Lamar Miller's role enhancement.
- Kyle Orton (Buffalo Bills): Despite team injuries, Orton showed competence but doesn't reach high fantasy relevance (12:14).
- Chris Ivory (Cleveland Browns): Delivered a standout performance with 170 yards and a touchdown (13:11).
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Running Backs:
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Wide Receivers:
- Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) and Torrey Smith (Atlanta Falcons): Both had significant games, with White achieving 100 yards and a touchdown (16:18).
5. Start of the Week Picks
Quarterback:
- Andy: Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) – High QBR ratings and favorable matchup against Jacksonville’s defense (39:45).
- Mike: Carson Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) – Consistent touchdown throws and a game against a weak pass defense in Philadelphia (40:35).
Running Back:
- Andy: Jerick McKinnon (Minnesota Vikings) – Increased role in the offense and strong performance against Buffalo (41:37).
- Mike: Joey Bell (Atlanta Falcons) – Benefited from Falcons' poor run defense despite Reggie Bush's return (42:05).
Wide Receiver:
- Andy: Samuel Watkins (Jacksonville Jaguars) – High target volume and a touchdown against a weak defense (43:55).
- Mike: Doug Baldwin (Seattle Seahawks) – Reliable target count against Carolina's poor pass defense (44:31).
Tight End:
- Andy: Jason Whitten (Pittsburgh Steelers) – Potential touchdown opportunities against Washington's struggling defense (45:23).
- Mike: Owen Daniels (Pittsburgh Steelers) – Good matchup against Cincinnati's weak defense (45:48).
Defense:
- Andy: Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans – Favorable matchup with Titans giving up sacks and fantasy points (46:28).
- Mike: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins – Emerging defense with turnovers potential (47:56).
6. Fantasy Footballers Versus the World
In this segment, Andy and Mike compare their start-of-the-week picks against the expert consensus from FantasyPros.com, analyzing agreement percentages and discussing any discrepancies.
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Quarterback:
- Andy: Sticks with Ryan Tannehill over Carson Palmer, aligning with a 59% expert preference (50:34).
- Mike: Follows Andy’s lead, backing Tannehill.
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Running Back:
- Andy: Chooses Jerick McKinnon over others, supported by FantasyPros' expert consensus.
- Mike: Agrees, reinforcing his selection.
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Wide Receiver:
- Andy: Opts for Samuel Watkins and Sammy Watkins, with example confidence in their potential touchdowns.
- Mike: Aligns with expert consensus, backing Sammy Watkins with 56% support (54:29).
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Tight End and Defense:
- Andy and Mike discuss strategic choices, often aligning with expert recommendations to maximize fantasy points.
This segment highlights the hosts' ability to align their personal insights with broader expert opinions, ensuring listeners receive balanced and well-rounded advice.
7. Mailbag
Listeners submit questions which Andy and Mike address, providing personalized advice:
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Jojo Jenkins: Pickup Dilemma - Chris Ivory vs. Tre Mason (58:44)
- Advice: Stick with Chris Ivory as a known producer unless targeting Tre Mason for potential upside.
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Bilbo Baggins: Start Mike Wallace or Kelvin Benjamin (60:02)
- Advice: Favor Mike Wallace based on expertise and game factors, despite Bilbo's whimsical nature.
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Sleazy E: Trade Ryan Mathews for Sammy Watkins (61:40)
- Advice: Retain Ryan Mathews, citing his established role and potential return from injury.
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Handsome William: Trade Emmanuel Sanders for Ahmad Bradshaw (63:35)
- Advice: Trade Emmanuel Sanders for Ahmad Bradshaw to capitalize on Bradshaw's high RB1 potential despite injury history.
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Defensive Streaming Question: Defense Picks vs. Specific Matchups (65:06)
- Advice: Choose Baltimore Defense over Arizona or Philadelphia based on matchup strengths and defensive performance.
8. Conclusion
Andy and Mike wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage through email and social media for personalized advice. They reiterate the importance of strategic plays and staying informed to enhance fantasy football performance. The hosts sign off with humor and camaraderie, setting the stage for the upcoming week (68:07).
Notable Quotes
- Mike Wright (00:51): "That's, I think, how I would describe."
- Andy Holloway (02:37): "It's a fantastic record."
- Mike Wright (04:35): "But it's kind of, it's, it's no lose for the Jets, I think."
- Andy Holloway (05:06): "I think his fantasy stock actually just maybe slightly goes up."
- Mike Wright (13:35): "Plan to win the game."
- Andy Holloway (67:13): "I'm ready to hit the road."
- Mike Wright (67:24): "He will not, not as in he will not, not force the ball."
Key Takeaways
- Injury Impact: Significant injuries to key players like Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller drastically affect team dynamics and player value.
- Trade Evaluations: Trades involving high draft picks and substantial contracts, such as Percy Harvin's move to the Jets, are scrutinized for their long-term fantasy implications.
- Waiver Wire Strategies: Emphasis on prioritizing players with consistent performances and favorable matchups, like Tre Mason and Bryce Brown.
- Start/Sit Decisions: Detailed analysis of weekly performances and expert consensus guides the hosts' recommendations for optimal lineup choices.
- Listener Engagement: The Mailbag segment underscores the podcast's commitment to addressing specific listener concerns, offering tailored advice to enhance their fantasy strategies.
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the pivotal discussions, analyses, and insights shared by Andy Holloway and Mike Wright during the Fantasy Footballers podcast episode for Week 7/8, providing valuable information for both regular listeners and those who missed the live session.
Timestamps
For ease of reference, here's a list of key timestamps mentioned in the summary:
- 00:30: Mike misses the studio smell
- 00:41: Hosts' commitment to quality
- 02:03: Mike discusses his league performance
- 02:37: Both hosts' records
- 03:17: Percy Harvin trade
- 04:11: Mike's critique on Harvin's impact
- 04:35: Comparison to fantasy trade
- 05:06: Bills' injury updates
- 05:20: Waiver wire considerations
- 07:22: Pierre Thomas injury
- 09:31: Denver Lions' struggles
- 10:23: Start of Fantasy Stud Muffins
- 11:07: Ryan Tannehill's performance
- 12:14: Chris Ivory's breakout game
- 14:29: Darren McFadden’s versatility
- 15:42: Denard Robinson's emergence
- 16:18: Roddy White and Torrey Smith's performances
- 39:45: Ryan Tannehill's favorable matchup
- 40:35: Carson Palmer's start
- 41:37: Jerick McKinnon's increased role
- 42:05: Joey Bell's performance
- 43:55: Samuel Watkins' targets
- 44:31: Doug Baldwin's reliability
- 45:23: Jason Whitten's touchdown potential
- 46:28: Houston Texans' defense choice
- 47:56: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins defense
- 50:34: Amer Mohamed Sanu vs. Eric Decker comparison
- 54:29: Sammy Watkins vs. Emmanuel Sanders
- 58:44: Jojo Jenkins' pickup question
- 60:02: Bilbo Baggins' receiver question
- 61:40: Sleazy E's trade question
- 63:35: Handsome William's trade question
- 65:06: Defensive streaming question
- 67:13: Hosts' final thoughts
Note: The timestamps are formatted as MM:SS for easy navigation within the summary.