Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast (Week 8/9) Release Date: October 28, 2014
Hosts: Andy Holloway & Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In the Week 8/9 episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy Holloway and Mike Wright dive into the latest happenings in the world of Fantasy Football. They kick off the show by discussing the looming NFL trade deadline and contrasting the flurry of Fantasy Football trades with the relatively quiet NFL activity.

Notable Quote:

• Mike Wright [00:28]: "The NFL trade deadline looms."
• Andy Holloway [00:36]: "Especially because we like in fantasy football there's so many trades flying around."

Podcast Reviews

Andy and Mike take a moment to highlight positive feedback from their listeners, showcasing appreciation for their insightful analysis and entertaining delivery.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [01:26]: "Here's one from C. Fennelly. Five star review. He says this podcast is great... A much needed ray of sunshine. Amazeballs."
• Andy Holloway [02:09]: "But if you enjoy the podcast, we ask that you go give us a review please. 5 star review on iTunes so that we can move up the charts and replace some of those inferior, less beneficial to you podcasts that exist."

News and Notes

The hosts delve into the latest NFL news impacting Fantasy Football:

• Injuries:
  • Jordan Cameron suffers another concussion and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks.
  • Brian Quick is out for the year after shoulder surgery.
  • Doug Martin continues to struggle with injuries and poor performance, making him unreliable for fantasy owners.
  • Robert Woods is out with a back injury, affecting various Fantasy teams.
  • Chuck) Tony Romo's back injury sparks debate over his return, with Andy expressing skepticism about his comeback for the upcoming game against Arizona.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [03:32]: "Brian Quick is out for the year."
• Mike Wright [04:14]: "If you are not a Jeremy Hill owner, you're going to want to look into that."
• Andy Holloway [07:05]: "He looked like he was in a ton of pain."

Stud Muffins

A segment dedicated to players outperforming their typical fantasy expectations (“Stud Muffins”). Andy and Mike analyze standout performances:

• Nick Foles: Despite a mixed performance with 411 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 interceptions, Andy supports continuing to start Foles based on his overall potential.
• Mark Ingram: Delivers a monster game with 24 carries for 172 yards and a TD, reinforcing his reliability.
• Theo Riddick: Shines in a London game with impressive catches and a touchdown, though Mike advises not to rely heavily on him long-term.
• Brandon Laxell & Brandon Cook: Both receive praise for their target and touchdown numbers, though Cook is deemed "hit or miss."

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [10:11]: "Stud muffin continues for Ingram."
• Mike Wright [12:20]: "If Reggie Bush is out for an extended period of time, Riddick is the guy you could put in there."

Starts and Performance Review

Andy and Mike review their previous week's start recommendations, assessing their successes and shortcomings:

• Mike's Picks:

  • Ryan Tannehill: Disappointing under 200 yards and a TD.
  • Sammy Watkins: Big home run game with significant targets and touchdowns.
  • Jeremy Witten: Solid performance with a long touchdown.
  • Texans Defense: Effective against Buffalo and Miami.

• Andy’s Picks:

  • Carson Palmer: Stellar 329 passing yards and two TDs.
  • Cam Newton: Chosen as his start of the week despite earlier performance issues.
  • Alfred Morris: Selected for his potential against Minnesota's run defense.
  • Keenan Allen & Andrew Hawkins: Bold choices based on matchups against weaker defenses.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [36:05]: "If you're listening to the Fantasy Footballers podcast, every week you're getting starts of the week that most of these are hitting."
• Mike Wright [39:52]: "Cam Newton is my start of the week."

Fantasy Footballers vs. the World

A comparative analysis between Andy and Mike’s start recommendations and the expert consensus from FantasyPros.com:

1. Mark Ingram vs. Ahmad Bradshaw

   • Consensus: Majority prefer Ahmad Bradshaw, especially in PPR leagues.
   • Andy’s Take: Leans towards Ahmad Bradshaw.
   • Mike’s Take: Initially favors Mark Ingram but notes the shifting preferences based on league formats.

2. Torrey Smith vs. Andre Holmes

   • Consensus: Andre Holmes favored due to Torrey Smith's concussion concerns.
   • Andy’s Take: Chooses Andre Holmes.
   • Mike’s Take: Also leans towards Andre Holmes due to Smith's injury.

3. Mike Wallace vs. Brandon Oliver

   • Consensus: Mike Wallace is the preferred choice.
   • Andy’s Take: Agrees with Mike Wallace for his matchup.
   • Mike’s Take: Supports Mike Wallace for his bounce-back potential.

4. Calvin Benjamin vs. Brandon Oliver

   • Consensus: Calvin Benjamin leads.
   • Andy’s Take: Chooses Calvin Benjamin.
   • Mike’s Take: Initially conflicted but aligns with consensus by selecting Calvin Benjamin.

5. Terrence Williams vs. Andre Johnson

   • Consensus: Andre Johnson is preferred.
   • Andy’s Take: Chooses Terrence Williams.
   • Mike’s Take: Aligns with Andy, selecting Terrence Williams despite the consensus favoring Johnson.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [48:21]: "This is a tough one for me. I lean on the Bradshaw side now."
• Mike Wright [49:44]: "Pittsburgh has allowed their bottom five, I think, in the league of allowing pass plays of over 20 yards."

Mailbag – Listener Questions

Andy and Mike tackle listener-submitted questions, offering personalized advice on start/sit decisions, player comparisons, and trade dilemmas.

• Question 1 (Barry): Doug Baldwin vs. Brandon LaFell

  • Andy’s Answer: Prefers Doug Baldwin due to favorable matchups and higher target volume.

• Question 2 (Gordon Jamron): Andre Holmes vs. Torrey Smith

  • Andy’s Answer: Chooses Andre Holmes, considering Torrey Smith's concussion risks.

• Question 3 (No specific name): Start Owens vs. Cooks vs. Keenan Allen

  • Andy’s Answer: Selects Keenan Allen based on consensus and performance trends.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [55:51]: "Do you think Barry...calls Brandon LaFell?"
• Mike Wright [60:26]: "But I by accident, always end up putting my start of the week in the versus the world section."

Conclusion

In closing, Andy and Mike reflect on the week's discussions, reiterate the importance of strategic waiver wire pickups, and encourage listeners to engage via mailbag questions and social media for ongoing Fantasy Football success.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [64:23]: "I think this is a memo to Andy Reid. Don't be afraid to throw a challenge flag."
• Mike Wright [65:02]: "I'm sorry I doubted your speed and your ability to have good catches and your touchdown dance still sucks."

Final Thoughts:
This episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of Week 8/9 Fantasy Football strategies, player performances, and insightful comparisons with expert consensus. Hosts Andy Holloway and Mike Wright blend expert advice with humor, making it a valuable resource for Fantasy Football enthusiasts aiming to optimize their teams and navigate the complexities of the game.