Fantasy Footballers - AMA + Coaching Changes, Giant Heads
Release Date: January 10, 2019
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Episode: Footballers AMA + Coaching Changes, Giant Heads

Introduction and Host Banter ([00:00] - [02:08])

The episode kicks off with Andy Holloway and Mike Wright engaging in their signature playful banter, immediately setting a fun and relaxed tone. Andy enthusiastically promotes fantasychamps.com, encouraging listeners to celebrate their fantasy football victories with custom trophies:

Andy Holloway ([00:07]): "You need to celebrate. And you go to fantasychamps.com get yourself one of those beautiful trophies."

Mike introduces the podcast from pristineauction.com Studios, while Andy humorously notes the absence of their third host, Jason Moore, who is on a family vacation:

Mike Wright ([00:45]): "Podcast coming to you from pristineauction.com Studios with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright."

Coaching Changes and Fantasy Implications ([07:03] - [15:13])

The hosts delve into significant NFL coaching changes and analyze their potential impacts on fantasy football. This segment is rich with insights and humor, providing listeners with both information and entertainment.

Packers Hire Matt LaFleur ([07:05] - [08:23])

Andy and Mike discuss the Green Bay Packers' appointment of Matt LaFleur as their new head coach. They debate the implications of this hire, emphasizing LaFleur's offensive mindset and his alignment with quarterback Aaron Rodgers' preferences.

Andy Holloway ([07:25]): "If I'm Aaron Rodgers, I'm probably pretty happy to have an offensive minded head coach from the McVeigh tree."

Mike highlights LaFleur's background, including his time with the Tennessee Titans and under Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams, underscoring his offensive expertise.

Cardinals Hire Cliff Kingsbury ([08:23] - [11:16])

The conversation shifts to the Arizona Cardinals' hiring of Cliff Kingsbury as head coach. Andy expresses skepticism about the decision, questioning Kingsbury's NFL experience despite his successful college coaching record.

Andy Holloway ([10:56]): "NFL experience, yes. Opportunities as offensive coordinator, success as offensive coordinator. I'm not sure I know if he has the experience now."

Mike defends Kingsbury's prowess, detailing his consistent offensive rankings at Texas Tech and USC, yet remains uncertain about his fit in the NFL context.

Mike Wright ([11:16]): "Cliffy K will come in and he'll be incredible or it's going to be terrible and you go try to find the next guy."

Buccaneers Hire Bruce Arians ([12:15] - [13:45])

Andy announces Bruce Arians as the new head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, viewing this as a positive move for players like Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin. The hosts discuss Arians' affinity for vertical passing and its benefits for the Buccaneers' offense.

Andy Holloway ([12:37]): "Bruce Arians loves the vertical passing. Great news for Jameis, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin."

Broncos Hire Vic Fangio and Rehire Gary Kubiak ([13:45] - [14:05])

The Denver Broncos bring Vic Fangio as their new head coach, emphasizing a defensive-focused approach. Concurrently, they rehire Gary Kubiak as their offensive coordinator, sparking discussions about the balance between defense and offense in their strategy.

Cleveland Browns Hire Freddie Kitchens ([13:45] - [15:13])

Freddie Kitchens takes over as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, replacing Greg Williams. Mike applauds Kitchens' journey from offensive coordinator to head coach, highlighting the smooth transition and Kitchens' positive impact on the team.

Mike Wright ([13:57]): "This is a great success story of a guy playing his way, earning his coaching his way, earning his way into a head coaching job."

AMA Segment ([16:00] - [57:03])

The heart of the episode is the AMA (Ask Me Anything) segment, where Andy and Mike answer questions from listeners sourced from YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. This segment provides a deeper look into the hosts' personal lives, their podcasting journey, and fantasy football strategies.

How the Hosts Met ([19:19] - [21:42])

Andy shares the origins of the podcast, recounting his friendship with Jason Moore, which began in high school and blossomed through their shared passion for fantasy sports and collaborative ventures in a Facebook gaming company.

Andy Holloway ([19:25]): "We worked together for six, seven years together. That company started to shift and that's when we started the podcast."

Challenges in Starting a Podcast ([21:42] - [23:05])

Mike discusses the initial challenges, primarily focusing on self-confidence and the struggle to establish credibility in a saturated fantasy football podcast market.

Mike Wright ([21:55]): "The hardest thing for me was confidence, like believing that you had something to offer."

Andy adds that consistency was key to building their reputation and industry dominance.

Advice for New Podcasters and Analysts ([25:32] - [28:19])

Mike emphasizes the importance of finding a unique voice and differentiating oneself in the crowded fantasy football space. He advises podcasters to embrace their individuality and focus on entertaining their audience.

Mike Wright ([25:32]): "Find your voice... get used to it."

Andy underscores the necessity of authenticity and relationship-building, noting that new mediums like YouTube and social media offer diverse platforms to express unique perspectives.

Andy Holloway ([28:11]): "You need to entertain. That's an important piece that can be easily looked over."

Personal Questions ([Various Timestamps])

The hosts tackle various personal inquiries, sharing candid insights about their lives:

• Waist Size: Mike humorously deflects by advocating for stretchy pants.
• Adoption Experience: Andy and Mike open up about adopting their daughter, detailing the emotional journey and unique experiences involved.
• Hobbies:
  • Andy discusses his wife's passion for raising poison dart frogs and maintaining a biosphere at home.
  • Mike reminisces about his brief stint with World of Warcraft and his family's quirky interests.
  • Brooks shares his love for bowling, although he hasn't been participating regularly.

Fantasy Football Specific Questions ([33:31] - [56:55])

Listeners pose questions related to fantasy football strategies and league management:

• Auction Drafts: Mike expresses his appreciation for the flexibility of auction drafts while acknowledging their length and complexity.

  Mike Wright ([33:31]): "They are long. Very, very long. If you thought your fantasy draft, your Snake draft, was long, buckle up if you're going to do an auction draft."

• Adding Dynasty Teams to Existing Leagues: The hosts discuss methods for integrating new teams into dynasty leagues, emphasizing the importance of protected players and structured expansion drafts.

  Mike Wright ([48:33]): "The best solution I've heard for a dynasty is that everyone gets to protect six players or whatever, depending on your roster size."

• Kicking Friends Out of Leagues: Andy and Mike offer strategies for managing inactive or toxic league members, advocating for open communication and, if necessary, co-owner arrangements to maintain league integrity.

  Mike Wright ([44:39]): "It's been gentle and for us, and we've maintained the friendship."

Nickname Discussion ([53:07] - [54:43])

The hosts discuss the spontaneous creation of nicknames for their fantasy teams and themselves, highlighting how these nicknames often emerge organically during the show. This segment underscores the lighthearted and creative atmosphere of the podcast.

Andy Holloway ([53:35]): "Most often the moments on this show and the nicknames on this show happen on this show."

Conclusion and Upcoming Content ([57:03] - [58:19])

Wrapping up the episode, Andy and Mike promote their custom nickname T-shirts available at shopballers.com, showcasing a list of creative and humorous names like "Booty Scoot," "Cam Newton," and "Mark Waltenberg." They hint at upcoming "Truth" episodes with the return of Jason Moore and maintain their engaging rapport, ensuring listeners are left anticipating future content.

Andy Holloway ([58:04]): "Back with the Truth episodes next week. Jason will be back. Going to dive in. Going to be fun."

Mike Wright ([58:19]): "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on TwitterFFballers."

Notable Quotes

• Andy Holloway on Starting the Podcast ([24:11]): "It's the fantasy football space. There's a lot going on, there's a lot of people writing, there's a lot of people doing podcasts now. It's very cluttered, it's very, very noisy."

• Mike Wright on Auction Drafts ([33:31]): "They are long. Very, very long. If you thought your fantasy draft, your Snake draft, was long, buckle up if you're going to do an auction draft."

• Andy Holloway on Nicknames ([53:35]): "Most often the moments on this show and the nicknames on this show happen on this show."

Insights and Takeaways

• Coaching Hires Impact Fantasy Strategies: Understanding the new head coaches' philosophies can help fantasy players anticipate player performances and adjust their strategies accordingly.

• Building a Successful Podcast: Consistency, unique voice, and entertainment value are crucial in standing out in a saturated market.

• Engaging with the Community: The AMA segment exemplifies the importance of listener interaction and building a strong community around the podcast.

• Creative Branding: Spontaneous and humorous elements like nicknames contribute to the podcast’s unique identity and listener engagement.

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast skillfully blends insightful analysis of NFL coaching changes with a personable and engaging AMA segment. Andy Holloway and Mike Wright provide valuable fantasy football advice while sharing personal anecdotes, fostering a strong connection with their audience. The blend of professional insights and lighthearted humor makes this episode both informative and entertaining, catering to both seasoned fantasy football enthusiasts and newcomers alike.