Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary – Episode: “Mahomes Interview + Can’t Play Mike, Buy or Sell” | Released September 16, 2020

The Fantasy Footballers returned with an engaging and content-rich episode on September 16, 2020, titled “Mahomes Interview + Can’t Play Mike, Buy or Sell.” Hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, the episode delves into a comprehensive analysis of fantasy football strategies, updates on player performances, an exclusive interview with NFL star Patrick Mahomes, and insightful discussions on the latest league news.

Buy or Sell Segment

The episode kicks off with the Buy or Sell segment sponsored by Pristine Auction, where the hosts evaluate various players based on their recent performances and potential for the upcoming weeks.

• DJ Chark vs. Darren Waller: Both Moore and Wright correctly decided to sell DJ Chark after his underwhelming performance against Indianapolis, where he recorded only three receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown (03:00).

• Naim Hines (Buy/Sell Decision):

  • Andy Holloway suggests selling Hines, citing his season-long performance and the likelihood that week one was his peak performance.
    • Andy Holloway (04:20): “I was going to sell it anyways because I don't think he's going to get into the top 20.”
  • Jason Moore and Mike Wright concur, with Moore emphasizing the difference between half PPR and full PPR formats, while Wright acknowledges the potential for overperformance in full PPR scenarios (05:00).

• Mark Ingram vs. Keenan Allen:

  • Andy Holloway debates selling Mark Ingram due to his limited involvement and performance, ultimately deciding to sell (05:14).
  • Jason Moore and Mike Wright express skepticism about Ingram’s role, with Moore contemplating buying the top 20 based on touchdown potential (06:34).
  • Keenan Allen is unanimously recommended for sale following his lackluster game performance, with all hosts agreeing to remove him from their lineups (07:40).

News and Updates

The hosts transition to broader NFL news, addressing significant injuries and team movements:

• Michael Thomas Injury:

  • Andy Holloway discusses the impact of Thomas missing several weeks on the Saints' offense, particularly regarding Drew Brees' target distribution.
    • Andy Holloway (10:11): “Is he still a weekly starter without Michael Thomas?”
  • Jason Moore and Mike Wright analyze potential beneficiaries in Brees' passing game, including Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook (11:40).

• Le'Veon Bell Joins the Jets:

  • Jason Moore speculates on the implications of Le'Veon Bell’s three-week injured reserve placement, suggesting it could delay Michael Thomas’s return due to roster maneuvers (12:32).
  • Mike Wright and Andy Holloway discuss the Jets' running back depth, mentioning Frank Gore and Josh Adams' increased roles (12:33).

• Allen Robinson Trade Drama:

  • Jason Moore explains the situation surrounding Allen Robinson’s trade request, highlighting his dissatisfaction with contract negotiations and the Bears' reluctance to meet his terms (14:27).

• Mohamed Sanu Sighting:

  • Andy Holloway briefly touches on Sanu’s signing with the 49ers and its fantasy implications, which Mike Wright and Jason Moore find negligible due to Sanu’s limited past performance with the team (15:16).

• Richard Sherman Placed on IR:

  • During a moment of breaking news, Jason Moore announces Richard Sherman’s placement on injured reserve, leading Mike Wright to express concerns about the 49ers' defensive depth and performance (15:45).

Exclusive Interview with Patrick Mahomes and Troy Polamalu

A highlight of the episode is an exclusive interview with Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes and NFL legend Troy Polamalu.

• Mindset and Preparation:

  • Patrick Mahomes emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on being the best version of oneself amidst uncertainties.
    • Patrick Mahomes (19:37): “I go in with the mindset, I'm going to whatever challenge it is, I'm gonna go right after and I'm gonna attack it.”

• Handling Post-Super Bowl Pressures:

  • Discussing the aftermath of a Super Bowl win without traditional celebrations due to COVID-19, Mahomes shares his eagerness to return to normal festivities and continue building a winning culture.
    • Patrick Mahomes (22:45): “I'm excited to get back in the season, get back around the guys and try to find the best way to build a great culture and go out there, win football games and make a lot of people happy.”

• Fantasy Football Perspective:

  • Polamalu offers a unique take on fantasy football, noting that while he wasn't deeply involved previously, the rise of fantasy has diversified and enriched the fanbase.
    • Troy Polamalu (24:56): “There are a lot of women fans that have come out through fantasy sports, a lot of younger fans that come out through fantasy sports.”

• Player Draft Preferences:

  • Jason Moore inquires about Mahomes’ draft preferences, leading to Mahomes advocating for Clyde Edwards-Helaire's versatility in the Chiefs' backfield.
    • Patrick Mahomes (26:52): “With Clyde, I think he's going to fit in our running back room so perfectly of having guys that can not only run the ball well between the tackles, but also catch the ball out of the backfield.”

• Views on Fantasy Football’s Impact:

  • Mahomes supports fantasy football when approached with a fun and light-hearted attitude, acknowledging its role in increasing fan engagement.
    • Patrick Mahomes (25:40): “As long as you keep it fun and keep it like light-hearted and you're just watching the game and it helps you learn more and more players, it's cool.”

Thursday Night Game Preview: Bengals vs. Browns

The hosts provide a thorough preview of the upcoming Thursday night matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns, highlighting key fantasy implications.

• Key Matchups:

  • Quarterbacks: Joe Burrow vs. Baker Mayfield are both considered non-fantasy plays this week due to questionable performances and matchup factors (35:38).
  • Running Backs: Emphasis on Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt for the Browns, with Jason Moore advocating for Hunt as a flex option (35:45).

• Wide Receivers:

  • Odell Beckham Jr. is a focal point, with the hosts debating his reliability as a fantasy asset given his four catchable targets last week.
    • Jason Moore (36:29): “There is a sink issue here... I'm going to make the switch sooner than later...”

• Fantasy Lineup Strategies:

  • The hosts advise against placing high-profile players like Beckham or AJ Green in flex positions to avoid lineup flexibility issues if injuries occur (40:12).
    • Andy Holloway (40:12): “Make sure if you are playing Beckham or A.J. Green, they're in your wide receiver slot.”

Mailbag and Listener Questions

Engaging with their audience, the hosts address several listener-submitted questions, providing expert advice on various fantasy scenarios:

• Using FAB as a Tradable Asset:

  • Mike Wright argues for its utility in balancing trades by enhancing flexibility.
    • Mike Wright (42:18): “It helps balance out trades... similar to your free agent budget.”
  • Andy Holloway prefers keeping FAB as a non-tradable, season-long strategy to maintain fairness.
    • Andy Holloway (42:49): “It's preference... It's a season-long event.”

• Julian Edelman’s Season Outlook:

  • Andy Holloway and Mike Wright recommend holding onto Edelman as a safe PPR option, noting his consistent target share despite changes under Tom Brady’s replacement.
    • Mike Wright (44:46): “I'm not bailing out on Julian Edelman just yet.”

• Antonio Gibson vs. Mark Ingram Flex Decision:

  • Consensus leans towards starting Mark Ingram over Antonio Gibson due to Ingram’s more reliable performance and limited opportunities for Gibson (46:00).
    • Jason Moore (46:53): “I'll play Mark Ingram as well.”

• Echler vs. Jonathan Taylor in Full PPR:

  • Jason Moore and Andy Holloway favor Jonathan Taylor for his higher upside and potential, despite the evolving offensive line dynamics.
    • Jason Moore (47:23): “Give me a super prospect and Jonathan Taylor with a great offensive line.”

Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

The episode concludes with reminders about the hosts' resources, including their fantasy football community at jointhefoot.com and their new podcast, Injury Blitz, which offers detailed injury analyses to aid fantasy managers in making informed decisions. The hosts also encourage listeners to submit more questions for future episodes and engage with their content on social media platforms.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway (04:20): “I think he's going to be involved... I think he's just under.”
• Jason Moore (14:27): “It is possible that if the Bears are doing poorly this year...”
• Patrick Mahomes (19:37): “I go in with the mindset, I'm gonna go right after and I'm gonna attack it.”
• Troy Polamalu (24:56): “There are a lot of women fans that have come out through fantasy sports...”

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast offers a blend of strategic fantasy football advice, real-time NFL updates, and an exclusive peek into the mindset of one of the league’s top quarterbacks. Whether you’re a seasoned fantasy manager or a casual fan, the hosts provide valuable insights to help navigate the complexities of the fantasy season.