Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: NFC South + Kerryon Kingdom, AJ Injury
Release Date: July 30, 2019
In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into crucial fantasy football news, focusing primarily on the NFC South division and significant player updates. The episode provides comprehensive analysis, expert opinions, and actionable advice to help listeners navigate their fantasy football strategies effectively.
1. Kerryon Johnson's Release and Fantasy Implications
The show kicks off with a heated discussion about the Detroit Lions' decision to cut Kerryon Johnson, a move that sent shockwaves through the fantasy football community.
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Jason Moore ([03:15]):
"Kerryon Johnson is not going to be one of those 265 carry backs. He can be one of those Alvin Kamara type backs that can get 215, 220 carries and add in 80 targets."Jason emphasizes Johnson's potential as a dual-threat running back, highlighting his receiving capabilities and workload versatility. He expresses disappointment over the Lions' decision, which impacts his personal rankings as he initially valued Johnson highly.
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Andy Holloway ([04:55]):
"I have him at 16 and I think it's actually borderline impossible for him to be a top 10 back this year."Andy counters by positioning Johnson lower in his rankings, citing the Lions' offensive struggles and the potential limitations on Johnson's workload under Coach Matt Patricia.
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Mike Wright ([10:17]):
"If Kerryon Johnson is benching behind someone like LeGarrett Blunt, it’s going to cap his performance."Mike aligns more with Jason's perspective, suggesting that Johnson could still secure a significant role despite the team's overall inefficiency.
The trio ultimately engages in a water bet regarding Johnson's ranking, illustrating their differing viewpoints and the unpredictable nature of fantasy football.
2. AJ Green's Injury Update
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the unfortunate news regarding AJ Green:
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Andy Holloway ([12:43]):
"A.J. Green, hashtag bts. He's going to be sidelined for six to eight weeks with torn ligaments in his left ankle."The injury sidelines one of the Bengals' key wide receivers, prompting discussions about the ripple effects on the team's offense and fantasy implications.
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Jason Moore ([13:25]):
"If you want my take, at least remove it. It was a dumb decision."Jason critiques the NFL's handling of Green's situation, expressing frustration over his diminished availability.
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Mike Wright ([14:17]):
"If Lev Bell misses camp for a hamstring issue, when he comes back, there’s no chance someone plays into a timeshare here."Mike underscores the uncertainty surrounding Green's return and the potential impact on his fantasy value.
The hosts collectively agree to downgrade Green's fantasy prospects, positioning him lower in their rankings due to the injury concerns.
3. Other Player News and Projections
Beyond Johnson and Green, the hosts touch upon various other player updates:
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Doug Baldwin:
Jason reflects on Baldwin's injury woes, comparing them to AJ Green's scenarios. -
Jared Cook ([35:53]):
"Jared Cook is interesting to me. We at least learned a little bit from what happened with Kobe Fleener."The trio debates Cook's potential return to form with the Saints, weighing his previous performance heavily influenced by team dynamics against his inherent talent.
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Calvin Ridley ([56:57]):
"Last year as a rookie had 92 targets. That's a lot. So maybe that volume can squeak up a little bit."Discussions revolve around Ridley's target volume and whether he can maintain or exceed his rookie year performance without the same team dynamics.
4. NFC South Divisional Breakdown
A substantial segment of the podcast is dedicated to analyzing the NFC South teams: New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A. New Orleans Saints
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Andy Holloway ([29:00]):
"Mark Ingram is gone. A key subtraction. How do you see this running game breaking down?"The Saints' offense undergoes significant changes with Mark Ingram's departure and the addition of Latavius Murray. The hosts explore how these adjustments impact the team's rushing dynamics and overall offensive efficiency.
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Jason Moore ([30:33]):
"Latavius Murray is stepping into a role very similar. I don’t expect Latavius Murray to get the exact same workload that Mark Ingram received."Jason analyzes Murray's expected role, suggesting a slight reduction in workload but still valuing his contribution to the Saints' backfield.
B. Carolina Panthers
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Jason Moore ([41:44]):
"I am really excited about the Panthers this year. This is one of those bounce-back teams."The hosts express optimism about the Panthers' potential resurgence, highlighting key players like DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Cam Newton. They discuss the offensive upgrades and the implications for fantasy football, particularly focusing on Cam Newton's quarterback play and how it affects wide receiver performances.
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Mike Wright ([44:42]):
"The problem with DJ Moore is it just comes down to draft cost. I think he has a good chance as, as any of these."Mike delves into DJ Moore's value in drafts, debating his potential upside against his draft cost.
C. Atlanta Falcons
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Andy Holloway ([51:19]):
"People out there going like what should I do with him? Yeah, what should I do?"The discussion revolves around Devonta Freeman's role and injury risk, analyzing the Falcons' offensive line improvements and how they might translate into Freeman's fantasy value.
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Jason Moore ([52:09]):
"Depending on how my first two rounds go, I’m perfectly happy with Devonta Freeman ending up as my running back one if I get two high-end."Jason shares his strategy regarding Freeman, balancing his potential high performance against associated risks.
D. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Andy Holloway ([60:08]):
"Bruce Arians is coming in. Bruce Arians, by all intensive purposes, is the Yogi Berra of the NFL at this point."The hosts humorously discuss Coach Bruce Arians' colorful quotes and the implications for the Buccaneers' offensive strategies under his leadership.
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Mike Wright ([61:13]):
"When the addition of Cook, with the fact that Keith Kirkwood has been, you know, maybe he's more involved."Mike evaluates the impact of new coaching strategies and quarterback dynamics, particularly how they affect the team's offense and, consequently, fantasy projections.
5. Fantasy Rankings and Projections
The trio offers nuanced fantasy rankings, weighing player performance, team dynamics, and injury risks:
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Quarterbacks:
The discussion includes Drew Brees' reliability versus Jameis Winston's unpredictability, with Andy stating, "He’s not an every week starter." Jason considers Cam Newton a viable late-round quarterback with high weekly ceilings. -
Wide Receivers:
Calvin Ridley and DJ Moore are scrutinized for their target volumes and efficiency. Andy cautions against overvaluing Ridley based on his touchdown efficiency rather than consistent target distribution. -
Tight Ends:
Jared Cook and Austin Hooper are debated regarding their potential fantasy impact, with Jason skeptical about Hooper's role beyond being a third-tier target. -
Running Backs:
Devonta Freeman's potential is emphasized, contingent on his health and workload, while Kerryon Johnson's ranking remains a point of contention between Andy and Jason.
6. Notable Quotes and Insights
Throughout the episode, the hosts share memorable quotes that encapsulate their perspectives:
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Andy Holloway ([19:00]):
"Do you want to take the chance on him? You probably get a deal on him."
Referring to AJ Green, Andy highlights the risk-reward ratio in drafting injured players. -
Jason Moore ([22:19]):
"You’ve got Tara Q, you’ve got everybody else."
Discussing Jaguars' target distribution, emphasizing the spread of opportunities. -
Mike Wright ([66:18]):
"They’re pretty much top three as a team."
Commenting on the Saints' offensive metrics, reinforcing their dominance. -
Andy Holloway ([61:12]):
"Chris Godwin has to change his fantasy baseline as a Fantasy starter."
Highlighting Godwin’s potential growth in the Saints' offense.
These quotes provide succinct insights into the hosts' analytical approach and predictive models.
Conclusion
The Fantasy Footballers deliver a comprehensive and engaging episode, rich with expert analysis and strategic advice. From dissecting the NFC South's intricacies to evaluating player injuries and fantasy projections, Andy, Jason, and Mike equip listeners with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions for their fantasy football teams. Whether debating Kerryon Johnson's future or strategizing around Bruce Arians' Buccaneers, the trio ensures listeners are well-prepared for the upcoming fantasy season.
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