Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - "Pump the Brakes, Playoff Q's + Collusion Confusion" (December 5, 2018)
In this episode of Fantasy Footballers, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into critical discussions surrounding the fantasy football playoffs, ethical dilemmas like collusion, and provide insightful analysis to help listeners navigate the final stretch of the season. The episode, titled "Pump the Brakes, Playoff Q's + Collusion Confusion," offers a blend of strategic advice, player evaluations, and engaging banter, ensuring listeners are well-equipped to make informed decisions for their fantasy teams.
1. Matchup Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
The episode kicks off with an in-depth preview of the Jacksonville Jaguars versus Tennessee Titans matchup. Mike Wright highlights the low national interest in the game, emphasizing its significance primarily for fantasy football enthusiasts.
- Mike Wright [02:08]: “The Titans are 6 and 6, still in the playoff hunt. But for the most part, this isn't a game that the country is very interested in, except for fantasy football players.”
Key Points:
- The game features players relevant to fantasy leagues, such as Leonard Fournette, Dion Lewis, Corey Davis, and Marcus Mariota.
- The Jaguars' defense has been formidable against the run and significant in limiting fantasy points from opposing running backs.
- Mike advises against relying on Dion Lewis in this matchup due to Jacksonville's strong defensive performance.
2. Pump the Brakes: Playoff Player Cautions
A recurring segment where Mike Wright identifies players with potential downturns or risks in the upcoming playoff week. This week, the focus is on tightening expectations and evaluating matchups critically.
a. Chris Carson and Rashad Penny
- Mike Wright [04:38]: “I'm pumping the brakes on Chris Carson and to speak to his ranking currently. Let me get it exactly. I have Chris Carson at running back 23.”
Insights:
- Chris Carson is ranked 23rd among running backs but faces a challenging matchup against Minnesota's defense and has an ongoing finger injury.
- The emergence of Rashad Penny provides Carson with competition, potentially limiting his fantasy output.
b. Patriots' Players Analysis
- Andy Holloway [06:11]: “Tom Brady, in and of himself over the last few years, has been a killer… He loves it now. He's obviously not conscious of this world.”
- Mike Wright [06:19]: “Oh, you think so? Yeah. Burning down the fantasy player.”
Key Points:
- Tom Brady remains a top fantasy asset, but Andy cautions about the unpredictability of the Patriots' offensive strategy under Bill Belichick.
- Secondary players like James Devlin, Sonny Michelle, and Rob Gronkowski may offer inconsistent fantasy production.
- Josh Gordon and Rex Burkhead are evaluated for their roles and reliability in the Patriots' offense.
c. James Conner and Mike Tomlin's Injury Handling
- Andy Holloway [10:55]: “Mike Tomlin was very, very heavy handed, assuring everyone. No, no, no, no… It is merely a contusion and he will be fine. It is a minor injury.”
Discussion:
- Andy expresses frustration over Mike Tomlin's handling of James Conner's injury, suspecting possible misinformation regarding the severity of Conner's ankle sprain.
- The segment critiques the transparency and honesty of coaching staff in communicating player injuries, impacting fantasy decisions.
d. Jalen Samuels' Dual Eligibility
- Andy Holloway [12:56]: “Jalen Samuels is going to get guaranteed work.”
Insights:
- Jalen Samuels is discussed as both a running back and tight end, providing unique value in fantasy leagues.
- The hosts debate his placement in rankings, ultimately recommending him over traditional tight ends like Rob Gronkowski and George Kittle due to his expected workload and dual eligibility.
3. News and Notes
Andy provides updates on various fantasy league happenings and NFL player news, ensuring listeners stay informed about developments that could impact their teams.
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League Updates:
- Andy reflects on his own fantasy league challenges, highlighting losses and injuries to key players like Sammy Watkins and Ryan Switzer.
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Player News:
- DeSean Jackson's tenure with Tampa Bay appears to be concluding, potentially affecting his availability and performance.
- Kelvin Benjamin of the Bills is waived, removing him from fantasy considerations.
- The Raiders sign veteran C.J. Anderson, raising questions about his relevance for fantasy teams.
4. Mailbag: Listener Questions and Advice
Listeners submit questions ranging from strategic lineup decisions to ethical concerns about league conduct. The hosts tackle each query with thoughtful analysis and practical recommendations.
a. Strategic Lineup Decisions
- Caller 1 [21:07]: Weighing between stacking Brady and Gronk versus diversifying with Luck and Ebron.
- Andy Holloway [21:36]: “Do you split those guys?”
- Mike Wright [21:42]: Recommends doubling up on the Colts' offense due to favorable matchups and player reliability.
b. Ethical Questions: Collusion Confusion
- Deborah's Question [25:49]: Coaching an inactive league member to affect playoff seeding.
- Mike Wright [25:49]: “You will get no, no support here. There will be no one in your corner over here.”
- Brooks [34:16]: “If I was the commission, I would consider it collusion.”
Discussion:
- The hosts debate the ethics of influencing another team’s decisions, with Brooks deeming it potential collusion.
- Emphasis is placed on maintaining league integrity and respecting the spirit of fair play.
c. Player-Specific Questions
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Cliff Lynch [30:24]: Trusting Jared Goff in an upcoming game.
- Mike Wright [30:24]: Advises caution but acknowledges the low-risk option in Goff.
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Justin [27:36]: Decisions regarding limited tight end options for playoff lineups.
- Mike Wright [28:21]: Suggests playing Trey Burton with caution, considering other available options.
5. Thursday Night Breakdown: Jacksonville vs. Tennessee Analysis
The hosts provide a detailed analysis of the upcoming playoff game between the Jaguars and Titans, focusing on player performances and matchups that matter for fantasy football.
- Andy Holloway [42:01]: “Leonard Fournette. Owners care, Mike. Except for fantasy football players.”
- Mike Wright [42:14]: Highlights defensive strengths of Jacksonville and advises against relying on certain running backs due to favorable defenses.
Key Takeaways:
- Leonard Fournette remains a worthy fantasy option despite the low-profile matchup.
- Running backs like Dion Lewis and Deon Foreman are advised against due to Jacksonville’s strong run defense.
- Corey Davis and Marcus Mariota are noted as more reliable options, with Corey Davis showing recent improvement.
6. Hosts' Personal Anecdotes and Banter
Interspersed throughout the episode, the hosts engage in light-hearted banter, sharing personal stories and humorous exchanges that add a relatable and entertaining layer to the discussion.
- Andy Holloway [45:43]: Shares his struggle between attending his children's concert and watching NFL games, highlighting the balancing act of being a parent and a fantasy football enthusiast.
- Mike Wright [47:34]: Jokes about enduring multiple responsibilities, including watching kids' performances and following the game on mobile devices.
7. Concluding Remarks
The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the Jacksonville vs. Tennessee matchup, reiterating key player strategies and encouraging listeners to make informed decisions for their playoff lineups.
- Andy Holloway [43:39]: Emphasizes the importance of trusting reliable players and avoiding high-risk options.
- Mike Wright [44:05]: Affirms his stance on player selections, reinforcing the discussed strategies.
Notable Quotes:
- Andy Holloway [06:11]: “Tom Brady, in and of himself over the last few years, has been a killer… He loves it now. He's obviously not conscious of this world.”
- Mike Wright [25:49]: “You will get no, no support here. There will be no one in your corner over here.”
- Brooks [34:16]: “If I was the commission, I would consider it collusion.”
Conclusion
This episode of Fantasy Footballers offers a comprehensive look into the strategic considerations essential for navigating the fantasy playoffs. From player evaluations and matchup analyses to addressing ethical concerns within leagues, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright provide valuable insights and thoughtful discussions. Their blend of expertise and engaging dialogue ensures that listeners are both informed and entertained, making it a must-listen for any fantasy football enthusiast aiming to excel in their league.