Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - "Pump the Brakes, Trade Talk, The Red/Green Dilemma"

Release Date: September 19, 2018
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Week 3 Overview and General Outlook

As Week 3 of the NFL season unfolds, the Fantasy Footballers discuss the current state of fantasy leagues, encouraging listeners not to lose hope despite mixed starts. Andy Holloway opens the discussion by acknowledging the influx of trade offers, highlighting the opportune moment for making strategic trades.

Andy Holloway [02:22]: "Now's a really interesting time to trade because you can make people believe things with a couple games that happen back to back."

2. The Red/Green Dilemma

A significant portion of the episode delves into the "Red/Green Dilemma," a psychological challenge fantasy managers face when interpreting matchup colors provided by platforms like ESPN and Yahoo. These colors indicate the defensive strength of opponents, with red suggesting tough matchups and green indicating favorable ones.

• Psychological Impact:
  The hosts explore how red tones can heighten stress and aggression, while green hues promote relaxation. This color-coding can influence start/sit decisions beyond actual player performance.

  Andy Holloway [05:28]: "Seeing green can make you want to put that bench guy in and seeing red makes you want to bench a player."

• Data Interpretation:
  Jason Moore emphasizes that early-season data is insufficient for making definitive decisions, urging managers to consider the quality of defenses rather than just color indications.

  Jason Moore [05:09]: "Two weeks of data is absolutely nothing. If you were to go back and look at the first two weeks and where teams lied last year in 2017 and you compare that to where they finished, nothing is the same."

3. "Pump the Brakes" Segment

In this segment, the hosts advise listeners to exercise caution with certain players whose performances may not sustain.

• Carlos Hyde (Cleveland Browns RB):
  Mike Wright expresses concerns about Hyde's efficiency, noting his low yards per carry despite high volume.

  Mike Wright [10:10]: "He's running for 2.7 yards a carry... if he does not have those two touchdowns, which one of them was a gimme from a penalty, you're really, really mad at Carlos Hyde right now."

  Andy adds that unless Hyde secures touchdowns, his value remains questionable.

  Andy Holloway [11:08]: "Has he scored in both weeks? That's the same situation for Marshawn Lynch... I got a good pump the brakes in there today."

• Dede Westbrook (Jacksonville Cowboys WR):
  Andy advises against starting Westbrook despite his talent, due to inconsistent target distribution within his team.

  Andy Holloway [14:19]: "If you look at your target breakdown from week two... the target share wasn't really there for Dede in comparison to the other guys. And so he is a risky play."

4. Trade Talk

The Fantasy Footballers analyze several listener-submitted trades, offering strategic insights and recommendations.

• David Johnson for Gronk (Instagram Trade):
  Mike Wright: "I would do it."
  Jason Moore: Highlights the importance of RB depth, suggesting that trading Johnson for Gronk is favorable if a team can maintain running back strength.

  Jason Moore [28:42]: "If you have the running back depth to do it... I think I would rather have Gronk."

• David Johnson and Marshawn Lynch for Christian McCaffrey and Alshon Jeffrey (Instagram Trade):
  Mike Wright prefers McCaffrey due to his reliability and involvement in the offense.

  Mike Wright [30:28]: "Christian McCaffrey is the safer running back because he's actually getting targets."

• Josh Gordon for Kenyon Drake and Corey Davis (Facebook Trade):
  The hosts commend the trade, indicating it's a favorable move for acquiring reliable wide receivers.

  Jason Moore [36:30]: "You have to get a season-long stud for James Conner... how about this? Who else would it usually take to get Drake and Corey Davis back as a wide receiver?"

• Amari Cooper and James Connor for Antonio Brown (Twitter Trade):
  The Fantasy Footballers highly recommend this trade, valuing Cooper’s consistency and Brown's volatile performance.

  Mike Wright [34:04]: "If you have James Conner right now, just, just shoot Antonio Brown message, be like, hey, you want to do a little swapski real fast?"

5. Player Analysis and Recommendations

• Philip Lindsay (Denver Broncos RB):
  Jason Moore praises Lindsay's impressive start but urges caution regarding future matchups against strong defenses.

  Jason Moore [12:31]: "I would much rather hold him on my bench this week and see how he does on the road against a decent opponent, then put him in my starting lineup."

• Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles QB):
  Jason Moore advocates for starting Wentz post-injury, citing his strong performances and favorable matchup.

  Jason Moore [16:48]: "They have treated this injury the right way. They have not rushed him back. He's been throwing the ball well, impressing since OTAs in camp."

• Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers WR):
  Despite mixed early performances, Jason remains optimistic about Brown's potential, emphasizing his proven talent.

  Jason Moore [21:25]: "I'm completely in love with Antonio Brown. I have no worries, no hesitations whatsoever."

6. News and Updates

• Carson Wentz Injury Status:
  The hosts discuss Wentz's cautious return from injury, noting his readiness and the Eagles' strategic use of available players.

• Jordan Matthews (Philadelphia Eagles WR):
  Discussions revolve around Matthews' role primarily in the slot and the emergence of Nelson Aguilar, affecting his target share.

  Mike Wright [19:36]: "Jordan Matthews is almost exclusively a slot wide receiver. The emergence of Nelson Aguilar has come because Jordan Matthews was out of town and Nelson was able to move into the slot."

• Antonio Callaway (New York Jets WR):
  Despite only one reception in previous games, Callaway is considered a viable flex option due to his potential role in the Jets' offense.

  Mike Wright [47:06]: "Antonio Callaway... he's the flex worthy guy for me just because of his athletic profile, the role he will fill on this offense."

7. Thursday Night Preview

The hosts preview the upcoming Thursday Night Football game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns, analyzing defensive matchups and predicting the Browns' potential victory.

• Cleveland Browns Defense:
  Jason Moore praises the Browns' defensive line, anticipating strong performances against Sam Darnold.

  Jason Moore [42:07]: "I am a believer in the Cleveland Browns defensive line. Their ability to sack the quarterback, their ability to cause turnovers."

• Game Prediction:
  After initial skepticism, Jason Moore expresses confidence in a Browns win.

  Jason Moore [50:13]: "I actually do believe that they get the victory."

8. Final Recommendations and Wrap-Up

The Fantasy Footballers conclude with strategic advice on roster management, emphasizing the importance of depth and the quality of life considerations when managing fantasy teams.

Jason Moore [36:17]: "Quality of life also matters."

They also remind listeners to utilize tools on their website for rankings and start/sit decisions, encouraging engagement through social media and their Patreon.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway [02:22]: "Now's a really interesting time to trade because you can make people believe things with a couple games that happen back to back."

• Jason Moore [05:09]: "Two weeks of data is absolutely nothing."

• Mike Wright [10:10]: "He's running for 2.7 yards a carry... you're really, really mad at Carlos Hyde right now."

• Jason Moore [28:42]: "If you have the running back depth to do it... I think I would rather have Gronk."

• Jason Moore [21:25]: "I'm completely in love with Antonio Brown. I have no worries, no hesitations whatsoever."

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers provides a comprehensive analysis of Week 3 strategies, emphasizing cautious player evaluation, strategic trading, and the psychological impacts of matchup color-coding. The hosts blend statistical insights with practical advice, ensuring listeners are well-equipped to make informed decisions for their fantasy teams.