Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast Episode: The Footie Awards! + Top 10 for 2019, Brown Bombshell
Release Date: January 3, 2019
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction and Studio Updates

The episode kicks off with the hosts welcoming listeners from their new studio, thanks to their latest sponsor, Pristine Auction. Mike Wright humorously remarks on the high-quality memorabilia available, setting an enthusiastic tone for the episode. Andy Holloway (00:26) introduces the agenda: an early look at their top 10 fantasy football picks for 2019, followed by the highly anticipated Footy Awards.

2. Top 10 Fantasy Football Picks for 2019

The hosts delve into their individual top 10 lists, offering diverse perspectives based on different scoring formats (half PPR vs. full PPR).

• 1. Todd Gurley

  • Andy Holloway (06:07): "We all have Todd Gurley at one."

• 2. Saquon Barkley vs. Melvin Gordon vs. Ezekiel Elliott

  • Andy: Chooses Saquon Barkley for his exceptional rookie performance and high reception volume.
  • Jason Moore (07:01): Prefers Melvin Gordon due to his role as a complete workhorse in the offense.
  • Mike Wright (07:18): Selects Ezekiel Elliott, factoring in his rushing touchdowns and reception involvement.

• 3. Christian McCaffrey vs. Zeke Elliott

  • Andy: Ranks Christian McCaffrey third for breaking the receiving record among running backs.
  • Jason: Places Zeke Elliott at three, aligning with Mike's choice.

• 4-10. Further Rankings

  • Andy: Includes Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, Melvin Gordon, James Conner, Antonio Brown, DeVonte Adams, and DeAndre Hopkins.
  • Jason and Mike: Offer varying rankings for these players, highlighting differences in offensive strategies and player performance outlooks.

Notable Insights:

• The debate between Barkley and Elliott underscores the importance of balancing rushing and receiving capabilities in player rankings.
• James Conner's inclusion despite controversy reflects his significant impact in fantasy leagues, especially for those managing Pittsburgh Steelers players.

3. NFL News and Antonio Brown Situation

A substantial portion of the episode focuses on Antonio Brown's tumultuous relationship with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

• Andy Holloway (14:06): Outlines Brown's recent behavior, including leaving practice, public frustrations, and his desire to be traded.
• Jason Moore (16:32): Expresses skepticism about the Steelers' ability to trade Brown without significant dead cap implications.
• Mike Wright (18:40): Estimates a 65% likelihood of Brown returning to the Steelers, while Jason and Andy are more confident in his return.

Key Points:

• Brown's potential trade could lead to massive dead cap charges ($20 million if traded before June 1st).
• The episode discusses the broader implications for the Steelers' dynasty league management and fantasy football strategies.
• The hosts unanimously agree that Brown's return is highly probable, with minimal fantasy value impact unless traded.

4. Playoff Challenge and Predictions

The hosts introduce their annual NFL Playoff Challenge, encouraging listeners to join and compete alongside them.

• Andy Holloway (25:42): Details how the challenge works, emphasizing the fun and competitive spirit.
• Playoff Picks:
  • The hosts share their predictions for Wild Card weekend and beyond, showcasing diverse opinions:
    • Andy and Jason back the Chargers, while Mike favors the Ravens.
    • Disagreements arise on teams like the Cowboys, Seahawks, and Bears, reflecting the unpredictable nature of playoffs.

Notable Predictions:

• Rams vs. Chiefs vs. Saints: The hosts debate potential Super Bowl contenders, with each supporting different teams based on performance consistency and key player contributions.

5. The Footy Awards

A highlight of the episode is the announcement of the 2018 Footy Awards, celebrating outstanding fantasy football performances.

• Categories and Winners:

  • Performance of the Year: Derek Henry (59% of votes) for a standout single-week performance.

    • Andy Holloway (33:05): "Your footies are in the mail."

  • Man of the Year: Leonard Fournette narrowly beats Devonta Freeman.

    • Jason Moore (34:00): Despite challenges, Fournette's impact secured his win.

  • Poopiest Pants Award: Rob Gronkowski dominates with 69% of the vote for disappointing performance.

  • Waiver Wire Wonder: George Kittle triumphs with 41%, surpassing Philip Lindsay and Nick Chubb.

    • Jason Moore (36:44): Expresses regret for not voting for Kittle, emphasizing his crucial contributions.

  • Fantasy Wide Receiver of the Year: Devonte Adams wins decisively over Tyreek Hill.

    • Jason Moore (37:34): Highlights Adams' consistency and dominance.

  • Fantasy Running Back of the Year: Christian McCaffrey secures the title with strong performance metrics.

    • Andy Holloway (38:39): Emphasizes McCaffrey's consistent point accumulation.

  • Fantasy Tight End of the Year: George Kittle claims the award with 60.9% of the vote, outpacing Travis Kelsey and Zach Ertz.

  • Breakout Player of the Year: Patrick Mahomes wins for his extraordinary quarterback performance.

    • Jason Moore (40:52): Praises Mahomes' historic season as a first-year starter.

Notable Moments:

• Hosts engage in humorous interactions, such as Jason Moore congratulating the nominees and the playful banter surrounding the awards.
• The Footy Awards serve as both recognition and entertainment, reflecting the community-driven aspect of fantasy football.

6. Additional NFL News

The episode briefly covers other NFL updates:

• Coaching Changes:

  • Eagles' Coach Doug Peterson to start Nick Foles against the Bears.
  • Falcons dismiss their coach Steve Sarkeesian, leading to organizational restructuring.
  • Lions and Cardinals also announce offensive coordinator firings.

• Player Injuries and Updates:

  • Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette, TJ Yeldon, and Marcus Mariota face uncertain statuses due to injuries.
  • Alshon Jeffery remains unfit for contact, affecting fantasy prospects.

7. Conclusion and Final Remarks

Wrapping up, the hosts encourage listeners to engage with their community through the Sleeper app and participate in the NFL Playoff Challenge at footclanchallenge.com. They express gratitude to their sponsor, Pristine Auction, and tease upcoming content, including strategy discussions, mock drafts, and league management tips for the off-season.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore (09:07): "Devonte Adams is as safe as they come."
• Mike Wright (18:40): "I would put mine at 65% back."
• Andy Holloway (33:05): "Derek Henry ran away with this one, figuratively, literally 59% of the vote."
• Jason Moore (40:52): "Patrick Mahomes, both of your footies are in the mail."

This episode offers a comprehensive blend of fantasy football analysis, player evaluations, community engagement through awards, and the latest NFL news, ensuring that listeners are well-equipped for the upcoming season.