Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: "The 'My Guys' Episode + Players to Forgive: LIVE in LA"

Release Date: August 5, 2019

Hosted live at Largo in Los Angeles, the Fantasy Footballers—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright—delivered an engaging episode packed with insightful analysis, strong opinions, and matchup-winning advice. This detailed summary captures the key discussions, notable quotes, and concluding thoughts from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for both regular listeners and newcomers.

1. Players to Forgive

The episode began with a thought-provoking segment where the hosts contemplated which underappreciated players deserve forgiveness in the fantasy football landscape.

• Andy Holloway on Devonta Freeman ([02:17]):

  "Devonta Freeman, I do not forgive you."

  Andy candidly expressed his frustration with Freeman, who had previously been a cornerstone of Andy's fantasy team but failed to deliver in the current season. Despite recognizing Freeman's potential due to his involvement in a high-powered offense, Andy remains steadfast in his decision to overlook him in his rankings.

• Mike Wright on Delaney Walker ([04:05]): Mike shifted the focus to the tight end position, lamenting its current dismal state.

  "Have you, like, we've all been watching HBO's Chernobyl. That's pretty much. That sums up the tight end landscape."

  Highlighting Delaney Walker as a potential forgiveness candidate, Mike acknowledged his reliability despite recent setbacks. However, recognizing the tight end position's overall struggles, Mike emphasized the necessity to reconsider Walker's value.

• Jason Moore on David Johnson ([07:38]): Jason suggested broader forgiveness within the top picks.

  "We should forgive David Johnson."

  By advocating for forgiving David Johnson, Jason pointed out that despite past performance issues, Johnson remains a valuable asset poised for a successful season.

2. Fantasy News Highlights

The hosts delved into significant fantasy football news, providing updates and their implications for fantasy managers.

• Michael Thomas' Contract Extension ([10:11]–[12:01]): Michael Thomas secured a hefty $100 million, five-year extension, solidifying his status as the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.

  "He's the most. He's the highest paid wide receiver in football."

  Andy noted the importance of Thomas in Dynasty leagues, especially with Drew Brees' potential retirement, positioning Thomas as a must-own player moving forward.

• Melvin Gordon's Trade Request and Ezekiel Elliott's Situation ([12:01]–[13:14]): The discussion highlighted Melvin Gordon's trade request and Ezekiel Elliott's stability within the Titans.

  Jason: "Do the Vincent Jackson dance."

  Mike reassured managers about Elliott's standing, dismissing concerns about trade speculations and affirming his continued value in drafts.

• Theo Riddick Joins Denver Broncos ([13:14]–[14:06]): Theo Riddick's signing was discussed briefly, with the hosts expressing disappointment over its minimal fantasy impact.

  Andy: "This really doesn't deserve that."

• Josh Gordon's Reinstatement Efforts ([14:50]–[16:14]): The possibility of Josh Gordon returning to play was examined, with Andy expressing cautious optimism while highlighting Gordon's inconsistent history.

  Andy: "I do not see him as a 16 game guy. I just don't."

• Andrew Luck's Calf Injury ([16:44]–[17:44]): Concerns about Andrew Luck's recurring calf injury led the hosts to advise lowering his draft priority due to prolonged recovery risks.

  Andy: "I worry. I think you have to move him down a little bit."

• Damian Williams and Chiefs' Backfield Dynamics ([17:49]–[19:18]): The injury status of Damian Williams and its impact on the Chiefs' backfield was analyzed, with discussions on potential drafts depending on team roster moves.

  Mike: "If Melvin Gordon to the Chiefs, I will move Damian Williams down."

• Antonio Brown's Health Update ([19:27]–[20:03]): Antonio Brown's visit to a foot specialist raised concerns about his availability and performance.

  Andy: "If my feet looked like that, I would be seeing a foot specialist immediately."

3. "My Guys" Segment

In this highly anticipated segment, each host selected their top fantasy players—termed "My Guys"—explaining their choices with detailed analysis and personal anecdotes.

Jason Moore’s Top Picks:

1. Carson Wentz (Quarterback) ([23:25]–[26:49]): Jason champions Carson Wentz, projecting him to lead his fantasy team to a Super Bowl victory.

   Jason: "My guy, number one, Carson Wentz. Because they're gonna win the Super Bowl."

   He cited Wentz's consistency and the offensive improvements under the Eagles' quarterback play, emphasizing Wentz's heightened performance when key receivers like Alshon Jeffrey are healthy.

2. Chase Edmonds ([No specific segment, inferred from later context]): Mentioned indirectly through discussions about quarterback stacking but not explicitly listed.

Mike Wright’s Top Picks:

1. Robbie Anderson (Wide Receiver) ([28:04]–[31:00]): Mike emphasizes Robbie Anderson's breakout potential despite past inconsistencies.

   Mike: "Robbie Anderson is one of my guys."

   Highlighting Anderson's increased targets and mentorship under Brandon Marshall, Mike underscores the Jets' strategic patience in developing Anderson's talent.

2. James Conner (Running Back) ([40:51]–[43:31]): James Conner is lauded for his dual-threat capabilities and significant role in the Steelers' offense.

   Mike: "He is an incredible value at the back of the first round."

   Mike analyzes Conner's performance metrics, supporting his ranking as a high-value pick in early drafts.

3. Jared Goff (Quarterback) ([55:08]–[58:44]): Jared Goff is recognized for his improving performance under Sean McVay's offensive schemes.

   Mike: "Jared Goff is a good quarterback who is getting better."

   He notes Goff's increased touchdown efficiency and growing trust from his coaching staff, positioning him as a reliable late-round quarterback option.

Andy Holloway’s Top Picks:

1. Kerryon Johnson (Running Back) ([31:38]–[44:23]): Andy passionately defends Kerryon Johnson's fantasy potential, backed by proprietary metrics and historical performance data.

   Andy: "Kerryon Johnson is a great receiving back and he's the 94th percentile in his metrics on second level yards."

   He discusses Johnson's role in the Titans' offense, his receiving capabilities, and the importance of his contribution to Terry Richardson's schemes.

2. Robert Woods (Wide Receiver) ([44:23]–[50:51]): Andy praises Robert Woods for his consistency and role within Sean McVay's offense, advocating for his elevated draft position.

   Andy: "Robert Woods is very good. He's a solid wide receiver."

   He rebukes public underestimation of Woods, highlighting his route-running proficiency and alignment with a top-tier offensive coordinator.

3. Cam Newton (Quarterback) ([60:58]–[62:34]): Cam Newton is presented as a late-round quarterback gem with championship potential.

   Andy: "Cam Newton, he's my third quarterback. Late round, my guy."

   Highlighting Newton's durability and offensive flexibility despite past injuries, Andy positions him as a high-reward pick for savvy managers.

4. Live Mailbag

The episode concluded with an interactive mailbag segment where listeners posed fantasy-related questions, prompting dynamic responses from the hosts.

• Logan’s Question on Retro Video Games ([63:31]–[65:17]): A nine-year-old listener inquired about classic video games to explore.

  Mike: "Pick up a Super Nintendo classic and play the Legend of Zelda, a link to the past, the greatest video game that has ever been created."

  The hosts recommended timeless games like Tecmo Super Bowl and Super Mario World, blending nostalgia with fun suggestions for young gamers.

• Butterface’s Query on Consistent Performers ([65:24]–[73:49]): Butterface wondered which players consistently achieve top 12 weekly performances without finishing as primary starters.

  Mike: "I would say it's still Cooper Cup because it's the low injury hanging fruit."

  The hosts discussed players like Davante Adams and David Montgomery, analyzing their consistency and potential for fluctuating weekly performances.

• Ryan’s Dynasty Trade Dilemma ([70:32]–[72:52]): Ryan faced a tough choice between trading Nick Chubb or holding onto him amidst potential workload changes.

  Jason: "There's a risk at the knee. You could be in a really rough situation with Gurley and there's a three year age gap."

  The discussion revolved around balancing risk and reward, with considerations of player durability and team dynamics influencing trade strategies.

• Tim Tapping’s Bust Potential Question ([73:01]–[73:49]): Tim inquired about wide receivers with high bust potential despite strong performances.

  Andy: "I think it's Cooper Cup because it's very hard to recover as quickly as he has."

  The hosts identified Cooper Kupp as a player with significant upside but potential injury concerns affecting his reliability.

Conclusion

The "My Guys" Episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast provided fans with a wealth of information, from deliberations on forgiving underperforming players to strategic player selections for upcoming seasons. The live LA setting added an energetic atmosphere, enhancing the hosts' dynamic interactions and in-depth analyses. Whether you're strategizing your draft picks, staying updated on league news, or seeking expert opinions on player performances, this episode delivered invaluable insights to help you win your fantasy leagues—in style.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway on Devonta Freeman ([02:17]):

  "Devonta Freeman, I do not forgive you."

• Mike Wright on Delaney Walker ([04:05]):

  "Have you, like, we've all been watching HBO's Chernobyl. That's pretty much. That sums up the tight end landscape."

• Jason Moore on Carson Wentz ([23:25]):

  "My guy, number one, Carson Wentz. Because they're gonna win the Super Bowl."

• Mike Wright on Robbie Anderson ([28:04]):

  "Robbie Anderson is one of my guys."

• Andy Holloway on Robert Woods ([44:23]):

  "Robert Woods is very good. He's a solid wide receiver."

For more insights and detailed analysis, visit The Fantasy Footballers and follow them on Twitter @Heffballers.