Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: The NFL is Back! + NFC South Breakdown
Release Date: July 25, 2020

1. NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and Opt-Out Designation

The podcast opens with exciting news regarding the NFL's labor situation. The hosts discuss the unanimous recommendation by the NFLPA executives for the latest CBA proposal, signaling a positive outlook for the upcoming season.

Key Points:

• CBA Approval: The NFLPA has unanimously recommended the NFL's latest CBA proposal, raising expectations for its approval. Once ratified, this paves the way for training camps to commence as scheduled on Tuesday ([10:00]).

• Opt-Out Designation: A significant aspect of the new CBA is the introduction of an opt-out clause for players. This allows players to withdraw from the season within a 10-day window (potentially by August 3rd), either due to medical reasons or personal concerns related to COVID-19. Mike Wright emphasizes, "Players have the option to opt out for medical reasons or because they feel unsafe" ([10:40]).

• Financial Implications: The agreement includes a stipulation where players who choose not to play will receive different stipends based on their reasons for opting out. Notably, Dalvin Cook's holdout is discussed, with ESPN reporting that his holdout is unlikely to extend beyond the first week of training camp due to a $50,000 daily fine for non-reporting ([14:56]).

• Impact on Fantasy Football: Andy Holloway remarks on how player opt-outs introduce additional variables for fantasy football managers, stating, "Whether a medical designation or whether just a player evaluating their own risk...it's just another piece of the puzzle for 2020" ([03:33]).

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore: "The players still have to technically vote, but when the executive committee unanimously recommends it, there is an expectation that this is going to happen." ([10:23])
• Andy Holloway: "As fantasy football players, this kind of half of what we do is react, right. To injury news or to roster news and depth charts." ([03:33])

2. NFC South Division Breakdown

The heart of the episode delves into an in-depth analysis of the NFC South, examining each team's prospects and key players for the upcoming season.

a. New Orleans Saints

The Saints are highlighted as a team with substantial continuity and stability, positioning them as strong Super Bowl contenders.

Key Points:

• Team Continuity: With Drew Brees at quarterback and Sean Payton as head coach, the Saints maintain a consistent core, which is advantageous for both team performance and fantasy football stability ([19:06]).

• Emmanuel Sanders Addition: The acquisition of Emmanuel Sanders from San Francisco bolsters the Saints' receiving corps. Jason Moore praises Sanders, stating, "He still has it...the passing volume for the Saints...has Trey Kwan Smith let people down" ([20:46]).

• Alvin Kamara's Performance: Alvin Kamara is projected to return as a top-tier fantasy running back. While there's some concern regarding his injury history and workload distribution, Jason Moore confidently forecasts, "I fully expect him to have a great season" ([22:35]).

• Defense Strength: The Saints boast a strong defense, ranking fourth in defensive rushing yards per game, which complements their offensive prowess ([27:26]).

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway: "This is the make or break year for Super Bowl for the Saints." ([19:48])
• Jason Moore: "I would go with Alvin Kamara because I like the running back as a tiebreaker." ([22:35])

b. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons exhibit a turnaround from a rocky start last season to a promising finish, with Matt Ryan at the helm.

Key Points:

• Season Performance: After a dismal 1-7 start, the Falcons rallied to finish 7-9, securing key road victories that saved Dan Quinn’s position as head coach ([31:23]).

• Matt Ryan's Challenges: Despite Matt Ryan’s impressive passing yardage, his red zone efficiency remains a concern, impacting the team's touchdown totals ([32:27]).

• Calvin Ridley Potential: Calvin Ridley is eyed as a breakout candidate. However, uncertainties linger regarding the tight end position with Hayden Hurst’s addition, which may affect Ridley’s targets ([33:35]).

• Running Back Rotation: Todd Gurley's performance is scrutinized, especially his reliance on rushing touchdowns. The discussion underscores the risks associated with drafting Gurley due to his touchdown dependency and potential rotation in the offense ([36:21] - [39:32]).

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright: "I think there is there. I think we should like Emmanuel Sanders a little bit more than we do." ([21:53])
• Jason Moore: "He's going to have his up, up games, he's going to have his down games and I'm fine with him." ([30:16])

c. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have undergone significant changes, notably the addition of Tom Brady, revitalizing their offense.

Key Points:

• Tom Brady Acquisition: Tom Brady joining the Buccaneers injects veteran leadership and quarterback expertise, significantly impacting the team's offensive dynamics ([44:33]).

• Rob Gronkowski's Role: Rob Gronkowski remains a potent tight end option, albeit not at his peak form. The hosts discuss the balance between his high upside and varying fantasy reliability ([51:24]).

• Offensive Line Concerns: Questions surround the Buccaneers' offensive line, particularly with Donovan Smith and rookie Tristan Wirfs. Potential issues in pass protection and the impact on Brady’s performance are highlighted ([44:39] - [45:41]).

• Running Back Options: Ronald Jones emerges as a viable fantasy option despite concerns about his pass protection skills and potential rotation with Tristan Wirfs ([42:36] - [46:48]).

• Wide Receiver Analysis: Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are discussed as ceiling picks, with Jason Moore advocating for the high potential they bring despite some skepticism about target distribution under Brady's system ([47:09] - [50:53]).

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore: "He has the probability of being the clear number one in this offense." ([47:37])
• Mike Wright: "If the rushing touchdowns go away for Todd Gurley, you're going to feel real bad you drafted him in the fourth round." ([38:32])

d. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers introduce Teddy Bridgewater as their new quarterback, shifting the team's offensive strategy.

Key Points:

• Teddy Bridgewater's Impact: Bridgewater brings stability to the Panthers' quarterback position. However, his historical performance raises questions about his potential fantasy impact, considering past systems and offensive line issues ([57:08] - [60:05]).

• Matt Rhule's Coaching: New head coach Matt Rhule is tasked with revitalizing the Panthers. The podcast discusses Rhule’s track record and the challenges of implementing a new system in a short offseason ([52:48] - [55:31]).

• Fantasy Implications: The hosts express cautious optimism about the Panthers' offense, emphasizing the importance of players like DJ Moore and Christian McCaffrey while advising a wait-and-see approach for Bridgewater's adaptation ([59:10] - [61:19]).

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway: "If you tell me Sam Bradford is on a team with a really bad defense and a bad offensive line, I'm not excited." ([56:30])
• Jason Moore: "I do think his passing work comes up. I am fine drafting Todd Gurley this year." ([41:22])

3. Listener Questions

A listener posed a question regarding whether draft picks in one fantasy league should influence picks in other leagues to mitigate risk from potential player injuries.

Discussion Highlights:

• Diversification vs. Preference: Jason Moore emphasizes focusing on leagues that matter most to the manager rather than diversifying across multiple leagues. He states, "If you like Hollywood Brown, I'm going to draft him whenever he's a value" ([07:02]).

• Managerial Strategy: Andy Holloway shares his perspective on fantasy players' greediness for favorite players, illustrating the dilemma of choosing between robust value and diversified safety ([08:17]).

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore: "I am not trying to diversify my portfolio... I'm going after the players I like." ([07:02])
• Andy Holloway: "Fantasy players are just greedy about their picks... I would rather make three victory laps, not just one." ([08:17])

4. Final Announcements and Closing Remarks

Towards the episode's conclusion, the hosts reaffirm the start of the NFL season, express excitement for the upcoming games, and provide reminders about their podcast awards nominations and social media channels. However, these sections are brief and serve as wrap-up points rather than substantial content.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway: "We're going to have football. We're going to have football in 2020." ([61:30])
• Mike Wright: "Follow our social media accounts on Twitter @theFFBallers, on Instagram at Fantasy Footballers." ([62:16])

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast offers a comprehensive preview of the 2020 NFL season, focusing on the new CBA, potential player opt-outs, and an extensive analysis of the NFC South. The hosts provide valuable insights into player performances, team strategies, and their implications for fantasy football managers, all supplemented with engaging discussions and notable commentary. Whether you're a seasoned fantasy player or new to the game, this episode equips you with the knowledge to navigate the upcoming fantasy season effectively.