Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - "The TRUTH About Fantasy QBs in 2018, Part 2"

Release Date: January 31, 2019
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Episode Title: The TRUTH About Fantasy QBs in 2018, Part 2

Introduction and Setup (00:00 - 07:29)

The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their signature playful banter, setting a light-hearted and entertaining tone for the discussion ahead. Mike Wright humorously informs listeners that Andy Holloway, the usual leader, is "down with the sickness," prompting Jason Moore to jest about the trio resembling characters from Star Trek.

Notable Quote:
Mike Wright [01:07]: "I am everything and nothing at the exact same time."

Quick Question Segment (07:29 - 07:45)

Mike introduces a "Quick Question" segment sourced from their social media followers. The question posed is: "If you could pick any two people to sub in for Romo and Nance announcing the Super Bowl, who would they be?"

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [03:06]: "We would sub in for them. The problem is, I feel like we're both color commentators."

The hosts share a mix of humorous and creative responses, referencing pop culture icons like characters from Dodgeball and personalities like Pat McAfee, highlighting the community's engagement and creativity.

Main Discussion: Analyzing 2018 Fantasy Quarterbacks (07:45 - 59:45)

The core of the episode delves deep into the performance and consistency of various quarterbacks (QBs) from the 2018 NFL season, categorized by the Fantasy Footballers' proprietary consistency rankings.

1. Aaron Rodgers

• Performance: Finished as the sixth-ranked QB in points.
• Consistency Rank: 11
• Analysis:
  Mike criticizes Rodgers for not living up to his draft position, noting that while he remained a solid pick, he wasn't the top-tier QB expected. Jason points out that Rodgers' increase in missed passes and reliance on a declining offense contributed to his lower consistency.

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [12:19]: "The difference between if you're 4.5% or 5.5% is monumental."

2. Jared Goff

• Performance: Started strong but faltered in the latter part of the season.
• Consistency Rank: 13
• Analysis: Jared had an impressive early season but experienced a significant downturn after losing key players like Coopers on offensive lines. The lack of a stable supporting cast led to inconsistent performances.

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [19:49]: "I believe that Jameis Winston is the perfect late-round quarterback because you look at his whole splits against good defenses and bad defenses."

3. Drew Brees

• Performance: Ranked eighth in points but struggled in the fantasy playoffs.
• Consistency Rank: 14
• Analysis: Brees had a mixed season with high-scoring games but also significant busts, particularly during crucial playoff weeks. Jason expresses concerns about Brees' declining performance due to age and offensive line issues.

Notable Quote:
Mike Wright [20:15]: "Drew Brees comes in at number eight, but a consistency rank of number 14."

4. Kirk Cousins

• Performance: Consistent early but declined after an offensive coordinator change.
• Consistency Rank: 16
• Analysis: Kirk showed promise with a pass-heavy offense but struggled once the team shifted towards a more run-oriented strategy. The inconsistency in play-calling and reduced passing attempts impacted his fantasy reliability.

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [36:16]: "He was up to week 11, then things changed dramatically."

5. Cam Newton

• Performance: Finished 13th in points.
• Consistency Rank: 6
• Analysis: Newton had an impressive season until a shoulder injury derailed his performance. While his ability to surge was valuable, the injury risk and inconsistent game outcomes posed challenges for fantasy managers.

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [40:33]: "It's all about price and health."

6. Tom Brady

• Performance: Ranked 14th in points.
• Consistency Rank: 18
• Analysis: Brady's performance declined as the Patriots moved towards a run-first offense, reducing his passing touchdowns. Despite his legendary status, his lower consistency made him a less attractive option for fantasy players.

Notable Quote:
Mike Wright [41:13]: "Tom Brady is great, but he's not a guy that good fantasy players will rely on anymore."

7. Mitchell Trubisky

• Performance: Ranked 15th in points.
• Consistency Rank: 24
• Analysis: Trubisky had sporadic performances with a brief period of success but overall lacked the consistency needed for reliable fantasy scoring. The hosts express skepticism about his future potential.

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [47:07]: "Mitchell Trubisky had games that crushed you."

8. Josh Allen

• Performance: Finished with a lower consistency score due to early-season injuries.
• Consistency Rank: 17 (overall), but highly consistent in the latter half.
• Analysis: Despite a rocky start and injuries, Allen demonstrated significant improvement and consistency in the latter part of the season, making him a promising late-round pick for the future.

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [50:19]: "He would have been the number two most consistent quarterback from that second half."

9. Lamar Jackson

• Performance: Highly mobile QB with strong rushing stats.
• Consistency Rank: 10
• Analysis: Jackson showcased his dual-threat capability, making him a valuable fantasy asset. The hosts are optimistic about his potential but caution about the physical toll of his playing style.

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [52:14]: "I don’t believe for one second that Lamar Jackson is going to be able to hold up for an entire season if they continue using him in the running game the way they did this season."

10. Carson Wentz

• Performance: Ranked 19th in points.
• Consistency Rank: 33
• Analysis: Wentz showed flashes of brilliance but was hampered by injuries and inconsistent performances. Despite this, his talent keeps him in consideration for future drafts, albeit at a lower value.

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [54:07]: "He'll get a solid bump down in ADP and he'll be a very interesting guy for me."

11. Jameis Winston

• Performance: Ranked 22nd in points.
• Consistency Rank: 12
• Analysis: Winston had a strong finish after a rocky start, especially under Bruce Arians in Tampa Bay. His ability to exploit weak defenses makes him a viable streaming option for fantasy managers.

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [57:06]: "He was great against the bad competition and only 19 points per game against the top 16."

Humorous Interlude and Light Banter (35:34 - 58:35)

Throughout the analysis, the hosts interweave humor and camaraderie, referencing inside jokes, playful insults, and pop culture. Examples include debates over iconic characters like Captain Kirk vs. Picard, humorous takes on quarterbacks' nicknames (e.g., "The Plant Man" for Tom Brady), and light-hearted exchanges about mascot sweat.

Notable Quote:
Jason Moore [57:37]: "Tom Brady was living his best life on a weekly basis."

Closing Remarks and Promotions (58:35 - 59:45)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts briefly touch upon their studio sponsor, Pristine Auction, and promote upcoming deals and giveaways. They encourage listeners to join their fantasy football community and follow them on social media for more insights and updates.

Notable Quote:
Mike Wright [59:31]: "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast."

Key Takeaways

1. Consistency is Crucial: Fantasy managers should prioritize quarterbacks who consistently deliver solid performances rather than those who have high variance.
2. Injury Risks Matter: Players like Cam Newton and Josh Allen highlight the balance between potential high scores and the risk of injury impacting season-long performance.
3. Team Dynamics Influence Performance: Changes in coaching staff, offensive strategies, and supporting casts significantly affect a quarterback's fantasy value.
4. Late-Round Gems: Quarterbacks with high upside but lower consistency can be valuable late-round picks, offering significant rewards if they maintain their performance levels.

Final Thoughts

The Fantasy Footballers provide an in-depth and nuanced analysis of the quarterback landscape from the 2018 NFL season, blending statistical insights with engaging commentary. Their discussion emphasizes the importance of evaluating both performance and consistency, equipping fantasy managers with the knowledge to make informed decisions in their drafts and weekly lineups.

For more fantasy football insights and updates, visit JoinTheFoot.com and follow the Fantasy Footballers on Twitter @the_ffballers.