Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Title: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Week 2 Studs & Duds, Rising Stars, Mahomes Madness
Release Date: September 17, 2018
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction and Week 2 Overview

The episode kicks off with Andy Holloway welcoming listeners and outlining the topics for the day: Week 2 recap, stud and dud performances, rising stars, and an in-depth discussion on Patrick Mahomes' exceptional start to the season.

2. Patrick Mahomes’ Meteoric Rise

The hosts delve into Patrick Mahomes' standout performances, referring to his early-season dominance as "sweet fancy Mahomes."

• Andy Holloway reflects on his initial skepticism: “I have two leagues, and thankfully I'm probably going to win both of them, but I started two quarterbacks over Pat Mahomes, so he's sitting on the bench of two of my leagues... But sweet fancy Mahomes. [02:03]”

• Jason Moore emphasizes Mahomes' reliability: “I believe that Pat Mahomes is 100% legit... you can count on him. You can start him. [02:48]”

The trio debates Mahomes' ranking in dynasty leagues, with Jason Moore contemplating whether quarterbacks like Carson Wentz should be ranked higher but ultimately agreeing Mahomes deserves top-tier status.

• Mike Wright adds humor to Mahomes' impact: “He is looking like Thanos right now. [22:42]”

3. Weekly Rewind: Key News and Injuries

A significant portion of the episode addresses major news from Week 2, notably the release of Josh Gordon by the Cleveland Browns.

• Andy Holloway summarizes the situation: “Josh Gordon went from out with a hamstring injury to out on the street... [07:10]”

• The hosts discuss the implications for fantasy owners, debating whether Gordon will find a new team quickly or exit the league entirely. Andy Holloway advises putting the player first, suggesting that if the Browns receive compensation, it might be worth considering taking that option to avoid future distractions: “Let's put the player first... [09:32]”

• Jason Moore shares his proactive approach: “I traded Josh Gordon in Dynasty for Doug Baldwin the day before this happened. [10:42]”

In addition to Gordon's release, the discussion covers various player injuries affecting fantasy lineups:

• Dalvin Cook: Sidelined with a hamstring injury.
• LaShawn McCoy: Fractured ribs update.
• Mike Wallace: Ankle injury likely season-ending.
• O.J. Howard: Debated as a must-stash or starter based on Ryan Fitzpatrick's utilization.

4. Studs & Duds: Player Performance Analysis

The hosts categorize players into "studs" (top performers) and "duds" (underperformers) based on their Week 2 performances.

Studs:

• Patrick Mahomes: Dominated with multiple touchdowns and zero interceptions.

  • Andy Holloway: “He is disintegrating the NFL. [22:50]”

• Ryan Fitzpatrick: Delivered a strong performance with 402 yards and four touchdowns against a tough Philadelphia defense.

  • Jason Moore: “He should have an okay game next week. [25:23]”

• Stefan Diggs & Adam Thielen: Both wide receivers had productive games, solidifying their roles as fantasy staples.

  • Andy Holloway: “Stefan Diggs and Adam Thielen proved two can tango. [30:21]”

• Keelan Cole: Highlighted as a rising star with consistent yardage and touchdown receptions.

  • Jason Moore: “He's startable to me. [43:19]”

Duds:

• David Johnson: Criticized for underwhelming performances amid a struggling Arizona Cardinals offense.

  • Jason Moore: “David Johnson is extremely concerning... [47:31]”

• Todd Gurley, Marlon Mack, and Other Running Backs: Noted for their inefficient games, leading to frustration among fantasy managers.

  • Andy Holloway: “All the running backs just played wide out this week. [28:35]”

• Wide Receivers like DeMarcus Thomas, Odell Beckham Jr., and others: Disappointing stats prompted discussions on potential benching or trading.

  • Andy Holloway: “Demarius Thomas, 5 for 18. Odell Beckham Jr. 4 for 51... [56:14]”

5. Rising Stars: Emerging Talent to Watch

The hosts spotlight promising players who could become valuable assets in fantasy leagues.

• Keelan Cole: Praised for his consistent yardage and touchdown potential.

  • Jason Moore: “Cole. Sure. Five and a half catches and over a half a touchdown per game. [42:11]”

• Philip Lindsay: Noted as an undrafted breakout running back with impressive snaps and touches.

  • Andy Holloway: “Philip Lindsay was the first undrafted player in NFL history with 100 plus yards from scrimmage in his first two NFL games. [43:29]”

• Will Fuller: Highlighted for his dominant performances, especially when paired with DeSean Watson.

  • Mike Wright: “Will Fuller is dominating... [45:29]”

• O.J. Howard: Despite low target volume, he's identified as a potential top-tier tight end if utilized effectively by Ryan Fitzpatrick.

  • Jason Moore: “He is the type that has that top five potential to me. [39:48]”

6. Fantasy Strategy and Player Management

The discussion transitions into strategic advice for managing fantasy teams based on player performances and injury reports.

• Holding vs. Trading Players:

  • Jason Moore advises caution with trading David Johnson immediately after poor performances, suggesting waiting for more consistent evidence before making moves.

    • “You have to also have... you can't sell him right now at his lowest... [49:44]”

  • Mike Wright supports the idea of holding onto reliable players like Ryan Fitzpatrick, emphasizing their necessity in lineups.

    • “Do you start Fitzpatrick over Cousins? [25:32]”

• Managing QB Positions:

  • Discussion on the importance of starting Patrick Mahomes and the potential need to switch quarterbacks based on upcoming matchups.
    • Jason Moore: “I'm not starting him against Jacksonville. [23:02]”

• Evaluating Wide Receivers and Tight Ends:

  • Emphasis on targeting receivers with high target volumes and dependable performances like Keelan Cole and Will Fuller.
    • Andy Holloway: “He's the best wide receiver on that team. [43:03]”

7. Player-Specific Discussions and Anecdotes

The hosts share personal insights and anecdotes about specific players, adding depth to the analysis.

• Josh Gordon’s Situation: Deliberation on whether Gordon will rebound or be out of the league, with personal anecdotes on trading him in dynasty leagues.

• David Johnson’s Decline: Jason Moore voices extreme skepticism about Johnson’s future performance and potential value in fantasy leagues.

  • “I know where to end with David Johnson. [49:30]”

• Patrick Mahomes vs. Ben Roethlisberger: Comparison of Mahomes' efficiency and touchdown rate against Big Ben’s volume-based statistics.

  • Andy Holloway: “Big Ben had to throw twice as many passes... [24:04]”

8. Closing Remarks and Final Advice

As the episode nears its end, the hosts reinforce key takeaways for fantasy managers:

• Start Reliable QBs: Emphasize the importance of starting dependable quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes.

• Monitor Injuries: Stay updated on player injuries and make informed decisions to mitigate risks.

• Identify Rising Stars: Keep an eye on emerging players who can provide significant fantasy value moving forward.

• Stay Calm with Fluctuations: Avoid overreacting to early-season performances; allow time for players to adapt and improve.

Andy Holloway wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to utilize tools like NFL Game Pass for in-depth game analysis and to join the Fantasy Footballers community for ongoing support and insights.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway on Mahomes' reliability:
  “You can count on him. You can start him. [02:48]”

• Jason Moore on David Johnson:
  “David Johnson is extremely concerning... [47:31]”

• Mike Wright humorously comparing Mahomes to Thanos:
  “He is looking like Thanos right now. [22:42]”

• Jason Moore on holding vs. selling David Johnson:
  “You can't sell him right now at his lowest... [49:44]”

• Andy Holloway on running backs’ performance:
  “All the running backs just played wide out this week. [28:35]”

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast provides a comprehensive analysis of Week 2's key performances, player injuries, and strategic insights. The hosts offer valuable advice on managing fantasy teams, emphasizing the importance of reliable quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, identifying rising stars, and making informed decisions amidst early-season fluctuations. Whether navigating the challenges of dominant players' performances or mitigating the impacts of unexpected injuries, listeners gain actionable strategies to enhance their fantasy football success.