Fantasy Footballers Podcast – Week 4 Studs & Duds, Rising Stars, White Hat, Black Hat Summary

Release Date: October 1, 2018

Introduction and Announcements

The Fantasy Footballers kicked off Week 4 with their signature energy and camaraderie, as hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delved into the latest developments in the fantasy football landscape. Amidst playful banter about their Halloween-themed attire, Mike humorously noted, “What a time to be alive” (01:02), setting a lighthearted tone for the episode.

A major highlight early in the show was their triumphant announcement: “We have assembled once again the Fantasy Footballers for the first time in the history of the podcast awards, back-to-back champions of not only the sports category but the overall People's Choice Awards” (13:16). This victory underscores their growing influence and expertise in the fantasy football community.

Weekly Rewind: Injuries and Player Performances

The hosts began their Weekly Rewind by discussing significant injuries that could impact fantasy lineups:

• Ty Hilton exited Week 4 with a hamstring injury, prompting concerns about the Chiefs’ receiving options. Andy highlighted, “If Hilton's out... their leading fantasy producer was not Ryan Grant, was not Eric Ebron, was not Chester Rogers” (15:33).

• Leonard Fournette continued his injury woes, with Jason commenting, “Whenever you come back from a hamstring injury and re-aggravate it, that is not something that goes away quickly” (15:37).

• Marquis Goodwin suffered another leg injury, raising questions about his reliability in fantasy lineups. Jason expressed frustration, “Is he a drop this week?” (17:43).

• The tight end landscape was notably thin, with Tyler Ifurt, Rob Gronkowski, and Will Disley all exiting due to injuries. Mike poignantly remarked, “We’re losing four tight ends this week, the landscape is thin as can be” (18:27).

Studs & Duds: Player Performance Analysis

Studs of the Week

• Mitchell Trubisky emerged as a standout performer, throwing for six touchdowns despite limited attempts. Jason proudly stated, “I put. I bodied Mitch Trubisky” (04:07), highlighting Trubisky's unexpected fantasy impact.

• Alshon Jeffrey delivered a dominant performance, despite concerns about his durability. Mike shared, “Alshon Jeffrey came through, played over 83% of the snaps, had an absolutely dominant game” (05:56).

• Calvin Ridley surprised the hosts with two touchdowns on minimal targets, though Andy cautioned, “I think Calvin Ridley is stinking” (12:37), reflecting mixed feelings about his upside versus reliability.

Duds of the Week

• Russell Wilson was a major disappointment, with Jason labeling him a “dud” (56:58). His performance, coupled with injuries and inconsistent play, left fantasy owners scrambling.

• Kenyon Drake was highlighted as one of the biggest busts, having performed poorly over consecutive weeks. Andy lamented, “Kenyon Drake is one of the biggest busts of the season” (60:17).

• Dalvin Cook struggled with a hamstring injury, leading to minimal involvement in the game. Jason expressed his concerns, “The reason he didn't go out was not a pre-game plan pitch count. It was re-aggravation” (60:33).

Rising Stars: Emerging Fantasy Assets

John Brown

Mike spotlighted John Brown as a rising star, noting his transition into an every-week starter and praising his deep-target capability. “John Brown looks extremely healthy. I am ecstatic for John Brown” (51:24).

Sony Michel

Jason identified Sony Michel as his top rising star, commending his significant workload and potential for consistent fantasy production. “Sony Michel is definitely my rising star” (50:37).

Corey Davis

Andy and Jason both lauded Corey Davis for his breakout performance, emphasizing his role as a reliable starter when Marcus Mariota is healthy. Andy enthused, “Corey Davis had 15 targets. Corey Davis had a monster week” (53:10).

White Hat and Black Hat Strategies

The hosts delved into strategic insights, categorized under White Hat (ethical, long-term strategies) and Black Hat (short-term, high-risk plays):

• Aaron Jones Acquisition: Andy passionately advocated for trading Alex Collins for Aaron Jones, asserting, “Please, please. Please find a way to trade Alex Collins in something for Aaron Jones” (41:27). Jason concurred, emphasizing Jones's value despite initial skepticism.

• Amari Cooper Management: Jason provided a nuanced take on Amari Cooper, suggesting that owners either trade him immediately while he’s valuable or employ strategic benching to maximize his performance without affecting the lineup. “You need to trade him immediately while he’s got value and get something for him” (44:43).

• Handling Underperforming Players: The hosts discussed cutting or trading players like Kenyon Drake, Derek Henry, and Chris Godwin based on their disappointing performances and potential future output. Mike advised, “I'm looking at Chris Godwin... I would cut him” (65:16).

Notable Highlights and Insights

• Offensive Explosion: The NFL witnessed an offensive surge with 226 touchdowns scored through Week 4, surpassing previous records. Hosts highlighted, “This is the most touchdown scored through this point of the season” (25:27), emphasizing the evolving nature of offensive play impacting fantasy strategies.

• Quarterback Dynamics: The replaceability of quarterbacks was a recurring theme. Andy shared his experience with Russell Wilson, noting the advantages of streaming quarterbacks based on matchups rather than relying on fixed starters.

• Awards and Community Engagement: Celebrating their recent award wins, the hosts engaged with their community by selecting winners for gift cards, fostering a sense of community and appreciation. “Thank you, thank you” (13:38) expressed their gratitude towards listeners.

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers provided a comprehensive analysis of Week 4’s fantasy football landscape, offering valuable insights into player performances, injury impacts, and strategic maneuvers. With a mix of humor, expertise, and community engagement, Andy, Jason, and Mike ensured listeners were well-equipped to navigate their fantasy leagues with confidence. As Mike aptly put it, “Enjoy your Monday Night Football game” (69:01), wrapping up a highly informative and entertaining episode.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore: “I put. I bodied Mitch Trubisky” (04:07)
• Mike Wright: “Alshon Jeffrey came through, played over 83% of the snaps, had an absolutely dominant game” (05:56)
• Andy Holloway: “Kenyon Drake is one of the biggest busts of the season” (60:17)
• Jason Moore: “Sony Michel is definitely my rising star” (50:37)
• Andy Holloway: “Please, please. Please find a way to trade Alex Collins in something for Aaron Jones” (41:27)

For more insights and weekly updates, join the Fantasy Footballers community at jointhefoot.com and follow them on Twitter @FFballers.