Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Week 4 Studs & Stinkers + Picture-in-Picture - Fantasy Football Podcast for 10/5
Release Date: October 5, 2020
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction and Scheduling Changes

The episode kicks off with the hosts discussing the addition of an extra Monday Night Football game for Week 4. Mike Wright expresses mixed feelings about the schedule overlap, noting, “they went with the overlap” (00:52). Troy Polamalu admits responsibility for the scheduling change, humorously stating, “I asked them to overlap it because my wife said that any more football and we were going to have words” (01:15). The conversation transitions into nostalgia for old picture-in-picture (PIP) technology, reminiscing about its limited functionality (01:31).

COVID-19 Updates and Game Availability

The hosts address the impact of COVID-19 on player availability. Cam Newton's absence due to testing positive for COVID-19 is confirmed, with Mike Wright adding, “Cam Newton is on the reserve Covid list after testing positive” (09:59). Andy Holloway shares optimistic news about the Tennessee Titans testing negative, boosting morale: “if the tests are good from here on out, they'll be playing the Bills” (02:45).

Player Injuries and Their Fantasy Impact

A significant portion of the discussion centers around player injuries and their implications for fantasy football:

• Kenyan Drake: Mike Wright highlights the uncertainty surrounding Drake’s status, mentioning, “Perhaps the walking boot was not precautionary. Perhaps his foot is messed up” (08:24). Troy elaborates on Arizona’s offensive struggles, attributing them to X’s and O’s problems, which have limited Drake’s opportunities (06:27).

• Nick Chubb: Chubb’s placement on injured reserve is a major concern, with Troy stating, “Nick Chubb has been placed on the IR with an MCL injury” (39:15). Andy Holloway echoes the worry, emphasizing the ripple effect on Kareem Hunt’s value (31:10).

• Austin Ekeler: Mike Wright discusses Ekeler’s serious hamstring injury, noting, “Austin Ekeler... suffered what is considered a serious hamstring injury” (52:40).

• AJ Green: Troy Polamalu criticizes AJ Green’s declining performance, sarcastically suggesting, “I want to have a fantasy retirement ceremony on Wednesday” (08:11).

• Rob Gronkowski: Gronkowski’s underwhelming game performance is lamented with, “I would not like Rob Gronkowski if not” (14:37).

Weekly News Highlights

The hosts delve into various weekly news items affecting fantasy lineups:

• Deonte Adams: Deonte Adams is ruled out, leading Mike Wright to consider grabbing alternative wide receivers like DeMarcus Robinson or Robert Tonyan (10:19).

• Aaron Rodgers and the Packers: The Packers face challenges with their top two wide receivers injured, impacting Jason Moore’s lineup decisions (11:18).

• Tom Brady: Tom Brady is praised for throwing five touchdown passes despite missing key players, marking him as “the oldest player to throw five touchdowns in a game” (20:25).

Studs of the Week

The Stud Muffins segment highlights top-performing players:

• Dak Prescott: Dak Prescott is lauded for his outstanding performance, “41 for 58 for 502 yards, four touchdowns” (18:15). Andy Holloway questions whether Dak can maintain his performance, considering Seattle's improving defense.

• Tom Brady: Brady’s historic five-touchdown game is celebrated, with Mike Wright noting, “He is the oldest player to do everything right now” (20:25).

• Joe Mixon: Mixon is recognized as the top running back of the week, with impressive stats: “25 rushing attempts. 151 and two” (24:07). Andy Holloway advises caution against trading him despite his recent performance.

• Dalvin Cook & Chris Carson: Both players receive praise for their solid performances, with Cook securing 130 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and Carson contributing significantly despite team injuries (25:56, 26:04).

• Jericho McKinnon: McKinnon’s resurgence after a two-year struggle is heartily welcomed, “He has scored in every game” (31:59).

Stinkers of the Week

In contrast, the Stinker Section addresses players with disappointing performances:

• Zach Ertz: Mike Wright expresses frustration over Ertz’s declining production, stating, “I think he’s washed” despite Ertz being a late-round draft pick (54:41).

• Nick Foles and Allen Robinson: Both players are critiqued for underperformance, with a notable low from Aaron Rodgers’ receivers due to injuries (40:05, 40:30).

• DJ Moore & Tyler Higby: DJ Moore’s inconsistent performance and Higby’s inefficiency are highlighted as major disappointments for fantasy managers (53:12, 54:30).

• Miles Sanders & Josh Jacobs: Both running backs face scrutiny for their underwhelming stats, despite showing potential in certain plays (49:15, 50:03).

Strategy and Trade Advice

The hosts provide strategic insights for fantasy managers:

• Trading High-Performers: Andy Holloway suggests considering trading high-performing players like Joe Mixon at peak times to capitalize on their value before potential declines (24:26).

• Waiver Wire Moves: With several injuries affecting key positions, the hosts discuss potential waiver pickups such as Chase Edmonds, Robert Tonyan, and J.J. Taylor to bolster rosters (10:19, 23:11).

• Player Utilization: Discussion on optimal player utilization in light of team injuries and offensive inefficiencies, emphasizing the importance of matchup-proof players like Terry McLaurin (41:08).

Community and Tools

The hosts encourage listeners to engage with the Fantasy Footballers community through their website and social media:

• Website Upgrades: Announcements about upgrades to player profile pages and tools on thefantasyfootballers.com.

• Social Media Engagement: Listeners are invited to follow and interact on Twitter: @theFFBallers, @JasonFFL, and @FFHitman (09:25).

Advertisements and Sponsors

Throughout the episode, sponsors such as Simplisafe Home Security and Visit Independence are mentioned. These segments are brief and focus on promoting the services and special offers available to listeners.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts expressing excitement for the upcoming Monday Night Football games and the strategies needed for waiver wire discussions. They remind listeners to stay engaged with the community for the latest rankings, start/sit tools, and player profiles.

Notable Quotes:

• “I asked them to overlap it because my wife said that any more football and we were going to have words.” – Troy Polamalu (01:15)
• “Nick Chubb has been placed on the IR with an MCL injury.” – Troy Polamalu (39:15)
• “Dak Prescott... 41 for 58 for 502 yards, four touchdowns.” – Andy Holloway (18:15)
• “I want to have a fantasy retirement ceremony on Wednesday.” – Troy Polamalu (08:11)
• “He is the oldest player to throw five touchdowns in a game.” – Mike Wright (20:25)

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the Week 4 Fantasy Footballers podcast episode, highlighting key discussions, player analyses, strategic advice, and notable insights aimed at helping fantasy managers navigate their leagues successfully.