Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Week 8 Waivers & QB Streamers, That's Amari

Release Date: October 23, 2018

The Fantasy Footballers hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright deliver another insightful and entertaining episode focused on Week 8 waivers, quarterback streamers, and the significant move of Amari Cooper to Dallas. This detailed summary captures the essence of their discussions, providing valuable takeaways for both avid listeners and those catching up.

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with the hosts greeting listeners and setting the stage for the week's key topics: waivers, news updates, quarterback streamers, and the impact of Amari Cooper's trade.

2. News and Notes

a. Amari Cooper’s Trade to Dallas

Amari Cooper’s trade to Dallas is a central focus, with the hosts analyzing its implications for fantasy football players.

• Jason Moore highlights the strategic advantage for owners who secured Cooper:

  "He couldn't hurt you last week and he can't hurt you this week. You get the double buy, you get bye week last week, bye week this week."
  (01:22)

• Mike Wright concurs, emphasizing Cooper’s diminished risk:

  "The system is sitting him for us at this point. Yeah, it is taken over, I find."
  (01:48)

The trade is seen as beneficial for those holding Cooper, offering a safe slot during a critical bye week.

b. Recent NFL Game Performances

The hosts dissect notable performances from recent NFL games, particularly focusing on Eli Manning and Matt Ryan.

• Andy Holloway criticizes Manning’s decision-making despite his yardage:

  "The very end after he had already made two buffoon decisions."
  (02:23)

• Mike Wright praises Matt Ryan’s resurgence:

  "Matt Ryan has been looking really good outside of week one."
  (05:49)

The analysis underscores the importance of quarterback performance on fantasy outcomes.

c. Other Player Updates

Tevin Coleman’s inconsistent performance is discussed, with concerns about his efficiency despite being a hot free agent.

• Jason Moore remarks on Coleman’s situation:

  "He is not a special player, but he's in a good situation."
  (07:02)

• Andy Holloway defends Coleman’s potential:

  "The number two hotness behind only Le'Veon Bell as far as free agent running backs go."
  (06:55)

The discussion reflects the complexity of evaluating running backs in free agency within fantasy leagues.

3. Announcements

a. iHeartRadio Podcast Nomination

The Fantasy Footballers proudly announce their nomination for the inaugural iHeartRadio Podcast Awards.

• Mike Wright urges listeners to vote:

  "You can cast five votes per day. And it's as simple as a few clicks@footclanvote.com if you want to support us."
  (08:16)

This nomination is celebrated as a significant achievement, placing them among top sports podcasts.

b. Giveaways and Promotions

The hosts highlight ongoing giveaways, including a signed Saquon Barkley jersey, and promote their partnerships.

• Jason Moore introduces a giveaway:

  "Go get it. Go get that Barkley."
  (09:58)

The promotions aim to engage listeners and offer incentives to participate actively.

4. Waivers

The core segment of the episode delves into waiver strategies for Week 8, providing actionable advice for listeners.

a. Waiver Strategies for Week 8

The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparing for both the current week's bye weeks and anticipating the upcoming ones in Week 9.

• Mike Wright advises on leveraging bye week situations:

  "If you have the space on your bench and you prep for week nine now, you get players cheap."
  (23:28)

• Jason Moore adds:

  "Signing players from Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles or Tennessee. The four teams going on bye this week."
  (23:40)

b. Recommended Pick-Ups by Position

Wide Receivers (WR)

• Geronimo Allison emerges as a top waiver target:

  "Mike Geronimo is my favorite pickup of the week at the wide receiver position."
  (25:53)

• Randall Cobb is highlighted for those in need of reliable WR options:

  "I would also throw out Randall Cobb's name because you need to check a lot of... he's available."
  (26:57)

• Christian Kirk is recommended for his evolving role and potential targets:

  "He's on pace for 74 receptions and 1,078 yards."
  (30:05)

Running Backs (RB)

• Marshawn Mack is touted for his strong performances:

  "He's a starting running back on an offense that's going to be putting up points."
  (39:37)

• Colonel Mustard (Raheem Mostert) is favored due to the opposing defense vulnerabilities:

  "If you're looking at your waivers, you're like, man, I don't like any of these quarterback pickups."
  (42:42)

• Jalen Richard and Rashad Matthews are discussed as valuable additions, depending on league settings and team needs.

Tight Ends (TE)

• Vance McDonald stands out as a key target:

  "He was a tight end that I was willing to go grab off of the waiver wire."
  (51:55)

• CJ Uzama is praised for consistent involvement:

  "He's my favorite."
  (52:20)

Quarterbacks (QB) - Streaming QBs

The hosts debate potential quarterbacks to stream, highlighting options based on weekly matchups.

• Mitchell Trubisky is recommended despite his ownership levels:

  "Mitchell Trubisky. I'm staying in."
  (55:15)

• Andy Dalton is considered for his potential bounce-back performance:

  "If you're looking to stream, Andy Dalton can bounce back in a strong way."
  (56:01)

5. Streaming QBs

The segment on streaming quarterbacks explores viable options for owners needing a temporary starter.

• Jason Moore advocates for holding onto Mitchell Trubisky due to recent performance improvements:

  "His last two games, specifically at home, have been unbelievable."
  (55:15)

• Mike Wright discusses the challenges of streaming QBs with tough matchups:

  "If you put that Kansas City defense back up in Denver... it’s thin."
  (56:15)

The hosts emphasize evaluating quarterbacks based on upcoming defenses and matchups to maximize weekly points.

6. Tight Ends

The discussion on tight ends focuses on identifying undervalued options and potential breakout players.

• CJ Uzama is highlighted for his involvement and red-zone targets:

  "Three of the last six weeks he's been a top 12 tight end."
  (52:38)

• Chris Herndon is approached with caution due to fluctuating snap counts:

  "The team does not... have a lot of confidence in him yet."
  (53:05)

The advice centers on balancing risk with potential upside when adding tight ends from the waiver wire.

7. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating the importance of strategic waiver moves and quarterback streaming. They encourage listeners to participate in their ongoing contests and support their podcast through votes and engagement.

• Mike Wright closes with a reminder:

  "Head over to footclanvote.com if you want to help us out."
  (58:54)

The hosts maintain their signature humor and camaraderie, leaving listeners equipped with actionable insights for their fantasy football endeavors.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore (01:22):

  "He couldn't hurt you last week and he can't hurt you this week."

• Andy Holloway (05:49):

  "He's still something to think about."

• Mike Wright (08:16):

  "If you want to support us, go to footclanvote.com."

• Jason Moore (25:53):

  "Geronimo is my number one pickup this week."

• Andy Holloway (55:15):

  "I'm staying in the Flames with Mitchell Trubisky."

Final Thoughts

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers offers a comprehensive guide to navigating Week 8 waivers, with expert advice on key players and strategic streaming options. The hosts balance detailed analysis with engaging banter, ensuring listeners are well-prepared to make informed fantasy football decisions.

For more insights and updates, join the Fantasy Football community at johndraft.comballers and follow them on Twitter @theffballers.