Fran Tarkenton, Patrick Mahomes, and Skylar Thompson: RSP Film and Theory with Adam Harstad and Matt Waldman
Sep 19, 2024
auto_awesome
Fran Tarkenton, a legendary NFL quarterback known for his innovative style, shares his thoughts on Patrick Mahomes, asserting that Mahomes has mastered skills he once exhibited. Adam Harstad discusses strategic approaches to fantasy football, especially regarding roster management for quarterbacks like Skylar Thompson, whose potential makes him a top choice for GMs. The conversation also dives into the evolution of quarterback play and emphasizes the importance of character assessment in player evaluations, providing valuable insights for both fantasy players and fans.
Fran Tarkenton's innovative playing style and significant impact on quarterbacking evolved the position, paving the way for stars like Patrick Mahomes.
Skylar Thompson represents a high-upside, high-risk option for fantasy players, particularly due to his supportive cast and potential development.
In fantasy football, targeting high-ceiling players over stable veterans can maximize a team's potential and influence playoff success significantly.
Deep dives
The Legacy of Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton's impact on NFL history is significant, as he retired with the all-time passing yardage record, a feat that showcased his remarkable career during a challenging era for quarterbacks. His unique playing style, characterized by creativity and improvisation, set a precedent for future generations, where players like Patrick Mahomes now thrive. Despite this, Tarkenton often doesn't receive the recognition he deserves, particularly in discussions about the greatest quarterbacks, which overlooks the difficulties he faced, such as playing behind a porous offensive line and in a less favorable passing era. Understanding Tarkenton's contributions reshapes the narrative surrounding modern quarterbacking and highlights the evolution of the position through generations.
Evaluating Skylar Thompson's Potential
Skylar Thompson, a second-year quarterback, presents both high upside and notable risk, making him an intriguing option for fantasy players looking to fill roster gaps. His previous struggles were partly due to being thrust into a starting role unexpectedly, where he had limited time to adapt to the speed and complexity of the NFL. However, with a supporting cast that enhances his potential, many believe he could emerge as a viable starting quarterback, demonstrating development and improved understanding of the game. This combination of talent and circumstance positions Thompson as a player worth considering over more stable but lower-upside options.
Importance of Regular Season Wins in Fantasy Football
In fantasy football, the impact of regular season wins is crucial, especially in terms of playoff implications and overall title odds. An analysis revealed that securing just one extra win during the regular season can significantly boost a team's championship chances due to its correlation with playoff positioning and byes. Additionally, the timing and nature of player absences further affect a team's performance, with some absences proving less detrimental than others based on a player's overall contribution to a team's success. This understanding helps players make more informed roster decisions, emphasizing the value of strategic plays over merely filling roster spots.
The Allure of High-Ceiling Players
In fantasy leagues, targeting high-ceiling players like Skylar Thompson rather than stable but underperforming veterans can be crucial for maximizing a team's potential. High-risk, high-reward players often provide opportunities for breakout performances that can significantly influence playoff success. The volatility associated with such players encourages managers to take calculated risks, especially in competitive leagues where the margin for success is often thin. Embracing this strategy allows managers to capitalize on the uncertainty inherent in player performance, potentially leading to greater rewards.
Assessing Talent and Character in NFL Evaluations
Evaluating players in the NFL requires a delicate balance between talent assessment and character analysis, as misjudgments can skew perceptions and career trajectories. Many scouts emphasize the importance of longevity in a player's ability to stick in the league, as those who remain on rosters despite setbacks often possess unique traits that can lead to future success. However, external perceptions shaped by media narratives can distort reality, resulting in hasty evaluations based on limited information. Recognizing the complexity of character and talent provides a fuller picture of a player's potential and helps mitigate the pitfalls of misinterpretation.
Footballguys staff writer and FSWA Writer of the Year, Adam Harstad joins RSP Film and Theory as Matt Waldman’s cohost for the 2024 football season to discuss practices that will make you a better fantasy GM and NFL fan.
There are a lot of excellent writers and analysts in the fantasy industry. There are few that I hold in as high a regard as Adam (and not surprising he earned the FSWA’s Fantasy Writer of the Year). He’s a forthright human being with a tremendous intellect whose approach to analysis in this space differs from most.
He’s also an excellent fantasy GM in re-draft and dynasty formats. Adam spends a lot of time examining results and dealing with broad themes of decision-making that help us become better fantasy players and fantasy analysts.
https://youtu.be/5vAvNaFUhRs
Topics
Fran Tarkenton says everything that Patrick Mahomes could do (skills-wise), he already did. The case for Tarkenton, and the case against the Athletic for creating a negative connotation by qualifying the statement with Tarkenton's age.
Adam's latest Dynasty and Theory Piece at Footballguys and its practice applications as a GM.
Why we agree that adding Skylar Thompson is one of the best choices for GMs this week.
And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2024 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.
Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95
If you’re a fantasy GM interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2023 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.
Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode