What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Matthew Berry (1 Viewer)

17seconds

17seconds

root of all aliai
What is the consensus on Matthew Berry as a fantasy analyst? I haven't paid too much attention to him but on the surface he seems like mostly smoke and mirrors who is out there to promote ESPN fantasy more than providing good info.

I've listened to their podcast and most of the time it's banter back and forth with an occasional perplexing nugget like having AP #1 overall, taking Peyton in the first round, ranking DeMarco Murray RB15, etc. Very little in-depth football knowledge is on display too. Because of their format I'm not aware of how deep his knowledge goes or if it just on a level of knowing the skill players only.

I've got him in one of my MFL10s and here's how he drafted:

1.04Johnson, Calvin DET WR

2.09 Jeffery, Alshon CHI WR

3.04 Ellington, Andre ARI RB

4.09 Sankey, Bishop TEN RB

5.04 Smith, Torrey BAL WR

6.09 Hopkins, DeAndre HOU WR

7.04 Johnson, Chris NYJ RB

8.09 Foles, Nick PHI QB

9.04 Cooks, Brandin NOS WR

10.09 Jones, Marvin CIN WR

11.04 Jones-Drew, Maurice OAK RB

12.09 Eifert, Tyler CIN TE

13.04 Palmer, Carson ARI QB

14.09 Fleener, Coby IND TE

15.04 Cook, Jared STL TE

16.09 Bengals, Cincinnati CIN Def

17.04 Bradford, Sam STL QB

18.09 Tucker, Justin BAL PK

19.04 Eagles, Philadelphia PHI Def

20.09 Zuerlein, Greg STL PK

21.04 Dolphins, Miami MIA Def

22.09 Wilson, Marquess CHI WR

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Did I say his draft sucked? There are a few strange picks for me but it's mostly there FYI.

Wondering what the consensus is on him as an analyst.

 
I would say that he's somewhere in between. Nothing super special and probably not on the level of some of the staffers here, but he's not just a pretty face they put on TV because he's good at talking to the camera or used to play the game like many NFL analysts are.

 
He isn't the worst out there but he's far from the best. FBG has about 6 guys I would listen to long before I would pay any attention to Berry.

 
One thing I will give the guy, he steps out from the crowd and takes firm stances on guys that aren't mainstream opinions. He may not always be correct, but it is refreshing to see someone who doesn't just regurgitate the same top 200 or whatever that everyone has.

 
I thought he has done a really nice job in his articles this year. He researched and cited alot of facts, and takes positions on players.

 
Big fan. He is constantly putting on quality content. His podcasts are fun with just enough actual info.

He might not be the very top expert compared to a Dodds, but he has earned his place IMO.

 
17seconds said:
Did I say his draft sucked? There are a few strange picks for me but it's mostly there FYI.

Wondering what the consensus is on him as an analyst.
Click to expand...
Personally, I don't think anyone is really an "expert" when it comes to fantasy football. With that said I'm envious that he can make a career out of this and I enjoy his work. I've only read a handful of articles, but he's personable on TV and is knowledgeable on the subject matter to the extent he needs to be. I don't pay enough attention to his "advice" to really comment much on his analysis, other than to say I don't remember hearing anything that made me doubt he knows what he's doing.

I like his draft above.

 
Dr. Octopus said:
17seconds said:
Did I say his draft sucked? There are a few strange picks for me but it's mostly there FYI.

Wondering what the consensus is on him as an analyst.
Click to expand...
Personally, I don't think anyone is really an "expert" when it comes to fantasy football. With that said I'm envious that he can make a career out of this and I enjoy his work. I've only read a handful of articles, but he's personable on TV and is knowledgeable on the subject matter to the extent he needs to be. I don't pay enough attention to his "advice" to really comment much on his analysis, other than to say I don't remember hearing anything that made me doubt he knows what he's doing.

I like his draft above.
Click to expand...
Yeah, he is entertaining and seems like a good guy. He knows fantasy football and isn't like most of the guys on ESPN that are clueless when it comes to fantasy football. He knows his stuff, takes some risks and doesn't take anything seriously.

 
I like their podcasts.

Berry is a pretty knowledgeable guy, though definitely skewed towards redrafts.

His book (one part FF, one part about his life) isn't a bad read/listen either.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I read his book and enjoyed it. He seems like a really good guy. He's not the best statistical mind, but he has a pretty good grasp of the info and does a nice job combining it with the inside info he gets by being part of ESPN.

 
He does (and has always done) a very good job making Fantasy entertaining. He's a great guy by all accounts, very friendly, down to earth, and helpful to others in the industry. It's always fun and easy to hate on the most popular guys in their line of work, but it just doesn't fit here. He's providing a product for your normal consumer - for your dad, or your brother you doesn't even know what time their team plays on Sunday till they turn on the game. He does that very well, and in my opinion goes above and beyond that level, providing good, real, relevant fantasy analysis on a consistent basis.

Honestly, we'd all be better served if a guy like Matthew Berry didn't exist, as far as dominating our fantasy leagues. 10 years ago, you had to do all the work yourself as far as digging up sleepers, target watches, even injury updates. Now his mug is on ESPN what seems like once an hour, pouncing on waiver wire gems and making more competition for you in your league.

If you play in deep leagues, his & ESPN's coverage (and honestly everyone else too among the big boys) isn't for you or meant for you. And we get it. We don't need you telling us that Week 1's Waiver darling was drafted in your league. We get it.

 
I am in the minority. Using 5 of the last 7 picks on kickers and defenses is a terrible strategy unless I am missing something and this league has some odd rules and/or starting lineups.

Sure, the draft looks good up top but, to be honest, in a 12 team league, EVERYONE should look good if you just see their top two picks. Cut that top off and what I see in the rest of it is a shaky/hopeful running group, a lack of real depth at WR, a big question on where the wr3 or flex gets filled with quality, a legit concern at TE in regards to where it was picked.

I don't mean to attack a person's draft but it is the only thing I have to go on as far as answering the question posed and I don't find it overly impressive. If nothing else, I would have loved to see a more impressive TE (nice talents but I can't imagine Eifert in 2014 is the lockdown every week starter) and I wouldn't a real guru have found a way to squeeze in a Justin Hunter in that 8-10 range versus Marvin Jones, who I would imagine you could have gotten later?

I'm basing a lot of assumption but I'm betting if we saw this entire draft, we would be picking this apart. §

 
Second Sight said:
I am in the minority. Using 5 of the last 7 picks on kickers and defenses is a terrible strategy unless I am missing something and this league has some odd rules and/or starting lineups.

Sure, the draft looks good up top but, to be honest, in a 12 team league, EVERYONE should look good if you just see their top two picks. Cut that top off and what I see in the rest of it is a shaky/hopeful running group, a lack of real depth at WR, a big question on where the wr3 or flex gets filled with quality, a legit concern at TE in regards to where it was picked.

I don't mean to attack a person's draft but it is the only thing I have to go on as far as answering the question posed and I don't find it overly impressive. If nothing else, I would have loved to see a more impressive TE (nice talents but I can't imagine Eifert in 2014 is the lockdown every week starter) and I wouldn't a real guru have found a way to squeeze in a Justin Hunter in that 8-10 range versus Marvin Jones, who I would imagine you could have gotten later?

I'm basing a lot of assumption but I'm betting if we saw this entire draft, we would be picking this apart. §
Click to expand...
Probably an odd rule like say, best-ball with no waivers.

 
rocketsauce said:
He does (and has always done) a very good job making Fantasy entertaining. He's a great guy by all accounts, very friendly, down to earth, and helpful to others in the industry. It's always fun and easy to hate on the most popular guys in their line of work, but it just doesn't fit here. He's providing a product for your normal consumer - for your dad, or your brother you doesn't even know what time their team plays on Sunday till they turn on the game. He does that very well, and in my opinion goes above and beyond that level, providing good, real, relevant fantasy analysis on a consistent basis.

Honestly, we'd all be better served if a guy like Matthew Berry didn't exist, as far as dominating our fantasy leagues. 10 years ago, you had to do all the work yourself as far as digging up sleepers, target watches, even injury updates. Now his mug is on ESPN what seems like once an hour, pouncing on waiver wire gems and making more competition for you in your league.

If you play in deep leagues, his & ESPN's coverage (and honestly everyone else too among the big boys) isn't for you or meant for you. And we get it. We don't need you telling us that Week 1's Waiver darling was drafted in your league. We get it.
Click to expand...
So...he is good at supplying knives to noobs headed for a gunfight?

I guess it is beyond me. If I am a casual, casual ff player like you mention, I guess it would seem more enlightening but, hey, I laughed out loud when I saw a guy picking up 2-3 fantasy football mags that were likely printed in May too so my mileage may vary.§

 
identikit said:
Second Sight said:
I am in the minority. Using 5 of the last 7 picks on kickers and defenses is a terrible strategy unless I am missing something and this league has some odd rules and/or starting lineups.

Sure, the draft looks good up top but, to be honest, in a 12 team league, EVERYONE should look good if you just see their top two picks. Cut that top off and what I see in the rest of it is a shaky/hopeful running group, a lack of real depth at WR, a big question on where the wr3 or flex gets filled with quality, a legit concern at TE in regards to where it was picked.

I don't mean to attack a person's draft but it is the only thing I have to go on as far as answering the question posed and I don't find it overly impressive. If nothing else, I would have loved to see a more impressive TE (nice talents but I can't imagine Eifert in 2014 is the lockdown every week starter) and I wouldn't a real guru have found a way to squeeze in a Justin Hunter in that 8-10 range versus Marvin Jones, who I would imagine you could have gotten later?

I'm basing a lot of assumption but I'm betting if we saw this entire draft, we would be picking this apart. §
Click to expand...
Probably an odd rule like say, best-ball with no waivers.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that makes a lot more sense. Hadn't thought of that. Like I said, I knew I was assuming a lot of standardization stuff. Would be nice to know the format, etc form the OP.

 
He doesn't seem very bright and he gives some pretty lousy advice. But he seems like a guy that would be fun to have a beer with. Is he some kind of great fantasy football guru? No, not even close. But he's entertaining and affable, which I suppose counts for something.

 
I enjoy the podcast a lot b/c it's funny and satisfies my bloodlust for anything FF. I can't say there's a ton of fantasy knowledge to be parsed from the show and neither host really knows in-depth football but that's not really the point of the podcast. It's also mostly based on standard 10-team leagues which few people on this board probably participate in. But like it or not, that's what your average FF player is playing, and it would be silly for there not to be any analysts catering to that kind of player.

I think the most valuable part of the show for me is actually the other host, Nate Ravitz. He throws cold water on nearly every hyped unproven sleeper out there, and is more a proponent of veterans. Most other analysts probably fall too in love with those kind of players, and hearing his shade reminds me not to always get carried away.

 
And yes, MFL10's have a bestball, no-waivers format. I have to ask though, if the OP is certain that's the real Matthew Berry, because he often complains about being in too many leagues and I know he's not a fan of Bishop Sankey for instance.

 
Run It Up said:
Ilov80s said:
Area51Inhabitant said:
I still can't completely get past all of his Zach Sudfeld hype from a year ago.
Click to expand...
That wasn't just him. Sudfeld was everywhere.
Click to expand...
Was that the year he said Ryan Mathews was his #1 overall pick? Or was it the year he said Mike Vick was the #1 overall pick?
Click to expand...
He has had some legendary misses. He spent 5 years predicting the breakout year for Flacco. I always listen to his podcast because I am pretty sure half of my big money league listen so I like to at least hear what info they are getting.

 
placebo said:
I enjoy the podcast a lot b/c it's funny and satisfies my bloodlust for anything FF. I can't say there's a ton of fantasy knowledge to be parsed from the show and neither host really knows in-depth football but that's not really the point of the podcast. It's also mostly based on standard 10-team leagues which few people on this board probably participate in. But like it or not, that's what your average FF player is playing, and it would be silly for there not to be any analysts catering to that kind of player.

I think the most valuable part of the show for me is actually the other host, Nate Ravitz. He throws cold water on nearly every hyped unproven sleeper out there, and is more a proponent of veterans. Most other analysts probably fall too in love with those kind of players, and hearing his shade reminds me not to always get carried away.
Click to expand...
This is interesting to me because I would have the same opinion as you but it also makes me think that this type of attitude is probably what leads a lot of us to criticize the analysts that don't seem to "get it" because for the most part they are notorious for siding so heavily on the vet players and they disregard the up and comers.

 
Kenny Powers said:
Do great fantasy minds take 2 kickers and 3 defenses?
Click to expand...
It's an MFL10, kinda have to cover your byes unless you want 0's in your lineup. And some people are cool with that. It's part of the strategy.

 
The guy knows his stuff and has sound logic for all of his picks. Like many it doesn't always work but that's the nature of this business. On top of that though, he's an entertainer. His articles often are worth the read for the non FF info.

Also, I believe he's a good buddy of Joe Bryant's.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Greggity said:
17seconds said:
Long Ball Larry said:
I don't get it.
Click to expand...
Is Matthew Berry the Grey Goose of fantasy analysts (mostly marketing) or is he up there with the top tier?

His media image is the #1 guru of fantasy football.
Click to expand...
I enjoy his show with hasslebeck before the games on sunday. Looks like a pretty good team to me he drafted. His RB's are a bit scary but if sankey actually starts he should be ok....
Click to expand...
Had no idea there was somebody out there that enjoys listening to Hasslebeck.

Guy is just terrible.

 
I'm a fan, fun podcast, and a good listen.

However I go to bloom and dodds for my insider stuff, I do like berrys thinking out loud on the podcast though.

 
He knows his stuff for sure...I don't read much of the ESPN stuff because it's mostly useless, but he is head and shoulders above those other hacks like Karabell and Harris.

 
RushHour said:
He knows his stuff for sure...I don't read much of the ESPN stuff because it's mostly useless, but he is head and shoulders above those other hacks like Karabell and Harris.
Click to expand...
Ugh Karabell. It's like he's obligated to put something out because its the weakest article every fantasy preseason.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

JohnnyU
Post NFL DRAFT Dynasty or DEVY Drafts
3 4 5
Replies
227
Views
16K
eric rymer
eric rymer
I
***2023 Free Agency Thread***
5 6 7
Replies
311
Views
17K
Terpman22
Terpman22
TripItUp
Rate out Best Ball Teams Here
Replies
15
Views
688
bostonfred
bostonfred

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top