The Los Angeles basin is home to the stereotypical things you would expect out of The City of Angels. The contrast of palm trees, beaches, amazing things to do, eat, and see; all the while mixed with traffic, smog, and the high cost of living. Despite the negatives, there are so many things to do and see, so much so that fitting it all into a weekend trip to watch the Rams or the Chargers, can be exhausting. And if you’re flying into LAX from the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, or back East, you might be asking yourself, “where do I start?”. No trip to L.A. can be complete by just making a trek to the new SOFI Stadium; as your guide on this adventure, we will help you find your way around town.
In this new series from The Undroppables, Tommy Mo and Chalk sit down with some of the fantasy football industry’s biggest names and most trusted commentators that call the greater L.A. basin home. We are going to ‘Break Bread’ with fantasy football analysts and content creators throughout Southern California to provide you with not only their favorite restaurants and sights to see in L.A., but also give you a glimpse into their lives outside of football.
For Issue Number One, we start with one of the nicest and most knowledgeable analysts in the game, Matt Harmon with Yahoo Fantasy Sports and the creator of Reception Perception. We sat down with him in early December 2021 to Break Bread at the world-renowned Taiwanese dim sum house, Din Tai Fung at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. An “L.A. quick” 20-minute drive south from SoFi Stadium.
Matt Harmon is one of the more recognizable names and faces in the fantasy football industry, especially if you are a fan of NFL.com or have played any of your fantasy leagues on Yahoo. These two categories should summarize the vast majority of fantasy footballers. Yet when Matt walks into the Del Amo Fashion Center with his mask on, he passes by shoppers unnoticed. Meanwhile, Chalk and I share a laugh as we realize just how tall Matt really is. I wave to Matt as he travels up the escalator, we meet, exchange pleasantries, and sit down to one of the best dim sum experiences you can have outside of Taiwan.
It’s been five years since Matt wrote “Rebuilding a Broken House: Losing Weight, Changing my Lifestyle and Never Looking Back” on BackyardBanter.com. This inspiring and incredible story took readers into the life of a man who struggled with food all his life; only to have that life-changing “oh-no” moment that drastically changed his trajectory. The story was picked up by CNN and Matt became a household name in the fantasy football world.
Tommy: “Now that it’s been five years since that story was published, do you find it easier now to maintain the ‘new you’ or is it still a daily struggle?”
Matt: “Easy is not the way I would put it, but it has become a lifestyle and a habit more than anything.”
While easy is not the word he would use, he has done the hard part of maintaining his physique the past five years and is truly a remade man. Matt is also at the point where he wants to challenge what his body can do now. He’s worked over the last year to put on 10 pounds of muscle. You can tell he’s got a goal in mind, not just to switch things up to keep his workout interesting. He’s also preparing for his wedding in the spring, and of course, wants to look his best.
Like a lot of people during the COVID Era over the past two years, you either got really into working out, or you did the opposite. All of us at the table did a little of the opposite. However, Matt took advantage of local sales on workout equipment to build up his home gym and get back on the grind. While Matt is no longer dead set on constantly counting calories, he maintains his fit lifestyle by staying active, working out multiple times a week, and indulging in a good cheat meal from time to time. Mostly it’s pizza for Matt. Today, it’s dim sum with The Undroppables.
The conversation takes a break for the first course of the meal, the Cucumber Salad, which happens to be a favorite of Matt’s fiancé Bry; who got her own order to go. There’s a reason this small plate is a fan favorite. This dish includes Persian cucumbers tossed in sesame oil and chili oil with Fresno chili peppers and sliced garlic. A light, refreshing, yet delicious way to start the meal.
Fantasy Football (FF) equivalent: Diontae Johnson, WR Pittsburgh Steelers (a reliable every week starter)
Popular dishes like the cucumber salad is one reason Matt agreed to meet us in Torrance. While it’s relatively close to SOFI Stadium, it’s well outside of Matt’s bubble. A self-described “hard-core bubble guy”, Matt’s previous bubble was situated in Culver City; this allowed him to patronize favorite spots like The Doughroom. It’s more than just a pizza joint, as the menu lists antipasta and pasta as well. With a pretty decent brunch menu on the weekends, including a breakfast pizza, it’s the perfect spot for L.A.
Luckily for us, Bry helped relocate Matt’s bubble roughly a dozen miles south to El Segundo, where he has found a new favorite pizza place called Slice and Pint. Like the name suggests, the beer sets this restaurant apart from the rest. They boast an excellent selection of craft beers (18 taps) from local brewery El Segundo Brewing Company around the corner, along with a couple dozen guest beers and wines. Pick up a pie and a 4-pack or two on your way to SOFI.
Thanks to an autonomous robot (strange yet intriguing) we are quickly delivered our 2nd course, Sautéed String Beans with Garlic. This dish is personally one of my favorites at any Taiwanese or Chinese restaurant. Freshly-cut string beans sautéed with minced garlic and tossed over high heat. This ‘healthy’ dish is packed with umami.
FF equivalent: Elijah Moore, WR New York Jets (packs a punch)
When not spending time in his bubble or hitting your Yahoo Fantasy feeds with excellent insight and Fearless Forecasts, Matt has been hard at work on his other baby, Reception Perception. One of the best WR evaluation tools on the market, Matt combines film and data analysis to help you find the next breakout star WR. While Matt has been working on the project since 2014, the website officially launched in 2020 with the help of his friend and previous NFL.com colleague, James Koh.
This powerhouse duo aren’t just both great personalities with good content, they’re two guys that really love football and know what they’re talking about. There’s a reason they were both hired by NFL.com. Now together they have created one of the few websites worth spending your money on. Reception Perception is giving you something that is very difficult to aggregate on your own, let alone compile and present in such an easily digestible and actionable format. They’ve done a great job of finding the balance.
The staple of the Din Tai Fung experience, and what sets them apart from other dim sum spots in L.A., is their world famous Taiwanese soup dumplings. Properly known as Xiao Long Bao or “XLB” for short, it’s a dumpling filled with Kurobuta pork marinated in a blend of seasonings with a dollop of gelatinous soup broth: the perfect balance of flavor. The entire set of 10 dumplings is steamed in a bamboo steamer. When you bite into it, soup and pork fill your mouth. There’s definitely a technique to eating an XLB that we walked Matt through.
Matt: “Okay, how do I eat one of these things?”
Chalk: “Take a XLB in your spoon, bite a hole in the dumpling, let the soup fill your spoon, add a little vinegar and spicy sauce. Then eat it all in one bite.”
FF equivalent: Stefon Diggs, WR Buffalo Bills (the staple of Reception Perception)
By the public’s definition, Matt has ‘made it’. He’s worked for NFL.com. Made national news thanks to CNN. He’s a staple of Yahoo Fantasy Football, and has launched Reception Perception successfully. But Matt is still grinding and working towards the future. He compares the fantasy football industry to a house, “It may be easy to get into the house, but it’s hard to get a seat at the table”. A familiar analogy for the guy that rebuilt his own house.
That seat at the table is there for Matt. But as Reception Perception grows, the allure of building his own table also grows. As with many things in his life, Matt is working towards that perfect balance of passion and day job. That’s not to say his day job isn’t built around his passion, but Reception Perception has so far been a success in the industry and is already a mainstay in many analysts’ repertoire. Matt has more ideas and data he wants to chart for the future of the project, possibly a podcast for subscribers. But when Chalk asks about charting running backs, Matt responds with a chuckle, “C’mon bro are you trying to make more work for me?”.
Our robot friend returns, this time delivering an order of the Kurobuta Pork Buns. These big-bodied buns are a classic in many Asian and Pacific Island cultures. They are a jumbo sized version of the pork dumplings. Kneaded dough is formed and steamed into a soft, fluffy bun filled with DTF’s signature Kurobuta pork and a little soup.
FF equivalent: Derrick Henry, RB Tennessee Titans (beefed up staple)
With four courses down, Matt takes a cue from the last dish and switches the conversation up by asking us a question. With all the parity football in 2021 brought with it, what was our impression of the season? A very poignant question given Matt had written an article about parity in early December, just prior to our lunch. In it he describes how the typical fantasy league in 2021 had mirrored the NFL standings up until that point. With very few teams at the top and the majority of the league hovering around a .500 record.
Like the NFL, this year was brutal for fantasy football. The top 10 running backs drafted in fantasy leagues (based on ADP) have all been hurt at some point this season, whether for a game or the entire year. All except for Jonathan Taylor (thankfully). The top 10 wide receivers missed the injury bug, but were okay at best, as a group. Another second-year player, Justin Jefferson, has also thankfully been the standout of the WRs.
But the top 20 players that would typically comprise the first two rounds of fantasy drafts have largely not shown returns on their early ADP. Following trends was difficult, as there was little consistency at times. And those who managed to even make it to the Finals in their leagues, either somehow missed major injuries or worked the waiver wire & trades like a madman. Every fantasy player should see that as an accomplishment this year, regardless if you won or not, because the parity was ripe in 2021.
The final dumpling course of the meal is served, signaling an end to the starters. An order of the Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Wontons with House Spicy Sauce. They are handmade wontons filled with freshly-peeled shrimp and premium Kurobuta pork, served with the house spicy sauce topped with garlic and green onion on the side. The spice level on these wontons is medium at best, so a scoop of spicy chili crunch is recommended.
FF equivalent: Justin Jefferson, WR Minnesota Vikings (he’s got that sauce)
In Matt’s time in the industry, he’s learned to take a realistic approach to fantasy. Despite all the data available, the in-depth analysis being offered by thousands of TV and online personalities, and even taking the pulse of your own cultivated Discord community, football players are real people. They are going to make mistakes or be victims to circumstance. Football and the fantasy game we have created is not played on the field by robots, like the ones that are serving us dim sum today. Like all analysts, despite how refined the process is, there will always be misses due to unforeseen circumstances.
Matt’s biggest miss in 2021 that his critics have not let him forget? Brandon Aiyuk. After a breakout end to 2020, Matt charted Aiyuk as winning on almost every route possible. His success by routes run, and the route tree graphic produced from that data was very impressive. And with fellow 49ers WR Deebo Samuel coming off injury entering 2021, Matt of course hung his hat on Aiyuk’s potential to be a league winner. However, 2021 had plans of its own, and Deebo ended up being the WR to draft. He finished as a top-tier WR1, and the WR2 overall in points per game, only behind Cooper Kupp. Aiyuk on the other hand is finishing as the WR34 overall, and WR50 in PPG. Matt has to laugh this off because the process was right, the results just had another plan that possibly only Kyle Shanahan knew.
The process of the meal continues with the main courses, starting off with the Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Wonton Soup, not delivered by robot. This one has a little bit of everything you want in its flavor profile. The handmade wontons are filled with pork and shrimp, cooked in a chicken and pork broth, garnished with green onion and a drizzle of sesame oil. The broth is light but the flavor is full. It’s a good transition dish from the starters to the main course as it’s not heavy enough to fill you up.
FF equivalent: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/RB Atlanta Falcons (most versatile player)
The light soup arrived at the perfect time because while Matt keeps a great attitude about Aiyuk, or any other player that didn’t hit right on time, he still strives to be correct and give the best fantasy advice. That positive attitude can be hard to keep when you’re in the limelight like Matt is, where every fantasy opinion is scrutinized and you’re not given space or time to let a take on a player develop. In the eyes of the public (that often resides on Twitter), if you’re not right, right now, you’re last. That scrutiny can be taxing. Matt counters it with humor and a thick skin. He learned a long time ago that he can take it, because when he’s right, he’s also going to dish it right back.
Matt’s approach to fantasy has not just been fine-tuned over years of his own practice, but also through his interactions with some of the best minds in the industry. One of those minds is Sigmund Bloom, who was one of the first guys to give Matt a shot in the industry at Football Guys. The one thing Sig said that has stuck with Matt regarding fantasy football is, “you can be both right and wrong in the course of the same season”. That mentality allows him to not get stuck in any moment, good or bad. As we have seen throughout this past season, tilting too hard on one player in any given week can lead to hasty trades or premature roster drops. Matt has learned to stay the course and trust his process.
The star of the main course is the Braised Beef Noodle Soup. The traditional Taiwanese beef stew is comforting during the cold winter months. This was another must-have recommendation made by Matt’s fiancé Bry, so we had to order a bowl. It has homemade egg noodles cooked for hours in a spicy beef stew and topped with blanched baby bok choy. The broth in this soup is phenomenal. The depth of flavor and tenderness of the braised beef is one of a kind. This was the most flavorful dish of the meal in my opinion and a must have for anyone visiting Din Tai Fung.
FF equivalent: Terry McLaurin, WR Washington Football Team (this season’s hottest take)
Laughing, Matt recalls taking it on the chin the past couple seasons from Twitter talking about players Matt liked that didn’t perform according to the public’s timeframe. Going back to 2016 and Tyler Lockett, Matt was early on Lockett, who didn’t start producing annual 1,000 yard seasons until 2018. Sometimes your process leads you to be too early on a player. But as we say in dynasty fantasy football, “better a year too early than a year too late.” To stand out in this industry, you have to not only be correct, but you have to be bold. This was also true for Aiyuk, who broke out in 2020 but was inconsistent in 2021, with the bulk of his production occurring inconsistently Weeks 9 through 17.
Often you have to fade the noise in order to stick to your guns on a player, or as Matt puts it, “it also helps you ride the wave of the season as a fantasy analyst and not take things personally.” Like every season, things change beyond your control, and 2021 was the biggest example of that. But when your process is sound, you can laugh at your perceived misses, because when your hits outnumber your misses and are so well documented, you stick to your guns.
Most notably, Matt hit correctly on Stefon Diggs in the summer of 2018 prior to his breakout season, charting Diggs as the top wide receiver against man coverage, a stat that Diggs has maintained in the 91st percentile of the league the past four seasons. This was the highest success rate (82.6%) in Reception Perception history. Diggs’ elite status is well known now, but back in the 2018 offseason it was a debatable topic that Matt had conviction on and was right in the end. That foresight has lead to a friendship between Matt and Stefon Diggs; after all, Matt needs Diggs to help him prove his process right, and Diggs needs guys like Matt to believe in them when few others would.
Our final course hits the table and we are all a little thankful it’s the last. While this meal has been exceptional, it’s also designed for sharing in order to try a small bite of a lot of dishes. The Shrimp Fried Noodles dish contains hand–peeled shrimp stir fried in a searing-hot wok with fresh vegetables. It’s then topped with Napa cabbage, spinach and green onion infused oil. The noodles and shrimp are a nice contrast to the dumplings and soup that comprised the majority of today’s dishes.
FF equivalent: Deebo Samuel, WR San Francisco 49ers (biggest surprise of 2021)
Matt: Would you mind passing me the noodles? I haven’t tried those yet.
Tommy: Sure thing. Speaking of new items on the table, who’s next up in Reception Perception? Who are the guys jumping off the charts you’re excited about?
One of Matt’s favorite rookie WRs of the future is the New York Jet Elijah Moore, and with good reason. Although Moore just missed being a First Round selection (34th overall pick) he has First Round talent. Moore scored in the elite level for speed and agility per Player Profiler, and was incredibly dominant in his tenure at Ole Miss. Matt charted Moore with an incredible 79.8% success rate against man coverage, hitting the 95th percentile of his 2021 draft class. Moore also posted an impressive 91.7% success rate on contested catches. He has all the makings of an elite WR who is still flying relatively under the radar, as fellow rookies Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle have taken the spotlight this year with early breakouts.
Elijah Moore’s finish to the 2021 season as the PPR WR46 overall (WR30 in PPG) and the first year success of the rest of the rookie class will keep Moore’s fantasy value relatively cheap this offseason. If you don’t already have shares of Moore in dynasty, these next six months will be the time to work trades in order to acquire him wherever you can. The last thing you will want to be is a year late on a player that piques Matt’s interest. After all, do you really want to miss out on the next potential Stefon Diggs? I’m not saying that Moore is the same player as Diggs, or in anywhere near the same situation with the same opportunity, but Diggs was also an unheralded WR that could have been acquired for cheap back in 2017.
Also, just because Matt hit with his Diggs take doesn’t mean he’s automatically going to find the next Diggs or continue to make correct takes, but he did finish as the #1 Expert Ranker for Fantasy Pros 2020 Draft rankings. It’s safe to say Matt knows what he’s talking about when it comes to players waiting to break out. In a sea of fantasy sharks, finding the next breakout player is one of the best ways to stay ahead of the game.
Nearly full, happy, cheeks sore from smiling and laughing, we reach the culmination of the meal: soothing Jasmine Tea that resets the palate and soothes the gut. The traditional way to start and end any feast with friends.
FF equivalent: Cooper Kupp, WR Los Angeles Rams (most refreshing player)
Chalk: Matt what are some ways that you unwind from the season?
When not grinding football content, Matt will venture outside his bubble to hike in the Santa Monica mountains. Specifically, Solstice Canyon has hiking trails for all difficulty levels. Take in sights of the native habitat and the ruins of 100+ year old buildings on your way to a waterfall (best seen after rains). For more touristy spots, check out Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier on the weekend. There’s a reason these areas are a visitor’s favorite despite being one of the more popular, and thus more crowded locales.
After hitting the pier and checking out the boardwalk, walk on over to The Venice Whaler. It’s been a mainstay since 1944, serving California seafood and favorites like the fish tacos and burgers, with 14 draft beers on tap. Hinano Cafe is another mainstay and favorite of Matt’s in Venice. This burger and beer joint is a cash-only bar that has live music on the weekends, and is a throwback to a jukebox joint, complete with pool tables and football on the TV. Well, at least it’s a throwback for L.A. All great places to spend your time when you’re in town for a playoff game.
Matt has been playing fantasy for decades, but originally got into the industry to talk football. Like many of us, that was his original love: football. It’s what brought him to the game within the game. And in many ways, fantasy became a means to an end for Matt. He’s made this hobby for many into a career that not only changed his professional life but his personal one as well. If there’s a definition for success in the fantasy football industry, Matt is a great example of what that would be. But one of the best things about Matt is he’s humble and he’s still working towards his own definition of success.
Five years removed from rebuilding his “broken house,” Matt has come full circle on his journey. He tore his house down to its foundation and built it back up. His story, his journey, and his hustle in the fantasy football industry is inspiring. It has helped me on my own journey in weight loss, something I’ve always struggled with, just like Matt did. But in the midst of my own personal remodel, it’s encouraging to see Matt further down the road on his own journey: living his best life with an amazing future ahead of him. If you’re on your own struggle, I hope Matt’s story continues to inspire you. And if you haven’t started on the journey, now is the time. Like Matt says, “There’s no time like the present.”
This former east coast kid may not call L.A. home forever, but Matt’s time here has been well spent. When you visit L.A. for your own adventures, be it for a weekend or a chunk of your lifetime, make sure you check out Din Tai Fung and the other amazing sights to see that have been profiled here and in future issues to come. It was an absolute pleasure to Break Bread with Matt, and we look forward to our next meal with you, our readers.
Cheers.
