Podcast Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Jordan Schultz Shares Inside Knowledge on The Dolphins Mike McDaniel
Date: September 12, 2025

Episode Overview

Broadcast from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, this episode blends the show’s hallmark irreverence with deep football analysis and lighthearted banter. The main focus is on Week 2 of the NFL season, inside commentary from special guest Jordan Schultz (The Schultz Report, Why Is Draymond Green Talking About Football?), and an honest evaluation of Miami Dolphins’ coach Mike McDaniel’s future. Alongside the picks and laughs, listeners are treated to news recaps, insights into coaching hot seats, and the show’s virtual roundtable of recurring personalities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Kicking Game Mayhem & NFL Week One Takeaways

• Host Monologue (00:00–03:20):
  Dan sets a comic but pointed tone reflecting on NFL Week 1’s wild kicking outcomes — from missed extra points to heroics on long field goals.
• Quote:
  “It's the QB league, but all the points matter, even the extra ones. So we can celebrate the QBs but toast the little fellas too. At least the ones who are good.” — [Dan, 02:11]

2. The "Did You Play the Game?" Debate in Sports Media

• Background:
  Discussion reacts to Ryan Clark asserting non-players can't comment with authority, sparking a broader media debate.
• Jordan Schultz’s Position (05:16–06:52):
  Jordan, drawing from his own four years of college basketball, appreciates both the unique perspective of former players and the value informed non-players bring to analysis.
  • “There’s absolutely no way… that I could break down X’s and O’s the way that someone like Ryan can. But… because of the opportunity to talk with much smarter people, are able to have an opinion different than someone that did play.” — [Jordan Schultz, 06:37]
• Host Response:
  Dan likens non-players to Han Solo — the skeptic, but an essential voice for the mainstream audience.
  • “Otherwise, it’s the same energy… on the Millennium Falcon… That’s our role. We’re Han Solo in the conversation. We’re the skeptic for the vast majority of the audience… The Jedis or the football players… do have an insight that we don’t.” — [Dan, 07:12]
• Memorable Moment:
  Dan tells a story about Charles Woodson dismissing his panel presence as a non-player, underscoring the recurring tension and humor in this debate.

3. Insider Report: Mike McDaniel’s Hot Seat in Miami

• Black and White News Segment (08:53–10:13):
  The Dolphins’ crushing Week 1 loss sparks rumors about Mike McDaniel’s job security.
• Jordan Schultz's Inside Info (09:35–11:52):
  • He echoes general shock at Miami’s unpreparedness:
    “I thought that was as unprepared as I’ve ever seen a Week 1 NFL team… it looked as if they were playing two different sports.” — [Jordan Schultz, 09:35]
  • Relays from Draymond Green (via Stephen Ross) that Miami's owner isn’t quick to fire coaches, though odds-wise, McDaniel is among the likeliest in the league to be let go soon:
    “…he is not going to jump to conclusion… Mike McDaniel is the leader in the clubhouse to be fired… but I don’t think he's anywhere close [to being fired yet]." — [Jordan Schultz, 10:55]
• Broader Context:
  The discussion expands to other coaches under pressure (Brian Daboll), the strategy with rookie QBs, and how timing can impact a GM’s and coach’s job security.

4. San Francisco 49ers: Key Injury Woes & the Jenga Theory

• Injury Rundown (13:05–14:12):
  With Brock Purdy and George Kittle out, SF will turn to Mac Jones and Braden Willis.
• Jordan’s Jenga Analysis (13:27–15:25):
  • For the 49ers, Christian McCaffrey is the irreplaceable ‘Jenga piece,’ followed closely by Kittle:
    “He gets you out of so much trouble… When you don’t have a George Kittle… and you don’t have a Brock Purdy, now it becomes: how good can you make Mac Jones look?” — [Jordan Schultz, 14:12]
  • Realistic expectations: If Jones can steady the ship (2-2 over 4 games), SF should be okay given NFC West is quietly tough this year.

5. Seattle Seahawks, Steelers, and Signature City Foods

• Seahawks vs. Steelers Preview (19:54–21:44):

  • Jordan’s Pick: Seattle 21–17, emphasizing he’s “not a homer” but sees a bounce-back versus a Steelers team he was “stunned” by on offense and disappointed in on defense Week 1.
  • Dan sees a close Pittsburgh win: Steelers 24-20 at home.
  • Calvin Austin Breakout: Jordan highlights the “electric” performance, especially surprising with Pickens gone.
    "If Pittsburgh gets that out of Calvin Austin … that's going to be a big, big difference for him for Aaron Rodgers." — [Jordan Schultz, 23:00]

• Signature Seattle Food (24:09–25:27):
  Jordan ships: "We got seafood, baby… clam chowder… fish and chips… creamy, unhealthy, it’s basically ice cream soup but it’s delicious."

  • Dan jokes about Seattle’s coffee culture but touts beer and seafood as the right call for a game.

• Seattle Music Love (25:27–26:10):
  Heartfelt moment recalling Soundgarden playing downtown before the Seahawks Super Bowl parade.

  • “The music is second to none … Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, I could go on.” — [Jordan Schultz, 25:57]

6. NFL Week 2 Picks, Prop Bets, and Rapid-Fire Game Analysis

• Prop Bets and Picks Segment (27:04–35:06):
  Picks for fantasy and betting purposes with a rotating panel — including Ethan Badowski and Mike Fuentes:

  • Notable Props:
    • Travion Henderson, A.J. Brown, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes passing yards, DK Metcalf “revenge” touchdown versus Seattle, James Conner to score.
  • Memorable banter:
    “I love Lad. I love Lamp. I love Lad. I love Keenan Allen.” — [Mike Fuentes, 38:14]
    The "All Still Doing It Team" concept for fantasy football: players who critics said were washed but keep producing (James Conner, Derek Henry).

• Key Game Picks & Commentary (36:22–43:08):

  • Dolphins vs. Patriots (36:22–37:33):
    • Fuentes: “It can’t get much worse … at least you’re at home.”
    • Ethan: “Huge concerns … I see it snowballing and getting out of control.”
    • Dan: Sides with home Dolphins to “stop the bleeding.”
  • Chargers vs. Raiders, Buccaneers vs. Texans, Lions vs. Bears, and more:
    Against-the-spread calls with analytics, team vibes, and inside jokes.
  • Eagles vs. Chiefs:
    • Ethan: "I'm a big Eagles guy, love Jalen Hurts … didn't like the vibes from the Chiefs at all."
    • Dan: Thinks Eagles will make hay against KC’s run D; expects a changing of the guard.

7. Personal Touches: Family Fantasy League & Nostalgia

• Dan’s Mother, Mo Damashek, Joins (44:55–51:46):
  • Warm, comic back-and-forth about her fantasy football journey.
  • Family drama: Mo’s granddaughter “stealing” Joe Burrow in their draft.
    • “We have been very happy together … No, no. And she wouldn’t take it back. She laughs and sends me notes about him occasionally.” — [Mo, 45:52]
  • Picks Calvin Austin for her team, muses over fan allegiances, team foods, football memories (anti-West Virginia bias), and makes her own game pick:
    • Steelers 34, Seahawks 10.
  • Dan keeps the familial tone fun, ending with a playful focus on Mo’s preference for panelists (Mike over Gino, because of uniform talk).

Memorable Quotes

• On sports media expertise:
  "You have two different opinions, two different landscapes that come together and create some really fun debate."
  — [Jordan Schultz, 08:31]

• On McDaniel’s job status:
  “…Mike McDaniel is the leader in the clubhouse to be fired… but I don’t think he's anywhere close [to being fired yet]."
  — [Jordan Schultz, 10:55]

• On Seattle football cuisine:
  “It’s not healthy at all, it’s basically ice cream soup. But it’s delicious and we love it.”
  — [Jordan Schultz, 24:21]

• On the All Still Doing It fantasy team:
  “Derrick Henry's a starter solely because everybody decided Derrick Henry was done last year. And then we were like, oh, he's not done.”
  — [Ethan Badowski, 35:30]

• On family and fantasy:
  “We have been very happy together… [Joe Burrow] … and she wouldn’t take it back. She laughs and sends me notes about him occasionally.”
  — [Mo Damashek, 45:52]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–03:20: NFL Week 1 kicking recap, setting the tone
• 05:16–08:41: Ryan Clark’s debate on sports media authority; Schultz and Dan’s nuanced responses
• 09:35–11:52: Schultz’s inside dope on Mike McDaniel’s job security
• 14:12–15:25: 49ers’ injuries and Jenga Theory on team fragility
• 19:54–25:27: Seahawks-Steelers preview and “signature food” in Seattle
• 27:04–35:06: NFL Week 2 prop bets and fantasy banter
• 36:22–43:08: Rapid-fire game picks and analysis, highlight on Eagles-Chiefs
• 44:55–51:46: Mo Damashek’s family fantasy league tales, nostalgia, and game pick

Tone & Takeaways

In classic Le Batard fashion, the episode moves rapidly between wry humor, heartfelt nostalgia, and sharp football intelligence. Jordan Schultz adds both humor and deep access. The show’s playful jabs and light debate meaningfully contextualize the drama (and panic) around NFL Week 2, while personal touches (from Seattle’s best fish to Mo Damashek’s fantasy gripes) further engage loyal listeners and newcomers alike.

For anyone wanting a laugh, a primer on coaching hot seats, and locker-room-grade inside talk, this episode delivers with its signature blend of insight and levity.