Local Hour: LOBOS FLUSH TURD

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Local Hour: LOBOS FLUSH TURD
Date: January 6, 2026
Location: The Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Main Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
Regulars/Guests: Jon Weisman, Greg Cody, Jonathan Zaslow, Paul, Amin Elhassan

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Overview

This Local Hour episode blends sports talk and classic Le Batard show irreverency, focusing on Miami sports (Dolphins, Hurricanes), fanbase angst, and in-show shenanigans, with the recurring bit of Greg Cody navigating fantasy football drama and fatherhood. The group debates the future of Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa, questions the perception of leadership in football, and unpacks the most recent University of Miami football victories, all while ribbing each other about columns, headlines, and family quirks.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Greg Cody Fires “Turd Cartwheel” in Fantasy Football

• The episode opens with the group discussing Greg’s fantasy football team, the “Lobos,” firing their defensive coordinator, memorably named Turd Cartwheel, after giving up 198 points in a championship loss.
• The in-show poll: “Is Turd Cartwheel a great name for a defensive coordinator?”
• [02:41] Greg Cody (with mock gravitas): “In the championship game, we gave up 198 points. That will not stand. So I had to.”
• The cast riffs on the internal ‘news cycle’ of their fantasy league and how personal relationships color the decision-making, including Greg threatening to change his will after a league vote doesn't go his way.

2. Dolphins Drama: McDaniel, Tua, and Fan Frustration

• Heated debate about Mike McDaniel’s future as Dolphins coach.
  • Uncertainty about Tua Tagovailoa's role, with Zaslow aggressive in his stance that McDaniel should be fired (“I say 90%” of fans want him out), countered by Greg and Dan suggesting it's closer to 40%.
  • [05:09] Dan Le Batard: “Fired? Yeah. I would say 40%.”
  • [05:11] Jonathan Zaslow: “I say 90.”
• Debate about whether McDaniel should survive, and whether anyone could succeed in Miami's current context.
• McDaniel’s quirks and oratory style are discussed—once “funny and glib,” now perceived differently as losses mount.
• Dan suggests McDaniel is “the last remaining member of this triumvirate” of franchise faces (Tua, Tyreek Hill, McDaniel).
• The group laments a lack of trust in Dolphins’ leadership and a quarter-century of mediocrity.
• Greg argues for patience, noting how quickly fans and ownership move to “fire the coach” before considering the alternatives.
• [14:39] Greg Cody: “With this franchise … I don't think they could hire anybody who would make me believe… when they had Nick Saban. And by the way, Nick Saban would have done great with the Dolphins had he not left.”
• Jon: “After four years, you don't have something that looks like a plan.”
• Dan: “We consistently overvalue that stuff [leadership]… What are we doing with this obsession with ‘let’s get the next guy’?”

3. Quarterback Contracts as Albatross

• The crew discusses teams hamstrung by huge QB deals (ex: Deshaun Watson in Cleveland).
  • “Can you overcome it?”
  • Only the Denver Broncos are cited as a recent success story; others languish in mediocrity.

4. Miami Hurricanes’ Playoff Run

• Excitement and unfamiliarity as the University of Miami reaches its biggest game since facing Ohio State for the National Championship in 2002.
• The cast marvels at Miami’s defensive prowess, holding Texas A&M and Ohio State to a combined 17 points.
• Discussion of Malachi Toney’s development and impact:
  • Fumbles are a concern, but his resilience and leadership are praised.
  • [42:39] Fletcher on supporting Toney after a key fumble:
    “I saw his head going down and I immediately had to go to him… I said, bro, you would never let me down...God just want to see how bad you want it. He going to put you through a little adversity...Pick your head up and just look what God presented for him.”
• Paul notes Toney’s blocking and all-around contributions even when not explosive in the box score.
• Greg Cody, reflecting disbelief:
  • [44:07] Greg Cody: “Nobody would believe if you had said before the playoff began that they're going to limit Texas A and M and Ohio State to a combined 17 points, that would be beyond ludicrous.”

5. Mario Cristobal ‘Shove’ Controversy

• The hosts analyze a viral clip of Miami coach Mario Cristobal “shoving” or “punching” Ohio State coach Ryan Day postgame.
• There’s confusion as Greg appears unfamiliar with the incident but tries to play along.
• Debate on what, if anything, should be the penalty.
  • Paul: “That’s got to be an apology.”
  • Jon pushes: “That was not just a shove.”
• As the group describes the video to Greg, it becomes clear he hasn’t seen it but speculates about relationship dynamics.
  • [46:42] Greg Cody: "I mean, it's a pretty good left hook. I gotta give Mario."

6. Column Critiques, Writing, and Greg Cody’s Headlines

• Zaslow reads from Greg’s Miami Herald column, playfully critiquing what he disagrees with.
• Greg is ribbed for “writing his own headlines” due to newsroom staffing shortages (“it’s not a status thing”).
• Minor grammatical debates, e.g., “machination” vs “mach-i-nation.”
• Zaslow takes issue with the line that “Giving up on Tua, who is in his prime, right now, you lose me.”
  • Zaslow: “You're not your prime anymore if you were a good quarterback and now you're terrible… that's not your prime anymore.”
• Cody’s defense: “Good quarterbacks have bad seasons. I don't know if you know that or not. Good quarterbacks do have off years.”

7. Classic Show Hijinks—Beer, Family, and Whispering

• Stories from the holiday party: Greg’s legendary “beer collection system,” getting multiple beers from different people—including Dan’s mom.
• [34:28] Jonathan Zaslow: “What, was the server confused?”
  • Greg: “Lewis and Elhassan stole two or three beers from me.”
• Whispered fake pregame show: Greg, annoyed and confused at being asked to whisper, much to everyone’s amusement.
• Bit on Greg threatening to change his will over family fantasy league votes.
• Debate over artifacts in Greg’s garage, like the Miami Seahawks pennant and old Dolphins memorabilia.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jon Weisman [02:16]: “Mike Ryan just fell down laughing at Turd Cartwheel … that one's just lazy.”
• Greg Cody [09:09]: “I redid my will the next day, I'll tell you that.”
• Dan Le Batard [12:53]: “Zaslo gets to applaud every time that he crushes Tua and fires Mike McDaniel. He's been firing Mike McDaniel for how long now?”
• Jonathan Zaslow [13:32] (on McDaniel): “Oh, yeah, I'm firing Mike McDaniel, that's for sure. I think definitely firing.”
• Greg Cody [14:39]: “With this franchise ... I don't think they could hire anybody who would make me believe … when they had Nick Saban.”
• Dan Le Batard [22:26]: “I'm like, okay, so Pete Carroll couldn't take it with him, right? He forgot how to do it in a year...? I think we do this all the time with thinking that ... there are variables out there everywhere that can just go from place to place and take it with them.”
• Jon Weisman [24:28]: “Brian Flores, the last couple of years was 10 and 6 and 9 and 8, and he was fired. What are we doing?”
• Dan Le Batard [29:23]: "Prime's an age thing, though. I'm with my dad."
• Paul [34:28]: "I think at one point he had one in each hand and two just sitting at a table, like, I think there was at 1.4 beers."
• Fletcher [42:39]: “Bro, you would never let me down...God just want to see how bad you want it. He going to put you through a little adversity...Pick your head up and just look what God presented for him.”
• Greg Cody [46:42]: “I mean, it's a pretty good left hook. I gotta give Mario.”
• Dan Le Batard [47:01]: “He got into the same mode, though, of the Jeremy thing where he was just kind of like, what? What's the relationship? I'm confused here, so I'm just gonna be a little on the outside.”

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Segment Timestamps

• 01:27–04:02 — Fantasy football drama: Turd Cartwheel fired, league news, family conflicts
• 04:02–14:39 — Dolphins: Firing McDaniel debate, Tua’s status, fan frustration, coaching carousel
• 15:15–17:20 — Quarterback contracts, NFL team-building woes
• 21:18–22:26 — Reflections on Dolphins coaching turnover, patience in the NFL
• 29:00–31:22 — Tua’s “prime,” neurological concerns, Pro Bowl past vs. recent form
• 40:07–44:07 — Miami Hurricanes playoff marvel, Malachi Toney’s fumbles and growth
• 45:12–47:01 — Mario Cristobal viral “shove,” Greg bluffing, team’s in-jokes

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Tone & Language

• Lively, sarcastic, and filled with inside jokes and running gags
• Miami-centric with a blend of passionate sports angst and local cultural color
• Frequent self-deprecating humor and playful ribbing among crew (especially at Greg Cody’s expense)
• Wry, almost absurdist approach to both serious sports debate and show banter

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For New Listeners

This episode is a prime sample of the Le Batard Show experience—part Miami sports talk, part family sitcom, all filtered through sharp-witted banter and irreverent charm. Get insight into the Dolphins’ existential coaching questions, marvel at Miami’s long-awaited football resurgence, and enjoy the endless parade of character and chaos that make Local Hour essential for South Florida sports (and comedy) fans.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

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[Jon Weisman]

I have not seen Greg Cody since the holiday party, since all of us being in genuine awe at his system of beer delivery at the holiday party. And I come in here today and I see him and he appears to be reading the news as I come in and he says out loud to me and I'm the only one in the room, he says, wow. And I look over, I'm like, what happened? He's like, the Lobos fired their defensive coordinator.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, it's news. Trust me in the PFPI community.

[Dan Le Batard]

So you just dropped your defense?

[Greg Cody]

No, we fired the coordinator, Turd Cartwheel. He had been with the organization for, I think, five or six years and.

[Dan Le Batard]

Breaking news.

[Greg Cody]

It is breaking news.

[Jon Weisman]

Mike Ryan just fell down laughing at Turd Cartwheel. Mike sure enjoys just making ridiculous character name something that he really enjoyed.

[Dan Le Batard]

That one's just lazy.

[Jon Weisman]

He's never. No, he's never come up with anything.

[Paul]

It's like the Ryan surname.

[Amin Elhassan]

He's going to be kicking himself over that one.

[Jon Weisman]

Put it on the pole, baby.

[Paul]

Turd Cartwheel.

[Jon Weisman]

Juju at lebatard show. Is Turd Cartwheel a great name for a defensive court?

[Greg Cody]

Yes, it is.

[Jon Weisman]

Or no?

[Greg Cody]

In the championship game, we gave up 198 points. That will not stand. So I had to.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

You know, I just don't understand why you're finding out by reading something like, aren't you in charge of this whole.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, it was a headline. I was happy to see it in the headline. You know, because normally transactions in fantasy football don't get.

[Jon Weisman]

But you acted surprised. You were surprised by Lobos Flushed Herd.

[Greg Cody]

Now you're thinking that's a headline writer right there.

[Jon Weisman]

You acted surprised.

[Greg Cody]

I was surprised to see it in a headline because normal, you know, it's. But. But this is the am Ffft. And so you expect a little bit more attention. But to see it being reported as news, not just that it is news, was a big deal.

[Jon Weisman]

Zaz, has your appreciation or respect for Greg Cody grown at all since you started working with him? Oh, it has.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Really?

[Jon Weisman]

Yes, really. I need lower, though.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Yeah, it could not have been lower, that's for sure. So, you know, take that as if you will, but I find him hard not to like.

[Greg Cody]

Wow.

[Jon Weisman]

Even that's the trick. Yeah, that's the trick.

[Dan Le Batard]

Even.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Even if I see some excerpts from his column yesterday, which I think are. I just. I vehemently disagree with. I find them hard to dislike.

[Jon Weisman]

Okay, let's dissect that column coming up next year. Because Mike McDaniels is one of five. Mike McDaniel is one of five coaches in NFL history to return for a fifth season after back to back losing seasons in the third and fourth year. So the Dolphins are doing status quo in a way that really angers their fan base.

[Greg Cody]

I don't know about that. I think Chris Greer being fired was the right thing to do. And I don't know that, you know, people make fun of McDaniel for a number of things. The way he presents himself, all the ahs and the, ums. And he's not an orator. Okay. He's not a.

[Jon Weisman]

He used to be. He used to be. We thought the quirky oratory skills were something people liked when they had the best passing offense in the league.

[Greg Cody]

When they were scoring 70 points on the Broncos, everybody loved him. He was glib, he was funny, he was amusing. And he's the same now. And it just doesn't.

[Jon Weisman]

I don't think you have the right read on how the Dolphin fan base feels. I think you're way, way too sugary.

[Dan Le Batard]

No, I think people are kind of in the middle on it.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I don't hear what percentage of Dolphin fans you think want Mike McDaniel fired.

[Dan Le Batard]

Fired? Yeah. I don't. I would say 40%.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I say 90.

[Greg Cody]

I say it's 90. With benching Tua, I think that was a monumentally successful move they made McDaniel.

[Paul]

I don't know.

[Amin Elhassan]

I'm excited to keep McDaniel. I like McDaniel.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Tua. So terrible.

[Paul]

Yeah.

[Jon Weisman]

I don't think that you have an accurate appraisal of what the fan base is feeling. The frustration. 25 years of frustration.

[Paul]

Why are you all talking so assuredly that Mike McDaniel's still gonna be the head coach?

[Jon Weisman]

Cause he's still around now. Cause he's still around. Everyone else has fired their coaches, and he's still around.

[Paul]

Did you read the B Jacks note? He's just waiting around like the rest of us.

[Greg Cody]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats podcast.

[Jon Weisman]

Have not seen Greg Cody since the holiday party. And as I mentioned, all of us were really impressed, including somebody who was an actual snip in the military forces. At our holiday party, everyone was impressed by your beer gathering system at the holiday party that night. Your son put you to work on the way home. Because this machine never rests.

[Greg Cody]

Because it gave me 20 years.

[Jon Weisman]

And in the car, you were talking into his phone. And do you know how disagreeable. You probably don't even remember how disagreeable you were with your son who was trying to coach you up. It reminded me of me trying to produce my father take me coach up. Because he kept requesting things from you and you got pissed off at some point, as you often do. What other sounds do we have from Greg Cody there? Because we've got him for two days and we've got to set up. This is the big. This is the biggest game, um, has played since they played Ohio State for a national championship, Correct?

[Greg Cody]

Yes. Game in 20 years, since 2002 Game.

[Paul]

Since the Last one.

[Jon Weisman]

And. And Greg Cody. Well, bigger. It's bigger than the last one. It's the biggest game since Last one. And it's bigger than the last one. And it's the biggest game since they played Ohio State in the Fiesta bowl and had championship stolen from them. Fireworks filled the sky and there was a penalty flag on the field in South Florida. Will never forgive referee Terry Porter, who's never spoken about it publicly since.

[Paul]

He can't hurt us anymore. Yeah.

[Jon Weisman]

And Greg Cody, on the way home from that holiday party, was just slurring into his son's phone an assortment of things and got tired of the coaching, honestly.

[Dan Le Batard]

All right, so whisper. Fake premium show.

[Greg Cody]

I don't know what you mean.

[Dan Le Batard]

Fake pregame show.

[Greg Cody]

I don't know what that means. Fake pregame show. Fake pregame show.

[Dan Le Batard]

Biggest game in 20 years.

[Greg Cody]

Biggest game in 20 years.

[Dan Le Batard]

University of Miami.

[Greg Cody]

University of Miami. Texas A and M. Texas A and M. That kind of thing. That kind of thing.

[Dan Le Batard]

Whispering.

[Greg Cody]

That kind of thing. That kind of thing. Go, for the love of God. Pregame show.

[Dan Le Batard]

Fake pregame show.

[Greg Cody]

Fake pregame show.

[Dan Le Batard]

Pregame in it.

[Greg Cody]

Pregame in it.

[Jon Weisman]

Do you remember any of that?

[Greg Cody]

Of course I do. The trouble is with this guy, I can't take the night off. Like, I'm always working. We're on the way home in the back of a luxurious Uber. I can't enjoy the ride home. He's like, in my ear, ask me to repeat things. It's ridiculous.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Okay, the million dollar question, though, is what didn't you understand?

[Greg Cody]

He's directing me to whisper. And why am I whispering?

[Dan Le Batard]

Exactly. You got it.

[Amin Elhassan]

Whisper.

[Greg Cody]

You know, even your mother was coming to my defense.

[Jon Weisman]

No, she was. She was. No, she was trying to coach you. She was saying all she wants you.

[Paul]

To do is whisper.

[Jon Weisman]

She understood what was happening there. She.

[Greg Cody]

Elder abuse.

[Jon Weisman]

That's as drunk as I have heard you since you were slurring to your wife privately that you needed her help, assistance and support as it regarded the controversies around your fantasy league.

[Greg Cody]

I need your support. Yeah, that's. And it didn't do any good. We lost that vote because of collusion. I need your support.

[Jon Weisman]

And what ends up happening is Turd Cartwheel gets fired.

[Greg Cody]

Well, that's different. You're mixing up PFPI fantasy and pfpi. Cartwheel got fired because he had just given. His defense, had given up 198 points in a championship loss. In this case, in the main pfpi. I was trying to pass a majority vote to punish people who were late with their picks. I need your support. Yes, and I got my wife's support, but I didn't get the support from anybody under his roof.

[Paul]

Collusion.

[Jon Weisman]

Are you in charge of your league or not? Is it a democracy? You got. You got a majority vote in.

[Greg Cody]

Well, he. 42.9% of our league.

[Jon Weisman]

Right.

[Greg Cody]

Is under his roof.

[Jon Weisman]

So it's a majority vote. It's not. It's not dictatorship. It's a democracy.

[Dan Le Batard]

Younger son Michael was also on my side.

[Guest Host]

That's where we got.

[Greg Cody]

Well, that's the problem is that I knew I was going to lose, you know, you. And you. You directed your daughter to vote against.

[Dan Le Batard]

Not true.

[Greg Cody]

But Michael voting against me was ridiculous. I redid my will the next day, I'll tell you that.

[Jon Weisman]

You keep threatening to do that in a way that's really unseemly. Honestly, it's only something that I've heard of. Like billionaire tyrant oil tycoons with like terrible family.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Logan, Roy.

[Jon Weisman]

All of a sudden you're always threatening to take away your inheritance when it's mostly your wife's money. You don't have any control over it.

[Greg Cody]

And mom talking over anything. When it comes to my marriage.

[Jon Weisman]

Put it on the poll at LeBatard show. Does Greg Cody have control of anything when it comes to his marriage?

[Paul]

You don't get the crusted up Miami Seahawks pennant in his garage.

[Dan Le Batard]

That old Dolphins chair that used to wear at the Orange bowl that you still have in the garage.

[Greg Cody]

I don't get that.

[Paul]

You're never going to get that Fort Lauderdale Strikers bottle opener.

[Jon Weisman]

The Orange bowl seat cushion, he still.

[Dan Le Batard]

Has one of those in his garage.

[Greg Cody]

I should bring in some of my old artifacts.

[Jon Weisman]

Is that still a thing?

[Jonathan Zaslow]

First of all, yes.

[Jon Weisman]

First of all, yes. But is the seat cushion still a thing at stadium giveaways, Dan?

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Every stadium that I go to on my campus tour with ESPN radio this year, like, we'll see the stadium will go into the stadium like the day before. And I love seeing how many of the seatbacks are on the seats. And like, yes, it's still totally a thing. I remember when I used to go the Orange bowl as a kid, I saw someone who had that seat back on their. Seeing the bleachers like that dude is living luxury.

[Paul]

It's a necessity at Marklight Stadium. Necessity? Yeah. Otherwise you're sitting on poured concrete. Yes.

[Jon Weisman]

That's all it is. You are sitting on just rocks. I never had one smoothed out. Rocks is what you're sitting.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I never had a seat back at the arm.

[Paul]

I'm Always standing.

[Jon Weisman]

So I want to get to all the University of Miami stuff, as we will over the course of the week, because we really haven't felt this way in almost 25 years down here. The Dolphins are in great flux, and Mike McDaniel is part of the GM search, which is why I think they are going to keep him. And I believe he's lost all his lifelines. Now. He's got to make another quarterback or he will be fired. That's. That's what the job will be. I would assume. I would. I would assume that because Mike McDaniel has survived this, and Tua yesterday is saying it would be pretty dope to get a fresh start somewhere else, that he's the last remaining member of this triumvirate of people that represented the franchise for the last few years, Tyreek Hill, Tua and him. And I believe he will be the only survivor of this. You've written a column today in the Miami Herald. I think your thoughts are very different from a frustrated fan base that Zaslo gets to applaud every time that he crushes Tua and fires Mike McDaniel. He's been firing Mike McDaniel for how long now? How long have you been firing him? Every single day you meet me instead of good morning. You say with Mike McDaniel should be fired.

[Greg Cody]

Sure.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

The exact day count. But I'm pretty sure it came the Monday after the Dolphins got killed by the Cleveland Browns. Like, I feel like that day that they were just uncompetitive. Tua was awful. I think he had three interceptions that game. The. The day after against the Cleveland Browns, I think is when I officially fired Mike McDaniel for the first.

[Dan Le Batard]

The counter just switched from 40. This is the 48th consecutive day.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Oh, yeah, I'm firing Mike McDaniel, that's for sure. I think definitely firing.

[Greg Cody]

I think Mike McDaniel earned the right for one more season. How? Because when you start 1 and 6 and 2 and 7, you expect the team to cave. And this team didn't. They got better. The defense played better. Notwithstanding Sunday when. When they got their ass kicked in New England, but they finished 5 and 3. They never quit on the coach, which means they're still playing hard. They believe in this coach. And I think it should go without saying that if he doesn't make the playoffs next season, he's out. No question about it. Well, I should be.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

You know, I hear what you're saying, and I do think there is something to be said for starting one and six and the team not quitting and you win five, your next six games. But if we look at the entire picture here in four years, Mike McDaniel is head coach. What makes you believe that this is a coach who can win you a Super Bowl? Like that's what it needs to be about. Not just, hey, in the end of the season, the team played better. We have a body of work. Four years. What makes you believe this is a coach who can win you a Super Bowl?

[Greg Cody]

With this franchise, the, the franchise that hasn't won a playoff game in 25 years, I don't think you could. They could hire anybody who would make me believe that when they had Nick Saban. And by the way, Nick Saban would have done great with the Dolphins had he not left. He was not a failure here at all, in my opinion. I think Nick Saban had had the cred to, to.

[Jon Weisman]

Maybe you say he wasn't a failure, but I think he was every bit as.500 as McDaniel's been. Like you say that Nick Saban wasn't a failure.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

He was too. He was two under five McDaniels a 500 coach.

[Greg Cody]

Well, but, but, but unless you have the magic quarterback, it takes time. It takes a couple of years. It takes four or five years. The problem is there's no patience anymore.

[Jon Weisman]

Well, no, no, no, that's not the problem. That's not the problem. The problem is after four years, you don't have something that looks like a plant.

[Greg Cody]

And that's the problem. The problem is after the first quarter against Tampa Bay, I thought Quinn Ewers had a great first half against Tampa Bay. And I was, I was beginning to say to myself, you know what? I was on, on to his side too long. Quinn, yours looks like the real deal. Since that first half, I have not seen that as much. I don't think they go into this offseason having any idea who their quarterback is next year or whether he's going to be any.

[Jon Weisman]

He's not.

[Greg Cody]

And that's a problem.

[Jon Weisman]

Yours isn't the answer. And I want to go one step further with this and ask you guys, in a league where everything salary capped and what you actually want from your architects is to find a whole bunch of people who are value. I'm asking everyone here this question. Do you guys have examples of organizations that can overcome this albatross of a contract? Because Cleveland's got one at quarterback with DeSean at Watson, and they're not going to get out from under it when you have this much money tied up in someone who cannot play at that position. I don't think it's something that can be overcome by an organization in a year or two. I think it takes five, six years. And it certainly can't be overcome in a year where there's no quarterbacks in the draft and no quarterbacks available in free agency.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

There's only seemingly one example and it's going on right now. It's Denver, like Denver did it. But that's the only example I think.

[Paul]

There'S ever been in Cleveland's picking top six in the NFL draft. They have an opportunity to get a a rookie wage scale quarterback in there inside the top six. Dolphins got their hands tied behind their back because they don't have that kind of pick because they perform too well for their coach down the stretch.

[Amin Elhassan]

Hello listeners. You know that I live in Miami, which means my idea of quote unquote winter is just putting on a hoodie or a cardigan and acting like I've suffered. But every time that I travel somewhere that's actually cold, I'm reminded that my wardrobe is cold. Completely and utterly unprepared. But that right there is where Quince comes in. I also realized that if I'm going to be on camera for broadcast gigs, I probably shouldn't look like I just grabbed whatever was closest to the door. Quince makes clothes that deliver premium materials, thoughtful design and pieces that hold up season after season after season after season. And particularly with quints, their outerwear has been the thing that's especially impressed me. Those down jackets, wool coats, Italian leather and folks, that cashmere sweater, ridiculously soft, looks great and somehow doesn't cost what you'd expect. Trust me, I am the only one on this show who actually dresses to impress. And Quince is what's now helping me do it. Refresh your winter wardrobe with quince. Go to quince.com/dan for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada, too. That's quince.com dan. Dan Free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com dan.

[Guest Host]

All right, kicking things off with Smirnoff, the official vodka sponsor of the NFL and the number one vodka in the world. Chris, Cody, you're here.

[Greg Cody]

Smirnoff.

[Guest Host]

Wow, you're on the money with Smirnoff.

[Dan Le Batard]

Smeared off.

[Guest Host]

Chris, do you know what goes great with Smirnoff? Yes, but I'm really talking about game day fit. The style's got to match the vibe. All right, here's the deal.

[Greg Cody]

Game day is everything.

[Guest Host]

And that's exactly why your fit has to match the occasion. Starting this December, Smirnoff is giving fans 21 and over the chance to score limited edition Smirnoff commission merchandise from some of today's top creators, including Kayla Jones, Gavin Matthew and Aleli Mae. Here's the kicker. One lucky fan will take home the grand prize, a trip to the biggest game of the offseason. Plus, one fan will win a Laylee May's one of one game day jacket.

[Dan Le Batard]

Wow.

[Guest Host]

The merch will be dropped on select dates from December to January 21st. And it's all courtesy of what brand? That's right, Chris. Fans 21 and over can head to Smirnoff Socials to learn how to sign up. And don't forget to grab a bottle of Sirnoff Vodka Number 21 at your local retail. Please drink responsibly. Smirnoff Number 21 vodka distilled from grain 40 alcohol by volume. The Smirnoff Company, New York, NY. Please do not share with anybody under legal drinking age. No purchase necessary. Must be legal. US resident, 21 or older. Sweepstake starts 12 15, 2025 at 12:00am Eastern and ends 1 23. 2026 at 11:59, 59:00pm Eastern. See official rules at program website.

[Paul]

Hey, Jeremy. Happy holidays.

[Dan Le Batard]

Happy Januka.

[Paul]

I want to toast you. Actually, I don't. I will toast with you.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay.

[Greg Cody]

We're co workers. Mm.

[Amin Elhassan]

Friends, you could say.

[Paul]

No, we cannot say that. But we both enjoy an ice cold Miller Lite.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's true.

[Paul]

Especially around the holidays. You know, it's a 50th anniversary of Miller Lite.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's really amazing every time we say that. I can't believe it.

[Paul]

Well, it's crazy because, like, they've basically been partners with the Dan LeBatard show for half of their existence. When I put it to you that way. We got an old ass show.

[Amin Elhassan]

Yeah, we do.

[Paul]

That's crazy. Hey, let's look around at our friends, not each other and our family, even though they're not here. I do miss your brother, though.

[Amin Elhassan]

Yeah, I know.

[Paul]

I'll bring him back and take that first sip, look around and know that we made the right decision. When it comes to a domestic light lager, Miller Lite is the best. And it's the holiday season, as we mentioned. Why don't you enjoy that holiday season by drinking a beer that won't weigh you down? The original light beer since 1975, still hidden different 50 years later, brewed for flavor with simple ingredients like malted barley, rich, balanced toffee notes, and that iconic golden color that you can see from across the room. The best holiday beers are the ones you don't expect. Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Tis Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Is Don LeBatard.

[Dan Le Batard]

All right, we gotta go back out there.

[Greg Cody]

That was big.

[Dan Le Batard]

Wake him up.

[Jon Weisman]

Oh, he doesn't want. He doesn't want to be bothered anymore. Now it's getting tense because he didn't need that. As a result, he needs something that happens.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

You can see mother.

[Jon Weisman]

He says, can we bother?

[Dan Le Batard]

Are we bothering you right now?

[Jon Weisman]

Turn on your microphone.

[Greg Cody]

My microphone's on sts.

[Dan Le Batard]

Paint the scene.

[Greg Cody]

The paint the scene is. I gotta go to work. Good night.

[Jon Weisman]

This is the D. Levitar show with the st.

[Greg Cody]

It's unlucky a little bit, because when you pick 11, plenty of drafts, you get a good quarterback at 11, plenty of drafts. And. And this is not one. I. I just think that. That in this case, they needed to give McDaniel one more. I don't think McDaniel's a bad coach. And if McDaniel got fired Monday, on black Monday, he would be somebody's offensive coordinator next season.

[Jon Weisman]

The part that I don't get, you guys have heard me talk about this for 21 years now, because I am a little bit exasperated when yesterday makes an appearance and everyone is clucking about all the coaches that have been fired. And I'm watching, and I'm like, okay, so Pete Carroll couldn't take it with him, right? He forgot how to do it in a year. Like, he was really good at it, and he was really exceptional at culture creating. We all know he's great at attitude and atmosphere. And after one year, the Raiders decide, oh, that worked with Geno Smith back there, but it doesn't work with Geno Smith here. And now Pete Carroll can't take it with him. Pete Carroll, who we would all say is exceptional. After one year, the Raiders decide, not, you can't do it anymore. And I think we do this all the time with thinking that there are variables out there everywhere that can just go from place to place and take it with them. And I. I think it's really, really myopic in not understanding how it is these people do their jobs and how difficult these jobs are. And you better have a quarterback. Like, there aren't a lot of examples of a coach that's having success without a quarterback that he's at the hip with. Show me them all. Like, it's just really hard to do. And Pete Carroll thought, well, I did it with Geno Smith in Seattle. I'll just take it with me over here. And after a year, he's gone. So explain it to me what happened with pet Carroll that he can't just take it with him? Because if I told you right now you can have Pete Carroll, would you want that? Because there aren't a lot with resumes better than that available to you, right?

[Greg Cody]

Well, I think a lot of coaches are going to fail in their first year with a program like that. I mean, they have the number one draft pick for a reason. I really think that there's no patience anymore. On ESPN this morning, I saw the headline, should the Ravens part ways with John Harbaugh? Why? Because his field goal kicker missed a 40 yard winning field goal. Are you kidding me? And if the kid had made that field goal, the same headline would have been applied to Mike Tomlin. These guys have won for years, but they haven't won enough.

[Jon Weisman]

But what are we doing? Brian Flores, the last couple of years was 10 and 6 and 9 and 8, and he was fired. What are we doing? Like, could I not put any number of people in that position and get a 500 record?

[Greg Cody]

Perhaps, I don't know.

[Jon Weisman]

But what are we doing with this obsession with let's get Stefanski or let's get Raheem Morris or let's get whoever the next guy is who's going to come and sprinkle some sort of dust over my franchise. And it doesn't matter whether or not I have a quarterback. I'm going to have some leader who's going to coach my guys up.

[Greg Cody]

See, my objection with the fire McDaniel crowd is who's going to replace him? Okay, when? Whenever anybody says, any fan says, we got to fire that guy. Fire McDaniel. I'm like, who's next? Is he better?

[Jon Weisman]

Belichick? You guys want Belichick?

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I'm not. I'm not. Fire the coach guy. But I think I've seen 48 straight days.

[Jon Weisman]

But, but, but you are fire the coach guy.

[Greg Cody]

Yes, you are.

[Jon Weisman]

Fire the coach guy. But you're.

[Dan Le Batard]

You're nothing more.

[Jon Weisman]

You are nothing more than fire the coach guy.

[Paul]

Paul, Maurice would like a word.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I apologize to Paul. Morty's. To his Face. And I told him that I love him. All right, so you don't get to keep holding that over my head.

[Paul]

I'm with you.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Eventually, we move past it.

[Paul]

Okay, I agree.

[Dan Le Batard]

So you just haven't fired SPO.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

But I look at Mike McDaniel and I ask myself, is this a coach who can lead a team to a Super Bowl? And my answer is no. And if my answer is no, what do we do?

[Jon Weisman]

Yeah, but your answer is no to anybody right now that I put in that position. Given their quarterback problem, there's not a coach, like, if I say Belichick right now is. Is that a coach that could lead them to a Super Bowl? Yes or no? Belichick, I suppose.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I mean, because he's done it. But I don't want Belichick as my coach.

[Jon Weisman]

That's crazy.

[Greg Cody]

The Raiders thought that about Pete Carroll, right?

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Yeah.

[Greg Cody]

I mean, you're hiring a big name and what.

[Jon Weisman]

Let me. Let me explore this with all of you, though. Just in. In. In learning over the last five years, so many of the things that I did not know about what leadership requires, and still not being very good at some of those things, I do think that we consistently overvalue that stuff. Now, it doesn't mean that Vrabel and Sean Payton can't have success in multiple places, but the conversation we're presently having about McDaniel, the fan base, I believe, will be satiated if it's simply addition by subtraction. Just get rid of him. I want someone else who represents Hope because that guy makes me feel hopeless. And. And I want Zaslo to read some from Greg Cody's column here because I don't know what you disagreed with. And I will tell you that for about 20 years, Jonathan Zaslow has been sending me texts that are simply the headline on some Cody column where it is the most obvious thing that anyone could say. Now, the headline writers have not done Cody any favors over the years, but now Cody writes his own headline, so there's no one else to blame. Cody writes his own headline.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Is that right?

[Jon Weisman]

Because newspapers are dying. That's correct.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Oh, it's not because, like you, you're at a status where you're allow to do it. It's because there aren't enough people working.

[Greg Cody]

That's pretty much it. Now, there is one editor who's liable to change a headline or tweak it or, you know, put a word.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I would have figured it's a respecting. No, no. Greg makes his headlines.

[Greg Cody]

I do make my headlines. And if they're bad headlines. The problem is you're limited not to get too inside journalism. You're limited to a word count and a character.

[Jon Weisman]

What is the headline on this particular column? This is from yesterday, yesterday's Miami Herald Greg Cody column. We're happy to the local sports historian in with us today. A big football week in Miami Dolphins.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

With no answers at QBs. Miami, yours crushed by Pats. Is that your headline?

[Greg Cody]

Yes. Yeah. There's only so much you can say in those number of characters you don't.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Want to give away.

[Jon Weisman]

Don't apologize for the headline. It's a fine headline.

[Greg Cody]

It's a decent headline.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Sounds like you're doubting your choice there.

[Jon Weisman]

A little bit apologizing for it.

[Greg Cody]

I'm doubting every choice the Dolphins have right now.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

No, no, you're doubting your choice and headline is what I saying.

[Greg Cody]

Oh, no, no. The headline's okay. Okay. Yeah. People who don't like that.

[Jon Weisman]

What are you objecting to?

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Well, first of all, the first sentence here in the column. Circumstances could have been worse for yours on Sunday. They could have required that he play with his throwing hand tied behind his back. I will tell you right there, you've hooked me like you brought me in. Like that's the first. That's the first line now. Now I'm in. Now I'm continuing to read.

[Greg Cody]

Okay?

[Jonathan Zaslow]

We're talking about tying a quarterback's hand behind his back. You got me? Okay.

[Guest Host]

Okay.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

But the main part, the main part that I disagree with is obviously tour related. All right?

[Greg Cody]

Yeah.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Giving up on Tua, who is in his prime, that right now, you lose me. Okay?

[Greg Cody]

He's in his chronological prime here.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

You're not your prime anymore. If you were a good quarterback and now you're terrible, that's not your prime anymore.

[Dan Le Batard]

Prime's an age thing, though. I'm with my dad. No, when you say someone's in their prime, you're just talking about age.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

You're stuck on the aging. No, prime is you're at the part of your career where you're going to play your best. You're stuck on the H parts.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, good quarterbacks have bad seasons. I don't know if you know that or not. Good quarterbacks do have off years.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Condescending mama.

[Greg Cody]

Let it go to now. If you present me, if anybody can say the neurological reports are bad, Tua physically in his brain is less than he used to be and less than he needs to be. If you tell me that, then I'm on that side. But right now, lacking that Neurological evidence. All I see is a quarterback who made a Pro Bowl a couple of years ago and had a bad season. This year. He had a bad season.

[Jon Weisman]

Let me ask you, do you indeed lack that neurological evidence? Because you don't have the data the Dolphins have. But we have a whole bunch of public commentary that has made us wonder openly around here. Hey, is he right? Do we know the real. Look, man, this CTE stuff is complicated, okay? The biggest New York shooting that there's been in 20 years, somebody was shooting the NFL building, said he had CTE and it was. It was learned that he did have cte. What's going on with Antonio Brown right now? This hall of Fame, when he gets into the hall of Fame, that's going to be weird for everybody because of whatever it is that's going on with him.

[Dan Le Batard]

And I'm taking the under on that.

[Jon Weisman]

You don't think he belongs in the Hall?

[Dan Le Batard]

That's a different question.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I think that I don't know anyone's voting.

[Paul]

Yeah, I think the voters will be like, we'll be your guardrails.

[Dan Le Batard]

Let's take a look at some 10.

[Paul]

We all agree that that would be awkward. So we're just going to. We're just going to go ahead and handle this one.

[Jon Weisman]

Put it on the poll at Levittard show. Is Anton Brown gonna make the hall of Fame now? Philip Rivers kicks his five years down the line. Right. So he doesn't have to be with all of these guys that retired. He can get into an easier class. Five years from.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I think Philip Rivers helped his hall of Fame.

[Paul]

Absolutely. Coming back. He was one of those guys because he played in this.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Even though he didn't win a game.

[Paul]

He played in that era. Where is he first ballot? Is he a first ballot guy? He definitely helped himself.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

How could he have helped himself?

[Dan Le Batard]

Because he was 03 dude.

[Paul]

That was legitimately one of the most impressive things I've ever seen in the history.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

That's hall of Fame stuff.

[Paul]

That was crazy. He was not bad.

[Jon Weisman]

That is the only time I've ever seen anybody play in the NFL. Like, I don't know if you guys can find. Can you guys find the photo? Was it Sonny Jurgensen who's the famous photo of a quarterback? It might have been YA Tittle on their knees, on the floor.

[Paul]

Sway Tittle Giants.

[Jon Weisman]

Yeah. Get that photo for me so that people can see how old some of these old quarterbacks used to look. Philip Rivers is the first time I have seen someone in a football uniform at the position being like oh, he's got a total big, giant belly. He's got a dad body. Like, he has not been working out for five years. That uniforms not slimming on him.

[Paul]

People are gonna forget that he was winless. And people are. If they're gonna apply that context, they better apply the context that he went up against Mike McDonald's defense. He went up against Rob Sala's defense, and he just bombed in and he was fine.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Hall of Famer.

[Jon Weisman]

Let me ask you guys this question when you guys sit here and talk about exciting name coaches, okay? Who had Mike McDonald being 15 and 2, under 40 years old, a lot.

[Paul]

Of people liked him.

[Jon Weisman]

15 and 2 on the road.

[Paul]

He was a highly touted PC.

[Greg Cody]

Mike.

[Paul]

I liked him, Mike, but 15 I did. 15 and 2, answer your question.

[Jon Weisman]

15 and 2 on the road. Geno Smith and Sam Darnold as your quarterbacks. That's not something anybody could have predicted.

[Paul]

Stop applying context to make it seem more improbable. Dan. I just liked him as a head coach.

[Greg Cody]

Look, we loved Mike McDaniel at one point, right? Right now, Ben Johnson is that guy. Liam Cohen is that guy. Let him have a losing season, du ball. Yes, exactly. Let him have a losing season and see. See how long that love lasts.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I like how Greg has to acknowledge the drop.

[Greg Cody]

What?

[Jon Weisman]

Usually we just play noises and we let them go, and they're for the audience. You don't have to. You don't have to. To thank your son for playing the Duval drumming.

[Greg Cody]

I love it.

[Jon Weisman]

You're a little rusty.

[Greg Cody]

I am a little rusty.

[Jon Weisman]

Can we revisit, please? Greg Cody at the holiday party. Can we revisit the surgical airstrike? That was Greg Cody getting beer from every avenue from an assortment of different people, putting out requests to everybody.

[Dan Le Batard]

Every time I talk, every time I talked to my mom at that party, she was scurrying looking for your next beer because you had sent her off.

[Greg Cody]

It's a weird dynamic with your mother because she both criticizes me for wants to help much and enables my drinking.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Was there any point. Was there any point that you felt bad that you were mate. Like you were asking multiple servers?

[Greg Cody]

This is wrong. No, what happened was the server comes up to me to be polite. I order another drink.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

No, but see, that would happen to me. And the server comes to me but, like, thank you. He's already taken care of me. And you're just like, yeah, bring me to. I want you to bring me stuff.

[Dan Le Batard]

I think at one point he had one in each hand and two just Sitting at a table, like, I think there was at 1.4 beers.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

What, was the server confused? Oh, yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

And I think, like, other. Like, Lewis at one point is like, hey, Greg, and my dad didn't want to give him up. People were like, oh, there's obviously free beers here. Can I grab one?

[Greg Cody]

Okay. Lewis took a. A drink, which I donated to a charitable cause. Louis and Elhassan stole two or three beers from me.

[Dan Le Batard]

They're not stealing if you have four.

[Greg Cody]

I mean, I didn't sell any four beers. I can only drink them so fast.

[Jon Weisman]

Have you had so many beers that you forgot Elhassan's first name?

[Greg Cody]

Amin?

[Jon Weisman]

You mean what.

[Greg Cody]

Hey.

[Jon Weisman]

Read more from that column and what you disagree with in there.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Yeah. So you know Dolphins recently hired former Cowboys hall of Fame quarterback turned TV broadcaster Troy Aikman as a consultant in the search for a replacement. I've been told Miami also will tap into Aikman's expertise at the position to help navigate the tongue of Iloa dilemma and whether yours seems the answer.

[Amin Elhassan]

But give me.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Give me a thought right there. What do you think of the Aikman hire? I need your opinion there.

[Jon Weisman]

Your column, they've got an expert on concussion.

[Greg Cody]

What do I think of the Aikman hire? I don't know that he has an expertise on finding a general manager. They must think he does. I don't know what his experience is there. I don't know whether they hired him to ask him questions about the guy they want or to have him present guys that he wants. I don't know what that machination is. So I can't fully answer that.

[Jon Weisman]

I mean, that's Stephen Ross choosing someone who's more connected to league inner circles than he is. But you could have gotten Joe Buck to do it as well if you wanted to.

[Paul]

Just. Grammar question. You guys are writers. Is it machination or machination?

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I think it's machination.

[Jon Weisman]

I thought it was machinations.

[Dan Le Batard]

Never heard of it.

[Greg Cody]

That's crazy.

[Paul]

That's. That's nuts.

[Greg Cody]

You don't mash with a. An Sh sound, even though it's spelled.

[Amin Elhassan]

Ch Maka nations according to the Internet.

[Jon Weisman]

Thank you. I appreciate that.

[Guest Host]

With an S at the end.

[Jon Weisman]

Can you get me the sound, please, of Greg Cody trying to pronounce the first name of the most explosive University of Miami player in I don't know how many years.

[Greg Cody]

Malarkey. Malarkey.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

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[Guest Host]

One of my big goals for 2026 is just less money stress.

[Dan Le Batard]

How about that?

[Guest Host]

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[Amin Elhassan]

Need.

[Guest Host]

The weekly recaps alone keep me honest even when I'm sleep deprived. Like the last three days, the baby has been absolutely insane, but Monarch helps me know that I'm financially okay. Monarch Help users save over 200 bucks per month on average after joining this new year. Achieve your financial goals for good. Monarch is the all in one tool that makes proactive money management simple all year long. Use code [e-mail] for half off your first year. That's 50 off your first [e-mail] with.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Code dan don lebatard quiet man.

[Greg Cody]

Yes, you know I'm a married man. I don't cheat on My wife. Despite that gratuitous line in back in my st. I wish you were here. My wife. I really miss her. No, I don't. That's the thing about being married, you know, you're not allowed to say, I don't miss my wife. I've been gone two days. I haven't been gone long enough to miss my wife. I'm sorry. I call her. I'm on the phone with her for 30 seconds. You know, what am I. Hello? All right, all right, we'll see you. All right. And then, you know, I'm gonna see her in two days. I was jumping Charlie. Good.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugach.

[Jon Weisman]

Ohio State shut down Milwaukee, Tony. And it didn't matter because Miami had more ways to beat Ohio State than just. Just one electric wide receiver.

[Paul]

Yeah, they were bracket coveraging him the entire game. A huge sign of respect. A cool note that my friend David Lake, who covers the Miami Hurricanes really well, he passed along after the game that following the game, Malachi Tony reached out to Caleb Downs, who actually had a whale of a game and is going to be a.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

He's going to be like a top three pick in the draft.

[Paul]

Yeah. Really, really good player. And he's like, hey, what did you see out there? How can I get better? That's the kind of guy that Malachi Toney is. That second fumble, and it's a little scary, especially when he's.

[Jon Weisman]

He's fumbled three times in two games and they haven't lost two of them.

[Paul]

And if you're familiar with South Florida high school sports lore, Malachi Tony fumbling is a big deal.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Oh, is that right? Yeah.

[Paul]

Yeah. Reuben Bain reminds him often about that. And that second fumble recovery. This is the most instinctual player I've ever seen at the University of Miami. And we've had Santana Moss out there. He did not pick his head up. Just like if that happens to me in a video game, I turn it off. He just turns, continues in one fluid motion, picks up a loose ball on the ground with his left hand, gathers it, and we keep going on our way. Like, he got two forced fumbles on him, but he recovered both, and that was a huge play. But Malachi Tony, yeah, he wasn't explosive in the game. They took him out. They wanted to dare Miami to beat him with other guys, and they did. But one thing that is not reported about Miami, CJ Daniels and Malachi Toney, especially Malachi Toney, who had one of the biggest blocks in that game. Coming inside from the slot in motion and laying a huge block is these guys block incredibly well.

[Jon Weisman]

Fletcher knows this. And this is why Fletcher was so supportive as an older player. Like when he had that fumble against Texas A and M that could have cost them the season. You had a situation where Fletcher was talking about the things that he said to Malachi Toney as the older player on the team because Tony was broken by that and he's fumbled a lot. They played two big games where everyone's expecting him to have the electric play and he had the punt return against Texas A and M where he tripped over his own feet and it's the reason he didn't get the touchdown because he just, he tripped at the end. So he's trying to do the big thing because he's announced himself to America in the first game he played as a Hurricane. There's never been a hurricane like this.

[Paul]

17 years old, should be in high.

[Jon Weisman]

School who can do all of these things. He's 18 now. But here's Fletcher talking about what it is that he said and did with Tony in trying to encourage him when he was just head down in the fourth quarter of the game against Texas A and M when he thought he had lost the season. Possibly player today I was more impressed with you as a teammate when Malachi, Tony fumbled. He was the first one over there.

[Fletcher]

Yes, sir.

[Jon Weisman]

What'd you tell him?

[Fletcher]

Man, I saw his head going down and I immediately had to go to him because when in high school together, I remember he had to play just like that and he fumbled, he threw, dropped it and he was like, mark, man, this is my second time doing this. I don't want to let you down. I said, bro, you would never let me down. I said, this season you have been balling. Everything has been, you know, he works for it, but everything has been going your way. But man, God just want to see how bad you want it. He going to put you through a little adversity. I said, please don't do that to me right now. Nah, because you too blessed for that. Pick your head up and just look. Look what God presented for him. That was just all God, man. He just had to believe.

[Jon Weisman]

Among the things that I found impressive about the first two games of the playoffs that the Hurricanes played is I didn't have that Texas A and M game, wing one on def. Defense, like just did not have that at all being a defensive game. There was nobody this season who slowed Texas A and M. That, that, that three points was a half against South Carolina I saw them struggle for for three points. But to have Texas A and M and that quarterback go for three points where he shut down and then the Ohio State game is supposed to be a defensive game. But if you looked at what the totals were on Miami, Miami wasn't supposed to have 24 points in that game. Ohio State doesn't allow that point total. Now, I understand one of them was a pick 6 but had to just control the game, sort of ball control. Offensively, they've won both of those games without the offense being explosive. The most explosive play they've had is Tony on a punt return. It wasn't because they're throwing the ball down the field at all.

[Greg Cody]

Nobody would believe if you had said before the playoff began that they're going to limit Texas A and M and Ohio State to a combined 17 points, that would be beyond ludicrous. It would be crazy. You figure they're going to give up 17 points in a half against those two teams? They're good.

[Jon Weisman]

Not Ohio State. I don't necessarily assume that. With Ohio State they're pretty limited.

[Paul]

I'm a little confused. Like that's always been the path for this team. They had a good defense. It's not like your offense was going to go shot for shot if we had a high tempo game. Entering that game with Texas A and M, I pretty much thought that it had to be that way against Texas A and M and Ohio State.

[Jon Weisman]

Yeah, but three points though, Mike.

[Paul]

No, that was pretty crazy. But also I didn't have the context of there'd be 40 mile per hour gust in this game.

[Jon Weisman]

Can you guys get for me please? I don't know that I'm surprised that we haven't talked about this yet. And this is my error not talking about this. Since Greg Cody is here for the first time. What do you think should be the penalty for Mario Cristobal after what it is that he did to Ryan Day?

[Jonathan Zaslow]

That was crazy.

[Jon Weisman]

Yeah, it was nuts. Do you believe, you believe that there should be some sort of punishment?

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I'm surprised we have not heard more about that since the end of the game.

[Jon Weisman]

Game.

[Dan Le Batard]

I saw a report that there's supposed to be an announcement today. On it.

[Jon Weisman]

Greg, you don't seem to be knowing what we're talking about.

[Greg Cody]

I do, but what would you, what would you have them do?

[Jon Weisman]

Well, look, let's look at this video together. It's pretty egregious. It's not something I've ever seen before. What would I have him do? Like, I mean that you can't be doing like that.

[Paul]

That's got to be an apology.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I'm surprised we haven't seen just enough.

[Paul]

He hasn't said anything.

[Jon Weisman]

Just an apology. Greg, you think that that requires just an apology?

[Dan Le Batard]

Punching him in the face?

[Paul]

The camera angle doesn't do it. In Mario's defense, he called it a shovel is damning.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

That looked more than a shove to me.

[Jon Weisman]

That was not just a shove. Where do you see him quoted? I haven't seen him talk about it anywhere. Greg, you seem.

[Greg Cody]

What is their relationship?

[Dan Le Batard]

Testing important question.

[Paul]

Remember, ryan day is now 02 lifetime against Mario Cristobal. I heard from people that were around that that it looks a lot worse than it was.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

I mean, did they. Did like, did they say something to him right before.

[Jon Weisman]

Let's play it for you. Watch again. It doesn't seem like you've seen it. It seems like you haven't. It seems like you're bluffing. It doesn't seem like you know what we're talking about.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

It seems, first of all, have say something.

[Greg Cody]

First of all, it's, it's. It looks like AI Obviously, I mean, it didn't happen. It's AI. I mean, you guys are insane.

[Jon Weisman]

You said you knew what the story was.

[Greg Cody]

I've seen that before.

[Jon Weisman]

I love the follow up. What's their relationship?

[Greg Cody]

I mean, it's a pretty. It's a pretty good left hook. I got to give Mario.

[Jon Weisman]

What's their relationship is such an interesting.

[Paul]

He's owing two lifetime.

[Jon Weisman]

They're playful that way. They're like. It's like I. When I wrestle my pitbull, it doesn't. You know, they're just too to wrestle.

[Greg Cody]

When they see each other of AI. Okay, that's exactly right.

[Dan Le Batard]

Gave us more than he did for.

[Greg Cody]

The Jeremy brother bit.

[Jon Weisman]

He started at the beginning of that saying he knew the story we were talking about.

[Dan Le Batard]

He got into the same mode, though, of the Jeremy thing where he was just kind of like, what? What's the relationship? I'm confused here, so I'm just gonna be a little on the outside.

[Amin Elhassan]

I'm still so mad about that.

[Jon Weisman]

The Jeremy thing where Jeremy did the show with his brother.

[Greg Cody]

His brother was sitting there.

[Jon Weisman]

You pretended like you knew that it was not Jeremy the whole time when you didn'. Yeah, you did that same thing right now where you pretend you have this thing. Okay. You're normally perfectly okay with us making fun of you, your vulnerabilities, and you don't want to be.

[Dan Le Batard]

You feel like, oh, wait, are they.

[Jon Weisman]

Making fun of me? Left out. You don't want to be.

[Paul]

No.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

He wanted to be part of the club.

[Greg Cody]

When I. When I first saw that video, which.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

Wasn'T today, you wanted to know their relationship.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, because I didn't. When I thought it was real, it was so outrageous. And I'm thinking to myself, is that, you know, know, sometimes guys joke around.

[Jonathan Zaslow]

The giveaway when Crystal flex like the Hulkster.

[Greg Cody]

Look, if I punch you in the shoulder pretty hard, Greg, we're going to.

[Jon Weisman]

Play this video again. This is. Under no circumstances have friends ever played this way. Like, in the history of friends, there's never been roughhousing where this is the punch. And I think to myself afterward, but what was their relationship?