The Big Suey: The 70-Point Miami Dolphins vs. The 1972 Miami Dolphins

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: The Big Suey: The 70-Point Miami Dolphins vs. The 1972 Miami Dolphins
Release Date: January 13, 2025

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I. Introduction to The Big Suey Episode

The episode titled “The Big Suey: The 70-Point Miami Dolphins vs. The 1972 Miami Dolphins” delves into the contemporary struggles of the Miami Dolphins, juxtaposed against their historic 1972 perfect season. Hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz, along with panelists Greg Cody, Billy Corben, Mike Ryan, Chris Cote, and Jessica, explore various facets of the NFL and college football, with a particular focus on the Dolphins' enduring playoff drought.

II. NFL Playoff Discussions

A. Fan Voting Idea to Swap Teams

Stugotz introduced a provocative idea at [01:17], suggesting that fans be given the power to vote out a faltering playoff team in favor of a team that has shown late-season improvement.

Stugotz [01:17]: "What if the fans, right before the playoffs could vote out a team that is limping into the playoffs and vote in a team that got really hot at the end of the season, but did it make the playoffs?"

Greg Cody immediately praised the concept, illustrating it with the potential replacement of Pittsburgh with Joe Burrow’s Bengals.

Greg Cody [02:12]: "I think that's a brilliant idea."

The panel debated the feasibility, with concerns about hacking and dominance by already strong teams like the Cowboys. Billy Corben humorously highlighted the logistical issues:

Billy Corben [02:52]: "It is problematic if somebody hacks the voting."

Stugotz clarified that the idea was purely fan-driven, not involving the teams themselves. Despite the entertaining nature of the proposition, consensus leaned towards recognizing the complexity and potential drawbacks of such a system.

III. Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills as Super Bowl Favorites

A. Greg Cody's Picks

Greg Cody outlined his top five Super Bowl contenders: Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Greg Cody [04:57]: "They have the two best players. They have the two most valuable players in the league. Baltimore, in my opinion, and the defense right now is as good as anybody in the league."

B. Strengths and Dominance

The discussion highlighted the Ravens' formidable defense and elite quarterback Lamar Jackson. Billy Corben emphasized their balanced offensive power:

Billy Corben [04:02]: "I would imagine that everyone expects Detroit to do the same thing after a buy to show you again that they are the best team."

Greg Cody further supported this by noting Lamar Jackson's adaptability and the improvement in Buffalo’s quarterback Josh Allen’s performance.

Greg Cody [07:36]: "greg: They've done such a great job loading that team up. It's incredibly loaded across that entire offense."

IV. Miami Dolphins’ Playoff Drought

A. Historical Context and Comparisons

The panel extensively discussed the Dolphins' 24-year playoff win drought, the longest in the NFL, surpassing the Raiders (22 years) and the Jets and Bears (14 years each).

Billy Corben [13:10]: "The Dolphins have not won a playoff game in 24 years. The longest streak in the NFL."

Chris Cote compared the Dolphins’ state to the Steelers', suggesting a perpetual middling performance that neither excels nor falls completely.

Chris Cote [13:12]: "It's sort of bare bones, keep the team just good enough to maybe make the playoffs or maybe just be the first team out of the playoffs."

B. Reasons for the Drought

Greg Cody attributed the struggles to poor quarterback performance, specifically mentioning Tua Tagovailoa's injury issues and inconsistent play.

Greg Cody [15:05]: "The Miami Dolphins have been an irrelevant franchise this century. They've stumbled and bumbling and they just have done nothing right."

V. Tyreek Hill’s Situation with the Dolphins

A. Commitment Issues

Billy Corben raised concerns about Tyreek Hill's commitment to the Dolphins, noting conflicting statements from Hill and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Billy Corben [25:37]: "Tyreek Hill is fully committed to the Dolphins and then sort of walks that back as well when they asked some follow-up questions."

Greg Cody described Hill as a "mercurial, volatile personality," dissatisfied with the Dolphins' offensive performance and considering a trade.

Greg Cody [25:37]: "He is a very mercurial, volatile personality."

VI. Deshaun Watson’s Achilles Injury

A. Impact on Career

Billy Corben compared Deshaun Watson’s career trajectory to a scene from the movie Waterworld, suggesting Watson might be relieved to retire after re-injuring his Achilles.

Billy Corben [28:10]: "Deshaun Watson is somewhere relieved that he doesn't have to go do that anymore."

B. Team and Fan Reactions

Mike Ryan highlighted the Browns' strategic response, including tracking Watson’s movements and preparing to navigate his release from the contract.

Mike Ryan [28:26]: "They are celebrating, are they not? Yes, because that's what they want."

Greg Cody expressed mixed feelings, recognizing Watson as a victim of his circumstances yet conflicted due to his off-field issues.

Greg Cody [30:26]: "He's the least sympathetic victim in the world."

VII. College Football: Miami Hurricanes' Quarterback Carson Beck

A. Transfer and Acquisition

The discussion shifted to Miami Hurricanes’ acquisition of Carson Beck from Georgia, questioning his potential compared to former quarterback Cam Ward.

Greg Cody [32:00]: "He had 12 interceptions. I'm thinking of Georgia Bulldogs fans not lamenting that he's gone."

B. Performance Concerns

Concerns were raised about Beck's performance, citing high interception rates and the pressure placed upon him.

Greg Cody [33:12]: "Is he that good? ... 12 interceptions."

Mike Ryan countered by highlighting Beck’s Heisman odds and potential, suggesting that performances can improve post-surgery.

Mike Ryan [34:55]: "He has more upside than a lot of quarterbacks."

C. Financial and Market Aspects

The conversation touched upon the rising cost of quarterbacks in college football, with Billy Corben noting significant financial investments in players like Beck.

Billy Corben [35:15]: "They're paying twice as much for someone who will not be as good as Cam Ward."

VIII. College Football Conference Realignment and Notre Dame’s Status

A. Independence vs. Conference Membership

Dan LeBatard and Greg Cody debated Notre Dame’s independent status, questioning the logic behind criticizing conference realignment while supporting independence.

Dan LeBatard [39:58]: "If you are still crying about Notre Dame not being in a conference... then either conferences are ruining the sport or what?"

B. Financial Implications

Greg Cody highlighted the financial advantages Notre Dame holds by being independent, allowing them to retain all revenue from their victories.

Greg Cody [40:27]: “Notre Dame is getting $20 million. They don't have to share with anybody because they've gotten this far.”

Mike Ryan emphasized the disparity in television deals and the potential for increased financial competition among top programs.

Mike Ryan [37:03]: “Teams are taking into account the Rev share...”

IX. Conclusion and Recap

In wrapping up the episode, the panel reflected on the Miami Dolphins' challenges juxtaposed with historic successes, the complexities of team dynamics in both the NFL and college football, and the ever-evolving landscape of sports management and fan engagement. The lively debates underscored the passion and frustration surrounding the Dolphins' long playoff drought, the potential reshaping of playoff structures, and the intricate interplay between player performance and team success.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Stugotz [01:17]: "What if the fans, right before the playoffs could vote out a team that is limping into the playoffs and vote in a team that got really hot at the end of the season..."

• Greg Cody [02:12]: "I think that's a brilliant idea."

• Greg Cody [04:57]: "They have the two best players. They have the two most valuable players in the league. Baltimore..."

• Billy Corben [13:10]: "The Dolphins have not won a playoff game in 24 years. The longest streak in the NFL."

• Greg Cody [15:05]: "The Miami Dolphins have been an irrelevant franchise this century."

• Billy Corben [25:37]: "Tyreek Hill is fully committed to the Dolphins and then sort of walks that back as well..."

• Greg Cody [30:26]: "He's the least sympathetic victim in the world."

• Greg Cody [33:12]: "Is he that good? ... 12 interceptions."

• Mike Ryan [34:55]: "He has more upside than a lot of quarterbacks."

• Dan LeBatard [39:58]: "If you are still crying about Notre Dame not being in a conference... then either conferences are ruining the sport or what?"

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the multifaceted discussions of the episode, providing listeners with an insightful overview of the topics covered, from NFL playoff strategies and team performances to intricate college football dynamics.

Transcript

[Dan LeBatard]

You're listening to Giraffe Kings Network.

[Stugotz]

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[Greg Cody]

Yep.

[Billy Corben]

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[Mike Ryan]

Headphones.

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Wait.

[Dan LeBatard]

T Mobile?

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You bet.

[Greg Cody]

Free in flight.

[Billy Corben]

Wi Fi. 15% off all Hilton brands.

[Mike Ryan]

I never go anywhere without T Mobile.

[Billy Corben]

Same goes for my water bottle, chewing gum, nail clippers.

[Chris Cote]

I'm gonna leave you to it.

[Stugotz]

Find out how you can experience trav@t.

[Billy Corben]

Mobile.Com Travel qualifying plan required.

[Jessica]

Wi Fi were available on select US airlines.

[Billy Corben]

Deposit and Hilton honors membership required for 15% discount. Terms and conditions apply.

[Chris Cote]

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[Stugotz]

Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings.

[Billy Corben]

Why are you listening to this show?

[Stugotz]

The podcast that seems very similar to the other Dan LeBatard podcast? I'm sorry. I'm not going to apologize for that. In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging.

[Billy Corben]

I have been tempted in restaurants just walking past tables to grab somebody's fries that if they're just there. That hasn't happened to you guys.

[Stugotz]

I've done it.

[Billy Corben]

And now here's the marching man to.

[Stugotz]

Nowhere, Fat Face and the Habitual Liar.

[Jessica]

This episode of the Dan Lebatard show is brought to you by DraftKings. DraftKings. The Crown is yours.

[Stugotz]

You okay, Greg? I had an idea here that I wanted to get your thoughts on. It's an idea I haven't shared with anyone yet. What if the fans, right before the playoffs could vote out a team that is limping into the playoffs and vote in a team that got really hot at the end of the season, but did it make the playoffs?

[Greg Cody]

I think that's a brilliant idea. Okay. A brilliant idea.

[Stugotz]

Thank you.

[Greg Cody]

And here's my immediate example. You vote out Pittsburgh, which limps in on a four game losing streak. You put in Joe Burrow and the Bengals, the best, arguably the best quarterback in this season.

[Dan LeBatard]

But hang on, like, Pittsburgh should get like a draft pick out of this, right?

[Greg Cody]

We'll give him a third run.

[Dan LeBatard]

I.

[Greg Cody]

No.

[Jessica]

Are all the teams in the league voting or just the teams not in the playoffs?

[Stugotz]

I think the fans should vote. That's what I think.

[Mike Ryan]

Can I vote out Kansas City?

[Billy Corben]

Wow.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Greg Cody]

Wow.

[Stugotz]

You have a vote. You can vote. Well, no. If you win the division, it has to be a wild card team, my friend.

[Mike Ryan]

You haven't just opened up a can of worms, you've opened up a can of banacondas.

[Billy Corben]

It is problematic if somebody hacks the voting.

[Jessica]

Wouldn't it just be the Cowboys end up in every year?

[Billy Corben]

But this is Stugart. Stugach has been trying to get the Bengals into the playoffs for the last three months. He's tried harder than anybody who plays for the Cincinnati organization. He's just desperate for Joe Burrow to be in the playoffs.

[Stugotz]

I was asking Chris Sims if he'd be surprised at certain AFC teams and if they made made it to the Super Bowl. And he said he would be surprised by all the teams with the exception of the big three, the Chiefs, the Ravens and the Bills. And then I asked him, what if the Bengals made it? Would you be surprised if they made it to the Super Bowl? And he said no.

[Dan LeBatard]

I feel like we're doing the same thing we did in college football with Alabama where like I got a whole season of samples. Samples. Selection like Bengals were not very good this year or else they would have made the playoffs. I mean, the offense was great.

[Stugotz]

Joe Burrow wins that game.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, they started off one and four.

[Dan LeBatard]

Derrick Henry would have 350 yards.

[Billy Corben]

Let me ask Greg the question. Did I hear you correctly? Did you say that you would make the Ravens the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl?

[Greg Cody]

I might right now. Yeah.

[Billy Corben]

Might or would like might? Yes. We all know what the five best teams are in the sport we've been watching all season and they're clearly a cut above. You saw it the first week, you saw it during these playoffs. Got you saw Denver was really good all season and Buffalo ends up just dragging them. Pittsburgh limped in, but Baltimore ends up just in a way that from the very first drive of Baltimore where they go 95 yards down the field and I'm looking at the Steelers and I'm like, good God, they're exhausted already. It's been one drive into the playoffs because they just keep getting punched in the face. And I would imagine, although everyone listening to this respects the Rams, I would imagine that everyone expects Detroit to do the same thing after a buy to show you again that they are the best team. Why are you making the Ravens? Is it because of the improvement of their defense since week 11.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, my, my five Super bowl favorites right now in order are Baltimore, Detroit, Buffalo, Kansas City and Philadelphia.

[Jessica]

Be careful on that limb.

[Greg Cody]

And, and for reasons I said, they have the two best players. They have the two most valuable players in the league. Baltimore, in my opinion, and the defense right now is as good as anybody in the league. That's a combination that can't be beaten.

[Billy Corben]

Can you guys answer a couple of questions for me? Because I was legitimately surprised that Baltimore lost five times this season. I think, and this has been a problem they've had for a couple of seasons. I think they may have had a 10 point lead in all of the games. The reason I know Buffalo is good, obviously their record is good, obviously they've been the division leader. But the reason that I know Buffalo is good is because they never get beaten by a lot Buffalo. When Buffalo loses the G. Like, give me the last time Buffalo loses one of these stinkers where you're like, they've lost by double digits or how many times in the last three seasons is Josh Allen out of a football game.

[Stugotz]

They lost at Baltimore 38 to 10.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, there you go.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. Sorry, Bill.

[Billy Corben]

That's the one. Right. So if I go over the last three seasons and look at Josh Allen's games, he's in all but one of them. He's in all the games he's played for three seasons except one game. I know Detroit had that one game. Didn't they go to San Francisco and lost 35, nine as well? Baltimore can do that to anybody. Stug like they. I don't know what you do.

[Mike Ryan]

Detroit last year against San Francisco. No, there was the IU like crazy catch like Detroit was hanging around.

[Billy Corben]

No, no, I'm not talking about the playoff game. I'm talking about either last regular season or this regular season. Detroit went to San Francisco and lost 34 to 9, didn't they? Like there's some, some score like that. I thought. I think I've got that right. The, the Baltimore Ravens are wildly frustrating to play if you're the defense because when they're in third and short, you got no chance. Like you just, you can't. You just desperately want them. We were talking about Washington, Jaden Daniels, always going for it. If you're the defense, you always want them to punt because you're terrified of what they're going to do. You're so thankful as a fan to get them in fourth down.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Billy Corben]

And get them to actually concede the punt because you don't want them going for it on 4th and 8, 4th and 6. You don't. You just, you don't even want. You're so risk averse as a fan. You respect so much the quarterback and the offense that you don't want the probability that you will get very good field position at their 40. You'd rather have the punt and start at your 20 than deal with. I don't want to be faced with having to stop this person on 4th and 6.

[Mike Ryan]

Both those teams Sunday evening. I mean Buffalo's elite at short yardage. I think 16 for their last 19. And in fact did anybody else? No. What a stupid play when they went for it on 4th and 1 and it wasn't just a Josh Allen keeper. And then magic happens where the catch is even somehow better than the throw with Ty Johnson in the back of the end zone to get his knee down and not have his feet touch out of bounds. Like even when they call bad plays they find a way to do it. That's. This is one of the most eagerly anticipated games I can ever remember in the postseason.

[Greg Cody]

And, and, and now Lamar Jackson has in Zay Flowers and what I would call a developing elite receiver which he hasn't always had the first few years of his career. So that's a fully flowering offense.

[Billy Corben]

Not sure if he's playing. It's not clear. I would say this is the most.

[Mike Ryan]

They have other wide receivers that have gone in the first round. They've done such a great job loading that team up. It's incredibly loaded across that entire offense. He's got so many weapons and he's rewarded the confidence that that franchise has given him by adapting to this brand new OC having more of an air raid mentality. It's just such a frickin good team. There's no excuse.

[Dan LeBatard]

Sometimes like your gut instinct when something happens is the right one. And we all said this when they got Derrick Henry, we were like, this team's going to be impossible to stop in the playoffs. They are going to run people over because if you try to stop Derek Henry, Lamar Jackson will just run it six times in a row on you. And if you try to stop Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry will just run it six times in a row on you. And like that's just what they're going to do in this playoffs. And I don't know who's going to stop them.

[Billy Corben]

Derrick Henry could have been available to anybody for one year. $10 million.

[Stugotz]

He was available to anyone. Yes. Yes. It sounds like we're putting the Ravens in the super bowl. They have to go to Buffalo and Kansas City.

[Billy Corben]

Well, this is the most anticipated playoff game since Buffalo played at Kansas City. And you had that game of 13 seconds at the end of the game to see. I think. I think this is the biggest one since then. It's. It's pretty rare for you to know going into an NFL game those two teams can very easily beat all of the other teams in the sport and win the Super Bowl. You just don't get many games like that. That feels like a Super bowl before the super bowl because you know that both teams are capable of winning the super bowl because the things that they do. You have to understand Denver has. Because certain is so good and in general their defensive backfield field is so good in Denver. Denver had the best pass rush in the league, which was totally neutralized by Buffalo just running the ball again and again during that game. To have teams that can physically on offense do what Baltimore did. I will say it again about Cam Hayward because I was startled by it. I was startled to see a defensive tackle on the first drive of the game taking so many punches from Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson in that offensive line that people would accuse the Pittsburgh Steelers of quitting because anybody would look like they're quitting if they keep getting hit by that for 95 yards. It's what would look. I objected to something that Jessica said last week because I don't love accusing teams of quitting or not quitting or because I don't think we can do it with our eyes in, in that sport. But Baltimore can make anyone look like that.

[Greg Cody]

I feel like the Baltimore Buffalo game is the springboard to the team that's going to win the Super Bowl. In a season where Kansas City does not seem as strong as it did the past couple of years. In a season where Detroit hasn't won anything since 1957. And typically teams go to the super bowl and lose before they win. This just seems like Baltimore Buffalo is the game that's. That's going to catapult the championship.

[Stugotz]

Lamar Jackson does have a chance here, Dan, to erase everything. Meaning if he can do this on the road against Josh Allen, on the road against Patrick Mahomes, go to the super bowl, beat the Lions or the Eagles, let's say it doesn't matter who he beats. Once he gets through that in the afc, he has a chance to get rid of all the doubters. No one will ever say do it in the postseason again. There is a. I don't think he's Going to get it done. But there is a massive opportunity for.

[Billy Corben]

Lamar Jackson here when Greg Cody mentions the Detroit Lions not winning anything since 1950. I saw Will Mansoe put out the stat that jaden Daniels was 12 days old the last time the Dolphins won a playoff game. Are you guys familiar with the longest drought in the sport when it comes to not winning a playoff game? Do you guys know the numbers off of the top of your head? Because I didn't talk about the Dolphins in the local hour. But I want to get to what happened with Tyreek Hill here recently. The Dolphins have the longest drought without winning a playoff game. It's 24 years, almost a quarter of a century. Right after that it's the Raiders 22 years and then you got to go to jets and bears 14 years.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, we're not last.

[Billy Corben]

The sport legislates equality. They make it so if you're bad, you get rewards. It is breathtaking that the Dolphins have not won a playoff game in 24 years. The longest streak in the NFL. Now the Bills went 17 years without making the playoffs. The Lions had this reputation for a long time and it's a little bit confusing to watch the Lions and the Bills be an overwhelming kind of great and to have the Dolphins be out of a playoff victory for 24 years.

[Chris Cote]

But it kind of makes sense, right? Like it's which where we are with the Steelers at the moment, which is the Dolphins for a long time were in just good enough land right where they weren't going to get a high draft pick and they were going to be just good enough to maybe make the playoffs or maybe just be the first team out of the playoffs. The ones that get rewarded are the teams that are like historically bad because they get the number one picks. And then you have all the times in the NFL worst to first from one year to the next. So like you can win a playoff game and have Len like a drought before and a drought after. The Dolphins are just always kind of like in purgatory where they're not good enough to do anything but not bad enough to get a good pick. And then the one pick that they had recently was Tua and then he's not been healthy. So he's not good enough to get you into the postseason and he's not bad enough to get you a first round pick.

[Mike Ryan]

Also in that time span, a strange proclivity to enter the wild card round with a backup quarterback. The Matt Moore's Skyler Thompson games like, what do you. What do you want me to do. And last year you feel good about your offense? Well, we got ourselves in a position where we're opening things up in sub zero temperatures against Kansas City. So, like, really, I think the only game out of that tenure where they've been in the playoffs where they might have been favored and I have to look up the line when they hosted Baltimore with Chad Pennington at quarterback. But they've. They're supposed to lose all these games once they get in there because there's enough context and the line is pretty overwhelming at that point.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. You could make an argument for all the things we mentioned that the Miami Dolphins are a cursed franchise, still paying off karma for winning those two Super Bowls in a row, including a perfect season. It's literally a fact to say that the Miami Dolphins have been an irrelevant franchise this century. Okay. Ever since 2000, it's been a stumbling and bumbling and they just have done nothing right. And it's Dolph, Dolph. Fans are as frustrated as any, and I know you're a Jets fan. Dolphins are as frustrated, I think, as any fandom in pro sports. With reason.

[Billy Corben]

The 10 years of difference, though, is startling. When I say the Dolphins haven't won a playoff game in 24 years, the jets haven't won one in 14 and are so eager to get back to those times that they're re interviewing Rex Ryan to see if they could get back to the time when they won playoff games.

[Stugotz]

14, he's not getting that job.

[Greg Cody]

That's great.

[Dan LeBatard]

That would be something else. I think that the other comparison between the Dolphins and the jets is that they have done the thing where they've either, you know, not tanked, but been bad enough to get a top five quarterback pick. And both times I'm not comparing to it at Zach Wilson, I think two is much, much, much better. But that's where the frustration is. Right. Like the Steelers, they had a first round pick that they used on a quarterback, but there's a difference between like using your 20th pick on the wrong quarterback and using your fifth or third or first pick on a quarterback.

[Stugotz]

The frustration is whiffing on. On Zach Wilson and getting it right with Sam Darnold. But he gets it right in Minnesota and not New York.

[Dan LeBatard]

Right. That's even more frustrating.

[Stugotz]

We can't develop quarterback.

[Mike Ryan]

It seems even longer than 24 years. My memory of that Lamar Smith game was running to my dad's car, so I could hear it on the radio because it was blacked out locally. Yes. So we were running to our radios to listen to that last win locally, there wasn't a bar, there were blackout restrictions. No one outside of people that were there covering it and they're in attendance actually has vivid memories of that play unfolding live.

[Billy Corben]

Well, I was there. And the reason that I say it is only because you were there for that, because of the foul following. Please look up for me, Chris, look this up for me. Please give me Lamar Smith's stats from that football game. Because this is what happened in the grainy memory of Dolphin fans 24 years ago, the last time they won a playoff game. Lamar Smith carried the ball so many times and it constipated Dave Wanstead offense where he just wanted to get 4 yards at a time all game and punt and punt and punt to hide his quarterback that the next week when Lamar Smith tried to play a another playoff game, his body wasn't working. They're running backs, they're running.

[Stugotz]

Look at the, he had 40 carries.

[Billy Corben]

Look at the stats between one. But look, look at the stats between 40 carries. But look at the next week against the Raiders when they went, when they went to play the Raiders and he had like six carries for nine yards because his body no longer functioned because they made him carry the ball 40 times in a game. Lamar Smith, like, what kind of offense is that?

[Stugotz]

I mean, he had 208 yards.

[Billy Corben]

What kind of offense is that for your Miami Dolphins when the best thing this century in the playoffs is handing the ball 40 times to Lamar Smith?

[Mike Ryan]

Chris has a stat. This is unbelievable.

[Jessica]

8 carries for 5 yards next week.

[Billy Corben]

Because his body, he's out of gas.

[Mike Ryan]

He averaged 100 yards per game in the playoffs.

[Jessica]

27, nothing.

[Stugotz]

They lost.

[Jessica]

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[Mike Ryan]

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[Chris Cote]

Don LeBatard all right, we gotta go back out there.

[Mike Ryan]

That was big.

[Greg Cody]

Wake him up.

[Billy Corben]

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.

[Jessica]

Mother, can we bother? Are we bothering you right now?

[Billy Corben]

Turn on your microphone.

[Greg Cody]

My microphone's on Stugats.

[Jessica]

Paint the scene.

[Greg Cody]

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

[Chris Cote]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats. Is it crazy for me to say, and I'm trying to be the positive force here, everybody's down on the Dolphins. Is it crazy for me to say, yeah, sure, they haven't won a playoff game and you know, 25 years, 24 years, whatever, right? But they had that 70 point game. I mean, you can't take that 70 point game.

[Dan LeBatard]

Now the Broncos are in the playoffs.

[Chris Cote]

And the Broncos are in the playoffs and Russell Wilson was a playoff quarterback for another team. So they put up 70 points against two playoff forces that day.

[Jessica]

It was a wake up call for the other teams.

[Billy Corben]

It. It's gone straight downhill since that Denver game for Miami and only uphill for Denver.

[Dan LeBatard]

Would you trade it though, Dan? Would you say we don't want the will take the playoff appearance? I don't know, Billy. Saying no.

[Chris Cote]

That play, that 70 point game, I felt alive. I felt something that day. And really that one game, that one game, yeah, carried us for the rest of the season. Because you always, you always thought, you know what, 70 points in a day, this offense can do whatever they want. That was our modern day 1972 dolphins. Like, growing up, all I ever Heard was a 1972 dolphins, 72 dolphins over and over. Why are the Dolphins so great? Oh, because undefeated season 72 and the Dolphins like lore. My entire life with the Dave Wadsteads of the world who were taking the teams to play, I was like, this is the franchise with the highest win percentage ever. These are the Miami Dolphins. It's like they went undefeated. Only undefeated season ever. And that was just like the identity of the Dolphins is the undefeated season. That 70 point game was the identity of the Dolphins because you always thought, you know, what, what if, which moment?

[Mike Ryan]

Since they haven't had playoff wins in that span, which moment is bigger in the eyes of Dolphins fans? The Wildcat game or the 70 burger?

[Billy Corben]

Put it on the poll, please. Juju at LeBatard show. Best memory for Dolphins fans this century.

[Mike Ryan]

Foxborough.

[Stugotz]

How about the Camarillo touchdown that prevented them from going winless? I mean, that was a big one.

[Billy Corben]

I think the biggest moment of the century is Gronk falling down at the goal line trying to the fail. Mary trying to tackle Drake.

[Chris Cote]

Doesn't NFL Network use that play as like their region. So, like they have like the graphics of like the X's and O's running around like behind the logos of like one of their shows. And it's that play where the Dolphins are scoring the touchdown and Gronk is like tripping over himself.

[Billy Corben]

I want to get the expertise of Greg Cody of the Miami Herald here as it relates to Tyree Kill and Drew Rosenhaus saying that Tyreek Hill is fully committed to the Dolphins. When we all saw it, he is not right. Like we, we, we all heard him after the game, even if it's just emotion. And I've said before that the time to talk to players about whether they'd like to be on another team or are quitting is immediately after the season ends. In the emotion of a disappointing season. What did you make Greg of after a season of frustration for Tyree Kill? After a lot of issues off the field and some general turbulence about his temperament and how much he wants to be here, a lot of questions being asked. Drew Rosenka House comes out, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus comes out and says he's fully committed to the Dolphins and then sort of walks that back as well when they asked some follow up questions because they just want the met. They just want to put the mess away for a while so that if they go, if they do move him, he has more value than he would if everybody knew that he was upset. But everybody does know he's upset.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, it's a, it's a snake bit season for Tyree Kill. Keep in mind, it began before opening day with him being handcuffed by cops outside the stadium for reasons that were very dubious and unjustified. But he had a bad year. Let's face it, he didn't. He seemed a step slower. Tua missed six games. It was just a nightmare season for him. And the fact that he would say, I'm out, bro, did not surprise me. And the fact that he would later walk it back through Drew Rosenhaus did not surprise me either. It's not the first time that Tyreek this season has either said or tweeted something on social media that made you go, hmm, and made him explain himself. He's just, he's a very mercurial, volatile personality. And, you know, it's, you could make an argument that it's sort of unbecoming of a team captain to put himself in that role where he's saying things that he later has to walk back. I think he was super dissatisfied this season with everything about the Dolphins from, from the way their defense evaporated from what they had last season, their running game largely disappeared. Raheem Mostert disappeared. It was just a nightmare season for an offense that was super exciting last year. I think he'd rather be traded, but I also think that he can be talked into returning and he'll be fine.

[Billy Corben]

Stugatz I'm curious whether you agree with what I'm about to say. I've made this reference a few times. The terrible movie Waterworld, an international legendary flop according to everyone else. But I will always stop on it if it's on my television at any point, really. In a movie about There is no land, everyone is at sea and supplies are scarce. Dennis Hopper is overseeing a floating barge of an empire that is rusting and there is a scene at one point when fire goes down to the bowels of the ship where there is a very old, old skinny man on a raft on oil. And as the fire comes and is going to blow up, the man who has been living in the oil on the raft clearly emaciated. He says as the fire arrives for the explosion, oh thank God. Because he just wants his life to end. He doesn't want to work anymore. I thought to myself when Deshaun Watson re injured his Achilles, he's like, you know what? I'm good. I'm good. I don't want to play anymore.

[Stugotz]

I don't want to get out of here.

[Billy Corben]

I don't want to do any of this anymore. This is a career ending injury. You can't, you can't re injure your Achilles and come back from that. I'm just like, I'm thinking to myself that Deshaun Watson is somewhere relieved that he doesn't have to go do that anymore.

[Mike Ryan]

But do you know how he possibly re aggravated the injury? Browns fans have tracked down a video in which he's doing a little bit of a TikTok dance with his with his girlfriend not wearing the boot the way that the doctor would recommend it. And they have now fantasy booked not just drafting a quarterback with their top two pick, but also getting out from this guaranteed contract because Deshaun Watson did not follow doctor's orders.

[Billy Corben]

That would be something, huh? As punctuation if that. Because there you, you heard me obsess about this last week. But it's just, it's just not something that you see very often. Everyone's dying to have a quarterback. This was a young quarterback in his prime and pretty clearly if it wasn't his body, it was his Mind that just totally unraveled in a way. Is he even 30 yet?

[Stugotz]

I think he's 29 or 30. Do you think? The guy who monitors Desean Watson was so thrilled. Don't put on the boot. Dance without the boot, please. Dance without the boot. And then he dances without the boot. And he's. They're celebrating, are they not? Yes, because that's what they want. That's what they've been looking for. Whoever has that job has been waiting for that moment for a couple of years now. Finally got it.

[Billy Corben]

The Browns absolutely put on staff payroll. Somebody to just watch for. How do we get out of this contract?

[Greg Cody]

I find Deshaun Watson to be a real challenge to human nature and to the best part of me, because a part of me wants to feel sorry for the guy. Part of me really does want to feel sorry for the guy. But he's such an unsympathetic victim because of everything he's been through. I find it difficult. How do I. How am I supposed to react as a caring human being to this man suffering another Achilles tendon injury? I'm conflicted. I honestly am. I don't know. I mean, how should you feel when Deshaun Watson, after everything he's put dozens of women's through for, you know, things that were in the headlines for the past two, three years. How are you supposed to feel when this guy just can't catch a break on the field? You know, I mean, it's. I. I am conflicted about it.

[Billy Corben]

It's bad for everybody. But worse for his victims than him as a victim.

[Greg Cody]

Absolutely. That's why I say he's the least sympathetic victim in. In the world.

[Chris Cote]

Yeah, exactly.

[Greg Cody]

Greg, this is how you should feel.

[Billy Corben]

Me? Yeah.

[Mike Ryan]

That kind of nails it.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. Okay.

[Stugotz]

I like it, Roy.

[Billy Corben]

Well, may suggests indifference. I'm.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm sure there's some people that are being like, yeah, yeah.

[Billy Corben]

I mean, a lot of people are.

[Jessica]

You deserve that, but do it other than that. Do it under a table.

[Greg Cody]

A lot of people are gloating. There's no question about it. And. And the victims certainly are entitled to gloat. They've. They've paid the pain to be entitled to gloat. I don't know whether. Whether somebody like me or you or another fan should feel good about gloating.

[Stugotz]

Like over the top celebration is what you're saying.

[Greg Cody]

I just don't know.

[Billy Corben]

You also don't know whether Carson Beck is good. The Miami Hurricanes are said to have been paying either between 3 and $4 million for a quarterback that's coming off of an elbow injury, who turned the ball over plenty in Georgia, who did not have the benefit of Bowers always being open at tight end. Did not have a good offensive line at Georgia either. You've been asking the question, is Carson Beck good? Which is not something I could have imagined even four years ago. Even four years ago, I could not have imagined that Greg Cody would be asking, is a quarterback that a college is paying between 3 and $4 million for a Georgia quarterback? Is that quarterback good like Cam Ward was champion. Cam ward was 1.6, 1.5 million they got for, for Cam Ward. The prices are going up fast in college football.

[Mike Ryan]

They are.

[Stugotz]

But the big difference is I saw Cam Ward play in college. I knew Cam Ward was good, and I thought the Canes would make Cam Ward even better. And they did. I'm not certain about Carson back.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, you mentioned K Mourn, and that's where I think a lot of people are viewing this through this prism, which is like a weird moving of the field goal post. Because let me tell you something. Undoubtedly, Carson Beck enters this program with way more accomplishments and credentials than Cam Ward did. Cam Ward, people like to retroactively make like, of course, they did great with Cam Ward. They had all sorts of questions about Cam Ward, and you were one of the few that actually watched him at Washington State. Not a lot of people did. I think I, I, I, I understand the questions, especially how can you not be nervous about a guy that has an arm injury when his position is quarterback. I will say Miami does feel good about it all depends on who you ask. But Miami does feel good about where he is, his ability to come back in time for fall camp. And I will remind everybody in the listening audience that Brock Purdy was the betting favorite for NFL MVP six months after he had this surgery.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, no, I, I get that. But when I say, is, is he that good? I'm thinking of the 12 interceptions. I'm thinking of Georgia Bulldogs fans not lamenting that he's gone.

[Mike Ryan]

He does turn the ball over a lot. So did Cam.

[Greg Cody]

Right?

[Mike Ryan]

So when I hear that, when I hear that criticism about Carson, I'm like, well, do we remember the Cam experience? There was one game against Alabama where he threw three picks, but I also think he threw for like, 450 yards in that game.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, there was like a stretch of four games where he threw like nine picks. Like he was on a, on a real bat. Whatever the opposite of on a roll is, he was on a roll turning the ball over. But I feel like, Mike, if you heard that Florida State was paying Carson Beck $3 million to be their quarterback next year, you'd be like, good luck with that. And I'm not even necessarily saying that he's going to be terrible and awful. He has more upside than a lot of quarterbacks. But also coming off of a major surgery after the season he's had, I think a lot of reasons for concern.

[Mike Ryan]

For me, it's entirely that about the arm injury. But let's, let's look at what the sports books are telling us presently. Second to win the Heisman next year behind arch Manning. He's at plus 700. Some books that have begun taking action on the 2026 NFL Draft have Carson back as the number one overall pick next year. He entered this season consensus number one overall pick. Yes. Threw some picks. Cam does that too. Also made a ton of plays. Did. And his team, I think, led the SEC in drops. His wide receiver situation was real bad this year. And he doesn't need to be Cam Ward. This is what people need to get out of their mind. Miami was entering the season with Emory Williams at quarterback. We saw for a half what that looked like. They needed to do something drastic. And the thing that they did was get the top player available in the portal. You can have questions about him. I'm not pushing back on that. But the gulf between a healthy Carson Beck and Emory Williams is immense.

[Greg Cody]

Huge upgrade. And if you're a Canes fan, if you're Mario Cristobal, perfectly entitled to say, hey, for the second year in a row, we got the big guy in the portal. We got the big hit out of the transfer portal right now. That's absolutely true, but I just don't know that based on his track record, you can't expect another Cam Ward season, which you've mentioned.

[Dan LeBatard]

Also, Carson Beck had like the second highest odds to win the Heisman this season going into the year. Like, I appreciate your respect for the sportsbooks, but projecting next year's Heisman Trophy winner a year ahead of time doesn't necessarily mean that that's a sure thing.

[Mike Ryan]

Understood. It's all based on action. But I would say the people that handicapped this sport are a little bit more bullish on it. And ultimately Miami was at a situation in which a lot of quarterbacks were going off the board. Mater goes to Oklahoma. Wait, are we really going to enter this season with Emory Williams as. As quarterback? Those were real questions the people around the program were asking. Then, not 24 hours later, did they come away with a guy who, according to all the websites that put this together, was the number one guy available in the portal? Any position.

[Billy Corben]

Greg, you just mentioned the idea of, of him being Cam Ward. Let's stop that now.

[Stugotz]

Pump the brakes.

[Billy Corben]

Just. They're paying twice as much for someone who will not be as good as Cam Ward. And that's no slight on him in any way. Like, that's not what I just saw. Please don't underestimate the wasted season the University of Miami just had with that as its quarterback. Like, that's not, it's not going to look like that Again, one don't read.

[Stugotz]

Into the money as well because the money just continues to go up.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, that's right.

[Stugotz]

And it's going to continue to go up.

[Billy Corben]

Well, but where, where is this part headed though? Because there were reports, and you guys have told me that they were credible reports that Ewers was being offered $6 million to skip the NFL draft. And there's going to be some of this going forward, right? Some boosters are gonna want to compete with the NFL for. We can pay you more. But I want to ask where's this headed if we're already at three or four million dollars for a quarterback coming off of elbow surgery?

[Mike Ryan]

I can explain why we're there is the Rev share. Teams are programs are taking into account the Rev share. So a team that would really struggle to raise $15 million in nil like Duke football, has that base floor, looks at the available quarterback, goes, gets Mensa from tulane, offers him $3 million. That's how they're budgeting the Rev share. That's what happened to the market out of the gates. The two lane quarterback gets twice as much because a team that would never be able to compete in the nil space gets Rev share. So what does that do? You would think that the Rev share would maybe take some off the plates of the boosters. No, no, no, no, no. It's rev share +nil. And that's what's happened in the marketplace.

[Stugotz]

Emory Williams is white. Huh?

[Billy Corben]

Huh?

[Stugotz]

I haven't been this shocked since Khalil Green.

[Billy Corben]

I mean, put it on the poll. Oh, John the coachman at LeBatard show. Are you shocked that Emory Williams is white at LeBatard show? You mentioned rev shares, Jess. This is the actual reason that you should be most excited about what's happening at Notre Dame right now. Last time Greg Cody was on with us, Greg Cody was saying, like James Franklin, we should take away Notre Dame independence, that they should have to play in conferences with everyone else. Notre dame is getting $20 million. They don't have to share with anybody because they've gotten this far. That is an amazing advantage to have that you are the only school that can get all of the profit from your winning. This can be a stepping stone for Notre Dame to be even more aggressive around this stuff because they're getting richer than other schools are are by a factor of like 10 and 12 given how these conferences have to share money.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. I would also say that, like, there's also a lot of money that Notre Dame isn't getting from not being in a conference. Like, they have a television deal that isn't equal to the Big Ten's television deal. So there is money that they do leave on the table in that way by not being in a conference. I think the best part about Notre Dame's independence is everyone crying about it 24 7. If you are still crying about Notre Dame not being in a conference like, I'm sorry, you are not allowed to complain about conference realignment, then either conferences are ruining the sport or what? Like, you can't have it both ways. Okay. Like, you just can't. I'm just. It's the most tired argument in the.

[Jessica]

World at this point.

[Greg Cody]

Well, I complain about both. I complain about Notre Dame being an independent and the willy nilly of conference.

[Dan LeBatard]

Right. Then you should be probably, like, it would make more logical sense to be like, I understand why a school would want to be independent in football given what the conferences have done to a lot of historic rivalries and to making this completely uneven scheduling model. And just like these massive bloated conferences that we've argued about all season as not being fair and not enough this and that. And like the conference championship games, what's the point of them anyway? Like, I don't understand how you could think both at the same time.

[Greg Cody]

I think that there are several programs in this country, eight or 10 come to mind, who should be looking at Notre Dame and going, hey, hey, what about us? Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, maybe even Georgia now arguably even Miami. There are several programs in this country that could go, we're of the stature of Notre Dame. Let's get. Let's get ours. And if that begins to happen, then it's just more anarchy than we're seeing now. It's more dishevelment. It's more change for the society.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, my God. College football anarchy and dishevelment and unorganization. Like, that would be crazy if football.

[Mike Ryan]

Was going to be so bad for that sport.

[Dan LeBatard]

Like James Franklin talking about this in his press conference last week, I would just like rolled my eyes so hard, he's like, everything should be even. What are you talking about? College football. Everything should be even. Okay, let's remind you of that when you're giving part of your conference revenue to all the bottom feeders in the Big Ten and complaining about it like nothing's ever been even in the sport. Nothing will ever be even in the sport. Even among the power conferences, they played different number of conference games. What are you talking about? It's college football. There's no way to make the playing field even. And that's also like, not the point of the sport.

[Billy Corben]

Can you guys get for me the origins of Willy Nilly? I don't know where it came from, what it means.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think it was a seal.

[Billy Corben]

Why? Why we say Willy Nilly? Do you have any explanation for what Willy Nilly is?

[Greg Cody]

I enjoy saying it. It sounds like. It sounds like an ice cream treat or something. You know, I just enjoy the words together.

[Mike Ryan]

Dan, you mentioned, and I think I generally agree with your sentiment, but last year being a wasted year in terms of how it finished and how it felt, I think you're right to argue that. But remember the quarterback narrative around Mario Cristobal. Entering this season, he was a quarterback killer. Now, back to back years, his process has resulted the biggest get at that position.

[Chris Cote]

Aren't we like a week removed from like writing love letters to Cam Ward and saying we'll remember him forever as the greatest hurricane? And now we're calling it a wasted season and we should move on from him.

[Billy Corben]

Oh, I'm just, I'm saying it's a waste of can. I'm saying it's a wasted season. Just because you got the best season I've ever seen from a quarterback at Miami, you didn't even make the top 12 teams.

[Mike Ryan]

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