The Fish Tank: Miami Dolphins Tales From The Deep

Latest Episodes:

Elandon Roberts: Leadership is a Sacrifice Jun 28, 2022

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Miami Dolphins Tales From The Deep Elandon Roberts arrived in Miami in 2020 with two Super Bowl Championships under his belt, a wealth of experience, and a reputation as a heavy hitting linebacker. Perhaps the most valuable asset the Port Arthur, Texas native has brought to the Dolphins locker room, however, has been his leadership. Diving in with O.J. and Seth, “E-Rob” discusses how a physical player can make the most out of non-contact practices during the offseason (2:59), opens up about his personal “Dark Grind” in overcoming significant injury (8:03), and offers a glimpse of the chess match that is unfolding between the linebacker and new Fins Head Coach Mike McDaniel (12:43). Roberts also discusses embracing the responsibility of leadership (15:26), reflects upon his Port Arthur roots and why he continues to invest in his home town (20:52), and provides unique detail on his electrifying 85-yard “Pick-Six” last season against the Raiders (31:03). Finally, the hard-hitting defender survives the ultimate podcast test, running through The Fish Tank two-minute drill like an opposing blocker (36:19). Contributors to this episode include Sean “DJ Prec” Todd, Alex Bitchatchi, and Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

Mike McDaniel: Authentic Intention Jun 14, 2022

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Miami Dolphins Tales From The Deep Mike McDaniel saw a lifelong dream become a reality on February 7, 2022 when he was named the 14th Head Coach in Miami Dolphins history. The Greeley, Colorado native parlayed a passion for football and a Yale education, both on and off the field, into a 15-year journey as an NFL assistant before assuming his current role. Making his first appearance in The Fish Tank, Coach McDaniel discusses the whirlwind that has been his first four months on the job (1:52), expresses the responsibility he feels players have to one another (10:25), and shares which stop on his coaching journey taught him to adapt his offensive system to his roster (12:45). The Fins head man also explains the role documentary films have on his approach to leadership (18:36), opens up about the responsibility of his job (22:30), and reveals his unique method of keeping players on their toes in meetings (28:07). Finally, Coach McDaniel candidly explains why he feels no pressure to conform (29:20), welcomes adversity (37:18), defines success (40:01), and attacks The Fish Tank two-minute drill like a man who has spent a lifetime finding ways to score touchdowns (44:17). Contributors to this episode include Sean “DJ Prec” Todd, Alex Bitchatchi, and Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

Travis Daniels: Picture Perfect May 31, 2022

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Miami Dolphins Tales From The Deep Born and raised in Hollywood, Florida, Travis Daniels attended South Broward High School, less than 15 miles from Hard Rock Stadium. Daniels spent four years at Louisiana State University, helping Nick Saban capture his first National Championship, before Saban would return the favor, this time as Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins, selecting Daniels in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Danielswould go on to play eight seasons (three with Miami) before trading his cleats for a camera and launching a photography business. Diving in with O.J. and Seth, Travis discusses emulating Dolphins’ cornerbacks Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain as a youth (2:43); explains the double-edged sword of being drafted by Nick Saban after playing four years under the legendary college coach (9:05) and reflects upon his draft class that included Ronnie Brown, Channing Crowder, and Matt Roth (13:55). Travis also shares how meaningful it was to team with a group of Dolphins legends he grew up watching including Madison, Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas, and Junior Seau (19:49), candidly explains the challenging shift from Saban’s coaching style to that of Cam Cameron (24:58), and reveals how an interest in pictures led to the eventual establishment of Travis DanielsPhotography. Finally, Travis becomes the first ever guest to face The Fish Tank Two-Minute Drill (41:50). Contributors to this episode include Sean “DJ Prec” Todd, Alex Bitchatchi, and Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

Nik Needham: Juice County May 18, 2022

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Miami Dolphins Tales From The Deep Hailing from Orange County, California, Nik Needham’s journey to Miami Gardens was far longer than just the 2,700+ miles between the two communities. Needham lived in four different cities and attended three different high schools as a youth before weathering a 1-23 storm his final two seasons with the UTEP Miners, only to watch seven rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft come and go without hearing his name called. The Miami Dolphins ultimately gave Needham an opportunity as an undrafted free agent and he has responded by developing into a key contributor among the team’s star studded secondary. Diving into The Tank, Nik looks back on his early high school days and the struggles of jumping from school to school, while also trying to secure playing time (4:13), as well as the impact moving in with his father, renown QB Coach Steve Calhoun, had on his life both on and off the field (6:25). He explains how he was able to avoid losing focus during a 1-30 stretch between his final two college seasons and first seven games as a pro (7:44). Nik goes on to reveal how these experiences, as well as going undrafted and being cut in his first training camp have all become factors in his internal motivation and drive (10:52), and brings us into the Dolphins defensive back room where he has learned from Pro Bowl cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Byron Jones, and now will be coached by former Fins legendary corners Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain (14:51). Just having recently signed his restricted free agent tender, Nik reflects upon where he has come from, and begin able to give back to the most important people in his life (24:32). Contributors to this episode include Sean “DJ Prec” Todd, Alex Bitchatchi, and Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

Jaelan Phillips: There’s No Cheat Code To Success Apr 26, 2022

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Miami Dolphins Tales From The Deep A unique combination of size, speed, and athleticism helped Jaelan Phillips become the number one rated football recruit in the country in just his junior year at Redlands East Valley High School in California. Phillips followed a family legacy to UCLA and was on the path to fulfilling his gridiron dreams before a barrage of injuries, including being hit by a car, forced him into retirement. After walking away from the game completely, Phillips seized the opportunity to enroll at the University of Miami, rebuilt himself mentally and physically, and became a stalwart of the Hurricanes’ defense earning second-team All-American honors. The Miami Dolphins helped Phillips find football redemption when they selected him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he responded by setting a new franchise record for quarterback sacks as a rookie with 8.5. In The Tank, Jaelan discusses his early interactions with new Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel (5:42), relives his journey from being the nation’s top high school prospect to becoming a promising young UCLA player battling unprecedented adversity (9:56), and candidly shares his feelings of failure after being faced with medical retirement just two years into his college career (17:40). Jaelan also stresses the importance of managing the mental aspect of football (19:28), reveals why he worked with a confidence coach this past year (21:06), reflects upon his strong finish to the 2021 season (23:33), and explains what drives him to give back to the South Florida community (28:52). Contributors to this episode include Sean “DJ Prec” Todd, Alex Bitchatchi, and Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

Tua Tagovailoa: Success Leaves Footprints Apr 14, 2022

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Miami Dolphins Tales From The Deep From the moment Tua Tagovailoa threw the game-winning touchdown pass to lift the University of Alabama to their 17th National Championship in 2017, he kickstarted a journey that would see him capture nearly every college football award imaginable, along with the hearts of Crimson Tide fans across the country. The Miami Dolphins selected Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft and in two seasons with the team, he has a 13-8 starting record and has done so with the second-highest completion percentage in team history. In The Tank, Tua reacts to first-year Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s on-stage performance at the quarterback’s recent charity event (1:32), reveals what took place on the other side of the now famous FaceTime call between coach and QB (3:36), and addresses the “noise” that has surrounded him his entire career (9:08). Tua also shares his excitement for the Dolphins offseason personnel moves (12:06) while managing the expectations that may be built as a result of them (13:38). The Dolphins QB1 discusses leadership (15:19), his relationship with Dan Marino (16:12), the importance of family (18:20), and his motivation behind establishing the Tua Foundation (23:03). Contributors to this episode include Sean “DJ Prec” Todd, Alex Bitchatchi, and Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

Looking Back: The Ricky Williams Episode Mar 29, 2022

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Miami Dolphins Tales From The Deep The decorated football career of Ricky Williams is the stuff of legend, featuring an NCAA career rushing record, the 1998 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first player ever to represent a National Football League team’s entire draft class in 1999, and an NFL rushing title in 2002. It is Williams’s enigmatic personality, however, that has often stood out even more than his gridiron greatness. The combination of the two endeared Williams to Miami Dolphins fans around the world when the team brought him to South Florida through a 2002 trade with the New Orleans Saints, and resulted in confusion, hurt, and outrage upon his unexpected but temporary retirement from football just days before the 2004 season. In May of 2020, Ricky took his first opportunity to Dive in The Tank and fondly recalled his years as a Dolphin, particularly his prolific first two seasons (9:13). He candidly detailed the decisions behind his retirement, including a surprising assist from an unlikely source (25:36), his conversations with then Dolphins Head Coach Dave Wannstedt (28:50), and how meaningful and self-healing his time away from football was (32:58). Ricky also covered his respect for Nick Saban (38:50), his special friendship with fellow Fins rusher Ronnie Brown, and of course talks the Wild Cat from his perspective (42:57). Contributors to this episode include Sean “DJ Prec” Todd, Alex Bitchatchi, and Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

Alfred Santasiere III: The Art of Sport Mar 15, 2022

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An Official Miami Dolphins Podcast As senior director of publications for the New York Yankees, Alfred Santasiere III has seen, heard, and told no shortage of amazing stories in his 20 years working with the venerable baseball franchise. Before serving as editor-in-chief of Yankees Magazine or co-writing a New York Times best-seller, however, Santasiere fulfilled a life-long dream by interning with the Miami Dolphins Media Relations Department for the 2002 season, building relationships that allow him to continue to weave aqua and orange into his work to this day. In the tank, Al explains how a kid from Jersey fell in love with the Miami Dolphins (2:35) before sharing an unbelievable interaction with Bill Parcells (12:00). He offers both pros and cons of working for “Big Seth” as well as Fish Tank legend, Harvey Greene (19:32) and reflects upon the unique opportunities he enjoyed during his Dolphins internship working with the likes of Zach Thomas, Ricky Williams, and a host of others (31:00). Al reveals the true motivation behind his groundbreaking “Art of Sport” series for which he has interviewed everyone from George W. Bush to Don Shula to our very own O.J. McDuffie (37:37), allows us to tag along as he and Dan Marino visit the Hall of Famer’s childhood home (41:17), and gives Dolfans one more reason to hold their breath as Buffalo Bills legend, Jim Kelly, drops back to pass (48:50). Contributors to this episode include Sean “DJ Prec” Todd, Alex Bitchatchi, and Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

Vernon Carey: Real Men Rise to The Occasion Mar 01, 2022

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An Official Miami Dolphins Podcast Born and raised in Miami, Vernon Carey starred at Northwestern Senior High School before helping to make up one of the most decorated rosters in college football history at the University of Miami. Carey completed the South Florida football trifecta when the Miami Dolphins selected the offensive lineman in the first round of the 2004 draft, and he remained a Dolphin for the entirety of his eight-year NFL career. In the tank, Vernon reflects upon fiercely competitive Miami Hurricanes practices (1:44) and working the parking lots for Dolphins games as a teenager (7:32). He shares what it was like to block for Ricky Williams (8:30), especially during the early success of the Wildcat (12:11), and clarifies his motivation behind giving close friend Channing Crowder his “welcome to the NFL” moment (14:35). Vernon also details his in-flight run-in with Keith Traylor (16:25) and explains the challenges and benefits of facing Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor in practice (24:46). Finally, Vernon shares why his sons chose basketball over football (27:12), opens up about the responsibility of being a #GirlDad (30:26), and discusses his vision for the Carey Family Foundation (34:30). Contributors to this episode include Sean “DJ Prec” Todd and Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

Dan Le Batard: I Must Have Deserved It Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

An Official Miami Dolphins Podcast Before Dan Le Batard built the top sports podcast in the country, he established himself as a columnist for the Miami Herald, regularly covering the biggest moments for South Florida’s biggest teams. A constant in the Miami Dolphins press box, Le Batard provided readers provocative perspective on Dolphins’ greats including Don Shula, Dan Marino, Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas, Ricky Williams, and so many more. In the tank, Dan and OJ reflect upon their heated exchange in the Georgia Dome visiting team locker room (2:08), while Dan also shares how his lifelong passion for sports was inspired by attending Miami Dolphins games as a child (9:38), discusses being called into Don Shula’s office after writing a column the legendary coach took issue with (12:39), explains his admiration for Jimmy Johnson despite the “dictator coach” label (16:14), and details his challenges in covering Dolphins icon Dan Marino (20:40). Additionally, the conversation features an in depth look into Dan’s friendship with Ricky Williams and the awkwardness of covering him once he arrived in Miami (24:15), as well as the intersection of mental health and playing football at a high level (41:56). Contributors to this episode include Sean “DJ Prec” Todd and Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

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