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 Todd aka DJ Prēc, Alex Bitchatchi, and Miami Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.​

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Todd aka DJ Prēc, Alex Bitchatchi, and Miami Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.​

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Daniels would 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 Daniels Photography. Finally, Travis becomes the first ever guest to face The Fish Tank Two-Minute Drill (41:50).

​Contributors to this episode include Sean Todd aka DJ Prēc, Alex Bitchatchi, and Miami Dolphins Productions. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.​
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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 Todd aka DJ Prēc, Alex Bitchatchi, and Miami Dolphins Productions.  Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.​
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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 Todd aka DJ Prēc, Alex Bitchatchi, and Miami Dolphins Productions.  Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.​