Brendan Tobin, WQAM Host

Is there something really absurd that skeeves you out? Getting a paper cut on my eyeball. A fear you can't shake? I'm going to leak ocular fluid down my cheeks.

It's going to go into my mouth and I will perish. Whatever scares you, I want to talk about it. Join me, Larry Mullins, on my new podcast, Your Weirdest Fears. Listen and subscribe to Your Weirdest Fears on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast from. What makes your skin crawl? No matter how absurd, I want to know.

Tails without fur on them, such as rats or opossums. I'm Larry Mullins, the host of a new podcast called Your Weirdest Fears. You send me your fear.

I'm just so weirded out about the texture and how they can just move around and flop. And then I go to the experts to learn how to overcome them. Listen and subscribe to Your Weirdest Fears on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast from. Brendan Tobin, how you been? I'm good, Zach. Thanks for having me, man.

Well, I appreciate you coming on. So we had a little bit of a back and forth before the start of the season. You were really optimistic about this Dolphins team, even though you would probably admit you didn't see seven and three coming and being on top of the AFC East right now. Give me kind of the lay of the land and the pulse of the fan base right now with this incredible start. And this city's on fire with the team, man. I mean, this is the legacy franchise of South Florida.

They have been thirsting for this for a very, very long time. And it's not only the fact that they're very good, but they're exciting. I mean, they're one of the best shows in the NFL just between the offense that they have and all of the weapons, the big personalities. They're in the national landscape now because everybody, too, is just one of those guys that draws an opinion on everybody. And Miami kind of thrives on that going back to the Canes, the Big Three Heat. They love the idea of having a guy who, you know, people have very polarizing opinions that thinking that, you know, people will call it a persecution complex. Miami has a little bit.

They love this. So this city's on fire, man, not only because the team is good, but the relevance feels like it's back with them. Now, you guys haven't had a quarterback, as you know, since Marino. Is there at all some skepticism still where, yeah, the city's on fire, but they're waiting for the other shoe to maybe drop?

You know, that's the weird thing about it. I think that you're so used to the curse kind of coming for the Dolphins. And I think a lot of people felt that because of the first, you know, three weeks of the season, especially that Baltimore game, they just never win that game. You know, where they have this have this improbable comeback, a quarterback and an offense leads it. All of the weapons that you brought in leads you to, you know, a game against a team in Baltimore that everybody thinks is very good. And then, you know, the other shoe that dropped was to a getting hurt.

Yeah, I think that was the thing that everybody was like, oh, my God, he looks like he's on his way. They had just beaten Buffalo. They have this prime time game against Joe Burrow. And then the worst that you could think happened after, of course, what had happened in Buffalo, where he stumbled and everybody is mad at the franchise and think that, you know, they should be held accountable because they put him in harm's way. And so, yeah, they kind of went through that already, strangely enough. And so to bounce back from that with three straight wins that to him look as efficient and as clean as any quarterback in the league, I think people are kind of starting to put that that that doomsday mentality behind them a little bit.

Brendan Tobin here with us from WQAM. So before the year was playoffs or bus for this team, they had to make the playoffs in year one of Mike McDaniel's, a big year for to a tongue of Vailoa. All the excuses are out the window and they get Tyree killed. Adam, along with Jalen Waddle with what you've seen so far, expectations change during the course of the season.

You know that. How do you kind of look at it from your Dolphins fans perspective of what expectations are for this team the rest of the life? I mean, people are going to get nutty if it continues on this pace. And I do think that I think right now, if you ask the Dolphins team, especially the way they look last week against Cleveland, who, you know, I know is going through a lot of turmoil, but the balance that they had and the way the defense had showed up, all the moves that Chris Greer made at the trade deadline to shore up. Really, I mean, like you'll ask all the fans the biggest concern, probably the kicker, which is not something you can say around here in a long time.

And so I do think that that confidence is really growing. And, you know, people get crazy. I honestly think that if they can get a playoff win this year, something they haven't done in over 20 years, that would be just a monster leap for this franchise. And and, you know, obviously everybody would be crushed if they win that playoff game. And then they, you know, lose as you get further in the playoffs.

And so the pain will be there. But that would be such a big step for them if they could get in that direction, not just making the playoffs, but winning a game. There's a separation in this division. It's Buffalo, Miami. And I know the Jets just beat the Bills and they beat the Dolphins, but they didn't have two in that game. But I think the Jets and the Patriots are clearly grouped behind Buffalo and Miami.

Now, with all the Miami losses and then the injury concern with Josh Allen, have you guys got to that level of thinking of, hey, this AFC East, it's right there and now we expect to win it? I just think that the thing that's interesting with the Bills and there's a lot of bitter reaction, like that old 90s Dolphins-Bills robbery that bubbled up a lot after that game because they did a lot like the Bills fans. There was a lot of them that came down here.

They're all partying on Fort Lauderdale Beach. And then after they lose that game, they're blaming the sun. Like it hasn't been in the same city forever. And they're like, oh, it was so hot. And we did, you know, you know, the sideline is exposed. It's like, yeah. And you guys had won six straight games against the Dolphins.

Now all of a sudden it's a problem. And, you know, it's just I find the Bills thing interesting because they're one of the most notorious losing franchises in sports history, losing at the highest of levels. And they get rolled out this red carpet like there's some distinguished champion. I get why Patrick Mahomes gets that kind of rub. The Bills thing, how is every Bills fan not freaking out with Allen having the injury? How do they not have their own curse mentality that started to bubble up with this season and everything going awry? So I think the Dolphins fan is swaggering right now and are looking forward to that Bills game. And certainly two has had a couple of disasters in late cold weather games. But a lot of people tell you they feel with this offense, with this coach, and of course, with the weapons, that this is going to be a different beast for him this time around.

Well, you know what it really is? We went into this year like in the NFC, you can only see three teams get to the Super Bowl before the year started. It was the Rams. It was the Packers.

And who was the other team? The Rams, Packers, and the Buccaneers. And then after that, it's like, okay, two of those teams aren't going to make the playoffs. Then in the AFC, it was, okay, it's Buffalo.

Yeah, you still always give Kansas City a chance. There's just so many teams that are alive right now that no one thought much of before the start of the year. And now it's starting to where people just like don't alter expectations, I guess, in season.

Yeah, and I thought, you know, it's just it's a strange thing. Like I get it, you know, the Dolphins. It's not like they have a resume where people are like, oh, we're believing this franchise. I mean, all the scandals they have, it's, you know, it's like a new one every year. But I just find it interesting that the Bills have garnered all this comments.

I get it. Josh Adams looked like a monster trying to tackle him is near impossible. But now with his injury and now he's throwing the ball all over the place, it's concerning. And they're also, you know, they're kind of front runners. And I just I find I think all the Dolphins fans, they like the fact that these robberies are back. I think that that's that's brought a lot of fun because this is a division that has been run by the Patriots, as you know, for a very long time. And it is fun that all these three teams now feel like, hey, we got to we got a reason we got to stay at the table and and all the the beefs kind of feel like it's not just, oh, because we're playing each other.

It's also they're playing for something. And so that's brought a lot of fun to the season as well. What has impressed you the most about two of this year? I think the thing that's just impressed me most is the idea that he's just taken every thing that he had to deal with last year. He came in with such a confidence into this season and he's just executed as such a leader. I think that he had every reason to maybe freak out, get down on himself, all that stuff with the franchise actively trying to replace him. He gets this coach that is just backing him all the way. And, you know, they had a cool thing this past week where he was miked up and they released 10 minutes. And the interactions between him and McDaniel are just so great because he's like going to the coach and he goes, Coach, what do you want?

What do you want to do? I want to do whatever you think gets us a touchdown. Next play is that that pass to Tyree kill to really put it out of reach for him. So I think that's been the thing that's been impressive is that he's still a young quarterback, but he is executing this offense with such precision. And a lot of what Tyree kill got got heat for early in the year about talking about his accuracy and the way that he throws in an offense. And, you know, he, he's, he's looked like a, like a prophet Tyree kill because two has looked that good. I mean, three touchdowns, no picks the last three games.

He's unbelievably accurate. He has been able to get the ball down the field with chunk plays. He throws over the middle with confidence. And, and then, you know, this offense, I think with all events are surprised now when they punt. And that is a crazy thing to say.

Is it often fan? Well, when you look at Tyree kill, is he the MVP of this team or is it two in your opinion? And that was his thing. And then we, we did a little bit of that debate, uh, me and Leroy the week beforehand, because the record pace that Tyree was at, I actually thought it was Tyree kill. But then this past week, you know, two of those, any, any dices up the Browns and, you know, it was probably the first game where waddle and Tyree were kind of kept in check at Tua was thrown to like Sherfield, Alec Ingold. He was finding like his, you know, these, the, you know, the guys that nobody has in fantasy and lighting it up. So they haven't lost with him in a game that he has played healthy this year.

And I think that he is, uh, bolstering his argument very strong. I, I was very much on the it's Tyree kill and that wasn't a shot at two. I just thought that Tyree you're on record pace for things receivers never get love. And he really does feel like he's changed the temperament of the franchise with the swagger that he's brought in.

Um, but I do think that too, it took the reigns a little bit of that last week. I also like how the GM approached the last two off seasons. Um, you know, I know the, the Florida situation was more than just firing a coach, but him and Tua clearly did not get along. You bring in a coach that fully supports the quarterback, but there's one thing to say that Tua is your guy and Hey, they, they flirted with Deshaun Watson, right? They, they looked at other places, but before this year started, they had Jaylin waddle for a second year. They got him Tyree kill.

They put the quarterback in a position to see if he's the guy or not. And he's really rewarded them. That's a cool part to me about this story. Yeah. And certainly they've gone within all limits. Look, they did the whole, I wish Belichick would do that with Mac Jones.

I'll tell you that. Absolutely. It's a funny thing. Like, you know, it was interesting reading, uh, that going into the bears game was reading articles out of Chicago. They're like, they need to, they need to treat Justin Fields like they're doing it too. And that would have been a crazy thing to say a year ago because they were dumping on this guy every press conference every week. Um, so it is, it is good to see that, that they have turned over that around and they really, I mean, Zach, the two needs that they hit at the trade deadline, Zach, uh, Jeff Wilson ran like an absolute monster. He's right out of the McDaniel's system.

He knew it right away and he just runs with an anger. They haven't had that bounce. And then the pass rush, which has been missing all season. They, they re-signed Agba, but he didn't really come to fruition cause he was dealing with a back injury.

Now he's out with the triceps. So they bring in Bradley Chubb and it looks like, uh, it looks like that got really humming last week too. So he went out and they saw their two big weaknesses and they really feel like they fortified that. And that's why, uh, you know, whether they are true contenders or not, they, they're acting like it. And that's something that hasn't happened down here in a while.

A while. And you know, I love the Jeff Wilson Jr. move. Cause like you said, he knows Mike McDaniel and that guy's biggest problem is just get an opportunity and staying healthy. But anytime he's been given the ball in a game, uh, he has been great in the NFL. I think he's a really underrated player.

Yeah, he is. And then just the idea that, you know, like I think that last game was just Mike McDaniel's dream. It was just like all of these guys who knew it sure feel getting involved. He brought in Alec Ingold mostert has now has that compliment to him because chase Edmonds, I thought he was gonna work out. He was a disaster.

Couldn't catch to save his life. And, uh, and Jeff just brought that attitude they needed with the run game to bounce things out. Um, you know, Mike McDaniel had to be completely pleased that this, that was probably as fun as it's been seeing, you know, to Obama to Tyreek and Jalen Wilder running all over the place, they've been a very explosive team. I think that game was more his vision probably of what this team was going to be going into the season more than any other this year.

All right. Before we let you run Brendan Tobin, how do you rank the top three teams in the AFC? Top three teams there. See, I'm going to go number three Ravens. I'm going to go number two cheats and number one dolphins. Not the Buffalo Bills. Is that a Homer pick with the dolphins?

That one. Zach, how can I respect the team that complains about the sun? What am I doing here? Like, come on, you know, get some sunglasses. Butch up. And, you know, then call me. But until then, no, they're out of my brain. You got it.

Brendan Tobin. And at first I was throwing some daggers at you. Now I kind of like you. I guess you have a lot of kindness in your body, I will say. Listen, I'm glad you're turning around, Zach. And, uh, you know, anybody who's good by Lebo is good by me. That's good.

Well, we could have brought you on during our number two, but we blew that by bringing you on the third hour. All right, Brendan, appreciate the time. Thank you.

All right. See you, man. Is there something really absurd that skeeves you out? Getting a paper cut on my eyeball. A fear you can't shake? I'm going to leak ocular fluid down my cheeks.

It's going to go into my mouth and I will perish. Whatever scares you, I want to talk about it. Join me, Larry Mullins, on my new podcast, Your Weirdest Fears. Listen and subscribe to Your Weirdest Fears on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast from. The listening you love is on the free Odyssey app, your trusted local radio stations, coverage of your favorite teams, live news from your hometown and millions of podcasts on demand. Best of all, you can completely customize your listening experience. Follow topics you care about, like leagues and teams, pause or rewind your local sports and news and add shows to your queue to catch up later. There's a lot to listen to.

So get started and download the free Odyssey app today. So my biggest fear is there's going to be sneaks in the toilet. We're all afraid of that one strange thing. I'm Larry Mullins, the host of a new short 10 minute podcast called Your Weirdest Fears. We unpack where these fears come from. A rat climbed into my toilet. And learn how to manage them. Listen and subscribe to Your Weirdest Fears on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.