This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance, fiscally responsible, financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home, and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it.
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Stupid. Rule Rule. This, this, this. is the Rich Eisen Show. It's a touchback!
He fumbled. Into the end zone and The number of people that texted me. There's your rule. He lost it because he dove for the pylon. I don't care.
I don't care. Today's guests. Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones. Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers. Plus from the Netflix film Outside the Wire.
Actor Anthony Mackey. And now. It's your Rich Eisen.
Okay, everybody, welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. We're live from Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, January 19th. We are thrilled to have you with us here on NBC Sports on Peacock. If you're listening to us on Sirius Channel, 211, Sirius XM Channel 211, NBC Sports Audio, or on the Rich Eisen Show Terrestrial Radio Network. We welcome you to this Tuesday program.
We're three-wide. We've got. Aaron Jones getting set to play in the NFC Championship game against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in that defense. Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers is on this program. And Chris Brockman, good to see you over there.
And Michael Tufo, good to see you. And hello to TJ Jefferson, our social media grandmaster, settling into his seat. I'm particularly excited about our third hour guest. I don't believe he's ever been on our program. I think you're right about that.
But we've been trying to get him for quite some time. And now that he's got a new Netflix movie called Outside the Wire, he's going to be on it. Anthony Mackey. All right. We'll be here.
Yeah, Papa Doc, obviously from... Back in the day at 8-Mile and Sam Wilson and Falcon, obviously, from the Marvel series, the Hurt Locker. He was so great in that movie. And he is in a figurative locker of hurt because he's a die-hard Saints fan. And we hoped for his sake that he would be coming on this show.
We knew he'd been booked for the Tuesday after. The divisional playoff game of Brady versus Breeze. We hope for better results for him, but we'll talk about all that with him in our number three of this program.
Okay, let's begin. With all the NBA action that we saw on Martin Luther King Day. One of the more intense days in the NBA season, exciting days in the NBA season, on Martin Luther King Day. Um and um And we saw last night a couple results that one will put a pin in. and see if there's anything that comes out of it.
We'll see if there's anything that comes out of it. Down the road. What happened to the Lakers last night? Anybody? And um and then What happened to the bucks?
Last night. Lots to go. Lots to go. You know what? I'll raise my hand when I'm off.
Okay. I'll raise my hand when I'm off.
And here I am saying they need every rep they can possibly get in Brooklyn because they're going to have to take some time to mesh. And they need every possible rep. Certainly in the COVID era, when I'm imagining whatever practice schedule there is, it's not the same as usual. Certainly not in the bubble when they have any concern of it. And here's Durant.
and Hardin playing like they've uh always played together.
Well, they used to.
Well, that's true. But it's been a while. Yeah, and Hardin was that Hardin was sixth man of the year, right? Yeah, came off the bench. And clean shaven.
Yeah. Yeah, he's no sixth man of the year anymore.
Well, actually, whatever weight he's lost in the last week, you can probably make a sixth man out of that mass. Nice. Rich, do you think he was on the JH13 plan? I think he was on the I Want Out of Here plan. Yeah.
That's what I think he was on. Honey buns and roll actors. You know. And so, I mean, Harden with 34 and 12 and 6. And the last 12 being the dime, he throws to Durant for the dagger three to beat the Bucs.
Big time. And then Durant. Is just on an absolute, complete tear that the Nets as a franchise have never seen before. Another game of over 25 points. Thirty.
He had 39 and 6.
So both Hardin and Durant. came also close to triple doubles. And beating the team that, you know. resigns Giannis and is the team to beat in the in the East and and um Here's the problem for the Bucs. I mean, and here's the problem for the Bucs.
As we're seeing on the screen right here, Yeah. Durant shooting the game-winning three. with Brooke Lopez too far away and Middleton and and Holiday not close enough. And Those are the three guys, I mean, right? I mean, name me the guys that they get to get around.
Giannis. I mean, it's Holiday and Middleton. These are the guys, right? This is what they got to get those three. Those are the three that they're.
gonna have to put together. And the three is going to be Durant and Hardened and eventually Kyrie, who we're assuming will just. slide right in, uh that whatever is going on with him will Essentially disappear. I mean, if if the guy doesn't want to play with these two guys and I can't imagine that's what it is. It's just got to be some sort of...
I I don't even want to Suppose what the hell's going on with that? Yeah, I think Woge said yesterday that he could have come back over the weekend, but he's not in shape.
Okay. So he's kind of working his way back. Oh, yeah. And workout-wise. And then, you know, we've got Doc on the program, and I Zoomed with him yesterday, and we'll show you the contents of that conversation.
I did in a in a way, kind of walk in the side door and ask if they were in on the Harden. Yeah. You'll hear that. That's coming up in hour number two. Rich, did Doc happen to ask about you?
He did not ask about you, TJ. He did not ask about you. But he does refer to when he got fired by the. By the Clippers. Yeah.
And so we'll talk to Doc. I talked to him on Martin Luther King Day about what's going on with social justice and the NBA and the NBA owners and what they pledged during the bubble and how he sees it going right now. And obviously, Being with the Sixers. Looking forward to it. I did drop the line Philadelphia 7-Sixers on him.
I don't want to give away too much, but he'll be joining us in hour number two. But here's part of the reason why I bring up. hardened and how he's already living well. The grass is lush, green lush. Far away from the Houston Rockets right now.
And You know, I'm Mm-hmm. Go in and compare the two, even though they're different humans and operating in different sports and they're different. Personalities. But Hardin Getting his exit, from a Houston sports franchise. by speaking it into existence after Jaking it into existence is the way it looks.
Him speaking into existence his exit from a Houston franchise that he thought was no longer viable for him. And then immediately Succeeding. Immediately Having the experience that he wanted. I mean, right on the spot. Can't bode well for the Houston Texans right now.
Just can't. With what's going on. Or whatever is going on with Deshaun Watson. What is going on with Deshaun Watson? And there is just so much chitter chatter.
I mean The chitter chatter is deafening. The chitter chatter is deafening. There are a lot of Watson close to Watson, sources close to Watson, people familiar with Watson, people familiar with the situation. There are a lot of those people. or one particularly loud chitter-chatter individual.
Who says He wants out of here. But he doesn't say it publicly. The minute he says it publicly, there's no turning back. But all you hear is that he doesn't want to turn back. That it's the owner.
Forget about Jack Easterby, who is a name that you hear so much about, so much about.
somebody who's not even the general manager of the team. Yeah. Again, he's a former team chaplain with the Patriots. who became a character coach. Who Got?
His way I'm assuming with Bill O'Brien, obviously. To Houston and has ingratiated himself with ownership to the point where. He started having a role with personnel with Bill O'Brien. That's the name that came up when I was interviewing Bill O'Brien with the rest of the. broadcast team prior to Houston vs.
Jacksonville. In London. a couple of uh falls ago. When we were talking about Um Personnel moves and stuff like that. And O'Brien's like, Yeah, well, you know, it's.
He drops Easter Bee's name being part of the process. I didn't think two seconds of it. And then the P R person from the Texans front office, Amy Palchick. comes in and She was the one who set up the interviews and everything like that. And she was dynamite.
She was one of the best in the business. She got fired, as you know, because she wasn't a cultural fit, was the way it was put. And then things began to completely unravel, similar to that inside that you don't normally pay attention to as a fan. And then He becomes a part of this organization that helps choose the general manager. Outside of the People that The team is paying.
to choose the general manager. Read up about it. You don't want to spend too much time about an individual that you've probably never heard of or. Certainly in Houston, that's all they're talking about. These fans just want this guy out of there.
But now you're hearing it's it's the owner, and he's not going anywhere.
So what's Deshaun Watson's maneuvers here? What's the move? But all I know is he's watching Harden hoop it up with Durant. And I know he watched the Rockets right in person last week. Yeah, he was.
He's locked in on what's going on in the sports scene there, and he's got to be seeing Harden, high-five, and Durant. Thinking Maybe I can have that too. And guess what? He absolutely can. He absolutely 100% can.
He is in the driver's seat. He owns the car? He owns the driver's seat. He owns the road.
Okay. I mean, it's like his own personal Autobahn right here. Wherever he wants to drive his car, he can take it to because he has. A no trade clause. And all he's got to do is say, I want out.
Or he says that to the Texans: you make this trade, you got to get my agent on this thing. Honestly, the hardened situation, they're totally different people. They take totally different approaches. But they're both Absolutely. stupendous athletes in their sports.
Who can be a game-changing franchise-altering. direction altering individual. And He absolutely can direct where he wants to go. Where does he want to where do you want to go, Deshaun? And this thing, I'm Chris.
In the same way that I was off about, well, hardening, you're going to have to really start working out to get to. Up to speed. And now they're the Eastern Conference favorites and If not, NBA. championship caliber without Kyrie coming back. I smelled this as soon as I heard that Watson was not happy, and all that tweet about.
You know. What's going basically?
Some things never change. The more things change, the never stay. Whatever he tweeted out and then deleted. And I honestly thought it might have been about social justice. 'Cause that was the day that Jacob Blake's murderer was not charged.
Right. And It wasn't about that. It was about his own situation. After that, I have smelled this out, and this is not being put out. Apparently Eric Bienemi was interviewed yesterday.
There's word that he Deshaun might have been allowed in on the interview. And then there's been refutation of that, that he wasn't allowed in on the interview. But The enemy was interviewed. via Zoom yesterday. Is he the guy that can put the fire out?
Not if the owner's the problem. Right. If the owner's the issue, then Deshaun wants out. Then why isn't he saying it? Maybe he's letting them make their deals behind the scenes and then we'll just come to work one day.
And Deshaun Watson is now a member of Franchise X. Who's the franchise X? Where do you want to go, Deshaun? Where do you want to go? As always, Rich, follow the money.
And there's a reason why gaming sites are taking bets on where Deshaun's going to play next year. Because people feel that it's happening? Yeah, people feel that the wheels are already in motion. And there's a reason why the Jets are two-to-one favorites.
Well, here's the thing. Does he want to go to a franchise that has lost its way? I mean, look, I've said it. They broke Sam Darnold. Do you want to throw your hat in that ring?
And you have to think, do I like the owner? Do I like the general manager and do I like the coach? The owner, I have no idea. I'm around. The owner, I have no idea.
He's going to have to meet with Woody Johnson, who I believe is coming back from the United Kingdom, because, as you know, this is the final day of the Trump administration. He's been Trump's choice. To be our ambassador to the UK. That might be a strike against him, quite frankly, with Deshaun Watson. I don't know.
The general manager, he's going to have to meet him. Robert Sala apparently was one of the guys that was on Deshaun's list of. You should interview him. Interestingly enough, Robert Sala, not interviewed by the Houston Texans at all, didn't even show up on that list. And the coaching staff that Sala's putting together is more than solid.
People are singing the praises. Of Salah and who he is putting together, and that this is something different for the Jets. And Joe Douglas is something different for the Jets. And it's If Deshaun Watson is thinking about. His portfolio outside of football?
There's no better place than New York City. Period. End of story. What does he think about it?
Well As always, Christopher, it's the twenty-first century and we always view social media as the prism into somebody's thought process or window into their heart. Speaking my language. The headline back page of the New York Post. Whatever it takes, WAT, ever it takes. Jets should make Texans an offer they can't refuse for disgruntled quarterback.
That was posted on Instagram by... An account? that caught Watson's eye because he liked it. Let's get them all. Let's hit them all now while we've got the must.
Frank Pantangeli couldn't say it any better. And I'll say this, as I said yesterday. Poor Sam Darnold. Yeah. Honestly.
Yeah. Honestly, because we all, as Jets fans, have got wanderlust. We had it for. All season long for Trevor Lawrence. I had it.
That's the royal we use. Right. But That was for a kid that has yet to play it down and we just assume he's going to translate to the NFL and it's a I think a spot-on assumption. Yeah. As Urban Meyer saying yes to an NFL head coaching offer.
Can a test? This is, however, a totally different kettle of fish. We know this guy is spectacular, and we know This guy is special. On and off the field. We know it.
So If this is in fact A trend that could become fact. Then little did I know As I watched, The New York Jets. beat the Los Angeles Rams. that there was a silver lining the entire time. Little did I know.
Nobody knew this could be possible, but I'll tell you what I would stake my near twenty years of covering the NFL. on saying this is going to happen. Not the Jets, but Watson out of Houston. Oh, for sure. And And the question is, is when does the sweepstakes begin and how can you already get in on it?
And the Jets have first round picks multiple this year and next. And they've got a quarterback who is. As I said, The Jiu-Jitsu, you know, sort of yoga position. twisting ourselves in a pretzel. that Jets fans are gonna have to do saying Darnold's not good enough for us, but he's good enough for you.
to give us a a high High round draft pick. Let's go. Second, maybe one. And the thing is, we're left to speculate about all of this and what Wanson, what he wants, his desires, because he's not commenting. He's only commenting through really cryptic social media posts and likes on Instagram and Twitter.
Well, he's not commenting, which is a comment in itself. He could have come out and put this fire out absolutely. Instead, Andre Johnson's the one who's pouring gasoline on it. And he never Says a word. And he could put this fire out right away.
He could make his claim and say, I want this coach, and that coach would pretty much get hired. One would think. But at some point, this worm is going to keep turning, and at that point, The Texans are going to have to sit here and think. We are overcapped. And Under And we are underpositioned in the draft.
Overcapped and without A whole bunch of possibilities to get better. and it looks like the cap is only going to be one hundred eighty million dollars, which is not nearly as large as everybody thought it would be. It's not as low as everyone thought it could go in COVID-19, but that's being discussed right now. This is a problem. The Texans are overcapped.
The cap isn't going up. It's going down and they don't have the draft capital in the first two rounds to get the best possible players at the cheapest pro possible price. They might have to sit here and say this is their only option and we'll apologize to everyone in Houston. This is out there, and the hardened situation I don't think is helping it at all. Because Deshaun, look at him.
Find your Durant. Guess where Durant plays? New York City. 844-204-Rich is the number to dial. Aaron Jones, Doc Rivers, Anthony Mackey, and you are going to have overreaction Tuesday.
And yeah, we'll keep talking about that fumble through the end zone rule because it's That video of us discussing it went wild yesterday, and I have some news on that front. Hall of Fame news, too. Lots to talk about on this Tuesday. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible, financial geniuses, monetary magicians.
These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full. owning a home, and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it.
So your dollar goes a long way. Visit Progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.
Getting the song out of the soul. Welcome to AutoZone. What are you working on today? Hey, that's the spirit. Right now, we're celebrating free with a free STP oil filter when you buy five quarts of oil and free Duralast brake pads when you buy two rotors.
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Yeah. Will Farrell and John C. Rowley. Good to see you, gentlemen, right here. Very much.
Very much. Good to see you, too, Rich. Yeah, right back at you. Great to see everyone. Not just you, Rich.
I have a friend who, when he sees someone coming towards him, like in a room that he's supposed to know, he can tell I'm supposed to know this person, but I don't. He goes. There he is. There he is. Mm-hmm.
How are you as a ref though? I'm strictly what's called an AR, assistant referee.
So I'm the guy who runs on the sideline with the flag. I thought AR meant whole rep.
Well, that's what I'm saying. The shorts are pretty short, too. I mean, they're stocked in life right there. Look at that ample thigh. That's a ham hock.
Look at that. That's ready for market. You might want to smoke that for a couple days. Do you guys want to slice? Put some hickory around it.
Yeah. You know what I would genuinely love for you as a second career if you ever decided you wanted a second career? Finally be a broadcaster. Be like someone who's calling color. Right?
Rich, maybe you could give me a break. I mean, that would boost ratings for whatever sport you were talking about. What if I took over the Rich Eisen show? Ron Burgundy did help announce the national curling finals in Ottawa, Canada. And they had all these ads for Tim Horton's Coffee, which is a big coffee chain for our Canadian listeners.
And I just kept saying, all the signers, I'm like, who the hell is Tim Horton? Who does he think he is? Is there any possibility that we see a stepbrother sequel? We haven't never talked about this face-to-face in public. No, we haven't.
So let's break some ground here. Are we going to do Step Brothers 2? I don't think so. Yeah, I don't think it's going to happen either. That's what I thought.
What's up for Photoshop anyway? Aww. You make sense in that world somehow, Rich. Yeah. Oh man.
So at least that's the step, brother. Reboot right there, God, so funny. Or sequel. The office is right here on Peacock, everybody.
So, once you're done with us, if you want to check out the office, please do so. It's streaming right now every episode, extras and exclusives only on Peacock, the new exclusive home for one of the best shows. of all time, the office. And we are back here on the Rich Eisen Show with our friends at Peacock. Our radio audience is rejoining us in a second, and our friend Aaron Jones from the Green Bay Packers will be calling us shortly as well.
Do you have a poll question over there, Chris Brockman, that you've concocted? I had threw out a couple of ideas I wrote down this morning.
So that means no.
Well, it means I have two. You have two. Yeah, I don't know. All right. Well, look, I think we're going to unpack them because a packer is about to call in.
I'd be curious what Aaron Jones thinks about these questions.
Okay. You sure?
Well, the the Packers are not involved.
Okay, so we don't put him in an awkward position. Yeah, well, he's not going to be involved. Back here on the Rich Eisen show with our radio audience, he is he's a touchdown maker in the playoffs. Do you need to score a touchdown in all three of his playoff games? I mean, he's so good.
Two last year and one this year. He's so good. Oh, yeah. So he is a revelation at the running back position. But we were on that when he was running wheel routes, and no one really had him on their fantasy team.
We were all over this kid, and he is dynamite, and now he's going to be running for the Packers at home. In an NFC championship game against a stout Tampa Bay Buccaneer Front. He is Aaron Jones, the Green Bay Packers. How are you, Aaron? I'm doing great in you.
I'm doing better for talking to you. How's life? How's everything? I'm doing life's great. No complaints.
I'm blessed and glad to be talking to you.
Well, I'm always appreciative of you calling in. And, you know, I kind of felt for you last week, Aaron, because you were the third most talked-about Aaron in that game. What gives? That's ridiculous. I don't like that.
I mean, it was of all the times to be named Aaron, that was the worst possible game. You know what I mean? Yes, sir. I but I mean, a afterwards it wasn't too bad. No, just please don't.
Well, that moment you were in the end zone, it it wasn't too bad either. What was it like going against Aaron Donnell? Was he frustrated? We saw he picked up a 15-yarder, and obviously he was very emotional as the Rams. It was obvious that time was running out on them.
What was it like being in that mosh pit with him when he was out there? All right. Um I I think our offensive line did a great job of um limiting him, you know, um I don't I think I don't know if him not being 100% plays a role into that, but I'm proud of our guys up front. I had fun going out there competing. Anytime you get to go against the best, you see where you get to stack up at.
And, you know, it was fun for me watching the game and hearing actual fans in the stands. What was that like for the. for for this playoff game. For you? Man, it was amazing.
You know, all season we hadn't had really any fans in Limbo. And then to come back out, and I think it might have been 8,000, 9,000 there, but they were so amped up, it sounded like 80,000. And I'm not making it up. I've turned around looking like, what are these people hitting the stands with? Like, they're literally begging something on the stands, and it's loud and rocking, and I loved it.
Well, yeah, I guess the the sensation. Um, you take it for granted all those years and then you don't have it, right? And then all of a sudden it's so beyond appreciated. Aaron. Uh Definitely.
I I think that's one of the things that was taken for granted the most. fans and just how much of like a impact they can have, uh help with momentum and and so many more things, just bringing that extra little energy that you need. And then obviously now you got the NFC championship game two years in a row. Um and this time, however, it is at home and that's got to make a big difference. I would imagine.
You know? Uh, yes, sir. Uh, we we we think it's uh advantage being up here in Lambeau. Uh, it's the north, it's cold up here. Uh so like not a lot of people want to come play up here.
We we're used to it. We live in it. We practice in it every day. Uh so it it's just a you gotta embrace it and it's a mentality living up here in the North. Where'd you watch the um the Packer uh the uh the Bucks Saints game, Aaron?
Where'd you watch that one on Sunday? I watched it at my house with my parents.
Okay. So did you do some scouting in a way when you started seeing? that you knew you'd have to face either one of these defensive fronts? You do that? I mean, I was kind of watching the game, scouting both sides, you know.
Sure. You know, as they're playing, okay, I could be playing these guys or I could be playing these guys.
So you're watching both defenses as they're playing, and then, you know, I think Uh, Kom Komara's a really good back, so you you get to see how he he did against their Their defense and see some of the things that helped him be successful.
So, I guess, what do you do, Aaron Jones, here are the Green Bay Packers on the Rich Hisen show?
Now, you had played both of these teams, so you knew it was going to be a rematch from a regular season contest: one in which you beat the Saints in week three, and then another, just right after that, getting absolutely boat raced out of the spot where you hope to return and play a Super Bowl in. What do you do with that film from that game against the Bucs this week? Do you think? What do you do with that? Um You take it, you learn from it, uh you look at tendencies, um Wa w what personnels Uh you also look at How you started the game, you know, we I think we came out, we we were up 10-0, so um.
Just look at look at how you can finish and continue to improve upon that ten O start. Right. You were up in that game and then all of a sudden uh the the the roof caved in. in in in Tampa.
So did what did your coach say after that game? What did what did uh Lafayette do with with the tape? of that week. Uh, we we watched it. Uh, you know, you you you can't just throw throw everything out.
You you gotta watch it, you gotta be critical of yourself, um, but also have a short memory at the same time and know that, hey, this wasn't our standard of football, um, this wasn't our best and Hopefully we get to see this team again and they will see our best football. And you did see Vitavea on that day and it looks like you're going to see him again. Um he's coming back um from well, actually no, he he he had gotten uh hurt the week before, so you're gonna see him for the first time. I'm just seeing that. Uh well, how do you think that might change?
Um The uh You're you're degree of difficulty. Aaron. Well I like I think it always helps, you know, getting your getting your main guys back, your starters, especially key uh defender in a D tackle. Um, but uh, you know, we know it all starts up front with us and we'll be ready to play. Aaron Jones here on the Rich Eisen Show.
Okay. Um did I see I I don't know if you you couldn't see because I think he was under center at the time. Uh it looked like Aaron Rodgers was smiling. As he's looking over the defense and calling plays. Did you see that?
I saw a picture of that on Twitter after. You saw that, huh? He's just having a good time. What was he smiling? I can imagine that.
Do we know what he was? Did you ask him? What was he smiling? Because he knew that the coverage was right, or he's just looking around and just being able to live in a moment of a big playoff game like that? What was that about?
Can you tell? I think that's when you check this something and you get the exact look you want or something like that. Oh, that grin is just like, I gotcha. That is definitely a scary notion for the other side. What's he been like these last couple weeks?
From your perspective, he's just been a true leader, you know. got to make the most of our opportunities. This thing doesn't come around too often.
So make the most of it. Um play every down like as if it's your last, you know. You never know when you go out there.
Well, I mean, if I had him on, he wouldn't talk about it.
So I I've got a uh a big time teammate of his on. G c can you give me an example? Of his leadership skills involving either you or a teammate of yours, that he's. that he he has just um served with distinction in that role with the C on his chest? Aaron Jones?
Um, yeah. I I mean, there's so many instances day after day, uh, but I mean, it could be from somebody who's on practice squad and him just taking the time to if if they went on a rep with him, him taking the time and hey, this is how it's supposed to be ran or this is how it's supposed to look and Um he he'll correct them and then And then the next time they come out and they run it and they do it right, he gives them a little nod or that little smile that you know, and that gives you a sense of confidence: like, hey, I'm gaining his trust. He knows that I'm I'm understanding this and he he just wants to see you. And at the end of the day. Right.
And how about with you or with somebody who's usually in the huddle or something like that? with him.
Well, I mean, my first interaction with him, I always say this. He told me, uh, I'm one of your biggest fans in this organization, and you don't know what that can do for somebody, especially a rookie who hadn't taken a snap coming from a future Hall of Famer. Um that's just one of the many. I mean, in terms of us just sitting down, um, On on certain routes, hey. Once you get to the fourth step, do this at the top of the route and then give me your eyes and And so he's just he's helping you evolve your game in every way, not just in certain places, but as a receiver and protection.
He's you know, how to how to read coverages, how to read where the where the blitz is coming, those kind of things.
So he he's he's improving everybody's game around him. And how do you think he's going to do as a host of uh Jeopardy when he gets there? Aaron, what do you think about that? I think he's going to do great. I think he's going to kill it.
Yeah. You know, I mean, what gives? Like, I'm not trying to become a quarterback. I mean, like, you know, hosting is kind of like my territory. Will you let him know to back off?
Would you do that for me? Like, I'm not. I will. No, seriously, like, I'm not going to sit here and say, you know what, I'll give what Aaron Rodgers usually does a try. Like, I'm not asking.
You know what I mean? Like, just tell him to stay in his lane if you don't mind. Aaron, would you mind doing that for me? I got you. Yeah, go up to him when you see him next.
Say, hey, I was on the Rich Isen show. He was talking about hosting Jeopardy. Tell him to stay in his lane.
Okay. Yeah. Will you really do that though, Aaron? Are you just laughing and saying yes? Will you really do that?
No, no, I'm like, hey, hey, Rod, Rish told me to relay this message for you, and then I'm going to let him know. Yeah, right. Yeah. And let him know that I hear his footsteps, and I don't greatly appreciate that at all. Ha ha ha ha ha.
You know? It's like he's smiling at the bottom. You probably take that as a compliment. The footsteps, you know.
Okay, that's true. Yeah, you know what I mean? It's just yeah, I don't run fast, Aaron, but I mean, at least I but I run fast when I host, you know what I mean? If if if hosting was running, I've I run a 4-4, and that's the way I I'm coming out of the smoke. I get very competitive.
When it comes to that, I think it's more like a 4-3. God bless you. You're a little bit lower than that. I appreciate that. I'm a tremendous slouch.
I understand what you're saying.
So, LaFleur, how has the coach helped you in your game? You just told me how Aaron Rodgers told you X, Y, and Z and how it's improved you. But what about the coach who seems to get no run here for any coach of the year, even though there's back-to-back 13 and three seasons? What about Matt LaFlore? Yeah, sure.
Oh. Coach LaForries just really gave me a chance to show what I can do in turning me into the full-time starter. Before he came, I wasn't the full-time starter splitting time. And then just, you know, as well as showing what you can do in running the ball, protecting, and then also as a receiver, gotten so many more opportunities as a receiver. Um and just to show that I'm a I'm a well-rounded back and that I c I can do everything and just the o uh opportunities that he he brought.
Well, and again, you know, just before I let you go here, you're a kid from Texas, right? And now you're up there in Wisconsin, and you're going to be playing in a big-time playoff game in Lambeau Field in the NFC Championship game. This is the stuff that dreams come true. And you're a Pro Bowl runner of note in your own right. I say all that.
By asking you if I had told you growing up that you could Deny Tom Brady. A victory in what's maybe for him the most important game of his career. I know he's won Super Bowls, and they're all very important to him, but this one to get to the Super Bowl. At home. Nobody's ever done that before.
And to do it in his first year outside of New England, this is very particularly important to him. And you have the ability to prevent it with your play. If I had told that to that kid, what would you have said? Uh I would have believed you, I just wouldn't have maybe thought it was Tom Brady, I would have been like Who knows what quarterback is going to be? But I would have believed you.
I mean, I believed myself since I was a little kid. I told my parents. I want to play in the NFL or NBA. I want to be a Super Bowl champion. I want to be a Pro Bowl.
I want to be. you know, all these things.
So, um, I believe if you if you think it and you and you believe it and you talk it into existence and manifest it, it'll happen. I love it. Which NBA team? What was your position, Aaron? Point guard, shooting guard?
What were you? What do you got for the fire? Yes, sir, play both.
Okay. It didn't matter what team drafted me, I just wanted to play in the NBA. And so how did the NFL get get you over the NBA? Did you just you you you noticed you had better skills at at at the uh the oblong ball than the round one? Is that what you're saying, pretty much?
Or what? Um, a little bit of that. Uh, you know, my size. Isn't the best for basketball.
Okay. And then I was playing way more in once I got to college, I was playing way more in football than I was in basketball. I looked at the numbers on the rosters and I'm like, it's only 15 guys here and it's 53, 63 over here.
So I stand a better chance of making over here. Math.
Okay, but you could fill it up, is what you're saying, though, given an opportunity. Oh, yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Okay, so from three, I mean, what's your record for most threes in a game, man?
Aaron Jones. Most threes in a game. I think I've hit five in a game, five or six. All right. Is that why your number is the way it is?
There's threes all over the place. Is that what it is?
Now, I'll provide a tact-to-basket.
Okay. Oh, all right. Go to the rim. I've noticed that. That's part of your game.
You definitely go to the figurative rim in the NFL. I always love our chats, Aaron. Congrats again on another playoff victory for you and another NFC championship game for you. Knocking on the door with Aaron Rodgers. This is a blessing.
In the NFL and enjoy it. Good luck to you. Yes, sir. Thank you. A huge blessing, and thank you for having me again.
Always. And again, what are you going to tell Aaron Rodgers when you see him later? What are you going to tell him? I'm gonna tell him that You hear his footsteps back off. That's your lane.
Stay in your lane. Yes, that's my lane. Stay in your lane. Stay in your lane. Aaron Rodgers.
Okay, please do that. Please do that. Yes, sir. I got you. You got it.
Take care. That's Aaron Jones, everybody. Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl running back. That's amazing. Yeah, man, I mean like how many how what what else has Aaron gotta do?
Hey, he already owns an NBA team. We found out from Al Michaels he's living in the boo. He lives in the boob. Four fingers at Tequila. By the way, Al said four hands.
He said four. He's measuring a horse. He's a horse metaphor. He's measuring a horse. I know what Al meant.
Al meant four fingers. Yeah, I know. A horse tranquilizer worth of alcohol is what he was pouring himself that night. Four hands. Four hands.
Oh, my gosh. I do that with vodka. That's I mean what else is gonna I mean you know Leave the host and the game shows to and the rest of us. Hey, what else you gotta do, Aaron? What did you do?
All right. Fixing the windows. All right, we're back here on the Rich Eisen Show. The poll questions are of great interest to me. One of them I heard you talking about as he's going back to get ready for the show.
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We've done this before with you. I've got three social situations. You are the judge and jury as to what is done. First one is destination weddings. It's already funny.
Destination weddings. I say to my wife, we're going to a destination wedding. We should not give a present because my presence is my present. What do you say, Larry? First of all, where is the wedding?
How far is it? Another country.
Okay, you don't even go. You don't go. You don't go. But with a close family friend. I don't care.
I am not flying 14 hours on a plane to somebody's wedding. I'm not going to do that. Even if it's a nice destination where it's a nice hotel and you're set up? No, 14 hours on a plane, you can't even breathe. Come on.
So what would be the distance from your house that you would have to go? An hour and a half by car. Oh yeah. That's it. No plane that you didn't get on planes for weddings.
Right. Okay, out of the question. Here's social situation number two for you, Larry Day. You're going over to somebody's house.
Okay. All right, for, let's say, the fight, the Mayweather-McGregor fight. This happened to one of our producers, Ken Tulo, okay?
Okay. They brought desserts. Fight ends. Nobody's touched the desserts. They like these desserts.
Is it okay to take the desserts home?
Well, we did this on Seinfeld. You did? Yeah, the Marble Rye.
Well, the Marble Rye.
Okay. Here's the thing: Yes. You bring it over. Do they know you brought it over? Yes, they do.
Well, if they know you brought it over, then you can't take it. But what if nobody's tried it? You know, it's not like a bottle of wine. A bottle of wine could be savored later on. It still is imperishable.
You're bringing it to the host, right? That's true. The host saw it. It's different if the host can see it, then you can sneak out with it.
So if the host never saw it, if the host lays it on the table and there's no note, that's when you could take it. If you think you're not going to get caught, yeah, then you can take it. The problem is, though, Larry, is you never know what was looking. The eye in the sky.
Well, that's the gamble. Yeah. But if the host sees it... You can't take it. All right, the last one for you, Larry.
LD, shoes off on a plane. Do you have a problem with somebody on a plane tonight? I have a big problem with it. Yeah. Yeah.
Keep them on, okay? You know, don't make yourself. It's not your house, all right? You're outside, you're in public. I don't want to see your socks.
And God forbid, you have a little odor down there. Who needs that, right? And I don't even want to know if you do have it. Exactly. It's close quarters.
Come on.
Take a couple of minutes, keep your shoes on.
So, those who take their shoes off with shorts on and then put their socked feet up on the bulkhead. Oh, God Almighty, no clothes. Oh, God. That is out. Yes.
Back here, um Rich Eisen Show. 844-204. Rich is the number to dial.
Something going on today that's never going on this far out from the Super Bowl. This Saturday before the Super Bowl, and this is the way it's always been since I've been with NFL Network since 2003 when we were 11 weeks old. was our first Super Bowl Way back when Tom Brady had only one. It was the first of The back-to-back Super Bowls that Brady and Belichick and the Patriots were going to win. In a row.
Yes, the first two seasons of NFL Network were back-to-back Super Bowl champions, the last ones that ever did it. as the Chiefs are two wins away from joining the Patriots in that and others who have done it in that elite category of winning back-to-back Super Bowls. It was in Houston, and it was the Super Bowl where the Patriots beat the Panthers. And the day before. We were just sitting around.
There was really not many much live programming. And in our green room, Who walked in was John Elway and Barry Sanders? And I'm thinking, what are they doing here? And they were in our green room because it was across from the Um from the convention center conference room where The NFL was about to announce the incoming class at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And that put a light bulb over the head of our executive producer at the time, Eric Weinberger.
He's just like: so if the players are here, and they're about to be introduced in there. And we've got their reactions in here of learning that they're about to be announced in there. Isn't that content? Should we make a television show out of it? And eventually, we did do a television show out of the press conference the day before the Super Bowl, and I emceed it.
And I remember being told by the VP of exhibits and communications, the great Joe Horrigan, who would call the guys up. Who are in town? You know, the Hall of Famers who thought they were going to get him were in town, not knowing if they were. Going to be voted in because the vote takes place the day before the Super Bowl every year with the selectors at the Super Bowl. Because it's a convention.
They're there. They go in a room and they vote. And then. Half it it takes as long as it takes, takes m you know, half a day. And then they find out through the Hall of Fame, they get the call.
from the hall. One year, the year that Warren Moon got in. I remember Warren Moon got in. He was driving around the perimeter of the Super Bowl City. And he was either going to get the call and have to drive into the convention center for the announcement, or he was going to drive to the airport and go home.
two thousand six. Remember that one? Yep. I was in Miami.
South Florida. And so that's the way it's gone. And then they graduated from the press conference. to an actual television show that I hosted. To folding that into the NFL honors.
That's the graduation of turning something that used to just be. Announced. In a press conference at the Hall of Fame into a big To do. And so, again. the incoming class of the 2021 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
And it's going to be a mega weekend because the 2020 class is still waiting for their official enshrinement because COVID. Postponed it. The 2021 class is going to be announced at NFL Honors the night before the Super Bowl. except the voting's not taking place that day. For the first time since I've been ex Yeah.
It's not same-day voting. The vote's going on right now. As we speak, I don't know why they've decided to hold it virtually weeks. in advance. Literally, the announcement is two weeks from Saturday.
They're doing it two and a half weeks in advance. And the way it goes, there's 15 finalists. They vote. That list gets cut down from 15 to 10. They vote.
That list gets cut down. from 10. To The group that is either voted up and down yay or nay to get in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And I spoke to one of the selectors earlier before the show just to make sure that this is actually happening. And it is?
And they've been told That all the information that they're voting on. has to stay under wraps.
Now, hmm. What we'll definitely know today. Or in that room, what will be known in that room and on that Zoom, on that virtual room, Zoom. You know, where I'm assuming it's password protected, like. Yeah.
Yeah. I don't know if the password's like what? Canton or HOF? 2021. I don't know.
2021. I don't know. Hopefully better than that Bitcoin password. Exactly. Yeah, that's the iron wallet.
Yeah, right. But. Um What will be known to the people who vote today is the cutdowns. And then who's the final group of players? And men who they're voting up and down on for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
They just won't know who's got in and who isn't from the final. List. That will be known and revealed. on Saturday before the Super Bowl on NFL Honors. Um That'll be revealed by...
Whatever accounting firm is in charge of counting the votes and tabulating, which I was told is actually done by encrypted website.
So somebody's on a virtual Zoom wherever they are voting on it, and then they're going to. Vote on a website. And that gets tabulated, and nobody knows whether that gets in or not.
So that will be kept secret. Jeez.
Okay, and we're assuming on NFL Honors Saturday night, which I'm hearing is going to be mostly done obviously by remote. From here in Los Angeles, I'm hearing that the stadium just up the road might be home to NFL Honors and whatever broadcast it is. Um But Uh I would just suggest, don't get Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway to announce whether it's La La Land or Moonlight, because that's the way it's going to be revealed the night before the Super Bowl. But In the same way that I started the show by saying there are a bunch of chatty Kathys. In the NFL.
I've said that over and over again here. The chattiest group with the loosest lips of anybody I've ever met. in my life. And as you know, I've been through grade school. There's been no looser lip Place.
And group of people than NFL people. And NFL media people. Everybody's just chit, chat, chat, chat, chat, chat, chat. How the hell are they going to keep it secret? They've been sworn to secrecy.
If this does not leak between now. And two Saturdays from now. I will tip my cap to every single one of these selectors. Because also these selectors will probably want to let Yeah. who they are tight with.
who is trying to get in the hall. And if This person Yeah. They want to take that person off the griddle for the next two weeks. Don't get your hopes up. Ugh.
Did you imagine? Don't get your hopes up, you know, so-and-so. I know you really want to get in. But I know you're you're you didn't make the final cut. And I got to tell you because I'm your friend, and keep it to yourself because I can't let anybody know.
Right. And then that person doesn't tell. His wife, his agent, his friends. I mean, is that really where it's going to go? They're just going to pretend to be all happy at home.
I don't know why they're doing it two and a half, two weeks plus in advance. I don't know. That I don't have an answer for. That's happening today. Like we, the incoming class in Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, will be known.
by either a computer or uh some accountant somewhere. Tonight. That group will be formed tonight. It just won't be announced for another two and a half weeks. It's wild.
Face.
Somebody's gonna leak it. Absolutely. 844-204 Rich is the number to dial. Our poll questions are great. Wait till we get that.
Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers an hour. Number two here on The Rich Eisen Show, back in a moment on radio. We are still here on Peacock. Like, Chris, if there's something that I know. that you're on pins and needles about for two weeks.
And you know you're it's awkward to ask me. And I know the answer, and I can't let you know either way. Like, if the news is great or bad, like, how awkward is that going to be for the next two weeks? Because each one of these selectors has a guy that they. The table for.
Usually, the person in these meetings. Who speaks on behalf of the player that is in front of the group for conversation and then a vote? The room defers to the individual from that Candidates Playing Town.
Now obviously a candidate has maybe multiple towns that they're in, but Usually that candidate has a selector who they're tight with. And who pounds the table for this person and says, this is why everyone should vote for. This candidate. I know this person. I know.
That they did X, Y, and Z. This is their bona fides in terms of their statistics, in terms of their place in history, and so on and so forth. And the player knows that that selector is pounding the table for them in the room. Today. And that person will know.
Whether their candidate has made the second cut, the final cut, or in the fairway, hit the green. Just don't know. If the ball's in the in the hole. You know? How is that I mean, I would definitely look at you and just say.
Blink twice, scratch your nose. Cough. You can't even give me like a smirk or like, you know, maybe you should get a new suit. Or would you not even ask me and just like. Two and a half weeks is a long time.
Two and a half hours is a long test. But they're, you know, it's gonna happen. It's gotta be. No, or they would. I mean, if this group of selectors, these men and women who are in this room, keep this secret.
Man. You know That Bitcoin guy should have given him their password because it's all locked under lock and key. My goodness. Brockman's good at keeping secrets though. Is that right?
Yeah, he is. He actually is.
Okay, I'll tell you later about it.
Well, we've got a whole two more hours of this show to come.
Now, I'm on pins and needles, and this is going to be an awkward two minutes. Yeah.
