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Now. On with the show. Yeah, I'm gonna call it. I'm gonna retire. This is the Rich Eisen Show.
Expectation. was to come in here. And win the game. My Terrell Bernard live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Earlier on the show, NFL Network Insider Tom Pellisero.
Coming up. ESPN NFL analyst Marcus Spears. Plus latest news and More. And now, it's your rich ice end. Hour two of this Friday before week three edition of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air.
844204 Rich is the number to die. Whether you're streaming us live on Disney Plus or ESPN, the app you can get everywhere for all ESPN things, or whether you're listening to us on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance or SiriusXM Channel 80, or our podcast version of this show, all three hours wherever you can get your podcast. 844204 Rich again is the number to die to have a conversation with us. We're about to take a phone call. What's more likely coming up?
Marcus Spears of Everything ESPN. will be joining us to talk about what he saw. Last night and Thursday night football and preview some of the rest of the week. TJ Jefferson, you and O. Shay Jackson Jr.
are going to Indianapolis, Indiana to host the. Pre-Wrestle Palooza Show or official pre-show game. Is it a pre-show? It's a pre-show to the official pre-show. What does that mean?
Nice. It's like, you know, and Song Gold Digger, this week we're mopping floors.
Next week, we're on fries. It's like we're moving up. You know what I mean? We're starting off here. We're the pre-show to the pre-show.
Then eventually we'll make ourselves up to the pre-show and hopefully we'll get to the main event.
Well, where is the pre-show on? ESPN's YouTube page.
Okay, that's what I'm saying. But you're the pre-show. You are the pre-show. Yeah. And then you're the post-show.
And the post-show. Just find that out. Outstanding. Can't stop them. They can only help TJ.
This is what's so wonderful. You and O. Shea Jackson Jr. First of all, you've been killing it on no contest wrestling. You've garnered a fan base for well, you have.
I can say these things. You've garnered a fan base, you've built a podcast, you've put in the work, you and O'Shea. And now you're reaping some rewards, but you're also getting to know what it's like. to talk with ESPN management or you're seeing what it's like, because I remember this back in the day. Um it's like thank you for doing it.
You must do more. And, oh, by the way, since we're liking what we're sensing already. How about some extra stuff? You're there. How about you come back?
Right? Yeah, like I said, just doing it. It's not like they're coming out of the gate, like doing an hour. No, now it's two in the front. Oh, and how about 15 in the back?
Now does that does that mean uh you and O'Shea will keep away from any Wrestle Palooza libations? That you normally would be potentially Ingesting because you now have 15 minutes on the back end.
Now, that stuff's like a truth serum. You know, you want the truth at the end of the show, man. The answer is you say no. They're watching right now. But I'm just going to.
Everybody knows I'm not a drinker. I mean, you are not. I know. I mentioned that on the show. I know.
Many times. No, I'm not. I mean, I have a beer or two, but I'm not, you know.
Okay. I'm about to make a name for myself. Exactly. You know how long I've been waiting for this? Since I was 10.
All right. Thank you, Jason. That was the greatest drop you've ever done. Hmm. What are you thinking over there, Chris?
Chris is like, what am I going to say now? I got nothing to say.
Okay, I got nothing. I'm proud of you guys. It's going to be awesome. Can't wait to watch. Yes.
Thank you. Thank you. So what time does it start? Do we know the three to five? No, I got to check if it is.
Eastern. Yeah, Eastern.
So I guess it's going to be a little bit more difficult. They could have slid that time now. It could be three hours long now, for all you know. I'm prepared for 10 hours. I got to be honest.
Would you mind doing it starting at breakfast? I'll start. Indianapolis is in the Eastern time zone. I had to look that up. Yeah, I wasn't sure.
I was unclear. What are you talking about? Of course it is. It's in the middle of the country. It's central.
I know. It can throw you off. No, Indian central. It's very Eastern. It is.
It's the Arizona that has no daylight savings, they don't switch, right? Rangster East Coast, don't you? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, because everybody make sure you're trained to either ESPN's YouTube or Facebook. Please watch these guys do their thing, which I'm excited about.
Oh, and O'Shea has a surprise for you.
Okay. That's what he's been saying.
Okay. And I know what it is. Oh, I think I know, but I'm not sure.
Okay, no contest wrestling. It'll be great. Yeah, we're going to have to use the banner that has the ESPN under my chin there because we moved up. We'll figure it out. PLE is what we call it.
Premium Live. That's right. It used to be a PPV, a pay-per-view, and then way back in the day, it used to be closed circuit.
Well, you're pre-PLE is what you're saying. Oh, yeah. Can we just call our show a PLE? We've been a premium live event since we started, in our minds. Since you were in the shower.
We should start calling this as a PLE. We should. I'm for it. Who would deny us? Stop us.
Hey, everybody. Welcome to the Rich Eisen PLE. No, no, it's not. No, we call it the Rich Eisen Show, which is a PLE. We're the original PLE.
We're the OGs of PLE. We're the PLE OGs. We're the Pleogs. We're premium. We're Pliog.
I just made that up. Corey and Ballner here on the Rich Eyes. That's line three for those scoring at home. Corey, what's going on, sir? Hi, how you doing today?
I'm great. How are you today, Corey? I'm good.
Well, since it is what's more likely Friday, what What What's more likely team to get upset in week three? The Eagles? Packers. He's not uh Cannibalizing anything of our hour three, what's more likely? I go back and check the script, but I don't believe so.
Okay, so obviously, I'm going to go Eagles. Because I Believe the Rams can win the NFC. And if they can win the NFC, they'd have to win a game like this. And the Chiefs are taking on the 0-2 Giants. And the Packers are taking on the 0-2 Browns.
So the team that's most equipped to actually win the game on the road would be the Rams. But if you want to choose one where you're like not seeing it coming, that's a stunner that we're talking about. I'd have to go Packers. Because that Browns defense is no joke. I know what happened in the second half.
of the game in Baltimore, but I think the Ravens putting up you know, 40 on the bills in week one showed you what they can do. Um And Stranger Things, it's the first game the Packers have played outside of Lambeau. True. But I think, Jay, you do know who the difference maker for the Green Bay Packers might turn out to be. There you go.
So thank you for the call. Corey in Baltimore giving us some great food for thought. I like that it always surprises you, TV. When that hits my ability to gratuitously ask for our favorite new drop here at the courtesy of Frank Elliott. MACA.
Who, by the way, apparently is like if not this week, then the week after against Dallas. There's no way. He's on a snap count going into that Sunday night game. Oh, no, no. Like Matt LaFleur would have to dehydrate.
With the entire Body of water that the Hoover Dam holds up. Look, he better be on the snap count. He doesn't want these problems. By the way, did you like my pull of the Hoover Dam? Is that what you were smiling about right there?
I don't know about too many other dams in the United States of America. That's the mo the fam most famous.
Okay, where's that? Where's the Hoover Dam? It's in Nebah. I'm just see I'm turning the page to what we were going to talk about. Duh.
Listen, I'm just wondering if I'm wondering if what's going on with Ashton Genty. in Vegas. Isn't a Fantasy football. Related. storyline that's being put out there because Ashton Genty was chosen in so many first rounds of.
Fantasy drafts. I took him in one.
So I'm fascinated about this usage. You as well. Otherwise, maybe another running back in the league where people are like. What gives?
Well, we went through this same thing two years ago with Bijan Robinson. No, it's Bijan now again. You just said Bijan. You're stuck in May of 2025. Is he flipping on the name?
That's so May of you to call him Bijan. I know. Trying to be respectful. But did you write? The same thing happened.
Same thing happened. Same. We're all like, why is Algier getting all of these snaps when... Goal line carries? Yeah, and Arthur Smith is like, you know, I can't run the.
This kid into the ground. And in fantasy football Folks who drafted Bijan. are saying the same things that you're hearing about with Ashton Genty. Yeah, you can run them into the ground. You needed to do it last week.
Saratiana got guillotined. Do you not know this, Pete Carroll? Yeah. Why are you laughing, Chris? Because he got saved by the DICNIC.
Yeah, but he's not going to be saved when he gets home tonight. That said, it could be just flat-out Raiders-related because for the Raiders to have won that game against the Chargers, they needed Ashton Genty to come. Control the line of scrimmage, help them out, keep Herbert off the field, put the Chargers on their heels. We're finding out maybe the Chargers aren't. Not many are going to be able to do that.
And plus, you know, if the Raiders Chose him instead of somebody else who could have been helpful. Who could have played more snaps? And why didn't they do that if their plan for Aston Genti is to. You know Have him stand on the sideline watching Zamir White or Dylan. Lowe takes some snaps.
This guy also became one of the most famous college football players last year. 2,600 yards, 30 touchdowns. He was everybody's darling. And you see him and you're like, oh, he's going to be a beast in the NFL. What are we doing?
Unless. It's just a different ball of wax, as you know. I'm very, very proud of the line that I came up with off the top of my head about three Overreaction Monday podcasts ago: that he's going from boise to men. And um Maybe this is part of it as well. We belong.
Well, this is what Ashton Genti had to say when. in his media availability at the podium on Wednesday was asked about his usage. Yeah, I mean I I don't I don't think you you draft a guy like me to not give me carries and touches. And I'm ready for the responsibility. And like I said, it's going to start with me and the run game and I got to continue to get better.
It's not just that either, too. Uh how many times if you take a look at I mean, we're not all 22 people, but we we are seeing Videos in the palm of our hands. Geno Smith running for his life, and there's number two, potentially not. It's a word for it blocking. You can just stand in there.
Like his Jason stance, or he just his head was on a swivel. Stuff's coming fast. It comes fast. When you're from Boise, do you know who look like men? The Chargers defense?
Mm-hmm. Grown ass? Men? From day on to Derwin. Killer D's.
Is that another one? Did I just come up with another one off the dome? I can't turn it off. You should try.
Okay. Chip Kelly's the guy who calling the place. Mm-hmm. He said this. on Thursday.
Would love for Brock Bowers to play every play. You would love for Ashton Gente to play every play. But if you play Brock and Ashton or any of those guys every play in every game, by the time you get to game eight, you're not going to have guys left, you know, because there's a certain amount of plays, you know. In basketball, it's called load management. It's not, we're not sitting out games here, but I think you have to be conscious of over the course of 17 games: if some guy's carrying the ball 30 times a game.
You know, they only have so many carries in a season in them. And if you're going to waste them, not waste them, but if you're using them early, then it's going to hurt you late.
So there tries to be a balance. backhanded compliment towards the NBA. Chip Kelly. By the way, for those listening on the radio, certainly in. Las Vegas, Nevada, he went air quotes with load management and then said, we're not sitting out games.
Whoa! Shots fired at Kawhi Leonard, not from Pablo Torre. Hey now. Hey. All right.
Um Listen. Speaking on behalf of those who have Ash and Genti in fantasy football. Not asking for every play. We're asking for a little bit more. You know what I'm saying?
Just give me something. How about third downs, maybe? Third downs, I get the third down stuff. But this guy is a pass catcher, right? That's why you took him so high.
That's why he was so successful. But if you can't protect the quarterback, you're not getting out there. You're just not. You know what? If if you don't like just If if we get Peyton Manning on next time.
Hey, Peyton, did you ever have a third down back? on the field. Good. Couldn't pass protect. You know what the answer to the question is going to be from him?
Hell no. Yeah, a fast, fast hell no. Hell no. So and that's why again. Fifth ra fifth drafted overall?
Zeke Elliott? He didn't come off the field, you know why? Because he came out of Columbus, Ohio. Cass proing like a beast. He was awesome, right?
While feeding himself, okay. That the but the the two minute drill, I don't get that one. I mean, you got a guy who can break one. Yep. And if you need instant offense.
Again, I'm sure I've listened. Dylan Loeby's taken Shots from me here all week. And I'm sure he's probably a guy who's worked his ass off to get in this position. And in Pete Carroll's always compete world, those guys get on the field. No doubt.
So this is that that's purely fantasy football related. With me making these broadsides. Um Zeke too led the league in rushing his rookie year. Like he was a monster right out the gate. Because he was a three-down back, and he earned it.
And there was no question about it. Can Ashton Genty pass pro? That's the way you get on the field on third down. And number number two is This is a big game for the Washington Command. I mean, you got Marcus Mariota.
Former Raiders quarterback, but it's Marcus Mariota. It is not Jaden Daniels. Put Ashton Genti in the game a little bit more. See what he can do and challenge him. Challenge him.
But if he can't pass pro, that's Von Miller. You know what I mean? So there's a challenge for the kid. But it's also clearly a challenge for the coaching staff to get him in and use him and start seeing if he can dominate. 'Cause the Raiders could use it.
We take a break. Marcus Spears of ESPN. the worldwide leader in sports. Coming up. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast.
Here on Rich Eisen Show, simulcast here on ESPN, the app, and also Disney Plus and ESPN Radio is presented by Progressive Insurance. Let's chop up what we saw last night and preview the rest of the week back here on the Rich Eisen Show. First time since we started this show in this spot, one of our favorites from all the ESPN shows you see. Marcus Spears back on the program here, Marcus. What's up, brother?
What's going on, man? Good to see you. Good to see you, too. That LSU thing behind you that's. Is that magnetic?
That thing is. Hypnotic over your left shoulder right there. Look like it's floating. Actually, when I was with SEC Network, man, this guy had a company, and I saw that thing and was like, I have to have it.
So it's been with me for a long time.
So it actually is a good product. It works. Or is that just trying to intimidate me to ask the right questions of you? Because, or is that just a Brian Kelly thing? It's not all LSE people.
Just want to make sure it could be.
Sometimes we get a little testy.
Okay. I just want to make sure they ask the right question. I don't want to be yelled at. You know what I mean? And if the gumbo and the jambalay is not good, we get mad.
I get that from my children enough. You know what I mean? Yeah. All right. Let's jump into it.
What do you think is happening in the Dolphins locker room? Right now, Marcus Spears. You know, Rich, it's funny, man. It's probably hard to dissolve as a football team because they actually play well up until the end of the game. You go on the road against Buffalo.
You in position to have a chance to tie the game up and and presumably try to win the game. And obviously, Tua throws the big interception late, and Josh comes out and seals it. But, you know, last week, obviously, it was so much talk about those guys having a players-only meeting and having these conversations. But ultimately, this thing is about wins. And I know people say no more victories, but they showed up.
In Buffalo against a divisional opponent and played well for three and a half, three and three-fourths of a quarter. But I got to imagine, Rich, with all of that positivity that I just gave you, that they're really. a little bit. Especially when you Get to a certain point where you're trying to decipher between if your team is good enough to make the playoffs, or should we blow this thing up and start all over? And I'm not sure if that involves Tua, I'm sure that involves Tyreek Hill and trying to figure out the direction.
in which this organization Is going to go, and these types of games are actually making it harder.
Now, hear me out, Rich. When you go and have a really good performance like that, and the guys that you've paid. A lot of money played very, very well in the game. And you think about all of the things that you would have to do. If you were saying, all right, we're going to disband this thing and try to rebuild it.
One, you're obviously going to take a step back on offense. I firmly believe that unless you're telling me they're going to get another. Prolific guy like Tyreek Hill in the building. Two, defensively, we all see that they got to get better on defense.
So it's kind of like a reset button there. You got some good, really good players on that side of the ball, but you're going to have to do a lot of work. to improve that unit.
So again, man, I think it's a very perplexing situation. I think last night made it more difficult for you to just say, look, we're going to blow it up and get ready for another season. But I also believe that how long do you want to waffle in this Parts unknown. Shout out to my man Anthony Bournain. Rest in peace.
But again, brother. I just think it's a difficult time to be a Miami Dolphin and a fan because. Rich, you've been doing this longer than me, and I've been doing it long enough to know when you really don't know the direction of an organization and a team, that's probably the worst place to be. You either need to be bad, so everybody acknowledges that we need to completely do something different, or you need to be a couple pieces away potentially where you can try to go and add those and free agency in the draft. But to kind of be waffling in the middle with some really good players on offense and defense, you got rid of some really good players on defense as well, and kind of you.
In that gray area, and that's the worst place to be to me as a team in the NFL.
Well, again, you know, I was talking about at the top of the show here, Marcus, is that two of Mike McDaniel's captains. For the lack of a better phrase, let him down. You know where Zach Seeler Um puts Josh Allen back on the field. with a roughing the punter penalty. Yeah.
It's a de facto turnover. I mean, that doesn't show up in the turnover column, but it was a turnover. And then Tua, I mean, Mike McDaniel. Said in his own way, you know, he made the wrong throw. It should have been the flat.
He threw a brutal interception. And otherwise, you know, the question about whether McDaniel has the locker room, they came out and hit the Bills in the mouth, also with a brilliant first half closing drive. And they have the game right there.
So, I don't know what you do if you're you got to stay the course if you're the Dolphins right now. And I understand that that is an issue. Yeah. you want to hit that button. But the last thing you want to do also is fire a coach, fire a GM and then start from scratch.
No ownership wants to go for a search and all of that sort of business. And also admitting that they were wrong. You know, no one wants to do all of that. You know, Rich, it's like the way you just explained it is why I think it's so difficult. Right.
Like you look in your division, Buffalo is going to be good for a long time. And it looks like New England is starting to kind of show them signs of trying to get back right. We know when they hire Vrabel, this team is not going to take long to get really, really good. And I think sometimes we talk about it, and obviously the Jets with Aaron Glenn, and we'll see in which direction they go. I think if they get a quarterback, they can start to kind of count on things with them as well.
Well, just not to jump in here, you kind of hit that, which is the ultimate third rail conversation that instead of throwing an interception at the end of the game, the Dolphins need the Tua that finds Devontae Smith for Nick Sabin to show up. There you go.
And the question is, is he the right guy? Is that a fair question to ask right now? It is. It is a very fair question. And Rich, it's so sensitive on Tour because we've seen him go through all of the concussions and we've seen him miss time with some catastrophic things.
And also, we see those times of brilliance. Like last night, there were times when Tour looked, you know, when he gets in that rhythm and he's just in a free flow and pushing the ball downfield. He made some plays with his legs last night. I was actually more impressed with him evading the rush. And being able to push the ball down the field at times in that game as well.
So there are things about Tour that is always going to be tantalizing and enticing, but obviously, like, I don't know it right in front of me, but I think he's at like four interceptions on the season already. And we threw week three, which is not a good sign. Um, for what you're trying to do, and especially in offense, and think about how far we are away from this, Rich. This team put up 70 points in Denver at the beginning of the season. Was that last year or two years ago?
It was McDaniel's first year, they came out of the box, really, really, yeah, you know, coming back on the Ravens and doing stuff like that. You know, absolutely.
So, you thought the trajectory, especially offensively, and the way that Tua played and the way that they paid him, that this was going to be a constant with this football team. And the outing hasn't been bad the last two weeks, and obviously, the crushing interception, but ultimately, man, it's like I don't think you can get rid of the quarterback. I think he plays well enough for you to still feel like you can get something going. And then, too, like this part of it, Rich, and what they were doing successfully, and you know, I got to get to it at the line of scrimmage. Miami doesn't run the ball well anymore, and I think people forgot how good they were on the ground when they had Mostert and they drafted HA.
Remember, we talked about all of the speed and the track runners. That's when that offense was absolutely phenomenal. And they had some runs last night that was really good, physical runs. But it feels like this offense has become one-dimensional a little bit. And they depend on, obviously, Tua making throw after throw after throw and trying to get the ball in Jalen Waddell's hands and trying to get it in Tyreek Hand and see if they can be dynamic.
And that's something that Mike McDaniel is going to have to fix as an offensive coordinator. That's something, offensive line with Chris Greer. You're going to have to figure out if you got the right guys up there or if you need to retool the line of scrimmage. But I don't think Tua is the issue. I hate the interceptions that he's thrown at this point in the season, but I think you still have enough.
Faith. Especially last night for a large majority of that game, that this guy can win games for you in the NFL minus these mistakes that he's been making this particular year. Miami, like I said, Rich, you think about how long we've been in this conversation, it's a conundrum a little bit, man. It's not as simple as saying, Let's do this and let's do that, and now we're back on track. They've had the player stuff, they've had the, if Mike McDaniel has the locker room, like you just asked, like everybody is asking.
The defense didn't look good at all last night. But again, you probably give them a little credit because that's Josh Allen and you know, all of that. But in the same vein, The theory is that the rest of them catch up. Because remember, we thought this division was just really Miami and obviously the Buffalo Bills. Ways.
Once it turns and you still kind of running in the mud.
Now you vying for a third or fourth spot potentially, as opposed to your conference just, I mean, your division just being down and you by default getting a second. Getting second place in that. And I think that's the fear that they have to have right now as far as if they're going in the right direction. Marcus Spears, our colleague from ESPN here on the Rich Eisen Show. Um so the Bills have now won three different ways.
A track meet come back against the Ravens. Um, a 20-point beatdown on the road of the Jets, despite Josh Allen accounting for zero touchdowns. And then last night, um, a gritty, sort of grinded-out. Home game against an opponent that you think they have to beat, but it's a division game. They also didn't have two very.
Strong Warriors up the middle on defense. They won without Ed Oliver and Matt Milano. Where do you place the Bills now? Um overall. I think they're the best team in the NFL.
And look, I don't say that easily because I think the Baltimore Ravens are still right there. But obviously, you got to get them the benefit of the doubt for being able to come back and win that game. And I think that's the only thing and the only reason that I would put Buffalo number one, or for me, it would be Baltimore. Baltimore looks more when they're dominant, they look more dominant than anybody, in my opinion, even in that Buffalo game for a large majority of it. But it speaks to the brilliance of not only Sean McDermott, but I don't think this guy gets enough credit for what he's been able to do and get Josh Allen to buy into, and that's the offensive coordinator, Joe Brady.
Now, I'm fond of Joe Brady because in 2019, he was a member of the LSU coaching staff that gave me the greatest college football season ever. Joe Burrows, 60 touchdowns. You know, I was just talking about it with my kids, too. Um And Jamar Chase were teammates of Joe Barlow. I mean, it was you know, it uh So Odell wasn't the only one making it rain.
But, you know, post-game. I know we're supposed to, you know, bury that. But what about the Packers, though, Marcus? The Packers have looked pretty darn. uh dominant two home wins but against Playoff opponents, one they're going to have to beat to win the division in the Lions.
And then, obviously, what they did to the commanders, they may have put Jaden Daniels on the shelf on top of all of it. um what do you what do you make of the packers right now they they are they are very scary and they are a top five team in the nfl i Look, it it is so. Hard, especially in the regular season for me to To look at football right now and think that anybody is better than the Bills in Baltimore. That's just where I am. And then how you perform matters as well.
And I think they've had dominant, obviously, defensive performances in Green Bay. Jordan Love looks as comfortable. They got Josh Jacobs in the backfield. They are a complete football team. And if they represent, The NFC in the Super Bowl, I don't think anybody is going to bat an eye.
And obviously, the mega trade that was made, unfortunately, for me as a fan, of Michael Parsons going over there.
So I think a lot of what I'm waiting to see with Green Bay is: can Jordan Love keep this consistency? He's been up and down a little bit to me, and you just want to see him kind of stay even killed now. He looks much more comfortable in this offense. And Matt LaFleur wants him to push it downfield. They want to be explosive as an offense.
And I think sometimes last year, if we're being honest, we watched him struggle early in games, turning the football over. And then you could see those glimpses of, hey, this dude is going to be really, really good. And this team going to be really, really good. They came into the season with high expectations before Michael Parsons.
So I think they are one of those top tier top five teams in the league. I just think Buffalo and Baltimore have been doing it a little bit longer.
So I'm going to get them the benefit of the doubt. But if you were asking, I would probably put them behind Philly at four. Philly would be the third best team. I haven't really loved all the Philly performances, but how in the hell do you take away from a team that just wins any way they can? That's right.
And they feel invincible to use the Vince Papali phrase for Philly. And they do feel that way. And as I was saying, Last week, the Chiefs and the Eagles may have swapped places where the Chiefs are the team that. Can't afford to make the mistakes. And the Eagles are the team that if you make one single mistake against them, they will beat you over the head with it.
And they did that in that moment where Mahomes and Kelsey didn't connect. A few minutes left here with Marcus Spears here on the Rich Eisen show.
So which 2-0 team Colts. I'll throw you the Niners. I'll throw you. Um another 2-0 team and I'll throw you the bangers. Tampa.
Well, Tampa, I think Tampa is Super Bowl worthy. I think we know who they are. I really do think. I'm concerned about Cancey being out. Where are they going to get some pass rush?
I get it. But I mean, I'm not worried about them. Which one is realer? You know, in the Niners, despite their injuries being 2-0, the Colts at 2-0? The Bengals, I know they've lost Burrow, but I...
I know you believe in Jake Browning. Oh, I hate it. I know it's provided some topic bars for some television shows. But I mean, honestly, Browning went one game above 500 in his seven-game stint when Burrow got hurt significantly a couple of years ago. All he's got to do is go one game over 500.
And I know it'll be a longer period than just seven games. That would be a 10-7 season and maybe the Bengals get Borrow back. Who knows? You know what I mean? Like, I don't know.
Listen, I I I Completely disagree with you that he's gonna play well, but I would not be shocked. Here's what people have to understand, and this is why there is some validity to what you're saying. Jake Browning has been in this organization, he understands what Zach Taylor is wanting to do offensively. I don't think anything is going to change.
Now, can he be as dynamic with the ball as Joe Burrow? over a consistent time is what I want Would love to see because I'm with you. If he can, obviously, we know Jamar NT is out there. He has significant playmakers. Cincinnati has shown some life on defense a little bit, but I'm just, I just have to be convinced that Jake Browning can perform well enough because this team still is about scoring points and a lot of them.
They're not going to win 20 to 17. That's not the type of games that they're going to play. They're going to have to be a high power, prolific offense. I don't think that defense is just going to stand up over and over again as the season goes along. The realer one to me with this 2-0 start.
Would probably be out of the three teams that you just gave me, I would probably have more confidence in Kyle Shanahan. And it's uh I love what Robert Salah is doing now defensively. San Francisco looked like that fire is back. Um we know how good Fred Warner is brother. I'm telling you right now.
I know, right? We just don't talk about him enough. I like, I even feel bad for not talking about how this dude is great at football. Um And I think that matters when you start talking about kind of San Francisco and who they are and what they're going to be. I love Brock Purdy and the way he's played and shown that he is the guy.
But Mac Jones, when he was coming out, I was vehemently against him going third overall. I just didn't think he was a third overall talent. Obviously, Trey Lance didn't end up being that either. But I think Mac Jones obviously fits. What Kyle Shanahan wants to do.
He's a cerebral quarterback. If you can get him to take care of the football, his eyes and his all of that stuff go to the right place. And Kyle is obviously. Kyle is not bringing quarterbacks in to back up his starters that he doesn't believe he can win with. Um So yeah, I think the 49ers Are going to be something to be reckoned with.
And obviously, with being able to get they guys back healthy as the season goes along is what you hope because it's been a team riddled and decimated by injuries. They've been probably more unfortunate than anybody. When it comes to dudes missing time and not being available, and we're not just talking about some guys that back, we're talking about the superstars for their football team.
So, hopefully, they can get rid of that injury bug and they'll be a team to be reckoned with as the season goes along. Yeah, I like to do top five lists around here, Marcus. If I did a top five list of guys in the NFL who I think there are two of on the field at once, Fred Warner might be at the top of the list. You know what I mean? Like, how many, Fred, how many of them are on the field?
Because he's wearing the same number, but how could he be in those places like that? I'm with you, man. Look, you can get excited when you watch him on TV because you see the plays and the announcers are saying, brother, when you turn the tape on, like we do, to study these games, it's unbelievable how many plays he's affecting when he's not making the pass, right? Like, it's like, is he a part of 100% of the defensive plays that are happening? But he is phenomenal, and he is also a guy, Rich, that I believe.
Once you get into the playoffs, and I used to talk about this. I played with DeMarcus Ware, I played with T.O. He's a guy that brings the best out of everybody around him. And I think, in order to wear those gold jackets and be in that Hall of Fame, there has to be something about you. That the guys next to you, the guys behind you, they benefit from you being on the football field.
I think that's a big deal when we start talking about being great. And I think Fred Warner is great. Last one for you, Marcus. Two teams that we haven't mentioned in this conversation who are absolutely in the top maybe five, if not top seven in the league. Are both teams out here in Los Angeles?
I don't know if people sleep on us out here because we arrive late. You know, we leave early and things like that to beat traffic. And we got the sun here. And, you know, it's a hard-nosed sport here, but the Rams and the Chargers can both hit you in the mouth. And there are big games for both this weekend for both being 2-0.
If you had to put your marker on one of them. Chargers Rams to go last longer. Uh it would be which Los Angeles team? Marcus? I would probably go Rams over the longevity of the season because I don't think the NFC is as strong as the AFC.
That's number one. And we know the Chargers got to play Kansas City again. And I'm not ready to bury Kansas Superbitch. I just don't, I don't feel like this team is going to go quietly in the night. But I do love what the Chargers are doing.
They have an identity. And obviously, you give a lot of that credit to Harbaugh. He has bought and sold into Justin Herbert. And not only did he talk about him, he's showing. Like, he's making sure that Greg Roman elevates Justin Herbert at the quarterback position.
He's playing phenomenal. But I've seen Matthew Stafford win a Super Bowl. I've seen the Rams go on the road against Philly, which ended up being the best team in the NFL with an opportunity to win the game on the road in the playoffs. In the snow. In the snow.
Yeah. So, and I got a lot of confidence in this defensive line. Another guy that I think doesn't get enough credit for what he does. I know we talk about him. We run through the highlights.
Putting the cool is as good as they come at the wide receiver position. Devontae there now. Like the Rams are. And and they still are. Here's the thing I love about McVay.
McVay wants to push the ball down the field. He wants to be explosive, but he does not get away from the roots and the nuts and bolts of football. And that's the line of scrimmage and being physical. Um So, I think the Rams have a chance for that longevity. One, because of the division and the conference, but also.
Because they've shown us that they are formidable against the Super Bowl champs. All right, we got to do this more often, Marcus. I'm not lying. Let's do it, bro.
Okay. You got my number now. I get this, and I'm about to text you mine.
So there's no excuses. We're out of excuses. Thanks again, Marcus. You're the man. All right, my brother.
Marcus Spears, everybody here. Check him out on all shows on ESPN right here on the Rich Isaac Show. There he goes. All right, we'll take a break. Back with more.
844-204-RICH. Number to Dahl. Hour number three is just for all of us right here, including what's more likely coming up. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
Well, we're sure that's the case. Back here on the Rich Eisen show. Definitely not. The Hyundai Palisade hybrid. It's all new, it's an incredible SUV.
And it's for many reasons. There's a spacious interior comfy for the entire crew. Is it capable of? Going off-road, you bet it is. Maybe it's up to 600 plus miles of range.
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It's 562-3434. 314. 4603 for more details. We started the hour with fantasy football, wondering if the Ashton Genti story is completely 100% fantasy football related. Then we found out in hour number one that TJ Jefferson's spending $350 fantasy dollars on.
getting Jaden Daniels plucking that off of the uh The uh I'll just say it. I'm sorry. Buzzard-like over Sarah Tiana's guillotine team. TJ Jefferson spends all that money to watch Jaden Daniels sit for a week. Let's hope.
Let's hope you're not out this week. Because I have him in my poker league I want to win, and I'm owing to because he hasn't. Done jack. Like I said, that was an accident, or mean to spend a lot of time. But I don't know if there's a bigger foul.
Than what Jason Feller committed during the commercial break. Yeah, you missed this one, Chris. Is there a bigger fantasy foul? Then go ahead and ask the question you asked of me. And ask the question.
Do not give any other background other than the information of the question that you gave to me. Who are you feeling this week? You think Mahomes or Goff's going to have a better week in fantasy? There's an answer to that question, and I appreciate you asking me that. I respect you.
You respect my football acumen. An ability to see conceive or whatever. Yeah, they ain't a reason, though.
Now, ask him who he's playing in fantasy this week. Who are you playing? Rich.
So, you asked him for advice on who you should play against him.
Now, did you do that just to troll, or did you really think I didn't know I was playing and you might sneak snake out some crucial information? I don't know if you recall this happened in the playoffs last year. And I remember. I got it out of you eventually. Oh, I remember it.
But I had to watch you on a different show to get out of here. I know that. I know it. Oh, you're paying attention. Because I respect you, I will give you an answer, okay?
Okay. And I looked it up on PFF. Pro football focus, PFF. And there's a special new stat. From PFF, and I'll read it off right here.
There we go. It's a stat that's three letters GFY. And the GFY is very high. On that particular question. And there's an answer of the GFY.
Um you should look it up yourself. Ah.
Okay. I mean, I don't know why we were even talking about your matchup, the 10th and 11th place teams in our league playing each other. That's one way to say it. I mean, there's one 2-0 team and one 0-2 team, and the rest are all 1-1.
So it's a crucial week three. But I would start golf. See, now I don't know if you're just because now I'm just trying to fire. I would start golf. The guy had five touchdowns last week.
He's clearly on fire, and Mahomes is having trouble. I'd start golf. There you go.
Thank you. Yep, we got it. The Ridge Eisen Show Podcast. Mm-hmm.
