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Now, on with the show. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Ohtani. He flips the bat and watches it fly. The Rich Eisen Show.
Chapman leads the bases. is loaded. How could they not score? Earlier on the show, pro football Hall of Famer, Kurt Warner. Coming up, Bears wide receiver Romo Dunze.
Dancing with the Stars host, Alfonso Ribeiro. And now it's Rich Eisen. Hour number two of the Rich Eisen show is on the air. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial. I'm about to give you my power rankings on the program.
Alfonso Ribeiro coming on to talk about not only Dancing with the Stars, but season 95 million of America's Funniest Home Videos. That's a record. And it's still so funny. That show's great. Yeah, so I won't be doing any dancing.
Threw my back out yesterday, just reaching into the trunk of my car. I'm not lying. I'm not lying. Not lying at all.
So I've been walking around like Fred G. Sanford all day. But listen, I just came up with a new fantasy team name, Chomping ibuprofen. Oh. That's what I'm doing right now.
It's like chopping broccoli right here. But I'm hanging in there. I'm fighting through it. It's all good. It's all good.
Roman Dunze is about to join us. The young buck of the Bears is going to be joining us. They're on a bye week at 2-2. He first sat with us the day before he got drafted in Detroit. That's right.
That's right. You know, some news that I'm sure you're going to like, TJ Jefferson. I need that. Because right now I'm taking a look at our guillotine league. You and I are both in it still.
Vinny Pasquantino of the Kansas City World. We've got to get him on, man. Pasquatch. Unfortunately, they didn't make the postseason, so he's got time. Oh, boy.
Well, his dad just got guillotined, right? His dad's out.
Well, at any rate, right now you are projected to have the fewest amount of points going into the league. I had three guys on by. I swapped them out. Oh, no. Oh, take a look.
Take a look now. You guys, come on.
Well, Jaden Daniels is back, baby. Jaden Daniels is back.
Now, you snagged him after somebody got guillotined, right? Yeah. Was that Sarah? Sarah got guillotined. Sarah, okay.
Sarah had Jaden Daniels. For the love of Sarah Teona. We got to get you through. Come on now. I spent a lot of money on him.
I was just trying to be funny with Brockman and then forgot to change it. And you got him. And you got him. Now you got him. Because Geno Smith, he's been getting me through.
You better put Jaden in your lineup, TJ, because you're still last in the – As Jaden Daniels said earlier last week, it's not up to him. It's up to the doctors. And the doctors just gave Jaden Daniels the green light. Maybe an update on Jaden. He has been medically cleared by the doctors.
He'll practice full today. But he's definitely chomping at the bit to get going. Or just running the offense, being back to himself. That was our discussion today to make sure, man, like all the looks, all the calls, and the speed of the practice. There you go.
Okay. taking on a Chargers team that just lost to an NFC East team.
So out here in Los Angeles, Jaden Daniels, all those displaced mid-Atlantic Southern Californians are going to be showing up in full force, rooting on their commanders amongst all those Charger fans trying to see if last week was just an outlier. But Jaden Daniels back fully. The question is, is Terry McLaurin, apparently, he is also apparently trending in the right direction. Oh, okay.
So that's a great... That's good news. By the way, if I was a football fan and had a band, I would write a song called Trending in the Right Direction. Doesn't that sound like something? Trending.
I don't know why I keep thinking of phrases as either horse names, fantasy names, or songs. Maybe you do come a lot of songs. I don't know.
Well, that's just how our brains work. Aggregated in New England was a great one from yesterday's show. Today is Trending in the Right Direction. That does sound like something like Earth, Wind, and Fire would sing, right? From back in the day.
You know? It would be called Trending in parentheses in the right direction. Yes, that's a parentheses. R.E.S. Consulting.
We can't turn it on. Why would we want to, though? We wouldn't want to. You're right. I got my power rankings, guys.
It's not just any power rankings I watched the civil jacket the other day They are power rankings Presented by Sonos Power rankings Power rankings I wonder if Sonos knew that they'd be Attaching their name to a drop that has Private Pyle in it from Full Metal Jacket. They know now. They probably didn't. By the way, you'll hear it great because it's Sonos. Yeah.
Yes. I love Sonos. All right. We got number 10 back on the list. There we go.
Back on the list. They were on it and they were off it. And they're back on it. And I went back and forth about this one because you could choose three and one teams in the AFC. Which ones?
Which ones? Which ones? I know what you're doing. I am taking the Pittsburgh Steelers. I almost did the Jaguars.
Almost did the Jaguars. The reason why I chose the Steelers over the Jaguars, I need to see more from Trevor Lawrence. Haven't seen enough consistent football from them yet. The defense has been falling out in Jacksonville. But Aaron Rodgers, you have to give it up, man.
Got to give it up. He's not chunk playing by air yards. By the way, I would love to have a GoPro on him if it's ever asked of him about his air yards being down in terms of throwing. Like, you're not throwing it deep down the field, Aaron. What's wrong, Aaron?
If you want to send me to Pittsburgh, I will ask that question. But it's working, and he's sitting on a bye week with the Ravens at 1-3 starting Cooper Rush maybe for the next two weeks, and the Bengals at 2-2 having yet to win a game since Joe Burrow went down, and the Browns starting a raw rookie against the Vikings in old England. And he's on a bye at 3-1, and the Steelers' defense is balling out as well. Just had a six-sack, two-takeaway game on Carson Wentz and the Vikings in Ireland. They were number 10 on my list.
Down a spot are the Indianapolis Colts. Chris, I was texting with you because I knew you were at the game watching the Colts. I was at the game. They're really good. They are.
They're a really good team. They're good in every phase. They're great in all phases. If A.D. Mitchell holds on to the ball, they probably win.
They probably win. Yeah. Instead of just for some – by the way, Jonathan Taylor did it last year, and nobody's more level-headed and dependable than that guy.
So maybe he can take A.D. Mitchell aside, but I don't know if A.D. Mitchell is going to be playing this week. Yeah. Guys, I think the difference is most people put it out in celebration.
A.D. literally just looked like he was reaching the ball out.
Some people just drop it. I think he was about to – I think he was trying to – I don't know. Bottom line is it's unfortunate for him and the Colts, but I still think they're a top third team in the NFL, and that's why they're nine on the list. Up one spot of the Seattle Seahawks. Proud to have been a little bit early on them by popping them on my list last week.
Again, they're one Purdy from Jake Tonjes throw at the end of the game away from being 4-0, and they're doing it in all phases as well, and Sam Darnold is terrific. I think I'm going to pick them this week. And Jackson Smith and Jigba is a Thursday guest. And we're rolling with them. They're eight on my list.
They're up one spot. Down four spots. Oh. Not just because they lost their first game of the year, but they're without their tackles, man. Yeah.
The Los Angeles Chargers. I still think they're terrific defensively. They may have the MVP quarterback. Quinton Johnston is in the top five of receiving yards. Did you see that?
He's doing very well. Ladini and Keenan Allen are still some of the best receiver rooms names you can have. Omari and Hampton breakout, baby. Right. And I understand losing Najee Harris.
Nobody wants to have that. But the minute they went out, that necessity became the mother of the invention of Hampton not coming off the field. And he's taken to that.
So the Chargers are top seven, but they're down four spots from three last week. the Packers are the are number six and they I'm not moving on 2-1-1 I understand you know they're winless in their last two and they've got top six still love what Jordan Love's doing still love again their defense got lit up by Dak minus Seedy so I'm a little concerned about that and as Chris Brockman points out the Cowboys officially won the Micah Parsons trade on Sunday night no okay number five let's get to my top five top five i still think the bucks are a top five team i can't quit baker and the bucks interesting they just lost to the defending super bowl champs who nobody's beaten so i'm concerned about bucky irving being in a walking boot very much but uh they do have outside of cam scadaboo making a run here um who else could threaten Ibuka for Offensive Rookie of the Year. It could be Hampton. You see what's going on. If Ashton Genting continues his Jason stance.
I don't know.
I got the Bucs at 3-1. I love the way Baker's playing. Godwin's back. I am, like I said, concerned about Bucky Irving and them going to Seattle. That's a big game.
Up three spots. Whose house is it? Rebs house. Again, one blocked field goal away from being 4-0. And I just love watching him play They so fun and inventive and defensively Jared Verse did you see the one where he just bowled over the center did you see that in person did you watch him just bowl over the center he amazing and make and make daniel jones life miserable so is that guy on the screen puka so they got stars everywhere you gotta see it and suddenly my back is worse than stafford's that was out of nowhere you need the airstream to just hang outside the the studio is that what it is okay remember that's what he had in the preseason right he had that i may need it for hour three got it um number three on the list up two spots i can't believe i popped them off the list for one week but they had to uh just the way things were after the first week detroit lions are three nice they are three they are three and they are greedy and they are back and they've won three in a row and aiden utchinson is doing defensive player of the year stuff and amon ross saint brown is cooking sonic knuckles golf the whole thing let's go number two on the list stays like before days like the buffalo bills and then number one on the list days like a buffalo like the rent in godfather part two eagles are are still atop the power rankings so that's my one to ten through uh four weeks of the nfl season interesting eagles Bills, Lions, Rams, Bucks, Packers, Chargers, Seahawks, Colts, Steelers.
Toyed with the idea of putting Jacksonville there at 10, but Steelers are leading their division, and I'll still take Aaron Rodgers over Trevor Lawrence right now. I thought for sure you were going to put the Chiefs 10. No, I mean, the Chiefs are 2-2, guys. I mean, as much as I said they could turn the corner with a higher register, and then I was right, and they have turned a corner. They've won two in a row.
You've got a team that's winless in the last two on this list. I got it.
Okay. I mean, that's the Chiefs not on this. It's crazy.
Well, let's see what they do against Jacksonville. Two teams that were, I guess, 10 B and C. Chiefs haven't been on this list since week one, too. My Power Rankings are brought to you by Sonos. Explore soundbars, speakers, and more at Sonos.com.
Sonos products look as good as they sound. I love Sonos. You thought I should have put the Chiefs on there over the Steelers? Really? you wouldn't have given me all relentless amounts of grief and crap for that.
I probably would have. No matter what you did, you were good to hear it.
Well, it's every week. They're better than the Steelers, though, for sure. If they play the Steelers right now. They win by 10 points. Dude, you're just the king of recency bias, brother.
And you know I love the Chiefs, but I don't know, dude. I don't know.
T.J. Watt came up with a pick and a sack. That's true. You know, and Cam Hayward's doing all that stuff. If that Chiefs offense that scored 37 last week is the one we're going to see kind of the rest of the year now, especially when they get their weapons back, not a lot of teams have the offense to kind of keep up with them.
Let's put it this way. This could be the last week the Chiefs are off the list. That's probably true. He'll get handled when he gets handled. Thank you, Patrick.
Yeah, and I'm just trying to – see, it's also reverse psychology. You're making me defend the Chiefs now. I'm trying to eventually look good because we're marathoning. We're not sprinting. I had the Chiefs winning the AFC.
At the end of the day, I want to be right. Chiefs versus Lions. And at the end of the day, if being right means I've got to inspire them by putting a chip on their shoulder, by keeping them off my power rankings, which everyone talks about. Otherwise, why would Sonos want to sponsor it? I saw on the Taylor Swift message board that the Chiefs actually have your power rankings hanging up in the locker room.
It's the last thing. You know why I know that's not true? You know why I know that's not true? I don't know.
I know why that's not true because Xander would have been first to tell me that. If his dad was on... He's in school right now. If he saw my name on a Taylor Swift message board, he would wake me up to tell me. I'm just saying, this recently just happened like an hour.
Yes. Okay, so okay. They got an advanced copy of your power ring. I don't like when you come across as lying so easily. That is so against your brand, TJ.
It's not your brand. You're much nicer than that. I know, but people seem to like the villains lately.
So I guess I got to give me. Are you turning heel? I could very easily. It's a lie. I hold back a lot.
Trust me. I really do. Let's hope it goes better than the John Cena heel turn. Yeah, it definitely would. Look at you being current.
David in Ohio. Let's take his phone call before we throw to break and welcome in Rome. What's up, David? Hola, David. Uh-oh.
Hey, Rich. Hey, Rich. Can you hear me? I can hear you, sir. Turn down your radio and let's talk.
Oh, yeah.
Sorry about that. I'll turn that down. Hey, I got a solution to the tie situation with the Cowboys and the Packers. All right. Tying on Sunday night.
My solution is that the owners play a best-of-three game of rock, paper, scissors. Can you imagine if Jerry Jones plays rock, paper, scissors? He ends up losing, but he'll say something like, well, I won the rock, paper, scissors championship 30 years ago. That's true. Okay, I like it.
So you're saying on Sunday night after the end of overtime, Jerry Jones and I guess Ed Policy, who is the highest ranking Packers official. I mean, I could have gone. I should be going. I mean, you have two chairs. It's like you have two pet rocks.
Exactly.
Okay. And so they would have played rock, paper, scissors, and it would have been binding. Fully binding. fully binding as to who wins and who loses. David in Ohio, not being unserious, but that's okay.
That's okay. I've heard worse ideas, that's for sure. Thank you very much, David in Ohio. There is a drop for that, Mike. What?
For serious people. That exists over there. But that's okay. That's all right, Mike. It's all right.
You can find it. You are not serious people. We're not, really. Could you imagine if we spend a single second of Roger Goodell's time? Yeah, why not?
Hey, come in. This is better than a tie. Can we just all admit that? Rock, paper, scissors. Yes.
Don't be stupid. It's better than anything. Anything's better than a tie. They should let fans come out in the stands. I already told everyone the answer.
They could do like Survivor. They could make a fire at center field. Five more minutes. Five more minutes. College football's overtime.
I am no question. I am a salmon upstream on this one. I think it stinks. I do not like it at all. I do not like it at all.
It removes defense as well. It's like the Ghostrunner in baseball. It's like the pitcher's automatically in trouble coming out of the pen because there's a guy in scoring position. Your defense already has its heels on the edge of the red zone. Hold on.
What if they start at the 50? College overtime, start at the 50, not the 25.
So punting is now involved? Maybe. No, no, no. It's like college. I want college, but you get it at the 50.
I want the kicking game in. The kicking game is crucial. It is important. You can kick a field goal. Brandon Aubrey is...
I have no problem with that. And if you start at the 50, he's involved. Let me ask you this question, TJ. Don't kick it from the 50. Hold on a second.
Exactly.
Let me ask you this question. Please do. top five Cowboys weapons. Brandon Aubrey on that list. Oh, absolutely.
Smurfley. Don't you think so? Yeah. And I'm not joking. He's not even going to make the playoffs.
Dak Seedy Lamb. The way Javante Williams is playing has been very impressive. He's been balling.
Okay. George Pickens. Oh, yeah.
Aubrey. Aubrey. Maybe even over, now that Mike has gone, like over Bland, over Diggs. He's definitely because he puts points on the board.
Okay, I don't want kickers removed. You're not if you start at the 50. Then I guess what? You stall and you bring out Aubrey and kick three points, and then everybody else is. Yeah.
It's not bad. Anything's better. You're thinking about it. By the way, did you hear Vic Fangio talking about the kicking balls being different, the way they're handled? I heard something like that.
And he thinks that's why all these kickers are kicking him from 60 yards? Are we back to the air in them and the way they're being handled, the kicking balls? Could you imagine we find out the balls are being inflated with air and steroids? They're putting steroids in the ball? Just don't destroy your phone kickers or you're going to get suspended for four games.
Oh, New England is in the house. And you're going to have to forfeit draft picks. Forfeit the draft choices. If you don't cheat, you don't have to worry about that.
Okay. Cool, cool, cool. Great system. Roma Doonsay is next. This is The Rich Eisen Show with Alfonso Ribeiro on deck.
The Rich Eisen Show podcast. As many of you know, supporting pediatric cancer research is something I care deeply about. That's why I'm proud to share what Hyundai's doing through Hyundai Hope on Wheels. For over 27 years, with every Hyundai sold, they've helped fund pediatric cancer research. Alongside over 850 dealers, they've raised more than $277 million, helping over 25,000 kids and supporting more than 1,400 research grants at 175 institutions nationwide.
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Before Roma Dunze pops on, we have a call coming in, apparently, from Chicago, Illinois. Got to get this, because it is very timely. Grayson in Iowa, you're on the program. What's up, Grayson? Hi.
What's up, Grayson? Hey, dude. What's up, man? Hi. Hi, Grayson.
Hey, Grayson. You're on the air. Hi, buddy. I have a question, and I was wondering if you could answer it.
Okay, first things first, how old are you, Grayson? I am 11 years old.
Okay, it sounds like you were not in school today. You want to explain why? Because my dad's taking me my first ever Cubs game. First ever! All right Grayson 11 years old from Iowa going to his first ever Wrigley Field game and it a playoff game where they can clinch a spot in the divisional round Is that what I'm understanding, Grayson?
What? What's your question? Oh, since he's bringing me in my first Cubs game, we're sitting in the first row in right field. if I get a home run ball from the opposing team do I throw it back? Come on man.
They said you're a Cubs fan. It is your duty to throw that ball back if you catch it.
Well what is your dad counseling you to do? What's the person? Are you there? Yep. Thank you.
Can you? Grayson, are you there? Yeah. Okay, what is your dad telling you to do if you catch a home run ball? What is he telling you to do?
He told me that if it's Tatis, then keep the home run ball. I like it. One thing, Grayson, trust me. I also told him he'd be infamous. Hold on a second.
What's your name, sir? What's your name? My name's Seth.
Okay, Seth, can you and your son hear me both together now? Yes, sir.
Okay. Grayson, your dad is, I think he's giving you good advice, but the one thing that I think your dad can definitely attest, the advice I'm about to give you, if you were in the first row, under no circumstances are you to reach out into the field of play and grab a ball? Are you aware of this? From a Cubs player.
Okay. Hey, has your dad told you this story of previous playoff Wrigley Field lore? Seth, have you told your son about this? Oh, yeah.
We watched the documentary 30 for 30 and everything on that.
Okay. All right. I just want to make sure our bases are covered because, Grayson, this is a big day for you, and I'm so thrilled that you decided to share it with us. Can I offer a suggestion? Sure.
As long as it's not Tatis, Grayson, if you catch the home run, take pictures of yourself just so you have the moment, and then you chuck the ball back. Oh, okay.
That's an interesting choice. Just make sure you have pictures holding the ball, maybe a video.
Okay. And then he's got to do it. All right. Terrific. Have a great time.
Grayson and Seth Bartman on their way to the game calling into the rich eyes and joy. Have fun, Grayson, man. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun.
Have fun. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun.
Have fun. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun.
Have fun. Have fun. Have fun. made my day. That phone call is exactly why we do a show like this.
I'm telling everybody, when I say this, and I mean it, I mean it. What I do for a living, very lucky to do what I've done for a living, to suit and boot on television sets and be hosts. But a show like this one, I cannot hear from the Graysons and Seths of the world on a big day for a father-son to share with us. I'm getting goosebumps talking about it. That's why we do a show like this one.
So I can connect. We can connect with fans.
So cool. And they want to share with us. Don't take that for granted at all. We had father, daughter with you and Taylor. We had father and son.
We're hitting as George Valera hits a homer to give the guardians a one, nothing. There you go.
All right. This man is currently second in the national football league in touchdowns. Only Amon Ross St. Brown of Detroit has more than the five of Roma Dunze of the Chicago Bears joining us on the program. How are you, Rome?
Appreciate y'all having me. Thank you. Thank you. What a pleasure to see you here. What's going through your head right now through four weeks of your second season?
Rome, how are you feeling? You know, we're sitting at two and two, so we're feeling good about the past two weeks. You know, we've made some improvement from the first two weeks and going into bye. Obviously, we got some guys down.
So looking to get all those guys healthy and come back and win this game versus Commander.
So doing good. I mentioned your number of touchdowns and introducing you, you, James Cook, and J.K. Dobbins are the only players in the NFL to have a touchdown from scrimmage in each of the first four games of this season.
So has the game slowed down for you a little bit this year compared to last, do you think? I think definitely a little bit. You know, obviously, you know, playing a year in the NFL gives you that experience to kind of know where things are going to hit and know the different windows that you're going to be able to get the ball and you know Caleb and the offense has done a great job you know you know holding up their end of the deal and having successful plays and I've been on the you know successful end of that you know five times now so hopefully more to come.
Okay and so how I guess have you improved? What do you think you're doing better through the first four games? Rome what do you think? I think I'm just you know dialed in on my responsibilities obviously you know I took you know all of last year to you know understand what I need to get better at and try to emphasize those things when it came to wide receiver play blocking understanding offense and all those different things so I feel like I've improved you know overall in all those areas and it's allowed me to you know play free and fast and I'm able to capitalize on some of those opportunities. Walk me through as well how things have changed with Ben Johnson as the new HC so much is made of what he and Caleb are communicating about what about you from the wide receiver room?
Yeah it's been great you know I I think, you know, Coach Ben has been, you know, super, you know, intense with the offense and the team as a whole, just trying to take us where we need to go and being strict on those things. And I think that sort of culture and mindset has led us to, you know, continuing to develop and get better.
So he's done a great job. And, you know, the wide receiver position is also, you know, one of his babies. He coached it in the past.
So he's very, you know, diligent on all the details of the offense from our, you know, standpoint. And we appreciate that. And so is Coach Randall and the office and staff as a whole.
So we appreciate them.
So you use the word diligent, strict. Give me examples. Intense as well. You got a good example of that? Yeah, I would say we had a split, a wide receiver split alignment that was supposed to be plus two to hash.
I think one of the first times we went out there and did perfect plays, I was about plus three, maybe plus two and a half. And he let me hear it.
So, you know, that was kind of the, you know, first instance of me really experiencing it. But it's an everyday thing, you know, and it leads us to having success and it's important.
So we appreciate it for him. What do you mean about letting you have it? Was it in front of everybody? Oh, I mean, yeah, he was coaching me in front of everybody for sure. I mean, he was telling me, yeah, it's plus two, it's plus two.
What's the split on this? And we reset the whole play.
So, yeah. Has he done that with everybody? Oh, yeah.
Yeah. He owes everybody accountable to that standard for sure. O-linemen, C-will, running backs, wide receivers, you know, coaches, everybody under the organization. He wants to be perfection. How has he done it with Caleb, if you have an example of that for me?
I mean, you know, whether it's, you know, a replay, something, a play that we have to do, whether, you know, I mean, you know, there's so many different opportunities for quarterbacks to mess anything up because their job has, you know, that's responsibility.
So, you know, I mean, even saying one word wrong, it's going to bug him.
So those are all things that he's diligent on and we've reset before. But Caleb does a great job with it as well.
Well, I mean, two and two and obviously some definitely improved situations based to last year, Rome, and your relationship with Caleb Williams. I'd love to dive into that for a couple of minutes here. If I'm not mistaken, is it true? my memory serves, did you guys meet on a flight to the combine? Is that the first time you guys ever crossed paths?
Yeah. You and Caleb was? I think it was. Obviously, I had played against him, but we didn't formally meet on the field that day. But, yeah, I think that was right, flying into the combine.
I think that was our first time actually meeting one another, I believe. After obviously playing in the same conference collegiately together. And so what is it like when the two of you talk ball, Rom? I mean, it really just comes from a quarterback to wide receiver sort of relationship. You know, obviously trying to understand how we can take advantage of defenses, you know, looking at our strengths and our weaknesses and seeing what we can improve on and understanding the relationship, you know, within those realms and then kind of playing that into the offense as well.
So, you know, it varies from a bunch of different things. But honestly, we're just trying to, you know, make each other better and be able to complete passes. Yeah. And so when you how often do you do you talk it? I mean, how often do you guys sit down and start outside of a film room connect in that regard?
Oh, man, that's a daily occurrence. Honestly, that's a daily occurrence. You know, anything we see out there on the practice field and I'm like, OK, I see it this way. He sees it that way. Go to see it this way.
We make it all mesh. you know, and we make ends meet.
So, um, it's really a daily, daily occurrence when we're out there, but you know, hopefully going into this bi-week, we can talk about some other things.
Okay. What are you doing for the bi? What does the bi look like here? I'm just going to be here. I'm just going to be here.
I'm getting my body right. Um, probably post out with my lady, um, go watch a movie and stuff like that. That's about it. All right. What, what movie are we watching?
What are you, what are you gonna do? Oh man, I don't know. Um, what do we got? I don't know.
There's some new, there's some new movies out. Um, I'm, I'm a fan of a demon slayer. It's a, it's an anime.
So So there's a movie version of that out right now.
So I'll probably go see that. Have you seen Sinners? Have you seen that? I have seen Sinners. I loved it.
Yeah, I thought it was amazing. You know what I mean? Like that was really good. And I don't know, do you play the Bills this year? I don't know if you play the Bills.
We had them preseason.
Okay. But not the regular. I just mentioned that because, you know, Josh Allen obviously knows one of the stars of Sinners for sure. you know okay i heard about that a little bit now she did a great job in the film it was awesome to see and you know josh is you know doing his thing on the field so they're power power couple goals for sure so what do you say to people who might be stopping you around town asking about caleb and is he the real guy is he the real deal what's going on uh and his development i mean it seems like a daily conversation nationally i can only imagine what it's like in chicagoland rome what do you say to people who might actually start to talk to you about that subject matter i guess like me right now what do you say yeah i mean i've consistently you know held the belief that caleb is doing everything in his power to continue to progress and you know become the best quarterback that he's capable of being and i think he's capable of being the best in the nfl so um i think his thoughts his actions everything are going towards that so i've said before i mean i i'm in the building with him every day and i see that so you know people outside the building sort of question that I don't know you know what that's based off of but you know Caleb's been doing a great job obviously everybody seen his progression and you know you know his fight his will so it been incredible and when you come off the bye you know obviously you going to a spot that has a recent history for you um and washington in the in that game last year where you guys took the lead late we all know what happened at the end of that game uh and and we also know what happened after that game and how it all sort of spiraled out and now you're in a different spot now. Will you go into that game with a different, with a sensibility of wiping the slate clean and cleansing the palate and showing how things are different now?
Is that something we only talk about in the media? What do you make of that, Rome? For me, honestly, yeah, I don't think we go into it with that sort of mindset. Honestly, I think all of our mindset is focused on this team and the present moment that we're in. And obviously the commanders are our next opponent.
So, you know, we're going to go out there and compete at the highest level to go get a win, regardless of, you know, what the situation is or what people might say it is. But that's sort of our mindset. I don't think we're really focused on, obviously, you know, the things that happened last year. Has Randall L, Coach Randall L, you're bringing up Antoine Randall L, has he brought up the fact that he's thrown a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl to you guys? He hasn't brought up nothing, man.
He hasn't brought up anything. he's really humble and and and we know we haven't we've only seen glimpses of it when they turn on the highlights but all the coaching staff around him and everybody you know obviously in the building that was watching him when he was playing and has seen him play it was like man that was the real deal so we're all like oh was he really the real deal and he's all humbled about it but i'm sure he's got his highlights in the vault i mean he could show you where in ford field he threw the pass that's where they won the super bowl rome you know what i mean i didn't know that that's crazy oh yeah oh let me he doesn't say okay uh what and nothing in the state of illinois either of indiana football crushing right now he doesn't even talk about that nothing like that at all he doesn't man he doesn't i'm telling he's real humble about it okay we gotta we gotta remind him like hey man you really did that he did i mean he was the real he threw it to heinz ward for a touchdown in the super bowl uh for the steelers and um do you talk to penix at all have you spoken to Michael Penix. Yeah, we've chopped it up a little bit. Yeah, we've chopped it up. We've chopped it up preseason a good bit.
Since the season has started, we've been dialed in a little bit. But obviously, we got our dog's group chat and we had Ohio State last week.
So cheering on those boys and all that. But, you know, that's my brother. I know he's QB1 out there.
So he's got a lot on his plate. But it was awesome to see, you know, have a bounce back. We can go get that W.
So and we'll be watching his film here.
So we get to see his highlights. You know, I know you guys washington was taking on ohio state last week i was i was rooting for you because you know i you know i went to i went to michigan rome so you know i was i was i know i'm sorry i know that that's kind of like a four-letter word to you i get it um but but everything seems to have worked out for you at the next level do you have a number in your head of touchdowns you want to score based off of the number of that you've already scored this year you've got five through four weeks is there a number in your head of number of times you want to hit the end zone or you think you can this year i mean no i don't have a number man obviously you know i've had a hot start i think it's what 23 touchdowns in a in a season receiving touchdowns it's a record i believe we can look that up right now randy moss yes sir that's yeah 2007 that's it yeah if we're not shooting for that and we selling ourselves short so i guess i gotta go get 24 go ladies and gentlemen roman dunze here on the Rich Eisen Show.
Okay. And how have you taken to the great, awesome city of Chicago? Have you wound up in a spot that you like, a restaurant you like, food that you like? North side, south side? I don't want to get you in trouble, but I'm just throwing that out here to you, Rome.
Yeah, I have, man. The city of Chicago has been a lot of love, honestly, welcoming since the start. Obviously, they got their passion for football and their criticisms, but we appreciate them and all that they, you know, go out there with that passion and bring the rocks.
So, but yeah, I've got lots of food spots, man. Um, man, there's so many, I mean, a wiener circle yet, like one in the morning, two in the morning. Have you done that yet, Rome? Have you done that? I haven't done that yet, man.
I haven't done that yet.
So I don't know what that's in my future, but well, listen, um, you don't have to do it that late at night, but when you go there, you just need to know what you're ordering before you go up there. I just, maybe because you're a top notch Chicago bear, they might let you slide if you don't do it the right way but if you think so they'll curse him out they'll curse him out oh do they rip you oh i didn't know that's okay you gotta be ready for that yeah man you gotta have your head on a swivel uh when you go to the wiener circle okay just just think about that but it's also worth your time uh that's for sure um and you know enjoy your enjoy your bye week rome and i appreciate you chopping it up with me uh because again um i'm sure you're aware, I know the Cubs are in the playoffs right now and the Bulls are about to start their season, but if the Bears win it all, it's a football town. Chicago is a football town through and through. I think you've noticed that, right? Yeah, most definitely.
They got football in the blood, so we appreciate that. We know we're continuing to progress and put this team at one of the top echelon teams in the NFL, so we know the city's going to be rocking when we accomplish that, but it's coming. All right, Rome, thanks for the time. Greatly appreciate it. Congrats on the great start for you statistically and for your team being two and two going into the bye week.
And best of luck and look for more of my calls. Oh, by the way, I've just been told in my ear it was the draft. Wasn't the combine that you were on the flight with Caleb Williams. You were going to the draft together on that one. Yeah, and I think you were going back and forth about flying the plane or you're glad you're only flying the plane, if I'm not mistaken.
Yeah, that's the way the story goes. I think I did fly it. Yeah, that's right. Actually, now we know it. You're definitely landing it very well right now.
Thanks for the time, Rome. Greatly appreciate it, sir. That's what's wrong with Tuesday right here on the Rich Eisen Show.
So much fun right there. That's for you out there, everybody listening on ESPN 1000 in Chicago. See, we're partners. We're partners. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial right here on the show.
Don't you dare move. We'll take your phone calls. Who else is going to the Cubs game? Give us a call. Adam.
The Rich Eisen Show. The podcast. 4-4-4, 204-RICH, number to dial right here on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. Dylan Gabriel has been named the starting quarterback. He was a third-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns at the time.
Everyone was surprised it wasn't Shador Sanders. And then we got surprised it was Shador Sanders in the fifth round, certainly after you chose Dylan Gabriel in the third. Open competition. Shador crushed it in his one preseason start. I went on the air and said everyone's going to boo every single time it's not Shador getting the start.
Been a little off on that, I think. Certainly if Dylan Gabriel shows up and shows out, it won't be at the dog pound. It also won't be on the road domestically. It's a home game. First guy ever to make his first start in an international series game.
And he's going to do it against the Minnesota Vikings, who I believe started blitzing five minutes ago. Dylan Gabriel on his readiness for this start. You know, I got a text from a good buddy of mine and he sent me a picture of a fire station, you know, and like, it's kind of like, why are you sending that? you know but um when he sends it you know he just lists the the obvious right like doors are open garage doors are open like things are ready to go and like they're just waiting on that phone call to like respond surgically and like just what a great representation of like the job i had and and being ready for that moment and i think you know i smile because it's like a moment you prep for and you you are extremely excited for but also got to realize that it's extreme focus and and that's what i've continued to harp on but you wait for the perfect time you know you're gonna wait a whole lifetime so for me i'm just i've always been ready for every moment want to root for that's for sure remember he came on the show before he was drafted and it's just like hey everybody um i know you're talking about your door and you're talking about Cam Ward, and I know you're talking about Jackson Dart. And I know Tyler Shuck was coming out of the combine.
Everyone's talking about him. But remember me? I was on the Heisman podium. Remember the... 63 starts in three different places.
I've got the record for most touchdowns accounted for and tied for the most touchdown passes in the history of college football. Six-year starter. And those are the guys who do perform well in the league, right? Brock Purdy, Bo Nix, those who have seen it and done it. I just don't know if he's seen anything like Brian Flores' defenses.
And they're going to test him. They're going to test that line. Hopefully, Quinshawn Judkins can take some of the pressure off with a running game, as he has been able to do. And then just look for your tight end. Look for Jerry Judy.
And look for the way through. And the Cleveland Browns, after that, will be taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
So guess what? Those are two teams that just faced one another and the Steelers just came up with six sacks and two takeaways and the Vikings are pissed about losing. And they're coming across from Ireland and they're the ones who are already there, used to the time zone, and you're the one who's at a press conference in Berea on a Wednesday talking about my first career start. It's a tough one. But I said Jackson Dart had a real tough assignment against the Los Angeles Chargers, and he marched down the field and ran one in to cap his first career drive as a pro and won the game.
Crazier things have happened. The opportunity is sitting there for him to take it. It's there. Because Deshaun Watson is going to maybe walk through that door next year and a lot of fans don't want to see him anymore. Will the Browns take that opportunity?
Will they have all those draft choices to choose someone else?
Well, guess what? Dylan Gabriel has the opportunity to quiet all those conversations and ball out and spin it and be the answer for the Cleveland Browns. That is in the ether as we're currently sitting here with one another entering our three of this Wednesday. The Ridge Eisen Show Podcast.
