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Having insurance isn't the same as having state farms. It's like needing the protection of an offensive guard on the football field, but getting an elementary school crossing guard. Sure, they're both guards. but you can only trust one to keep your quarterback safe when the game is on the line.
So don't settle for just any insurance when there's state farm. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show?
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Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Another pick for Houston. There is your dagger. A leaping interception.
The Rich Eisen Show from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Stafford Surgical and LA is blowing out Arizona. On today's show, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. College football playoff breakdown. And now, it's Rich Eisen.
Allen number two of the Rich Eisen Show on the air. Hey, as soon as we're done here today, we're all heading to the airport because this show will come to you from the ESPN Studios in New York City for the rest of the week. Um That's right. And everybody should know, I did not. Pack a checked bag I'm gonna be carrying on.
I was able to pull this uh Heistoff. I got a couple of ways that I got through. I got some suits because, you know, I'm. I'm uh I'm hosting the Booyah event in honor of Stuart Scott's memory and also the Jimmy Veeve. Uh foundation.
And so that's coming on Wednesday night. We got guests. We're doing it from the get-up set over the next few days.
So you shipped your suits? I did not. I've got 'em do I've got 'em all here. How? How about that?
Yeah. Ow! You sound like you've been hoodwinked and bamboozled and led astray. I thought we all decided collectively, together as a unit, that we were just going to. Do whatever you want to do.
And I just want to hire a register. I know that, but do whatever you want to do. How? Wait. You can say that because we're not sharing a car with them.
Yeah, see, that's in New York. If we're sharing a car to go in and somebody's checking a bag and I didn't, that's a problem.
Well, you know, he's at the different hotel than usual. We're flying today. We'll be watching the game on the flight, right? I'll be watching Monday Night Raw and the game. Oh, that's right.
Both of them. I'm good. Look at you. Yeah, how many TVs you got on that? Exactly.
I mean, we are commercial, right? I mean, we are. I don't know. We are. I don't know where he's flying.
Commercial. 844-204-Rich is the number to dial. We're here on. Disney Plus. We're here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance, SiriusXM Channel 80.
Of course, the ESPN app every day. There's our YouTube channel as well, youtube.com/slash Rich Eisen Show. A lot of folks sending us their year-end raps that they're in the top 01.1% of our fans. We appreciate it. Doesn't matter what percentage.
Just if you watch a couple of videos, that's all we ask. And hit us with a follow or subscription. Our Overreaction Monday show that's also airing in a cutdown version at 4:30 Eastern on ESPN2 later today. That is available right now on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/slash Rich Eisen Show. 844-204 Rich Number to Don.
We'll take your calls in a minute. Matthew Stafford in 17 minutes. That's going to be exciting. The last time the Bears and the Packers played one another, in week 14 or later. Where both teams entered the game at 500 or better.
Last time that happened was never. Indeed. These rivals have been playing each other since Herbert Hoover was battling inflation.
Okay. And um This is the first time we've ever seen a contest like this one. And on top of it, The Bears are the one seed in the entire conference coming into this game. And on top of all that, Ben Johnson, the new head coach there, who started over the middle of the year. O and two in division.
Has turned this franchise and program and city upside down. and has gotten his quarterback under center. In a way that this kid, Caleb Williams, never played this much under center. Which opens up the playbook, which opens up play action for a running game like the one that they have. This is what we're talking about.
And if he can go under center and boot out. And he can. That makes the Bears a dangerous team, especially when they're taking the ball away like they did on the first drive. In the first quarter, Taking the ball away from Jordan Love. Who, by the way, had not thrown a touchdown pass at home since week six.
Mm.
So the defenses are showing up first quarter. And um Then this game turns into a Packer Fest? Where Love is making his throws, and Christian Watson is scoring his touchdown, and Jaden Reed is back from injured reserve doing. Things in this offense that are clearly being missed. Musgrave is making catches like Craft?
They're getting their yak and cheese on. But that's when Caleb Williams started making plays, and the defense started making plays. And suddenly, the time of possession has got Micah Parsons and that Packer defense so gassed that they got to run the ball when they get the ball back because obviously that's part of their offense, but they can't just throw their defense back on the field because. The Bears are wearing the Packers out just like they wore the Eagles out the day after Thanksgiving. And I'm sitting here at game tie to 21 apiece thinking this can happen.
And if the Bears pull this one off.
Well, then all bets are off. What? The Packers did what they needed to do. They Come up with an eight-play, sixty-five-yard drive after. Colston Loveland scores.
On a gorgeous play. Where Ben Johnson isn't celebrating the touchdown. He's flipping out because one of the tackles that were eligible, that was out on a route, got cut out at his ankles. But there's Loveland wide open on the other side. An easy play.
For Caleb. Touchdown. Tie game. But the Packers march down the field. In four minutes and 28 seconds and hand the ball back to Caleb and say, you do something.
And unbelievably, Yeah. With the game on the line. Inside the old Red zone there. Right there. They run the same play that they ran on the Eagles to put the nail in the coffin where.
Caleb rolls to his left against the grain and flips the ball to Cole Komet in the end zone, except this time he threw it a little too late. And it's intercepted. And that's the game.
Now again, Caleb. Missed too many passes. 19 of 35. You got to give it up. This is a tough defense, and what an environment.
Lambeau Field in December when the four dreaded words feel like five degrees. Oh, man, it was cold. You know what I mean? Like, it was like, this is not what Caleb. You know?
Is everyone thought soft? This, that, the other thing coming in? He's tough as nails, man. And at least Bears fans, you know. There were mistakes.
She could have had it. But just don't make those mistakes and even up the series in a couple of weeks and win your games the rest of the way. The problem is, is doing that is a tough one. Their schedule, the rest of the way, is brutal. They do play the Packers again.
In two weeks? They're home against Cleveland. Shador bringing in his 300-yard. Three touchdown and one on the ground on top of it. Performance.
I'm just assuming the Browns won't take him off the field with the game on the line. And then they got a visit to San Francisco in week 17 before the one that could really be it. If the Bears do not win more than they lose the rest of the way prior to week 18, that's the Lions' path to the playoffs. That week to 50 burger. absorbed by Ben Jonson.
and the bears. The Lions could go into soldier field, win that one. And that's how they punched their ticket to the playoffs. Because I don't think the Packers are going to get caught by the Lions. I mean, the Packers are now 9-3-1.
They're two in the conference right now. And they need both Seattle and the Rams to. Get tripped up. Rams and the Seahawks play each other. to kick off week 16 on a Thursday night.
So the Packers have a shot at the whole shooting match, having everybody come through Lambo at the end of the day. Um And the Lions, though, have already been swept by him. Bears better be careful. They dropped all the way down to seven, one down to seven. The Niners are above them.
That game in week 17 is going to be lit.
Some real serious playoff implicating action. And the Bears almost pulled this one off. I don't think it was too big of a moment for Caleb. Gotta like that if you're the Bears. These things happen.
It's a tough series. Of course, everyone was talking about the number one swim move that we saw on Lambeau Field. After the game, that was what everyone was talking about, that swim move. With Matt LaFleur shaking Ben Johnson's hand. Mm-hmm.
Now then. Ben Johnson, as we know, took the job. And bears Fans know When you're head coach is introduced as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. They're mandated to say something to throw the red meat out at the fan base about how they're going to beat the Packers. Remember, that was what Lovey Smith did when they took over.
And Ben Johnson. Did it saying that he enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year?
So, that won't be happening in his first year as head coach of the. Bears, now that this happened. And it was just a quick handshake. They did kind of make eye contact. If you saw it, there was like a uh A left hand with the play sheet, kind of giving him an atta-boy as he just kept walking.
They didn't stop. They didn't have a conversation. They didn't do any of that.
So, of course, that's what everyone was talking about afterwards. Hit it. Oh, just I think quick handshake. I mean, we'll see him again in two weeks. Because it's not often we're.
My head coach would call out another one. Any extra satisfaction with this? No, absolutely not. It was just, I mean, it's. Packers Bears.
It's a great rivalry. Um And certainly with what was at s at stake in regards to positioning in the NFC North, I mean That that's that's the only thing that matters. Sure, that's it. as the Packers are now 4-0. In division four and oh in division.
The floor was asked afterwards, which one is this now, Mike Hoskins? It's about him talking about the importance of being in first place in this division, in which they're.
Now Four and oh. Hear it. Means nothing right now. We I mean it means a lot, but it also there's four weeks left and you gotta take it day by day. You got to really embrace that grind, embrace the challenge.
It's not going to be easy from here on out. We've got a great test in Denver coming up, and just our guys really got to push and try to find you know, any competitive advantage that we can get in order to go there on the road against a really quality opponent and find a way to get a win. That's right, Denver next week. Oh, baby game. Playoff Super Bowl preview question mark.
Could easily be one seat versus the two seat. Then there's that game in Chicago before they're home against Baltimore, and then at Minnesota to try and maybe go 6-0 in. The NFC North, which would be quite an accomplishment. Even 5-1 in this division would be an amazing accomplishment, but it's also part and parcel of what you get. With Matt LaFleur.
Hold on a minute, let me hear. Let me hear. Do you hear the Packer fans? calling for his job or wanting to give up the play calling. After Jordan Love.
Has his Second straight? Game with three or more passing touchdowns, and Christian Watson has his first back-to-back touchdown performance in two years. And Josh Jacobs had 86 on the ground in a rushing touchdown. Wait a minute, do I hear that? No, that's very silent.
Put it up. His first seven seasons as head coach in the National Football League. Matt LaFleur has now won 76 games, tied with Paul Brown. You heard about Paul Brown? I was talking to my son Cooper.
The reason why the Cleveland Browns are named that is for Paul Brown, who then went and created another franchise called the Bengals. That's the Paul Brown. Oh, and Holmery, he's got a street out there. Homeward's got a street out there. He'll figure that out.
He should have 75 wins. He'll have a bus soon, probably. Yeah. LaFleur's going to have got more wins in his first seven seasons as Packerhead coaching of Homeward. That's why.
Oh.
Okay. You know why? It's because the man hydrates. Man drinks a lot of water. This is what we saw when we came to the airport for the draft.
That's the first drawn pick was hydration. Brockman, didn't you think his job was on the line a couple weeks ago? Everybody did. I mean, yeah, to say that was only my thoughts.
Well, because the new president there, Ed Policy is like, let's play it out.
Okay, let's play it out. I don't really pay attention to the room, though. Come on, man. Yeah, Jordan Love is heating up. They're in the four-game win streak, nine touchdowns, only one pick.
You know, if the Packers were to let it play it out with LaFleur, you know what? You think the Giants would take him? Hook him up with Jackson Dart. What do you think? I think the Giants.
The Packers fans. You just want to flip Matt LaFlor to the Giants? What do you want to do? Really? Coming up on this program, another quarterback.
uh caping for his head coach says if we keep winning, maybe shut you all up. That's what Aaron Rodgers had to say after the Steelers beat the Ravens on behalf of the beleaguered Mike Tomlin. 844-204 rich is the number to dial. Let's take a break. Quarterbacks are usually pinpoint on time.
Matthew Stafford Mm-hmm. Potentially the MVP of this league joining us with four games to go for the Rams. Mm-hmm.
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I've got Matthew Stafford here on The Rich Eisen Show. We're back on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. How are you feeling, man? It looks like everything is obviously going well. But what's your perspective on your remarkable season to date, Matthew?
No, I feel good. My body feels good. You know, I'm having a blast playing the game that I love with a bunch of guys that I couldn't be happier to go to work with every single day. Our coaches. Our players on our team, everybody's all about the right kind of stuff, and you know, that's that's the best part about it.
You know, we have a process, we go about it. We've won more games than we lost this year, but even the games that we lose, man, we just go back to work, understand what we got to do to clean it up. But, you know, don't get outside our lane too much. Just understand that our process works, we trust it, and go to work. You know, winning more games than we're losing at the moment and playing pretty good ball, so it's a lot of fun.
Walk me through what it's like. inside the five-yard line and you're in the same huddle as Devontae Adams. Can you put me in your shoes what it's like for you with him? Matthew. It's awesome.
You kind of feel like you have a cheat code because we're going to get down there. We're going to have big people on the field. And our offensive line is doing a hell of a job when we are handing it off. of just knocking the other team into the end zone and us running it in. You know, we had three rushing touchdowns.
You know, in the last couple weeks, and guys are doing a hell of a job down in there, too. But if they want to play one-on-one coverage, he's as good as anybody I've ever been around, is probably as good as anybody. That's ever played in this league at winning in short areas and making plays in the red zone. He was a touchdown maker when he was in Green Bay. I remember standing on the other sideline, hating every minute of it as he was scoring against us, and to have him in the same huddle as me.
I pinched myself and realized that I'm getting to play with the special guy down there. Yeah, I know. And for you to say that, for those young'uns out there, you played with a guy named Calvin Johnson. I just confirmed it. For you to say that, right?
So for you to say that about another player. Obviously, Devontae is going to be wearing a gold jacket one day. We all know that. But does it remind you of any of those Megatron moments? For you?
Yeah, they do it in a different way. You know, Calvin just waking up and getting out of bed and being that big and that physical, and the ability to go up and get it, and Devontae's ability to. Win and create space in a phone booth basically is unbelievable. I have so much fun playing with him, and I had a ton of fun playing with Calvin, obviously, but. Devontae's got this.
Just this confidence down there. You know, when he gets his opportunities to go win, he's going to do it. And shoot, he should have had a touchdown against Arizona. I missed him on a fade ball in the first drive of the game. If I just give him a chance, I mean, he left the corner staying at the line of scrimmage.
So he's still doing it, even though he didn't get a touchdown last week. He's still playing at an unbelievable clip and obviously helping us get in the end zone and score points. Yeah, and Puka had two. He's on, I mean, his contested catching. Is absurd.
You put it in a spot where Where he can go get it. He's going to go get it. It doesn't matter who's around him. I mean, this is a perfect picture to give you an idea. And this is the one where he caught this one, high-pointed, and then backed into the end zone.
There was another one over the middle where you threw it where only he could get it. He did. Yeah, right. I mean, that was unwhat's that like for you from the pocket when you see that? Yeah, I mean, it's awesome.
I don't take it for granted. You know, I understand what a special player he is as well. You know, he does some great stuff with the ball in the air, like you're saying, but his physicality for our team is such a separator. And sometimes that ease, you know, going up and making that play or Finding a way to get in the end zone when he catches it on the five-yard line, that physicality, but even in the run game, you know, run after catch, all the stuff that he does for us, man. He's such a tone setter.
A joy to be around, a great teammate. You ask anybody on our team, you know, how they feel about that guy. He's just an absolute stud, brings a ton of energy and helps us be who we are. And, you know, McVay, in your ear, I think I saw an NFL Films snippet a couple weeks ago where you were basically like, I get it. Get out of my ear.
Like, how often does that, did I, did I nail that right? I mean, I know I'm kind of paraphrasing in a way, but that's about right. That's about right. You know, he's an energetic guy. He loves the game of football and he loves the one-way mic.
He's like, I can't talk back. He's taking full advantage, especially during TV timeouts when we got a little downtime. He can. He can chirp at me, but he's always just... You know, giving me coaching points for the guys or to relay this personnel or that.
He's a joy to play for. I know all the guys on our team appreciate him so much. And the just. The consistent energy and passion this guy brings is unmatched. I've never been around anything like it.
He sets a tone for our building day in and day out, and that's a big responsibility. And he does it, you know. in an unbelievable manner with You know, compassion, but at the same time, you know, challenging guys. I mean, it's a really unique. Leadership role that he plays on our team, and we're appreciative of him.
How much do you have with the game plan, though? Like, how much are you going and saying, I think this, and he sits down, and you guys have a meeting on that? How often is that?
Well, we have constant dialogue. You know, we have constant dialogue on, hey, we love this, we like this. Hey, can we tweak this? Hey, let's throw this one out. Let's try to add this, you know.
He's the mastermind behind it all. He and Mike and all of our coaches do an unbelievable job. You know, we just have dialogue on tweaks and things that either I'm comfortable with or they really like or whatever it is, and we try to just develop a thought process of: hey, here's how we wanna play the game, here's how I'm gonna call it, here's what we're thinking when we call these plays so that there's intent. With each play that we call, we're not wasting plays and I just try to do my best to go out there and execute them. Matthew Stafford here on the Rich Eisen Show.
So you mentioned your offensive line. I don't know if you're aware. You had your nine yesterday, ninth game of the season, more passing touchdowns than sacks taken. That was the ninth time you had that, the only season in which you've had a better. Game total was you had 11 such games in 2021.
Does this remind you of that Super Bowl season as you're going through this with a month to go, Matthew? In some aspects, yeah. I mean, obviously, we're playing good football. Our record speaks for itself. You know, yet to be seen how we finish this thing up.
There's a lot of football to be played between now and whenever that game is, but. Yeah. Our offensive line is playing outstanding football. They deserve a ton of credit. I'm a firm believer in the fact that.
Hey, you want good quarterback play? You need 10 other guys around you to be playing well, and especially those five guys in front of me. And they are playing at an outstanding clip, communicating, playing tough and physical in the run game. Shoot, we rushed for 250 yesterday, too.
So they're doing a great job in the run game and the past game. A ton of credit for our success should go to those guys. Everybody gets enamored with. You know, like you just said, watching Puka go up in one-hand one, or Devontae just dice somebody down low, or our backs break off a run, but. All that is started.
You know, with the guys up front, they do a hell of a job for us. You know, happy to have all those guys. And it is a team and group effort up there. They all pull for each other, and it's a fun group to get to work with. And then, obviously, you've got the Lions this week.
Are you over the whole business with the Lions? It's just another game. Or no. Yeah, I mean, I just know how good of a football team they are. I got a ton of respect for the talent that they've been able to acquire and how they go about their business.
Um you know, I think Dan does a hell of a job getting those guys ready to play week in and week out. Jared's playing at a high clip. Their defense is explosive as well.
So... It's a big challenge for us. You know, they've gotten the best of us the last couple of times we've played them. It's been good games each time.
So I imagine it'll be another tight one. You know, two really talented teams going at it, and just give it our best shot. But it's your fourth game against them now since Parton Ways and going to Los Angeles. Any thoughts when you see that, you know, Honolulu blue across the way at all, Matthew? Um, you know, not really, not as much as I used to.
You know, obviously, the first time we played him in 21, I knew. 80% of the roster was still there, and all the guys were still there, and it's a small number of guys that I. you know, was able to play with when I was in Detroit that are still there.
Some of those guys really you know, great teammates, great friends, will be forever, but uh At this point in the season, where we are, man, I'm just trying to do everything I can to win football games. Obviously, there's history, there's a storyline, and all that kind of stuff. But once the ball snapped, you know, I'm dealing with that defensive side of the ball, trying to do what I can to help us score. And, you know, it'll just be another football game. What do you think of when you hear the MVP talk surrounding you?
Um You know, I appreciate it. I also know that whoever gets that award, it's an unbelievable team accomplishment. Um, you know, I'm not throwing touchdown passes to myself. I surely am not getting open in the slot or doing any of that kind of stuff.
So, um, you know, whoever gets it, it has been for years. It's such a team, and and uh, you know. you know, group award. Um I am obviously humbled to be in the conversation. I have a great respect for all the guys that play this game now, that have played it before me.
I'm an NFL fan. I'm in awe of a lot of the people that you know do what do what we do. But uh You know, it's humbling and I do appreciate it. Do you feel like you're playing your best football? I feel like I'm playing pretty darn good football, that's for sure.
You know, and it's just because of guys around me, the work we're putting in, the group we have. Um, I'm having more fun than I've had in a long time playing this game, and and uh, that's something to be said.
So, at this age, with this many grays in my beard, still having a good time, it's uh, it's fun. I love it. In terms of what you said before, too. In the few minutes I have left with you, Matthew, you said something along the lines of that everybody around here, the teammates, coaches, are about the right thing. What do you mean by that?
Can you give me some examples of what that means?
Well, some of my favorite stuff, um, when you watch our games is You know, I throw a touchdown to Puka and Devontae's the first guy there to celebrate him. Or I throw, you know, one to Devontae and Puka's there hyping him up. Or we hand one off to one of these backs and they get in the end zone and nobody's happier than myself and all the guys. We just. We all cheer for each other's successes.
We understand that all that stuff's going to come around. Our defense landman gets a pick or knocks one out, man. We're all hyped up for him. It's such a fun group to go to work with. And then that's what everybody gets to see on Sundays.
And then, you know, being in this building throughout the week with these guys. And see the work that we put in, the steadiness that we have, no matter the result from the game before, whether we win a game by a bunch of points or lose one in a heartbreak fashion, whatever it is, it's a steady group. We understand what it takes to go out there and You know, give ourselves the best chance to win, and we do it every single week, and that's a fun thing to be a part of. Yeah, it's interesting you mentioned the backs, obviously, because there's only one guy you can hand the ball off to. There's multiple receivers you can target.
You got Kyron, and you got, you know, I'm biased. You know, I'm a Michigan guy. Watching Blake Coram score twice yesterday, including that was your last snap of the game. I think it was a handoff to him. We went 46 yards, ended your day.
But just seeing him high-stepping on this field too. I want to share a photograph with you because Michigan played in the college football playoff semifinal in that building a couple of years ago, and Blake couldn't play because he blew his knee out. And there he is with my son, who's now 6'2. But there he is on that field, smiling, being there for his teammates. He came back the next year, and then he gets drafted by you guys, where he's waiting his turn, and he's being what he.
He's doing whatever he can. Just seeing him on that field. where he was with crutches. Doing that, man. That's what it's about, Matthew.
Really? He's another one. And you got to give a lot of credit to our front office to bring in the right kind of guys. Like you said, you find the Blake Corums in the draft, you find the Kyron Williams that you know are going to come in and be great teammates together, but also help our team be successful. And our guys in the front office and coaching staff have done a hell of a job of bringing in all sorts of the right kind of guys, mixture of personalities and all that kind of stuff, absolutely, but guys that are all about the right stuff.
And Blake's definitely one of those guys who was super fired up for his success yesterday. Um You know, a hell of a run there to cap it off, and I got to put the ball cap on for the rest of the day, so it was nice. That sure did. Was Kyron running with angry because Notre Dame got left out at the college football playoffs, Matthew? Is he pissed?
I would assume so. There was a little extra pep in the step for that one. That was a tough pill to swallow for those guys, I'm sure.
Okay. Last one for you. You mentioned multiple times how much fun you're having, and it's obvious how much fun you're having. You're playing at the top of your game. You look.
Great, and it looks like you're having fun. How much longer do you want to do this? You know, you're going to keep getting these questions.
So, I I guess I'm honored to be one to ask, if not the first, over the last month. You're already thinking like this is this is not the end? You're playing too well to even think about it, Matthew? I feel really good. You know, you got to finish out a season and see where it takes you.
I'm enjoying every moment that I have right now. If I. in the year healthy hypothetically and all those kind of things. Sure, I would You know, uh Surely entertained coming back and playing some more. We'll see how it goes.
But I'm just enjoying where my feet are right now, having a blast playing ball with this group, and we'll figure out the future when we get there, huh?
Okay, brother. Thanks for the time. I assume that is a Dodger cap, right? That's a Dodger cap.
Okay, just want to make sure. Yeah. Because I looked that up, that you not only played with Calvin Johnson, but you went to the same high school as Clayton Kershaw. I heard about that. Little known facts.
Little known facts. Take care of yourself, Matthew. Thanks for your time. Appreciate it, brother. Appreciate it, Rachel.
That's Matthew Stafford, buddy Los Angeles Rams quarterback playing at the top of his game. Legend. Yes, that is, in fact, a true story. No way. Yeah.
Man, I didn't know. I heard rumblings, but I didn't know for the first time. Yeah, Ryan Fitzpatrick went to Harvard. I don't know how many more of those there are in Detroit. The Lant Rams are just, you know, I have them at the top of my PAW rankings.
They deserve it. They deserve it. And they've got their hands full with the Seahawks in a couple weeks. They got the Lions this week. They're playing meaningful ball.
And he is just balling the F out, man. Looking great. I hope he does stick around here.
So does everybody here in Los Angeles? Yes, absolutely. I mean, let's go. Let's figure this thing out. Guys, remember a while back, Sanchez was here, and I told a story about him coming to my birthday party one summer during his college career.
Stafford was at that party, too. Dude, I interviewed Matthew Stafford with Sanchez the night before the draft in New York City. Oh, yeah? Stafford stayed. Sanchez went back to Southern California that night only to fly back to New York.
The next day, because he got drafted. The Jets traded up to go get him. Wasn't the story that he had like five bucks in his wallet or something like that? The story was, because I'll tell you what it was, because I. Interviewed Stafford again the night before he got drafted.
He had just he was he was not signed yet. His agent, I believe, signed him that night. After our meeting. And I are meeting our like I was a It was a Q and A for a bunch of sponsors. And I asked Stafford.
How'd you get here tonight? He walked from the hotel with his buddies in New York City. By himself?
So cool. And then he showed up. I'm like, how much money is in your wallet right now? Because this was back in the day when he was the highest, he immediately became the highest picking player in the Nation Lions in the history of the league. Yeah.
He had two singular dollars on him. Two dollars. Two bucks. Two American single dollars. It is wild.
Well, that was a good idea. I mean, obviously, I'm so honored to be able to be around this sport for such a long time. I could tell a story like that. I interviewed him the night before his draft, and now I've just interviewed him on this show when he is in line to be MVP of the league. His rookie contract was six years, $72 million.
2009. And he's just killing it, man. Absolutely killing it. And just one more time. Blake Korum or Balake Karum.
Thank you very much. Balake Karum. Balake Karum. Um Balake, career highs with 128 rush yards and two rushing touchdowns. And he's Week prior, he said his previous career high of 81 rush yards.
Okay, second straight game with a rushing touchdown, his first career game. Of more than one rushing touchdown. 28 games into his career. And it comes on a field where when I last saw him again, This is The only joyous moment of the day because they started to play games with TCU later on in Arizona, in Phoenix. I saw him on the field before the game.
He was with Coop. He was happy to take a photograph with him if you don't mind putting that back up. There it is. He had just blown his knee out. And had Surgery.
He was as smiling and as cool and as approachable as ever. His teammates are warming up behind him. He's not playing in the most important game that Michigan had played to date. with J.J. McCarthy and Team 143.
For Jim Harbaugh, and he's not out there. He stayed. We all know they won the national championship the next year. The Rams drafted him. And there he is on that field where.
I don't know. He had to sit there going. Will I rehab well from it? I have no idea. And there he was yesterday.
With his first career, two touchdown game, high step in it in the end zone. And it may be that very end zone we took the photograph in. based on the angles of both of these pictures. You never know. Pretty awesome, man.
Yeah, more importantly, a proud member of John Lennon's hot tub. Oh, is that right? He's on your team? Yeah. Excellent.
And the Dillingham way. Is he aware of it? You didn't start him yesterday, did you? I did. Hey, wow.
Yeah. Good for you. Yeah. I put up 180. I don't want to talk about that right now because Jay Felly got 90 million points.
Might be knocking me out of the playoffs. We'll take a break. 844, 200-rich. Number to dial right here on the pro. I don't want to hear from you, quite frankly.
The Rich Heisen Show, the podcast. Rich Eisen here, and we're brought to you by Sonos. The holidays sound better with Sonos speakers. Whether it's a movie night that feels larger than life or the roar of the crowd as your team takes the field, Sonos helps create the moments you'll remember. Beautiful design, incredible sound, and effortless control mean you can focus on what matters most, enjoying the season.
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Let's take his phone call. What's up, David? That's line three. David, you there? All right, David.
Oh, David. Audios. Troy in Arizona. Let's take Troy in Arizona's phone call. What's up, Troy?
Is this working? Oh no, I can't hear anything. I can't either. You sure this is working to Jay Felly? We haven't already moved this stuff over to New York City, have we?
We haven't done one of those things. All right, pop that back on us. Figure that out. No, Adam's talking them in the back. 844204 Rich is the number to dial.
So guess what happened? When? Yesterday in Cleveland, Ohio. Shador Sanders got better. A little bit.
Yeah. Everybody makes fun of him saying just look what happens if they get more time. Don't just know me in the middle of a game. Give me some time. See what we can do for a week.
Give me a week. He's you know obviously Folks had their fun because he said, Could you imagine what this will look like with a full offseason? That's what he said after his first win. Yeah. Oh my gosh.
But hey, gotta love the Moxie. Guess what he's doing? Guess what Shador is doing? He's given his team a chance to win. Unbelievable, man.
He scores 29, and the defense against. Tennessee can't do a darn thing to stop them. I mean, this defense that has been lights out against so many other opponents, San Francisco. Being one that just leaps to mind recently, they didn't win, but boy. Uh the Browns Watch Shadur.
Come up with career highs and completions. Passing yards 364. Passing touchdowns, three. Rushing yards, 29, and a rushing touchdown. Do you know who is the last and only other rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era?
To have a game with 350 or more passing yards. Three or more passing touchdowns or rushing touchdowns in a single game. His name is Joe Burrow. Wow. Just took a handful of starts before Shador put up a stat line that only other j only other person is Joe Burrow to put one up in the Super Bowl era.
Of course, he's the only quarterback to lose a game with that stat line this year. Would you believe You want to know the list of Browns quarterbacks? Who have had 300 or more, 350 more pass yards, three passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown in a game? You want to know the list?
Well, we got to flip through the book because there's like 80 of them. Uh-huh. Good good bit. You know what the bit is? Me doing my bit.
He's the first. No one's ever done it. This is the Browns. 1.0 and 2.0. How about this one?
The only other quarterback this decade. To have four or more completions of 50 or more yards in his first three career starts. Darren Rodgers. I even misread that stat. It's this century, not the cat.
It's this decade. I was like, wait, this century.
Okay. And she starts playing the slow sports center theme because they just did that. I just made a mistake. Let me just repeat myself. Shadura has done something that no Browns quarterback has ever done.
And in terms of this century, only Rodgers has done. And in terms of Super Bowl era, In rookie quarterbacks. Only Joe Burrow's ever done. Joe Burrow. All right.
Yeah, Rich, but hold on. And I'm serious when I say this. You know what the best part about it is? They lost because they maintain a top-five pick.
Well, I mean, to get them better, they already have, you know, two first-rounders also.
Well, the Jaguars pick is getting better. He threw a dot to Harold Fannin to lead a comeback of two scores down to give the Browns a shot of having to go for a two-point conversion to tie because they went for a two-point conversion before for the life of me. My goodness, that doesn't make sense. Never. Get it.
Every single analyst or analytics person in my life will explain to me, well, you want to go for two as early as possible so you know how many points you need, or you just keep kicking extra points and go to overtime. How does that sound? Or if you want to win it at the end, you can go for two.
Well, you don't want to do that because you don't have any time left in which to make up for that mistake, unless you need to make up for the mistake you just made by going for two in the first place. That was so infuriating, man.
Well, understand it. Nope. And we're back to the point. I will never understand it. No matter how many times analytics people will sit me down and explain it to me, I will never understand it.
I'm an old school guy. Kick extra points until you don't have to. Do you have to? Or you must have to. Yeah.
You gotta get Oh my god, at any rate. They have to go for two, and they take Shador off the field, and they do some dipsy-doo stuff with Quinchon Judkins, who's. Clearly, uh um didn't run the play as intended. And after the game, Stefansky was asked about that. What's supposed to happen on that last two-point conversion?
Yeah, I'm not going to get into all the specifics, Jeff, but obviously did not go as we thought it would. Did you make that call or did Tommy? Yeah, I make every call. I make every call. Why would you take him off?
Yeah, again, it's a two-point play. Didn't come through on our first two-point play, got to the second two-point play, we didn't come through, but that's on me. It's on me. I would honestly, not to tell him how to do his job, although Browns fans certainly would like me to. two-time coach of the year and a frequent guest of this program.
Wouldn't you want to see what Shador looks like in this set? He was rolling. He's rolling. You play the hot hand. And if you saw after the touchdown, they took a shot of Shador and he's walking and he's pointing at himself.
And I'm sure some people thought he was pointing himself, like, yeah, it's me. He was like, Am I coming out? And that's what it was. This is what he had to say afterwards. Did you wish you had the Ball in your hands in that moment, so tie the game.
If if I'm out there any play. You know, I would wish I would always have the ball in my hand, but that's not what football is.
Sometimes you gotta run the ball, sometimes you gotta kick a field goal, you know, everything. Like that's the game that's the game that's the most important thing, is the ball.
So In any situation, of course you would want to, but um I know we practiced something and we executed it and practiced, and we just didn't seem to this day.
So I would never, um, I would never. Go against, you know, kind of like what the call was or anything. It just seems every instance since he's been the starter, he's been put in a position in front of the microphone where he's either asked point blank something to contradict his coaches' beliefs in him or Um play calls or setups. To help him succeed, every single situation has either been point-blank asked of him, or in this situation, The football gods place A legit question in front of him through the media of saying, Are you upset to be taken off the field? And he answered it.
Knocked it out of the park each time he's knocked out of the park. Whether he's turning to somebody saying, Oh, you're just trying to start trouble, huh? Or, hey, everybody wants the ball, but we practiced it. He could have easily been, why would you take me out in the same way you did? And it would be just, he's making it about himself.
Oh, his dad's making videos of him coming to the game and hugging his son up before the game. It's only about the Sanders. Every single time he has nailed it. When put in a position by either the media or the football gods to second-guess his coach. Or the setup around him.
or whether they want them or not.
Well, these numbers certainly support him being the start of the rest of the season, and guess what was announced in the last hour? Is Shador Sanders your starter now for the rest of the season?
Okay. Yes. I mean, I understand why they started Joe Flacco, right? But we, I mean, at least I think we knew this was going to happen. Look, sir, all I know is we've hoped it and it's now happening.
So we get to see him next at Chicago, home for Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and at Cincinnati. That's fun. Yeah. I want to see him now. I wanna see him.
No, we went to see him all the all along. You bet. Where's our internet auntie from Virginia? Let's get her calling back in hour number two and get ready for hour three. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast.
Mm-hmm.
