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Now, on with the show. Yeah. This is the Rich Eisen Show. I think Quinn gives this team the best chance to win. From the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles.
I'm not happy about it.
Something out of my control. The latest edition of Salty 20. Today's guests. Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey. Actor Jason Clark.
Actor Matthew Lillard. Your phone calls and more. And now, it's your Rich Eisen.
So, hey, everybody, welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. Lots to talk about over the next three hours from the world of sports, pop, culture, and more. 844-204-Rich is the number to dial. Whether you're watching us on the Disney Plus app, hello, and same to those watching us on the ESPN app. Listening on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance, just make sure to turn the radio down when you're hanging on the phone lines, getting ready to chat with us.
And the same thing if you're listening on SiriusXM Channel 80, 844-204-Rich, again, is the number to call. We've got not one, but two actors coming in studio. Matthew Lillard, who's been here before, he's coming in support of Five Nights at Freddy 2. It's a sequel, which means I have to ask him: is this nights six through 10? At Freddy's.
Did nobody learn over the first five nights? And he's also the voice of Shaggy from Scooby-Doo. He did that first the last time he was here. Maybe he'll do it again. Who knows?
But he's joining us in studio now, number three. And the actor Jason Clark, who's in a ton of great things, including the remarkable Uh The remarkable Series that's going down on Hulu right now: Murdoch, Death in the Family. He also played. Jerry West in winning time. He's coming in here in hour number two.
Champ Bailey, Pro Football Hall of Famer, who's part of the Turner. Coverage of the college football playoffs this coming weekend. He's first up. And again, there's you at 844-204-H. Number to Dial.
Christopher, good to see you over there, Chris. Richard, great to see you. How are you, my friend? TJ Mikey D. Nuts is at his post.
And TJ Jefferson Candle's already looked. Good to see you over there, sir. What up, man? You're doing great. We have to start with the way week 16 is starting.
This isn't just any ordinary Thursday night football game. This is lots at stake. Rams and Seahawks, this has been lurking. This has been percolating. This has been boiling underneath the NFC West lid and the entire NFC lid since these two teams faced each other earlier this season when the Seahawks darn near kicked their way to victory in SoFi Stadium when the Rams and the Seahawks faced each other in week number 11.
Ball on Jason Myers' foot from about 60 yards away with no time left, despite all of the turnovers that the Rams got off of Sam Darnold. Again, Um The Seahawks almost survived. And then the Rams tripped up in Carolina, and the Seahawks now are neck and neck with the Rams. Welcoming them into their homes tonight on Thursday night football with the NFC West at stake and the NFC at stake. The Rams are one in the NFC, the Seahawks are five in the NFC, and lurking right behind them.
Are the San Francisco 49ers ready to Take control of this division and also maybe the conference. Ruining the story, and perhaps the dinner, and perhaps maybe the evening. to use the phrase from Okay. Stepbrothers back in the day. This is what it's all about.
On top of all that. Would you believe this is the first ever Thursday night game. Which is remarkable because Thursday Night Football has been going on ever since NFL Network.
Okay. Essentially invented it. And I went on the road and heard all these folks saying these games stink for about 15 years. And. Then handing it off to Prime Video eventually, after so many other networks were doing it on our behalf at NFL Network.
Would you believe this the first Thursday games? First Thursday game ever. in which both teams enter with 11 or more wins. Wow. Really?
Correct. Crazy. I haven't seen a game like this before. Also, The last time the Seahawks played a game. In December or later.
in which they were taking on an opponent who was just like them. In the top two records in the NFC. Last time the Seahawks played in such a game was week 16, 2014. When they beat Arizona, remember the Aryans coached Arizona Cardinals with Carson Palmer? They beat Arizona and then went on to lose in the Super Bowl.
to Brockman's Patriots. Oh, yeah, that's right. Last time the Rams played in a regular season game between the NFC's top two records in December or later. was two thousand one When they beat the San Francisco 49ers in week 13, And then St. Louis went on to lose the Super Bowl too.
Tom Brady and Chris Brockman's Patriots. Man, we won a lot, huh? TJ?
Well, the good news is whoever wins this game and makes the Super Bowl will not see Tom Brady in it. Oh, not yet. Not even calling it.
Okay, great. You never know, man. You never know. You know what I mean? Never say never.
The Rams already clinched a playoff spot. The Rams have already clinched that spot. They can't clinch the West tonight, but where the Rams win, the Seahawks would need to win two. More games. They only have two left.
They'd have to sweep those games and have the Rams lose their final two games. against Atlanta and Arizona. Seahawks need to win. If they want to surpass the Rams. And then, of course, if the Rams lose and the Seahawks take first place, that would be great for the 49ers because the 49ers have already beaten the Seahawks.
In week one, And they face the Seahawks again in week 18.
So the NFC West is up for grabs for the 49ers, regardless who wins this game tonight. It's better for them if it's the Seahawks. And it's not again just this. at stake and how rare it is to see a matchup. Like this.
Tonight, if the Rams win it. Sean McVay would get career win number 100. He's 39 years old. He does not turn 40 until. January The only other individuals who have won 100 games before they turn 40 are named Curly Lambeau and George Hallis.
Heard of them. Mm-hmm.
So, McVay, fresh off of having his second baby, and then perhaps some. Seeing Puka Nakua's latest video having a cow. Yeah. He's got 90s reference a Big milestone up for grabs tonight. Is the MVP of the league playing in this game?
Well, I have about three pages of stats here in front of me that says Matthew Stafford is, in fact, playing in this game tonight, and he is going to be the MVP. He's got a career best win percentage and passer rating. He's also leading the NFL in passing touchdowns and passer rating and touchdown to interception ratio. He's second in pass yards, 209 behind your guy, Dak. TJ.
Who's about to throw for 4,000 yards as a cowboy? Yeah, boy. Brady. And Peyton Manning are the only players to lead the NFL in passing touchdowns after turning 37 years old. And it sure looks like Stafford's going to join them because he enters week 16, leading the NFL in passing touchdowns by eight.
over a guy he just beat last weekend, Jared Goff. Since the merger Super Bowl Era. Seven previous players have led the NFL by eight or more passing touchdowns. The last one was Aaron Rodgers in 2020, and the only one. Who did not win MVP that season of the seven previous players was Dan Marino?
In 1986, when he let the NFL By 19 passing touchdowns. What? But Lawrence Taylor won most valuable player that year. Stafford's on pace to become the 17th player in the Super Bowl era to outright lead the NFL in passing touchdowns and pass a rating in a single season. 10 of those players won the NFL.
MVP award that season. I could go on and on. He's on fire and has not lost to the Seahawks since becoming the Rams' starting quarterback. He's beaten Sam Darnold three straight times. As we all know, Darnold.
is having a really nice season. in his first year with Seattle. He's 11 and 3. Leads the NFL in passing yards per attempt, 8.8. Certainly helps to have Jackson, Smith, and Jigba going off.
We'll get to that in a second. The list of players to have. Ten or more wins. And a hundred or more passer rating in the first season after changing teams. He has joined Vinny Testa Verdi in 98 for the Jets, Brett Favre for the Vikings in 2009, Peyton Manning.
In 2012. for the Broncos, Tom Brady. For The Bucks in 2020. Are you picking up what I'm putting down here? Matthew Stafford for the Rams in 2021.
And he also joins. himself. Last year With the Vikings. Allow himself to join himself. He's now done it twice.
The only player over the last 15 seasons. To throw four interceptions against an opponent, as he did back in week 11, and then defeat them later in the season. You want that list? I do. Oh yeah.
He's trying to join Brady in 2011. Against Buffalo, Andy Dalton against Baltimore in 2017, Ryan Tannehill. against Houston in 2021. and the 2022 version of Joe Burrow against the Steelers. That's what he's trying to do there.
Oh. By the way. This game between the Rams and the Seahawks, by the way, you're welcome, Prime Video, to set this thing up for you on a Thursday night because it is must-see. The Rams and the Seahawks are the only two teams to have a top five scoring offense and defense in 2025. The Rams are second in scoring, 30 points per game.
Third in points allowed, 18.6. The Seahawks are fifth in points per game, 28.9. and second in points allowed. 17.3 This is the 10th December or later matchup between two teams entering the game ranked in the top five in both scoring offense and defense. Since the 1970 merger, and one of the two teams in each of the last seven matchups.
reached the Super Bowl. Woof. Are you picking up what I'm putting down? Mm-hmm.
The best sack differential this season. The Broncos, and believe it or not, the Falcons are one and two in that regard at plus 41 and plus 27. Then you find the Seahawks at plus 24 and the Rams at plus... 18. They sack people, they don't give up sacks.
Matthew Stafford has the second-lowest quarterback pressure rate faced. This season, just 26% of his passes, he's been facing pressure. Only Aaron Rodgers has faced fewer, less pressure. Maybe he's getting rid of the ball just like Stafford. Darnold is fourth on that list.
Then you've got. Running backs. Kyron Williams and Blake Coram. Have each had 70 or more rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in three straight games. They're the first teammate duo to do that since at least 1950.
The only other teammate duo since 50 to even have 50 or more rushing yards and one or more rushing touchdowns in a three-game span. Jim Brown and Bobby Mitchell for the Browns. They both made the Hall of Fame.
Okay. Zach Charbonnet leads the Seahawks with eight rushing touchdowns this year. He's just one of eight running backs with eight or more rushing touchdowns, and each of the last two seasons, Kyron is one of them. In terms of Seattle players to do such a thing this century. Kenneth Walker III is teammate.
Did it in the two previous years. Says Charbonnet doing it last year and this year. Marshawn Lynch and Sean Alexander are the only other ones. And then we all know about The receivers in this game. Are you picking up what I'm putting down about tonight's game?
Seems like it's a pretty big game tonight. More or less. Jackson Smith Njigba and Puka Nakua are first and second in the NFL in receiving yards. They're also the only ones to be averaging. 100 yards receiving per game.
in the NFL. This is the first December or later matchup between the top two NFL players in receiving yards since Cooper Cup and Justin Jefferson went at it. in 2021, back in week 16, fifth season. In NFL history, that's featured a matchup between the only two players in the NFL to average 100 or more receiving yards per game that season. Last time that happened was Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill in 2022.
Before that, Antwon Bolden and Terrell Owens. That's what we're seeing. Smith Jig was responsible for 44.7% of the Seahawks receiving yards this year. And Puka Has had 167 yards receiving in week 14 against Arizona, and then followed it up with 181 receiving yards last week against Detroit. the last receiver to have as many such yards in a two game span.
For the Rams was Tory Holt, In 03. Big game. I think I've laid it all out for you. Take that for data. Thank you, Coach Fisdale.
Oh, and there's one other thing to keep an eye on.
Okay. Puka Nakua. If another defender lays a hand on him. Will the officials Use that hand to throw a flag. Or perhaps, as Puka said on a live stream, Use those hands to type out a text to people, hey, I'm on T V.
Listen. Nobody Is more joyous to watch in the NFL play football than Puka Nakua. I will put him up there in terms of smiles. Delivered. Remarkable play delivered.
Goofiness. For days. Again, I couldn't have been more stunned about what I heard and saw from Puka on this live stream. Apparently, this live stream, he wanted to set it up reportedly in the Rams facility in McVay's. Like, are you serious?
We got to. When we're playing the Seahawks, I just set up what a massive game this is. But this doesn't help. Pook is saying this about the refs to these live streamers who are, I guess, very eager to. Elicit such things because we're talking about it nationally, and so is everyone else, because you never really hear a player say these sorts of things.
publicly about officials And then on top of it.
Someone of Puka's remarkable stature Do you think the rats be bulls sometimes? Oh, 100% I like that. They had a... Yes, the reps are the worst. There's just some of the rules aren't.
And like, these guys want to be. These guys are lawyers and like they want to be on TV too, brother. Like, the game is. You don't think he's texting his friends in the group chat, like, yo, you guys just saw me Sunday night football? Like, that wasn't.
No way. Like, that wasn't PI, like, but I called it. Seriously, they do that, man. I mean, these guys are normal human beings, too.
So we will see what happens tonight when the officials are. calling this and I'm I'm going to say they will be professional about it. But they are humans as well. I wonder if one of 'em will go up to Puka before the game and say what's what's up? I don't know.
I doubt it. These officials just want to be anonymous. And, you know, he. Again, um He's right. The officials are human, and so is he.
He's twenty four years old. Um I've had nothing but the most awesome interactions with him. I root for him. My God, do I root for him?
So I will also offer these two cents if I may. Puka, do not do that touchdown celebration that these guys were telling you about spinning a dreidel. And making this hand motion. This hand motion I'm making on the screen right now is an anti-Semitic trope. It is awful.
To me, It's beyond offensive. It's not funny. It's not fun. It's Hanukkah. And again, I don't want to lay this on you because you may not know.
This is the there's never a good time to do it. Right now, it's a particularly dangerous time to do it. Please don't do it. As for the football, go ball out, kid. You're awesome to watch.
Awesome to watch. And also, In the community, face forward, keep doing what you're doing, man. But this ain't it. And I can't wait to watch him tonight on Thursday night. The Rams need him.
I didn't even mention Devontae Adams is not playing in this game, most likely. I don't think you're going to see him until the playoffs. Yeah, okay. But it I the last thing I wanted to do is Take a minute out for the real life stuff. But I have to.
And I always will from this chair when this is the subject matter for sure.
So let's just chalk it up to a 24-year-old perhaps not knowing. I hope that's what it is, obviously. 844-204-RICH. Number to dial. Champ Bailey is going to join us next to talk college.
football. He's part of the Turner. Family of Networks showing you a couple of college football playoff games. That's coming up next. Brooks Running reminds us that we're all powered by something.
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Champ Bailey here on The Rich Eisen Show, our radio audience, ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance is back. And there's two college football playoff games that you can watch across TNT, True TV, and HBO Max. They are Ole Miss hosting Tulane and then James Madison at Oregon. And Champ Bailey, part of all the coverage on the family of networks at Turner back here on The Rich Eisen Show.
So let's jump into it here, Champ. How are you and the rest of the crew going? Because obviously this is big. College football games are big. The Not to get too deep into the business of it, but Turner and ESPN striking a deal for these two games.
It's big business for everybody. But how are you going to handle the subject matter of James Madison and Tulane playing in games that a lot of people who are tuning in don't think they have any business being in? Champ.
Well, here's the thing, you know, and I think we sit in a perfect spot as we're only doing post-game.
So. Understand we'll be reacting to what's happened, not predicting. and making assumptions right so For us, I think we have a unique spot to speak on what's happened in the game immediately after the games. And, you know, I... I was a little iffy about it at first.
I'm like, why are we just doing post-game?
Well. I like it because it gives us sort of a pregame. In some pregame insight before anybody else can speak on what's coming up next. Yes, sir. Right.
You know, the next round of playoffs.
So here's James Madison in Tulane with a chance to silence all the critics. Because I got to admit, I'm one of those people that say we need the 12 best. I said this long before they even qualify for a playoff spot. And I still believe that.
Now they can go prove themselves as worthy of that spot, and they are based off the criteria that exists. But I think ultimately we want to sort of have what the NFL has. The NFL always has the best of the best. Right. There's never a question of, you know, should this team make the playoffs or not?
That's never in question. It's your record is your record, everybody's schedule is hard. And until we really figure that part out, we're going to be in this place where we're trying to figure out who the best 12 are. And I don't like the criteria now, but it's acceptable as we progress towards what's really fair and balanced across the league. Yeah, because again, I'm assuming you're doing post-game after both of these games, right, Chan?
After the JMU game, the final game, the JMU Oregon game, we'll do post-game live on set.
Okay. And Eugene.
So the issue, again, is you'll be able to have your first, you'll then be the crew to have the first crack at. Did these teams deserve to be in or not? Right. And if I'm the coach. Of either of these teams, I am 100% playing the Nobody Believes in Us card.
I play it as if it's every card in the 52-card deck that's in my hand. Right now, you know? I don't blame them. I mean, if you look at the conferences they come from, There there's no doubt that there An inferior group of colleges. But that doesn't mean.
that they can't win a game. You know, it's possible. But it's unlikely. And just based off the strength of schedule and historically, what's happened. With these types of matchups.
I mean, look at Tulane, for example. They lose 45-10 earlier to Omiss in the season.
Now, It's a little tricky now because Lane Kiffin's gone. John Somerall, he's going to hang back before he goes to Florida and coach. And a lot of things going on, a lot of distractions.
So, this is a perfect climate for Tulane to sort of have an upset victory in a game like this.
So, I'm looking forward to that one more than anything.
So, who's the best team in this tournament, do you believe? Is it your alma mater? Could it be Indiana? Because we saw what happened in the Big Ten championship game and clearly. You know, the Ohio State is outstanding, and last year lost their last Big Ten game, and it didn't matter.
They won it all. Yeah. What do you think? Or is it somebody in the world? I do believe the Bulldogs are playing better than anybody right now.
And you know, everything's clicking at the right time. You saw them progress. Like throughout the year, and get better and better week in, week out, especially on defense, which I believe is. The thing that helps win championships more than anything is turnovers and defense. If you're not getting stops, you don't have a chance.
Now, Indiana has proven, you know, they knocked off the defending champs. But I'm a believer in some, you know, you don't, it's hard to beat a team twice.
So if they ever met up with Ohio State again, I don't think they could beat them again. You know, how statements feel go here, you know, little things happen throughout that game.
So I do feel like that was a very evenly matched. Uh, team, but the top three teams I believe are Ohio State, Indiana, and Georgia. You know, I do give Georgia the edge and you know, a little bias there, but at the same time, man, they've proven that they belong in this top four. as they did the previous season.
So You know, for what it's worth, man. We gotta play the game. And I'm looking forward to it. But again, it's a toss-up at this point on who can pull this out because you can't sleep on Texas Tech. And the sleeper to me out of all this is Oregon.
Oregon lost to the number one team in the country.
So you can't fall asleep on them. They had no other losses.
some decent wins, but Ultimately, they have the talent to win it all. I'd say about six teams can win it. And you're not just saying that because you're going to go to Eugene as part of your television. And you want to be welcomed into places and where you're going to go eat. But you just mentioned six teams.
So then let's on the screen here. All the teams that are playing this coming weekend, which one outside of Oregon and the other four? First round buys, do you think has the best chance to go on a run here and be a Cinderella, if you will? Wow, I'm going to say Texas AN.
Okay. And, you know, Marcel Reed is the real deal.
So. Anybody who has a quarterback that's impressive like that, and they've been tested, you saw them come back and beat South Carolina, you can't overlook that. Like, you know, I know South Carolina's had a sort of downseason, but. They're still a tough SEC opponent. And for them to come back and win the way they did, they kind of show some resiliency there.
So I can't look past them with a dynamic quarterback they have. I give them a chance to be that six team. You know, they could potentially win it. Champ Bailey here on The Rich Eisen Show, college football playoff post-game show on TNT after the game in Eugene, Oregon, and after the first weekend of games of the college football playoffs are over, everyone should catch it on TNT Sports and throughout the family of networks right here on the Rich Eisen Show. That picture behind you, what is that?
What do we got behind you right there? Oh, man, that was my last. Pro win the AFC Championship. We went on to lose the Super Bowl, but we won't talk about that. Understood.
But that's a picture of all my guys us holding up the trophy. You know, my last win in Mount High.
Well, I got to be honest with you. That scene may play out again in a couple of weeks. And speaking of Oregon, Bo Nick's coming off the campus there. And Eugene, 22 wins right now in his first. Two seasons that aren't even complete.
What do you make of the current Denver Broncos. Japan. Yeah. Unbelievable run up to this point. And, you know, obviously the defense gets a lot of the hype.
Bo Nix does too. But it is a lot of great role players. You know, when you look at their defense, I think the two stars, Nick Benito and Pat Sertan. PS two are are You know, they're the guys we talk about. But there's so many.
Role players on that defense. That picture that's on the screen right there, Champ, that interception last week. Um, is game changer. That was exactly that's but that's why I don't, he doesn't get much action, you know what I mean? Like, that's why nobody throws his way.
That's why I was really surprised that he threw it the way he did, and I'm like, man, he's in perfect position. And a guy with his length, he can pick off any ball that you throw. If he can get to it, It's going to be a problem for the quarterback.
So I was a little thrown off by that throw, but you know, if you're going to get it out there, Watson's a speed guy. Let him go run under it. And, you know, unfortunately, that's not what he did. And it changed the game. And that put them on the path to win the game.
Yeah, and and you know I'm I'm um I'm I'm a believer, you know, that Denver could really do this. This is this is real, right? Yeah, you know, yeah, I do believe they have a shot, you know. They haven't been perfect all year. Like they started some games slow.
But again, I always go back to what people do in situations, you know, when they got to have it. Do they rise to the occasion? And they've done that all year.
So that can't be overlooked. Let's talk about some of the Hall of Fame friends of yours that you played with. Um starting with Peyton Manning, what's your favorite Peyton Manning story? Oh my god. Oh well, you know.
I won't put him on blast or anything like that, but you know, he's obviously a funny guy. I mean, I watch their Manning Cast probably every week. Every time they're on, I'm trying to every time Monday night comes around, I'm I'm probably gonna watch their version. instead of the original version of Monday Night. Only because I learned so much.
And it's really, and it was no different when we played together. He walks into the locker room and. Yo, he's just a year ahead of me, so it's not like you know, this is a point where we're both double-digit years in our career, he lands on our team. And now. I'm not the old guy anymore, or the only old guy.
You know, I have another. proven leader to kind of you know lean on and he was nothing short of Great, you know, and you know, I was fortunate enough to have that time my final years. And, you know, he was amazing to me. He was amazing to our team. And he obviously went on to win a Super Bowl a couple years after my retirement.
So. Man, the dude is a winner, and he wins and does great at everything he does.
So it's kind of hard to throw him under the bus. Oh, I'm not asking you to throw him under the bus or give you anything crazy, but. You know, he's one of a kind, and you know, he is as advertised. But, I mean, you know, the sheriff's showing up, you know, where. Where Elway left a void.
Oh, yeah. It couldn't have been more monumental, obviously. You know, you were there for Teebo time, and that ran its course. That ran its course. And then Elway's like.
Here's what we're going to do. We're going to get Peyton Manning and we're going to have him finish his career here. That had to give a jolt to the locker room. And I just love the fact that you say that he taught you football. You know, or taught you something.
He's still teaching me football. I love it. Right. I love it. Yeah.
He's still teaching and And it's not. And it's funny, I don't know if he's even trying to teach. I just think he loves to talk about the game and gives insight that. It's invaluable. Like you can't you can't You can't get that anywhere else.
So, the platform that he's had, I always tell kids: man, if you really want to learn about the game. I Go watch the Manning Cast, and you just pick up nuggets here and there. If you're paying attention, there's no doubt you're going to learn.
So I'm always encouraging young people who are interested in taking it to the next level, man. Go learn about the nuances of the game. That gives you an edge. You have no idea when all these information. Pops up in moments that help you succeed in certain plays.
It's a real thing.
So soak up as much as you can. Speaking of kids learning the game of football. Pop up the photograph here. What about the kid in the middle there in 2000 in between Daryl Green and Deion Sanders in Washington? What about that kid?
Chan. Look, man. How is it? Look, I'm on cloud nine right there. You gotta.
You're the thing. I grew up, my first game was watching the Redskins in the Super Bowl when I was five years old. I think they were playing the Raiders, and that's my first memory of really paying attention. And just so happened Daryl Green was on that team. Uh so Fast forward to 1999, I get drafted and he's still on the team.
So I think that was his rookie year, I believe. But And then Dion's Dion, right? I mean, you've worked with Dion, and you know the type of person he is.
So imagine how he is to a guy like me. you know, that's trying to walk his path and do the things that he's done. And then the nuggets he he still gives me to this day. I I look man, I I I tell people all the time, the best thing that can happen to a young player is you fall into the locker room. where you have veterans that care about you and pour into you.
And I had two. My first two years, I had two of those guys that I looked up to already, could have shut it down at that moment and been first ballot Hall of Famers. I mean, I couldn't have landed in a better situation at that time. And now you're part of the same gallery forevermore in Canton, Ohio, champ. And I give them a lot of credit.
They sort of laid the foundation for me, at least gave me the blueprint. And I don't think people understand. Like, I didn't really learn how to play corner. Until I got to Washington. Like, and it wasn't, it's not like I didn't know football.
What I didn't know was the techniques that it took to succeed every play. And Dale Green. Totally different body type than me. He watched me just practice for a few weeks and And then we just started talking and he just started giving me things. He was like, man, you should do this.
You know, this is what I do. And then I'm watching, I'm like, well, if I implement a lot of the footwork into my game, I have all this length. It's only got a Better A compliment what I do than it does him. He's a speed guy, right? Smaller.
He doesn't want to get in hand fights. I'm the total opposite. I want to hand fight, I want to do all this stuff at the line of scrimmage. And now I incorporate great feet and it took my game to the next level. And that was always my emphasis.
Throughout my career, it was my hands are great, but my feet are better. And he would always say that. Yeah, man, I teach that to the day I die. I love that. And, you know, Daryl.
Sometimes he will still challenge me to a 40-yard dash, and I want no piece of him. No, you know, I don't either. Yeah. He's 20 years ahead of me. I don't want any parts of him.
And then the one time I ran my 40-yard dash with Dion. Was when he was the character Leon Sandcastle from the NFL Network commercials, wearing the fake afro. And he ran the first 20 yards with me. running backwards. Stride for stride.
And I remember thinking to myself, because I'm running so hard, because. Of of the two people I want to Look at my 40-yard dash and be proud of it. The most are my wife, and the other one is Dion. Because I just didn't want to let him down. And all I could think of as I'm running that, I'm like.
Dion's running backwards with me, stride for stride. What is up with a fake lid? Like, what is going on? You know, well, for what is worse, Rich, he is a world-class sprinter. Thank you so much.
That's true. You know, it's he's a pro, he's a pro at it, and you know, he's not going to lace him up unless he can get the win.
So, so he went in knowing what the results would be before it even happened. That's true. That's that's absolutely true. Hey, Champ, it's always great to see you, always great to catch up with you. Great to see you doing your thing on TV.
And I appreciate you coming on the show here and chopping it up. Have a great weekend in Oregon. Hey, man, keep being you, man. You're the best. Thank you.
Right back at you. That's Champ Bailey, everybody. Catch the College Football Playoff Postgame Show with Adam Lefko hosting, and Takio Spikes and Victor Cruz with this man, Champ Bailey, on TNT Sports this weekend. And he will have the first word of The next round of the college football playoffs right here on the Rich Isand Show. First word on it.
He'll be able to sit there with the rest of the guys there and basically say, We were wrong. Everyone else is wrong about Tulane and James Madison, or one or the other, right? Never know. I know you don't feel that way. I don't.
I don't think much of America does either. Yeah. But they have the opportunity. That's what I said. When the college football playoffs first came up, and Notre Dame's basically.
You know, we're not playing in the Pop-Tart bowl. We're out. And I said, James Madison. And Tulane. I looked right in the camera and I'll do it again.
You have the moment to shut us all up. You have this moment. And again. Champ's going to be there in Eugene, Oregon. What a monumental.
Moment. beating Virginia in college basketball's first round. If James Madison with their coach. who I believe is going to UCLA once it's over. He is.
And again, Kurt Signetti came from there, and Indiana's the top seed in this.
Okay. Tournament. Um It would be up there with... What would you say? Buster Douglas beating Tyson?
You know what I mean? Like that sort of stuff. It's major. Major. It would be up there with the stuff that Appalachian State.
You know what? We're out of time. Wow. We're out of time. Wow, TJ is so cool.
It just popped. I was thinking major. By the way, it's Appalachian State. If you're going to troll me, say it right.
Okay? Because we don't need North Carolina complaining. Let's call the whole thing off. Let's go to break. You ruined it.
How so? by mentioning that four letter word. It's four syllables too, I believe. Meet the computer you can talk to. With Copilot on Windows, working, creating, and collaborating is as easy as talking.
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What's going on, Josh? Hey, Rich, Chris, TJ, how's everybody doing today, guys? What up, man? What's up, bro? Say hi to Mike.
Otherwise, I'll hang up on you. Hello, Mike. I'm so sorry, Mike. I completely forgot about you. That's my fault.
You know, I've been told before as Birds fan, we're not all the way there, so maybe that's the problem. Ah, you're an Eagles fan in Jacksonville, where the Eagles, once upon a time, played in a Super Bowl. I was a little kid, and back in 2004, when the Super Bowl happened down here in Jacksonville, I've been a fan ever since.
Okay, cool.
So, I got a couple of things I want to talk to you about. One of them is my birds, but the other thing I wanted to ask Rich is: what's more likely? The winner of tonight's game will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, or anybody else from the NFC will. Oh, tonight's compatents. Or the field.
What's your other point? Because we're going to chop that up when we say goodbye to you, Josh. What you got? The other point I wanted to say is just a little personal thing, Rich. I don't know who came up with the end of your YouTube videos where you're like, hey, you made it to the end.
Thanks for that. I just want you to know that's awesome and it's a great hook that keeps me coming back for more videos, and I love it, man. Excellent.
So, I wanted to throw that out there.
Okay, great. It's better than just you know what? The original idea we had two choices would be either me saying that at the end of the video or just flipping the bird, which, by the way, we didn't decide to do. Although, I think you being a Phillies fan, a Philadelphia Eagles fan, you might appreciate such a thing, right? I was going to say that might be the right way to go, Richard Engagement.
Understand, ladies and gentlemen, that's uh, that's uh Johnson Jackson.
Okay, very good. I'd say you go. Can you imagine if I just at the end just like thanks for making it? And just dude, just like, hey, hit him with a yo mama. I don't know why I would say such a thing.
Yo, mama. I don't know. What are you guys saying? Might be pretty funny. Great stuff from our friend in Jackson.
Yeah, I know. I want to write that down. Tonight's winner. Yeah. or the field.
In the NFC. TJ, I'll go to you first. Yes, sir. Tonight's winner or the field to make the Super Bowl in the NFC.
So, I'm going to assume Dallas is out.
So, that being said, look at you always. Your default is entertaining rather than actual real grist ability. Because people don't want my real grist, they want the laugh at that. I'm going to give you. The f I'm going to go with the winner.
I'm going to go with the winner. That was like putting your finger on the chess piece and then just removing it.
Well, because if you guys remember, we did a higher register, and the last time they played, I said the loser of the game was going to go on. To Be in the conference championship.
So, I'm going to stick with that. I'm going to say the winner goes to the Super Bowl. Chris goes to the Super Bowl. What I'm going to say is not fair. Oh, gosh.
What a way to set it up. That's great. But I still need to see Sam Darwin win a big game. And so I will say that's a big game, buddy. No, Devontae Adams.
There's always a butt. Oh, I think if the Rams win tonight, yes. If the Seahawks win tonight, I'll still take the field.
Okay. And here's why I would agree with that. First of all, I think the Rams are the best team in football. Yep. And I think you're going to see tonight Puka with some eyes on him ball out.
How does that sound? No reason to dispute that. Correct. Because he's on fire now. And um But See the Seahawks' winning keeps the Niners more in the mix.
Because the Niners have already beaten them in week one and play them in week 18, and all they got to do is just stay one game behind Seattle as they currently are and then win out. And they win the division. Whereas the Rams, if the Rams went tonight, The Rams would be one in front of the Niners as well if the Niners keep winning, but they split their season series. Yeah, no one's really talking about the Niners as kind of a sleeping giant. It's a better result for the Niners.
to win this division if Seattle wins tonight.
So I'll say that. We splitting the baby there. You can't But but you have to choose one, field or not. Winner tonight. Field or not.
So you say field. If it's a 50-50 proposition that one of the teams is not going. Yeah, even if Seattle wins tonight, I'll take the field.
Okay. And I'll take the winner of tonight's game. All right, good stuff to end to hour one. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. So you want to start a business.
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