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Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. That Texans defense is no joke. Ball is out. Brankettes picks it up.
Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Hot seat. Mike T has had more success than anybody in the league. Today's guests: ESPN NFL analyst Alex Smith. Fox Sports NFL analyst Mark Schlareth.
Comedian Kevin Nealon. And now, it's Rich Eisen.
Well, hey everybody, welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. We're live in Los Angeles, California. We got a lot of fun guests, and we've got time for you: 844-204-RICH. Number to dial. It's an overreaction Monday on a Tuesday because this just in, it is Tuesday.
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Good to see you, Chris Brockman. Hey, Rich, how are you? TJ Mikey David. He's nuts in his position. The candle appears to be lit over there.
Good to see you, TJ Jefferson. Truly is. Hello, world. And we now have the field of eight set, the final eight, the elite eight of the National Football League, the final four in each country. Conference is set after the Monday night football game went down.
in Pittsburgh PA and it just Uh was an A total and complete beatdown of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter. The dam broke, the levee broke, however, you want to put it. On however, the Steelers were holding off the marauding Texans defense for three quarters. Couldn't put a touchdown on the board whatsoever. And at the end of the day, it was a thirty to six final score washout in a game that the Steelers had for the taking if they could only put enough Together on offense to somehow, some way pop one in the end zone, and sure enough.
The final touchdown of the season for the Pittsburgh Steelers was the one that helped them beat. the Baltimore Ravens on the final night. And all that it served to do was: yes, give them a division title, which is. Obviously, something you want to have. And yes, a home playoff game, which is obviously something that you want to have.
But all it did at the end of the day was just delay what everybody thought would have happened. In Pittsburgh, PA had Tyler Loop of the Baltimore Ravens split the uprights. Rather than miss one to the right, and that is what is happening in Pittsburgh now. That Mike Tomlin has lost a seventh consecutive playoff game.
Now that Aaron Rodgers completed the first season in Pittsburgh for him, age 42.
Now, what happens to them? And I understand. Again, that the Houston Texans won this game, and I'm going to give them their flowers moment. Uh terrible. But at this point in time We were wondering how this Pittsburgh season would play out.
from the way that it ended last year. to the fact that Aaron Rodgers was targeted by Pittsburgh the minute The uh Flew across the country just to be told by another Aaron your services are no longer required. He took his time. There was a lot of conversation about whether that time would be up in time for the draft. It wasn't.
Everyone was wondering when Rogers would make a decision. He finally did. He goes to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the question is: would he be able? To somehow, some way, under the circumstances in Pittsburgh. Get the Steelers to the playoffs.
Check that box. Would he be able to get them into the playoffs in advance for the first time in forever? and that box was unable to be checked. And now come the question about what should be done. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
And I already know what's going to happen. I feel. Yeah. I know. But in this day and age, one never knows.
Did not think John Harbaugh would be made available. Didn't know that then Mike McDaniel would be made available after being told essentially. Yeah. Go about your business and giving exit interviews to the media and your players only to be fired three days later than what normally happens. But I'll hold that in abeyance for the moment.
When this is how it all went down after the game with Aaron Rodgers and the media about his future. And is that game? your decision for what to do next year. Continue weapons. No, I mean I'm not gonna make any emotional decisions.
disappointed, you know, obviously. I'm such a fun year, you know, a lot of adversity but a lot of A lot of fun, been a great year, you know, overall in my life in the last uh the last year and this is, you know, a really good part of that. Coming here and being a part of this team.
So it's disappointing to be sitting here with the season over. Play again, do you want it to be here? I'm not gonna talk about that. Shutting it all down. Basically, not even saying if I'm playing, I'm going to be here.
Why would he cut anything off? at the pass right now. Why would he say, I'm only playing here? when that might not be the case. Mm.
Especially since I don't think he'd be playing there if Mike Tomlin's not there. I could say that with about 99.9% Michael Jordan's not walking through that door certainty. I agree. Unless it's somebody from his past who he absolutely loves and would love to get started. on 22nd year with him.
Because he's got to sit here and say to himself, If I have the temerity to actually get inside his skull and. Careful. Think about what he's going to say or what he is thinking. He's got to sit here and think. I still have it in my arm.
And I still have it neck up. to the ability where I was able to avoid this rush for three quarters until the roof caved in. Leading to, by the way. The first ever. return for a touchdown.
In the history of the National Football League, with a ball on the ground by a defensive tackle, Sheldon Rankins is the first defensive tackle to return a fumble for a touchdown. And then of course This is another reason why a lot of people think Rogers will not be able to walk away. Because his last Throe, his last snap in the National Football League, was a pick six. And Tom Brady's last. Snap as a New England Patriot was a pick six in a playoff loss.
orchestrated by Waitford, Mike Vrabel. And he didn't walk away. He went somewhere else. and had a a final few couple of seasons till he was forty five.
So he walked away north of age 40. From New England and finished up his career and got another trophy. And maybe that's something when Roger stares out at the Malibu sunset, he'll be thinking about.
So I don't blame him for saying, you know, I'm not answering it right now, because everything is highly emotional. You saw him on the sideline. swearing like a sailor, upset about certain things. He has to be sitting here thinking, is this the way it's going? And I'm sure it did not.
It was not easy for Mike Tomlin and him to put their heads together and make a decision about him not coming out for that last mop-up duty that was Mason Rudolph's gig. Cause somebody who's a first ballot Hall of Famer doesn't hold a mop in his hand. The whole thing kinda sucks. For it to end that way. And we'll see what happens.
I have no idea about a sense of timing or anything like that. I'm sure everyone's going to want to know. And the first step is what's going to happen with Mike Tomlin. And this is what he had to say about his future afterwards. Uh I'm not even in that mindset as I sit here tonight.
I'm more in the mindset of what transpired in this stadium and. you know, certainly what we did and didn't do. Not a big picture mentality to sit here tonight.
So here's the way I think that one's going to go. It's going to go. in a way that I don't think Steelers some Steelers fans who have had enough of Mike Tomon. for whatever their reasons. Um is going to go.
It's going to go with the rooney saying, What do you want to do, Mike? More than likely. I think so. That's what everybody says. That's the way it normally goes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
There's a reason why, again, I'm age 56 and they've had only three head coaches. And it's going to go, what do you want to do? Does he want to do it anymore? I don't know. He might look around and go, Cam Hayward's got gray in his beard, so do I.
TJ Watts still has the... 100% motor giddy up of anybody who's going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer like that. I do like some of the other young players around here, but offensively, what are we going to do here? because I just saw the future, and the future is the Houston Texans defense that's not going anywhere and the Denver Broncos defense. And this is the sort of issue we've got on the offensive side of the ball.
How are we going to score points? Again, last night, the Steelers' defense was de cleating people. And they were all over CJ Stroud. But offensively, this was the question we were going to have, even with DK Metcalf coming back: where are the chunk plays going to come from? Where are the points going to come from?
Will they be able to affect things on the ground? I mean, the first run by Jalen Warren last night, 10 yards, that augered well, that bode well. Until They didn't. What's he want to do? There's rumors that he has a TV gig in his back pocket.
We had him on this show one week ago, tomorrow. And he was as honest as they come, which is I don't have an outside noise guy. I don't pay attention to that sort of stuff, but he must have somebody that does receive offers for him. Does he want to go to T V? Uh that this guy strikes me as a He's his ball coach as they come.
He wants to be in a building. He wants that challenge. I don't think he wants to sit on a television set, to be honest with you. He doesn't strike me as a guy that's just like, you know what, I'm going to win every week just sitting on a TV set. I don't need to be in a stadium.
I'm happy to tell you what I think about somebody else's job. I'll be part of the outside noise. That doesn't strike me as. Is him. Again, I only know him for covering him for 19 seasons.
I only know him from the times when I've chit-chatted with him. I have a massive soft spot for Mike Tomlin as Pittsburgh Steeler fans. and media in the western part of the state love to point out. You know, but even he will say essentially. You know, the results are not there.
He he's no He's no. Rube off the turnip truck here, to use the phrase. He gets it, he understands it. And so do the roonies, and they're going to sit down and talk. And it's going to take at least the rest of this week.
We all want answers now. Aaron Rodgers pointed out When this was all brought up to him, In his post-game press conference about futures other than his. Involved, and of course, that's Mike Tomlins. I mean, this league has changed a lot in my 21 years. you know, when you hear a conversation about the Uh the Mike Tomlins of the world.
matlafloors of the world. Um those are just two that kinda I played for and When I first got in the league, there wouldn't be conversation about whether those guys were. on the hot seat. You know, but the way that uh the league is covered now and the way that there's snap decisions and uh validity given to the you know, the Twitter experts and all the you know, experts on T V now who who who make it seem like they know what the hell they're talking about. To me that's an absolute joke.
And for either of those two guys to be on the hot seat is uh Is really apropos of where we're at as a society and a league because. Uh obviously Matt's done a lot of great things in Green Bay and we had a lot of success. Mike T has had more success than damn near anybody in the league you know from for the last nineteen, twenty years. And more than that though, when you have the right guy, Uh and the culture is right. you don't think about making a change.
But There's a lot of pressure that comes from the outside and Obviously that sways decisions from time to time, but Not how I would do things and not how the league used to be. What have you learned from being with Mike for a season about him? I've answered that a number of times. I've I've talked extensively about how I feel about Mike. And I and I just did not fing answer, so.
Thanks. And that's the way Rogers' final press conference as a professional quarterback if he retires ends with an F-bomb. Although, you know, again, I hear that answer, and I think to myself. Yeah. Do we in the media really influence owners decision making based on the outside noise.
And um And is it fair to say it's the media that is turning owners against certain coaches who have won a lot. And then I hear the last question. It's like, what have you learned from Mike Tomlin? And he gives the kind of look, basically, like, did you not just hear what I said about my answer about Mike Tomlin? And I've also said that over the final few weeks, which kind of lends credence to him.
having an issue with the outside noise. It's all just one big You know, microcosm of the way Ert Rogers talks with the media and also gives them a very thoughtful answer. I don't know if you saw Mike Silver of The Athletic, our longtime friend. Was there and he wrote about Rogers' last night? Because, you know, he goes.
Back with Rogers. They're two Cal Bear guys. Remember after the Fail Mary? That Silver was right next to Rogers doing a WTF. Remember that?
Viral moment? Yeah, yeah.
So, anyway, it's only fitting that he's there for Rogers' last night. And he got a text, he reached out to Matt LaFleur saying, Did you hear what Roger said about you? And LaFleur texted him back saying he was totally blown away by it. It's one of the greatest compliments he's ever gotten.
So um You know. And everybody's like wondering: did Rogers and LaFleur get along and all that sort of business? There's your answer. Listen. But it the here's it I totally understand why the outside noise in Pittsburgh is the way it is.
Tom is now 1-11, trailing at halftime in his postseason career. And he's now gone nine straight seasons without winning a playoff game. And I can't believe this is on his resume. The Steelers are the first team in NFL history to lose five straight playoff games by double digits.
So these are the ways in Pittsburgh PA where they're used to hanging banners. They want banners. Rogers' point is this as well. And the same thing with LaFleur. If you have the culture right in the building, Let's get the players right.
It's not like the players are one hundred percent right and Tomlin is just incompetent in fumbling the bag. At the end of the day it is just a team effort. And there are times when I'm sure Tomlin's decision-making and Steeler fans could call me up right now and give me five different instances of where he blew it, he blew it, he blew it, he blew it, he blew it. But you get the culture right. and you get the players right, you wind up with the twenty uh twenty-six New England Patriots.
Playoff team. You know? You wine up with the 2025 New England Patriots. You wind up with the 2025 Denver Broncos. You wind up with the.
2025 Seattle Seahawks. You get the culture right, you get the players right, you get the quarterback right. My God, you get the quarterback right. And off you go. And the problem is, he's really whiffed on picking that quarterback since Ben left.
Well, it's not just his choices either. I mean, you know. I think they need to draft one and get that one right. Duh. I mean, you should say that about every team that's now out of the playoffs or is in it.
Look at the top six. Teams in the draft. You know? You're wondering who's got the quarterback right or not, who's going to have to draft somebody. And five of the six teams have fired their coaches and started from scratch.
So, the way it's going to go is this: Steelers fans, they're going to take their time. They're going to ask Mike Tomlin what he wants to do, and we have no idea what he wants to do. And in terms of Rodgers, Tomlin comes back. Is the door open? Again, there were some throws that there was one that DK Metcalf.
Well, not just the one that looked like it, the A.J. Brown one, not to go all missed teammates on you here, but there was one that Rogers moved to his left and threw a dart through about 3C of Texans' hands. It hit DK Metcalf right in his hands, and it was a bullet. I mean, it's not like he's lollipopping this stuff in, and it's not like he can't take care of himself back there. He just survived all of this stuff.
For the season. But, you know. Or do you say to Tomlin, we're done. We're getting a new coach in here who and and it would be the the envy of anybody in the coaching community to take a job with somebody that holds on to their coaches for two decades. And, you know, I don't know.
You draft somebody, you go tell Malik Willis, come here. Remember, that was what I said after the week. Sixteen Packers lost. to Chicago. that he almost pulled out of his hat or that week seventeen loss that they had.
Uh against the Ravens. I don't know. I don't know what they're going to do, but I think they're going to keep Tomlin, and I don't know about Rodgers. I have no idea. I just don't know if he wants to end on a pick six.
Well, that doesn't even matter to him. I have no earthly idea. I've already opined enough on what I think he's thinking. Um Now let's talk about the Texans. Then Alex Smith is going to join us.
Headline for the Houston Texans, they can win it all. This defense, I've been fortunate enough to be around the NFL since 2003. This is my 23rd postseason with NFL Network. uh the first Super Bowl I ever attended. was the one that the Ravens won with um with their defense.
and Trent Dilfer and Brian Billock and beating up the Giants. And um This defense Of the Houston sections is up there with that one. I know I'm talking about. one of the old time greats. But again, I saw what they did last night.
I saw with my own two eyes calling the game between the Texans and the Chargers. On NFL Network and that week 17 Saturday after Christmas. This is no joke, folks. They just come at you and they keep coming at you and they keep coming at you. Young and veteran.
All of 'em. All three levels. My God, all three levels. They've got guys on the back end that's baiting you to pick you off, or somebody like Jalen Petrie up there with his Guardian cap just throwing his body around like he doesn't have one on his head. And then Aziz Al Shire right there in the middle, the Pro Bowler.
He's one of the fastest sideline to sideline backers I've ever seen. Toe toe. Um, obviously, you got the two guys on the ends as well, the guys in the middle. Sheldon Rankins again, first defensive tackle. In the history of the NFL, to return a fumble for a touchdown in the playoffs.
They were all over the place, man. all over the place. Their quarterback couldn't hang on to snaps. Everyone's wondering what was going on with C.J. Stroud last night.
Now, the Steelers' defense is no joke as well.
Okay, like that that'll that'll make you look at the the rush instead of down the field, make you think about do I have the snap or not. Uh I I don't know what was going on with CJ Stroud. And that'll be the conversation between now and kickoff, Chris, of that game in Foxborough on Sunday. Is Stroud going to be good enough? to overcome what inevitably will be some sort of Um remarkable athletic Achievement.
Scoring play by Drake May, Trayvion Henderson, name the playmakers there. I think the wideouts are going to have a tough time getting open on this defense. Just my first blush reaction of how that first game of Of Divisional Sunday is going to go. Agree. But if is Stroud going to be in putting up enough points on the board, Nico Collins got carded off.
Again, not to go too deep on a preview here the day after the wildcard Monday ended. But defensively, Holy crap. I mean, that's the headline. They were good all season long. And they were exactly what the doctor ordered last night.
When Stroud Came up with, by the way, I mean, a fumblitis that he had all last night. is exactly what they they needed. And after the game, D'Amico Rhines, I think we have him talking about his defense. This is what he had to say about that side of the ball. It was an outstanding defensive performance, one of the best that I've seen.
Chesley versus a really talented offense, a talented quarterback who's. You know. Played at a high level for a long time.
So I'm proud of our defensive performance. I think this is the best. Performance we've had in our team history.
So I'm proud of our guys for that to limit the points, to take the football away, not only just take it away, but to go score. You get two defensive touchdowns. That's a big deal. It doesn't happen much. And those guys did what they have been doing all year: playing disruptive, playing violent up front, and it helped us to win the game today.
And again, CJ Stroud last night. Found enough offense, just enough offense. And Christian Kirk, what an addition. The former Jaguar and Arizona Cardinal, exactly what they needed, certainly with Nico Collins knocked out with a concussion. Eight catches, 144 receiving yards in that receiving touchdown that put them up.
And that one-point lead that they had on Pittsburgh felt like a ten-point lead because of this defense. And Stroud had this to say afterwards. You know, we have some problems with the snaps. I mean, catching them, you know, got to find a way just to catch them and then take care of the ball. I think these games, the playoffs games, from my experience, they're going to make plays, we're going to make plays.
It's all about, you know, moving forward and trying your best to flush it and keep going.
So, you know, I thought every time we had a bounce back, we made more plays.
So, you know, I'm proud of our guys for having a little bit of resilience in those moments. And, you know, to finish a game like that was really dope.
Well, you know, how you learn resilience? You start 0-3, you make the playoffs anyway, and you win a playoff game. The only other team to do that was the 1992 Los Angeles or at the time San Diego Chargers. That's resilience. You go 0-3, you make the playoffs.
You win a playoff game, you go to the divisional round anyway for the third straight year, I might add. And interestingly enough, C.J. Stroud, if you remember last year in the game against the Chargers, they were losing that game, and the momentum was all about the lightning bolts until he fumbled a snap, picked it up, made a remarkable offensive play. The whole momentum changed. I was waiting to see if any of those fumbles would lead to that.
It didn't. 'Cause the defense needed to come up big. And it did. It's a championship defense that can take the Texans the whole freaking way. 100%.
I don't think I'm stuttering when I say that. Those cats were nasty last night. They're out there playing with bad intentions. Were they ever? Take backs are out there blowing you up.
Were they ever? You look at Daniel Hunter and you look at Wolfram, they look like they should be, Chris, they look like they should be the WWE tag team champion. Like they're literally built like someone you just draw. Like it doesn't, they don't seem real. Like this team's a problem, man.
200. Yeah, and they never played Drake May. We're going to find out. We're going to find out. And Drake Bay's never played them.
That's for damn sure. And but, but, but, but. The defense that showed up and was all over Herbert needs to show up. And because if they're all over Stroud like that, May is going to make more plays than Rogers because he's got more weapons and he's got the ability to use his legs in a way that Rogers used to. Yeah.
Don't forget, as we all wonder about Rogers not Coming back for season 22, what he was like in seasons one through about 18. Or 20 of his career. Sensational. Oh my God. First ballot stuff.
Let's take a break. Alex Smith is going to join us next. What does he think about Rogers? Maybe retiring. He was first overall in that draft, by the way.
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Call 1-800-GRANGER, clickgranger.com, or just stop by. Back on The Rich Eisen Show Radio, along with our television audience, Alex Smith is here. 14 seasons in the National Football League, also part of the Disney World of which this show is part back here on The Rich Eisenhower.
So it is great to see you, Alex. And, you know, it's kind of fitting in a way, you know, your name attached to Aaron Rodgers through the draft that you're joining here on a day where it appears that Aaron Rodgers could have thrown his last pass on Monday night football. What's going through your mind when I bring up his name in last night's game in tandem? Alex. Yeah, I mean obviously I I just I mean, first off, insanely cool.
He's still playing, right? You know, especially everything he's been through the last couple of years. He had a pretty significant lower leg injury himself that he was able to come back from. And I know last night's game obviously ended uh You know, pretty lopsided, but I mean, there was a point there into the fourth quarter. It was still 10-6.
You're still wondering if the Steelers can make a play here or there that all of a sudden it's a football game and they got a chance. And so, but I think, again, the season, you know, when he signed with the Steelers at the beginning of the year and you think about the expectations and what was the season going to be like for them to win that division to host a home playoff game, again, I just thought was a pretty cool run, especially here these last few weeks as they beat the Ravens to get in. I mean, who knows what the future holds. Obviously, at this point, he's been playing freaking forever.
So. But obviously, it was a treat. I mean, it's one of the greatest careers of all time. You know, he's one of the most talented quarterbacks to ever play the game. Obviously, and again, how much I think we all appreciate his, you know, even watching him play, right?
The body language, him cussing himself for his teammates. It's just, you know, again, he's so unique in everything that he does. And so it's obviously. You know, I think just to take notes, be grateful for it as a fan, right? You know, certainly a guy that I'll be forever tied to.
I enjoy watching him play. He's just, again, he's one of a kind. Yeah, and the question is: how far, I guess, can the Texans go? What's your assessment of one of the most wide open playoff fields that we've seen in recent memory? Alex?
Oh, I mean, I couldn't agree with you more how wide open it is, and the Texans absolutely could win the whole thing. The Texans could be hoisting the real Lombardi. Their defense is that good. Their defense is that historic. It's not, it's, you know, again, I think it's important sometimes to think about these things in context.
Is it the best defense in football? Yes. This defense, when you start comparing it to other defenses in the last 25 years, it's up there. They're that good. And it's good enough.
He saw two defensive scores last night. I don't think it's crazy to say that they will be in every game, that they have a chance to do that. And a lot of games, their offense, again, even CJ, I know there's a bunch of plays he wants to have back with the turnovers. If they don't do that, the game's probably not very close at all. And there's no reason to say that that couldn't happen every week.
That recipe. It will travel. It will go on the road. They look incredibly well coached and motivated right now. I mean, it's also scary.
I know this defense almost is aware of how good they are. And I think that makes matters worse, right? That they could just take over a football game. Why is that? What do you mean by that?
I find that. Yeah, like it's almost like Richard, they know their power, right? Like they know how, again, it's almost like suffocating as a quarterback to play this kind of defense, right? Like every level, they're extremely talented, but it starts up front. I mean, the defensive line is just so dominant, right?
And the secondary knows it, right? Like they know the ball has to come out quick. And so all of a sudden, they start, you know, they get more confident, right? They get jumpy. They take risks.
And it just compounds over four quarters, right? Like, especially once they start making a play, it's like gas on a fire. And it's kind of what you saw last night, right? Like into the fourth quarter, they obviously just took over that football game. And so that momentum, they're just going to take that right into next week.
Yeah, against New England. And I'm thinking maybe Alex Smith here on the Rich Has Show, we should soak in divisional playoff round for whoever scores. Best weekend in football.
Well, it's not just that because it's also whoever scores the last touchdown of divisional playoff weekend. If Houston plays Denver in the AFC Championship game and then that winner plays Seattle, we might see the last touchdown in the NFL scored on divisional playoff weekend. You know what I mean? It might come down to field goals in the AFC championship game and the Super Bowl because what you just said about the Houston defense can be said about others. And then obviously the Rams offense is potent.
You take a look at what the Niners have done as the collective, the Bills with Josh Allen. Truly, you could make a statement, this team can win it all, as I mentioned before. Oh, agreed. Totally agree. And you're exactly right.
Like, I mean, we talked about the Texans defense, but Seattle with home field. I mean, again, I was lucky enough to play in that division for a lot of years, and I'm. I'm real, real thankful I don't ever have to go to Seattle and play quarterback again. It's a miserable experience. The 12th man thing is for real, and then you combine it with the way that defense is playing and that defensive front and how violent they are.
For anybody to go up there and get a win, I mean, you're just going to have to be. It's going to take some magic, Rich. You're just going to have to be perfect. You're going to have to get some things go your way, make a play here or there, whether it be kicking game or kind of a gadget play, I think, to go in there and get the win. And Broncos is kind of the same boat, right?
They got a huge home field advantage. That defense, these are going to be huge feats to kind of go in there and knock off a one seed with a defense that's playing at that high a level. Brother, I've been around you so long, Alex Smith, that I remember a Thursday night football game on NFL Network, San Francisco at Seattle. Oh, I do. It poured so badly that we had to evacuate our television studio position on the field because water was cascading and then the game got delayed.
You just made this move because the field bubbled up. Yeah, the bubble started bubbling up. You've played that game. For the San Francisco 49ers. I was there.
I remember, man. That was not. Those are miserable football games as a quarterback, Rich. And a TV host, too, Alex. Miserable.
Like, every, you know, it's funny, like, when that, when that happens, again, it's just like down, it's like a monsoon. Like, there's nothing to you can't prepare for that as a quarterback, right? And like, every other player is reduced to like a seven-year-old, right? It's just kind of this fun, you know, magical moment. And as a quarterback who has to ball handle every single play, like taking the snap is just like the most anxiety, handing the ball off.
It's just terrible. Yeah. Terrible. See, I remember that. You said I don't know.
Somehow we won.
Somehow we won.
I do remember that. You do. I know. And I'll never forget because the storm came back and we were taking off for our Saturday game. I don't know where the hell it was.
It's somewhere on the East Coast. And we were getting out just before the whole. Yeah. Yep. You remember?
I remember that. Yeah, and I think they were like out of power for a few days. You'd have been stuck here. Man, it was insane. All right, tell me about the pain game.
Game plan campaign, Alex. I know this is near and dear to you. Go for it. Yeah, this is like it is something that's very close to home. You know, like, I think my orthopedic journey back from my leg injury is obviously well documented, but there's a side of it that.
I think it's really forgotten about. And even when I was going through it, right? Like this idea of pain management, right? Like I lived with this thing bolted into my leg for a year. And when I left the hospital, I mean, grocery bags full of.
you know, prescription drugs and I go home with a rescue med. Rich, because I like there's a chance I can OD from some of these drugs that they prescribed me, right? And it like these are conversations you have with your doctor that they just don't happen, right? There's a stigma around pain management in this country, and for good reason. And so.
Excited to partner with Vertex, really about anybody. I mean, listen, pain is universal. Injuries are universal. They are a part of life, whether they be surgeries or what have you. And really trying to empower people to have these conversations, right?
Get with your doctor. There are more options out there than you think, especially non-opiate options. And really just trying to advocate for, again, for this, this idea of pain management. Again, so many times it's an afterthought. You're scared to ask questions as a patient, right?
Like what's appropriate, what's not. For anybody out there that's going through it, they want some information, go to paingameplan.com. There's a ton of information on there for anybody, whether it be you or a loved one. Again, just trying to advocate for people to have these conversations, see what the options are that are out there. PaingamePlan.com.
All right, so take your shot. You know, the final four in both conferences. Who makes the Super Bowl and wins it? And former place of business for you, Alex. You know, we have to do this.
You know this. I'm sure you did it at the beginning of the year. You got to pick, pick up. Oh, I've whiffed every time. I did.
Same with me. Same with me. Every time. I did pick. You know, you you end up like falling into these like mainstream Picks right, like oh, it's Ravens, Eagles, right?
Like, based off last year, I did Chiefs' Lines, how that worked out for me, exactly. That's same as mine, but I did pick a dark horse pick, okay? Because it was like one that I'm like, was too scared to actually toe the line on, and my dark horse pick. Rich. Yes.
Was Rams Texans.
Okay.
Okay.
Let's stick with it. Don't know if that is still going to come, but part of me is like, it's got a chance.
Okay.
You're saying it's got a chance. It sounds like you need a pain game plan to make your picks, too. I need a paint game plan. But obviously, having been a homer, The, you know, I live here in the Bay Area. I played for the Niners for nearly a decade.
What, I mean, what a run. Like, if they could do this, I mean, I would be, it would be amazing. It would be magical. For sure. That would be for them to play.
I mean, that's how the Rams won it all, too, is to win it in their own stadium. The Bucs did it.
So that would be remarkably the third time this decade that it would happen after it hardly ever happened. Alex, I appreciate it. Appreciate the time. Payinggameplan.com for more. And this is only mimicking what's happening in the college football world as a Michigan man in meat need reaches out to Utah.
For help, uh, I was just gonna say, I was gonna leave you with next time we'll have to talk about wit. Not next time, I need it now. He looks to me like this appears to be a godsend for me, Alex. I love him. I've I've known Kyle since I was 18 years old, Rich.
Uh, he is a stud of studs. Um, you guys got a real one. Um, you know, listen, he I love him. I love him. I think he's one of the best coaches in college football.
Uh, and then a bunch of I know a bunch of the staff there going to Mitch and Michigan. Obviously, Jay Hill, I've known forever as well. Um, and so uh, excited for him, excited. Uh, excited. What is it?
The maze in the blue? The maze in blue. The maze in blue. It's okay. I got to learn these things.
I got to learn them. I had him on the show last week. I walked him through the victors. I told him how he cannot be friends with Urban anymore. It's too bad that that relationship's got to end.
But then he went on his podcast. It's all good. Listen, but in all seriousness, how do you think he's going to help Bryce Underwood? Like, you would know how he would coach up a young quarterback. What do you think on that front, Alex?
Yeah, I mean, obviously, I think the great thing, I mean, Kyle is a defensive guy, right? Like, that defense is going to be so stout and tough and play a brand of football. I love the offensive coordinator that he brought with him, Beck from Utah. That offense, I think, pairs perfectly with it. But listen, again, like, Kyle's been coaching.
I mean, 20 years, right? He's had a lot of quarterbacks. He's been around a bunch of guys. And so I think that to just kind of have that foundation there. And then I think to have the stability, to be honest, Rich.
Like Kyle's just so stable week in and week out, not having the highs and lows. You're not riding the roller coaster, right? Like being a guy that's able to see the big picture. I think that we'll be able to get, whether it comes from him or not, we'll be able to get Bryce any and all information, things that he needs to reach his potential. Alex, appreciate the time, man.
It's so great to see you. I hope to see you at the Super Bowl. I imagine you'll be up there. Yeah, same. Yeah, I will be here.
I'll look for you because, again, we go way back. I interviewed you when you were a prospect on an NFL Total Access set that no longer exists. That's how long we go back.
So anytime that you want to go on a tour or appear on this show, you've got a spot with me, as you know. I appreciate that, man. Thank you so much. Best to your wife and family. That's Alex Smith, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, PayneGamePlan.com.
Yeah, the show doesn't exist anymore, and the studio doesn't exist anymore, but the network still does. Hey. And speaking of, we're back on ESPN in a moment. Oh The Rich Heisen Show, the podcast. Back here on The Rich Eisen Show on radio, as well as.
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Terms and conditions apply. Glenn in Atlantic City, New Jersey, A-C-N-J. What's up, Glenn? How are you, sir? He's up.
Oh, that was a big intro. I'd love to, you know. Atlantic City. My dad once took me on a bus once fake ID to go down there and gamble with him. Arvin Gardener.
I figured the statute of limitations is done with the gear gun. He's on hold again, Rich. All right. Love DC. Too bad.
Let's go to Gabriel in Washington. What's up, Gabriel? Good morning, gentlemen. How are you doing? Hey, uh I just wanted to touch on uh what uh what Ben Johnson had to say about the Packers and his comments towards them.
I think that's absolutely great for the NFL and football across the board, you got to have rivalries. Rival leads make games so much better, so much more anxious and intense. Having a true rival. Uh, I think that's something that college football has uh Black the last couple of years, especially with Ryan Day finally getting the Michigan monkey off his back. Yeah, that that rivalry was beginning to wane because it was so lopsided, Gabriel.
You know, it was so lopsided.
So, yeah, it was. It was. Yeah, I know. He decided to act like it wasn't a big deal. But um so back to and you know I'm a I'm a Washington Huskies man, and with Pac-12 falling apart, The Huskies and Cougars, they play in the middle of the season now.
The Aval Cup doesn't have any weight to it no more. It just kind of sucks, but.
So the NFL You guys have been hearing me called the last few few weeks. Figured if I uh Keep calling, you know, kind of like the annoying commercial, a little jingle in your head, a jingle in your ear like uh. You know, Seattle, you guys might talk about a little bit more. Oh, sure. Gabriel in Washington wanted us to take the Costanza by Menon approach.
Yes. Okay.
Yeah. that the sea chickens are going to lay Saturday night And for the rest of the season, is Tiffany Blue Full of sterling silver in the shape of a Lombardi. Ladies and gentlemen, Gabriel in Washington had that one in his back pocket. Put that one on the table. Listen, the whole Ben Johnson thing, you know, we're on obviously ESPN Radio in Chicago.
Love being on in that awesome city and love the passion of the Bears fans. And you know, if you call in here 844-2046, you'll speak to Adam Chudwin, our call screener. He is as die-hard a Bears fan as we know. Did you see Ashton went on the Tonight Show wearing the same hat that he wore here? No, I didn't do that.
He went on Fallon. And I'm glad he didn't do here what he did to Fallon, which is showing off his Tai Chi moves or something like that. He got down on the ground and he actually flipped. Flipped Jimmy Fallon over. Oh, probably.
Yeah, Jiu-Jitsu. Pardon me. Yeah, yeah, Jiu-Jitsu. Yeah, I'm glad that he didn't pull that stuff on me. Listen, it just strikes.
It sounds weird for one guy who's fresh to something to suddenly call out another man who's in the same profession as him, you know, by name like Matt LaFleur Prior, and then F this, F that. But he's just giving voice to what the fans have been dying for for such a long time. And clearly, he's just plugging right into what the fans want to. hear somebody on their behalf say about the Packers and then actually do it to them.
So, you know, that's what that rivalry clearly is all about. Mark Schlerith coming up an hour too. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Mm-hmm.
