This is The Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere.
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Now, on with the show. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Kyle Tucker to the thought is what are we talking at? His repeat now? This is the Rich Eisen Show.
MLB, do something, enough is enough. Just like that. Tucker's second home run of the ball game. Earlier on the show, NFL Network Insider Tom Pellisero. Coming up.
Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk. Rams running back Blake Coram. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Hour number two: The Rich Eisen Show is on the air. Chat with Tom Pellisero about the latest on the coaching carousel and the injury front and the divisional playoff weekend.
We also just. chopped it up about the Dodgers signing Kyle Tucker and then the Mets responding by signing Bo Bachette. That leaves Cody Bellinger out there still, and the Yankees and Cody apparently circling around each other, if not Maybe the Cubs are interested in getting him back there because Kyle Tucker just left. I'll tell you this, TJ. uh Bob Nightingale of USA Today reporting That the pivot from losing out on Tucker to signing Beau Bachette.
Do you know who that left? at the altar.
Somebody who had already agreed to a massive $200 million deal for seven years. This adds a little bit of extra happiness for you as a Met fan. Apparently, he left the Phillies at the altar. Oh, okay. Does that make you smile a little bit more right there?
Yeah. Just a little. It's ripe.
Sorry, Jake.
So well, it's Chinatown, as they would say to Jake. But if you're referring to the Jake who puts together our reels, and he hasn't seen Chinatown. Definitely not. Definitely not. Definitely not.
844-204-Rich is the Never to Die. We'll take your phone calls. It's a What's More Likely Friday? We'll get to that in a second. We'll talk about the Eagles in hour three.
Speaking of Philly, we'll do that later on in the program. Christian Kirk's going to join us. Tom Pellisero is saying moments ago he does not think Nico Collins is going to be able to play on Sunday.
So that is a blow to a Texans offense that will no doubt have to rely a little bit more on Christian Kirk. Eight catches, 144 yards, and that win over the Steelers. He's going to join us shortly. Let's go to the phone lines. Jeff in Texas is here on the program.
What's up, Jeff? What's going on? Hey, Rich, thanks for taking my call. Thank you, sir. I'm so glad you're going to have Kirk on the call.
You know, Go Texans. But but hey, I wanted to ask Yeah. Um Are you you would Re in regards to the national championship game on on on Monday. Is anybody talking about the age differential between the two rosters. Yeah, we were talking the other day about how Indiana's roster age.
would be on the low end Uh in terms of the youngest uh roster age for a National Football League team. That's for sure.
Well, the information that I read, they're like they average around 23 and a half years, which is like three and a half years older than the average roster of Miami. Right. I know, and and Listen, and that's what makes it so interesting is in terms of so many different ways to preview this matchup. Again, Malachi Tony is, he's not even 18, right? Right.
I mean, and so you so it's almost like the it's almost like this perfect storm. I mean, he brings Signetia obviously is a great coach, but the timing of bringing originally thirteen players from JMU, he's still got six or seven of them left. He's it's like almost been a developmental squad. And so it's almost like: is this age versus talent? You know, not that Indiana doesn't have talent, but.
But it's older. And that may be a difference maker, or at the end of the day, listen, whoever wins, we're going to say they did it the right way. You know what I mean? Like, that's the way we react. In in media.
And we'll see, you know, Signetti doing what he's done in just three years coming to Indiana, and then obviously Miami doing what it has been doing all year. Which is surprise people, whether it was being surprised that they made the playoffs or surprised with what they've done with their opportunity to make the playoffs. That's what's going to be discussed on Monday night.
Well, yeah, Indiana did it the way of trying to go through the portal and trying to get a bunch of older players and then get together and try and beat up on the younger team, and it didn't work. 'Cause youth and the talent Of Miami and their grit and determination and their home field advantage ruled the day. Even though their youth is also led by a quarterback and Carson Beck, who is in the same draft class as two guys started in playoff games last weekend and the wildcard weekend. CJ Stroud and and Bryce Young. I mean It's not like Carson Beck is some young'un.
He's damn near like the Brandon Whedon of University of Miami. You know what I mean? So, or it'll be like, hey, all you got to do is go on the portal and be smart and get a bunch of older players who are still terrific at what they do for their age. And um and and and they're a a better coached opportunity because they're more mature. That's gonna be the the narrative Tuesday morning next week, Jeff.
That's for sure.
Yeah, it's going to be interesting. Hey, well, thanks for taking my call. Thanks, buddy. Love your show. Thank you so much.
That's Jeff in Texas. How are you going, Jeff? You know, that's going to be it. Chris Fowler's going to be on the program on Tuesday to talk about it. He's calling the game.
So That'll be it. Uh did I miss anything? That that's Well it's front road front loading a narrative by about 90 hours. Yeah. But and then we'll see Tuesday morning if Signetti wins.
You got a phone call from any of these NFL teams? He's probably already gotten phone calls. I imagine he did. It hasn't been a representative representation. Oh, Jeff Hafley is talking to the Steelers, or the Steelers reached out to Jeff Hafley.
You know how we know that? How do you know that? Because Tom Pellisero tweeted it during The segment with remember he was looking down and I was busting his stones. I'm like, you know, hey. I'm used to talking to my kids that way.
Hey, can your eyes here? Get your face out of your phone. He's doing a spell check.
So he wasn't with the name. The time stamp of the tweet matched up with his appearance on the program. He was on between 9:20 and 9:42 a.m. Pacific time right here. And at 9.35 a.m.
He tweeted out the Steelers will interview Packers D.C. Jeff Hafley on Saturday for their head coaching job, Per Source. No misspellings or anything. Good job, Tom. He also added the comma.
Yeah, well done. Per source. Oh, that goes without that. You know, per source is the, I believe, Swedish source. Yes.
Per. Per of the Source family. Of course. Per source. Her.
That's okay. He can tweet and report and talk at the same time. He's versatile, man. He is that. Bet you didn't have pants on and wearing that.
That's what he said he wasn't. All right. 844-204-Rich is the number to dial here on a busy Friday. Christian Kirk of the Houston Texans. Lurks, but first up, it's an overreaction.
Oh, pardon me, it's a what's more likely party. What's more likely presented by Pello Windows and Doors? Hit it. What? What's more likely?
Never say never, but never. All right, Chris, you got the Pella helmet in front of you. You got the Pella markings on the screen. You got the what's more likely presented by Pella, Windows, and Doors. Hit it.
Guys, we have four massive games. Happy Friday, everybody. Let's get right to it. Fourth quarter, more likely fourth quarter magician quarterback. To combine for more touchdowns on Saturday, Josh Allen.
Bodix. Oh, I thought you were gonna go with the Rams game. I'm going with the marriage. You're going to go with Stafford. Oh, I see.
But I thought, in terms of fourth-quarter magician quarterback, there's two of them in the Chicago Bears hosting the Rams. Uh come on man. I'm going to go with Josh Allen.
So you're picking the bills. Um You said fourth quarter magician quarterback to combine for more touchdowns. What does that mean? Combine for more touchdowns? Rushing and passing.
Okay. I'll go with the guy who is one of the greatest in the history of the game already. despite not even playing a full decade in the league rather than somebody who's going at it for the second time in the playoffs.
So, you're picking the Bills. I'm picking Josh Allen in this. Scenario. Interesting. You have placed it in a box or you've placed it on a topic bar.
You don't like my answer? Is that what you're saying? Not in mind.
Okay, what else? You got to go. It's disrespectful to both. It's not at all. You've told me what's more likely.
Have you seen this picture going around of Haley Steinfeld from 2016 at a Broncos game? Yes. Why? Is she dressed in Broncos? Oh, yeah, she's dabbing.
At the Super Bowl, full Broncosed up, doing the dab. Obviously, sticking it to Cam. Oh, as you know, I guess that's the trend right now is to post pictures from 2016. I did it. I did it last night.
I saw that. Yeah, yeah. Xander saw it, and he's like, whoa, dad, you're actually following a trend. And I'm like, wait a minute. Was that he went higher register on?
How dare you? How dare he? Who's more likely to reach the conference title games this weekend, guys? Both number one seeds, both number two seeds, or none of each? To reach conference title games, both one seeds, both two seeds, or none of each.
Um Um let's go with I think it's more likely that both one seeds reach it. What do you mean, none of each? That every road team wins this game? Yeah, upsets. As you know, my higher register is at more road teams than when than not.
Aggregated. Did it really? Yeah. Oh.
So you're hedging your brain. Wow, really? People listen to what I'm saying and then repeat it? Yeah, buddy. Who aggregated it?
The people who employ us. Oh! Really? You and TJ got aggregated. This is my first time.
Are you upset about that? Congrats. No, no, no, no. Mine always get aggregated out of context. Yeah, so he kinda he kind of happy about that.
I thought that's what it means to be aggregated. Yeah, but they don't put the context of what he's saying.
So he gives like a higher register guy. And my higher register guy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And Chris will be a little bit more. But without the context of that, where it's a bit.
Right. People act like I think that no one from the Rams has ever been in the cold. Yeah. Right. Yeah.
The first couple of. We got Blake Cornel in hour three. And then someone goes, you know, they played the Eagles last year and it was cold. And I'm like, yeah, you know what happened that game, too?
Well, I mean, Jalen Carter wasn't blocked. Otherwise, they would have won that game in the snow, pal. Hey, if they're like, where are we again here? I'll go both. I'll go twos or not.
I will say it's not likely that all four road teams win. And uh I I don't know if both two seeds are gonna make it.
So I'll go both one seeds is the most likely scenario. Love it, Richardson. Chris, I'd love beating Chris Brockman for the first time, by the way. It's funny at 2 Jiggy. You get aggregated and they throw your account out there for the first time, and then all of a sudden Twitter goes down.
That's weird. And I get no followers from it. That's weird. More likely, offensive player of the year candidate. Twitter's down, and hateful people are like, how will I make sure people know about my hate?
That seems unnecessary to pile on like that. What? On what? On hateful people on Twitter? Trying to do this.
Well, that's also, I think that's also redundant. Yeah, understood. I still use Twitter activity. Oh, really? I have hate, but not that much.
Offensive player of the year candidate to go for more yards. Christian McCaffrey rushing and receiving, or JSN only receiving. Oh gosh. That's easy. Yeah, I mean, why wouldn't you go with a guy?
You're giving me the option of two paths to a total as opposed to one path to a total. I mean, what did he do a couple weeks ago? See. No, I hear you. No, he got smoked.
Yeah. Um I kind of feel like McCaffrey's one of those dudes that's been stewing over not grabbing that pass. And the fact that they're sitting there in Seattle rather than at home will just remind him of that. And I think he's going to have a better day. Or a better night.
I'll go with, but I'll just go with a guy who's got two paths to the total rather than one. Understood. Certainly if Drew Locke might be throwing the ball. I'm sorry, I don't even want to put that out. Don't put that evil out of it.
Let me get away, Bobby. Pray to the Lords of the Obliques. More likely to be the bigger number. Bummer note. No George Kittle, obviously, with the injury last week.
Jake Tongass receptions. Or Seahawk Sacks on Brock Purdy. Oh, I'll go Seahawks Sacks. I'll go see Hawk Sacks. I got the game-winning touchdown week one.
I am very well aware of that. Um yeah, man. This is Seahawks defense, dude. I'll just leave it at that. Yeah.
Mm-hmm. Yeah, uh, Saxon Purdy. Although this time around, Trent Williams will be suited. True.
So Jake Tong is going to hang this up on his locker.
Well, I mean, with all due respect, man, I mean, so what are you saying? Like, he's got five catches and something like that.
Okay, sure, sure. Maybe they keep pretty upright. I hear you.
Well, hey, listen, for Niners' fans' sakes, I hope I'm right about the McCaffrey one and wrong about this one. And for Seahawks fans' sakes, I hope I'm. Wrong about the JSN one and right about this one. I'm just trying to split things up. It's called What's More Likely, not like what is consistent.
Right, yeah. All right, let's go to Sunday. I'm placing markers. Let's go to Sunday. You know what I mean?
Foxborough first up. More likely, more. Will Anderson, Daniil Hunter have more sacks of Drake May, or the Patriots have more 20-plus-yard plays? They're a big play offense. What's the weather like?
I'm serious. Give me the weather here. Kind of all over the place. Is it gonna snow? Is it gonna snow and then all of a sudden uh Hunter and Anderson are sliding all over the place?
They can't get traction. Is that what's gonna happen? Yeah, Sunday, Sunday, let's see, Sunday at 3 Eastern is looking like. What was it?
Well I mean I'm waiting for the weather out to load to load up, I don't know. It's mid-thirties, maybe some snow flurries. Yeah. Hmm. I'll go Anderson Hunter Sacks.
I'll go Anderson Hunter snacks. Sacks. And snacks. And snacks and snacks.
Well, I mean, they would have a snack of Drake May. Don't get that big without snacking a little bit. Drake May gets sacked a lot. 20 plus yards on this Texans defense is saying a lot. It just is.
Yeah, it's a big play offense. I understand it. Is guys, is there more likely to be more of combined? These two teams like to fumble, Rich Eisen. Combined Patriots, Texans, turnovers, or more combined touchdowns in the game.
Ooh, ooh. Oh.
Screw it. I'll just go combine touchdowns to keep it uh to combine turnovers to to make it interesting. Combined turnover. I just had a turnover and giving you my answer. Play the slow slow Sports Center thing.
Dude, I have been talking for three hours a day at least. Yeah. For, let me get this right. Today, today will be day 12. Yeah, 13.
You have a show tomorrow? Yeah, you do. Yeah, I do. Four and a half hours. And then four hours.
And then three hours. And then Monday. All week. Tuesday. Yeah, yeah.
It's all good. Right. I don't stop, Richard. It's all good. You know what I'm saying?
No, it's all right. I'm ready to go. I stay hydrated, try not to cramp up. You stay ready.
So you ain't got to get ready. To talk ready. You know. That's how we keep the lights on, Chris. That's right.
That's true. We're going to talk to one of these guys in like an hour.
Okay. Running back duo to go for more rushing yards. Kyron or Balake or. Balak. DeAndre Menangai.
DeAndre and Menangai are gonna be a really cold game in Chicago. Oh man. I think we're going to see a lot. Oh, man. I'm going to see.
I think, how about this? I think Magnongai might lead everybody in rushing. Ooh. Because he's the bruiser, man. He is a bruiser.
And I think this is Menangai weather. Right. My young guy sees Manangai weather. Um But how can I look at my guy high stepping on the screen right there? You know what I'm going to say here.
Oh, come on. You know what I'm going to say here. What team number? 168? 144.
Team 144.
Something that no one started using. And if the, and if the mind. I know that exactly. I know people don't know that. Listen, you know why other people don't refer to their teams as team 144?
Well, you didn't do it either until like two years ago. Right, because there was no team 144 for Michigan until they won it all as team 144. And you also. Not many teams programs can say. We've had 144 different teams.
That's it. You know what I mean? I'm just saying. Probably like Harvard and Yale, probably. There's a few of them.
Yeah. There's a few of them. You know, Harvard's the Michigan of the East. Yeah, I mean, I was kind enough to receive a game ball for the win in the Rose Bowl over Alabama, which was the penultimate win for Team 144. You know what it says on site?
Win 1,003. Right wins.
So I'll go with Blake Coram. and Kyron Williams because I'm that guy. Although Monangai might lead him lead them all in rushing. An hung guy. See what I'm seeing?
You see what I'm doing? I'm placing markers everywhere. It's like a don't pass and a yoke. You know what I mean? Or don't pass in a hard tenth.
You know what I mean? I feel you. I keep it real. I stay on, I play the film. You know?
Love a good heart to do it. When the point's like a six. Oh, you're talking poker. No, I'm not. Oh, crap.
God bless you. No, more likely to be the higher total. Matthew Stafford passer rating in the freezing cold. Or Dodgers wins next year. Come on, man.
Oh, I'll go Dodgers wins next year. At a boy. I mean, what is it be about 106? It's going to be a tough. I mean, passer rating.
You could even win playoff games in the cold like this with a passer rating of 99 or 98. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, don't turn it over. You know, go for, you know, great.
And plus I it I I will I will say that. Because it'll be...
Something that you won't be able to tell until you know next September. Who's going to remember this? You? You, Lieutenant Brock? Lieutenant Feller?
All right, we'll get one more. Uh-huh. One more. Oh my gosh. All right, let's hear.
Let's let's let's hear from our boy. Play it, roll it, come on. My goal in life is to retire as the owner that won the most Super Bowls.
Okay. All right, let's run this bit back because it's too fired in the NFL as the omber. That won the most Super Bowls. It's too funny. We got to do it.
Guys, is it more likely Jerry Jones wins the next four Super Bowls and retires, TJ? Or P. Diddy swears off baby oil. Oh, come on. And what are we doing here?
You have gotta be smoking something over there. What else you got over there? Guys, is it more likely Jerry Jones wins the next four Super Bowls and retires? Or Leonardo DiCaprio dates someone age-appropriate? Yeah.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Last one. Is it more likely Jerry Jones wins the next four Super Bowls and retires? Or he himself sings a feature on a song during Bad Bunny's halftime. DJ, any any of these?
I will go with Jerry wins the next four Super Bowls. For all of them. For that last one. Oh, okay. Yeah.
Although I do, I don't know about that. I think one of the members of the Jones family was talking about Bad Buddy being a good choice for the for the halftime show. Yeah. Yeah. Fantastic.
Good stuff, man. I appreciate the bits still coming on strong. Still kicking it. Very good. What's more likely is brought to you by Pella Windows and Doors.
When it comes to your home, Pella Windows and Doors always have the winning game plan. That's why your neighbors trust them. Visit pella.com/slash Eisen. Christian Kirk, everybody of the Houston Texans, when we come back. What a crucial role he played last week and is going to have to play Sunday.
The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it. And you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way, you hand everything off and then silence.
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Call 1-800-GRANGER, clickgranger.com or just stop by. Back here on the Rich Eisen Show, 844-204 Rich is the number to dial right here on the program. Eight catches, 144 yards. And the touchdown to put them up for good. At the time, it was just seven to six.
We didn't know that the roof was going to cave in on the Steelers when the Texans' defense took over. But joining us in advance of the divisional round road playoff game, trying to get to the Texans to the AFC Championship game for the first time, ladies and gentlemen, Christian Kirk here on the Rich Eisen Show. Good to see you, Christian. How are you? I'm doing good.
Thanks for having me. What was that night like for you? Monday night. Christian. Um Special, honestly.
You know, big time game, wild card round. It was a big, big win for us to go on the road in an environment like that. Obviously, Steelers being the organization that they are. I think this, I forget what the stat was of how many games they had won Monday night there in that stadium.
So, for just us to be able to go on the road and to be able to have a big impact on us getting the win was obviously a great feeling. Just a fourth career playoff game for you in this environment in Pittsburgh, quite something, no doubt. If you don't mind straying out of our lane and your lane for the moment. What did you think of when you heard the next day that Mike Tallman was stepping down and that? This was the last game of his legendary Pittsburgh coaching career, Christian.
Yeah, obviously, the end to an amazing career. I have the utmost respect for. Coach Tomlin, and I know the rest of the league does. I got a chance to visit with him when I was coming out for the draft. You know, just always admired the way that he ran the organization, the way he treated his players, and just the impact that he had on the game.
I guess in a sense, you know, I'm I'm honored to be a a part of his last game coaching there, you know, as the Steelers head coach. And, you know, we'll see what's next for him. Were you in one of those vaunted meeting rooms at the Combine when you chatted with him? Were you in that one of those? Or was it a like a pro-day visit or something like that?
What was it, Chris? Yeah, it was one of those I think they call them like top 30 visits where you get to go to the organization and visit.
So it was one of those post-Combine.
So let's talk about the journey of this team this year, of the Houston Texans, and yours, yourself. Obviously, you know, staying healthy has not been. Um on occasion easy. But healthy you are, and you looked as healthy as it possibly can be in this game. Walk me through your journey of this year, you personally, before we get to your team, Christian.
Yes. Personally, I had to weather the storm. It's been difficult, difficult more than others at times. The hamstring early in the year and Just kind of trying to find my role within this offense and this team. Just showing up every day and trusting the process and just doing what they're asking me to do to the best of my ability.
And we were winning games, and that's why you play football, and that's why I came here. And so Um you know, whether it was one catch or three catches or no catches, uh I was just you know out there doing my job and you know trying to have an impact you know in whatever way that I could. And um you know Monday night, you know, the seal kind of broke for me and I'm just, like I said, glad that when the opportunity presented itself, I was able to show that I still got a lot, still got a lot to give. And I'm feeling good, feeling healthy, and just ready to keep making this playoff push. The 144 yards, again, is more yards than you had combined.
uh all the way from when you came back from injury to that night. And you know, you missed Uh, as you pointed out, a few weeks early on in the season, what did click on Monday night? And that's not that's that's no joke of a defense it clicked against. Question. Yes, like you said, great scheme.
Obviously, their front is very challenging and even on the back end as well, they did some things that presented some problems. But I think we just We caught him in man coverage, you know, a few times, especially on third down. And You know, third down is money down, and you got to be able to separate. And CJ did a good job of stepping up in the pocket and, you know, giving us opportunities all night. Even some of the more explosive plays to me, you know, he did a great job maneuvering in the pocket and really giving me an opportunity to run under some of those.
So yeah, I think it's just, you know, we were able to click when we needed it the most and we got some explosives out of it. Christian Kirk here on the Rich Eisen Show. Walk me through what makes D'Amiko Ryan special. In your estimation, Christian? Yes, special is definitely the word to describe him.
I've loved every moment of just being around him. And from a leadership aspect, I think the accountability piece is the thing that jumps out to me. And as a coach, he just does such a good job of establishing the culture. And everybody's bought into it from the janitors to the kitchen staff to the assistant coach. I mean, everybody has the same mentality.
Everybody is here. And that was the one thing that really jumped out to me when I first got here is everybody's here to help get us to our ultimate goal, and that's to win a championship. And they all take on Coach You know, Ryan's mentality and his approach.
So it's been awesome playing for him. Yeah, and at 0-3. What was it like? I know right around then. Um you know, you're you're Your team was adrift at that point in time.
You were only a couple of weeks away from going through your injury. Um it must not have been a fun time, but what was it like? uh for this team then Question. Yeah, I think um being a part of it. And I've been a part of teams that have gone through a slide like that, where you drop a few, especially early in the season.
And obviously, it's a little bit of a different situation where you start off zero and three. But Everybody knew the type of talent and the type of team that we had in the building. It was just getting us to. You know, execute and start playing, you know, complimentary football. And it was, it was, you know, you look back at the games that we lost, they're all one-score games, and it was just like one or two plays here.
Obviously, in the NFL at this level, that that'll get you beat one or two plays. And it was just eliminating those mistakes. And we finally were able to get on the winning side of things and find that recipe. But I think it just it speaks to the leadership in the locker room. You know, guys didn't blink, guys didn't get down on themselves.
The confidence was still there because, like I said, day in and day out, you know, we knew the type of team that we had, and we just had to go out there on Sunday and put it all together. And then down 19, staring a season sweep in the face at the hands of the team that you were. just playing for in Jacksonville, And then the comeback hits, and you haven't lost since then. What was it like in that moment on the sideline there? Christian Kirk.
Yeah. An incredible game, one that I definitely won't won't ever forget. Uh had been a part of some good comebacks and that's definitely up there. And yeah, it's just, I think in that game, it kind of encapsulated our season of just weathering the storm. Even when you're down and out, and everybody's telling you that you have no chance, you just keep playing the next play.
And that's one thing D'Amik always talks about is just playing the next play and extreme ownership to your job and executing at the fullest. You know, who knows what's going to happen when you do that? And it's usually good things. And, yeah, just another game that you look back on. And, you know, it makes sense that we've been able to put some games together and be where we are today.
Christian Kirk, a few minutes left with the Houston Texans wide receiver here on the Rich Eyes and Show. One last what-is-it-like question for you. What is it like to go against your defense in practice? Yeah. Yeah, I just look back to training camp and after the first couple of days, I was looking around like, is it always like this?
Are we gonna start scheming some things up? Because it's kind of hard to move the ball and make some plays. Yeah, man, they're immensely talented. What you see on Sundays is what we get day in and day out. It obviously makes us better.
Um because you're going against the best every single day. And um you know I could Go on and on and on about each guy and what they mean to that defense and what they mean to our team. They play as a unit. They play for one another and they are the identity of swarm mentality. And uh it speaks for itself every time they're out there.
And I I'm just I'm glad I'm on their team. You know, uh again, Christian, we we uh at NFL Network did Texans Chargers week 17. Uh we asked everybody on the team that we were able to speak to prior to the game, you were not one of them. The same question, I'll ask it to you as well. uh the player with the best hands on the team.
is who was the best hands on the Houston Texans. Christian Kirk. I mean, I I think that I would be wrong if I didn't say myself.
Okay. But taking myself out of it, I would say Nico. And I think I think th his ability to catch some of those contested catches over the middle and whatnot, uses size and speed. He definitely got sure hands.
Okay. Does it aff affect you or offend you that the answer almost unanimously. was Derek Stingley Jr. Christian. Forgot about Sting.
Sting's got good hands. Sting's got great hands. Because normally, people who play. His position plays that position because they can't catch, right? Yeah, you know what I mean?
But, you know, there was even conversation that he would have been the best. On his college team, that included Justin Jefferson and Jamar Chase. Look, I I I don't really have a rebuttal to that. I've I've definitely seen Sting Obviously, this year he had a one-handed pick against Jacksonville. uh some of the catches he has in practice, he I mean, he's a he's a freak of nature.
So uh yeah, I would agree with that.
Okay. Um, and then is it which is the guy on your defense that you during practice say, I'm glad I don't have to go against that guy? This week. Who's that? Probably either Will or Daniel.
I don't know how you could look at either of those guys and say, I would love to go against him on Sunday. That's just a problem that I don't want to have to handle. And like I said, I'm glad I'm on their team. Yeah, you don't have to chip them in practice, right? No.
Okay, we're not doing that. Thank goodness. Thank goodness. We're not doing that. All right.
And not to turn you into my information man here, but how is Nico? Right now. For this game. Yeah, doing good. Um, obviously the protocol is a protocol, so Um, you know, he's taking it day by day and, you know, we've been checking on him and just wishing that, you know, he has a speedy recovery.
And what's being discussed about the weather? I don't know if you've seen the weather. We could have a snow game on our hands in Foxborough. Christian, have you seen that? No, this is the first I've heard of it.
Uh yeah, weather's the weather. Uh we just know that When that ball sits down and the whistle's blown, we're ready to go.
Okay, all right.
So, there's you know, you got the cold weather gear. You got to work in. Are you what what do you got? What do you think? If uh it's really cold, how do you how do you prepare for such a thing?
You know, this year has been the first year I've used a little hand warmer cutout in my jersey.
Okay. That's been something nice that the Texans have provided me.
So I've been enjoying that. You know, I got some of those hand warmers in there.
So, I mean, as long as the hands and the feet are warm, I'm good. I mean, you played in Arizona, you played in Jacksonville, you know what I mean? Like, these are not cold weather environments. No, not at all. I'm not going to shy away from the fact that I haven't lived or been anywhere that is remotely cold.
So, I'm able to get through. I'm able to bear it.
Okay. Last two for you. Your quarterback, C.J. Stroud, he doesn't seem to show much emotion when, even when things are not. You know, sticking to his hands like they were on Monday night.
What's he been like this week? and also in the huddle. Christian, what do you have for me on your quarterback here? Yeah, I mean, same guy. Like you said, he doesn't waver, doesn't blink.
Uh he understands the ebbs and flows of the game. And he wants to be great.
So, you know, this week, been super locked in, had a great last two days of practice. And, you know, when CJ is at his best, you know, we can accomplish anything as an offense. And, you know, just with the way he's been preparing his communication, that's one thing he's really great at, you know, especially throughout the week, is just communicating with us, not only as receivers, but offensive line, what he likes, what he doesn't like. And I think that's key, you know, from that position. And he does a great job.
So, you know, I definitely expect him to go out there on Sunday and be at his best.
Okay. And then on Sunday, you will know, Christian Kirk, if you and your teammates have the right to win a game and host an AFC championship game. We'll already know if the Bills have knocked off the Broncos, and if that happens. Your game is for the right to host an AFC championship game. which would obviously be uh a nice Twist uh in your Journey to the Super Bowl, potentially.
Do you allow yourself to sit around and think about playing in Super Bowl 60? Do you let your mind wander? At all, and if so, what what you think about? Christian. I I honestly don't because I can't uh It's hard to imagine something that you can't experience if you don't win the one that's in front of you.
So to me, this is This game is the biggest game because we got to earn the right to be able to even go play for that. I've learned, I've played in this league long enough that If you start looking forward and past what's right in front of you. Um it'll sneak up and bite you.
So I'm just relishing in the opportunity to play in New England in the divisional round to keep our season alive.
Well, the kid in the backyard, Christian, that you used to be, I'm sure. Is like what gives you you dreamt of it, I'm sure, this moment, and then on top of it. Um you know The Super Bowl is in the spot where your coach started his coaching career. It would be quite a moment. I think for all of that.
That's my one last swing to make you think about it. No, for sure. I mean, look, I won't lie that everybody wants to play in a Super Bowl. I want to play in a Super Bowl. I've always dreamt of it.
And I realize that we have the opportunity that if we keep winning, we'll be able to play in one.
So, yeah, it'd be great. I'm sure a dream come true for all of us. But, like I said, we got to go win this one first.
Well, it's a pleasure for me to sit here on your journey here, having been, you know. Around peripherally, seeing you in London a couple years ago when you were with the Jaguars, a couple of years in a row. To see you in this position, seeing you balling out on Monday night, seeing the Texans being able to get into the AFC Championship game for the first time, I appreciate you giving me the time, and I wish you the best of luck. Of course. Thanks, Rich.
Always good to speak to you. Right back at you. That's Christian Kirk getting set for the Texans to take on the Patriots to kick off Divisional Playoff Sunday right here on the Rich Eisen Show. All right, there you go, Chris. And it's Christian.
Christopher on different sides of the Sunday contest. Sure. It's going to be a fun game. 844-204-Rich. Numbered to dial Blake Corum.
Top of the next hour. I'll still have my top five list. That's coming up. Get you set for divisional playoff weekend coming back. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
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So I I referenced it the other day. uh alluded to it uh in my open to preview the Divisional playoff weekend, the Rams and the Bears. Listen. Two guys who can dial it up, two guys who are really intense, two guys who are young. And on um On a heater when it comes to call and plays.
And Ben Johnson, in his first year as head coach. of the um Of the Chicago Bears is, in fact, as you know, intense guy. He's also the first coach to have his offense top five in the league and lead this team to the playoffs. To go and turn around an offense to go from the pits of the offense to. Uh be a playoff team in his first year on the sideline.
Last guy to do that was Sean McVay.
So those two guys know what it's like to turn an offense around, install one. Make a young quarterback drafted first overall feel confident. And off you go, like they were with Goff, who they eventually swapped out for their current quarterback, and Caleb Williams. In Chicago. And Ben Johnson, as Kyle Brandt was talking about this week, does not care that he's saying F the Packers.
Every single Bears fan we talk to says, love it, love it. He's insane, but he's our insane guy. Good, better, best, whatever it takes to get this team going. Caleb Williams going the way that he's going, does not care that he went ahead and said, F the Packers, F Green Bay, that whole business. And Matt LaFleur on the wrong end of a handshake that gets quicker and more of a swim move every time.
And we Again. talked about how the Rams Aren't In this rivalry, Green Bay versus Chicago, normally, but when it feels personal against. Matt LaFleur, who Sean McVay considers a de facto brother and has as his offensive coordinator, Matt LaFleur's actual brother. When it comes down to it, will that make a difference? Really only matters about executing in the trenches, things of that nature.
One never knows. And Sean McVay was, in fact, asked about. Has he reached out to Matt LaFleur this week before taking on Matt's new nemesis? That before. obviously big and greenway and like me Matt.
He's played in Johnson 3. I'm just sure. What would you guess?
Now, you know what? We watch the tape, we do our work, and Matt is a very close friend of mine.
So yes? Oh, yeah. Very much yes. Oh yeah. Very much yes.
You know, our our our old friend from Good Morning Football, not just Kyle Brent, Peter Schraeger, mentioning on a podcast this week that The Rams have taken notice. Particularly. of Ben Johnson's DEMEANOR IN RELATION TO MAT LAFLOR. And our common Two. exact a a piece on their behalf, obviously.
But why, again, and I said this when you brought it up: if I'm Jared Verse, why do I care? Like, how's that mot giving me any extra motivation? It's not that. It's the coaching staff. Maybe Um pushing a pedal to the metal a little bit.
if they have that opportunity. Just something to keep in the mind's eye. Like I said, they want to win because they want to go to the Super Bowl. Jared Vurse wants to go to the Super Bowl. Jared Vurse wants to be great.
Whatever. You know. But if there's anybody who wants to do it for Mike on behalf of his brother, Who's been disrespected, and thus they, you know, you play whatever disrespect card you want. And I'd imagine that Ben Johnson would have to tip his cap to it. Mm-hmm.
Well, we have an actual Los Angeles ram coming up. Maybe we'll ask Blake Corum. He can tell us. Never know. We could tell Blake Corum, hey, he disrespected Ohio State.
The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Mm-hmm.
