From Thirty for Thirty Podcasts. Brian Patter, senior defensive lineman from Miami. Gun down. The key to this case, it's Brian. An hour before he died, he was on the phone arguing with Tabaki.
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Now comes the fun. Wherever Max Crosby goes, this is the Rich Eisen show. When he takes on the Ravens, it's gonna be lit. Jackson, here comes the The Rich Eisen Show. Earlier on the show.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pellisero. ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi. Coming up. Royals first baseman Vinny Pasquentino. And now, it's Rich Eisen.
Oh, yeah, baby. Hour number three of the Rich Eisen Show, live on the air here on Disney Plus, the ESPN app, ESPN Radio, SiriusXM Channel 80. We've had a fun two hours already. We've been talking about NFL free agency all week, but only. a couple of items pop through.
Our nonstop, incessant talk of football and the future of teams, and Max Crosby this, and Mike Evans that. And it was bam out of bio's 83-point game. But outside of that, It's been the World Baseball Classic, which has been nothing short of awesome and compelling. And then Team USA being put on the brink by Team Italy. In their pool.
Because Team Italy beat Team USA, which needed Team Italy to win again. to get through to the quarterfinals. And Team Italy needed to beat Team Mexico. And when team USA Negative. The United States of America as a whole needed a hero.
It was Our buddy. The Pasquatch. Vincenzo Pasquentino. Yeah. of New Jersey.
Um to step forward. And do a Reggie friggin' Jackson. Not one. Not to. But three jacks, three home runs, For Team Italy last night to get Team USA through.
But of course, Team Italy still has not lost in the World Baseball Classic. And after hitting those three home runs, This is what Our favorite. Vinnie Pasquentino had to say. That was unbelievable, huh? You're welcome, USA.
Okay. We were thinking of you guys over at your hotel. We were thinking of you guys, so I'm glad you guys could join us in the party. Look who's joining our party. Vinny Pats Glintino, what's up, bud?
How are you? Nothing. I've got a lot to say. First off, that intro was spectacular. That was a nice new intro for you guys.
Thank you. That was nice. Brockman's got a beard. That threw me off when I first popped in here. Is everything okay, Brock?
Is everything okay? You know what it is? I decided I'm not going to shave until Team Italy loses. I like it. A little playoff beard for us.
Rock for you guys. I think the Jets have made some good value moves in free agency so far. Sure. Sure. I'm excited for Geno Smith to write back or not write back, whatever the finishing of.
Oh, see, actually, what he's doing, Vinny, is he's picking up his mail from 12 years ago. It's been a lot. It's been a lot that's been stacking up over the last decade. Yeah. And I'm excited to be in some big-time baseball games right now.
So it's been fun. All right. Let's dive into that. One thing that I've been saying before we just get to you personally and team Italy personally. is in this day and age watching Athletes That Act and feel the same way I do as a fan, that it means as much.
to you. as it does to me, is a connective tissue that's getting rarer. Uh in our world. And just watching you in particular with the rest of your teammates and everybody else playing in the World Baseball Classic. It it feels, it looks like it means so much.
And it's so awesome to watch, Vinny. What is it like to be in these games, man? I mean it's it's just a blast. Being in this tournament itself is an honor. This is my second one, and there's nothing like it.
20 teams get together, 20 countries, and you just, you know, you just. You've got four games guaranteed, and then you figure it out from there. And it's just super special the way they do it. And I know that we get a lot of heat for having a lot of Italian Americans, but we're honoring where our family came from. I know, like, I get it, I'm from Virginia.
It's not the most Italian thing in the world, but we're honoring where we came from. And to be honest, like, this tournament is a celebration of the game of baseball, and it's supposed to highlight how beautiful the game is and what it can be. And to be honest, I think the Italian team is us, we're showing that we care, like, we want to win. We're giving it our best every single night. We know if we don't win, like, we gave it everything we had.
And I think that's all that fans ask for: you're willing to go out there and give it your all. And that's what we're doing. And we're excited about it. It's worked out for us through the first four games. And obviously, we've got a tough one against Puerto Rico on Saturday, but we're ready for it.
And whatever happens, happens. But every fan is going to know that we went out there. And gave it our all. And I think, honestly, as a fan, that's all you can ask for. And knowing that I'm a fan of teams, that's all I want from the guys that I'm rooting for, is just that you're giving it everything you got to go win a game.
No doubt. And it seems like everybody, to a man. In a on a World Baseball classic roster. Right. That feels that way.
Yeah, 100%. You know, it really does. Just, you know, we're a school. Um just for Team USA in particular. Was listen, he throws again.
It kind of messes off the pitching plan for himself and thus the Tigers.
So I understand if he doesn't throw again, but he kind of thought about it, you know, because he because he was in the atmosphere and he saw it. Like, why would you want to leave? Yeah, well, I'll give you 400 million reasons why you want to leave. And honestly, I think a lot of people would respect it if that's what was just said: just, hey, like. There's a I'm in my last year with the team.
Like this tournament is super important, but also I need to make sure I'm taking care of the business for the team that actively pays my bills, which is. I think a totally, totally reasonable thing that everybody understands. Like, we're not getting paid in this tournament. It's through revenue, like the playoffs are. Like, you got to take care of your family first and make sure everything's good at home.
So, like, I totally understand what he's doing. And he, you know, he got in that game, he felt that atmosphere and he wanted more the same way we all do.
So it almost kind of sucked for him that he ended up pitching and pitching so well because once you get a taste, you want to get back in there.
So for him, I totally get what he's doing. like when you're in your free agency year, like typically you get one shot at a big bite of a contract.
So you got to make sure that things are taken care of at home.
So I totally understand what he's doing. It's just tough situation. But It's something you got to, it's, you know, grown man decisions you got to make. I got it. Vinny Pasquentino here on the Rich Eisen Show.
All right, brother, let's get to Thursday night. What was that like for you? Yeah. Yeah, I've never done that before. I've never hit three homers.
Wait, Thursday night. Wait, today's Thursday, right? No, pardon me, Wednesday night. Yeah, what was it like Wednesday night? Last night.
Last night. What was last night like for you?
Well, I went into the game 0 for 12. In the tournament.
So I was feeling my best at the plate. The first pitch I saw, I tried to lay down a bunt and bunted it foul. And then I was able to get enough of one that it was able to get past Jaron Duran in right field. I think a fan may have taken it out of his glove for my first homer, and it just kind of set us up. You know, I struck out my next at bat, then was able to get a good pitch to hit my third at bat and the fourth at bat.
And it was just one of those nights where everything was working. I didn't hit those balls phenomenally. I just hit them to the right spot. And to be honest, that's what I look at as where you try to be a good hitter is sometimes it's not about how hard you hit it, it's where you hit it. Fortunate to be in Houston for that, and maybe not Boston or something.
Those probably would not have been home runs. Right. But it was one of those special nights where everything from a personal perspective, you know, it worked. But more importantly, as a team, everything was clicking last night and it was awesome.
So, did you? When you said you'd never done it before, like you never hit three home runs in a game ever in your life, ever? Nope. Never. Dude, so last night was the first three-homer game of your life?
Yeah, first three-homer game of my life. I've had a few multi-homer games, but maybe five or six. Not a ton.
So just one of those nights where the ball was getting out of there.
So I'm really, really appreciative of that, and that's a super cool moment to have. And then in your. Last that bad, I guess Team Mexico didn't want a fourth cup of espresso, huh? I think that has more to do with the closer. One of the best closers in the league is pitching in a 9-1 game.
The juices probably weren't flowing as much as they normally would.
So I think that was more so the situation of the game than being scared of me or anything.
Okay, well, let me ask this question then that I'm sure Cooper. Wants answered, my son, because I think he asked it of you on our internal text chain. Did you come up with the idea of Espresso for a home run celebration? Did you come up with that one? I guess, but it was more so a team decision.
We saw some other teams have some celebrations. We knew the espresso was going to be in there. We knew that'd be a part of what we were doing. It's funny. Originally, it was just the espresso, and then Armani decided to give us a nice little sponsorship.
So it's a very good Armani suit jacket that we've got. And then we've got the Espresso.
So I was going to ask where the Armani jacket came from.
So they saw the Espresso, and somebody from Armani says we got to give Team Italy a jacket to wear? Apparently, I don't know the inner workings of the business deal, but apparently that's what happened. We were joking, like some of the teams, I think the United States has Capital One.
Okay. Presenting wherever it is. Presenting sponsor. God, how do Weatherman do that? It ain't easy.
I know. But I guess we didn't have a sponsor. We don't have a patch on the front shoulder.
Okay. But now we have an Armani suit in the dugout.
So we got that going for us. All right. Come on. On now, free. It's me.
Armani would be a great free 99. Yeah. Great. You know, let's go. Yeah, I don't know.
That's let's go. Fantastic. And so, what is it like, in all seriousness, to represent your heritage, your Italian heritage? Oh, it's great. Just being able to learn about the history of my family has been the coolest part of making sure I was eligible for the tournament in 2022 when we were getting ready for the 2023 Classic, making sure all the paperwork was good.
And then we took a trip to Italy. The Federation for Baseball and Softball in Italy brought us out there. I think that's one of the things that gets. A little bit. That doesn't get talked about is the people who run the teams.
Like, they are Italian. It's not like it's a bunch of Americans running the team. Like, it's, and they live in Italy, they're from there, everything.
So, they're the ones that bring this group together. And in 2022, we took a trip to Italy where guys were able to see where their families were from. We got to work out out there. We were there for about a week and a half, I think. One of the more special trips I've taken.
So, that was pretty cool.
So, being able to learn the heritage, learn how the family came over, why they came over, how the last name changed from Pasquintonio to Pasquentino at Ellis Island, different things like that.
So, it's been, it's, it's honestly, it's one of the more special things we get to do in this game is play in this tournament. I totally get why people have opinions on it about eligibility and things like that, but I think it's an honor and I think it's great that the league puts this event on because it just gets more eyeballs on the sport. It's so much fun, honestly. You know, fun to be had. I get it, but you guys are having fun and it means so much.
I can't wait to see where things go. And then, again, just seeing all. All the major leaguers who are playing in March games that feel like October, like to get the juices flowing. And it's great, dude. I love watching it.
I can't get enough of it. I sit there with Coop. Rest of the family's getting interested in it. I can't wait to watch more of it. But I do have to ask a potentially awkward question: Were you jealous?
Of the way Paul Skeens looked at your shortstop, Penny. That even Livie Dunn. Had to make up this Meme What do you w are you jealous of the way he looked at your shortstop? Vinny? I'm trying to figure out the way to say this without sounding weird.
I get them all summer.
So it's fine. It's fine. And fall. Come on now. Let's throw the fall in there too, right?
Let's throw the fall in there. Yeah, I get them all summer. I get him in the fall.
So it's fine. It's a fling. That's okay. That's all right. He'll be back.
I'll see him soon. That was great, by the way. That was a phenomenal post. And I'm not sure if it makes it funnier or less funny, the AI picture of Bobby. But either way, it's still good because it looks like him to an extent.
But I'm sure she could have gotten a real Photoshop picture since she got one of Skeens. But I thought it was A-plus quality right there. I agree. I agree. And it's just, again, just seeing.
Um, seeing the way that he's playing, um, he's feeling himself. It was awesome to see. Like, uh, I texted, I'm in a group chat with him, my wife, and his wife, and we were texting in it during the game. I just texted him, like, he's feeling himself now. He started nodding his head, he started getting confident.
So, he, when he texted me last night, I said, Yeah, I'm trying to channel my inner you, shaking my head a little bit, trying to just feel it.
So, it's been awesome watching him do his thing. Um, I think he's the best player in the world, and he's he's showing why.
So, it's it's been awesome watching him play with that team. Those throws from his knees and just from the outfield grass, just spectacular. And then you, you know, against Team USA, you made some nice plays at first base, picking stuff out of the out of the dirt. And then last night saying you're welcome to Team USA. Did you what was Bobby's response to you after you got back to your phone?
What did you see after your three jack game put him help put him through. Yeah, it was just a funny conversation because I didn't mean that in any sort of disrespect. You know, I've got respect for all those guys.
So it was just one of those moments that I tried to have a little fun with them because once we scored four runs, we knew they were in.
So it was like the third inning, and we knew that they were going to be advancing. 'Cause I mean, going through all the different scenarios of the tie break was a nightmare. It was just a headache.
So it was nice to just get out to an early lead and just worry about winning the game. Yeah, that's it. All right, brother. Let's get to the meat and potatoes here. Gino Smith, Vinny.
I give you the floor here. Yeah, I like it. I mean, I know he was bad. I get it. He was bad last year, but I think the Raiders had one of the worst offensive lines in the league, if not the worst.
He had no time. You know, as good as Astrian Genti is, it's hard to You know, and Brock Bowers was banged up most of the year, so there wasn't a ton of web. I know Trey Tucker, Trey Tucker's good. Jacoby Myers what left halfway through the year. Yeah.
But I think it's good. You guys know how I feel about the Jets and what I want them to do over the next year plus. No, you want them to get the kid. I don't blame you. And I was saying earlier, Vinny, like, what do you want the Jets to do?
You know, because Tua's not going to choose them over the Falcons, and Kyler Murray's not going to choose them over the Vikings. And I don't even think Geno, if he was cut loose, would have chosen the Jets over potentially another opportunity, maybe Arizona or anything like that. Um and so you just gotta Keep things moving in a a decent direction, you possibly can, because you can't really have another season like. Last year. Um unless you're really flat out tanking for for the number one overall pick.
But they got three choices next year in the first round. Like, that's where you got a target. You know what I mean?
Well, I just like what they did because, and again, I don't, I'm not an insider by any stretch of the imagination, but I know how it is in baseball clubhouses sometimes. Like, just got to get some adults in the room and play professional football. It's the same way that we would talk about like go have a professional at bat or just like make the plays you're supposed to make. Like, that's it. Almost be unnoticeable because everything is just you're just here the whole time.
So, I think that's what they're trying to do: try not to be so, I would say up and down, but it was more so just down. And I think they've made, you know, getting Demario Davis is pretty cool. Having him come back, lead the linebackers, Mink and Fitzpatrick, that seems like. A steal. I don't know if a steal is the right word, but he's a really good football player.
So I'm excited for it. We'll see what they do to. You would think it's one of the either is it Arvell? Is that how you're doing? Yeah, it's going to be R.
Vell Reese David Bailey or Sonny Styles. You love Sonny Styles, huh? Good. Again, but he's just he plays a position that you normally don't draft second overall. Yeah.
But if he plays the position of football player, if that's the way you look at it. That's what the Jets need, right? Is good football players. My gosh, yes. Whoever's the best football player, just take them and move on.
No, I'm with you. I'm absolutely with you. All right. So you're three wins away from what? Popping the Prosecco?
What do we got? What else? Like, is the clubhouse buffet like Bolognese? Like, what is it? Like, what do we have?
What is the team dinner we've had has been nothing but Italian food?
So whoever's planning the team dinners is making sure that we're eating pasta and everything. That's even more impressive what you're doing because I'd be asleep. Yeah, very happy. But again, but we got the espresso, so we're good. Yeah, okay.
Yeah, so we're excited. We got Puerto Rico Saturday. Seth Lugo, a teammate of mine, is who we're facing, at least as of now.
So that'll be fun. And, you know, I don't want to speculate on the next few games because we got to get through this one first. We're not like some teams and announce our pitchers for games that aren't even happening yet.
Okay. I like it. I like it. Just another dig for you right here, okay? Listen, we could not be more happy.
for you. And just watching you in a big spot Everybody's like kind of counted on you from your own teammates to your colleagues who play for Team USA and all fans, and just to watch you do your thing. I had no idea it was your first three home run game. I can't wait to see what you do from here on out. And then yeah.
You're going to get a whole Armani closet. You know what I mean?
Like, this is going to happen. Not even a little league or anything. Summer league? Nothing. Nothing.
No, I was more of a push hitter. I was small. No homers. Keep the ball on the ground. Wow.
But TJ, I can't go to SmackDown on Friday now because I'll still be in Houston. I won't be in Phoenix. I was supposed to go to SmackDown on Friday. More importantly, though, you're going to go to Mania. Can't I'll be in the middle of the season.
Oh, that's Yeah. I guess you will be next month. Yeah. He's not like Dennis Rodman where he's going to tell his professional outfit, I'm going to go. For a few days now.
Yeah, why not, bro? Take a quick trip. It's not Vinny Rodman. You know what I mean?
Take the PJ to Vegas for Saturday. Come back. Let me check his schedule. Let me check his schedule. Oh, no.
I mean, listen, he's playing the Kansas City Royal, everybody. Hey, Vinny, if you got some time, we interviewed John Cena a few weeks ago. I listened to it. It was awesome. It felt like a real interview, which was cool.
The thing is, you know, Vinny, the thing is, I sit under the Rich Eisen learning tree daily.
So if I don't get better, then that's on me. Dude, well, wrestlers are so hard because it's like. I don't know if you're playing me or not when you're doing an interview. They're such good actors. What are we doing here?
I don't know if you're telling me the truth or if you're just acting. Yeah, we're very good at picking out if they're going to stay in character before the interview starts or not. Like with Don Mysterio. I was going to try to talk about his parents, and he shot that down before we started. I was like, all right, he's in character this whole interview.
So it just depends on who they are. That's what I'm doing, too. I'm in character. Captain Italiano. That's just Mania Weekend.
You're playing the White Sox. Oh, don't do that, Taylor. No, we don't do that. We don't do that. Don't do that.
This Boston guy. Don't listen to him. Let's hope for a rainout or something. Don't listen to him. Yeah.
Don't listen to him. Yeah. You're the best, Vinny. Congrats, appreciate you guys. Look forward to seeing what you do from here on out.
Stay healthy, guys. All right, be well. That's Vinny Pasquintino, everybody, saying, you know, you're welcome, America. God, I love just It's funny, Susie was just like, How did you first get fixed up with Binny? And I'm like, okay, so we were.
Doing our show from the kickoff of two seasons ago in Kansas City. Yep. And we did our show from Kansas City, and we invited Bobby Witt Jr. to come on, and then. We were told shortly before You know, Bobby showed up that he's bringing Vinny Pasquentino with him.
And we're like The first baseman? Yeah. Like, yeah. He was injured at the time. Right.
He had his arm and his hand. The whole thing, right? And they're like, yeah, he's a fan of the show. And we're like Okay. And then he's just like, I'm a Jet fan.
I'm like, okay. And then we popped him on. Yeah. And he was wearing this like old school 90s Jets t-shirt that day. Right.
It couldn't have been nicer, couldn't have been cooler, and ever since then, his career has taken off.
So you're welcome, Vinny. That's what we call the eyes and rub. It's the eyes and bump. Oh, the bump. Yeah, because I think something.
Well, the bump could be bad too, though.
Okay. That was fun. First three-homer game. Unreal. I can't even keep my days straight anymore, man.
I mean, Wednesday, Thursday, Thursday. I'll do this whole business. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. Wednesday. That's what I should have said.
I should have done the Godfather thing, Monday, Tuesday.
Okay. Oh, that was just a lot. Did you just think of that? Or you just don't want what happens after that. Damn, no, you don't.
No, definitely not. You don't. But that's book two there. That's Godfather Part Two. I know.
We'll take a break. 844-204-Rich. Number to Dow. When we come back, Malik Willis and his latest step on his journey coming up. Uh 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. Days pass, weeks pass.
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So, get down to your local Hyundai dealer and get away with a deal you'll love during the Hyundai Getaway Sales Event. Visit HyundaiUSA.com for details. Back here on the Rich Eisen Show, 844-204-Rich is the number to dial. Let's go to Bernardo in Santa Clarita, California. Just up the road from here.
What's up, Bernardo? Yo, Blue, Rich.
Okay, I'll take it. Thank you. Right back at you. Real fast, TJ, wanted to congratulate you on the scene interview, man. That was really awesome.
I can't remember the last time I sat down and listened to an interview straight through like that. Thank you, man. That really straight through, too. That was a big chunk of your day, man. And that means a lot.
Two and a half, right? And I tried a flat white. And wouldn't be remiss if I didn't congratulate Chris and the beautiful Brockman family on his proposal. Congratulations, Bud Muzzleby. Sir, appreciate that.
Rich, I'm sorry, Arville Reese, Vernon Golston. I get whiffs of Vernon Goldston. Whiffs of Golston? Whiffs of Golston. By the way, great whiffs of gold stool.
Write that down. Yeah. That's a fantastic. Do something about it I think. Did Sting something?
I wish we were picking a little lower, 'cause Caleb Downs looked like a slam dunk sure thing with A G behind him. I mean, you've got somebody who loves to be taught, you've got a great teacher. line up our secondary, you know, but that two, that's that's that's a tough sell. You want to get a second, come on. You want to light up, boys, who wants it?
Bernardo, seriously, you want to go who who do you want second overall in the draft? Name it. I want someone to trade up so that we can get Caleb down. It's not going to happen. What do you want?
Why shoot them down? It's not going to happen. Somebody's not going to trade up to two for Caleb Downs. That's just not. Let's be real here.
Bernardo started by being real. I want us to take them. I don't want us to take them, but I don't want us to take them at two. You're not going to get anybody knocking on your door to who are you taking? Bernardo in Santa Clarita, California, fan of no contest wrestling and everything else we do around here.
You're on the clock, Bernardo. What do you got? And Brigaderos and Bonjakieri, I'm Stalin. I'm pat dancing. I know.
David Bailey.
Okay, sold. That's not a bad choice. That's a good choice. I know. Are we going higher registered?
That's not a bad choice. That's a good choice. Okay, Bernardo, thanks for the call. Appreciate you, Jim. There he goes.
Thanks, man.
Okay. Whiffs of Goldston. Whiffs of Goldston, man. I don't think of. I mean, he was bad.
I know. Yeah. I don't I don't get I don't think that's very Listen, Jet fans are scarred. They're scarred. We can't take someone from Ohio State.
It seeds Vernon Golston. We can't take someone from uh Penn Stadies, Kyle Brady. You know what I mean?
Blair Thomas, there's a couple of colours. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Mm.
Um You know? I I get it. I give you over under a half on career sacks for Vernon Golston. Um What do you mean? I mean, what are his career SAC numbers?
I set the total at a half. Over or under. Are you serious? He had no sacks in his career? He had.
One sack? He had zero sacks. As much as this room. I don't look at R. Vell Reese and see Vernon Golston.
I just don't. I don't. Zero. Point zero. Minka Fitzpatrick, though, his one interception.
I was going to tell Vinny this, things are going too well for me. I don't want to tell him. More than the Jets had as an entire team last year. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Still can't make it up.
Malik Willis. is the starting quarterback of the Miami Dolphins. I believe. We'll get to that in a second, 'cause he was asked today in being introduced in Miami. If there's a competition or not.
But this is one to root for, folks. I'm all about the journey here. We know we. Whenever we I talk about Jalen Hurts, I talk about his journey.
Okay. and and how he was forged into the league and the type of player he has become, and I understand it's a maddeningly inconsistent or for Eagles fans. But Bottom line. Malik Willis The first time I ever saw him Add a combine. was on my phone.
This video that was shot of him at the combine. is how I was essentially introduced to him. He's at the combine and there he is. I believe that that looks like it's uh Near St. Elmo's, right?
Yeah. I've been trying to figure out. And there he is. Right there. Giving Clothes.
to somebody on the street. Who clearly needs it? popped open his suitcase. had no idea the video was being shot of him. I saw that, I'm like, I'm rooting for him.
I think most people did. Right. He gets drafted by Tennessee. Out of liberty. And really doesn't Get much of a shot.
When he does, he doesn't excel. He looked lost. He looked totally lost. We had Matthew Hasselbeck on the air yesterday saying, you can't put anybody on the field until he's. A quarterback has mastered Third down protection.
And it looked like he hadn't mastered very much. But master of none? Mm. Um The Packers Took him. Snagged him.
acquired him. And Anytime Jordan Love got hurt, in comes Malik Willis, and everyone is like, forget the Packers. That's over. Because look at the way the kid looked in Tennessee and then all of a sudden it's like, wait a minute. This is why everyone was interested in him at the Combine outside of him being a great human.
This is why Everybody was looking at what his ceiling could be coming out of Liberty. And He Has looked nothing short of terrific coming off the bench and getting some. Big time snaps. And in the case this year starts. For the Green Bay Packers.
In the cold, Against the Bears? Against the Ravens. He looked superb. He looked like a two-way threat. Mm.
Throws a pretty ball.
Okay. So now he's a free agent. Who wants him? Who's going to get him? Because what you're going to get is somebody with a tremendous upside still, but now with some.
Experience not a lot. I think Kurt Warner our buddy from QB Confidential and NFL Network and, you know. Wait a minute, word. Hall of Fame? He said he looked at His His snaps and like what only 28 snaps under center you could count?
On film? Not a lot. Not a lot of Not a lot of Experience. But the dolphins are like we'll do it. And it's a smart bet.
'Cause they know him. The general manager of the Dolphins now, John Eric Sullivan. The head coach, Jeff Hafley, both in Green Bay. They both watched him work. They both watched him prepare.
They both watched him in their orbit. how he treats others, what he does with his teammates. And they're like, that's the guy. And now he's going to be the head coach's first quarterback. In his first job of being the head coach, the first quarterback of this guy.
John Eric Sullivan is a general manager. And he was asked. What it felt like To finally have a team say. You're it. I don't think I put a timeline on it.
I think it happened when I was prepared. When I came to the league, I wasn't prepared. And that's not a knock toward my coaches or myself. That's just what it was coming from a system I came from. And I've had a chance to learn the last four years since I've been in the league and went through four different offenses and seen a bunch of different defenses.
I just think I've grown a lot.
Okay. Grateful for the opportunity once again.
Okay, soft-spoken young man.
Now he was asked if this is going to be a competition. Quinyours is there, and yours As we all know, was the quarterback of choice instead of Zach Wilson by Mike McDaniel when they finally said to Tua, we're done. And at the time, it felt like it could be for more than just the season. And sure enough, by Malik Willis's presence there in Miami, it was done for good. Uh here's that exchange.
I think it's competition at every position. I think it's competition between the coaches. I think that we compete each day to earn our spot here. It's not a given for anything, and I don't think it should be. I think we should be competing for Everything every day.
That's the only way we're going to continue to get better and grow. We don't want to get stale and You just think everything's everything and become complacent 'cause these guys out here are too good. These other teams are too good. And if you slack off or take off, they're going to show you on Sunday. And everybody had a good players.
Good answer. That's the same family feud. Good answer. Um Gen C's 26. What a what an upside.
And they didn't put much risk in the contract. It's um It runs for three seasons, including this one. And um and it's not for DAC money, it's not for Tua money. It's not for Daniel Jones money. It is for 20 and change.
You don't give twenty and change to somebody to Not be your first Your week one starter. It's just that simple, with all due respect to Quinn Ewers. There could be a competition, but. There's a thumb on the scale for Malik Willis. And in This is it.
It's go time. And Dolphins fans, you should be excited because I think Um I I I think he's gonna excel. I really do. I really like. The choice.
And certainly, if you're going to tell Tua we're done here. It's a great way to get started post to a with somebody who's not overly expensive. It's not an overcommitment of years and dollars. You can't afford to do that literally because of what happened with Tua, nor do you want to go down that road again because of what happened with Tua. And you also have an opportunity.
To get somebody who's young needing an opportunity. Who's made the most of his opportunities? And with your new coach general manager, Tandem. Mm. They would know better than anybody else.
Because they saw it. It's a smart bet. And not one that I think is going to pay off. I know. You guys always think I I my default is glass half full.
And guess what? You'd be right. But you saw what this kid was like when he didn't know a camera was on him. And you've seen what his kids was like when the camera's been on him. And if you're Miami and you just went through what you went through, Which is like, I don't know if this quarterback's worth it, but we're going to give him a market contract.
And Also When the guy was, in fact, the predecessor that good. Couldn't really perform as well in the cold, and Malik Willis did it in Lambeau Field. And it wasn't in the middle of a nice sunny September day either. Smart move. I like it.
I like it a lot. We take a break. 844-204-Rich is the number to dial here on the program. Wrap up this Thursday. Tell you who we got on Friday's docket coming up.
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Slash Eisen. That's linkedin dot com slash Eisen terms and conditions apply. Friday show, Brian Windhorse. First up, we haven't spoken to Wendy in a while. Wendy.
He sounded quite a bit like you on the Bam Auto Bio 83-point game front. Because we're rational human beings. Cape? Mm. All right.
And we go ball. Has any player or coach come out and said congrats? Yeah, only like Kevin Durant. He said he got a ton of texts, including from Mr. There's No Buzz here in this town, Dwayne Wade.
And Giannis, he's kind of good. He said congrats. Yeah, everyone's going to do it to their face. What does that even mean? Hey, T-Jack Grey all, congratulations, man.
That was awesome. Except they weren't face to face. And then behind the back, being like.
Well that's Says more about them as a human being than anyone. Congratulations. That's basically what everybody was saying. Tators say that. I'm a hater.
John C. McGinley returns to this program. It's been a long time since we've seen Johnny C. Rooster. Rooster's awesome.
This show is unhinged. One episode so far, but I literally, I was telling Brockman, I laughed out loud. It's 30 minutes at least seven times. Dude, it's fun.
Well, he'll be here tomorrow. Chris, you think he'll come on? No, spoiler alert with his shirt off. Oh, we can only. Yeah, Susie and I watched episode one of Rooster last night, and we know what you're talking about.
Yeah, of course. I mean, I love Bill Lawrence. Bill Lawrence. It's a great show. Wrote it with Matt Tarsus, who's just been around this town and just.
Great writer, great dude. Um Yeah. And Steve Currill is just like Steve Currill's in it. Obviously, John C. McGinley's in it, but this is the same guy.
Uh with scrubs and um shrinking. Ted Lasso Good stuff. Oh, Rod Woodson just joined the party as well.
So, what we're going to do is. Tell Rod he's on and then unbook him. Yeah. What did that happen?
Well, he's covering the Ravens. Oh, that was so bad. You wouldn't do that to your guy, Ross. Never. And he played for the Raiders.
Yeah. So he's got a unique perspective on all of that. Should I tell you?
Well, he came from the Raiders.
Well, he went from the Ravens to the Raiders, didn't he? I think he did. He did with the Raiders. Yeah. Okay.
So what if I told what if I told him That you're going to go from the Raiders to the Ravens, but no, you're going back to the Raiders. His last two years with Raiders. Yeah, he played the Super Bowl. Yeah. He was first-team all-pro as a 37-year-old.
Rod is, dude. He's one of the GOATs. Red. God, what a rod and I called an NFL Europe game for NFL Network early on. And what that meant was not go to Europe, but it meant you went to NFL Films in New Jersey and called the game off of a television screen.
Yep. Because they weren't sending us to Europe to go. But it was a bad food thing.
So it was a Berlin Thunder game. Is that the name of his Berlin? Berlin. I think it was the Berlin Thunder. I think.
Wasn't a hub. Look it up. Hamburg CW. Yep. Professional American football team based in Berlin.
Berlin, Germany. Not the Hamburg. And no, that was the current that was the man who currently runs CW Sports. Once sent an email and a reply to all everybody wondering if the Hamburgs New team would be called the hamburglers. And everyone else.
That did not go over well with some individual in the NFL front office thinking that he was making fun. As opposed to having fun. Life lessons for all. Make sure it's not replying to all before you hit send. But anyway, I guess I'm sitting with Rod getting ready to call the game, and he's pointing to the screen.
And he's like, you know, I ran track in that building. And that building in Berlin is very famous. For people running track, because that's where the Olympics were held, where Jesse Owens, once upon a time, told. The Nazis Not today. Not here.
Not today. And not with me. Yeah. Okay. And I'm like, really?
When did you run track in Berlin, the Olympic Stadium in Berlin? And he said, when he first. Um came out of college, he held out on the Steelers. The Steelers and Chuck Noel and the Rooney's. Yeah, I'm not coming until you pay me the right amount of money.
Yeah, he only played eight games his first year. And he. Wow. And he ran track. He's like, I'm going to go run track.
Rob was fast on the field. Woof. Yeah. So Yeah, Rod Woodson's a goat. He was so fat.
All-time waiter and interception return for a touchdown. He was so fat. So we'll ask Rod how things are with Baltimore. And he lives in Vegas. That's true.
So it'll be great. He's got touch points. Maybe Max will be there. You know? At Rod Street?
Just like, oh, yeah, just like the bracketologies were all together. Agent Docker in one space today. One of my favorite moments. That was pretty cool, though. But Joe Lennardy just showed up on ESPN without the lab coat.
See, that was for us. I don't like that. Was it? I feel special. Yeah, I do feel a little bit special.
Joe, with a lab coat greater than Joe Liberty. Or he ditched a lab coat. Like, I am not doing this anymore. Look at this guy. That's legendary right there.
With his lab coat. Really? He's so. Yeah, I love it. Fantastic.
Rich, you got to get the doctorate. I'm going. Come on, bro. I'm going to call you Doc Eisen. Yeah.
That'll be good. Yeah. I'll get my DeLorean and go back in time. If you could. Yes.
Go back in time. Yes. In time. Right now, where would you go and what would you change? I go right behind the bench and tell Chris Weber we have no timeouts.
Oh, okay.
Okay. I like that.
Okay. That's what I'd say. It's March Madness. I'm just trying to keep it all on track. Damn, that was good, man.
You know what, Rich? I'm a plug. Yeah, thank you. It's been a fun day, everybody. We'll be back with more on the TV side of things, but radio will chat Friday.
Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show Podcast. You can watch and listen to The Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus, and on the ESPN app, The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.
