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Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. From his footprint, he looks like a big fella. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Mendoza, let him sit down.
No, let's be a leader. Throw him out there. The Rich Eisen Show. Let us see what he's got. Earlier on the show, actor Olivia Munn.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pellisero. Coming up. Former NFL general manager Mike Mayoff. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Our number three of the Rich Island Show is on the air here on ESPN2, everybody.
We're on Linear Cable. because we can be. Sirius XM Channel 80, ESPN Radio is how you can listen to us, Disney Plus, and the ESPN app as well. Joining me here to kick off hour number three of the program, longtime friend, ladies and gentlemen, back here on the program, former Raiders executive, now Um I I believe I'm a podcaster. Mike Mayock.
Are you a podcaster, Mike? Are you a podcaster now? What's up, Mike? Sumer Sports. Did I see you had Max Crosby on as a guest?
On a ship, what's happening, Mike? Are you what's happening? What do I call you? Yeah, I know you. I do a pod with my daughter, as you know, and Sumer Sports is doing this really cool thing where we're going position by position.
And we went out to LA and we did a whole bunch of episodes. And they asked me for some help in getting some guys to come on the show by position. And for instance, some of the favorite interviews I've ever done in my life were Howie Long, about 30 minutes, Howie gave us. And he just opened up on some stuff he never had. Max Crosby.
You know, I mean, Max is so transparent. We all know what he went through. But he opened up on a lot of things, including for football people: why is he so good? What are the things he does to get so good? You know, we talked to Steve Smith.
He was awesome. Um, I had uh Luke Keekly went off on. all kinds of stuff with the linebacker position. And I kind of, you know me. I'm always trying to figure out what makes some of these guys great.
And I think they all opened up. It was fun.
Well, I do know you, Mike. And I know that you have connectivity to almost every name that you just mentioned right there. Obviously, BC. with Keekly and if I'm not mistaken because I remember everything that comes out of your mouth, Mike. Did Howie Long not, was he your I guess recruiting Guide on a Villanova trip for you back in the day, Mike?
Or is it the other way around? The other way. Yeah, when I was a freshman at BC, he was a 16-year-old. high school junior in downtown Boston with Having issues with the segregation in downtown Southeast Boston and the busing stuff. And literally, his grandma moved him out of Boston because of the violence with the busing and moved him out to a suburb.
And they didn't really want him in the Boston area where a lot of his boys were. And he went to the he w he tells a story. Uh I d what you know, his His pro-day workouts and how the Raiders timed him. I mean, he's just. Howie's been a dear friend, one of my best friends for 50 years now.
Which tells you how old we both are. Yeah.
So I understand life was different back then. You sure you didn't turn him off on BC, Mike? We sure about this? You didn't send him to Villanova? Not a great time on campus.
You sure about this? He had a pretty good time, and I'm not going to share that, but he had a really good time. I was at his house. I was at his house this summer in Montana, and I told a couple of his sons the stories. And they were like, Dad, that was dad?
I'm like, we were roommates at the Blue Gray All-Star Game, and he took on a bunch of Southern guys that were giving us abuse in a bar. I mean, just how he's the best. I love the guy. Was the Max Crosby chat after the gambit with the Ravens and everything like that? It was before in advance of all that.
Yeah, it was tape before all that.
Okay. What's your guess then? What's happening there? Mike, that uh are we are are are the Raiders resetting? To try and get as close to what the Ravens gave them for Crosby, or is Max sticking around?
What's your best guess? My best guess is my best guess is that Max is sticking around, but You know, one of the things I j I mentioned to him afterwards was just kind of You know, I think how he may have too, I forget, but Um was just Work your ass off like you always have. Be who you are. Be all in on the Raiders, but be prepared for anything because you can't control it. And you got to be ready to move no matter what.
I mean, but he could control it if he's like, I still want out. right, like he could say something like that, behind the scenes. I would think a couple of things. One, yeah, I mean, it's. I don't think that's him as much.
He he wants to make a decision and go. And I think he's, I'm guessing he's all in on the Raiders right now. And that's what, especially with the infrastructure they put in place around. this off season. Um, you know, the only I think with Kirk Cousins signing, it gives, I would guess it gives them some hope that they can win some football games as a bridge.
With Mendoza. I think they've done a lot of really good things this offseason, and I think I'm guessing Max is pretty excited about it. Your name came up on the show the other day, Mike, with Cousins willingly signing with the Raiders, knowing that they're going to draft a kid first overall at the position. After being in Atlanta, where he got acquired, signed by a team unbeknownst to him. They then drafted a kid at the position.
And how you and I were on the set together in Radio City Music Hall when his career began with him being the other kid at the position. For a team that had already drafted Robert Griffin. And it just seems like a through line for his career, that and being paid like he's a Major League Baseball pitcher, being everything guaranteed, you know? But it's kind of wild. What do you think is happening at that?
You know Position in Vegas with him knowing he's going there and Fernando Mendoza coming. Mike. Number one, he's willing and able, and that's really important. Number two, regarding the development of the rookie quarterback, at some point, Rich, there's an intersection between A young kid being ready to play in the NFL at that position, and just as importantly, the team being ready for him. And by that, I mean an infrastructure in place where they can run the ball a little bit.
The pass protection is figured out. They got an offensive coordinator that knows how to call plays, protect the quarterback, put them in the best position. You play a little bit of defense so you're not playing from behind all day. And when those two things intersect, both sides are ready, Rich, that might be week one. This kid could be ready.
It might be week seven. It might be next year. But the cousin signing gives them the insurance. To allow this kid to develop in a natural timeframe. And I thought the cousin's signing was outstanding and needed.
Me too. Me too. It gives them room to roam and there's no pressure. They just hired a. A coach, right?
So it takes the lid off the pot a little bit here, for the lack of a better analogy. But how will they be able to determine If Mendoza is ready, they see it in a meeting room, they see it on a practice field, they see it in a preseason game. How do you. How do you suss that out in this day and age where reps are precious? Mike.
Development is interesting. You look at Green Bay for the last 25 years, and Aaron Rodgers fell in their lap. And then Jordan Love, when he came out of Utah State, was in no way, shape, or form ready to play. And now he's on the cusp of being a really high-level quarterback because of their patience. Um, Mahomes sat for a while in Kansas City.
Um, every kid is different, and too many times in the NFL, we force first-round picks to play immediately. We bow to all the pressure. The head coaches and GMs have job pressures. If you don't have a franchise quarterback, you're just another day closer to getting fired. You've heard me say that a bunch.
Um, so I think what this does and is it allows them to take take a look at this kid who's really cerebral. He's got a high football IQ. And the way you figure it out is in practices, meeting rooms, and preseason games, is can he run an operation? From day A to Z, can he put our offense in a position where everybody's in the huddle not looking at him like, we got no freaking chance with this game? I mean, right?
He's got to run the operation, he's got to know what he's doing, he's got to give him a chance to win football games and You've got to compare his development versus Kirk Cousins. At age, whatever he is, and you know, to evaluate the rest of your team, you need competent quarterback play. It's not just about him.
So they'll know what that intersection is. They're going to look at each other in a team meeting. Pick week, take week six. Say they're, you know. They're two and three, or whatever, or they're coming off a buy, and they look around the offensive meeting room and they're like, hey, you know, this kid's come on.
He knows what he's doing. He knows what the checks are. He knows how to get us in the right protections. And by the way, Rich, don't disregard the move of signing Tyler Lindebon at Center, who can take some of that off of a young quarterback, which again, they overpaid for him and they needed to. They had to.
I thought that was really smart.
So everything's in place. I think for the development of both sides of that equation, I hope we see him earlier than later. But more than anything, I hope the Raiders just take their time and make sure they do it at that intersection.
Well, part of the reason why they could overpay Linda Baum wasn't just because they had the cap room. They also thought Max Crosby's salary was off the books. It's just crazy, man. Just crazy. Mike Mayock here on The Rich Eisen Show: 13 days out.
Your board looks like what? What does your board look like 13 days out? What's it look like? It looks like It's funny you asked that. I was looking at you.
I know you. Yeah.
You know, and I'm like, okay, where's Rich going? He wants entry. Why do you look like I'm trying to get you on something, man? Oh, no, no, I don't mean that at all. You and I are way beyond that.
Okay. I mean. But you like injury. You like, you know, okay, who are the teams with two picks? Yeah.
Where are they going? What's Kansas City doing? Because now they're all sick, coming off 6 and 11, but they have two picks. Where are they going? I'm trying to anticipate where you're going.
And one of them was just kind of like, okay, on my board this morning, I was going, I got seven tackles. Offensive tackles up fairly high. Um But when they dry up, there could be a run in the first round. There could be seven tackles taken in the first round because after that, there's a fairly steep drop-off. You know, I don't think I have a grade on a tackle to the third round after that.
So if you're a tackle-needy team and all of a sudden Maui-Noah, Freeling, Fano were gone, you're looking at Proctor, Miller, Lomu, and the kid from Arizona State, who I can't pronounce his name, Ian Hotcher. You know, once that run starts, teams are going to get nervous towards the middle to the end of the first round at the tackle position. I think the Freeling kid from Georgia has probably moved up more than any other player in the draft since the end of the season. He was a one-year starter.
So NFL people were still gathering information on this kid. A one-year starter at left tackle for Georgia. I think he's going to be the best left tackle coming out of this draft three years from now, but he's young. He's inexperienced. He's going to go higher, I think, than people think.
I mean, I could see him as early as six to the Browns. Um So I think the tackle position is really interesting. I think the wideout position is interesting. This Omar Cooper. from Indiana.
He's also climbed up and And it's forced me to watch some more tape of him and appreciate him a little bit more. I think he'll probably be the fourth wide out off the board. There was the combine rechecks. For medical. This past week, you know, and Maui Noah looks like he came out of it okay.
I'm curious to see Jordan Tyson, who's had, you know, this is an immaculate athlete. He's really special at Whiteout, Arizona State. But he had an ACL a couple of years ago, followed by a collarbone, followed by missing a couple weeks with a hamstring, soft tissue.
So he had a medical recheck, which I haven't heard back yet on from some of my guys.
So just a quick glance around my board and those kind of things hit.
So what is your evaluation of Ty Simpson, Mike? Because he strikes me as one of the more fascinating figures in this draft right now. Where do you peg him? Here's where I am on him. He's 6'1, 212.
Um with and he started one year. Um There's a lot to like on his tape. I like him more than I thought I was going to like him. For instance, when ESPN's guy Orlofsky came out. A couple of weeks ago, and everybody killed him and all.
And you know what? Orlovsky does the tape. He deserves to have an opinion. And to be honest with you, there's a lot to like about Ty Simpson. He's got a good arm.
He can drive it outside and deep. He's got quick feet. I think his eyes and his feet are tied together, which are really important. He knows how to take care of the football. I don't.
I hate to kill a kid because other people have failed in his shoes, but the history of first-round quarterbacks. That have played one season or less. is abysmal. And what we do in the NFL is we push quarterbacks up higher. and we force them to play too early.
And this is a kid I'm very worried about. Ideally, we would go in the second round to the Rams and sit behind Matthew Stafford for two years, and then it'd be all systems go.
However, are we going to push him up in the first round? Is your hometown team going to take him at 16? Uh, they have a bridge quarterback with Gino again. How much pressure when they start losing games to play him? Um.
He's got a lot of work to do. And, you know, sitting for a year or two would be the best thing in the world for him. I don't think his skill set's a whole lot different than, say, Bo Nicks or Jackson Dart in that range. Um, I had second-round grades on all three of those guys. Obviously, I was too low on the two that are in the league right now, but it's all about the situation you end up in, it's not about going as high as you can possibly go.
How much do you think 2027's quarterback class looms over this draft. Mike. To a degree, at that position, it certainly does. But what we learned last year. Um is You can't count any chickens.
I mean, everybody thought we were going to be talking about Manning, and we haven't brought his name up once. And there's. The kid from Oregon decides to stay in and get paid millions and millions of dollars. There's different dynamics at work today than there used to be. You can't hang your hat, you got to keep swinging.
You know, and I think back to the uh who was it, Russell Wilson. Seattle takes him in the third, even though they had just signed Matt Flynn to a big free Asian contract. Really smart. Continue to take swings at the most important position in all of pro sports. And the problem, as you know it, Rich, is supply and demand.
Yeah, I would say there's 14 to 16 competent quarterbacks in the league that you could win a Super Bowl with.
So, what does that mean for the other half of the league? Yeah.
Right. That's why you're in a constant search. You're in a constant search. And you panic. Right.
And you push value up. But again, you can't count chickens, but you can also see the draft choices that everyone keeps amassing in next year's draft, the Jets in particular, right? Yeah.
You could see how. how that's uh materializing. Um Mike, um, so you're gonna are you gonna be in Pittsburgh? Am I seeing you in your home state or what? We're gonna see you there?
No, I'm actually going to be in Atlanta doing the first round live. for summer sports.
Okay. All right. Who's the host? The host is our Lindsay Rhodes.
Okay. And I'll be doing it also with our data scientist. Sam Bruckhaus, who played linebacker at Tulane, which is a crazy combination for a quote data scientist. And I love this kid because he brings some practicality to all the science piece of it because he actually played.
Well, you know what, Mike, you've been around me for a very long time, vice versa. You know how much data I have. I might start referring to myself as a data scientist. Would you re reevaluate that? I'm I'm assign I'm, you know.
My journalism degree is a master's of science. I could be a data scientist. What do you think?
Well, I think with the bald pate and the serious look, you could be called a scientist. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Absolutely. The evaluation is the name of the show that you're referring to, correct?
There it is. There it is. Look at you. Yeah.
Look at you. Look at you with the lid and everything. I like it. I like it. Check it out.
Max Crosby did an amazing job. I think they have about 18 minutes of the interview in there. It's supposed to be pretty cool.
Okay. And the host is former wrestler Big E? Yes.
Okay. Yeah.
And I called him E the whole time because I couldn't figure out how to pronounce his first name. I didn't tell him that until today. But let's be straight up here.
Somebody had to tell you who Big E was, right? We're like, hey, we're going to do the show with Big E.
Well, the cool thing is that he was a defensive tackle at Iowa.
So immediately my thought process went way up on him. And, you know, we could talk a little football, which I thought was cool, as opposed to somebody just coming in cold and saying, hey, tomorrow I have the dating game, and next week, I've got somebody's pod. And like, the guy knows some football. There you go. I love it.
Chris, what is tomorrow is the anniversary? Tomorrow is the 12th anniversary of Draft Day's release, Mike. Yeah, man. You and I shot that together in Radio City Music Hall. Yeah.
That was. You were funny that day. Dude, you were funny. I was funny. You were hilarious because Mike?
Mike? Not intentionally. I will never forget this moment. I'm telling this story right now. Do you know what story I'm telling, right, Mike?
Yeah, okay.
So, one of the only movies you know cold. is stripes.
Okay, and here we go. All right, and who was the director of Draft Day? Ivan Reitman, who comes out and has a little meeting. I'll never forget this. We're in the orchestra of Radio City Music Hall.
It's me, Mike Mayock, and Ivan Reitman.
Okay, and Ivan's going through the beats of what he's looking for, both of us here. Look how red he's getting right now. I said, awesome. And you told him. How much you love stripes and he's like, Thank you so very much.
And then you're like, But the second half of the movie, when you guys went to Germany, just wasn't very good. It's what you told him to his face. It was honest. And do you remember his answer? Emma's answer.
They ran out of money. They ran out of money. The movie, the budget ran out of money. But I turn to you, I'm like, Mike, not everything in life requires an evaluation. But that's you, man.
You only know one speed, man. That was 12 years ago, tomorrow, Chris? What you're saying? Yeah, 12 years tomorrow. Oh, my gosh.
Brilliant, really. That's crazy. The two stars of Mike Mayok, Rich Eisen, and Kevin Costner, the stars of DraftAg. Two of them right on the screen right here. Love you, Mike.
We'll chat again soon. We'll chat. Thanks, bro. Ladies and gentlemen, there's Mike Mayock right here in the Rich Eisen show. That happened.
That's hilarious. Oh, Mike. He said that to Ivan Reich. I'm like, Mike, not everything needs an evaluation. But was he lying though?
No. Ivan said we ran out. He's like, May a couple. We ran out of money.
So they basically got to get an RV and probably. makes parts of California look like Germany and finish the movie. Oh my gosh. Man. That guy, that Mayoc.
He is as pure as a driven snow. That's like Frank Constanza having lunch with Steinbrenner. Having the phone call. What the hell did you trade Jay Buda for? Right.
They called George's parents. George is dead. What the hell, do you trade Jake? I am Bear's here. George is dead.
Call me back. Oh, my God. We'll take a break. Phone lines are lit. We will empty them best we can.
I've got a top five list, everybody. Top five. NFL players I'd love to see bounce back next Um The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. In a world in need of a hero, one man rises to the challenge in style. He is just driving the kids to soccer practice.
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The April 15th tax deadline is coming fast, but don't worry. Hand off your taxes to a turbo tax expert today. You know how April feels. Everything speeds up. Games matter.
More hoops and hockey schedules tighten. Your phone won't stop buzzing. And somewhere in the middle of it all, there's that quiet little reminder. Taxes. You'll get to it tonight or tomorrow or after the weekend.
And if you handle it the old way, you're refreshing your inbox like it's breaking news. Waiting, wondering, hoping everything's squared away. That's a lot of mental bandwidth. With Intuit TurboTax Expert Full Service, you can match with a dedicated expert who understands your specific tax situation and handles your taxes for you, start to finish. You can do it all online or meet in person at one of their new tech-enabled store locations.
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I've traveled all over for some of the biggest NFL moments you can imagine. Conference championships, Super Bowls, draft weekends, and everywhere I go, the city just feels different. It's buzzing, packed, electric.
Now take that energy. and multiply it by the entire world. That's what's coming this summer with the FIFA World Cup. Fans from every corner of the globe are going to be traveling to experience it live. And when that many people come to town, they're all looking for a place to stay.
And that got me thinking. If you live in or near a host city, this is one of those rare moments. You already have a space. This summer, you could list your space on Airbnb while fans are in town for the FIFA World Cup, not as a full-time thing. Not as some huge lifestyle change, just during an event when demand is naturally high.
When I travel for big games, I just want a comfortable place in a real neighborhood, and that's exactly what so many visiting fans will be looking for. If you've ever thought about listing your space, This summer is a great time as we welcome FIFA World Cup fans. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host. Let's go to Sharon in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Been hanging on for a while. What's up, Sharon? Hey, Fam. What's up? What up, what up?
How are you, Fam? I'm good. Hey, I'm a friend of the show. I love the show. Thank you.
I want to congratulate you on being on Sports Center on Sunday. It'll be fun. I have my teeth reminder set. I have my calendar set. Thank you.
Sunday's a busy day for me. That's it. But anyway, very kind. I am a fan of the Lakers and the Cardinals.
Okay. And I have a more what's more likely?
So what's more likely? The Lakers making it past the second round? or the cardinals having a better season. than the rates. Oh, wow, Chris.
Cardinals better than Raiders? Cardinals better than Raiders, or the Lakers make it to the Western Conference finals, which is very difficult to see right now with Luca out of the country. uh trying to find the right um the right path back uh from his hamstring and Austin Reeves out for potentially all the way to the Western Cook finals. I know. I I'm trying hey, you gotta have hope to stay alive.
So I'll go Cardinals better than the Raiders this season. That that that would be the what's more likely here. Right now. All right. Well, finally, TJ, I lit a candle for you.
Hey, I love your master's update. And there are two folks out there, but I happen to be a Dodger and Yankees fan with no reason.
Okay. That's fine. Mike has no reason in everything in life. There's no reason. Oh, you're single?
Are you single? Because Mike could be. Mike might be looking. He could be in Barstow going 90 miles an hour in your direction right now. I don't know.
For some reason, I'm okay with Sharon being fans of the two. Just not Mike. I'm with you, Mike, TJ.
Well, what happens there stays there. My life bike is golden here in Las Vegas.
So, you know, that's all I'm going to say about that. Thank you very much, Sharon in Las Vegas, Nevada. Appreciate the phone call. Let's go to Ron in Florida. What's up, Ron?
Hey. Hey guys, and yo, I just wanted to say like I thought I've got two things. One, April, how great of a sports month is April? We've got the NFL draft coming up, the mastery is going on right now. The NHL and NBA playoffs are winding down, and they're going to start their playoffs.
Major League Baseball is in full gear right now. NASCAR and MLS are still going on. April, I've had this conversation with people before. April is by far the best sports month on the calendar.
Well, you also missed Michigan winning the national championship. Another way of saying that the next final four is the first time. I forgot about college basketball and the frozen four. I completely forgot about that. That's true.
Thank you, Rich. No, you're very welcome, Ron. You agree with Brockman, which is frightening, but it's okay. And by the way, is your last name DeSantis? Oh, wow.
I'm just wondering if you're the real Ron call. With the movie draft day.
Okay, you just right passed it. The most unrealistic thing about the movie draft day is that a quarterback from Wisconsin. Is in the conversation with me. Wow. I am a Wisconsin native and a lifelong Badgers fan, and outside of Russell Wilson for one season.
Wisconsin has never had a good quarterback. If they would have had a good quarterback, like with the running backs that they've had over the years, Ron Day and Melvin Gordon, John Clay, James White, if they would have had any kind of competent quarterback play in any of those seasons over the last 30 years, we'd be talking about Wisconsin the same way we talk about Alabama in terms of national championships, but it just hasn't happened.
So to me, when I first watched the movie Draft Day 12 years ago, I'm just like, This is pretty damn hilarious that A quarterback from Wisconsin is being talked about as a possible number one overall pick. Yeah, Ron and Florida coming. Coming for the Badgers football program. Bo Callahan, if they only had Bo Callahan. In real life.
Their all-time leading passer, you'll never guess. Daryl Bevel.
Okay, how about that? If he only called more run plays. Hey, now. Billy in Cleveland, you're here on The Rich Eisen Show. What's up, Billy?
Nice to talk to you, my friend. First off, about draft day, I'm from Cleveland, a die-hard Browns. Fan's been a season ticket holder for fifteen years up until this year. And I'm just wondering. How does the Browns not get it right on winning?
I mean, I'm a mechanic. I tapped on the starter the year the Browns went to the playoffs. And they beat Pittsburgh. Since then the starter has kunked out on them and They can't seem to do nothing right. The over and under is under six every year.
Your opinion. Oh God, my opinion on why the Browns can't I I I don't know, Billy. I'm sorry, gotta let you go. Or you turn, turn the please turn your radio or TV down. Yeah, Brown's win total is six and a half right now.
I mean. There's 27 minutes left in the show. I don't think we could finally drill down. We need another three hours. We blew through the commercial breaks, which we can't do.
What was that guy who talked real fast, John? Micro machines, guy? Yeah, he'd have to like speed talk through via the litany. Obviously, it's it's organizational. I mean, that's the end of it.
I know. Yeah.
Haslam pushes back on we're not dysfunctional. I mean, churn-through head coaches. No, they held on to Stofanski for a good long while. And that was a kind of a surprise. Draw Mashida, that's what I'll say.
All right. Hold on. Um so You know I wanted to see Travis Hunter win offensive and defensive rookies of the year. You did. I even mentioned that to Liam Cohn.
He's like, Why not? Let's speak it into each other. And I called the Jaguars Rams game with a Ram in London where the Rams boat raced the Jaguars, but the only bright spot on the day was Travis Hunter having his first one hundred yard receiving day. And just love watching them play both sides of the football, but With that knee blowing out last year, it looks like the dream is over. James Gladstone, the general manager of the Jaguars, talking about Travis Hunter's usage and future.
As far as Travis Hunter, without getting too far into it, is he tracking to be ready to go for whatever timeline you guys have established for him to be a full government? Yeah, he'll be, for all intents and purposes, a limited participant throughout the off-season program with eyes on return to play at full tick in training camp. How is that now the reports coming out that they're just going to have him as a corner? Which is not why you draft somebody second overall unless he's going to be one of the best corners in the business, which he still can be, obviously. And that could just be a 2026 thing while he gets back to 100%.
I hope so, man. I want to see. a unicorn in the NFL playing both sides of the ball at a very high level, at the highest level possible, just like Dion had in Colorado, just like he coached him up to be, just the reason why he won the Heisman Trophy. Mean. But I can remember, I forget who it was.
I think it was a Saints player who was a D-BAC that said it can't happen just because of the amount of that you have to spend in training. I mean, in just different rooms. You can't be in the wide receiver room and in the D-BACs room at the same time while meetings are going.
Well, we were talking about it. Like, you know, coaches would be probably pulling at them in the hallway, but he did it in Colorado. It's not like Colorado didn't have different meeting rooms. Yeah, but that's true. I understand that.
There's more grown-ass men in the professional ranks. I get it. But What a bummer if that's in fact the case. I wanted to see it. Um and it Okay.
Lent the idea for this week's top five. He's not on the list, though. Top five players I would like to see bounce back in 2026. Hit it. One, two, three, four, five.
Riches, top five. Presented by Hyundai, everybody. Top five players I'd love to see bounce back in 2026. I'd like the music, please. Gives me inspiration.
Number five on this list: there's some injured players on the list.
Well, they're all injured, but there there there are some who um I don't know. I'm a little bit partial to. We've interviewed him back to his Steelers days, and I love James Conner. And when he went down last year. Like he did, Arizona did not have a healthy answer for him.
I want to see James Conner back. Good one. I like that. I want to see James Conner back in the new offense of Mike LaFleur. I want to see him do that.
Um in Arizona. You know, I'd love wouldn't that be great he comes back and he's got like a I mean, even look it up to see what his status is right now because it was a pretty horrible injury that he suffered. But I'd love to see James Conner back and be a comeback player of the year candidate. I like that one.
So, next up, number four, is I got two. Because I want to see them with Jackson Dart. I want to see Malik Neighbors and Cam Scatabue have a bounce back season. I couldn't separate them in the same way I was, you were saying if I put Travis Hunter on the list, he's got to be two different players: Travis Hunter, the corner and Travis Hunter, the wide receiver. I'm putting both of them right here.
Scatterboot coming back and being the the tango to uh To Jackson Dart's cash, or is it the other way around? I don't know. But the fact that Jackson Dart gets in, he starts. And it was kind of a surprise that he started so quickly. And um Okay.
And then he and neighbors connect and basically played like One game together. That's it. Yeah, if that. Not even. Yeah, that was a bummer.
I would love to see what this looks like, and obviously, John Harbaugh's there now.
So I'd like to see these guys bounce back. Number three on the list is a kid who had. A dynamite rookie season and a second season that was a disaster because he couldn't stay healthy and the team went right down the tubes. Jaden Daniels, let's go. Let's see Jaden Daniels come in.
Yeah, I thought that might be number one. Oh, no. Number one is as clear as as as day. Jaden Daniels, there he is for the Washington Commanders. Let's see what we got going on.
Right there in the mid-Atlantic. I want to see the guy that we saw in the first year for his career. Let's just stay healthy. Let's go. That's number two on the list, and I'm very partial to this guy.
Because you could choose a handful of 49ers. I mean, Fred Warner just jumps out at you as well. Let's get kittle back here, man. Let's get a bounce back season for one of the best humans and best dudes and best guys to root for in the National Football League. Let's get George Kittle back out there.
And top of my list of who I would want to see bounce back in 2026 is a guy who raises all boats for all of his teammates and the entire league. Here's a guy. Here's a guy who just blew out his knee. And it's good Patrick Mahomes get a bounce back season for Mahomes. Here's a guy.
Bounce back, he was playing great when he got hurt. What are you talking about? He wasn't having a Bahomes like season, definitely not. Come on now. This team was going up and down, left, right, and all over the place.
Anytime they got traction, it just didn't work. Listen. I understand that you don't like it. Maybe this could work better. Hold on.
Good call. out. Fine. Here's a guy who can come in and take the Chiefs to New Heights and take them back. And no one with the whole league didn't.
Didn't do well without my homes. You know? Yeah.
Thank you so much. Wow. Oh. All right, we'll get one. All right, bounce back.
I gave you two giants. Um. In number four.
So for the one more. I will give you fifty-one jets.
Okay. Okay. 52 jets. Oh, yeah, anybody not named Brees Holmes. Any jet not named Brees Holmes.
Oh, man. That's pretty good. Right? Pretty good. And there's some are not even on the team anymore, like Elijah Veritaker.
He's on yours. He's on our team. I know. Any jet not named Brees Hall. And you could also include the coaching staff.
All of them. Every last one of 'em. Bounce back season from any because Brees Hall had one of his best seasons. Truly remarkable. that he actually got through it.
Yeah.
And then they, you know, then they tag them. Yeah.
God bless it. Any jet not named Brees Hall of part of the list of top five players I'd like to see bounce back in 2026. That's brought to you by the all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid. Learn how it makes everyday epic at hyundaiusa.com. We'll wrap up this show and tell you about our next weekend and next week and so much more.
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Where shall we go? Mark in Atlanta has been hanging on for quite some time. What's up, Mark? Hey, how's it going, Rich? Thanks for hanging on for much of the show.
I'm caller. Hey, thanks for calling in. Wanted to talk a little NBA, man. Why not? See in the media, you know, everybody's been talking about The end of the regular season, how it's been ruined because of tanking, tanking this, tanking that.
Have you guys been watching the fact that We've been having a straight all time standings race for the past two months of the season in the NBA every single night. We're getting playoff teams battling it out in great games, and all I'm hearing about is tanking, tanking, tanking. Let's focus on the fact that we're going to have a great playoffs this year. Agree. We have multiple teams with different stories.
We got the Hawks, who were a terrible team. made a trade, thought that we were punching on the season.
Now they're going to be in the playoffs. You know what I mean? You got Knicks and Celtics that are probably going to be a rematch again in the second round. You got Wimby, what's he going to do? I mean, so many storylines, and all I hear about is the Jazz aren't trying.
I don't care about the Jazz right now. We can talk about the jazz. After the season's over, when the draft is going on, I want to talk about the amazing positivity of this league right now. And also, one more thing. I heard a caller earlier say that April was the best sports month.
It's not. It's October, hands down. October is the best sports month. I'm with you, Mark. And as much as I love the NFL draft, you can't have a sports month be the best sports month when there's no football being played.
Just can't. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you, Mark, in Atlanta. That was a very rational phone call right there, caing for the NBA.
He's not wrong. I mean, we're focused on Doug Christie fouling Seth Curry. You know, purposefully to send him to the line when the Warriors are down one, and everyone's a valid question to say, why are you with three minutes to go up one, following another team to put yourself down one? It's insane. Duh.
Yeah.
You know, like that's that's the problem. And so maybe when that's all out of the way. Then we could just focus on the teams that wants to win. It'll be great. And after the final double header of the season on ESPN Sunday night, see how I'm turning it to the right thing here.
Out of boy. And after inside the NBA. Catch me on Sports Center. on Sunday midnight Eastern, And that'll be a day after. Hopefully, I'll be just watch my body language in the chair.
Hopefully, I won't be nursing anything from the day before I'm running my 40 at St. Hugh Children's Research Hospital. If you're in the area in Memphis, Tennessee, come join us. We're going to be on the campus. At St.
Jude. A whole big to-do. I'm told they got a, they got, they're putting a 40-yard dash field together. Incredible. Like I said, I'm telling the staff of St.
Jude, I want you out there. I want to see lab coats. I want to see stethoscopes flying. I want to see it all. And of course, I can't wait to see the kids there.
And give them all hugs and tell them. Let's spend the day. Apparently, the weather's going to be nice.
So we'll do that. That's awesome. It's Saturday, and then Sunday is Sports Center. And then Monday, you'll be back here because you have no contest wrestling duties, correct? Yes, sir.
All right. Um, and that that show that uh we thought was counter-programming us to counter-programming the masters is not till 5 Eastern time. Two, two. You know what?
So you're on ESPN 2 from 12 to 3, and then you're on ESPN News from 5 to 6 Eastern. That's the way it works for you. It's still a good day.
Okay, it is a good day.
So listen to the Sonic Boom. Listen for the Sonic Boom at some point later on. Today. And then Monday we'll be doing the show from New York City for two days. I'm a miss.
Our first guest is going to be Whoopee Goldberg because they shoot the view just down the down the hall. From where we're from the GetUp studios, from which our show will emanate Monday and Tuesday. After Whoopee, the Joy Behar of NFL Network, Ian Rappaport, will be here. Can you please save that line for Monday? Why not?
Yeah.
To Ian's face. Repurpose that. Yeah.
The edgy Jewish guy on NFL network. It's not me. I am a bit bummed I'm not making this trip. What are you laughing about? I can say these things.
You just sit there and laugh. The Joey Behar NFL Network. Rich, you might be having a conversation Sunday night. With Rory McIlroy. No, that'll be, I think Marty Smith does that.
Oh, you're not going to talk to the Masters winner? No, no, no, no. I'm talking. I'll be the schedule is Scott Van Pelt will join. Me and Bristol, him and Butler Cabin.
Okay, great. Yeah.
Great. Rory's. What's going on with Rory? J Felly played my music. Rory McElroy, Rich is on what we call a heater.
Okay. Birdie's on two, three. And four Rory sits at eight under par, three clear. of Justin Rose and Sam Burns. Always there, isn't he?
But Rory Rory with house, but you can't call it house money, you call it butler cabin money, right? I would say Rory just puts free and clear now. That elephant is off of his back, and he has just been levitating all week. Love it. And now he is dominating this course right now.
He wants to come up with a whole new menu next year. All new menu. Wouldn't you run back the same menu? No?
Well, you 100% would, just out of just respect to the golf gods. Yeah.
All right, thank you very much. Welcome. Good use of springtime romance right there. Springtime romance. Our Tuesday guest from New York City, Tony Shaloub, will be in the studio.
Andrew McCarthy. Nice. Ready to hit him up about some uh Some 80s movies? Can't wait. And all that good stuff?
TJ, give me a list. I am disappointed with the New York trip, but at least on Monday, you will have someone with dreadlocks on, and that is that way I won't be missed. Ian. Is it someone he's going to do over the weekend? I am excited.
Whoopi Goldberg is a sports fan. She's got a, you know, we're about, and by the way, when we come back, we're in studio on Wednesday, and then Thursday from this studio is the debut of season two of Women's Sports Now. Awesome. I mean, it's a big six-day period for us. We're going off into that Bristol Beyond coming up.
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.
