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.
Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part, our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment.
Now, on with the show. I know you're gonna dig this. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Here we go again. Don with a three-ball.
That was perfect. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Stunks! Thunder by One, Ted Horvin. Don't be so mean.
Today's guest, Panthers GM, Dan Morgan. Senior NBA writer for the athletic, Sam Amick. NBC Sports NBA analyst, Jamal Crawford. And now, it's Rich Eisen.
Well, hey everybody, welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. We're live on Disney Plus, the ESPN app, ESPN Radio, SiriusXM Channel 80 phone lines are officially open. 844-204-Rich is the number to dial right here on the program. Drip, drip, drip. The NFL schedule is getting released.
A game by game by game, partner by partner, dropping some Easter eggs. Another Dallas Cowboy game dropped yesterday. Geez, TJ, another win lost. Three of 17 games are already. We know where they're being played and what channel and we know what TJ is going to do on Thanksgiving Day.
Yeah, we're going to hang out with the Joneses. We are going to be talking about that on the program and with you. Let's go to the game. That would be awesome. 844-204-Rich, number to dial.
What's up, Christopher Brockman? How are you? What up, man? I'm doing great, man. I'm doing great.
Oh, I like it. PGA Championship Week. The NBA playoffs have been awesome. That's right. Yeah, I'm excited.
Red Sox didn't lose yesterday, so you're excited. You're wearing Rich Eyes and Showgear that we're going to start selling. Honestly, the most comfortable. Yeah, it's pretty good. And show it off on your left arm right there, the running man on the arm, right over there.
Don't hop off of him. Come on now. Show off the product. There we go. It's coming, and I can't wait to.
By the way, it's called a swag release. Rich. Look at us. How are you, Mike Del Tufo? I'm actually upset because if someone is swagging, I've not gotten it.
You don't have it. I get upset. I got it. I mean. Don't worry, Mike.
Good morning, Rich. TJ Candle's lit over there, is it not? Candle is lit. Good to see you. It's good to be seen.
My favorite wrestler of all time looks like she may have walked out of WWE last night, Oscar.
So I'm a little upset. Oh, no. Do you need a hug? Yeah, I might later.
Okay. For sure. I need a hug. The Yankees can't hit a baseball anymore. That's a shame.
That's a shame. Come to the Dodgers, Rich. We're going to have no sympathy from Rich Holmes. I think we can all agree on this. You want this hat, Rich?
Absolutely not. By the way, they're not much better. They take over Monday on a Tuesday, by the way. Canceled me. And so we've got that going for us today.
And as I mentioned, phone lines are open. 844-204 Rich is the number to dial. All good in this neighborhood.
So, hey, everybody, guess what? LeBron James is going to be a free agency. LeBron James. And um the uh the sweep that we were all expecting to happen, To be completed last night in the downtown Hoops Dojo here in Los Angeles, California, did happen, although not in the manner in which. We were expecting it to happen with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Wait for it. I know it's kind of crazy. Um Being down in the fourth quarter. First time that happened for them in the playoffs. And we'll talk about this wagon in Oklahoma City in a moment.
It was a good game last night. It was a great game, man. It was a great game. And every single time LeBron touched the ball, you know, I'm watching it because Zan is deep in studies, junior year, high school. Look out.
Oh, baby. But watching it with Coop and Tay staying up way past their bedtime to finish this thing. Every single time LeBron's got it, Coop's like, is this the last time he's going to be a Lakers? Is this the last time he's going to be a basketball player? I'm like, I get it.
And he had no answers for it last night. After he as a 41-year-old played 40 minutes. Oh basketball. And Just, you know. Led the game in rebounds, 12 of them.
Okay. And uh had a had had one, you know, Had a moment, ball in his hand to take the lead late. Couldn't bank it in. Then Oklahoma City did its thing. By taking a three-point lead.
because they can play a two-man game with two seven-footers. And Chad Holmgren giving him a three-point lead, and then Austin Reeves having a three-pointer to try and tie it. That goes by the wayside, and now the Lakers season is over. And Luca was in street clothes, and LeBron James was at the podium talking about his future after a playoff loss for the Lakers again. and having no answers for us again.
leaving us all to wonder What to parse out of this? but quite frankly, he just sounds like a guy who just doesn't know yet. And this is what LeBron had to say after the loss last night. I mean, with my future, I don't know, obviously. I mean, this is.
Obviously, we're still fresh from, you know, obviously losing. Um you know and and I don't know. I mean, I don't know what the future holds for me, obviously, as it stands right now, tonight. I got a lot of time. I'll sit back, like I think I said last year after we lost, I think, to Minnesota there.
go back and and and recalibrate with my family and and and talk with them and spend some time with them and when the time comes I obviously Yeah, you guys know what what what I decided to do.
Okay. So that left the media to ask him about his process. I looked at the Philadelphia 76ers fan when I was there. Trusted. Anything's better than the one the Sixers had.
The process of getting to work today was better. And LeBron, the subtext here is He doesn't just roll the basketballs out, nor does he just roll out of bed. No.
Okay. Not at 41. At 41. And just listen to this if you're wondering about. what it truly will come down to.
At the end of the day. Hit it. You know, if I if I can commit to still being in love with the process of Showing up to the arena five and a half hours before a game to start preparing for a game. You know um giving everything I got, diving for loose balls and you know, doing everything that you know that it takes to go out and play and you know showing up to practices you know, 11 o'clock practice, I'm here at 8 o'clock. Preparing my body, preparing my mind, preparing to practice, to put the work in and So I think for me, I've always been in love with the process and not the, you know, the.
The aftermath of, like, okay, well, we won that game, or I won a championship, or I got, like, I've always enjoyed the process more than the outcome. We're talking about practice. What are we talking about? And the process. Five hours before a game, three hours before a practice, you can't just roll out of bed.
You gotta get your body ready in order to actually have your practice, to get ready for a game that you show up five hours before to make sure that you play like LeBron Friggin' James. And in case you're wondering what he still has left. Yeah. In the tank. Him raising his level of play for these playoffs didn't show it to you enough.
Just listen to the head coach. the team that Swept the Lakers out of the playoffs and is the first 8-0 team. In the playoffs.
Okay. After Starting a title defense. With eight straight wins. Thus A and O. Last team to do that was LeBron James' 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers.
That was the last defending champ to start a playoff title defense 8-0. These Oklahoma City Thunder. Have this head coach, Mark Degno, saying, this about playing against LeBron James hit it. He Is a guy that, similar to what I said about the team collectively, it's like if you make a mistake on him, He's going to make you pay for it, and it actually helps you improve. Like, you're a better team.
He's like developing your team because any crack, he's going to find it. And um, you know, he's not the only player we've played against. The great players in a playoff series do that to you. They they sharpen your blade, but um the fact that he can do it at this stage of his career, even just the first five minutes of game one, was a great model for how you start a series, you know. And um So, I just have the deepest respect for him.
Obviously, his career speaks for itself. But being up close and competing against him was a privilege, and like I said, deep respect for him and the rest of the team. I mean, that's all you need to hear. Unless you want to hear it from the reigning MVP, too. This is what SGA had to say.
after last night's sweep of LeBron James's Lakers. Yeah, it was fun. Yeah. It's amazing what he's doing out there at this age.
Okay. Um Yeah, it's very impressive. It's hard to put into words. He's, um Not very old in the grand scheme of life before the NBA is pretty old. And he um Doesn't seem like it out there.
Like He was the top of the Scottish Report all series. His size gave us issues at times. Yeah, he was impressive out there. It's. I'm not sure we'll see anything like it again.
His longevity and his um His greatness for this long. But um, yeah, it was super fun. Um Got a guy to uh Get four winds on the short. Yeah, okay.
So it's clear he's at the top of his game still. And. Thus the Lakers Should one hundred percent. Make sure he doesn't go anywhere. And you got to wonder if the new owners, along with Genie Buss, still part of this, understand your Los Angeles Lakers.
You don't let somebody like LeBron James walk out the door. And you team him up with Luka Doncic, who's in this photograph, from this is. probably back in May. I mean March when Luca was The Western Conference player of the month, and LeBron was option three. Behind Austin Reeves, who was kicking ass and taking names, and I was sitting here thinking.
This team is the type of Team that could take on Oklahoma City and prevent provide enough of a matchup problem for even that team. And You look at who also could walk. And Free agents include Austin Reeves, Rui Hachimura. Who's been terrific? Why was he not on the question?
Don't get it. I don't understand why, you know, unless. He was four of eight from three, and he was your best three-point shooter on the night. The only way that you put Max Kleber out on the floor is if you're trolling Nico Harrison, saying we have him, too. Yeah.
We're playing someone from that trade, right? He was in that trade. Jackson Hayes, who also balled out Luke Kennard. Marcus Smart and DeRD Ayton has player options, and if DeAndre Ayton wishes to use his, I don't know if they're going to be. doing anything but calling an Uber for 'em.
To be honest.
So there are some players that the Lakers are going to have to figure out how to get back in, but It starts there. The Lakers should make sure LeBron does not walk out that door.
Now, What do you do? If you're LeBron James. You make a list, right? Correct? You make a list of Do I stay or do I go?
Right. Should I stay or should I go now? Right, Mikey? Great soul. And The staying is, you live in Southern California.
I'm assuming, I'm just going to say this. I'm assuming LeBron. has some nice digs, great wine cellar. Oh, yes. He just started golfing.
Great. You know what I mean? Like, year-round. He's got the luck. I mean, you could find anywhere you want to live if you're LeBron James.
But I kind of think he kind of likes where he's situated. You're playing for the Los Angeles Lakers if that means anything to him anymore. And Bronny's not going to go anywhere. You want to play with your son, too, right? I'd imagine.
Oh, he's coming. He's coming anyway. I understand that. I'm going to tentacupo. Yeah.
Huh. Yeah. The Lakers are, anybody would obviously add Bronnie. I get it. I'm just saying you're here.
I'm assuming you like playing for J.J. Reddick. The coaching staff appears to have a clue. They know what they're doing. And Those are the positives.
The Leaving. You can live wherever you want. You could bring your son on any roster you want. You could also, but that's also now you're officially turning Bronnie into Thanassus, even though. What people think.
I mean, he's already on the Lakers. roster, he's in the Lakers organization, but neither here nor there. Can you win a championship wherever you're going? As opposed to sitting here and trusting the Palinka process again. Wherever you're going doesn't have Luca.
That's for damn sure. That's another thing that's on the stay list. Right? I mean, unless he goes to Oklahoma City, then he has a loop. Yeah, it's just do you think the path is easier in the East to the finals?
And you want to go home again to Cleveland, you know, where you're where you're where you're you finish where you started, you're you're back home again, you bring another championship to the land and you go off into the sunset. That's a hell of a strong case. Who else would take him? Where he could win a championship. The heat?
I don't know if I don't know if they're close. Atlanta? Yeah. Do you go? I mean, Boston's, he's not walking through the door in Boston.
No.
Detroit, right? Like, would he go to Detroit? And Isaiah Stewart's there. I'm just. Listen, but he's still.
You just heard what he was at top of the. He was without Luca, obviously. He was at the top of the scouting report for the defending champions. In Oklahoma City seen the first order of business. Yeah, Miss LeBron.
I'm I end at age 41. Who else? He goes in the Western Conference. Anybody else would take him. Does he want to hook up with Steph Curry one more time outside of the Olympics?
Steve Curry just signed for two years. Dallas is interesting. Yeah, 'cause that's been you know that's been thrown around for What, four or five years, you know, just you heard a little chatter about that. That's a Kyrie reunion. You got but he got he went to play with Luca, now he's with Luca.
Cooper Flag is Jason Kidd's coach. Yeah, Jason Kidd, the coach. I don't know, that's interesting. I don't know. I agree with you, Richman.
He's living out here. I've seen videos of his crib that he posts. Believe it or not, it's not shabby. All right. It's not a shabby crib.
His daughter plays volleyball here. I know I've actually seen her play, and she's very competitive. Feels like the family loves it here. The only other thing I can think of For as dumb as it sounds, is if he wants to stay in Los Angeles and not be on the Lakers, there's an intuitive. No, hey, listen.
That's. I don't see that happening. Microsoft money is as green as Walton, you know, the the um the Guggenheim money. Mm-hmm.
So I I and he he he was the highest paid player on the Lakers at fifty two million in change this year.
So again. Will he be the highest paid player wherever he goes? Will the Lakers actually will he give anybody a hometown discount? There's a lot of moving parts here. But the parts began to move last night.
I think he stays. But what do I know? I have no earthly idea. I just think he stays. I just think the Lakers would be nuts to let him walk out the door.
Don't you want him as saying my retirement tour is here, come buy tickets down in crypto and go see him and Luca? People would be falling all over themselves to do it again and just keep Luca healthy as best you can and see what you could do. You know? No, I I don't know.
Okay. And trust the process that you can figure out how to keep Austin Reeves and build a team around him. with J.J. Reddick. Unless he hates all these people here, and I have no idea.
And we just don't know because he's as pro as a pro as they get. I don't know. I'm just curious. Austin Reeves is kind of the key point of this, I I think in my mind. Like if you're him, do you take less you're about to cash in.
Do you take less money to stay with the Lakers? Or do you just go to the highest bidder? I don't know. I think you gotta all figure out. How to play together.
Don't you think it? This is Polinka's issue. Who makes the first move, him or LeBron? Or do they talk to each other? Do they like each other enough would play with each other?
It's a pretty good trio. Dude, March was laudable. March was lit here for the Lakers. Lit. Didn't they all, what, 17 and 2 in March?
They were spectacular. I was sitting here saying this team, the way they were playing, could win a championship, and you. Almost didn't push back. Yeah. I think I was proven right.
No, but because the hamstring gave way. A hamstring gave way. Not sure it would have mattered if it gave way or not. I was thinking this last few Luca. Come on now.
I think I'm not sure. The way he was playing, too. The way he was playing in March. It would have been a different series, though. Of course it would.
Well, it wouldn't have been a sweep. Let's start there.
So, we're going to keep this is something. Sam Amek is going to join us from the athletic. We've got Jamal Crawford joining us in hour three. We'll ask both of them about all of these questions. And then we'll head on the Oklahoma City Thunder and their excellence.
It's also an overreaction Monday on a Tuesday. The NFL schedule release, drip, drip, drip coming out. The general manager of the Carolina Panthers, Dan Morgan, kind enough to zoom back into this program. We'll talk about the team that won the NFC South last year, and we'll try and sneak part of the schedule out of them because he knows. I'm sure he knows.
That's next. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. If you've ever wanted real energy without choking down something that tastes like regret, Bucked Up is the answer. The flavor is the thing people keep coming back for. Insanely delicious, which is not a phrase usually associated with energy drinks, and they're built on real science-backed ingredients, clean energy that actually works without the garbage you don't want.
Bucked up is so confident you'll love their drinks, they're giving away an island vacation just to prove it. That's the kind of brand this is. No purchase necessary. Giveaway ends May 30th. Enter and find your closest bucked up at buckedupenergy.com.
Grab a bucked up and feel like a million bucks. 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. Make every day feel epic in an all-new Hyundai Palisade hybrid with up to an EPA estimated 619 miles of range on select trims, advanced tech, and class-leading interior space. Because when you're hauling kids, gear, snacks, and backpacks, space matters.
And so does comfort. Just make sure they keep their cleats off the seats. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for details. Rich Eisen here. PayPal is now the official peer-to-peer payments sponsor of the NFL, which means all the money moments that fandom creates, whether splitting tailgate costs or chipping in on tickets and game day food between friends, are covered.
Wherever the game is played or watched, PayPal moves with fans. You can send money through text, email, or directly to your friends with eligible accounts on Venmo. Just download the PayPal app and share all the moments that matter. Account with PayPal is required, not available in all regions. where PayPal operates.
Dan Morgan here on the Rich Eisen Show. Our radio audience just returned. The GM and president of football operations of the defending NFC South champion, Carolina Panthers, here on the Rich Eisen Show. Eight minutes is something you would even cut down. How about.
You know what, again, I'm... As a host of a draft, I like talking.
So, fewer minutes is a problem for me. Give me five minutes. Really? Yeah. That's it.
What about three minutes in day three? What about that? That'd be great. Yeah. Yeah, that'd be I think it'd be good, you know.
Again, like your board, I think, especially our board where you're drafting best player available, it's pretty easy the way that we stack it. You know, when our pick comes, like we're taking the guy that's, you know, the best player available at the time.
So it's really, you know. It's not rocket science, if you want to say, but at the same time, you know, you have to prepare and you have to, you know, make sure your board's the way that you want it and have confidence in it. What did you like about Monroe Freeling that you jumped on him at nineteen? Dan. I mean, 21 years old, 6'7, 34 and 3 quarter arm.
Um You know, you look at his pass protection, you look at his run blocking. He's only a one-year starter, but he's a guy with like a huge upside, a guy that we felt like we could take, and he could come in here and compete to start. And we're excited about him, man. Like, he's, I think he definitely has a lot, a lot of potential, a high ceiling, and a guy that I think's, you know, really going to ascend once he gets going. I mean, Dan, not to tell you how to do it, but I mean, when you say he's 6'7, you've got to go like this with your hands.
You know, I know that's an old thing. My kids, they're in school right now, which is why I'm daring to do this. They'd be so angry at me for actually making it. I'll leave that for my kids. Yeah, I mean.
And so. Clearly, he does what? For your offense. Do you think? Yeah, I mean, listen, it's hard to find left tackles.
It's hard to find guys that big and that athletic. To play left tackle.
So obviously we have Icky coming off an injury. We signed Rasheed Walker. I think your offensive line can never be too strong. And we got to win, if we're going to win the game, it's got to be upfront on both sides of the ball.
So we put a point of emphasis on making both sides of the ball, both fronts, as strong as possible. And that's what went into our thinking.
Now I know why you wanted the first round to go quicker, Dan, because the conversation going into the draft was if you want a top-notch left tackle. Drafting around where you were drafting, best of luck that there could have been a run on that. Yeah, and you had to have been sitting there on that Thursday night going, come on, like, are we going to be able to stick and pick Monroe Freeling? How many times? In your mocking out of the draft, did you get so lucky to have that happen where you didn't have to move up or down?
Not many times. Not many times. Yeah, he would usually go pretty early in the mock drafts that I would do. Maybe a time, you know, here or there, I would get him. But for the most part, again, these left tackles and guys, especially that big and athletic, they're going to go a lot earlier than where we thought he, you know, where we took him.
And then pieces of the puzzle, the fact that you. hit the defense so hard. In free agency, that opened up your draft strategy. Is that one way to pull that, Dan? Yeah, definitely.
You know, I think that's our strategy. You know, it just so happened we want to take the best player, whether it's in free agency or the draft. Like, we just want to add really talented football players to our roster. You saw what we did with Jalen Phillips and Devin Lloyd. And same thing here, like Monroe Freelan, best player available on our board.
We take them.
So that's our philosophy here, where we just want to get the best football players in our building. And then Lee Hunter, Chris Brizell, the second, Will Lee, the third.
So you kept on going. It's amazing you're. The next draft choice wasn't the fourth, but walk me through those guys. What do you like about them? Yeah, we followed the board.
Same philosophy there, where at the time they were the best players available. In the second round, obviously, we drafted Lee Hunter. We thought very highly of him, a big body that was super strong at the point of attack. Um again, win the game up front. Chris Brazzle, just a big rangey receiver with 437 speed.
He can make big plays down the field. He can run routes. He's so flexible and loose. And he can just do so many things for our offense to open the vertical game up in our offense. Same thing, you know, Will Lee, another guy, super tough, competitive, feisty out there.
He's big and he's long. He fits our prototype for corners. Just, you know, a guy that we held in high regard.
So we're extremely excited about our draft class, our free agency class, and where we're headed as a franchise. Yeah, I mean, you take a look at your receiver room now, right? You mentioned Brazil there to go with Leggett Coker. My goodness, the way he came on at the end of the season last year. Your offensive rookie of the year in Tederoa, McMillan, Jimmy Horn, sitting there as well, just to name a few.
Your running back room, you did lose Rico Dowdle, but there is Jonathan Brooks. Will you walk me through his injury as well as you mentioned Icky, you mentioned Ikwanu, who's been obviously a crucial draft choice for you in the first round as well. Walk me through those two pieces and how you're going to work this all together on offense. Dan, yeah, obviously, um, Jonathan Brooks, we drafted him in the second round uh two years ago, uh, a guy that we think very highly of. Um, Obviously, you know, coming off two knee injuries feel awful for him, but he's doing great.
He worked his way back, fully healthy now, feeling great. Looking great out there, cutting, running fast.
So, obviously, we're super excited about him and potentially where he could bring our offense.
So, yeah, in the past game and the run game, I think he'll really help us out. And Icky's making a lot of progress as well. Timeline-wise, I'm not sure when he's going to be able to come back, but he's down there. He's working his butt off. The training staff's doing a great job with his rehab.
So, yeah, we'll see where he's at at a certain point during the season. But again, two guys that we hold in high regard. And Brooks is healthy. Icky's getting healthier by the day. And both, you know, we're excited about both of them.
Dan Morgan here on the Rich Eisen Show. And obviously, you're in the process of having a team that you can build around a young quarterback while he's on his first contract and what that means for your cap, et cetera. What's your... Philosophy, plan on a Bryce Young extension. Where do you stand on that?
Yeah, we just picked up his fifth year. And, you know, I think contract-wise, in terms of long-term contract, you know, we'll keep talking about that here internally and we'll get it done at the right time if we're going to do it. And, you know, we'll talk to Bryce's representatives and, you know, just kind of keep those discussions here internally. But obviously, we believe in Bryce. He's gotten better every single year.
He's developing as a leader. He has such a good grasp of Coach Ganalis and Brad Hidzik's offense. He's just getting better every single day.
So we're obviously really excited about him and the team and the direction that we're headed.
Well, there's no doubt about where the arrow is trending. Certainly, since right at the outset of, you know, your and uh Coach Canalis' relationship with him, there was a benching. Um there was a sit-down. from which he has clearly Uh come back. And there was even a conversation: could he even continue in your organization when that happened?
That was on us in the media, not what you were saying, obviously, internally. But the point is, though, is that the arrow is trending up. And where does he feel, do you think? Do you need to talk with him about not. extending him after year three when somebody in a first round First overall position usually expects that to happen, or somebody who clearly is a face of a franchise gets this deal in the NFL after three years.
Do you have to talk with him as to why he currently doesn't have it? Yeah, I mean, we always do a great job of communicating with all our players, not just Bryce. And Bryce knows where we stand with him, and he feels the same way about us. Again, I think, you know, when and if a deal gets done, you know, it's one of those things where he knows we feel great about him. He feels great about where we're headed.
So we'll get something done at the right time.
Okay. So, last one for you on this. I'll just put a fine point on it. Is this a prove-it situation? Do you think, Dan?
Would you say that? Bryce, I think everybody on our roster has to prove every single day their value and worth. And everybody knows that in this building, that you have to go work and go earn everything. But yeah, Bryce. you know, in terms of him having to earn it, you know, Everybody on the roster has to earn it.
And again, he's headed in the right direction. We feel great about him. And again, we'll get it done at the right time. Not that you're here to help your competition in the NFL, but for so many. Teams Tennessee being one, New Orleans being another, drafting a receiver as high as you drafted Teteroa McMillan, and he becomes an offensive rookie of the year.
What what what do you think needs to happen in this league. for a a top drafted wide receiver to blossom. in just 17 regular season games in a a playoff game like Yours did. Dan. Yeah, I mean, I think T-Mac, I think you you look at him and you watch what he does on a day-to-day basis, his work ethic, the way he attacks the playbook.
Um, he was everything and more than of what we thought he was going to be.
So, um, he's just so big and talented. But on top of that, he just puts the work in. He's such a great teammate, um, such a great guy to have around the building every day. Um, so yeah, I think uh, those are big reasons why you saw him take off this year.
Okay, in a couple minutes, I have left with you here. Your level of expectation. What is the buildings' level of expectation? I know what fans might be thinking, and I certainly know what media might be thinking based off of what we saw last year and how this team played. What is the buildings' level of expectation for the 2026 Carolina Panthers, Dan Morgan?
Yeah, I mean, our goal every year is to win the division and have a home playoff game. Obviously, we want to go to the NFC Championship and ultimately win a Super Bowl. And I think that's every team's goal. You know, we definitely have those goals in sight. We know we have to earn everything, and that's by going out every single day and proving it on the practice field.
And our guys know that. They're out there working hard right now. And I know they're all excited about where we're going. But, you know, again, they have to put the work in, and I know they will.
Well, at least you got an owner that's not expecting anything. Mm-hmm.
That's a small. Dave's great. How often does he call you? What's the ringtone for him on your phone? Oh, Dan.
Just the regular tone. Just the regular tone? There's no special tone for no special tone. Dave Tepper, there's not. He's great to work with every day.
Like, he's so committed, him and Nicole, to winning here. You know, and I know a lot of people say that, but we talk almost every day. Uh he's really excited about where we're headed and again like Just to be able to work alongside him and Nicole and have their trust and support in every decision that we make is huge. And he's in your phone as Dave Tepper? David Tepper?
What is he owner? Just straight up? He's under team in your book? No cat. Dave Tepper.
Yep. All right. Just checking on that. Do you have any part of your schedule yet? Anything?
No, not yet. You're totally in the dark. Totally dark. Hopefully, we get a little sneak peek here soon.
Okay. I'm excited. Nobody in the ticket office, nobody in social media that's putting together those big videos. It's like the Super Bowl for the social media departments in the NFL. On Thursday.
Nothing. You've got no idea. Zero. Not yet. Not yet.
We'll probably get a little earlier than the general public, but.
Okay. But yeah, I'm just as curious as you guys are. What's the first thing you look for? I'm wild. We haven't had a home game.
You know, we haven't opened up at home here in, I think, two or three years.
So hopefully we open up at home. And then obviously, you know, we love primetime games. And, you know, I think our guys will be excited if we get some of those. All right, Dan. Thanks for the time.
Always appreciate chopping it up with you. Enjoy your downtime, right? You get some downtime right now? A little bit, a little bit of downtime. We'll still be around here for OTAs and minicamp, and then we'll break for the summer.
But yeah, a little more downtime than what I've had.
Okay. When does that hit? That hits in a couple of weeks, right? OTAs? Yeah, okay.
Yeah, OTAs are going on right now.
So I think we start phase three next week. Phase three. Fantastic. I can't wait. Oh, gosh, I do love the NBA playoffs, but I mean, there's nothing like, you know, what we do, Dan.
You know what I'm saying? Nothing like that. Nothing like football. Oh, gosh. Enjoy it.
We'll chat again soon. Always appreciate your time. Thank you, Dan. Yeah, thanks for having me. You bet.
That's the president of football operations and general manager, Dan Morgan, right here on the Rich Hisen Show. What does it mean that my daughter's ringtone, my ringtone on my daughter's phone is, I am your father? That is her ringtone for me.
Well, I mean, you are her.
Okay, so. No, but I am your father. Like, I'm Darth Vader's coalition. It's a snap, right? Because she can be playing with her friends, and she hears that, and it's like, oh, Papa's on the phone.
Papa, Papa. I think it means that she's got some issues that she needs to work on. I said, no, I think, you know, I don't know. I don't know. She's a big, she can't wait for The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Okay. Can't wait for that. She's a Star Wars fan. Grogu. Yep.
Papa. I think Susie's might be the Imperial March. Oh, I'm the Imperial March. I use the Imperial March for a lot of people. What's going on in your house?
Fun. Call fun, Chris. I don't know what's going on in yours. Fun? Call fun.
Imperial Death March for your parents? It's not Death March. It's called the Imperial March. Imperial March. Yeah.
The Imperial March. No, it's called Imperial March. It's called the Imperial March. I don't know where you're putting death in. It's Darth, not Death.
Darth. It's not Death Vader. It's called Darth.
Okay, Chris. Interesting. All right, I know you watch a lot of sports in your house, a little mixing, a little Star Wars, and you'll be happier. Contest Niplus. It's easy.
I got it. It's easy. I mean, I watch 'em.
Okay. Google's cute. Yeah. Yeah. All right.
You guys. I don't know if that's a good sign. Four? The team we just did chatted about. Just talk Carolina Panthers football for 15 minutes.
Yeah, weren't they low? Wasn't it like, uh, hold on, let's see. If it's six and change, seven and change, that would just be an absolute seven and a half. That is disrespectful. The disrespect is real.
Get out of here, man! Come on. It is. By the way, they're plus to go over. Am I reading the chart?
It's not. I would take the over on that in a heartbeat. They're looking at 7 and 10. Come on. The desert.
So they're going to regress. Last year. You're gonna your takeaway from that season where they gave the Rams a flat out Scare. Yeah. They almost won and done the Los Angeles Rams.
Saints are better. Falcons new coach and the best running back in the league.
Okay, so but their level of improvement will be stunted by other teams improving. Come on, man. Usually how that works. Lack of belief in Bryce Young. Falcons seven and a half as well.
I'm s I'm I don't understand it. Saints, seven, I think that maybe it's a lot of people. Just because last year was won by an eight and nine team doesn't mean that somebody they were all going to be under 500. Bucks eight and a half.
So they're predicting everybody under 500. Hmm. I would counsel against that. You think 10 wins is going to win this division? Absolutely, I do.
I don't think anyone gets to 10 wins. All right. I'd be sure. Why wouldn't Carolina be plus two? this year.
Jalen Phillips and Devin Lloyd added to that defensive front.
Okay. That already has Derrick Brown on it. I mean, he is becoming a big-time star. I think you said it. It's a question mark on Bryce Young.
Okay, that's what it is. They added two big-time free agents. on that front. Power ranked the quarterbacks in this division. Obviously, Baker won.
What are Baker won? Why wouldn't you put Bryce Young too? I understand, based off of what he did last year, way better than Tua. Way better than Tua. I know, but he's good for one.
Tua gets benched, and essentially. Created that there was such a situation in Miami. I'm not seeing he's a. Yeah. Coach killer, but the coach gets bounced.
And I understand I could say, I'm not saying this, but I'm implying that. Come on now. And then and then there's a guy who Finished second to the receiver who the quarterback helped to a rookie of the year campaign. Come on now. 12 games under 200 yards for a guy that was supposed to be done and thrown in the trash heap and would never play for the Carolina Panthers again.
Look at him now. Two games under 20 yards. He does have it. 12 games under 200 yards. He does have to prove it.
I think you just heard that from the coach. I mean, from the general manager. For sure. Yep. We're back on The Rich Eisen Show 844204 Rich in a moment.
See The Rich Heisen Show, the podcast. Need parts fast? O'Reilly Auto Parts has fast. Need them now? We've got now.
No matter what you need, we have thousands of professional parts people doing their part to make sure you have it. We're O'Reilly fast. Just one part that makes O'Reilly stand apart. The professional parts people. Oh, alrighty.
Auto parts. Rich Eisen here. Take a second and look at your city's calendar. Everywhere I go, there's always something coming up. Games, concerts, conventions, tournaments, the kind of events that bring people in from all over.
And when that happens, you can feel it. More energy, more fans, and a whole lot more people looking for a place to stay.
So here's something to think about. If your city has that kind of buzz, if big events are on the way, listing your space on Airbnb could be a great opportunity. If you're already planning to be out of town or you've got a trip coming up, Why not make your place work for you while you're gone? You've got the space and you're not using it. It could be earning you some extra cash.
I know when I travel for these big events, I'm not just looking for a place to crash. I want something comfortable and safe. A place that allows me to experience the city like a local. And that's exactly what you can do by offering to list your space. No big lifestyle change, no long term commitment, just making smart use of the space you already have.
So the next time your city draws a crowd, think about listing your space on Airbnb. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host. Back here on the Rich Eisen Show. This just in.
We have breaking news. Hit it. Hit me with breaking news here. Mm-hmm.
Here we're breaking news. Here it comes. Maria is see breaking news. Only four thin minutes left in the final sleep. This is.
So, somebody's been hitting those thin mints. It's not been me. Brockman. No.
Who's hammering the thin mints around? This guy brought chocolate chip cookies yesterday. I was eating those. That's right. Cooper's really good.
Those are good. Good lord. Hey, listen. Did you see what Donovan Mitchell did last night? Oh, it got busy.
Got busy. He did. He's from New York, isn't he? Smider Mitchell? Nee from New York.
No, am I wrong? I mean, he's a Mets fan. He's been trying to go to New York for quite some time. I don't know. He did Knicks fans a big favor.
Elmsford. Yeah. Elmsford. He did Knicks fans a big favor. Even that series with the Pistons up.
Tied a record. NBA playoff record, most points in a half. Second half, 39 points for Spider-Mitchell.
Okay. Even in the series up. His dad was once the director of player relations for the Mets. I've never knew that. Who knew that?
To rate. I knew he was a fan. I didn't know it was his. Can he come back? Because you guys are.
Oh, he helped make it a Mets Town. That's true. And he's helping the Knicks out. Nicks are just chillin' like the villain. That they are.
That's it. Fans are Geotag in Cleveland or Detroit next. Find out what happens. Oh, within driving distance. It tied a record.
It tied an NBA playoff record. For what? For most points in a half. That brings up because the last time it happened, let me make sure I got this 1987, which brings up. And old Genstadt hit it.
Oh. Would you want to guess who set the record that Spider Mitchell tied in 1987? Welt. Nope. Wilt didn't play in 1987, 1987.
Michael Jeffrey? Nope. Somebody Pippen? No, it was a Golden State Warrior against the Los Angeles Lakers. Tim Hardaway.
87. Eric Sleepy Floyd did it. Right. I knew that. I did know that.
Against the Lakers, against the Showtime Lakers. Byron Scott, James Worthy, Kareem, Magic Johnson, and A.C. Green were the starters on that night. In Oakland, California in the old Coliseum. Sleepy Floyd put up a 51-piece on those Lakers.
It was the only game. that the uh Warriors won in that series. Lakers went on to win the whole damn shooting match. Shooting men. But how about that?
Eric Sleepy Floyd getting a mention right here. And an old gensta. Old chan stats. Yeah, man. How about that sleepy four?
Yeah, he got 51 points. Purvis short, never nervous Purvis. Remember him? Chris Smullin was on that team. Joe Barry Carroll, whose nickname uh you remember his nickname?
Joe barely cares with the nickname. Oh, God. That's not what you want. That's not what you want. Barely cares.
You never heard that one before? No, that's funny. It's a great one. Joe Barely Cares was his nickname.
So Mm-hmm.
Well done, Spider Mitchell, on behalf of Nick Fans Everywhere. Good luck. Take it to game seven. Dance that trophy over. It's a pivotal game five.
Just like a pivotal game five in San Antonio tonight. The Rich Ice and Show podcast. Mm-hmm.
