Ian Fitzsimmons here. And I'm going to be brutally honest with you. I was skeptical about ordering plants online. Like this is actually going to show up alive at my house. But after my wife and I ordered from Fast Growing Trees, convinced, they have this thing down to a science.
They've built a whole system to protect your plants until they arrive. They even have a lab where they test against cold, heat, humidity, you name it. Any condition, they've got it and they thrive. We couldn't believe how good our plants looked when they arrived at our doorstep. And everything showed up exactly how we expected.
A perfectly healthy plant that was easy to unbox and ready to go. Every order is backed by their Alive and Thrive Guerrilla Tea, and you'll get ongoing support from real, knowledgeable experts. They have unbelievable deals on spring planting essentials. And right now, you can get an additional 20% off your first order with the code SPORTS at checkout. That's 20% off at fastgrowingtrees.com with the code SPORTS.
Terms and conditions apply. Again, that's fastgrowingtrees.com. Code SPORTS. This is what everyone's talking about. Everything's on the table.
This is what champions come to take. This is what everyone came to see. No do-overs. No second chance. No more Mr.
Night Sky. This is Winner Take All. And it's all happening now on the home of the NBA Finals. Don't miss it, June 3rd on ABC and the ESPN app. 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. The Rich Eisen Show with guest host Tom Pellisero. God, I love that guy. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Victor Wimbinyama, six feet behind the line.
Earlier on the show, NFL Network Insider Mike Garifolo coming up. Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss. And now, sitting in for Rich, it's Tom Pellisero. Welcome back to the Rich Eisen List Show. Tom Pellisero in for Rich.
One hour to go here on this Tuesday. We have a little tradition when I come in, you know, for a few days at a time, several times a year. I love being with my boys in the studio, Chris Brock now. I'm Mike Mee, what about TJ Jefferson as well? I like to start off the final hour that I'm with you before I head back on a red-eye flight tonight that I'm really looking forward to to allow you to cut it loose.
Ask me anything you want. About the NFL. Day job as NFL Network Insider, occasionally Moonlight as Rich Eisen with hair over here in the corner. 844-204-Rich. If anyone listening, watching wants to ask as well, across Disney Plus, ESPN Radio, the ESPN app.
I turn it over. Brockman, I will give you the floor first. What is a burning NFL question you've got a little over two months before teams report to training camp? I'm thinking about this.
Some of it is fantasy, but I also think that the Giants have a chance to be kind of one of the surprise teams of the NFL this year. With John Harbaugh there, they got a lot of talent on both sides of the football. But we saw Malik Neighbors had a second surgery last week. What is that all about? Should we be concerned, Giants fans, fantasy owners, should we be concerned about Malik Neighbors heading into this year?
So, Malik Neighbors' second procedure was actually over a month ago.
Okay. It was reported last week. My understanding, so his initial injury was a torn ACL and a meniscus tear.
So there are times where you will have complications. In his case, it was like scar tissue buildup. They had to clean that out because it was preventing him from having full range of motion, getting back the natural flexion in the knee. You game that out. That's about five months before the start of the regular season.
Obviously, I don't mean to downplay it, like it's not my knee.
So, obviously, I don't want to make it sound like this isn't substantial here. You never want to hear about your young. Star receiver because Malik has been healthy, which he's dealt with a toe injury. He's had the knee, he's had a bunch of different stuff.
Well, he's been healthy. He's really good. And of that vaunted receiver clash with him, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Romadunze, I think you have to right now give the edge to neighbors. based upon the production per Opportunity that he's on the field.
He hasn't been on the field full-time. You don't want to hear that, but. Five months out from the season, you would think week one is probably still a realistic goal for him. Losing some time on task, not really helpful, but he has some chemistry already built up with Jackson Dart. Not ideal, but certainly not anything that at this point I'm sounding the panic button.
Okay, and then let's stay with them real quick. Cam Scatabu said, Yeah, what else do you want to know? That he will be ready for week one. Will Cam Scatabu be ready for week one coming back from that ankle? Cam Scatabu was on one of those, what is it, the rascal, like the little carts that you roll around on, right, where your foot's up.
He was at a WWE match and was like wrestling people a month after the injury. Cam Scatabu, if he was told you can play with that cast on, would be on the field. He would be, or the brace or whatever it was. He would be out there. if he possibly could.
Will he be ready to play week one? That was a pretty significant injury. If anybody's going to be willing to be out there, it's Cam Scataboo. But the Giants doctors are certainly going to have a say in this. John Harbaugh comes from a place in Baltimore where they really wanted to make sure guys were 100% before they put them back onto the field.
We'll see on Scataboo again. I have no doubt in his mind he believes he's going to play, but there's also something to be said for: don't push him out there at less than 100%, given his violent playing nature. The last thing you want to do is have him suffer some type of a setback that, after his first season, ended in rather graphic fashion, leads to his second season getting derailed. Sure. DJ?
So it wasn't just like some people on Raw. That was Dirty Dominic Mysterio, my boy, in the Judgment Day. All right. But I'm not crazy that he was like physically engaged. He was ready to wild on a rascal.
He was ready to throw down with Finn Balor and Dirty Dominion, but that wouldn't have worked out well for him. But Cowboys, might as well talk about that. Let's do it. Why? Come on.
We had a pretty good offseason, I thought. But this whole George Pickens thing, and I I sit in this chair, Tom, and I have no problem admitting everybody out there. I don't know everything. I'm a fan who just happens to be behind this mic.
So I know George Pickens has signed this franchise tax, 27 million bucks, but I still hear chirping, I still hear chatter that like. This might not be a good thing. Can you, Tom Pellisero, like just put me at ease? Is is is him signing this franchise tag while still seeing people like, I don't know, like Alec Pierce get like a hundred 15, 14 million, is that going to be okay with George? Is he just going to play this year without any problems?
Or should I just like hold off on my like, this is our year? Type bandit. Listen, I would start with this. When George Pickens was traded a year ago from Pittsburgh to Dallas, there wasn't like a huge market for him, as evidenced by the fact that he went for a third-round pick. Yeah.
A lot of the stuff that had caused him to go in the second round of the draft in college. showed up in Pittsburgh. Teams were aware of it. That's why there wasn't more of a market for a guy who is as talented as any receiver in the NFL. Absolutely.
So, is there a scenario where a team steps up and offers something significant enough to make Dallas move? There is. That hasn't happened to this point. And you have to wonder, given the value of George Pickens to the Cowboys. Is there anything that someone could offer that would actually make them move?
In other words, I don't see somebody being willing to give up a first-round pick and more for George Pickens right now on top of giving him the contract.
So, if no one's going to do that, why would the Cowboys move? Again, there is a level at which, from my understanding, based on my belief, that they would be willing to listen. I just don't know that barring injury, and injuries can happen. Let's say somebody goes down in the first week of training camp, a contender, and they're like, we got to get a guy. Maybe you are willing at that point to give up a first-round pick and more to go get a George Pickens.
Failing that. I believe he plays this out. Jerry Jones has already said they're not going to negotiate a long-term deal right now.
So you're probably playing on the franchise take, which is why you go and sign it. Rather than having the long shot, I don't think this would have happened, but the long shot possibility of the Cowboys pulling it. And all of a sudden, nobody's willing to go out and give you 27 million that you would be due.
So his agents at Athletes First, David Mulagueta, like they don't. Have guys miss paychecks. Mulligeta never advises his guys don't show up. They don't always practice.
Sometimes it's. You have a back issue, and you're basically standing around for a month. Ooh, mom, mom. But. For Pickens, to me, it makes sense.
He's going to show up. He now is bound to show up for minicamp into training camp. I don't think it's going to be a hold in type of situation. We'll see if maybe his reps are limited and things like that. But George Pickens' best path here is go play really well.
Your next tag next year will be 120% of this year's, which is around 33 million if I'm doing the math right in my head.
So now your options are you paying 33 next year, which is $60 million over two. or you get to hit free agency next year.
Well, the only way you're going to have that type of value next year is you play really well again. Don't get suspended for the first drive of a game in Vegas. Don't have any of those little blips that you did in the past. You don't want to go down that road. To me, it makes sense for Pickens to show up and play.
Can I 100% say he'll be a cowboy in 2026? No. Because again, Things change. Things move. Injuries happen, needs change.
But all things equal, sitting here right now, I believe George Pickens is on the Cowboys in 2026. All right, cool. I like that. I want to keep talking wide receivers. We don't share it.
Because there are some pretty. Big names, I don't know what their production level could still be, but there are some names still available at wide receiver. Stephon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Debo Samuel. What is up with these guys? Is there a market, and when might we see them attached to a team?
Diggs definitely has a market. It's not across all those guys going to be the type of market they've had in the past, which sometimes, from a financial perspective, they're looking, why is no one offering me more? He was a good player for New England last year. And you start to, he did. And they felt like.
They got as much out of him as they were going to. They had an opportunity to upgrade to go to a younger player in Romeo Dobbs for a similar range of money. I don't remember the exact numbers on those deals, but similar type of money. It was always a three-year deal on paper for Diggs, but it was a one-year deal with a couple of team options, realistically. Diggs can still play.
And the thing I would point out is Diggs has been really good for young quarterbacks in the NFL, whether that was Josh Allen, whether it was for Drake May last year, because he is, regardless of all the stuff that seemingly is going on in his life. And With various entanglements in this past offseason, a legal accusation in which he was absolved. On the field, in the locker room. He is a professional. There is nobody.
Who practices harder than Stefan Diggs? You can ask anybody in Minnesota all those years. You can ask people in Buffalo. I can tell you from my own two eyes, it can be the second Tuesday in August, and he is going 100 miles an hour on the field, which sets the tone for the other receivers, which is great for the young quarterback because the looks he's giving you in practice are the looks you're getting in a game. And that does not always happen, particularly with superstar players who are veterans, who have a ton of time in the league, and maybe don't practice that much.
Diggs practices. I think the logical spot for diggs. is probably with one of these young quarterbacks. Who is that ultimately going to be? Is there a market for him?
Let's say. This is just me spitballing here. This is not based on information, but. Washington with Jaden Daniels? Could they use another one?
Everyone's talked about Brandon Ayuk. We don't even know. Brand Ayuk, as Mike Garifoll says, even going to play. We don't know if he could pass a fiscal. Could Chicago, after trade away DJ Moore, use another wide receiver?
Would that be a fit there? Would it be a fit in a place like Las Vegas? They're not a contender right now. But could you see a spot where it makes sense for him to go? To put up some maps there, yeah, for sure.
And then there's other ones without young quarterbacks, but you know, the Rams. We talked about that with Mike, too. The fact that they told Devontae Adams that they might trade him because they were close to getting an A. J. Brown deal done until they pulled the plug on that.
Puka Nakua has had a lot going on in this offseason. He's been back with the team. The digs to the Rams. Makes sense. Diggs has a bigger market.
Debo is he's always been a niche type of a player. He's been really good at his best, but like his body type, his skill set, the way the manufacturer touches for him, he's going to be a fit for teams to want to use him. In that role, last year you watched him in Washington. He was a little bit heavier. They didn't have a lot of receivers around him to support him, so teams were able to key on him.
You know, is he a $5 million player at this point? I don't think he's an $8 to $10 million player at this stage in the offseason. That can be hard when you were previously a highly paid player in the NFL to kind of wrap your mind around here. I do believe Debo will be on a team. He's got to decide what's right for him.
How urgently does he want to play? Is he going to sign tomorrow or is he going to sign in August and find his spot or wait to see how things develop? Keenan Allen? He's toward the end. He's one of the most productive receivers in NFL history, but I think it's fair to say at his age, he's 35, I think.
He's getting close to the end for him. There's still value to be had for Makenan Allen, but his opportunity might be one that has to wait until you get closer to. August and get closer to the season. Tyreek is one you didn't even mention. The issue with Tyreek is we truly don't know will he be healthy enough to play?
Forget week one. I'm talking about all of 2026. That was a severe knee injury, which is why Miami really didn't have a choice but to cut him loose. I do believe Tyreek will have interest when he's healthy. It's just not yet clear: is he anywhere close enough to health in August, September for someone to sign him?
Are we talking about, is this like Odell some years ago, where we were really into November and December before we could even talk about? Is this guy going to be ready to help a team this season? Yes, speaking of Odell, what's the situation there? That seems like he's flirting with the Giants, but there's nothing concrete. Listen, Odell is also at a different stage in his career.
It's a complete flyer. on Odell. The last time we saw him on an NFL field was with Miami in 2024. It just wasn't a fit. He wasn't able to get in.
He had like three catches, I think, that season. He was out of football last year. Had a strange situation where he took a supplement. He had a suspension, but he wasn't really taking it for performance-enhancing reasons. And so that was part of it too.
But then you watch him in the flag football game. Which, granted, I think you look at Tom Brady in that flag football game and you go, the guy could play as well. Of course. Odell, though, like, he still is a freakish athlete. Yeah.
The fact that John Harbaugh keeps talking about it, but they're not actually signing it, to me, seems like more trying to help Odell keep a market up. But again, injuries happen. Let's say Malik's not ready. By the time training camp rolls around, do they give Odell a shot? I do think somebody signs Odell at some point, but you're in a complete flyer minimum salary territory here.
See if he gets something out of him. This is probably his last gasp, which I think is evidenced by the fact that nobody signed him after he came off the suspension last year. But he's still, man. You go back, his first three seasons in the NFL, I would compare with almost anybody that we've seen in NFL history. Not including our next guest, Randy Haws.
Any free agent defenders still out there? Joy Bose. Cam Jordan, who Mickey Loomis said the other day, they have an offer on the table for him. If Cam plays in 2026, I would think it's with the Saints. There's other teams that have interest.
I mean, he had, what, 10 and a half sacks, I think, last year. Came back, had one of his better seasons at a later stage in his career. It's just, you know, what's the money look like at this stage? Cam's a really talented guy who certainly could go into media as well. He may well have TV offers.
Does he want to go do that? Does he want to play one more season? Does he really want to have to be a Mr. Saint for how?
However many 16 seasons, whatever it's been, does he want to go to another team? You got to take all that into account. Von Miller still wants to play. That's another really big name that's sitting out there. You mentioned Joey Bosa.
Does Brandon Graham, Brandon Graham just may never announce retirement again? As Tom Brady said the second time he retired, as you remember, well, you really only get one of those tearful goodbyes.
So I'm just going to say bye. I'm leaving. And that was like House video the second time. Like him on the beach just going like, I'm not going to do the whole thing again. Just like, I'm retiring.
And just letting you guys know. Hey, Tom, let me ask you, let's move away from that, move into the most important position, the quarterback position, right? And specifically the Indianapolis Colts, right? But in particular, like. Anthony Richardson.
Is there anything ever going to happen with this dude? There's, you know, there's some level of interest. You have questions there in terms of like, I mean, his sight, like that accident he had last year where a resistance band breaks and snaps him in the eye, which is my worst fear every time I go to the gym. And I'm not an NFL quarterback. There are not many 6'5, 250 dudes with howitzers walking the face of the earth.
That's what I'm saying. His opportunity will come at some point. Because he had, you know, didn't have a lot to look at. But there just moments. Where you looked at him.
There were moments. Maybe he's a 40-something percent career passer at this point, but you saw, you know, various moments like big plays down the field or running around the goal line. It's just, he started, you know, I think he started four games his rookie year and he got hurt in three of them. He never should have been the starting quarterback in his first year. Jim Marce, God rest his soul, came out publicly in training camp and basically said he's going to be the starting quarterback, which forced their hands.
And well, the owner said he's the starting quarterback. I guess he's the starting quarterback.
Now he probably needed to sit. What does Carly have to say about that? He played like. 13, yeah, exactly. He only played about 13, I think he had 13 starts in college at Florida.
So he just hadn't played a lot of football. He needed to develop.
Now he gets the time. I understand the frustration for him, the injuries he's been through, the AC joint sprain, the eye, everything concussion, everything that he's had through the course of his career. He may need to be back on the field and show that he's healthy again and that he can, frankly, see the field normally before somebody's willing to give up something real to go and get Anthony Richardson. His story has not been written in the NFL. I put him in the same bucket, different situations, but you know, Trey Lance, even J.J.
McCarthy, performed at a high level in college, guys that have ability, you know, that, but their first two years are such total wrecks of injuries and circumstances that you just can't tell. He was number four pick for a reason. The Colts have no reason just to give him away or release him.
So let's see. He may get his opportunity. It might come with the third string in training camp because I anticipate that Riley Leonard will probably be the two behind Daniel Jones. Daniel Jones also is working his way back from Achilles. These reps in the spring are going to be really important for Anthony Richardson, too.
So come in, show what you can do. And let's see what it looks like. on the other side. Speaking of the other side, Randy Moss, Hall of Fame receiver, set to join us on the other side of this break for NFL talk as well. Stick around, Tom Pilliser, win for Rich.
I will bet. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Save money on your next oil change with O'Reilly Auto Parts. Get a $15 O'Reilly gift card after rebate when you buy five quarts of Mobile One Full Synthetic Motor Oil for just $35.95. Stop by your local O'Reilly Auto Parts.
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. You ever notice what happens when something big rolls into your city? A major tournament, a can't-miss concert, a high-stakes playoff game.
Suddenly, fans are everywhere. Feels like everyone's trying to get in. Streets are packed. Hotels book up fast. And finding a place to stay?
Not so easy. That's exactly why this can be a smart moment to think about your own space. If you're planning to be away, you can list your space on Airbnb while all of that's going on and earn some extra cash at the same time. You're not changing your routine. You're just making the most of the moment.
From my years on the road, I can tell you what people are looking for during these big events. A comfortable home base, something that feels like their own space in the middle of all the action. And when options are limited, places like yours could really stand out.
So if you've ever thought about listing your space, this is a great time to give it a shot. When your city is at its busiest, your home could be exactly what someone is looking for. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host. Welcome back to the Rich Eisen Show.
Tom Pellicero in for Rich Hall of Famer Randy Moss. Set to join us shortly right here. For now, we'll be playing the win-loss game. You know what no one's called in about so far as the. The Denver Broncos.
We got one now. Andrew in El Paso, Texas. Let's go. Broncos win-loss game. Andrew, are you there and ready to roll?
Hey, what's up, Tom? What's up, gang? How's it going, guys? Doing great. Let's get it rolling right here.
Monday Night Football, Week One at Kansas City. Man, you know what password's gonna be coming after my homes, this is ready or not. We're gonna take the dub. Week two home against the Jaguars. Jags, we gonna get him.
for we're gonna get payback for last regular season, they were the closed game last season. Two girls think good right there. Two or no. All right, week three. Home.
This is Sunday night football against the Rams. Ooh, ram. Does anyone have a a coin? You gotta flip it in your head.
Okay. I'll take a howl right there at 2-1. All right, 2-1. Week four at San Francisco. Burn it.
I'll take a dove right there. Week five at Chargers. Got it. Sarger, oh my gosh. He got that reveal video got me so heated about him sticking out old Nick's ankle.
So we know we're going to get the dub right there. He's going to come back with a vengeance. All right, we got to go fast because we got a Hall of Famer waiting on here. Week six, Thursday night against the Seahawks. Win or loss.
Uh lost. Week seven at Arizona. Yeah. Week eight, home against the Chiefs.
Well split 'em. Last. Week 9 at Carolina. Dubbed.
Alright, week 11, home against the Raiders. Week twelve at Steelers on a Friday. Oh, Black Friday. Yep. Take a note right there.
Week 13, home against the Dolphins. Dolphins. Easy dub. Week 14 at the Jets. Dude, who we got?
Jets. Yeah, oh Dub, no questions. Week 15 at the Raiders. Week sixteen bills on Christmas. Anyone else got a coin?
That's something I'm gonna be a crazy one. They're gonna try to get our money, but you know, both gonna be ready. Ugh. I'll give us a dub just to be cocky. All right, week 17 at New England.
Oh my gosh. You know, both are going to be 100 for that one. That's another dub. All right, final one: week 18 against the Chargers. Home.
Uh we'll split 'em. We're gonna have our starter we're gonna have our starter dressing. All right, there you go. 13 and 4 for the Broncos right there. Thank you very much, Andrew, for the call.
Sorry to rush you through it, but listen. It's very rare that you get to have a living legend on T V. The greatest wide receiver that I have ever seen in my time on earth. one of the greatest players of all time. Hall of Famer Randy Moss is joining us right now on the show.
Randy, where? Of course you're out there. What are we hunting today, Randy? Uh I'm just out in the beautiful state of Minnesota, man, just enjoying myself. Out here trying to do some business, get to see the team in a couple of days, but uh I'm just out here still chasing 10 right now.
I'm on some small mouse right now.
So I'm on rookie of the year. In the state of Minnesota where it all started out, man, and uh It's just a great day to be out fishing.
So you got a new show, Chasing 10. You're out, you're fishing. This is all about hunting the 10-pound bass, right? Tell me more about the genesis of this show and why this is so important to you.
Well, I've been fishing for quite a uh for quite some time and I think when you go around the bass world talking about bass fishing, you know, the question is, what's your biggest? And I think that if you're not talking about 10 plus. Uh or better. It's really not a really a conversation.
So I wanted to put a show together and For the fishing fans, for the football fans, and me just going around the country and having different celebrities on my boat, having a great time, making some memories. And we're going out here and see if we can catch that 10-plus pounder. We're showing a photo right now from chasing10.com. I don't know if you can see the photo to tell me how big that one is. What is your biggest bass right now, Randy?
Well, the thing about it is you have to watch the show. Jason T. We have our own we have our own YouTube channel. And like I said, I have some guests. I have three deep.
If you've seen some of the social media posts, That we've been doing. I got the Kelsey Brothers. One of my favorite shows that I've taped thus far. I had two of the. Premier pass rushers in all of football on the show.
One man just got paid $150 over three, and the other one is the best player, not just pass rusher, the best player in all of football. Yes, including quarterbacks too.
So like I say, guys, I have a great show. And the thing about it is I'm talking about Rookie of the Year. It has a Minnesota Viking theme to it. And I think that a lot of the viewers will definitely hopefully gravitate to it and see how much fun we're having. But at the end of the day of what we're doing with this boat, I teamed up with a company out of Tennessee called Icon.
And they blessed me with this boat. And the reason why I'm telling you this story is because there's a foundation out of Minnesota, CCRF, where it's a children's cancer research fund, a foundation for them to be able to raise money for kids and being able to help with research of cancer in this state. And so, as you're going to see throughout the show, that I have my guest. Sign my boat. Because at the end of the season...
At the excuse me, at the end of the season. We're gonna be optioned off the boat.
So So as you can see Right there. You know, as you guys can get a great look at it. of seeing who I have Them pass rushes on there. Kelsey Brothers, three deep. Hey, and there's gonna be some more guests.
It's going to be some more guests out there also, so. Like I say, guys, I'm just blessed and fortunate to be able to battle and overcome the cancer situation. And I told my wife and told the man above, hey, when you bless me, give me my health back, Lord. I'm just going to get out here and enjoy myself. And chasing 10 is something that I'm just going to get out.
I have a group of guys, a great group of guys with Andrew and Ace. We're just going to tour the country with, like I say, some celebrities on my boat, guys, and have a great time. That's awesome. I mean, no surprise of all people, Randy, I know we were all praying for you here. If anybody was going to take cancer to the house, it was Randy Moss.
I think that was a five-yard hitch. He ran down the sideline against cancer, man. It's great to see you looking great out there on the boat. You talk about the rookie of the year, and you got the three-deep signature, right? Listen, I was in 1998.
I'm a senior in high school in Edina, Minnesota. There is nothing bigger in the world than Randy Moss and the Vikings at that time. And I think that every kid, Randy, in the entire state had that poster of you, Chris Carter, and Jake Reed, the 3D photo shoot. Do you remember that photo shoot and how big that was at that time? I didn't really know the magnitude of that poster.
Uh, it was Jake's and Chris idea, and like I said, you sitting up here talking about 20 plus years later of us reuniting. You know, talking about the 98 season. Excuse me, I battled some cancer. Jake Reed himself had some ups and downs throughout his life that he'll talk about on the Chasing 10 show.
So, like I said, man, it's been great. We've had a great response. Just being able to tour and travel this country has been also great and phenomenal, too. But right now, the show just starts out just being able to go out and just try to chase that 10 pounder, like I said. But right now, as we're sitting here doing this interview, I'm on some small mouth bass in Minnesota.
So, wherever I'm at, I'm looking for some fresh water and I wanna hunt bass. What kind of fishermen are the Kelsey brothers? I just, on strict looks alone, I'm going to go with Jason's the better fisherman.
Well the thing about it is When you have both of them on the boat. It was pure comedy and electric from the time they hit the boat.
So. They can fish. The thing about it is, guys, you have to watch the show and see. Sally Nois. All right.
So since you're doing the rookie of the year theme here, I happen to be reading this morning, getting ready for this interview.
Somebody wrote an oral history recently of your arrival, your first year in Minnesota. There's a couple of stories in here. I just want to play true or false with you. Things that your former teammates, coaches, your agents said. You tell me if these are real stories that they're telling, all right?
Yep. I want to start with your agent, Bus Cook. Who you didn't go to the combine, bus said it's because you had dental problems. True or false, wisdom teeth is the reason you were not at the combine. That is true.
I had, I think I had four pulled going into the combine, but I had to go back later on and retest.
So that's true. Jerry Jones, who of course famously several years ago apologized for not taking you back in that 1998 draft, they were sitting there with the number eight pick. They drafted a guy whose name, quite frankly, I didn't remember later. But when you spoke, is according to Jerry, When you met with the Cowboys before the draft. Number one, Jerry said, You don't have to do this stuff with the other rookies.
Just go over to Deion's house. He's going to talk to you. And number two, Jerry said as only Jerry can. Randy, you're going to be a Dallas Cowboy. Oh, man, you hurt my heart with everything you said, man.
Shout out to Jerry Jones. And yes, that is true. Still remembers. It worked out, even if it was 13 picks later. All right, Leroy Hoard.
Said that when rookies used to get taped in camp, which of course you can't do anymore, but rookies, you get taped to the goalpost, you get taped in your room, whatever, you're the only guy who ever avoided it because you hid under a blanket behind a couch in the players' lounge and never got taped. That is true. I hit actually, I hit up on the ninth floor. Uh, and the guys didn't find me throughout the whole night.
So, yes, that's true. I didn't get taken my rookie year. That is outsmarting everybody in the building. Uh, And I love this one. Chris Carter said before your first game, 1998, I was in the stands for that game against the Buccaneers at the Metrodome.
Chris said, you missed the pregame meal because you were playing video games. The team thought you went AWOL. When Chris found you, he said, hey, have you eaten? And your answer was what you were eating at that moment, which was a can of Coke and a box of hot tamales.
Well, there is some truth to that, but it's not all true.
So I'll say some of it's true, but not all of it. Coke and tamales, is that part true? I say the tamales are. And all you did was score a couple of touchdowns in that game. That's it, man.
One thing about it, man, just being able to, you know, you're just reminiscing about the Minnesota Vikings, my rookie year. Talked about the guys not taping me up. It is a great thing to be able to reminisce and go back in the past and look at those memories.
So, being able to have guys like Jake Reed, Chris Carter, my three deep brothers. And I want to send a shout out to all of my Minnesota Viking former teammates, man. You got Hall of Famers like John Randall, Randall McDaniel, hey, Big Mac. You didn't get to tape me up, but I'll send you a shout out anyway. Robert Smith.
And I'm talking about the great Randall Cunningham and Dennis Green, R.I.P. to him, his wonderful family. Like I say, all the Viking fans out there, man, it's great to be back in the state, sitting on this television, talking to you guys on my boat, rookie of the year, and getting ready to chase 10. And I would also say this, Randy, because we were talking. You may have been out on the boat, but it was made official today.
Minneapolis has the NFL draft in 2028 coming to Minneapolis. That's the last week of April. And looking at your attire in the middle of May, as you know what.
Well, Randy, like weather's a question. We can all hope for the best. You get some good days and you get some kind of overcast cold days out there, too.
Well, I'm gonna tell you what, it gives me a reason in 2028 to be in the state of Minnesota. The draft is here. Manus a It's going to be great. Hopefully the state puts on a great show. I look forward to seeing that.
Randy, fantastic stuff, man. Thanks for joining us. It's a first interview on a boat, I think. This might be the first on this show, man.
So keep up the great work. Great to see you looking great out there. Catch that, and I'll watch the show. Chasing10.com. It's also on YouTube.
You can find it both those places. Check it out from Randy. Thanks a lot for the time, man. Jason 10 coming y'all's way. God bless you.
Thank you. You're my only Randy man. Thank you very much. Randy Moss from the boat out there. I didn't want to, I thought about asking him what lake, you know, this like you say 10,000.
It's more like 12,000. I don't want to. I don't want to give up the honey hole. He's clearly got a spot. He thinks he's getting that 10-pound bass.
That story of like the taping thing was big in training camp back in the day. I mean, it would be like the last day of training camp. You would, I mean, in the Mike Tice days, like literally, practice would end and players are getting taped on the field. The fans are still there. And you'd like find somebody taped to the goalpost and they'd just walk off.
And it was part of the routine in those days. Dante Culpepper, I believe, when it was him, they walked in, he's just like, bring it on. And just like fought him all the way, you know, because you can either take the easy way or the hard way. Dante took the hard way. Randy took The hard way to get out of it, which was apparently hiding in the dorms, the old dorm at Minnesota State Man Cato.
Throughout that time.
Now he's fishing in the lakes of Lake Minnetonka. That didn't look like Lake Minnetonka right there. You would see some multi-million dollar homes on the shores. He may purify himself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka later. That looked like somewhere around Bemidji or Brainerd, a little bit off the beaten path right there.
That's where you find jason10.com for Little Richard. Listen, Gloss Floss, I think it's a lot of fun. Awesome stuff like Brainerd. All right. Phone line's still up.
We got a few more win-loss games to go. Final questions from you and the boys on the NFL as we break this thing down right here on the Rich Eisen Show. Tom and Pellicer win for Rich. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Most protein drinks ask you to choose between results and taste.
Bucked up decided that's a ridiculous trade-off. Bucked up makes lightly carbonated protein drinks, 25 grams of protein per can, clear protein, not milky or thick, and they taste so good that 25 grams of protein almost feels like a bonus. 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. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy.
But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Granger has your back. From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Granger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRANGER, clickgranger.com, or just stop by.
Welcome back to the Rich Eyes and Show. Tom Pellicero in for Rich. Great conversation just now with Randy Moss live from a boat. Where else would he be? Got a new fishing series.
As you can tell, Randy would rather talk fishing and hunting more than anything else, including football. In the world, And he announced big news: he'll be in Minneapolis apparently for the draft in 2028. I informed him and he said, I'm coming. There it is. Get your 84 jerseys out.
84 jerseys out. Still loves it. Uh I said years ago that Dion and Randy Moss having a fishing show together would. Be the greatest thing ever, and I still think it would be, but this is interesting. Maybe we're halfway.
He's got the Kelsey brothers on the show, he's got his old compadres, Chris Carter, Jake Reed on the show as well. There are some people, by the way, still, like you'll every now and then walking around Minneapolis, you'll see someone with an 18 jersey. Randy's number in the preseason, his rookie year. You have to wonder, like, go back in time when, remember, team numbers were not cool for wide receivers. Like there was basically nobody had a number in the teens unless you were like a practice squad guy or somebody who didn't have a real number yet.
So Randy switches from 18 to 84 right before week one in 1998. It could have been 18. being enshrined and in the ring of honor. And all that. Robert in Ontario, California.
What's going on, Robert? Robert. Hey man, how you doing? Thanks for taking my call. You got it.
What's shaking?
So, I wanted to do the win-loss after here in the first, because I'm a Green Bay fan. Want to do the win-loss, but I really want to talk about the Raiders in Fernando Mendoza. Mm-hmm. They should sit them for the year. I mean, they got this team together.
Let this team. Um find these find themselves and then put them in maybe towards the end of the season. But other than that, they should just let have them sit because you don't want to risk an injury and you don't want to be looking for a quarterback two years from now. I'm in the same boat, and so is Kalink Kubiak. More importantly, it's a matter of having that time.
It's all about when you're ready. There's no like timeline that's for everyone. It's kind of like injuries. Yes, you can roughly estimate where it might take place, but some guys progress faster. He's got a lot to learn.
I'd be surprised. Very little shocks me in the NFL. I would be surprised if Kirk Cousins is not the Raiders' quarterback in week one and for a bulk, if not all, of this season. You want to do Packers win-loss, correct, Robert? Let's do it.
Yes, let's rock it. All right, week one at Minnesota. W, sorry, Randy Moss, but W. Week two at Jets. Another W.
Week three, home against the Falcons on Thursday night. That'll be a W. Week 4 at Campa. I'll take that as an L. Week five, home against the Bears.
Week six, home against the Cowboys on Sunday night. W. Week seven at Detroit. L. Week eight, another short week Thursday night against the Panthers.
Oh. Week 9 at New England. W Week 10 home against the Vikings. W again. All right, that's 7-3 into the buy for the Packers.
They're probably right in the NC North Race right now. Week 12 at Rams on Wednesday night, Thanksgiving Eve.
So that'll be a no. Week 13 at New Orleans. W. Week 14, Home Against the Bills, Sunday night. Can I?
Week 15, home against the Dolphins. W Week 16 at Bears on Christmas. Week 17, home against the Texans on a Monday night. L And week 18, home against the Lions. W.
That's 11-6 for the Packers. Would you like 11-6, Robert? Would that be successful pending playoffs?
Well, yeah, but you know, LaFleur and Love, honestly, they're going to be their seats going to be warming up this year if they don't at least get to the second round or. possibly MFC Championship because too talented of a team to not Ederg. And of course they got rid of a lot of pieces, so you know, it's almost starting from scratch, but not really. You're listening to Brockman too much. It's almost like Robert is saying.
Yeah, it's almost an exact point from yesterday. For Jordan Love. Interesting. LaFleur just got a contract extension. Love is a borderline top 10 quarterback.
Certainly, you want to have more success. Micah Parsons, when exactly he's 100%. That's obviously going to be a big part of this as well. Uh see how it plays. Let's get one more here.
Rob and Charlotte. Panthers win, loss. Rob, are you ready? I'm ready, Tommy. We did it two years ago.
Let's do it again, you and me. All right, here we go. And this will probably go better than that one. Week one, home against the Bears. Gonna win the home opener.
Haven't had one in a couple years. Week two at Atlanta. Winner winner. Week three at Cleveland. Definitely win at Cleveland.
Week four, home against the Lions. Give them a win one more. 4-0 at the buy for the Panthers. Week six at Philly. Pants along.
Week seven, home against the Bucks. Lose it home to the Bucs. Week eight at Green Bay short week on a Thursday night. That's a loss. The wheels have come off the Panthers.
Week eight, week nine, excuse me, home against the Broncos. Another loss. Uh oh. Week 10 at New Orleans. That's a win.
All right, week 11, home against the Ravens. Oh, that's a loss. Week 12 at Bucks on Monday night. They win at the Bucs. Week 13 at Minnesota.
That's a win. Week 14, Home Against the Saints. Beat the saints at home. Week 15, home against the Bengals. Beat the bangles at home.
Week 16. Date to be determined could be an NFL network game on a Saturday at Pittsburgh. That's a loss. Week 17 home against the Seahawks. That's a loss.
Alright, so nine and seven. With one to go, it's the NFC South.
So, this could be for the division title. Win it. Week 18, home against the Falcons. These are Falcons win the division. 10 and 7.
Okay. The Panthers. Thank you very much, Rob, for the phone call. This schedule, man. When you start just breaking it down like that, and all of the short weeks, long weeks, international games, the Packers won in particular.
I mean, it's just, it's all over the place when you look at it. You have I mean, how many normal weeks? Week one to week two is normal. Then it's a short week, then a long week, then two. All right, you get three normal weeks in a row.
After that, short week to a Thursday, long week. Normal week to the Vikings, buy, but it's only a half a buy to a Wednesday game, to another half a buy to a Sunday game. Couple normals, then a Friday game, then a Monday game. That's. I guess it's more normal weeks than I thought when I was going through it, but it's still.
It's just a lot. You see Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday. Two Thursdays actually. There's no such thing as a normal week anymore. Like you're going to be absolutely scrambling in your brain to figure out what day of the week it is.
If you're the Packers coaching staff, and they're not the only ones. I don't mean to play the violin for the Packers here. They did, it seems, get out of the Paris game. Last minute. Steelers end up going to face the Saints in Paris.
That would have been another. Another hill to climb. But when you get multiple holiday games, maybe that gets you out of the international slate. Hey, you got to play on a Wednesday and a Friday. We'll get you out of the eight-hour flight.
Which I assume they could fly direct out of Green Bay. Nobody else can fly direct from Green Bay to Paris. You would think they can, they've probably got the capabilities to do that. It's been fun. Man, great to see you talking the past couple of days here.
Thanks to everybody for listening on ESPN Radio. NFL Network coverage rolls on. I'll be in the Insiders tonight. I'll be on the Insiders basically every weeknight, 7 p.m. Eastern Time, all the way through until they tell me I'm not anymore.
And I'll be back here late July as well. Ghost Not Days with you, Folks. Ghost Not Goodbye. See you later. Thank you very much.
Tom Pellicero in Forich. Appreciate you listening. 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.
