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Now, on with the show. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. What would you little maniacs like to do first? This is the Rich Eisen Show. Today's guests.
Texans general manager Nick Casario. Colts head coach Shane Steichen. Saints quarterback Tyler Shuck. Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Actor and Director Eli Rock.
And now it's Rich I said. Oh man, everybody, welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show Football is so packed. We've got five guests today. Because you know, when you do a show like this, you put lines in the football ocean, if you will. And then bites come in bunches.
Certainly this time of year, we've got a quarterback, we've got a coach, we've got a general manager. Um we've got a Hall of Famer. And then we've got a movie director, an actor. And so, first up, Nick Casario is going to come out of a meeting room for the Houston Texans. And we're going to have a conversation with the GM of the Houston Texans.
And then we'll have a conversation with the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Shane Steinken. And then Tyler Schuck, the runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the Year last year, the New Orleans Saints quarterback. He'll join us. Tony Gonzalez, top of our number three Hall of Famer. We're going to be in Canton, Ohio at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum for all three hours tomorrow.
Our guests are Steve Hutchinson, Marshall Falk, Rod Woodson, Willie Rofe, Luke Keekly, who's going into the Hall of Fame this year, and Chris Berman, the master of ceremonies. They'll all be with this show in person in Ohio on Friday, regular time, 12 to 3 Eastern, right here on Disney Plus, the ESPN app, ESPN Radio, Sirius XM, Channel 80. The director, Eli Roth, he loves making horror movies, this guy. And his new movie, Ice Cream Man, is out in theaters tomorrow. He's also very.
uh famous uh uh for being in uh in glorious bastards Donnie Donowitz swinging a bat at the Nazis. And talking broken Italian to Christoph Waltz. We're just going to go down a wormhole with him in hour number three. There's you at 844-204-Rich. I've got a top five list of my top five.
Fantasy football sleepers, and fittingly enough, on a day to Shane Steichen joins us. We got ourselves an Indianapolis Colts season preview four downs. Good to see you over there, Chris Brockman. How are you? I'm great, Rich.
Today is my LA anniversary. On this date, 2009, I moved to LA and the first movie I ever saw in the theater when I got here in Glorious Best. How about them, Apples? That's called a full circle moment, is it? Pretty cool.
How are you, DJ Mikey D? Doing well. Good to see you, TJ Jefferson. How are you? Candles lit.
What's up, world? How's everybody doing?
Well, TJ.
Now that we're fully unpacked, let's get to it. Um We start with our favorite news segment. Because we don't know how long the segment's going to last. Today might be the last day. I don't think so.
I don't think so. I don't think so. It's the latest edition of Is He Back Yet? Hey, A Rob. Is he back yet?
Where is AAR right now? Oh, look at the. Smitch added two new faces to AAA. Is he back yet? Del Tufo on the right.
You're a disappointed and scared Christian McCaffrey and frightened Aaron Donald. And there you are, smiling next to Miles Garrett's head right there. I love that. TJ, apparently, you're not in this because you're a Cowboys fan. Because I'm a Cowboy fan.
Well, I know. You're not a seasoned ticket holder of the rank. Is he back yet? I get it. Aaron Donald, is he back yet?
I mean, come on.
Well, to use a phrase. Of the fugitive, which by the way also debuted on this date years and years and years ago. Yes, that's awesome. A phrase from the fugitive. Remember the one-armed man?
Yep. You remember when Dr. Kimball broke into his house and called up. The authorities. And said, I found a big piece, and he put the phone down so they could track him.
Mm-hmm. To the one armed man's apartment?
Well, yesterday seemed to be a big piece. And it it broke on the NFL wire. Right. This is crazy. This is.
You know, something that comes out every day. that all 32 teams get and anybody who cares to take a look at it Can find information on it, like say the Bills had three guys trying out and the Vegas. Raiders had three guys trying out. The Miami Dolphins tried out five guys. And the Los Angeles Rams tried out a defensive tackle out of Pittsburgh named Donald Kama Aaron.
Try out. Heard of him.
Well, the reason why it's called a tryout. It's the phrase that's used by the NFL when somebody was not signed officially to a roster, or is in this case a retired player. comes back and uses actual Team equipment to work out. And I guess Aaron Donald is Trying out with the Rams. That's so silly.
Technically, because it seems like, hey, if he wants to figure out what it's like to go through a practice, whatever, he's putting on a helmet. He put on a Rams helmet and he's working out with you remember Giff Smith? Is that name ring a bell to you? He was the interim coach for the Los Angeles Chargers when they bounced Brandon Staley towards the end of the twenty twenty three season. Giff Smith is now the defensive line coach.
for the Rams.
So if you're working out with a a line coach, Mm-hmm. And you're you're putting on team equipment. According again to the rules. of the National Football League. You gotta Put it on the wire.
It's you're Anybody who's using team equipment during training camp. requires the organization to report the activity as a formal Try out. And so Eagle Eye reporters are picking up. Donald, Aaron, is now officially on an NFL wire. As a player trying out for the Los Angeles Rams.
And uh The NFL Daily caught up with Sean McVay. Um Greg Rosenthal and Jordan Rodriguez, who covers the team. For uh The NFL Daily. And uh Greg Rosenthal. Had a little bit of fun with Sean McVay about Donald's name showing up on the NFL wire.
The NFL Transaction Wire had Aaron Donald working out with the Rams today, which I guess. Did it come across as a tryout? It did come across as a tryout. Best tryout that we've ever had.
Okay. You think you could make the team? That's phenomenal. I think you can make the difference. The kids got a shot.
Yeah, no, that was honestly our way of being able to get a workout with him within the parameters of what's necessary, but. Giff Smith said it's the greatest tryout he's ever had. Giff Smith says it's the greatest tryout he ever had. Wow. Again.
The question becomes more rhetorical each and every passing moment of the summer. Is he back yet? Woodland Hills is where the rams facility is. That's where he tried out.
Okay. The defensive line coach for the Rams is not at the training camp in deep Southern California. He's up. and woodland hills. Giving a try on.
Okay. To a first ballot hall fair. Mm-hmm. Who is It's going through the process. Is he back yet?
Miles Garrett is now answering questions every day. when he's made available to the media about Aaron Donald, because it's his presence. It's his purpose. presence in Los Angeles and on this roster. that has sparked Aaron Donald to even twitch in this direction.
Hopefully, they'll link up here soon. You know, see where his head's out, and uh, you know, just break bread with him as well. You know, I don't know. Um. how he's feeling or where he is it is in this process, but it is a process, you know, coming back from no such time off.
But, you know, not gonna push him either way, but just just get a feel on him. It's basically, if I may, uh, the advice you give to a Young man or Young lady Who's just beginning, if you will, in high school, the dating scene.
Okay. If you're into somebody, you gotta give them space. You know what I mean? Don't smother. Don't stop.
Be cool. You know what I mean? Be cool. Don't scare him off. I guess it's not just anybody in in the high school dating scene.
I guess it's the it's it's true for everybody. I've been out of that scene for a while. I don't say. I might be, you know, you tell me, Mike. It was tough, Rich.
I'll say this. I'll say this. I'll say this. Potentially, like you, all Rams fans are swiping right on Aaron Donald. Oh, yeah, wow.
Oh, yeah. Yeah. From what I'm told, you know. It's a cold game. Is he back yet?
Yeah. This is going to happen. You guys. You must be so psyched as Rams season ticket holders. Yeah, it's going to be because your resale price to put somebody in the building to root against your team is going to be really, it's going to really pay for a few meals for you.
And go in a game. Are you really going to do it? At least three, if nothing. Oh, that's great because you know, they play about eight at a point. And I work about how many Sundays are there in the season?
Okay. Yeah. Uh their first two home games are Monday night. Exactly. There's two of the four.
There's only one I'm concerning myself with. And I don't know if TJ's Dallas. By the way, TJ, he comes back. You ain't going with me. You see that?
Mike Del Tuvo is not a man of his word, is all on that day. Why are you so obsessed with this, Rich? Why are you talking about this, Rich? Because Hall of Fame players do not come out of retirement every day. They don't really ever come out of retirement.
Because a surefire First Ballot Hall famer has decided to change addresses, or at least had the team oblige him finally to change an address. And teams that go ahead. and make this move rarely have the Reigning MVP of the league on a team that also added a Pro Bowl defensive back that nobody talks about in Trent McDuffie because we're all talking about is he back yet? Because Miles Garrett's in town, and it rarely happens on a team. That came oh, so close to making the Super Bowl the year before.
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Oh, by the way. Future Hall of Famer Devontae Adams is. Like wide receiver two. And he's not like on his last legs by any stretch. This is why we're talking about it.
Is he back yet? With each passing day, it's a rhetorical question. This guy's coming back unless something completely unforeseen happens. And every time McVay's out there, he is like the Cat that ate the canary. And Everybody Is on notice.
And everybody else in the league who hears stuff like this is going to be saying, Okay.
Sounds good. Any given Sunday, four quarters of action, let's go. We are going to show up. I don't care if it's Donald or Garrett. or Donald and Garrett.
I don't care who the hell's out there. We're going to beat them. And good luck in every single one of their games is going to be, I've got to see it. And the first one in Australia. where Donald and Garrett are going to be playing against each other is against San Francisco.
For a massive game internationally and obviously nationally. Come on. That's why we're talking about it. I'm going to miss this segment when he does come back for real.
Now then. One thing that I've been pounding the table for a long time is running backs getting paid commensurate To their talent. We're not there yet, to be honest with you. Even with Bijan Robinson now making $25 million a year. It happened as Chris Olave is making thirty something million a year.
And Chris Olave means a lot to the Saints, as Tyler Schuck will tell us when he joins us, obviously, in hour two. And we don't really need to hear it from a second-year player. We know Olave is good and very important. Running backs, though, are the ones who take the time off the clock when you need to win a game with five minutes to go. They're the ones who come up with that first down, more likely than not, to seal the deal.
They are the ones who can control the action. They are the ones, if they're good enough, can also create matchup problems where you can throw them the football. They are the ones who potentially might protect your quarterback because they're the ones standing right next to him. They are crucial players, but they don't last as long, so they don't get paid as much, I guess. And we've got an actual general manager, Nick Casario, joining us shortly.
I cannot wait to ask him why are running backs paid less? than pretty much any other offensive player position. Tackles, guards, quarterbacks, receivers, name it, tight ends. are prote are are paid less. That's it.
So, Jonathan Taylor, as we all know, back in 2023 when this thing was really spiking. Where Quarter running backs are just not getting paid. You're just not. Remember, he went to Jim Irsay and me, he rest in peace. Jim brought him on the bus, basically told him, You're not getting it.
You okay, man? He eventually did. Cotta hold his breath, gotta stamp his feet. Gotta sit out. Ooh, my arm.
Rich, this even goes back to Le'Veon Belt. Oh, we could go further and further. He could go to him, especially because he was an RB1 and sat a whole wide receiver one. Sat a whole year. Yeah.
Sat a whole year in the middle of the year. I think he threw off his entire career, actually, to be very honest with you. Sure did.
So when Bijan got paid, Jonathan Taylor, who was entering the last year of the deal that he had to hold his breath to get, I had this to say. Hopefully, actually I gotta go talk to my agent, too. I gotta go talk to him and see where things are at. I've been trying to just. Focus on getting better, making sure I'm staying in shape.
So, like I said, I have faith, so I'm gonna tap in and check in, but I'm not sure guys broken news to me.
Now, everybody, you know. We had some fun with that. I'm like, I think he's definitely calling his agent. For sure. It seems like his agent was already on the phone.
He's got a new two-year contract extension worth forty-four million dollars. Um can go up to 47. Thirty nine guaranteed. Yeah. Jonathan Taylor.
Ladies and gentlemen. Nice. getting his. It's the third richest deal. The richest deal belongs to Bijan.
I believe number two is Saquon, if I'm not mistaken. And that potentially could be all eclipsed. by um the end of the hour, as a matter of fact. Because Jameer Gibbs, who's been holding in in Detroit, guess who got back on the practice field? Oh.
And that means According to Albert Breer, That's a new deal that's expected to be finalized soon. He made an appearance at practice today. Which means he's close. Which means it's going to happen. All eyes there.
Is that going to top Bijan? Bottom line is. Running backs are beginning to get theirs. In a manner that pleases them at the very least. And it keeps going up.
25 million a year. is getting close to wide receiver money. It's getting close. You know?
Well, you're still 15 million shy of what Jamar Chase. You're about 10 million in the hailing distance of Justin Jefferson, and you're about 8 million away from CeeDee Lamb, just off the top of my head. I mean, if you're looking at guaranteed money, Zay Flowers just got 108. Bajan got fifty-one. JT just got 39.
So they're, you know, that's combined. They're still way under. Alec Pierce makes more. Alec Pierce got a lot of guarantee for it. Correct.
And that's what the market bears for somebody who walks into the free agent market. And has probably New England fallen all over themselves at the time to go get him. Yep. And it caused Chris Ballard to dig deep. And pay a guy who's really not done it yet consistently over and over again.
But Jonathan Taylor, with all due respect to everyone else. The past two seasons. have been Spectacular. And He led the NFL in rushing attempts and touchdowns last season. 323 rushing attempts, 18 touchdowns.
He ran for 1,585 yards, career highs and receptions of 46 for 378 receiving yards. He surpassed 300 carries in each of his past two seasons. The only one with more rushes over that stretch. You want to guess? It's easy.
Go ahead. Don't think too hard. Don't think too hard. Dijon? Nope.
Don't think too hard. Who does it every year? Who's done it every year for a decade? Derrick. That's correct.
Don't think too hard sometimes. Yeah. I could smell the wood burning from all the way over here. That's why he deserves it. That's why he deserves to get it.
But it it's just fascinating to me, man. You know, Gibbs is going to get his, and then we're going to all talk about it. And then, of course, it does come down to what's it going to look like. Uh What's Gibbs going to look like with a bell cow around his neck? What's it going to look like with Bijan having an offensive-minded head coach?
Who doesn't hand it to You know, another running back inside the five-yard line as Arthur Smith did in the first year for Bijan because he was a rookie. And then last year, You know, he was beginning to get his more, but now here's Kevin Stefansky. What's that going to look like? And Jonathan Taylor, we all know what he has looked like in this offense. But I just am thrilled that they're getting paid what they should get paid.
In terms of what others are getting paid, I still think it should be higher. They are that valuable. And certainly he's 27, Jonathan Taylor. Get it while you can get it now. Yes, indeed.
These running backs, I do not mind them holding in. I do not mind them saying, What about me? Let's go. Pretty damn cool. And again, you're seeing last year Ashton Genty, top 10 pick.
This year, Jeremiah Love, top five pick. highest drafted running back since Saquon went second overall. Here we go. Things are shifting a bit here. We've got an actual general manager coming up next hour to have a conversation with him about all of this.
about valuing running backs. We've also got Jonathan Taylor's head coach, Shane Steichen. We also have Chris Olave's quarterback. Tyler Shock. And we've got one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the NFL.
We've got ourselves Tony Gonzalez in hour three, and then Eli Roth, the director in studio. in our three as well. Suze will stop by in advance of women's sports now. that has Jason Sudekis zooming in. You know?
Potentially, you could say, is he the most famous New York Liberty fan? Cool.
Okay. Rocking the WNBA hoodie while he's on the Today Show promoting season four of Ted Lasso and Kylie Kelsey in studio. Ooh. Yeah. So Sarah's on today, correct?
She'll be here later. She'll be here later, yeah. Renee Montgomery and Suze. Along with Jason Sudeikis and Kylie Kelsey. That's at six Eastern Time on the.
Disney plus ESPN Families of apps. That's a fun show that is. It certainly is 6 Eastern Time. Suzanne will be here in the end of hour 3. 844204, Rich.
When we come back, I've got my four downs on the Indianapolis Colts, and we've also got the general manager of Houston Texans, Nick Casario, joining us on this program. 844-204-Rich, as I said, is the number of dollars to see. All phone lines are lit. A SoFi personal loan is here to help you achieve something once thought impossible, and that's overcoming high-interest credit card debt. Walk the tightrope of your finances with one low fixed-rate monthly payment, no fees required, and as soon as the same day, funding.
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Your phone calls, Nick Casario. Four downs on the Colts before the Colts coach Shane Steichen joins us. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. I understand what the regular season entails, and our focus is on that. I would say, in our roles, And he had the ability to balance off so many different things.
You're kind of thinking about the present, but by the same token, having an eye on the future. And in the end, trying to do what you feel is always best for the organization and the team. I would say that certainly resonated, just the way he was able to handle that. And he was so immersed in every aspect. Of the football operation.
You know, I can't say enough great things about what I learned being around him for all those years. fortunate to be around a lot of great people over the course of that period of time. I worked for Scott initially. Scott's the one that really hired me Pioli when I got my career started. But just to be around a lot of great people.
I know it's cliche, but taking it one day at a time, and then I would say maintaining a certain level of consistency. day to day, not getting too high, not getting too low. We are in a very, I would say, it can be emotional. There's a lot going on, but to be able to kind of stay right in the middle, that always really struck a chord. And I think that was something that I kind of took notice of and have tried to apply.
In our own way and shape and form to my career and some of the things that I've been fortunate enough to be able to do. Yeah, I mean, to be around Bill Belichick for as long as you were, and obviously Peoli, being part of that front office for all those years. By the way, our radio audience is turning. We're talking with the Houston Texans EVP and GM, Nick Casario. Um, you know, and the thing that Bill was always known for among many.
was um You know, saying goodbye to players that fans loved and had still had some years left potentially before. Uh he thought that the curve was going down. Um, did you ever have a conversation with him about that or anything that you've you saw that you do actually still use? today and what you're doing for your roster?
Well, I think all of us league wide that are in these positions, the reality is we're going to have to make a number of decisions over the course of the season and over the course of years. And it's never easy. And we have to sometimes make very difficult decisions. But we make decisions that we feel ultimately are in the best interests of the program. And at times, maybe in the best interest for the players as well.
They may not realize it at the time, but. you know, we're in a position where, again, going back to what I said a little bit earlier. Kind of take the not take the emotion out, understanding that. Where it's a people business in the end, so how you treat people, um, the conversations that you have, the relationships that you develop. I mean, that's part of it.
Unfortunately, We're going to have to make decisions where we move on from players, we move on from staff. And that's always difficult, but you try to handle it in as a positive manner as possible and not to go back to what we learned growing up. But the reality is just treat people with respect and dignity and just be honest with them. And take the emotion out, and you're just trying to make the right decision with what you feel is the right information at the time. You might not agree, you might not see eye to eye, but in the end, that's part of our job and responsibility.
And regardless of kind of what's going on externally outside of our building. All right, let's talk about decisions you've made and decisions you still have to make. With Nick Casario, the Houston Texans GM, entering his sixth season in that role. here on The Rich Eisen Show. Obviously, you've got a quarterback.
When you want to talk about emotions, I mean, this is the biggest position and decisions that you could make that affects an entire team, an entire organization, fan base and things of that nature. Um CJ Stroud is now in a position to get A contract extension. Where are you on that front?
Next. Yeah, I mentioned this in kind of my introductory press conference here in training camp. I'd say, you know, we've had some productive discussions over the course of the spring here. I think CJ and You know, his first three years, he's done a really good job for us. Namiko and I have both talked about this.
We're glad he's our quarterback. And we understand there's a business side of football.
So I'd say we're working through that. But I mean, overall, like I said, we've had productive conversations with his representatives.
So my sense is we'll work through it here during the course of training camp. And if an agreement comes to fruition, great. And if it doesn't, you know, we kind of understand where we are moving forward. You know, CJ's, I mean, I've said this on some different shows, but he's had his best offseason. I'd say he's having one of his better training camps as well.
And I think you're seeing a growth and a maturation and development of a player, which you see throughout the course of their career.
So, I mean, sometimes we lose track of, in his particular case, is still a young player. I mean, he's played three seasons going into his fourth season, but every year you kind of start over. And, you know, we're working through training camp right now. But, I mean, overall, CJ has done everything that we've asked him to do. You know, there's a business component of this.
And that's something that, you know, that's part of, in the end, my responsibility and my job. And, you know, we'll work through it here and see, you know, and see what happens here moving forward.
Okay. So is this something that could go into the season? Do you think or no? uh we'll see i don't want to put any timetables or kind of speculate about what may happen when it might happen i'd say you know keep the dialogue moving and at some point if we get to a situation where all right we kind of it's not going to resolve itself then you know we'd push it out to you know the offseason or after the season so um you know we'll work through it kind of take it one day at a time and you know we'll see if in agreement we're able to reach an agreement here at some point okay and just one last here listen it's a result oriented business that that you are in we're all in i guess but you know you don't raise banners there in houston for making the second round of the playoffs which by the way he has done every year of his career which is rare for somebody to come out of college to do something like that Rich Eisen here. Running a small business means every hire matters.
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And I understand there's markets and things of that nature. Do you need to see something more from him on the field to get to the number that you think? um everyone will be happy with. Yeah, I think the reality is every player, I mean, they have to prove themselves every year.
So I'd say overall, I mean, we're proud of the program that we've developed. You know, We feel like we got a pretty good foundation in place with a lot of really good people. You know, we have one of the best head coaches in the league.
So we're proud of, I'd say, our program. We understand, like, look, in the end, everybody has the same goals and expectations that you want to be playing meaningful football late in the season.
So our focus right now is on training camp and really getting ready for the start of the season, which we got a pretty big challenge here in front of us week one, you know, against Buffalo's been, you know, one of the best teams in the league. And I would say when you look around our division, I mean, honestly, I think our division is probably a little bit underrated. You know, nobody really talks about Jacksonville, but they won the division last year. They won 13 games. You know, I think Liam, Tony Bisselli, and James have done a great job of establishing a program.
You know, so we're kind of chasing them. I think the Titans are going to be very much improved. They got a really good coaching staff. They got a really, you know, good, good team, one of the best defensive players in the league in Jeffrey Simmons. And the Colts always give us problems.
I think every game, if I remember correctly, has come down to like one possession or a one-score game in the fourth quarter.
So what's happened in the past has happened in the past. Like we're proud of our program. We also understand the challenges that are in front of us, especially week one with Buffalo and our division. I mean, honestly, it's a little bit of an underrated division. We understand what the challenges are in our division.
So try to keep the focus in the present, keep the focus on the short term, and just see if we can put the best team together, give ourselves the best opportunity once week one starts here against Buffalo. Is it fair to say potentially? That you giving low-market quarterback money to the guy drafted after. C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson, as well-deserved as that contract clearly is, on a team that is so terrific defensively.
Might have thrown a little bit of a wrinkle into your conversations with C. J. Stroud? Neck. Missed the first part of the fact that you gave the miss the fact that you gave Will Anderson low quarterback market money to and he's the guy who was drafted after C.J.
Stroud. Has that created a wrinkle in your conversations with your quarterback? No, the way we treat every negotiation, they're kind of their own entity.
So what we do with another player really doesn't have any bearing on what we do with another player.
So we try to focus on the individual player. Our job is to my job is to understand what that market entails. And then, you know, you engage in the negotiations and discussions. And then you try to figure out, because in the end, a negotiation, a good negotiation was everybody feels good about what the result is.
So my job, our goal isn't to win a negotiation. We're trying to do what we feel is fair and best for the organization.
So what we do with another player honestly has no bearing on what goes on, you know, with another player.
Well, we started this interview by talking about your tenure in the Velichek world.
So excuse me for asking an injury-related question. How's that for a setup? How is Tank Dell, Nick? How is he? He's doing well, Rich.
He obviously sustained a pretty significant injury there, however many months ago that was, but he participated yesterday in practice.
So I say there's kind of a ramp up period for him, and we're just trying to do. What we feel is best for him, be smart about his reintegration. But he's worked really hard. There's an opportunity for us to see him maybe a little bit more here in practice, whether or not he plays in a preseason game or not. Ultimately, we'll figure out what makes the most sense.
But he's worked really hard. I was asked about this when training camp started. We didn't put him on PUP or NFI because we wanted to keep him available and alive to participate in certain drills that he otherwise would not have been able to participate in. But he's very engaged. You're seeing progress with him.
I'd say, you know, we're going to probably hopefully see him a little bit more here in practice as we're moving forward through training camps.
So he's doing as well as he possibly can. It's really a credit to him. It's a credit to our medical staff, our sports performance team, our strength staff for getting Tank. To the position where he has a chance to be competitive to help our team. I got two left for you: one about your team, and then one just in general about the league here and rostering.
David Montgomery and Woody Marks, you got Montgomery now from Detroit, and we saw what he could do there. It was a one-two punch. He was kind of the two there. What will you allow about the division of running back? carry labor.
This season, Nick? Yeah, I think we've all seen you really need two guys that can handle the ball in some capacity. And I would say in David's case and Woody's case, I mean, they're very similar relative to their ability to potentially play on all three downs. You know, we feel that Woody is an ascendant young player. And we're glad he's here.
He's at a really good offseason program. He's off to a pretty good start here in training camp. And, you know, we've a lot of respect for David, what he's accomplished over the course of his career. You know, he was a player that we targeted for a myriad of reasons. You know, obviously, what he does on the field, but his professionalism, his toughness, just the leadership that he brings-that was something that we felt he can enhance our overall program.
And I'd say it's been true to form here to this point.
So, you know, glad we have both of those players on a roster, and I would expect both of them to make a pretty significant contribution for us here this season. And then, lastly, for you here, Nick, I mean, We've been talking about the running back market for years, and I think running backs are not paid. commensurate to their value. In a game, and we forget about their value in a game when it comes to rostering these guys and paying them. Why are wide receivers paid more?
In this game. Then running backs. Nick. Yeah, it's an interesting question, Rich. I think what you've seen, or what I've seen, there's a cyclicality to contracts and a distribution of resources.
It kind of happens. in spurts in certain years. more money is allocated to certain positions relative to others. Maybe in the end, sometimes there's kind of a balance or redistribution here.
So ultimately, teams have to make the decision about how they want to allocate resources, where to invest the money. Have an understanding of what the market is, and then you're either in that market or you're not in that market. And if you're not in that market, then what's the alternative? I think that's the beauty of what we do. And you know, part of my job is to, you know, it's a little bit of a game, it's like putting pieces of the puzzle together.
And we all understand what the salary cap is. We all have resources, how you build your team and how you allocate those resources. Ultimately, you have to make an individual decision.
So, though, the players that are receiving these contracts deserve the contracts because they're really good players. The market's the market and you know The money is constantly moving around here a little bit.
So you have to understand where it's going and then look at your team and kind of figure out: how are we going to distribute the resources and where are we going to allocate? And some positions may get more than others. And I think that's just. There's a natural process that all of us have to go through, and you know, this year one way, it might be different a year from now, but we'll all find out. No, I know, and I'm talking to a guy who's going to have to pay his quarterback if you know Stroud is your future a certain amount of money, and you just paid Will Anderson 50 million a year, and you got more defensive players, and Nico Collins is no offense to wide receivers.
I'm just asking, is there something? Where general managers generally in this league, look at I can get a running back out of college. rather than a wide receiver out of college. And then there's a certain, you know, born-on date with running backs that aren't there for receivers, just to name another position group here. There there's no general sense like that from general managers in the NFL.
Yeah, I mean, look, I think our job, understand where the players are coming from. What are your opportunities? I mean, I think sometimes there's a little bit, like the running back, there's a certain stigma attached.
So, well, if they reach a certain age or but like, look at Derrick Henry. Like, he's worth whatever he's making. He may be worth more than, I mean, there's a great example of guys going to the Hall of Fame.
So ultimately, you just got to decide where is the supply and demand, where are the players coming from. All right. And then. What we've tried to do is just sort of balance the contracts off. I mean, the point that you made, all the money doesn't really come due at the same time when you do extensions.
Some of the new money, when that triggers and that kicks in, that could maybe affect your team building and some of the other things.
So, what we've tried to do, going back to kind of your original question, this is kind of a good example of kind of taking where you are in the short term, but also balancing it off, like where you are in the future and long term. Um you know, and ultimately, I mean. You got to make a decision and where do you allocate the money? And it could be different for each team. And, you know, ultimately, it's up to them to do what they feel makes the most sense.
Nick, thanks for the time, man. I really appreciate it. Let's do this more often. I don't know. Is this your first time on the show?
I think it is, Rich. No, I really appreciate it. Yeah, you talked to D'Amico. He's more interesting to talk to. I do love him.
I do love him. He's great. Congrats on hitting on that hire, obviously, and everything else going on with you. I appreciate the time, Nick. Thank you.
You bet, Rich. Thank you. You bet. That's the EVP and GM of the Houston Texans. Nick Casario here on the Rich Eisen Show.
844-204, Rich is the number to dial. High right the first time people with LinkedIn Hiring Pro get started by posting a free job at linkedin.com. Slash Eisenhower. Back with your calls before Shane Steichen joins us of four downs on the cult. Is it?
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So before Shane Steichen joins, I got to do my four downs. On the Indianapolis Colts. Yeah? Ready for this? Let's go.
Hit it. Four downs with Ridge. Here we go. Why did you suck? All right, my four downs in the Indianapolis Colts.
I'm going to do this before I hear from the coach so he doesn't really influence my question. Are you worried, though, he might hear this and then decide? This is nothing he hasn't heard before. First down, is Alec Pierce really a first wide receiver in an offense? Is he really wide receiver one?
Can he be one? Can he be one of those beasts? Great question. I mean, that's it. You trade away Michael Pittman.
It's Alec Pierce time. Can he be that guy? I know Josh Downs is there. They've got some very. Players.
That's a good question. If two dudes get on him, double cover him, they should. Shea defenses towards him. What's he gonna do? He's also not practicing right now.
Okay. Second down. He just got his well-deserved two-year extension. And I know this is kind of ridiculous to ask about somebody who's got 300. carries Two years in a row.
Yeah. But does Jonathan Taylor have another gear? Does he have another gear? Like Let's lead the league in rushing. Let's keep going.
You know, like, let's do it all. Let's. Let's do it all now while he's got the muscle. Like, go full Frank Pantangeli. You know, can he beat like an all-purpose, can he beat Bijan in all-purpose yards?
Can he be the all-pro first-team guy? If Jonathan Joda led the league in rushing his second year, 1,800 yards. Let's go. But not a huge receiving guy. Let's see what he can do.
He had 18 touchdowns last year. I know. Does he have another gear? It's my question. Number three, third down.
Third down. And I might ask her when I see her this weekend at the Pro Football Hall of Fame because she is introducing. Uh she's presenting uh Adam Vinatari for uh in for enshrinement. Uh, what will Carly Ursa Gordon do with her notes? What is she?
What's she gonna do with them? She's taking notes, man. Like Brian Gumble. On the sideline. What's she gonna do with them?
I know she definitely does something with them, I am sure, but will she. really do something with them when it comes to making decisions. That she might feel compelled to make, to be honest. That's a very good question. And then, number four, fourth down.
It's a simple question. Will the MetLife castoffs lead the Colts to the playoffs? Daniel Jones coming back from a breakout season, but also a. Achilles tear season. And then Sauce Gardner gets acquired for two firsts, and then he gets hurt.
And the Giants quarterback And the Jets cornerback.
Now in Indianapolis, can they be the captains of their sides? Of the football and lead the Colts to the playoffs. Because I think the Colts need to make the playoffs this year. In many ways, shapes are formed. That might be what's being written down in the notes.
Make the piles, make the piles, make the piles. And those are my four downs on the Indianapolis Colts right here. Shane Steichen, Colts head coach. I can ask him a few of these questions coming up. Uh The Rich Eisen Show Podcast.
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