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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.
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Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Yeah! Boy, what an opportunity this is for Columbia. They can win the division and go deep.
Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Earlier on the show. University of Washington head coach Jed Fish. Coming up. Cowboys defensive lineman Rashawn Gary.
Host Chris Hardwick. Your phone calls, latest news, and more. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Our number two of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air. Rashawn Gary is going to make his way to our studio, and we're going to hang out with the New Jersey.
Legend Michigan Wolverine Long time Packer and now Dallas Cowboy getting set. to rush the passer. alongside Quinnan Williams and Kenny Cleeves reunited with Kenny Clark. How about that? And it feels good.
He would go, man. He's going to be here in the studio, everybody. Chris Hardwick after him. I found some old pictures when he first visited us in 2019. Both of you guys look really young in these days.
Oh. Look at that. Two Michigan Wolverine guys. That's it. Back in that day.
And then Chris Hardwick and I are number three. I don't know how. Further, far afield from Rashawn Gary, one could get that guy who created an artist. Chris Hardwick.
Okay. Points. Points. I did that midnight when he was a host there back in the day. Anyway, 844-204-RICH is the number to dial right here on the program.
Um, let's go to the phone lines real quick before we get to my POW rankings and so much more. Daniel in Downey, California, everybody. Daniel in Downey, very alliterative. What's going on, Daniel? Hey Rich, big fan, long time, first time here.
Very good. And I wanted to ask you. with all that's going on with the Rams and their roster acquisitions and the NFC West gearing up for another run, Do you think this is in effect Because The NSC West had the single greatest season a division has ever had last year. And if so, or if not, do you Think that there was a division that had a single greater season than the NFC West did last year? That one I can't know off the top of my head, but.
Listen, uh if if you are less need. And you saw what happened last year where You had the defending Super Bowl champions right there in front of you twice in their home. And one game goes down the tubes with a two-point conversion that doesn't go. your way for a million different reasons. And you had so many different ways to win that game and couldn't put it away.
Certainly because. uh defensively you kind of fell apart. Sam Darnold caught fire. And You know. The um The Seattle Seahawks defense was on its heels.
Puka Nakua running free. To take the lead, and then Mike McDonald saying, Screw it, we're going to go for two again, and over time, we're going to win this thing. And they do. And then you saw what happened in the NFC Championship game. Damn straight, you're going to say.
To Andrew Berry, this conversation we've been having for years over Miles Garrett, can we get this done now or what? Um And then the Aaron Donald stuff is just gravy. That's just the cherry on top.
So you Seattle. You're sitting here going. Um And thanks for the call, Daniel. You're Seattle. You're sitting here going, okay.
We can't counter the move that they made on Miles Garrett because they did it in June.
Okay, we certainly can't counter the move. Um of Aaron Donald. Right. You know, who do we have from our past that could come out Mm-hmm. Hmm.
Can we get Marshawn to run the ball just until Charbonnet comes back and Jadarian Price can get some help? I don't know. There's just no way to counter those moves. But the way to counter them is for you to show up in training camp and ratchet the intensity up. I don't know.
Did you see Hard Knocks? We got to do it. Last night? No, not yet. Oh, my goodness gracious.
Not the new one yet. Mike McDonald, man. Is such the real friggin' deal as if we don't already know it. There is a moment That's really going all over the internet tubes today. Uh I believe it's Derek Hall.
Got kicked out of practice. Or kicked out of a drill. Yeah. He showed up in a monster truck last week.
Well, he tried to wrestle Leonard Williams. He was getting too close to Sam Darnold. Yeah. He's a little hyped up. And McDonald You know Um Let them hear it.
At one point, and say, stop it. And then he got too close to him again, and he's like, you're out. And You know, he's got a player. Upset, angry. Complaining, vehemently, profanely, And he's like, I don't care what you're saying.
I'm running the F in practice. Like that. And you're seeing this, and you're like, hell, like, if you're a Seahong fan, you're like, hell yeah. Even though you love the players. Sure.
They just made you the happiest you've been in a long time. Probably ever. But he's like. Yeah. This is my way.
And that is the highway. Off the practice field for the moment. If you haven't seen this, just look it up. It is exactly why you want to watch Hard Knox, is exactly why Hard Knox is there. And I appreciate the Seahawks saying, show it.
Show it. Even though it involves, you know, him kicking one of the players off the field.
Now it makes sense. I saw a tweet yesterday, Rich, that said something about the upcoming episode of Hard Knocks is going to show you something rarely seen. And they made it seem like something big was going to happen. This is exactly what they were talking about. Certainly, when you're saying Hard Knocks is scrubbed and Hard Knox is not showing you the real stuff anymore because teams won't allow it, they don't want you to see inside it.
You know So, yeah. It's already on. And then in San Francisco, you know, Niner fans are like, what's going on? McCaffrey has tightness, Nick Bosa's got. A week to week injury now You know.
The Titans are practicing with them, correct? Am I. I believe I am not mistaken on that front right now. They are actually, yeah, they're practicing together. And so Salah is back where he once belonged right away.
Twice. Uh Cooper says to me, Dad, did you see where the Titans are practicing? And I'm like Yeah. Santa Clara, right? He goes, Yeah, they have them on the side of the field closest to the electric crig.
The substation, the substation. Yeah. I'm going to tweet out this Mike McDonald clip from the Doe County. It's so, so good. It's great.
It's so good. No, but the Niners, I mean, Niner fans are like: is this contract related with McCaffrey and Bosa, or is it injury-related? And if it's injury related, come on, really? Can Purdy looks terrific. The young kids look terrific.
Who the hell knows, right? Last year, it's like the Niners are going to be hot garbage, and they damn near won the entire. regular season in their division and conference. August is hopium month, man. I know.
Everyone is 0-0, and everyone thinks they can win the division and compete, and that's kind of why the sport's so great. But the NFC West, man. And that's why, again, when I led the show talking about the Minnesota Vikings, Kyler Murray's like, okay. I hear you. We're starting, you know, home against Green Bay, and then I got to go to Chicago.
That's tough, sure. But okay, I got to take on the Rams twice and the Niners twice. And the Seahawks twice. Every year. Every year.
And I know the NFC North fans think they got the best division every single year because it's cold, yada, yada, yada. I got it. Ooh, who wins more games? Which division? Yeah.
The West The West, man. The Rams. Arizona is going to bring that division down. We're all four teams in the North. Last year it didn't.
Last year, the other rest of the division was so damn good. All right, let's get to my power rankings. Here we go. It's my power rankings.
So. You guys, man, you make me do this stuff. We make you do this. Yes, you do. You want to do it.
Well, you egg me on. I mean, he's got a bunch of things. Listen, you egg me on and I. And I acquiesce.
Well, we know what's good for you. Yeah. Do you really? I mean, well, I did the way, way, way too early. I did power rankings.
Did I do after? The Super Bowl also? Didn't I do it? It was whatever. Yeah, well, that was the end of the season, but this was May.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Way, way, way too early NFL power. May.
So now, with the preseason beginning on Thursday night. Um You know, an NFL network does have Titans in San Francisco as the second game on our double dip. Ratings are going to crush that. The way it's now time for my way too early power, right? And I'm like, do I really do this?
Because, like, I'm going to do it again in a month for real. I know, but that's what it's going to be. What do you mean? We got three hours. No, we got a whole month of preseason games.
Guys could get hurt. Guys could hold out. And more importantly than that, we got three hours. Max Crosby's going to be on the Cowboys in like a month. Oh, baby.
Oh. You know what I mean?
Okay. Rashawn Gary, how do you make it long? Are you guys cool? Major point. Can you?
Here we go, everybody. My way too early NFL power rankings. Brought to you by Soapai. Let's go.
Okay. Power rankings. Many like it, but this one is my power ranking. My way to early NFL power rankings brought to you by SoFi. Number 10, he says nobody's talking about him.
I'm going to put him on the list. Oh. Oh, yeah. Take these photographs of Caleb Williams coach and put it next to the Jacksonville Jaguars. At number 10 on my list.
Eggmart. Yeah, man. I believe in him. Not on the list in May. They were not on my list, but I'm like, you know what?
I hear you, Liam Cohen. They're lie in. You know? I zag when everyone else zigs. You know what I mean?
Zigzagger. I'm going ahead and making my. My thoughts known? Why not? It's my right.
I believe in you, Trevor. Hold on. I kind of do too. What's up, Trevor? What's up?
What's up, Trevor? What's up, Trevor? Yeah. By the way, that's our new drop anytime I mention the Jaguars. What's up, Trevor?
So, what if it's Bill O'Brien pissed off at a BC press conference? How can I tell you? Nobody needs to know.
Some reporter named Trevor. Too bad. We're not down. The sun is up. That's right.
And the Jacksonville Jaguars are getting attention. Duval. That's right, man. Duval. I believe in Basho Tootin as your first running back.
Parker Washington can't lose. Can't lose. Bye. That's right. Yeah.
Ah, they don't want you to play that. Yeah, they don't want that anymore. Number nine on the list. Excellent. And just because, you know.
You gotta take the good with the bad. That's what they say, is the facts of life, right? Facts of life. You see what I'm saying? Here's a picture of Caleb Williams right there at nine.
Hey! Oh, yeah. Ooh, down from six. I'm concerned about Luther Burton. Ugh, they're not.
He was walking around.
Okay, good, Nate. I don't know what. I saw Colston Lovell at a certain garden party. You love Colston Lovell. Dude, I'm telling you.
That's your madness. I am telling you. And I'll just leave it at that. But the Bears are nine. Number eight on the list.
I left him off in the way, way, way too early. I don't know what I was thinking. Houston Texans are eight.
Okay. You know the Houston Texans are are... We're going to finish in the Final four of the AFC again. They do it every year. Three years in a row.
Why wouldn't they do it again this year? Uh-oh. Why were they not? I think David Montgomery there with Woody Marks is a hell of a 1-2 punch. Tank Dell's back healthy.
Those kids that they drafted last year taking step forwards in year two with Nico Collins. Nico. Let's see CJ Stroud step it up. That's all. And that defense.
Dude. I'm gonna read it out. I'm going here, man. I should have had it ready if I was going to do this, but I just decided to do it. David Montgomery.
Take a look at the Houston Texans depth chart. These are your starters. Will Anderson Jr. Will um Daniel Hunter Aziz Al Shair. Derek Stingley Jr.
Kamari Lasseter, Jalen Petrie, they added Reed Blanket Chip, and I didn't name all of them. Because some of our names are quite frankly difficult to pronounce. To-o-to-o. I cannot pronounce that dude's name. To-o-to-o.
What sort of name? What do you mean? Tommy Togie. Marte Mapu.
Okay. Jadavian O'Connor. Number seven. I know. Jadivian's back too.
Number seven on the list. I'm putting the Eagles here. I'm not quitting them. I'm not quitting them. Up from eight.
I think they're going to be better. I think Jalen Hurts are hearing he's faster. I think Saquon's going to come back. I think the offensive line is going to do it. I think defensively, Jalen Carter is paid.
You know? As long as you just stop spitting at people. Yeah. You know? They posted a video of Hertz throwing a pick today.
I'm like, why would you do that? I don't know, it's Philadelphia. It's going to hype up the defense. I like the Eagles, man. I dunno.
I think they're gonna be better. And it's every other year, as you know. Every other year. True. Number six, are your patriots.
Ooh, up from seven. Yeah. Nice. AJ Brown being a dick. He's cooking, man.
Will. Did you see um Sauce Gardner responded to that one play. He's like, There's only one play. He goes, Why do you think they only have one play that you're seeing? Yeah, sauce.
Shut him down the rest of the way. Did he? Good point. Diddy? That's what he said.
I believe in sauce. I could say a lot of things. Patriots are six. Yeah, you see, all this from a one-on-one rep. An eight-yard sit route at that, it's a reason that's the only one y'all sauce has sauce.
It's not. I saw like two touches. And he put the lock emoji down. Yes, he did, because he sauce Gardner locking people down, man. You still love sauce?
I will never quit him. I will never. Don't forget. I spoke his drafting into existence. That is the truth.
And you got him traded. What? I didn't do that. All right. Number five on the list are the LA Chargers.
Ooh, down from two. You know what? I just have to rethink. I've just decided, I got all hyped up. Back in May.
Okay. I got hyped up. But they're still that good, man.
Okay. I do need to see a couple things from them before I start saying they're the second best team in the NFL. But I got hyped up. You were feeling it. I was feeling it.
It's understandable. And they signed Njoku since then, too. They added Njoku. I don't know. And Joku might have already been there.
I can't figure it out. All I'm saying is he got. He got engaged to Madison Beer, which means Xander now has two teams that is his favorite in the AFC. When the Chiefs face the Chargers, Cooper's going to have a field day. Oh, is it Taylor Swift versus Madison Beer?
Who are you going to root for? God, I love Cooper. There's going to be a fist fight in the Eisenhouse set on that game. Hey, listen. I think Taylor Swift wins a day with Xander anyway.
I mean, if he had a power rank, Taylor's more. Let's not get crazy now. Please, let's not get crazy. He wants a Taylor Swift cake for his birthday. Cake?
Yeah, I know. Like a what? I don't know what's on it. All I know is it's like a life-size? I don't know what it means.
Just know that we're such things. We're going to end up with the cake cake. The answer came back, whatever it is. I'm sure it's way too expensive. I mean, I've watched this as cake.
You can make anything cake. And by the way, his birthday, it was like a week ago. Oh, a week ago. It's a birthday palooza for a birthday month, man. Yes, birthday month, exactly.
What's up, sir? That's how we do it. That's how I do it. 18. Number four is your Dallas Cowboys.
Oh, they're not better than the Patriots. Like, what do we do? Oh, boy. I like his roster more than I like yours. Uh oh.
Oh yeah, I said it. Yeah, okay. They're set up. TJ, they are in the one team went to the Super Bowl. 11-year history of this show.
This is our 12th football season that we're covering.
Okay. This is the best the Cowboys have come into the season, roster-wise, and everything else settled. I believe. In the history of our show, the Patriots have more Super Bowl wins than Cowboys have playoff wins. Why are you bringing the bold stuff?
It's the truth. Listen, it's not about you. Just because you're right two spots below, let him shower me and Rashawn Gary with disrespectful. Dude, it's real. It's real.
It's not like some Jerry Jones BS either. This is real. Jerry Jones. I certainly hope you're right. I've been watching the training camp.
You know, squirrels, all of it. I mean, this is for real, though. It's delicious. Wait, wait, what do you mean? You said just yesterday he won the Micah Parsons trade.
You just said it. I said it. I've been though.
So, why do you not believe it? Let's play that game you played yesterday. Better receive it. It's also way too early. You want me to do it, and then you have a problem with the way I'm doing it.
That's your man, right? That's mine. See how he does you? Number three is the Denver Broncos. Ooh, okay.
Look, they're one ankle bone away from maybe being super. I'm aware of that. Yeah. Yeah. And then it's just one and two.
I've toyed with putting the Seahawks at two. I just can't do it. With Aaron Donald coming back. I just can't. And I apologize.
I apologize. to my 12 fans. And I just was talking about before this segment. I know they are. And Mike McDonald is so the real deal.
And if you think that they're going to take a step back because they're smelling it, they're feeling it, whatever, the quarterback isn't that guy. And the coach certainly is showing to you in the hard knocks. He ain't that guy either. If anything, they're going to take a step forward when this gets put on the locker room. It's not possible.
But at the end of the day, a team with the defending. MVP here. And Puka's limping around right now. I would sit him down until he's got to get on a plane to San Francisco. Like, that's literally, I mean, Australia, play San Francisco.
That would be the next time I would tell him he's allowed to even move his body. Look at that genetic freak on the screen.
Okay, but Miles Garrett has arrived, and he's not the only guy with double-digit sacks from last year on that line. And Aaron Donald might come back, and they got Trent McDuffie for the back end, and they got Devontae Adams as wide receiver two on the defending MVP's team. And he's got two running backs that can run. really well. Multiple tight ends.
It's so ridiculous that they have Miles Gary. I mean, that was my way too early. Go NFL power rankings brought to you by SoFai. Got your money right. Yeah, Raven's off, Jag's on.
Everything else is. Oh, 40. Yeah. 49ers off. Yeah, I mean, they're they're a little too banged up for my taste right now.
Yeah. And it's way, way too early anyway. Ah, we X'd out two of the ways.
Well done. Yep. That's well done. When's too early? Although those X's look too close to the ones that Ohio State fans use over the website.
That's a little too close to them. Thankfully, there's no M's in Way West. Oh, and plus, thankfully, there's no hate in that rivalry from Michigan's point of view anymore. Maybe your guy's too nice. I told you what the issue is, and I'm going to bring that up with Rashawn Gary when he's about to join us.
Is that my coach who I. Can't love anymore already, right out of the box. Yep. Has got to break up with Urban Meyer.
Sorry. You cannot be BFFs. with that guy. and coach the University of Michigan football team. I just can't.
I understand it's a lifestyle choice. Known them for decades. Got to break up. Gotta break up. New phone.
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Loans originated by SoFi Bank NA member FDIC terms and conditions apply. NMLS 6968-269. Nine one. Everybody. Rashawn Gary of TJ's Dallas Cowboys when we come back.
The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Rich Eisen here. We talk a lot about battles in sports. Teams battling through adversity, athletes fighting for every yard. The toughest warriors I've ever seen, though, aren't on the field.
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Cowboys, our radio audience has returned. Ladies and gentlemen, the second time I introduce him, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, but always from the University of Michigan, now from the Dallas Cowboys. Rashawn Gary is here on the program.
So I'm going to start the interview by asking you the same question I asked Trent McDuffie, who's now with the Rams. Why are you not a Packer anymore? Um why am I not a Packer no more? Um Just, you know, just signs for transitions, just understanding those situations and just, you know, both parties just wanting the best for each other.
Okay. So was it a financial thing or was a Were you grinding gears there up there in Green Bay, do you think, a little bit, Rishi? No, man, just trying to make sure that, you know, going into the next season, just make sure both parties are happy with, you know, what we wanted in them. We just couldn't see them on the same page.
Okay, so you just didn't see eye to eye with the Packer organization? Yes, sir. All right. Was it a coaching staff thing? No, not a coaching staff thing.
Just a mutual respect. You know, just all the seven years I put there and just understanding, you know, things I wanted for my career just wasn't lining up with them.
So uh you know Dallas Cowboys, here I am.
Okay, and before we get to that. Um because a lot of Packers fans are faking that, you know, um them sticking with Matt LaFleur is a mistake. Do you have any thoughts on that? Oh, no, man. Like I said, man, we played a lot of winning ball, a lot of good winning ball in Green Bay, man.
Played seven years there. Had opportunity to play for divisional championships, had opportunity to continue to push for that Super Bowl chance there.
So now Matt's a great guy. They got a good thing going.
So you like the way that you were coached by Matt LaFleur while you were there in Green Bay? Oh, yeah. No problem. Great dude, genuine guy, cares about the player on and off the field, and he really wants what's best for you. All right, and he's a yeah, because that's what I hear about Matt LaFlore.
Oh, yeah, good dude. You won't have nothing bad to say about that man. And now Jeff Hafley's got the head coaching job in Miami. What would you tell Dolphin fans about the guy who's now coaching? Man, another guy that expects a lot from you, gonna push you to be your best every day and understands.
You know, you're gonna have ups, you're gonna have downs, but he's gonna push you to be consistent. That's one thing about him. And, you know, Jeff Hafley being another Jersey guy, man, shout out to him. Great dude, though. Gonna bring you great energy.
I know he wants to win. Yeah, because he was talking, we just had him on the other day. Um and he's talking about install instilling his Um His way of coaching and talking about instilling culture. And I'm like, how do you do that? How do you, how do you, and he says by holding people accountable and coaching them hard.
So you know all about that as well. Oh, yeah, absolutely.
So he did that with you. Oh, yeah. Like I said, you know, just how you know, we can sit down face-to-face, man-to-man, talk about my goals, aspirations. He's the type of guy who's going to listen to you. He's going to tell you what you have to do to, you know, to get those goals and aspirations.
And he's going to hold you accountable every day. Like I said, you're going to have good days, you're going to have bad days, but he's going to push you to be consistent because greatness, you know, that's what it takes.
Okay, now let's move to your new digs and how you got there. You just mentioned how it was now, it was time for a separation with you and Green Bay. Did you know you were going to Dallas? No, not at all. How did you find out?
Um got called from uh my GM uh late night. And um, you know, just ended up talking, had a great conversation, and uh, he ended up telling me, uh, where I was going to. This is Gutta Kunst to call you, yeah, cool. He personally called you out, yeah, okay.
So did he FaceTime you or did he call you? Just call, okay, just call him. I 'cause I know that that that in the past with Guter Kunst, And how he communicates, it's got to be either phone or FaceTime. Yeah, so that issue before in the past. Probably ain't FaceTime because it's late at night.
Oh, okay, good. Yeah, he gave me a call. you know Expressed uh how he felt about me, um, you know, what I meant. and uh told me uh this would be a a great opportunity for me and uh You know, when I first heard the news, I was kind of still, didn't know how to, you know, really take it out of field because, you know, I've been in Green Bay. Shoot my whole NFL career, seven seasons, and just realizing the roster that the Cowboys have, being able to be teamed back up with Kenny, being able to play with Kenny Clark, being able to play with Devin Azaraku, being able to play with, you know, basically like the guys that we got across the board, man.
And just seeing the excitement for me. Like, even when the news came out, Casey called me. You know, the understand was going, you know, the Christian Parker's defense. Another, you know. Kind, kind face that I know and used to.
So, man, just been a graceful introduction.
Okay, so um. It is wild, isn't it, that one year ago at this time, Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys. It looks like they're breaking up. And then they flip him to Green Bay. for Kenny Clark and considerations.
And now you have been flipped from Green Bay to Dallas. And you're playing with Kenny Clark again. It's kind of wild. Like, you can't make this sort of stuff up. Like, you must be.
Psyched that you're right next to Kenny Clark once again. Yeah, nah, it's crazy how God works. Like you said, no one could ever write a story up no better than this. You know, like I said, being with a guy teamed up again that understands the work that I put in. I understand the work that he puts in, how much the game means to him and just his high standard to everything.
And having a guy like Kenny, having a guy with myself, just elevates players around us. But being able to be teamed up with another friend of mine and that short of a term in NFL, you don't really have stories like that. And Quinn Williams, too. Yeah, it's a blessing. How good can you guys be?
As good as we want. Uh can't really put no ceiling on us. We gotta come in every day. We gotta punch in. We gotta find to get that one consistent better and uh just be who we are.
And your history with the new defensive coordinator is what, again, for people who may not know? Yeah, so uh Christian Parker, uh, he was on the defensive staff when I got drafted in Green Bay. And now here he is coordinating for the first time. Um what can He do. Man, what can he not do?
He understands the backhand, he understands the fronts, he understands how offense wants to attack our defenses, and on top of that, he understands how to maximize his players, and that's in terms of freeing up more one-on-ones or find the opportunity to get a better offense. I mean, a linebacker on a running back, you know, mixing up the coverage to play. But, you know, quarterback mindset. Don't want to say too much, but he's a magician in what he does. You don't want to give away too much about what you do?
How's it different from what you did in Green Bay? Um you know A little bit more, you know, 3-4, so you're able to have mix-in, but 3-4, 4 down fronts, and just different things we do in the back end.
Okay. So now Listen. You you you don't live in uh you know a bubble Dallas was Df L. in defense last year, and the F doesn't stand for football. You know?
So The Cowboys yeah, they might have added Rashawn, and they might have added You know, Quentin in the middle of the season last year, but they've got a defensive coordinator who's never done it before. This is the Dallas Cowboys.
So how do you say What are you saying to that? narrative about your defense? Oh man, I just can't wait till Sunday night in MetLife and y'all gonna see our display of physicality and how we play defense, man. But Let people say what they gotta say. Right now we cooking and we uh Yeah, uh in the right way with it.
TJ, your thoughts? I love everything I'm hearing. Truly am. House, you kind of touched on how special Christian Parker was. That's awesome.
That's awesome to hear. But I'm also reading stuff about you. I'm paying a lot of attention to this training camp this year, probably more than I ever have before. And I'm hearing that people are saying you're like a DAC level leader on the defensive side of the ball. Been very inspiring.
What Like how important is it for you? to be that guy on the side of the ball that the teammates rally around and look to. Yeah, I'll say it's very important to me. That's something that I pride myself on, just you know. How I conduct myself in terms of my business, how much the game means to me.
The game gave me so much, so I feel like I gotta give 10 times that, if not more, back to the game. But just being able to lead by example, Going into this offseason, even making this new transition, man, my whole mindset has been actions are going to speak louder than my words. And that's what I live with, and that's what I've been doing. And it's just a good feeling to have my coaches, my teammates, feel that energy from me because I didn't know that they felt that way about me. Because, you know, like I said, I've been so locked in trying to find a 1% day in and day out.
But that's just a testament to. my coaches and uh, you know, my teammates, how they see me, how they view me. Nice. Lyrics to Hail to the Victors. includes the words leaders.
And best. Just want to just educate. Right? Leaders. Leaders and best.
Damn straight.
So that's where this comes from, or what? Or is it just your upbringing? Where does the leadership aspect of it come from? I say my upbringing. You know, my mom instilling in me that anything I do, try to be the best.
And from instilling that, you know, me being myself and how great I want to be in this game. And like I said, everything the game gave me, I feel like I owe 10 times or more than that back.
So just me being me. And Brian Schottenheimer is a head coach. What can you tell me about what you've learned about him or what some Been impressed upon you so far? One thing that's impressed upon me is his consistency to wake up with the same amount of energy. his consistency to lead us as a team to be great.
and pushing us hard every day. Uh his consistency Just to be who he is, man, it's just been great, man. He's shoddy, he is the guy that I met day one when I signed my contract. Whoever Dave has been since then, he's been the same guy, loving, caring, cares about his players on and off the field, cares about our family members, makes everybody feel wanted. And that's a good thing as a head coach.
Okay. Who's the first person? from the cowboys that you spoke to after you were acquired. Uh the first person I talked to uh was Pier Kinney. We had a Genny Clark, yeah, we had a good conversation, man.
Let me in on a locker room, understood what I was getting myself into, and just talked about opportunities, dreams that we had together, playing again and just the opportunity, and just got to make the most of it because, like I said, Whoever could write this story like this, you can't. And just being able to have this set up and have the guys around me, have the organization around me that I do, man, is a blessing. When'd you connect with Dak? When did that happen? That happened.
It was someday, it was before OTAs. I was coming in to get my locker code, things like that. And he was driving, so he must have got done doing film and working out. And I say this story because it's crazy.
So he's driving out. I park my car. I'm walking out because I don't know who it is. He stops the car, you know, for verses and gets out, like, hey man, it's Dak Prascott. You know, nice to have you on the team.
I'm like, Like, bro, I know who you are. It's an honor to be a part of the Cowboys, man. And, you know, let's go to work. And after that, he was like, man, here's my number. If you need a chef, you need body work, just let me know.
So that just shows, man, he's a truly at a top-down.
So, did you take him up on any of that? Chef, body work? Any of that? No, but we had a couple of lunches together.
Okay. Cool, dude. All right. And um Did any part of you want to say to him when he introduced himself, hi, Dak Prescott? Um, I assume.
Have you sacked him before? Oh, got close, hit him a couple of times. You never put him down on the turf, though. No, I never put him down on the turf. You couldn't have responded that way.
I know who you are. I once put you.
Okay, you're not going to say that's your new quarterback anyway. You can't do that. How is he as a leader that you've seen in? You know? Man, yeah, just who he is, man, from, you know, a quarterback being in, I'm talking about the meetings, might start at 6.
He's in there, you know, 5 a.m., maybe earlier, 3 a.m., early, just getting it in. From how he comes in to, you know, talk to the cleaners, talk to everybody at our chefs, then just how he knows everybody in the building, so how he talks to everybody on defense, everybody on offense, everybody on special scenes, and just how he controls himself, man, just how he is about his work, how he works hard, man. He's the first in the weight room, last to leave. First one on the football field, last one to leave, always getting extra work, and he's pushing everybody around him to be great. And um have you been in Jerry Jones' office yet?
Not yet.
Okay. Any interactions with Jerry at all? Yeah, I talked to him a couple of times. This camp, good dude. Really honored to talk to Jerry because he's one of the greatest GMs in the NFL history.
So being able to have that in a conversation, man, has been great.
Well done. I think referring to him as the great GM is a way to tell the boss, I see you. I see you. He owns the team.
So he just owns a team and he also chooses the groceries as well. He had a basic, he had a green light. Let's go get Rashawn Gary. Right. Be able to do that?
You see? I know. Apparently, he likes votive candles in his office and stuff like that. You got to let me know what it's like when you get in there, okay? Rashawn, can I ask real quick?
Well, actually, we're going to take a break and we're going to come back because Rashawn's going to stay to the end of the hour with us. Um and you know. We got to ask about. A certain first-round draft choice that went to another school that's going to help him hopefully hoist the Lombardi on your behalf, sir. You knew where I was going.
But we also, as you know, got somebody from our alma mater as well for him to play in front of as well. We'll have to hit on all of that. With Rashawn Gary, when we return. But for the moment, just want to let everybody know about the Hyundai Getaway Sales event that's going on right now. Getaway with a deal so right, it almost feels wrong because right now you can get great deals on our most popular models, including our adventure-ready SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe or Santa Fe hybrid.
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Got Rashawn Gary still here on the Rich Eisen show. Packer fans are nuts, right? They're crazy. The cheese heads are everywhere. Have you noticed that Cowboys fans is a tick up?
Same thing. What do you got for me? First impression of the Cowboy fans. They're lit, they're crazy, have a lot of energy, like a lot, a lot of energy. It's different for sure.
Is it really? It's different for sure. Okay. And what what like you s what, they're louder or What do you think? I can't wait to hear them in ATT Stadium on a Sunday.
I can't wait. But just hearing them in the back doing our joint practices is It's hard not to hear them. And you know, sometimes it's easy to block out things. It's hard to block out our fans. Um in my time I have left with you here.
Caleb Downs is the real deal. I know that having seen. Him play for the last couple of years. Actually, a few years. I mean, from Alabama to the Ohio State.
Um And we met him at the Combine. He talked like a 10-year veteran. What's he been like so far? Yeah, man, uh, he's a young vet, young vet. Still got lots of ways to go, but uh.
Just how he moves in the building, just how his mindset is, is he's in the right place. Very confident. Love his swagger about him. You know, he was just talking to him last time in the locker room at the end of practice. I'm like, yeah, you're making plays.
Like, you know, you got to have a little swagger about you. He's like, you don't be seeing the walk I'll be doing.
So now I'm going to be watching out for his walk. But man, he's been a fun guy to come in and watch him work, man. I'm talking about he gets better every day. And in terms of making mistakes, don't make many. And when he does, he corrects them right on spot.
So, you know, easy mistakes that get erased. But love going to work with him. What will you allow how he's going to be used? How's he going to be used? Y'all just gotta see, man.
Y'all just gotta see, but 13, he will be flying around and making a lot of plays for us.
Okay, so he's not just gonna be. third level all the time. Yeah, you gotta stay and watch, man. Because he can do a lot of things. And he can he can You can run things through him.
I know what the line can do. And I certainly know what the middle of the defense can do also. But he's got that. When you say swagger already, he does have that already. Oh, yeah.
Swagger in terms of believing in his abilities and what he can do. Smart in terms of understanding offenses and how the offense is going to attack the defense.
So, no, I've been very pleased from what I've been seeing. And then, you know, you're opening up against the Giants who. basically let Dallas draft him. You know, they had a shot at him tenth. I mean, he's a legacy in that organization.
Washington passed on him, too. He's going to show up really pissed. Yeah, unless you've seen that already. Do you already piss? He's calm.
He's a calm assassin. Calm assassin. All right. Well, I'm glad he's not in the Big Ten anymore. And, you know, I texted TJ.
During the draft, when Jay Sean Barham got drafted. While you were still working. While I was working. And I'm like, okay. You got yourself a winner.
from Michigan. What's he been like so far? Oh man, he's been great. He's been great, man. He's quiet.
But He's not quiet when it comes to getting to that ball. You know, he's right where he's supposed to be all the time. And once again, man, for a young guy that's able to come in, understand what's asked of him, and then to go on the field and execute, and not to think about his abilities because you got drafted for a reason, man. But he's in the right trajectory, grinding the right way, asking the right questions, and putting himself around the right group of guys.
Okay. So, in the minute and a half I have left with you. Rashawn Gary. Set the level of expectation for fans like TJ over there. and throughout the world that roots for the Dallas Cowboys.
Hoping that hoping At least the NFC Championship. game drought over thirty years ends this year. What do you what's level set, please? Yeah, uh, you know, I could level set all all y'all want to, um, you know, all I want to. But We as a nation, you know, being the Dow Boys, Cowboys, we know we want one thing only.
and that's the winter ring. Um and that's been our mindset going through camp. That's been our mindset from shoot all the way to OCAs. You could tell how the organization is in terms of their mindset, the moves that they've been making, and everything's just been in the right trajectory. But We just want to win.
And you used to plan on Thanksgiving. Oh yeah, love Thanksgiving. How many sacks do you have that one, Thanksgiving? In Detroit? Uh three.
A little three piece. Beautiful. Did you ever lose on Thanksgiving? Have I lost? I don't think so.
I don't think you have any. I don't think so. Thanksgiving has been a great day. You got that coming to Dallas. And then have you circled the Green Bay game yet?
Of course. Three six, uh, and Lambeau. It's going to be a great game. Good to touch back, get back on that grass again. See some uh faces that I know, uh say hi and uh Dominate.
But you have circled it. Week six.
Okay. Mm-hmm. 'Cause you know, everybody thinks Micah's going to come back for that one too. Oh, that'd be great.
Okay. Very good. It's great to see you. Great to see you. Thank you, Gary.
Thanks for coming here. Oh, it's an honor, man. I appreciate it.
Well, thank you for saying that. But I know you're in Southern California up in Oxnard for two more weeks, right? Is what you said? Yes, sir. But the fact that you decide, I mean.
It's not easy to come. Unless, did you get the Jones family helicopter down here? No, not yet. Not yet.
I'm going to be working on it, though. All right. That's for Sean Gary right here on the Rich Eisen Show. We're back for hour three in a second. Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show podcast.
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