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Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Show, show, show, show. Pump up the volume. 525, you, Fernando Mendoza, a rifle.
Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Today's guests, NFL network analyst Brian Baldinger, Steelers radio network host Jerry Dulak. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Hey, everybody, welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show back here on Disney Plus, the ESPN app.
And ESPN Radio Sirius XM channel lady was hanging out on NFL Network. which is also on the ESPN app, by the way. All day and night last night, as soon as I left here for preseason football, going to be doing the same tonight. At 7 Eastern Time, the Jets and the Bucs on NFL Network tonight, a triple header tomorrow as well, including the Browns and the Bears and the Rams and the Chiefs and the Cowboys and the Seahawks. That's on Saturday.
Oh my is right. We're going to hit all of it today with you. 844-204-Rich is the number to dial. And I'm just telling everybody: 844-204-RICH. Is the number, and nobody can take that number away from me.
It's been promised to me, and I'm going to have this number. Eight, four, four.
Okay. But then Patrick had on before he said that. Excuse me. Dan has his number. I've got mine.
You know, and some kid may want to come into this business and say, I was promised that number. Yeah. 844-204-Rich is the number to tell.
Somewhere, there's a young sportscaster named Rich who was promised that number. Right. Baldy is going to be the first to call it. What? Oh, he's going to zoom in.
Brian Baldinger. Baldy. And talk about all these kid quarterbacks that went at it last night. That was fun. Yeah.
That was fun. Jerry Dulak from Pittsburgh, we're not one, but two. Two kid quarterbacks balled out last night. Quarterbacks. Chill.
Hey, man, the Steelers said we're going to hire Mike McCarthy to start grooming quarterbacks. You know, check the box, it's preseason week number one for Will Howard. And for Drew Aller. I said two. And then Dan Lanning, the head coach of Oregon football, hour number three to take us to the weekend.
I've got four downs on the Chargers. It's a what's more likely Friday. And again, Dan. Nobody could take the number away from us. 844-204-Rich, numbered adult.
What's going on over there? What are you guys chatting? Hey, man. No, not. He's got a hot take.
I got a Stewards take. He's got a hot one.
Okay. Well. Keep that in your pocket.
Okay. And just understand. They'll come for you. Best throw last night for the Patriots was from their head coach throwing a challenge flag. Look good.
And you got kicking problems, so you live in a very glass house. Coming out of preseason week number one, sir. Or see if that guy's starting to display it. Good to see you, DJ Mikey D. Good morning, Rich.
TJ Jefferson candles lit, or you're lighting it right now. Good to see you, sir. I mean, I saw some interesting things last night, Rich, including a running back that looks like Adrian Peterson.
Okay, and we're going to hit that. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no, no. We're going to hit that shortly. I think I know you're referring to Let's start with young quarterbacks.
I mentioned how Will Howard balled out for. The um Oh, he looked very good. He had a nice two-minute drill at the end of the first half against. The Green Bay Packers last night, the first game of our doubleheader on NFL network last night. It was his first snap since the national championship win for him at Ohio State because he didn't play in the preseason.
He'd have a snap all year last year due to injuries and everything else. Oh, wow. Um and then In Las Vegas, the first overall pick in the draft. They couldn't be able to do it. He won the national championship for Indiana.
So that's two. I said two Big Ten champion quarterbacks that took their first snaps and third national championship game appearances in preseason football. One had way more time between his understood. But um Mendoza had a weight His turn, despite being the first overall pick in the draft, Kirk Cousins got his. Action?
And False. Dude, he just strolled right down a field. Right? Like it was in the future. Turco.
Okay. Kirkwind five of six, 50 yards, a touchdown throw to Michael Mayer because Brock Bowers, we won't be seeing him until week one. And so Kirk looked good, and then Mendoza came in. and went 10 of 16 for 97 yards and a score over Four series, four drives. This is where they're going to start giving him.
His live action.
Okay. And um Um I I would go higher register, but I expect him to look pretty good. And he did. He did. Had some nice throws, including a touchdown throw to Jack Besch on a quick.
Route over the middle. Mike Robb, who was sitting next to me on the set on NFL Networks coverage last night, said that's not easy because it's a pre-snap read, knowing where you're going. Making sure the defense doesn't know where you're going. and quickly get your fingers on the laces of the football and fire it. Accurately.
He did it touchdown. Mm-hmm. And the other drives didn't result in points. One of them he held on to the ball way too long and took a hit. I mean so Take the good to take the bad, right?
We call that the facts of life. Take them both.
Okay. And then I mean, talk about lovable.
So earnest. Right? That's a great question. It's so true. I mean, so many Raider quarterbacks.
Have what learned the playbook by the light of the jukebox. This kid's the milk drinker. I mean, and I'm sure he's got he's got he's a competitor and a red ass. But He's just It's so damn lovable. This is what he had to say about his first preseason experience.
It was an invigorating experience where there are not many moments where you feel fully alive, and on the field is when you feel fully alive. Especially in the NFL atmosphere.
So, I want to give thanks to that. It was great to get out there, get my feet wet. you know at first especially the first drive Felt a little sped up because so much anticipation and excitement.
However, I feel like my teammates around me protected me very well and they helped slow me down. And I think as Uh it was a good experience. And not many quarterbacks using invigorating. It's so cool. I mean, it went to Calvary before it's Indiana.
You know what I mean? A You know, he could come out and have a little bit of that swagger, but that's just not him. You know, the last time a number one overall drafted quarterback threw a touchdown pass in his preseason. First preseason game. Thanks for watching last night.
I gave the stat on. If I'm not working out, it's okay. You got things to do. You got to parties to go to. I watched, but I missed that.
That's all good. No, I'm just having fun. Baker. 2018. Oh, now, obviously, there could be some circumstances we're not playing our first overall pick because you know, the yada, yada, and yada.
But I'm sure many have played. First one since Baker to throw a touchdown pass and his first crack at it. And then he was asked to break down his. His four possessions. Listen to this one.
You know, the first series, I felt a little sped up, so it was good to come back on the sideline, learn from my mistakes, and Then the second series, we were able to score. Third series, you know, I missed a read there. And the fourth series, I thought we had a good thing going, and then unfortunately, I missed a throw at the end. And then overall, I felt that The group that I was in with. You know, they blocked fantastic, they had great routes, the run game was good.
You know, and Unfortunately, like I I let my teammates down today, but it's But it's a growing experience, and you know, I feel like we're all growing, and it. Showed me that I need a girl a lot. I mean, the accountability is just so. Delightful. You know, I let my teammates down.
Oh, come on, man. I just want to take him aside on Fernando. Pre-season week one. That's just the way he rolls. Remember, I've already thought it just was hokey or not genuine.
That's the way we know. And the way he talks about it. Then he went like. We played like three minutes of sound bites on the post-game show last night of him breaking it down one play by play sometimes. And it sounded like he was delivering a PowerPoint presentation.
Like half the time, I just thought the next words in his post-game press conference with me.
Next slide, please. Slide two. I actually felt that it felt like it was football for dummies there. He was explaining something so people who don't really know anything could fully understand what he was talking about. His 14-year-old brother Max is in the booth.
It's not just him. His brother did a few minutes with the broadcast. Yeah, sounded just like him. It's so fun. He's just like he's having fun.
The Mendozas are having fun. I You know. The pirate The autumn wind is a pirate pillaging just for fun. And this guy's fun as just talking football and being genuine. And it's like, what the hell's happening with the Raiders?
The re Clint Kubiak, your thoughts on your kid's performance? You know, I thought he, you know, he let a good scoring drive as far as getting in and out of the huddle and commanding the group and getting the play calls down. You know, I saw the same guy that we've seen in practice. I see an ascending player. We just got to keep getting better.
Yeah, he's not allowing anything. Listen, it's Kirk Cousins' gig. He was even asked again by somebody, is it Kirk Cousins' job? And he said it was Kirk's job to lose, is basically what he said, which is another way to light a fire underneath Kirk, like if he needs it. Everybody who runs the offense that Clint Kubiak runs from the Shanahans, plural, to McVay, to anybody who runs it.
Daniel Jeremiah has said it over and over again: you must pay fealty to Kirk Cousins because he runs it exactly the way they want it. That's why Mike Shanahan, when RG3 got drafted second overall, and they actually traded a ton of capital to get up to that spot, is sitting there in the draft room saying, We're taking this kid out of Michigan State. And Kirk Cousins. I'm sitting there on a draft night, and I'm like, what the hell are they doing? Mayoc was pushing back at me, saying that was low-hanging fruit.
That's where I began to learn that. If I don't push back on Mike Mayock on live television, it's gonna Does that end it well? Yeah, it's not going to end well for me.
So, but yeah, man.
So here's Kirk. You like that? Because he's the one who can run the system and he honestly. It seems, okay, Roll. This was Cousins afterwards talking about his role with Mendoza.
Rolling. Yeah, I just let him be. I don't know that I give him advice. I don't like pull him aside and say, hey, you know, come here from my wisdom. I think he's a pretty smart, mature player and person.
And if anything, I don't want to get in his way. I think he knows what he's doing and has a good feel, and I don't want to overload him. And so if ever I am observing, if I feel like I can offer a quick nugget here or there, I will. He's a great question asker.
So a lot of times he'll just ask. But there's also times where I say, hey, nothing needs to be said. You know, go do your thing. You got it.
So. Um, he's you know, there there's a lot of good football up ahead for him. I mean, that's why there's a perfect match. I know the Raiders had fun with the stepbrothers meme, right? After after Mendoza was officially drafted.
Eric was there. But really, the the movie that this that's the perfect analogy is big. Like Mendoza got big and he walks around like Kirk Cousins. Like, Kirk Cousins is the big version or the older version. Yeah, it's funny.
I mean, giant suit jacket. Exactly. But again, he's going to be a competitor. Like, he doesn't want to. Just come here.
Again, just for fun. He does want to pillage, and he would like to show everybody here that he's still Kirk Cousins who can do this at a high level. You like that. And he wants to do it for the Raiders and not. And kind of be the Alex Smith here.
You take the year off, pal. While learning. Nice. I get it. No, no, no, I know.
And that's we'll ask Baldy what he thinks about all this, because I'm sure he's broken the tape down 15 different ways already overnight. Um 'cause that's Brian. But Cousins is not going to want to give it up, but it's going to be. You could see Mendoza has it. Man, does he have an arm?
He's got a head, he's got a heart. He's got a PowerPoint presentation. He's got a 14-year-old brother who's a chip off the old block. And he's just delightful. He's exactly what you want in the NFL.
Somebody who's going to lead you and do it with a heart and do it with a sense of community and do it with a sense of brotherhood and do it in a way where your phone's not going to ring at 2.30 in the morning saying, guess what just happened with our quarterback? Not going to happen. Look at the call. Hey, Fernando won't leave. He is it, right?
Here, we got it. We got a good one. Awesome.
Now then, you mentioned TJ that you saw a running back that looks like Adrian Peterson. I'm going to guess you're talking about Jeremiah Love. Right. Oh, dude. Man.
Ho man. Does this kid pop? Notre Dame fans are probably like, yeah, welcome to the party, pal. But Baby. There it is.
Look at that. That's the picture. leaping over people There was one run before the one that We have the still photograph up on the screen, and I think anybody who's listening understands what I'm referring to because. That popped up. that run right around midfield.
where he did leapfrog at the end. Um Showed up and your phone is an alert. It did on mine. And it lit up. Threads.
And He's The real effing deal. And this one right here, too. Um This is the other run. where he's running to his left. There were two Raider defenders in the backfield, and he ran past them.
Okay, they had clear shots at him and they had no shot at him. Because he ran by them. To the edge. With And this is the Peterson stuff, authority. Authority with power with an intention.
There was no hopping around. Let me pick a hole. He knew when he got the ball. I'm going here. Intention.
Stop me if you can. Yes, sir. You probably can't, but I'm going this way. Correct. All of that.
All of that. Every time he ran it, again, I'm with two running backs on the NFL network set. Michael Robinson, Maurice Jones Drew, whenever we were watching and he was running it. Everyone was like, woo woohoo. Yeah.
Okay, so third overall choice, got it. And now you add him. To Michael Wilson, who had a thousand yard season last year, and Trey McBride, who had a thousand catches last year. Like a record or something. To use a Kenny Main phrase, right?
And Maserati and Maserati Marvin. The first touchdown last night for Arizona. Jake Brisket, Jacoby Brissette, fading back, throwing, like leaning to his left, throwing right. Which looked to me, if you look at it again. Was he no lookin' at I don't know.
It didn't look like a chuck and duck to me either. But if it was even that, what a dime, what a dot. And Marv. Caught it. And they were saying all camping was dropping everything.
You know, Mr. Atlanta Vulture himself. Tyler Algier is there. Connor's coming back from an awful leg injury, but he's not coming back to just watch. No.
And Mike LaFleur is the one dialing it up. They scored a 30-burger in the Hall of Fame game. And last night 27. And they didn't play the full freight. Gardner Minshew looked terrific.
Carson Beck didn't play 'cause he's banged up. Yeah. Which is unfortunate for him because these are the reps he needs. They had no issue though, they said. probably hearing stuff like what I just said and like He was kind of matter-of-factly pumping brakes.
I give the guys credit for executing when the ball's being snapped. I mean, it's, guys, it is the preseason, you know. But with that being said, being where your feet are and handling your day, like, you know, a good little window right there. But again, stuff to clean up for sure in all three phases. And then we're right back to work on Saturday.
And it's back to camp. Like, this is not, we didn't break camp just because we left the wigwam.
Okay. I think Wigwam is the hotel that we spent our first year. Is that what he's referring to in Arizona? Yeah. For our first Super Bowl.
Great spot. Christopher J. Long. Great spot. Millionaire.
Okay. The great Chris Long. Who birthed us here at DirecTV's campus? It's a boss. Put us in the wigwam.
We say hello to our friends at the wigwam from our first Super Bowl 12 years ago. My God. Played golf there.
Okay. I don't think I'm overstating it. Arizona is going to Be a problem. Oh, come on. On occasion.
On occasion. I understand. Listen, I get it. That offense is nice, man. Dude, you don't have to go higher register even.
Because that kid is a different dimension.
So, can I ask you this? Wow. Have we seen enough? Because at that one point where he ran to the left, until week one at the Chargers? That one play where he ran to the left and his leg kind of got.
Oh, that's true. I was like, I think, I think he did tweak his ankle. He did say it's just minor, and that's it. If I'm the Cardinals, I think we've seen all we need to see. I'll tell you what, man.
You look at the Cardinals' schedule, and they're going to be tested right off the bat because the Chargers, their four downs today, they are a. Physical bunch. Demiko Ryans in last night's preseason game said that they out-physical the Texans, which is saying a lot.
Now, I understand it's preseason and everybody's not playing. Then they're home for San Francisco and at their home for Seattle and at San Francisco. At the G-Men, home for Detroit, at the Rams, home for Denver, at Dallas, at Seattle, home for the Rams, at Kansas City. Good Lord, Ed is a gauntlet. But they can, if Brisket, if Jake Brisket, if Jacoby Brissette.
Stays healthy and throws it around and uses the neck up veteran ability and finds these guys. They're going to be a fun team to watch this show. It's Friday, not Monday. Their win total is three and a half. Like, can we all relax?
Okay. I don't get that because I know what I saw yesterday. And you saw shades of all day in Jeremiah Love. You guys are crazy.
Okay. I love it. That's great. First Friday of preseason. It's like the end of the day.
Football's back. Back off. Baldy's zooming in. Let's take a break. He only looks at what Vegas says.
By Baldinger. They're 100 away. I've broken down all these games three times between last night and now. 100. Rich Eisen here.
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What's your opinion of what we saw out of Fernando Mendoza and his four. drives on Thursday night.
Well, he did everything that you were looking for him to do.
So he was under center rich, play action pass. Didn't do that at Indiana, didn't do that at Cal, but he did it, and he did it well. Everything from the mechanics of hiding the ball from the defenders to being able to locate the receiver. The touchdown to Jack Besch was a stick throw low and away from the defenders into his. into basically the teeth of his own.
It was the right throw. um his ability uh just to be able to go through progressions rich And really, you know, the popular phrase. wherever I go in these training camps right now is you throw with your feet. meaning you've got to get your feet set to make the throw. It puts you on a good platform and it times up with the routes.
And he was throwing with his feet last night. That's what Mike Sullivan, the quarterback coach, is teaching him to do, and you saw it on display.
So let's move to the Steelers quarterback. Mason Rudolph getting some run, but it really was all about Will Howard, who we have not seen since his national championship victory. For Ohio State. And Drew Aller, what did you see out of both of these guys that could get Steelers fans thinking, okay. This is a quarterback room we can depend on post-Aaron Rodgers.
Brian, well, Mike McCarthy has had great success with his quarterbacks. Going back to his days in Kansas City with Joe Montana. You know, and then you go Alex Smith in San Francisco, and you know what he's done with Dak, and obviously. with the quarterbacks in Green Bay, like this guy. You can already see the mechanics of Drew Aller.
Far better now than whenever we saw him at Penn State. And we know he's big, strong, and he's got a great. You know, he's just got a great frame for the position, along with Will Howard. Like I expect both these quarterbacks to improve. And it might be a real battle.
to see you know who's Who's going to be two? Who's going to be three? They got four in the roster, and they're all big and strong, including Mason Rudolph. But I want to see who emerges through preseason and who ends up. Maybe winning that backup job to Aaron this year.
Because, and then the other thing, Rich, is. The guy that throws Scout team. That's who I'm interested in. Like who's going up against the Pittsburgh defense every day where you don't care if you make the mistake. You're just cutting it loose and you're getting a lot of time to throw and go through reads and run offenses and different types of offenses.
Like those guys that throw scalp team. tend to really improve and are on a pretty good arc. to get into the next step. Brian Baldinger here on the Rich Eisen show. And then in that game, Um seeing two rookies.
at receiver. that have some pop. For a Steelers offense that seems to have been Lacking big playability despite having even DK Metcalf last year. Jeremy Bernard, who Who was their second round pick? And then that kid Weejan.
Freedom, Iowa, who's going to be mostly, one would think, we thought. primarily used on special teams because that was his specialty. there for the Hawkeyes. But he had one where he Kind of stumbled a little bit because he was a little bit over his skis, maybe trying to find that next gear. and wound up just shy of the end zone and then ran a very nice route for Aller.
Uh later on in the game. What do you think of the Steelers' offense with these kids and then Pittman coming in and Rico Dowdell at running back and McCarthy being the one to spin it up? I mean, are we going to see a different Steelers O? This year.
Well, first of all, they've upgraded the offensive line position. Across the board. But then James Camping comes in to be the offensive line coach. And Aaron had him in Green Bay. Mike McCarthy had him in Green Bay.
He knows this system. And I think they're better upfront from Zach Frazier to McCormick, the whole group. But they needed more explosive plays in the offense just because Aaron's just not at that stage of his life where he can hold the ball. And wait for some of these. Plays to develop down the field.
So Weegim catches that quick slant last night and goes 74 yards down to the two. He looked like a great returner with the ball in his hands, just running away from the defense. And so, you know, in Germany, Bernard could do the same thing. Can you make the classic West Coast throws, short throws, long runs? They look like they've got more explosive players.
With the ball in their hands right now, and that offense really needs it. They didn't, you know, they didn't score a touchdown against Houston at playoff loss. They couldn't get the ball down the field, and they couldn't get explosive plays in a passing game. And that has to change if they want to compete for this division.
Okay, so what else from last night that you've already reviewed or you want to hit on? There are six games last night. You know, Colts and Patriots were one. The Titans had a nice drive. Against San Francisco with the ones in there.
The Niners really didn't play very many people on their offensive side of the ball. The kids dribbling look good. I'm just giving you some uh Some seconds to gather yourself. What do you think? Tony Pollard scores in that opening drive of Tennessee right behind Skoronsky.
Every team needs a Skoronsky, Rich. Nice. Like, and if you don't have one, you want one. I mean, just run behind him. Like, he just moves big bodies, right?
So, Skoronsky opens up the whole Pollard, hits it in his few snaps out there. This Brayson Halton. You know, the 49ers are trying to compete. With the Rams and the Seahawks and trying to rebuild their defensive front. And this Grayson Halton was a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma, and he popped last night.
You like to see the way he got off blocks and stuffed the run and was a factor out there last night. Looking at Blake Miller in Detroit, they're trying to rebuild this offense line. He comes in and you know you you get Penney Sewell going over the left tackle. He started every game at Clemson Rich, all 54 games, 55th straight start last night. He was pretty strong, pretty strong with the right tackle position.
And I know Detroit needs him. He's going up against Hutch every day in practice that can only. Either you're going to go into a funk. or are you gonna come out of the funk and get better when you go against Hutch every day? That's a good test every day in practice, and it looked like it paid off for him in that game last night.
And then in that game last night in Cincinnati, Burroughs starts, right? And he th you know, play fake. Has time over the middle. Jamar Chase, 16 yards to go. There it is.
There they are. Then two plays later, in what looked like Max Protect. Here comes Hassanine for the Lions around the end. and gets borrowed and then the next Drive. Burroughs stands back there.
Um and uh the kid from Rutgers, the rookie comes right around the end. And blind side hits him, and you go. There it is. So, which one is the there it is for the Bengals this year?
Well, Brian. Ah, I think they still have holes in the offensive line. They've addressed it, but they've got Some guys up there that struggle against speed and athletic ability. You know, on the left side, we love Zeus, but Zeus has given up a lot of pressures in his business. Um but they You know, if he can't get rid of the ball the way he wants to get rid of the ball, he's going to take his hits.
And we just hope that he gets up from all the hits because we need Joe Burrow in this league. We need great quarterback play. And the Cincinnati Bengals need Joe to line up for 17 games this year. He probably didn't mind getting hit right now and get it out of the system, and probably won't see him the rest of preseason right now. But they've got to get better on the edges.
Right now is an offensive line. Let's hit a little bit before I let you go on the rest of your Friday and your weekend, Brian Baldinger, the games on NFL Network coming up. or at least the lead game. Deshaun Watson getting the start for Todd Monkins Browns at Chicago. What do you want to see?
What do you want to see from him and then Shador coming in? Second up before he started. I think Todd Monk has done a good job with this. Like, each guy gets the number ones each and every hour of the day as they installed. Deshaun gets the start this week against Chicago at one o'clock at Soldier Field, and you know, and then, you know.
Sanders would get to start next week.
So, really, what Todd Munkin wants is for somebody to win the job where he doesn't have to make a decision. And so that means: can Deshaun get him in and out of the huddle? Can he make the stick throws? Can he? Can he make these receivers better?
He's got a couple of rookies, Denzel Boston, look really good to me the day I was out there, Casey Concepcion. Like they need a better passing game. They have a rebuilt offensive line, Rich. You don't see this very often, but five new starters from five different teams. coming together.
So that's going to come together. But I want to see Deshaun Watson get in out of the huddle, clean operation, make the throws that are there, the layups that are there. And, you know, if you can make the deep throw to Denzel Boston in stride, that'd be great to see. But you want to see the offense like move, and you'd love to see him go down and score. That'd be a great start.
For Deshaun coming back, it's been a long time. since he's played a like a real season. Who do you think's gonna wind up winning it? What do you think? I don't know.
Like, I would never go against Shadur. But at the same time, we haven't seen Deshaun Watson healthy in forever. I like to see them healthy with a couple of really good targets. They were the worst wide receiving group in the league last year. These two young kids look like they're.
Considerably better than what they've had, along with Jerry Judy. Like, I'd like to see. I like to see both these guys good, but I have a feeling Deshaun Watson with his experience. Like probably is the favorite at this point. All right.
I assume you've been to Eagles' camp? Brian. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Maurice Jones Drew was just there for us, you know, NFL Network.
And he was telling me during a commercial break last night, he's never seen a bigger team. Bigger. Like everybody on that team. is massive. They're just big dudes.
Cooper Dejean in his own right. Big dude. They're just big. And on the hoof bigger than Maybe everyone else.
Well, I think we just had a solar eclipse the other day, Rich, if I'm not mistaken. And Michael Bell. Right? And you look at You know, Malara, I mean, they're a human eclipse out there, not to mention Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter inside. Like, you know, jihad Campbell.
Dim really didn't, wasn't a factor last year, but he's bigger at linebacker. Rick Woolen is a Pacific Manta at left corner. Like his wingspan, Rich, but then his break on the ball is elite. Like that was a weakness on this team last year was a left corner position. I think Reek upgrades it.
So I'm with Maurice on that. Like they are a massive team. Not to mention Landon Dickerson. You know, you can just go through the guys right here. Right.
But they they they they go through an airport, they're going to get your attention.
Well, the question is, is that bigness, that physical potential advantage uh combined with Another new offense or new offensive play caller. For Jalen Hurts What's your read on the Eagles coming into this season? Um Brian Baldinger. What do you think? It was necessary to make the change.
And look, Sean Mannion has a paper-thin resume. He's cognizant of it. But he's very bright. And he's very definitive about what he wants. And for Jalen Hurts to go back under center where he starts practice every day just taking snaps.
From his centers and just working on his footwork. Like he is bought in, he looks good. He looks leaner, he looks faster, and he's committed. And so, anybody that's been around Jalen Hurts, and I know you have, Rich. Going back to his days in high school, like he's coachable.
They needed to upgrade the position. It was not good last year. And I think this is going to be good for Jalen Hurts. I think this is a good offense for him to be in. I think putting Saquon eight yards deep and letting him really read the holes and.
You know, and feel the linebackers and the big runs I think will be coming. This offense needed to be better all the way around. And I think Sean Manny coming in, calling the place. We'll see how it goes. I don't expect it to be razor sharp to begin with, but I think it's going to be good if Jalen Hurts wants to continue to be a frontline starter in this business.
He needs to adapt, and I think he's working his butt off to do it right now. And then, you know, we were talking about Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh, first time in 19 years. There's a new head coach there, and it's different. The Eagles are at Baltimore. Jesse Minter's now there.
Declan Doyle from the Ben Johnson play calling and offensive system plugged that into Lamar and Zay Flowers, who's just been pizzaed, and there's Derrick Henry, but It's Jesse Minter's show now on defense. It's an interesting preseason game to just try or is it just going to be more vanilla and no one's going to really show their hands because the Eagles have got to get ready for Washington week one and Baltimore's got to get ready to visit the Colts Yeah, but I think Jalen Hurts needs to play in preseason. I don't know if Lamar does, I know it's a new offense. But I mean Lamar I don't know, just they just need to make sure that he stays as healthy as possible. Because if he's healthy, the offense should be better.
Getting Vivego Ioani in there makes everybody better at offensive guard. Like, he's going to be a real factor inside there. They lose Linerbaum, but they get Yowani. He's going to be a stud for him. You know, Derrick Henry is just as fast today as he was when he was in high school in Jacksonville.
Like, he's just. a difference maker and they need to get that running game cranked up. And look, they had to play better on defense than they did a year ago, and they've got a bunch of guys back. Um, you know, in addition to uh, you know, Trey Hendrickson right now, uh, we'll see what Mike Green looks like in a second year, but. They should be a better all-around team.
They're going to be talented. Look, I'm looking for the young guys in these preseason games, Rich, to see. You know, if it's too big for them, do they have the footwork, offensive lineman? Do they look like they're taking what they're practicing and taking it to the field?
So it's early. But I think there's some indicators. On really what Jesse wants to do and what they look like. I think it's going to be different, obviously, but I'm excited about the changes in Baltimore. All right, last one for you: the team we're not talking about enough.
Who should we be talking about more?
Well, I think Minnesota. Like, look, I. I'm not surprised that Kevin O'Connell named Kyler Murray the starter. What made him the number one pick in the draft, Rich, was an elite arm, elite athletic ability, and none of that has changed. He's never played with an organization or a team as good as this is in Minnesota.
They won 14 games with Sam Darnold the year before. Like, it's all there: the offensive line, the backs, the receivers, Brian Flores doing his stuff on defense. Like, I expect Kyler Murray. And I expect Kevin, to really adjust the offense. We know that Kyler is a little challenged from throwing from the pocket because.
of his size. But you know, I expect him to move the pocket, bootleg, play action pass. But I expect Kyler Murray to have a renaissance in Minnesota. And if he does, So will the Vikings. Brian, you're the man.
We'll chat with you prior to the season. Always great to see you. Good being on your team, British. Right back at you. Right back at you.
That's NFL Networks, Brian Baldinger, and so much more. Best football show with Brian Baldinger is the name of his pod. Love it. You know, normally I would have a problem with that. No.
But he's he's baldy. He's bigger than you, too. I mean, he's still bigger than you. Waldy and I go back like a car seat. I spent a lot of time watching him the last few weeks.
No doubt. No doubt. And it's great to see him everywhere. We come back. We got ourselves four downs on the.
Los Angeles Chargers are neighbors across the way. They don't eat nervous birds at all. That's next, this and your phone calls on The Rich Eisen Show. Rich Eisen here for Gusto. After all these years talking to athletes, coaches, entertainers, and people at the top of what they do, one thing is pretty clear.
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The Rich Heisen Show, the podcast. Started by posting a free job at linkedin.com. Jimmy in San Antonio would like to rejoin the program. What's up, Jimmy? How are you, sir?
Good. We are well, you're a patrol. It's a Friday, like y'all don't know what I'm up to. Come on.
Okay. How many shots here? Three fingers, baby. Yeah, and a bowl. Anyway, hey, Brockman Tiana.
I know she made you hyphenation on behalf of Adam messed up. I want to bet you $100 the Bears have more wins than the Patriots this year.
Sold. All right, you're in. He didn't stutter. Yeah, so we're not giving away his number. No.
What else? My connection might not be that good. I didn't hear him.
Okay. All good. What else is on your mind? You got anything else? And wedding crashers.
We've done three in two months.
So which one do you want first? Let's do the wedding stuff.
Okay. Does Susie allow you to not bring a gift to Deepee's daughter's destination wedding because his presence is the present? No, no, no, no. It's, again, Larry Davids. Rule on bringing a present to a destination wedding.
It's not a destination wedding if you can drive an hour and a half by car and we can drive. It's right around there. Oh, nice.
So we're giving a gift. Georgia's a delightful, a delightful human being, and she babysat our kids. Whatever whatever whatever is appropriate, we're going to do it.
Okay, so you're not going to bring more wine back from the wedding than you paid for the that's correct. That is right. Yep, you got that. And what's your what's more likely? What do you got?
Okay, TJ, mister Brockman Tiana. With Michigan now a pass-fail university like Physical Ed at a community college, what's more likely JJ McCarthy pass or fail in Minnesota? Pass Stop it. Jimmy, how dare you? He was asking.
Thank you, Jimmy. That's Jimmy Stani. He was asking me to talk about it. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, because he's referring to Michigan to make sure that incoming freshmen in their first semester can focus on their mental health and their studies. That they gave up letter grades.
Goodbye, Jimmy. Goodbye, Jimmy. Goodbye. Goodbye. We're leaders invested in the community as well as education.
There's no way to treat a color, Rick. No, no, no. We're done with Jimmy. I also have to get to the four downs. I thought he was going to just talk about J.J.
McCarthy. Instead, he goes Alec Carthy. Four downs and the Los Angeles Chargers hit him. Four downs with Ridge. Here we go.
Why did he do something? All right, here's my four downs on our neighbors across the way. Jim Harbaugh's Los Angeles Chargers first down. Will the football gods keep the offensive line healthy? Last couple of years have been radonculous on that front.
And seemed like at one point, didn't Rashawn Slater leave practice? And we're like, are we getting? We're like, what? Again? Let's get Slater and Alt on the edges healthy.
Let's keep the guys in the interior offensive line healthy. And let's see how it works. Let's see how that works. Can we please, instead of getting down to the fourth and fifth stringer, you're grabbing people off of other people's practice squads in weeks 10, 11, 12? Second down.
What does the defense look like with Jesse Minter now in Baltimore?
Okay, because this is a top-flight defense for the top flight players. And you know We're waiting to see Tule to get his long-term contract. and become healthy all of a sudden. Khalil Mack is back, right? We've got Derwin James, one of the best in the business.
But Jesse Minner's gone. What does this mean? Does it mean anything? Can they still be flying around? They looked really sharp and physical.
On Thursday night against the Chargers, I mean, against the Texans, D'Amico Ryan said we got out physicaled. By the Chargers. You know they're going to be physical. The question is: will they be able to be as stingy on giving up points? Third down.
Third down. The Mike McDonald effect. Pardon me, the Mike McDaniel effect. No, no, no. I understand that.
What a fool believes, everybody. Yeah. Let's see it, man. What is Mike McDaniel? bring to the equation other than just quirkiness.
I mean the number of times you would hear a hardball offense, you know, under Greg Roman. Throughout his tenures, it's just like it it's the It's not inventive enough. It's not wide open enough. It's not. Fast enough, it's not all of that, it's just not enough.
Here comes Mike McDaniel, the odd couple. Let's roll. What is the effect going to be? Because at the end of the day, fourth down, it is time. For it.
It is time for Justin Herbert to win a playoff game. That's it. Jim could come here and pump him for the Heisman verbally and all he wants. And he's. He's done that.
And he has infused this guy with all the confidence and all his love and all of his thoughts and all of his best. But at the end of the day, Chargers make the playoffs, which I assume they're going to because they've got the roster and the coaching staff and everything going for them. When push comes to shove and the Chargers make the playoffs, by the way, it would be great to have a home game. Number one. Not like instead of going to Jacksonville or the New England cold.
It is time for Justin Herbert to win a playoff game with Jim Harvaugh as his head coach. It's year three. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Mm-hmm.
