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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. Mendoza back over the middle and he's picked off. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Mike Garifolo, is there a shot? He's the week one starter.
The communication has been that Kirk Cousins is going to be the week one starter.
However, I've been lied to before. Today's guests: NBC Sports Bay Area 49ers reporter Matt Mayoko. Five-time NFL Pro Bowler Teron Armstead. Three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schleren. And now, it's Rich Eisen.
Edition of the Rich Eisen Show. It's a Friday. Getting late in August. We're nearing. A football season right around the corner, Labor Day weekend.
You can see it in the distance. Week zero in college, you could see week one in the National Football League. You can also see us on Disney Plus, the ESPN app. You can listen to us on ESPN Radio if you're doing so. Hello, SiriusXM Channel 80-844-204 Rich is the number to dial on the program.
We just saw two preseason games last night. The 49ers were just down the street at SoFi Stadium to take on the Chargers, the Raiders, and Texans last night. Matt Mayoko, who knows everything about the San Francisco 49ers, is going to join us to tell us everything he knows about the San Francisco 49ers. We've got Teron Armstead, fresh off of the Good Morning Football Set, just down the road at NFL Network across the street from SoFi Stadium. He's going to park it right here to talk about his thoughts on the National Football League.
And Mark Schlerith, who always tells the stinking truth, is on the show in hour number three. It's a What's More Likely Friday. I've got a Houston Texans season prepared. Preview four downs. Hello, Chris Brock.
What's going on? Rich Eisen, it's Friday. I'm excellent. Table set. How are you, Mike Deltufo?
Good to see you. Good morning, Rich. TJ Jefferson, candle is lit. How are you? Rich, 28 years ago today, August the 21st, 1998.
I was fired from Foot Locker on Friday on my day off. And you still have, you still have, is that really what you wore? Is that still the foot locker? Modifications I've cut to sleeves, but this is one of my 28 years ago today. They fired me on Friday on my day off like Craig.
I didn't still know boxes. Wow. But now, 28 years? 28 years. 28 years later, you've now got a fresh pair of shoes from the head coach of Oregon football and the Penn State nittany lines you were rooting for on the day you got fired.
Who the hell are they anymore? That one is so awesome to keep on. You got to swallow that cheese. That's a drum all season long. Penn State's going to go like 10 and 2 this year.
I don't think I can get it. That's too bad. All right. Phone lines are lit. Love singing that.
That means we're relevant. Let's get it. 844-204 rich is the number to dial. Means we're also accessible, which is the most important thing in this business. Hey, listen.
Fernando Mendoza started a National Football League preseason game last night on ESPN. No bigger platform than that. And Joe in the booth, Troy in the booth, Monday Night Football in the house on a Thursday night. And Mendoza gets the start. Kirk Cousins gets the...
Sit down. And let's watch what the kid can do. Let's get him as many reps. And I'll I'll s I'll just Say this. I have been.
A Kirk Cousins is going to start guy for months. Months. I'm wavering on whether Kirk Cousins should start week one of this National Football League season for the Las Vegas area. I feel like the Dave Chappelle meme of just like, come, come to me. I'm.
I'm just sitting here. All right, let me break it down for you. Mendoza throws a pick six last night, and it's one of those things where you're like... Mm-hmm. Threw it late over the middle.
You could see that one coming. It's telegraphed. It's the total rookie mistake of fading to your left way too long, holding onto the ball, throwing it back right over the middle, pick six, see you later. And he did his best to run down. He did.
He did. Which is just another rookie mistake. Yeah, don't do that. Did you fall and hurt your shoulder?
Well, dude, come on. Because the bottom line is: last thing we need in Las Vegas is this guy having a 4-6 hamstring issue because he tried to. track somebody down on a pick six In um In the preseason. Or even worse, separating a shoulder reach. That's what I thought was going to happen.
He also, right, okay. All cases in point. And, you know, and then of course he hangs in there and he's still winging it around. Um Nothing to write home about. By the way, Raiders come back and win this game.
It's 20 to 3. They win 22 to 20. What a cover. Those Raiders.
Okay, you cover it. Hey, if you're betting preseason football, we need to have a check. Yeah, there's 800 numbers you can call. Oh, my goodness. You know that.
All right. What? But Mendoza's line, you look at his line, you know, certainly if you're not seeing it. You don't watch his five drives in the first half. And you just say, let me just check on the app what he did.
And you see it's eight for 15, 86 yards, pick six. And you're like, all right, there's no way he should start. Why should he start? You know? Also, you look at the Raiders' schedule.
Right? You look at their schedule and the first game, they're home against Miami. And you could sit here and go, all right, that's a nice. Start with the market. for the Raiders taking on a team at A lot of people think has got first overall pick in next year's draft in Washington, D.C., written all over it.
And there's two visits. Yeah. The Chargers and then the Saints. And again, you could sit here and say, oh, the Saints weren't any good last year, and there's a lot of people picking to be a sleeper team. Going to that dome is not easy ever.
Home for Kansas City at New England, home for Buffalo, home for the Ramps. Why would you put.
Okay. Your new Bright shiny future the Franchise quarterback in that harm's way behind an offensive line that might not be able to protect him. And at the end of the day, That may be why Kirk Cousins is there. To see if they can navigate that schedule without the season being over win-loss-wise. Or to be the human shield.
To their first overall pick. Bambi, but don't call him a Deer and Headlights quarterback. And that may be what you feel and hear at the end of the day. But then you watch back all the all 22 guys. I mean, he was watching some Orlofsky posts before the show.
What's up, Dan? And seeing that, right? And seeing how, even like the quick out throws that don't get completed to the all 22 guys and ladies. are what the coaches see. And it's Mendoza having to figure out pre-snap what the defense is, and two plays that he gets in the huddle, which one is the best one to run, and when you.
When you throw it to your receiver, or when the coverage goes from Cornerback way off to press coverage. What do you do? Do you throw it here? Do you throw it there? Do you throw it when?
And All of that happens In the blink of an eye, and you go, Oh, he missed the throw. You know? Like that's What you see. But it's what the coaches see that's completely different. and what the kid has to see in order to get better soonest.
And you gotta wonder how is he gonna get that? Sitting And watching Kirk Cousins go through at least the first two months of the season because they don't want to put him out there. And that's the question. about whether you start him. Certainly, if he can protect himself.
By getting rid of the football, don't take a hit, realize where the pressure's coming from, pre-snap, getting rid of it, getting the protection right, all of that stuff. If he can protect himself, Mm-hmm.
Now, do you get that? Answer going against the backups of the Texans because, you know. They're not putting their A-list defenders out there en masse against him. And that's what Clint Kubiak has to decide. This is what Mendoza had to say after.
last night's five series evening in Houston. I came away that there's a lot of more learning to do. And that, although that maybe you had a lot of success at another level that the this whole this level is a whole step further and that the margins are so small and that you know one Tiny mistake can lead to Catastrophe.
So, I want to make sure that I best serve my teammates and get better from these experiences.
Okay. Did he say catastrophe? He did. Okay. You say catastrophe, I say catastrophe.
Tomato, tomato, potato, potato, sabotage, sabotage. Sabotage. Sabotage. I say sabotage.
Okay. Garage, garage. Carriage. All right, Coach Kubiak, what you gonna do? Because you sat cousins last night like he's a starter.
I mean, that's what you do with your week one starters. You don't play him at all. Yeah. At all. I mean, Stroud played, what, two series?
One series? Hit it. You know, with Kirk Cousins not playing along like Max and other guys, it's safe to say Kirk will be your starting quarterback in week one. You know, it's we're we got another week of playing. You know, I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job.
That's how it should. It should always be that way from all positions.
So, you know, we'll just keep going forward. There you go. That's an on-answer.
So he's leaving it w open. I don't think to play games with Jeff Hafley and the Dolphins for week one. They're building. They're looking for who's the 53 men. And who's going to have certain roles here?
I mean, afterwards, also, we don't have the sound pipe, but also afterwards, he. Kubiak talked about Mike Washington Jr., the rookie running back that they have. That's good. Because, you know, Genti's not getting a lot of run in the preseason, also. He didn't play us.
And he said, you know, that everybody's got to figure out how to carve out roles in the Raiders. And that. Washington is heading his way towards carving one out.
So that's the question: is how do the Raiders wish to carve this 2026 season? Do the wins and losses matter? Of course they always do, but in the long run do they matter? They sure as matter, hell mattered to Tyler Lindebaum, who signed a big fat contract. And Max Crosby.
who, you know.
Okay. Hates to lose. You know, you you don't sacrifice a season on the altar of anything. in the NFL. Certainly in August.
Certainly if the kid can play. And Aikman on uh on On Sports Center with, um with S V P afterwards said This kid's got greatness in him. I paraphrased. He thinks he can be a great quarterback in this league. What happened with Troy?
Did he sit first year? First overall? No. No, sir. No, they went 1 in 15.
This kind of weirdly reminds me of the Patriots and Drake May a couple of years ago. Remember, it was like, oh, should the kid just start right away? Jacoby Brissette starts. He goes out there kind of as the human shield behind a bad offensive line for five, six weeks. Correct.
And then, you know, Drake May played well. But they still only won three or four games and had a top five pick. How'd year two look? Year two, Super Bowl. Right.
And now year three, expectations through the roof and right now. Exactly.
So I think that's kind of what we're looking at here with Frenet Cousins. Maybe so. I always think that's a good idea. But he's got, I mean, can he get these reps? where he can figure out pre snap this and all of that stuff.
And marinate properly. Can he do it? By not starting, we had Jordan Love on the show on Wednesday, and I knew this was going to be the question involving Mendoza. Because it's definitely not the question involving any other quarterback in this draft from. Last April.
It ain't the question for Ty Simpson, and it is not the question for Carson Beck who we haven't seen since the Hall of Fame game. And we can go down the list of guys. Hmm. You know, Klubnick, Nussmeyer, nut No, no, there's only one quarterback for whom it's like, should we do it now? Or not.
And Jordan Love said he one hundred percent. got valuable Information. and marination from watching Rogers. Definitely. And That, I think, is at the end of the day going to be Clint Kubiak's decision.
Question is: How much thumb on the scale do they put from the front office? Because this kid's a superstar. in the making. I really feel it. I know I just I just um I just Overstated it.
I get it. But he's a first overall pick. He's been fully introduced to the nation through college football. He's a delight in his press conferences. I think he speaks to Uh people who like wholesome Goodness.
People who love their parents, you know what I mean? Like, he's a great example, a great example. And he's just he's just having fun. He's just being himself and goofy and potentially awkward and This was a fun exchange. Laura Rutledge interviewing him during the Monday night game.
Did you see this end of their live as the game's going on on the sideline interview? Did you see hear this? Go for it. We'll go tell Kirk that you did a great job. Thank you.
Please do. Please do. And please tell Mr. Buck SALL. Oh, we love it.
There you go. What about Mr. Aikman? Oh, of course. I mean, he's a legend, you know.
I think Mr. Buck needs some more love because Mr. Aikman's already, you know.
Well said, Fernando, you nailed it. Thank you. God bless. I mean, if I was calling Monday night football games and a Michigan national championship quarterback said, say hi to Mr. Eisen.
You know what I mean? 'Cause Joe's a Hoosier. Joe loves that kid, I'm sure, deep down, deep, deep, deep, deep down. Forever. Just like every Hoosier fan anywhere.
Just a delight. And if when he hits it? There's going to be wait for it, Mendoza Mania. Mendoza mania is coming. To the point where we're laying our marker down.
Yeah. RichEison Shop.com. You guys personally QC'd this thing. Let's do it. Mendoza Mania.
Get yours now. Get yours now. Jay Felly's going to take five of them. Jay Felli's going to buy it out. You know?
Got to get Kirk Morrison on. Hey, man. We're in on it. I see what he's what he can be, what he already is, and Nature versus nurture. Do they nurture him by?
Throwing Kirk Cousins out into nature and see what he can do. And if he's three and three through six, or four and four through eight. Or Who knows that that'll factor into a decision to throw him out there? And how cousins looks. and how he handles it.
But the minute Mendoza makes a first NFL start, it's going to be all eyes.
Well, he ain't giving it up, I think, once he finally starts. We'll see. I'm rootin' for him, as you know. But I'm breaking it down. I'm like thinking, do they put him out there?
Because how else is he going to figure out pre-snap, do this, do that? I mean Do you even throw him out there for preseason week number three? Did you just get him some more? I'd consider that. I'd consider that.
Certainly, if you're going to start Cousins. Yeah, that might be an indication that it's Kirk's gig. 844-204-Rich is the number to dial here on the program. The 49ers took on the Chargers last night.
So much to talk about on that front. The man who speaks to Bang Bang Niner Gang quite a bit. Certainly when he comes on the Rich Eyes and Show, Matt Mayoko, when we come back. Uh Rich Eisen here. Running a small business means every hire matters.
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Bumble. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Rich Eisenhower, our radio audience has returned. All right, Matt, let's just be straight up. It just seems to me that the Niners have been bit by another injury bug.
Preseason again. Am I just overstating it, just reading too many headlines? What's going on? Well, there's no question they're dealing with injuries, but it doesn't appear as if any of those injuries are long-term lasting kind of injuries that will It'll severely impact the team during the regular season.
Now, what Kyle Shanahan said about Christian McCaffrey is that if they were playing a game this last week, he would have been out there practicing. He'd be able to play in the game.
So we'll see when he is back and we'll see how prophetic those words are. Nick Bosa is dealing with tendonitis from the aftermath of his surgery on the ACL last year. They're expecting him to be ready for week one.
So I'm not sure that there's any other than Pier Person. Obviously, Ricky Pearsal out for the season. That hurts. They counteracted that move with bringing back Debo Samuel. And he's looked good.
I mean, he's looked kind of like Debo Prime. I think probably the best thing that happened to him as far as getting ready and having a chip on his shoulder for this season was going so many months from the end of last year with the Washington Commanders to the first week of training camp. He didn't have a team. And so he was working out. He was in good shape.
And he stepped in. And the 49ers, the way they structured that contract, I mean, it's clear. They expect him to catch the football. They expect him to run the football. And they expect him to return kickoffs as well.
So. And I think right now, when you look at the wide receiver position, yes, Ricky Parasol isn't out there. They do have Mike Evans. They do have Debo Samuel. And then Dejon Stribling, the 33rd overall pick, really looks good.
And he had another good game on Thursday night against the Chargers.
Now, he let a potential touchdown pass slip through his fingers, but the arrow is definitely pointing up on Stribling.
So we'll see. Yeah, we will see. Let's take a few of these at a time, Matt Miyoko, NBC Sports Bay Area. I know you did a, you know. a YouTube piece on this and you've been covering this and You put the ear to the ground in the NFL.
you know, and there's always chatter. Always. You put your ear to the ground. But the tightness for Christian McCaffrey is that Tightness in his Body or his view of the tightness Of his contract, Matt, you know, because, and again, listen, the Niners enriched him. when he asked for it and it was his time.
And this contract extension is kicking in right now. It's just it happens all the time that when you make somebody generationally enriched to the tune of what the Niners did to McCaffrey for McCaffrey and pay him the respect of when it was his time. to get the money. That um It gives him a respect of where his standing is in running back rooms across the NFL. But now He's making half of what Gibbs and Bijan are making.
Is there any truth to any of this, or should we just move on? Matt.
Well, I don't think the new contracts for Bijan Robinson and Jameer Gibbs were any surprise. Everybody knew that those were coming, including Christian McCaffrey and his representation.
So if he were to have done that, As far as a hold in, it seems to me he would have done it from the very first day of training camp and not go nearly two weeks of practicing and then decide: you know what, this is a good time to hold in.
Now, I asked Calci and Flat out point blank, if there was any contract ploy here with Christian McCaffrey. And he said no, that was a false report or the speculation was wrong about that. But, you know, we'll see. I mean, if he does sign a new contract today, tomorrow, down the road, then we'll have to wonder. But what Shanahan has said and what he said on Tuesday was that McCaffrey's doing well.
He's experiencing tightness. He didn't identify where that tightness is. But if the 49ers had a game, that McCaffrey would be out there.
Okay. Yeah, I mean, 'cause you look again at his contract extension. Um, and, you know, it's beginning to kick in. And you take a look at everybody else getting paid, and we'll just then move on, I guess. And Mike Evans, you said they have Mike Evans.
Do they have Mike Evans? Is he one of the injured as well? Or they're just playing it safe with a guy that's had soft tissue problems on occasion. in his Hall of Fame career. Yeah, I think they're playing it safe.
He went out of the lineup or out of the joint practice with the Chargers about midway through Tuesday's practice, had some ice wrapped on his quad. And from what I understand, like, you know, pregame, he was running. And so that was very, very much precautionary. But I think that, you know, this isn't a, you know, a. Strain or a pulled muscle that's going to keep him out an extended period of time.
Now, I wouldn't expect him to do much practicing leading up to that first game of the regular season. And I wouldn't expect him to be out there on the field this coming Thursday when they play the Raiders in their final preseason game. But I think the thought is that Mike Evans, along with so many of these other players, will be back week one.
Okay. And that's Kittle II. He had a nice little. Check up, visit with Dr. Neil Ellatrosh while the Niners were in town here in LA, Matt?
Yeah, so he's doing very well.
Okay, great. But I don't know. Reading the between the lines, With with George. I think if I were to guess, I don't think he plays week one. I don't think he goes to Australia and then he's ready week two.
Uh and the reason I say that You know, George is, he didn't, he was very non-committal about week one, but I did ask him, you know, would there be any reason for you to travel to Australia if you're not going to play in that game? And he, like, without even hesitating, said that wouldn't make sense, would it, to go to Australia?
So it told me that he's thinking along those lines. He also brought up, hey, it's an 18-week season, you know, 17 games over 18 weeks.
So you want, and he understands this, you want him to be ready. Throughout the entire season, play, and when he gets on the field, stay on the field.
So. My thought would be that by holding him out week one, it gives him 10 extra days to go through physical therapy and rehab. And also, it eliminates 32 hours of flight time. from San Francisco to Melbourne and back to San Francisco. My guess is that yeah, he might be cleared, he might be ready, but.
They just play it smart, or maybe play it cautiously with him. Again, I think he's going to push for it. But it just seems to me that the wiser play Would be just have him ready to go week two and then have him for the final 16 games of the season. And then there's another name we haven't talked about: Christian Kirk, who would be a terrific addition and a much-needed one. If he was healthy, or is he around the corner?
Matt, what do we got here? Yeah, he had a calf strain, and I've seen him running. He looks to be close, but You know, it's kind of interesting. I mean, the 49ers wide receiver train is just kind of moving on without him. I mean, they have some good receivers on the team, and Christian Kirk is a veteran guy.
Kyle Shannon said he really likes him, but everybody's been frustrated by his inability to get out there on the field. He was injured on the very first day of training camp.
So, you know, right now, you know, it looks to me Mike Evans, Debo Samuel, Dayjon Stribling, those are the top three. And then you have Jacob Cowing, who returned a punt, returned for a kickoff last night. Jordan Watkins, a second-year player, looks good. Demarcus Robinson, they have some, you know, a couple undrafted guys who are good. And then Christian Kirk fits into that mix too.
So, you know, they're probably going to end up releasing one or more guys who could be on NFL rosters this season. And Christian Kirk has to get out there on the field to prove himself worthy of a spot on the 53. How's everything looking with Raheem Morris? And the defense on that side. He's drawing rave reviews from the defense, and it seems like he's tied.
I mean, it's no surprise, man. Everywhere he's went, players dig him, they love him. He's a terrific coach. Where, you know, now twice in the NFC South, when he's had opportunities, it just hasn't been able to. Stick for him, but it's not a surprise to hear that.
No, the guys in the back end, the secondary, they really like him because of the kind of coverages that he's bringing to the table with the 49ers. They're doing a lot more stuff, a lot more variables up front, four down line, five down line, guys dropping, guys coming, a lot of pressure. I think with this defensive line, you know, it was a defensive line, it was a pass rush for the 49ers, 20 sacks last year in 17 games, far and away, the worst in the NFL.
So. You know, they expect Nick Bosa to be back. Osedigizua, the pickup from the Cowboys, an interior defensive lineman, he looks really good. But where else is that pass rush going to come from? You know, it's going to be a combination of other guys, including Romello Height, who is a third-round pick.
But I think a lot of it falls on the shoulders of Raheem Morris to scheme it up, you know, to keep the opposing offense off balance with where's the pressure coming from? How are they going to time that thing up? And I think it looks to me like that front is getting better as far as the timing of their all their defensive, all their pass rush schemes and everything else.
So I think that when you look at how the Fort Airs are looking to improve their pass rush, yeah, it's a little personnel. I mentioned Bosa, that helps, you know, having him back, assuming he's back, as the Fort Air seem to expect. And Osedigizua, that helps. But a lot of it too falls on Raheem Morris to just scheme it up to create.
Some confusion for the past protection on the other side. Trevor Burrus, Jr.: In the few minutes I've left with you, Matt Mayoko, NBC Sports Bay Area, conversations that you hear picked up in the building, and people that you're talking to, listen, that. That substation is the low hanging fruit. You know, everybody loves having fun with that whole thing and Uh but again Is there a conversation? Forget about that.
Substation. about what the Niners do. That every team has injuries. I get it. We could go on and on and on and on about injuries.
But it seems like I get. One more playing season where is afoot. And everything else is set up. The coach, the schemes, right? Like it's there.
It's there, but we're talking about the same thing again. About Thin here potentially, thin there potentially. And last year, you know, they were supposed to be thin in the roster, and then they damn near won the one seat anyway. But is there a conversation internally about Why? Constantly happening, it feels now.
Absolutely. Yeah, no doubt about it. There are conversations about that. And what they did in the offseason was some of the things, some of the areas of concern, some of the things that they felt like they could tighten up and do better with, they addressed. They put $9 million into new hydrotherapy units there at Levi Stadium, at the Four Airs Practice Facility.
They've increased their workout staff, their human performance staff.
So they added some people there. And then the most obvious thing once training camp started was that instead of practicing three days in a row, what they've done is they'll practice two days in a row. They'll have basically a walkthrough practice, kind of a, you know, just kind of take the load off their bodies and then have another practice and then a day off.
So basically, out of five days of work, Of during the week, they're practicing three of those days.
Well, I mean, here we are, though, Rich. You're asking the same questions, right, that everybody has been asking in the past.
So, you know, right now, you can't say that there's been any positive impact for all those changes the 49ers made, but they did make changes. They made some pretty dramatic changes to their schedule and to their workout facilities, but it hasn't shown up with fewer injuries this summer.
Well, we haven't at least included Purdy in this conversation up until now, right?
Well and so what what what's the level of expectation for him to take another step forward, do you think, this year? I think that is the expectation. Yeah, he's kind of in this kind of this phase of his career. You know, he's no longer a young guy. You know, this is his fifth NFL season, his fourth as a starter.
But yet he's not like that old veteran guy either. But I think he's had a really good training camp and he does have better supporting cast around him, especially at the wide receiver position. Forty inner's did not have a great group of wide receivers last year. I think they've improved that area with their three top guys being completely new guys who were on the team last year, but pretty solid. You know, he's a really good player.
And I don't know if he gets the national recognition that maybe he deserves, but he certainly gets the recognition within that building and here in the San Francisco Bay Area.
So. You know, when you talk about all the reasons why it's it's set up for the 49ers, you know, all the big-time players, the high-priced players, the veteran players, Brock Purdy is one of those reasons why the 49ers believe they have a big-time chance to, you know, potentially or at least make a run to unseat the Seattle Seahawks and also, you know, compete with the LA Rams, who I think unanimously on paper anyway, the Rams are the odds on favorite to you know to make it through the NFC West and the favorite to win the Super Bowl.
So the 49ers believe they're right there, and Brock Purdy is a big reason why. Last one and what the Niners believe, we had this conversation last time you were on about a month ago, so let's hit it again. Do the 49ers believe. that when they get off the plane in Australia. And they suit up.
For that. First game of the season. they will be dealing with Aaron Donald. Do they believe it? I think they believe it because they have to believe it.
I think that they want to at least say, hey, this is the team we're going to be facing in Australia. And the only way they're wrong would be something that works in their direction in a positive fashion. Right. I mean, set yourself up for the worst case scenario and then anything less is a bonus. But yeah, I absolutely think that they believe in, you know, they're thinking about the Rams every day.
There's no doubt about it. It's a huge game. It's week one. It's what everybody's pointing to. And yeah, I think the Free Hairs have to condition themselves to believe that that offense of the 49ers will be facing a defensive front of the LA Rams that has not only Miles Garrett, but the return of Aaron Donald.
And then that puts the pressure on who the most. Do you think it? I think on Kyle Shanahan to scheme it up, you know, on the offensive line coach, Chris Furster, on the offensive coordinator, Clay Kubiak. You know, it's incumbent upon them to put together a plan that not only accounts for, you know, what is probably the best defensive player in the league, but who a guy coming back might be the second best defensive player in the league.
So, you know, they did a really good job when Aaron Donald was in his prime, when he was playing, of scheming things up to not take him out of the game, but to mitigate his impact. But it becomes a lot more difficult to do when you have two game-changing defensive linemen that you're facing.
So, you know, there's pressure on Purdy to find that open guy to get rid of the ball quickly. There's pressure on the wide receivers and the other pass catchers to get open quickly, to give Brock Purdy an avenue to get rid of the football. And that's what they have to do. They just have to slow down the pass rush of the Rams by speeding up their offense.
Okay. And that photograph that my crew just put up. Put up one more time. I'm glad I'm able to ask this question as opposed to the questions I was asking you about Kyle Shanahan's readiness to return. Clearly, post-car accident, he appears to be the guy on the sideline.
Do we know if this mustache is going to stay? For week one and the rest of the season. Has that been a conversation? Yes, it has been a conversation. I don't think it is.
It's lasted longer than I think he anticipated. But I think he feels maybe you know, He feels like that mustache deserves a longer run because his friends have joked to him that that mustache saved his life in the car crash.
So, you know, the airbag is one thing, but the mustache is, you know, extra cushion. Yep. Because I keep saying it looks like what Bobby Valentine wore to sneak back into the dugout years ago. You know what I mean? Like, you know, like just throw that on there, but it's real and it's spectacular.
And you say it's there to potentially stay.
Well, I don't know. I think I would assume it'll be off by the start of the regular season, but the fact that it's lasted this long is kind of an upset.
Well, but if it does go into the season and they win week one, that thing is staying. And then, you know, and then Andy Reid comes in week 16. We could have a stash off. You know what I mean? Like with a stash off.
Think of all the possibilities, Matt. Is there room enough for two stashes on opposing sidelines? Does like the loser have to shave that thing off right after the game?
Well, they got to go coach on Solistaff where. There is no hair. No hair. You know, the whole staff is completely, you know, like a chihuahua. Just hairless.
All right, Matt. Thanks for the time. Really appreciate it. You be well. All right, Rich.
Always my pleasure. Thank you. That's Matt Mayoko with the latest on the Niners. I think we covered that soup to nuts. Kittle might not week one.
Mustache May. Week one. I like the idea the loser right at midfield has to get his mustache right at midfield. We got to get McCaffrey out there and Evans out there, right? Right.
Because if it's McCaffrey Evans Debo Kittle. Stribbling being as good as we think. I like a Debo looking like the old Debo.
Now you are talking about a top offense. Pretty protected. Right. Shanahan Scheming. That's the plan, by the way.
Great plan. Great plan. They just got more out there healthy on the other side. Where is the tightness? That's what I want to know.
Um I don't know. And his desire to play preseason football. I'd be tied about that too. His back, his neck in his back. 844-204-Rich.
Number to dial, Teron Armstead, hour number two. It's a what's more likely Friday as well, right here on the Rich Eisen Show. Rich Eisen here for Gusto. On my shows, we talk a lot about what happens in the spotlight, the games, the highlights, and the moments that get replayed and debated. But in any successful operation, what happens behind the scenes matters just as much.
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Find your local Pella Windows and Doors showroom today at pella.com/slash Eisen for details. Make life brighter with Pella Windows and Doors. Manny in El Paso, Texas. Been a while since we chatted with him. What's up, Manny?
How are you? Saludo del Paso ami sanigos en esta gundo. How are we, gentlemen? We are well. Buenos Dias.
Buenos Diaz. That's all I got. First of all, Chicago Bears. Past to stay in Chicago, not Indiana. We're going from monsters of the Midway to monsters of the Hoosier State.
Second of all, Fernando Mendoza, upset, mad, sounds like Ned Slanders calling his parents beep next.
Okay. And TJ, I get it. I love Warren Moon. I love Doug Williams. I love Randolph Cunningham, Quinty Carter.
But when it comes to Jalen Hurts, No. You see green? It's time to get mean. Unless you have a pair of Oregon Duck Jordan ones. That's the only that's the only way anyway.
You may go there.
Okay. So two of our local boys, local reporters here in town went to a Went to the Jealous workout. And shout out to Steve Kaplowitz and Nadian Bradas at 600 ESD in El Paso. They had a story that a local was my name is Hugh, by the name of Sheaz Tatsuyinya Pets is the first NFL player from the Navajo Nation.
So that's actually pretty cool. Second of all, they had a jury sighting. Came up to a table, shook hands, gave them a wave. But that's not the jelly I'm talking about. Apparently they have a They have a a Up click, I think it says That out of a suite came out Jerry Jones, Michael Lernin, Drew Brees, and Jerry Brockheimer.
But apparently, they were there for the entire practice.
So, Brockheimer. That's very interesting.
Okay. Make a movie on this. Out of that, I have a question for Mr. Bill 2, folks. Oh, go.
Okay, Mr. Duffo, multiple choice question. Would you A? be the mainly best DJ At any rate in anywhere in the world. Or beans?
Watch any band or performer from any era, and if so, who would that performer or band be? Of course, Schwartz. Sail any part of the open ocean around the world. That's all I got, guys. It's Friday.
Football is around the corner. I'm calling you now. Tell me a shout out of that blue and silver Kool-Aid because the Cowboys are winning the Super Bowl. I said it. That's it.
Man, come on. I didn't follow his multiple choice. Oh, it's easy.
Okay, what do you got? DJ, any event, not even a question. What event? What event? EDC in Las Vegas, main stage.
100%. Not even a question. Not even a question. I've seen almost everybody. You've made mention of this.
I've said this. It's not even a question. And I could do it. Can we easily? Can we how do we make this happen?
Yeah. Who do we know? It's far easier to get a pair of sneakers. It's probably easier to get. It's far easier to get a pair of sneakers.
We run into people who say they listen to us every day. 100% sleep. Big in Vegas. I'd like to think we are. And by the way, I'd really mix on most of the DJs that actually perform there.
Whoa. Because they're producing a way to get non-but it is. It is. In fact. I'm online.
Stop screaming. Honey, you get bees with honey, Mike. Come on, all right. I know, but I'm going to. Do you want to do it?
Because we want to throw our weight behind it. I got what I'm doing.
Now, but is that like, you know, you're from the practice squad? I can work on it. And now you're asking to DJ the Super Bowl. Super Bowl, right? You know what I mean?
Like, I'm unfamiliar with what you're saying. Essentially, they gave that idea, and they actually did it. Mainstage of ADC is like. It's a big deal. It's somebody who works the hottest clubs in Europe and gets paid seven figures to do it.
We were asking for a seat like that for Mike. Is that the way it works? Early morning, pretty much. It's like last year there was Darnold, there was May, and it's like saying, Hey, how about let's get a third and let's put Del 24 in there? Is that what this is like?
It's like that's going to put me on the Super Bowl pregame show. Here's the difference on Sunday. Like, yeah, here's the main difference. I'm not going to work on that too. I mean, there's a big difference here.
Yes. I've actually DJed on the radio in New York City live. Oh, so in saying that, hold on. How long ago? Doesn't matter.
No, it matters. I was a professional radio DJ.
So you're not far-fetched. How long ago? Give me a date. How long ago? In the 90s and the late 80s on Z1000.
Music and on Hot 97. Z100 and Hot 97.
So by the way, yes.
So in saying that. I have the ability that I could totally move the crowd man. Let's do it. We're getting on it. We're getting on it.
Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show podcast. You can watch and listen to the Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus, and on the ESPN app, The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Hi, Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Are you looking for a beach read this summer? May I suggest your big wireless bill.
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