We all know Saturday's game time can get a little messy. Your crew just came over to watch. Snacks on the table, drinks in hand, and somebody's celebrating like they just won the whole season and beyond. And when that energy gets going, your walls can end up taking the hit. Whether it's a big spill or a noticeable scuff, that's where Bear Ultra interior paint comes in.
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Now, on with the show. Are you guys starting to bring it on? This is the Rich Eisen Show. It's our second in the end zone. Holy cats, it's the third pick of the night.
Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Play to stop being patient. Earlier on the show. Senior writer for the MMQB, Albert Breer. Coming up.
ESPN NFL analyst Alex Smith. Iowa head coach Kirk Ference. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Hour number two of the Rich Hisen Show on the air. Albert Breer, hour number one, Alex Smith coming up in 20 minutes time.
Kurt Ference will talk some college football, the most tenured head coach in FBS action, year 28 for him at the helm of Iowa. That's an hour number three. You threw out at 844-204-Rich. Number to dial on the program. We were somewhat.
Patriots centric. to lead our program. And I know a lot of folks in the uh Seattle area like, oh, that's par for the course of a passionate Rams loving uh host of The Rich Eisen Show. I get it. And I know they're defending Super Bowl champs, so if it was the Patriots defending.
You know what I'd lead with the Seahawks? I think the bigger story. You know, I understand that. The bigger story, you know. normally would be The quarterback of the defending Super Bowl champs going down five snaps into the game and how.
Healthy is he? And I totally get it. And I just want to sort of talk about that elephant in the room, about. You know, East Coast bias and things like that. And there is more of an anger element of what's going on from the first game of uh.
the title defense season of Seattle in Boston. and the New England area and Patriot Nation, if you will. But let's settle in on the Seahawks a little bit here since they are the defending Super Bowl champs. And dive back into the Wednesday night game a little bit just from that point of view. The good news here.
One and oh, and they're one and oh with their star quarterback, which Sam Darnold is. Having played just five snaps, just five. I mean, when he went down and he limped off, I thought just he'll shake it off and he'll be back out there. And then he strolls into the blue tent, and then he's kind of weird. He's limping off.
Then you're hearing. I texted you guys during the game. I heard he's in a hospital getting a CT scan. And sure enough, that's what it. That rumor was fact?
Um And thankfully It appears based on the X-ray in the stadium and the CT scan last night. Um that that the dreadful nature of hips So we all know, yeah. You know, Bo Jackson once ran, you know, got tackled once, and then he was done. Called it a hip pointer. And said he'd be back.
So, how serious is it? Mike McDonald delivered this information after the game. Sam, we got some great news back. It's uh Let's just say it's good news right now, so it's I know still, you know, our thoughts and prayers with Sam, we love him. At this point, we were able to rule out a fracture.
So there's some more tests to be done. And uh so that's what I'm saying when it's positive.
So um But I know we're still working through all that. But right now, I think fracture is out, which is great news. Yeah, I didn't think we would, and again, this is why you can't make it up in the NFL. And why you can't have too much depth. At any position.
I didn't think we'd be talking about during the first game or after the game or the day after. about Jalen Milro's readiness. But this is what we're talking about, right? Because if Darnold is out for a while, Or if he was out for the year, if this was a fracture. Mm-hmm.
Then What would the Seahawks do with this position? And you already heard Albert Breer in Hour One say they'd have Jimmy Garoppolo on speed dial. But for the moment, you know, the other reporting that's just coming out now, my colleague Our colleagues at Be worldwide leader in sports as it used to be known, Both Schefter and Ian saying they've dodged a bullet, they believe. And Ian even went back uh j started putting a little bit of timeline on it. Should be back sooner rather than later, sources say could be just a few weeks.
with seventeen days from Wednesday until their week three game against the Commanders. You know, that's Darnold getting, according to Ian, a schedule break as well. If you want to pop up the Seahawks schedule just to. linger on this subject matter just for a little bit longer. They're at Arizona and then at Washington next.
And those are two teams that drafted in the top ten. last year and are going to be looking for their footing. One would think early on with Washington starting against Philadelphia and Dallas, that's the Washington home opener. And Arizona starts in just up the road against the Chargers in SoFi on Sunday. This is their home opener.
So Seattle serves as the home openers for both of their next two. Teams October 4th, week four against the Chargers at home. That would be one where you'd think, okay. It would be best if Drew Locke isn't the starter there, although you have to give it up to this guy. I don't know.
He looked pretty good last night. He was efficient.
Well, the first few goes at it, I thought. This thing was a wrap because all the Patriots needed to do was just score a couple more times and then let the defense do the rest. And I didn't see the three interceptions coming, I'll tell you that. No matter how good the Seahawks' defense is. Because that didn't look to be in the ether through the first three quarters of this game.
Although you're reading on socials, all the. All 22 film watchers are saying the Drake Mae film is ugly. Yeah.
So we'll hear more about that as um as the hours unfold. But you got to give it up to Drew Locke, man. He didn't turn it over. That's the key. I mean, obviously, you saw last night one guy.
Finished the game with a three and out to end the third quarter and three interceptions in the fourth quarter. And those are the last four possessions of the Patriots while Cooper Cup's making one-handed grabs, and JSN is running away from the rest of the defense. As Locke was making the throws, that one to JSN on fourth down. Play call, execution, touchdown. See ya.
And they had a callback lookie, had a couple procedure things, delay a game. I think the motion callback on the cup touchdown was probably Drew Locke's fault, but. No turnovers, no big negative plays, efficient making the throws. I think 70% completion percentage, and obviously the huge fourth-down play. I mean, I think if even if Sam Darnold did have to miss half the season, I think they're in good hands.
Well, that's why you have guys like him there. And that's why, you know, Mac Jones isn't going anywhere as long as he's contractually obligated to the 49ers. you know, there, but for the grace of the Aussie football gods go they. this evening. American time.
That's why you look at the Rams strategy of not having a veteran backup quarterback. You kind of scratch your head: like, what if something happens to Matthew Stafford tonight? Unless they're ready, and we don't. They have a front row seat. Again, we don't know.
We're thinking, okay, Drew Locke. You know, good thing he got many of the snaps during the summer, and he got enough during the training camp season to be ready. But he's staying ready. Yeah.
That's the whole phrase, right? You got to stay ready to be ready. And he peeled back the curtain a little bit on that in his post-game presser. My biggest thing is always just drawing every play as much as I can. Um Totally crying.
Say that again? Literally drawing. Literally drawing. Yeah, yeah. Whiteboard.
I've got one next to my bed. Um I'll do it at night, I'll do it in the morning. And that's just kind of been my thing, being able to visualize it so that when I read it out. It's just there in my head. Because of the lack of reps, you don't get to physically do it.
I gotta be able to draw it from somewhere and. No pun intended in. drawing it helps me draw it from somewhere. It's amazing. Susie has a whiteboard next to her side of the bed.
She hits me over the head with it, and I look at it and say, stop snoring.
Okay. Mm-hmm. It's successful just like Drew Locke. It works. All right.
Well, that's pretty cool, right? Like, do you hear that?
Sort of stuff. And then man, that defense is just Yeah. That defense is sick. Ernest Jones doesn't get talked about unless he's cursing about people talking about his quarterback, right? 13 tackles, 8 solo.
Good lord. Leonard Williams in the new contract. He had a sack. Drake Thomas with a sack. Demarcus Lawrence, you know, you look at his stat line, it doesn't jump out at you, but take a look at the.
Interception. that rapped it last night. Drake May looks like he's about to escape, and he jumps out to keep May in the pocket. From where he made a horrible decision. Horrible decision.
I mean, if he honestly, think about it. If he rolls out. All right, it's a chance he could run for it. Or it's much easier decisions just. I'll flip it out of bounds.
Let's go play for overtime. Yep. Instead, he stays in the pocket bad decision, and that doesn't show up on the stat sheet right there. Derek Hall with a sack and a tackle for loss, making up for a horrible 15-yard penalty. I mean, the Seahawks, that's one thing they got to clean up.
I'm sure that is what Mike McDonald is talking about. I mean, they gave the Patriots an extra Possession. on a a roughing the punter. Right? They shoved Drake May out of bounds, the hall way, way out of bounds.
Yep. I mean, stupid penalties you just didn't see from Seattle all last year cropped up last night, but they overcame it all, which is what champions do, man. Which is what champions do. And then, honestly, you look at Locke and the games that, if let's just say it's a six-weaker. Right, let's just give him the six weeks.
And you look at their schedule again at Arizona, at Washington, home for the Chargers. Boy, you would love for him to be. Darnold, back for your San Francisco home date. Here's a fascinating one, a Thursday night visit to Denver. Whereas you know, Drew Locke.
Once plied his craft. That's fun. And got drafted, right, by Denver. Um But you don't want, you don't. I mean, let's get Sam Darnold back.
That's obvious. But you need a court, a backup to get you through the four to six weeks, if need be. That's a wrinkle of the Seattle Seahawks title defense season I didn't see coming. There's three straight prime time games week six through eight. On a Thursday, Sunday, Monday.
So Amazon Prime, NBC, NBC, and um ESPN ABC gets shots at the Seahawks three weeks in a row at Denver, home for Kansas City, home for. Chicago. Those are games you really want Darnold back for. Or he goes five and one, and you got a quarterback controversy. No, you don't.
Get out of here in that. No, you don't. Backup quarterbacks that go five and one. are doing their jobs. Right, right.
Which is why, you know, the whole Cooper Rushdie comment, right? Why wouldn't we do it for Sam Darnold?
Okay. Yeah.
We didn't do it for Dak. Yeah.
Okay, maybe folks in our profession did it for Dad. The sportsman. We here on the Rich Eisen Show did not take that cheese that Jerry Jones left out there by saying, I hope he gives me a big problem. Remember that? Everyone's just like.
Oh, even Jerry's saying it would be a quarterback controversy if Cooper Rush keeps winning. Nobody here did. He did just to stir it up for Overreaction Monday. What I feel is great about the Drew Locke thing is you got a seven-year vet, right? Started 28, I think, games in his career.
But also, if you watched Hard Knocks in season three, Jason Garrett came in and he talked to the quarterback room. And he basically talked to Jalen Miller about what it was like to be a backup quarterback and the things he had to do to make sure he was prepared because he knew he wasn't going to get the reps. And he even talked about drawing out plays.
So to hear Drew say that, I don't know if he was doing that before, but maybe he took. What Garrett said to Hart, and you know, it helped him succeed last night. Dude, and how about Jackson Smith and Jigba? Game on the line. Let's just run away from everybody and come up with 122 yards as we started.
Dude, there were three guys. Nobody was doing anything. Seemingly right there to have the angle on him to tackle him for only like a 10 or 12-yard gain. Boom, right past him. 45-yard dash, eight catches, 11 targets.
Like, that's what you need your big-time players to do. And Cooper Cup, he got fouled on the play where he one had to grab. He was grabbing it with one hand because the defender was grabbing the other. Also, shout out Brian Fleury. First game as OC came out, called a great one.
You have to adjust on the fly, losing your starting Super Bowl winning quarterback. And I thought he was fabulous last night. Yeah, shout out all of them. Shout out the coach who hired him. Shout out the coach who hired him who calls the plays on defense and gets it going.
Shout out the general manager, John Schneider, who just keeps on reloading with guys you've never heard of who just keep making plays in a team. Concept And speaking of chemistry, Cup was in the quarterback's room when Garrett was making that a few different apps for the QB room.
So. He was all over hard knocks, nonstop in the QB room. Eight. Good stuff by the um By the Seattle Seahawks. That's why they're the champs.
Sam Donald, one of two for 13 yards. That's it.
So you have five five snaps and done. But at least they dodged the bullet. It's good to know about that. Let's take a break. We'll talk about Drake May with Alex Smith and set up the rest of the week with one of our favorites from NFL Countdown.
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Alex Smith makes my life brighter. When I look at a Zoom and see him getting set to join us, that's next on The Rich Eisen Show. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Rich Eisen here. Running a small business means every hire matters.
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Your crew just came over to watch. Snacks on the table, drinks in hand, and somebody's celebrating like they just won the whole season and beyond. And when that energy gets going, your walls can end up taking the hit. Whether it's a big spill or a noticeable scuff, that's where Bear Ultra interior paint comes in. It adds an extra durable, stain-blocking finish that helps your walls hold up for the whole season.
It also delivers outstanding coverage and height in fewer coats, with easy application and a smooth, even finish that goes on clean from the first pass. Plus, that easy clean finish helps walls stay looking new longer.
So before the next kickoff, give your space game-ready defense and coverage that goes the distance. Bare Ultra, only at the Home Depot. Rich Eisen here with some advice. If high interest credit card debt is grinding you down, it might be time to call an Audible with a SoFi personal loan. It consolidates your debt into one low monthly payment with no fees required.
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With obviously a lot of physical talents. Alex Smith here on The Rich Eisen Show. Our radio audience just returned. We're on Disney Plus, the ESPN app, ESPN Radio SiriusXM, Alex Smith getting set for another season of NFL Sunday Countdown coming up this Sunday. What would you say to Drake May if you had a few minutes with him?
this day. Yeah, I mean, I'm sure that was not a great night's sleep. I'm sure it wasn't a fun ride home watching that. Those are just you're just replaying those three plays over and over and over in your head. And you got to go in this morning and watch them again, knowing that certainly You had a huge hand in that loss, right?
Like, if you just go take care of business, that's a huge win on the road. I mean, that is a monster defense. I don't care that Darnold was out. You're playing them at their place, that crowd noise to go in there and take care of business and get a win would have just been so big. And two, three costly turnovers.
They're all kind of unexplainable, right? The first one, high red zone, you're taking a shot into double coverage, don't know why. You know, second one, third and long, you force it down the middle. And then the last one, obviously, you have to have overtime in hand and then throw that ball up.
So I'm sure he's kicking himself. He's still such an incredibly young player. I think he's younger than some of the rookies that came out this year at quarterback, right? Like this guy has such a bright future, fresh off of almost an MVP season. And I firmly kind of believe this going into this year, the Patriots are going to be a better football team than they were a year ago.
But they won't have as good a record, right? Like, that's just, I think, obviously, the nature of the schedules, but year two of Josh McDaniels, I think Drake May will learn from this. This is part of playing quarterback, Rich, like situationally, right? They're starting, quarterback goes out, you're in hand of the game. Just kind of go win the ugly game, right?
Like, just go keep checking it down. Even punting, and you win that ball game. Yeah, he just turned 24. Just, I guess, on August 30th.
So you could do the math here on September 10th. And so. I I guess what does this show you and again, I know it's just a snapshot. And it's gonna play Seattle, let's put it this way, in back-to-back games. is going to make most quarterbacks not look their best?
basically right now. But what does this sort of indicate About the difficulty of growing as a quarterback in the NFL and getting better. Alex. Yeah, I mean again, I think from a from a tool set standpoint, when you think about size and speed and arm strength and the ability to process information, right, Drake May has them all. There is this nuance, though, of situational football.
The NFL comes down to so often and in these games, and you have to be able to kind of elevate as a quarterback and take the big picture. And it's like Sam Donald goes out on the fifth play. Our defense is playing outstanding. This all of a sudden does turn into I hate this term, but you got to manage this game, right? Like, you need to kind of babysit this game and not make the mistake.
You were in the driver's seat, and again, I think got a little. Impatient, right, and forced some balls. And then all of a sudden, now you let this defense and this team back in the game. Alex Smith here on the Rich Eisen Show.
So you said moments ago that you think the Patriots will be a better team, but won't have as great a record because obviously you're now a team that has a bit more of an AFC target on your back, if not every single time you go out there. Does that mean you believe the Bills are going to win the AFC East? This year? Oh, I mean, I certainly wouldn't be surprised. I mean, I think they're one of the best teams in football, not just in that division or conference.
I mean, Josh Allen is playing unbelievable, right? This is, I think, the only team in the NFL. I think they've won a playoff game in six or seven consecutive years. Certainly haven't got to the Super Bowl, and then they go make this big drastic change, obviously, at the head coaching position. And so, a lot of eyeballs, certainly on Buffalo and Baltimore.
I think there are two teams that fit in that same bucket: MVP caliber quarterbacks in their prime that decided to make a change at the head coach, despite a ton of success, a ton of regular season success. And so, no, I wouldn't be surprised if the Bills win that division. All right.
But you want to talk about a monster defense, too. They're playing. They're going to the Texans. They're kind of in a similar boat. If there were two defenses I would not want to start the season off against, it would be at Seattle or at Houston.
And that's what Drake May and Josh Allen had in store for him. Nat said Mahomes is home, but he's going to be coming off of a knee injury potentially without his left tackle against the Broncos defense, which sacked a quarterback 68 times last year as well. What's your thoughts on the Monday night week one finale on our family of networks, Alex? Yeah, I mean, Right, huge game. That's not great analysis there, though, right, Rich?
Uh, you know, um, that's why you're on Sunday NFL countdown, Alex. That's why you're on TV, man. Yeah, that's right. That's why they paid me the big bucks. Um, the Broncos are awesome.
Like, you look at their roster, they're so deep across the board, offense and defense. There's playmakers all over the place. You said it, I think they led the NFL in QB hits and pressures and sacks. from a year ago and I I don't look For that to change much. Again, I think a lot of eyeballs certainly on Patrick and his ability to be able to move around, right?
How does the knee look? You know, he does such an unbelievable job getting the ball out on time when teams pressure him, but right, like he also has the signature Patrick plays when he runs around and turns into a superhero. And is that still there? Is it there already? He seems so ahead of schedule in his rehab.
And again, I think we're all going to be watching that. You know, was last year an aberration for the Kansas City Chiefs, right? They'd had so much success. There was kind of a perfect storm of adversity that they went through a year ago, certainly that culminated in Patrick's injury. And can they bounce back from that?
And I think certainly a lot of people expect them to. And we're going to find out. We're going to the barometer week one going against Denver.
So I will be there lucky enough. And so can't wait to see it. I'm sure you will. And you'll be seeing a lot of old friends, a lot of old times right there in Arrowhead.
So, what do you think the offense does look like at the end of the day? We talked about Kelsey in the TV-only segment. We just kind of hit on Mahomes right there. And then you've got yourself Rashi Rice and Xavier Worthy, and now Kenneth Walker with Eric Biennemi back calling.
Some things right here at the OC. What do you think at the end of the day the Chiefs' offense looks like in 2026, Alex? I think a big thing is hopefully they get some run game going. You mentioned Kenneth Walker, right? I think they've really missed in the last couple of years any kind of consistent running game.
And it really made them one-dimensional. And again, that's just hard. It's hard to beat good football teams. Offensively, when you are that, and so again, I hopefully they can get back to some consistent running game that will open up some, you know, obviously, opportunities and matchup in the past game. I look for Rashi Rice to kind of be the straw that stirs this drink, right?
I think he's kind of this unique mix of a body type, right? He's so thick, he can do all the stuff over the middle. You're going to see him do a lot of the things that Travis Kelsey has done traditionally at the receiver position. And then, you know, Andy Reid loves speed, right? He's always going to have a guy that can take the top off and is a deep threat.
And certainly they have that with the fastest guy in the NFL and Xavier Worthy.
So, you know, a mix of explosive plays, right? And again, those are the things that they have been missing. They missed the running game, they missed the explosive plays. And I do think those two things, weirdly enough, are tied together often with play action that comes off the run game. And then again, Trab, I think, still.
Right, I think despite aging, still plays at a very high level, and so he certainly is a problem in a matchup situation in situational football in the red zone.
So, certainly, I think I look for them to be competitive. And again, Ken, what does Patrick look like from a mobility standpoint? But Sounds by all reports I've got. Camp was amazing. He looks really, really good.
So I expect them to be coming out at a high level. All right, Sports Talk Radio question for you, Alex Smith here on the program. You kind of alluded to the fact that Joe Brady and the Bills are in a good spot as Brady takes over from. Sean McDermott, who was there for quite some time, but about half the time in Buffalo, as John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin were at their respective posts in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Which team with a new set of eyes with a first year head coach uh although McCarthy's done it before.
Which team is going to have the best season in the AFC with a chance to go the longest? Alex Smith? And the whole AFC? Of those three, Bills, Steelers. Ravens What do you got for me?
Oh, I like the Ravens.
Okay. Rich. I like the Ravens a lot. You even dip down with your voice right there. Listen.
All right.
I know we got a new offensive coordinator in Baltimore, right? We were turnover, right? The whole regime changed. John Harbaugh's not there anymore. Um but the last two times Rich That that we had a new offensive coordinator in Baltimore.
They had an MVP there, right? Lamar won an MVP. The last two times he got a new offensive coordinator. This guy, this idea that I know they're going to go under center a little bit more, and I think there's some, for some reason, there's speculation of whether or not Lamar can do that. I think that's crazy.
This is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. You look at his stats under center from his career, he's been phenomenal. And I really look for him to pair this now with a great defense, right? This is a defense that has really underachieved the last two years, right? There's first-round picks and playmakers all over the place on the defensive side of the ball.
And so now hopefully that they improve. And again, you combine that with Lamar, who's in his prime. I look for them to be really, really dangerous.
Okay. So on Sunday NFL Countdown, when you are no doubt asked for your Super Bowl 61 prediction, because that's what gets done on shows like that or mine of game day morning on Sundays of week one, and it's not just any Super Bowl, it's the first one ever in the history of ESPN, you're going to be asked this question. Do you have an answer for it? Alex already? What are you going to do?
Rich, luckily, I got a couple days to still stew on this. Come on, Alex. Tune in. Tune in. Okay, I did give you an out to make it a tease as opposed to an actual answer, but it sounds like you like the Ravens more than anybody else in the mix.
No, I mean, I certainly Ravens or Steelers. I'm taking Ravens.
Okay, but I just asked you to throw the Bills in that mix, too, though. I love the Bills, right? And the AFC is so stacked. Um, I think you know, there's so many good football teams, and then I just think there's some intriguing divisions, right, Rich? Like, You tell me that the NFC North, you pick that division first to last in like.
I could try it too, and I think we could all be dead wrong, right? Those four teams are so evenly matched. How's that going to shake out? Um, I, you know, I'm so interested to see they're all really good football teams. I'm intrigued to see Kyler Murray playing for Kevin O'Connell.
How do you think that's going to look? I think it's gonna look really good. I think Kevin O'Connell is one of the best quarterback coaches, offensive minds, in football. I think Kyler Murray is insanely talented, right? Like when he plays, his ceiling is so high.
And if they can even get him Going in that trajectory, combine that with the playmakers they have on the outside, with this defense that Brian Flores continues to bring year in and year out. I think this is a team that can play with anybody.
So can't wait to see that one, right? Year two, Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, right? Like, can they keep it going? You also got the fighting Dan Campbells there, right? Like, again, there's so much good football in that division, and it's so competitive.
It's um, so. Same as NFC West, right? We're going to see that showdown tonight. NFC West is stacked.
So again, there's some amazing divisions that are tough to pick.
Okay. So where do you stand? I mean, we got the Rams and the Niners coming up tonight. And they're going to wake up. in Melbourne.
And then play a game just mere hours later.
So two things. First of all, did you ever play a game Ever. where kickoff was in the morning. Where you were? I mean, I played in London twice.
I also played New Mexico City. But that wasn't in the a.m. Not in the morning, not since college. College, you did? Like a lot of people?
Yeah, college. There's a ton of games where you wake up and play.
Okay. And that's certainly kind of the norm in college. And then you convert. And then, you know, Kansas City, you play the noon kickoff if you're in the central time zone.
So it's pretty quick turnaround in the morning.
Okay. But never from Australia. I bet so. Right. But they're waking up to hear, hey, did you hear Sam Donald's out for potentially a significant amount of time?
So you have to think that that's a moment for both of these teams in this division to say, we've got to get this one, right? We have to get this one, no matter the circumstance, even though it's week one or. Or no. No, yeah. I mean, that's what's crazy about this.
Again, I listen, I'm all for the international play. I love it, right? I think expanding, obviously, the popularity of the NFL, the greatest game there is, but. The fact that this is a division game, that's this amazing rivalry between Northern California and Southern California, right? This is Giants, Dodgers, this is Lakers, Warriors, right?
And this rivalry of Rams Niners is so awesome regionally. And the fact that we're playing this in Australia, I think, is kind of Pretty weird, frankly. With that being said, right, like I think you look at the beginning of the calendar, the three best football teams a year ago were in this division, arguably, right? Again, I think this was Seahawks, Rams, Niners were maybe the three best teams in all of football, and they happen to be in the same division, right? And they all beat up on each other.
And here we are, week one. We're going to get these teams pretty healthy. And there are all pros all over the place, Rich, right? Like on both these rosters, and they're gonna be out there slugging it out in Melbourne.
So, yeah, I mean, again, this is unique in so many ways, but yeah, huge, huge magnitude.
Okay. Before I let you go, Alex. I've got one more second left on the clock. You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to do it, Rich.
Hey, man. This is my school. It's your coach. It's your guy, right? I mean,.
Yep. Okay, you know what I mean? Like, what what is He Kyle Whittingham was supposed to remove the scandal in the controversy, not like it's his fault. But you know, he's got quite a decision going on right now. He's got Oklahoma this week and For all of us Michigan fans who are kind of new to him, I think.
How do you think he's taking in what just happened? and a nineteen year old quarterback who comes with a massive price tag, talk about stuff that wasn't happening when you were in Utah, but who clearly appears to be struggling With pre-snap, post-snap stuff, Alex, who's incredibly talented at the position. What do you think Kyle Whittingham is. how he's going to handle all of this. Best you can tell.
Yeah, no, I mean, I think we saw a little glimpse of that. Certainly post-game, we saw a glimpse of that in his press conference since, right? Like, things are not okay in that locker room and in that facility, right? Like, Kyle is not a guy. Again, I've known him for so long.
This stuff's not going to get swept under the rug here, right? Just because they lucked out with a Hail Mary win. I'm sure things are very, very uncomfortable in that building. You know, certainly defense looked good, but they looked outside of the first drive pretty inept on offense. And again, right, you even heard him.
He came out and right, this is all, no one's jobs written in ink here, right? Like, things can change fast. And it's the University of Michigan, and you better believe they got a stable of talented quarterbacks that can step in there and play. And that's the reality, right? And I think you just stated facts.
Nobody's, right? This is a performance-based business. And if you don't go out there and perform and show improvement and play-winning football, right? Like nobody's job is safe, right? Including his.
And so sometimes I think it's the job to say the uncomfortable thing as a head coach. And I Felt like that was done. Certainly, we'll see if it works, right? If they can make the adjustments, because what wasn't good enough, that's obviously stating the obvious. And again, for a young, talented quarterback, it's hard.
Expectations are so high. Right, I mean, coming out of high school for a young kid to deal with these kinds of expectations is so rare.
So, certainly, hope. That he can progress here, right? And certainly start to try to reach some of his amazing potential.
Well, I mean, we Michigan Wolverine fans are used to paint peelers, you know, Bo. You know, Jim Harbaugh would be, you know, if need be, paint some uh You know, get paint, peel some paint off the walls, but that doesn't appear to be Coach Whittingham here.
So, when you say he's dealing with it behind closed doors, how does he deal with it? Best of your knowledge. What does he do? uh behind closed doors that we might not know. Yeah, I mean, again, I think the recipe always with Coach Wick coming in, right?
Like, was this Michigan defense was going to. You know, be elite, right? Like, Witt is a defensive guy. Every defense he's ever had has always been pretty dominant. And could you pair that with?
A great running game on the offensive side of the ball and an offense that was good situationally, right? And I think you can win a lot of football games that way. You know, Coach Wood has proven that over the course of his career.
So, yeah, I mean, again, I think the pressure is going to get turned up on this offense, right? Was this one bad game? Were there things that. They can see on film that they can correct going forward. I mean, I think that's the biggest thing, right?
Can you learn from this? And continue your development, not just as a quarterback, but as an offense, right? Because it wasn't just him, clearly. This offense didn't get much going in the run game. And that's, you know, certainly obviously looked not very good in the past game as well.
So a lot of room for improvement. And will we see that here week two? All right.
Well, I guess I should have been more direct than. Do you think he's the guy who could basically say, I know the kid comes with a massive NIL price tag, but we're going to sit him? You think he's got that in him? Yes, yeah, yeah, absolutely. Without a doubt.
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Okay. All right, Alex. I didn't mean to turn this into college game day, but you know, I mean, I see the double U behind you. Yeah, there we go. I mean, you know.
That's all I'm hearing about is one second on the clock, this, that, the other thing. I think I got a free cheeseburger in college, Rich. I think that was like the extent of my NIL deal. And I was scared to death when I took it. Is that right?
You don't want to say anything? Yeah.
Man, all right, Alex. Have a great week one on Sunday NFL Countdown. Look for more of my calls and texts, man. I just love chatting with you. I feel like we had our first conversation on TV 21 years ago, man.
Like, that's a fact. Yep. That's a fact. Over half a lifetime ago for me, Rich. I know.
That's how long we go back. The amount of time that we've known each other is now legal to drink, I think.
So thanks for the time, Alex. Have a great weekend, and I hope to chat with you soonest. Love, love always coming on, Rich. The feelings mutual. Thanks, Brad.
Back at you. That's Alex Smith. Check him out on Sunday on ESPN. We'll be coming out of the smoke on NFL Network. It's all on the ESPN app.
Talk about how. Wild things are. And again, I'm just saying. Nonstop. That's all I'm hearing.
Clock this, clock that. One extra second. Michigan didn't deserve it. The. Western Michigan brass that were like, we accept it, have completely flipped saying we do not accept it.
No one else should accept it. And Michigan's just trying to turn a page and figure out how to take on Oklahoma. And then everybody's got an opinion on it, including Coach Witt's best friend Urban Meyer, went on his podcast and just laid into the whole situation, which is why Coach Witt, you need to break up with him. He does not have your best interest in mind. Yeah.
Yeah, that's all I'm saying. He's not going to sit there and cape for you. Mm-hmm. Okay. Friendship.
At the end of the day, man, they might go on vacation together, know each other, they're tight, but when it's Maze and Blue versus the Buckeye Scarlet and Gray.
Somebody's going to take one side, you might as well take the other. Mm-hmm. If I have an extra second. To say something, and I did.
So I took it. It went all the way. Yeah, but flat-footed. Hmm. Flat for this.
Oklahoma's coming to town. There's a lot to fix. Did you see? Neuheisel thinks Michigan's going to win it. Rick said Michigan will win.
You just outright. What are you smoking, bro? Give me something.
Okay. Okay. What are you smoking, bro? Give me something.
That'll be coming up on noon on Saturday. Let's go. Eight, four, yeah, and I'm sure Urban will pregame be very mindful of Coach Witt. Yeah.
844-204-Rich, number to dial on this here program. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Back here on The Rich Eisen Show, 844-204-RICH, number to dial on the program. We'll take a call in a second. Did you know every 36 minutes a child in the United States is diagnosed with cancer?
It's awful. It's just absolutely dreadful. But thankfully, there's Hyundai Hope on Wheels that we're proud to support here because they know that some of the bravest warriors you'll ever meet aren't professional athletes or superheroes. They're the kids in the fight. And for the past twenty eight years, with support from Hyundai, their dealers and every new Hyundai sold, Hope on Wheels has contributed over $300 million to childhood cancer research, helping save more than 40,000 kids.
Join our fight, please, at Hyundai Warriors. Yeah.
Let's go to Kenye in D.C. on the Rich Eisen Show. What's up, sir?
Well, well, well, go bird. Good morning, Shaolin. How you doing, brother? Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.
Wu-Tang clan and yours truly, both proud Staten Islanders. Thank you, sir. That's right, yes. Staten Island rich. That's me.
Shady, what's up, baby? I've been better at your boy. I know it. I know it. Hey, Mike.
What's up, big tune? What's happening, Kenny? Hey, what's happening? Hey, none, man. Look, that game last night was a wonderful start to the season, man.
I loved it. And the football guys did not like the ugly way that AJ left Philly. Karma hit him fast. What a take. And I noticed you didn't say hello to the cowboy fan on the show.
Better JP. I said big tuna. I said big tuna. Big tuna. I don't know who he's talking about.
But hey, hey, that exit from Philly was so class, like, it was so classless.
So, you know, so everything that AJ got last night, he deserved. Wow. The grass is definitely not greener on the other side. It's only Kenya where you water it. Kenya.
That is the thing. He held his camp for kids. Still, knowing he was gone, come on now. He didn't leave classlessly. He did not, as much as I mean, I'm talking about all the side drama and all the interviews.
That was kind of classless, brother.
Okay, can you listen? You got the commanders coming up. This would not be a great way for you to stroll around town there in DC. With a week one loss, can you? Hey, hey.
Well, I'll be in the link watching it live, so we'll see what's going to happen, and I'll be back next week to talk about it. That will be great. Please call back. Wow, that was a. Fun conversation right there.
Can you bring some Yeah. Meh.
So that's a take.
Okay. Oh, actually we got an update on A.J. Brown from Mike Vrabel. Headed. Run tests.
But, you know.
Okay. I don't know if he'll be available going forward here for the next week, but we'll see. You know, I know he'll do everything that he can to get back as quickly as possible. And once we get the reports, then we'll figure out what the treatment plan is. Mm, their only home date in the first month of the season.
In ten days. Yeah, let's see. Let's see. Crazier things have happened. Injuries, coaches don't like talking about them.
It's brutal. Case in point, Clint Kubiak had this to say two hours before Brock Bowers had a meniscus trim. We didn't see Max during the preseason, just a little bit of Brock Bowers. Are both of those guys cleared to play and are they ready to go on Sunday? Yeah, we're expecting to have all our guys ready for Sunday.
Mm-hmm. Hmm. Maybe he got a different report. Maybe he did not. And uh that's now a game or two.
Should I mention what we talked about in our fantasy? But we had a source tell us something else about that. Why not? Like that? Should I mention?
Because he's not saying it to bring it to the people. I mean, he didn't tell us to not tell people.
Well, I mean, he didn't think that it would be on the record.
So when you put it in the record, listen, listen. These things, based on people who have had this procedure before, think it could be two to four weeks. Who knows? Yeah.
And in terms of people returning from injury. In terms of people returning from injury. Yeah.
Coaches don't want to talk about it. before week one because they want to leave the opponent guessing. Right. And Malik Neighbors' return from his knee injury has been cloaked very well by John Harbaugh. And if he's ready to come out of the box like he's Malik Neighbors.
Week one of College. Then The giants have a serious weapon to roll down hell and throw down field. on Sunday night. Against the Cowboys. And I was always wondering how John is going to handle the New York media.
And the New York media's been peppering. They want answers about Malik Neighbor's readiness. They want to know. and John wasn't having any of it. And he's in full game week mode.
Let me just say this right now. We put a stop to all these questions because I'm not going to tell you who's playing in the game. I'm not going to tell you who's starting. I'm not going to tell you what package we have in. I'm not going to tell you what plays we're running.
I'm not going to tell you any of that.
Okay?
So we can make it great. and have a great press conference, or we can make it uncomfortable. But I'm not going to tell you because when you know, the Cowboys know. Or every other team we play knows. And that's not in the competitive interest of our football team.
Does that make sense?
So I think you can respect that. He's right. I mean, guess what's going to happen, John? They're going to keep asking you these questions.
Well, I mean, John knows this too. John knows this too, man. He knows this too. That. The middle name of most New Yorkers is uncomfortable.
And if not, it's called awkward. I mean the media doesn't care. Hey, just win, man. which John, I think, is going to do more often than not. But there you go.
Not even a snap of John Harbaugh regular season football, and that went everywhere saying he's. Snapping at reporters. I think Malik Neighbors is going to play and I think he's going to look great. By the way, yeah, maybe. Kirk Ference coming up in our number three.
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