REShow: Albert Breer - Hour 3 (10-3-2022)

Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. You draft the kid who's got it. You don't bottle it. Unleash the it.

This is the Rich Eisen Show. It'll be a throw from Berrios to Zach Wilson for the touchdown. Double dawg. He missed it. Double dawg. Double dawg.

Unfortunately, we lost the game. Earlier on the show, two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Long. Coming up, senior writer for the MMQB, Albert Breer.

Plus, your phone calls, latest news, and more. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Now at number three of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air getting ready for Monday Night Football. Tonight between the 49ers and the Rams, albeit the Westwood One, Mike for the pregame and halftime of that one. Our chats from last week's show, Matthew Stafford and George Kittle, they'll be my guests tonight on Westwood One. The week five finale.

And Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated joining us at the top of hour number three on the Mercedes-Benz Vans phone line. And let's start with the way that week five began, Albert. With week four, pardon me, it's the week four finale, getting us into week five. Let's start, Albert, to our conversation with the way that week four began. With Tua Tungo-Viloa being hospitalized and then comes home with the team. And now, today, we find out he is out for next week's game against the New York Jets despite, you know, watching MacGruber on the flight home. I can't make heads or tails about all this.

What is the latest on all of this, Albert? Yeah, you know, I think it's a big period of time for the NFL because I think, you know, last week was, I think, a real flash point. You know, when it comes to their handling of concussions.

And I may be wrong about this first, but I tried to pay pretty close attention to it. Can you think of, like, one player yesterday who was evaluated for a head injury who went back into a game? I do believe it was Justin Reid last night, Albert.

I think he was the only one who was evaluated for a concussion and then did return. And I think I know where you're going, but basically anybody who's concussed, that's going to be a wrap for the day. You know, or suspected of it, you know? Yeah, and so here's the root of that. And I think that this is where you might see a sea change in the way these things are handled. This is what they've been discussing the last few days.

This is where, I think, the biggest change in the protocol is going to come. There's a line in the concussion protocol that references gross motor instability. That's what we all witness on the field of the Miami Buffalo game. When he gets slammed to the turf by Matt Milano, his head snaps back, he gets up, and he stumbles.

That's the gross motor instability. So really, to come out of that, there were two things. Number one, you know, I think a lot of people have the wrong idea about what concussion testing is. They can't put a player in a tube and push a button and have it tell them, this is a concussion or this is not a concussion.

It's still very subjective. So, you know, in-game, what they're looking for is symptoms. So I think the first question coming out of all of that was, we all saw what happened on the field. Why wasn't that a symptom? Why wasn't that counted the same way, say, like a guy not knowing what city he's in would be counted as a symptom, right?

So that's number one. And then number two, you know, when you get to the point where you say, okay, it is a symptom, well, it is. It's gross motor instability. And there's a line in the concussion protocol previous to the last few days, anyway, where it said, you know, the team doctor would evaluate gross motor instability and determine whether or not it was the result of a neurological event. And if it wasn't, if they determined it wasn't, they could send it back in the game, which is the loophole that sent Tua back into the game after we all saw what happened, you know, after he took the hit from Bolano.

And so, you know, from that, there are other natural questions. How do you know it wasn't a neurological event that caused it? You know, why is the team doctor taking the lead here when the independent neurologist is taking the lead in so many other areas when it comes to this?

So, you know, I think one thing we know at this point is that loophole is going to be closed. Well, the thing is that the independent neurologist wound up getting fired from this after he was spoken to on Friday, which is after Tua played. So what happened there where the Players Association said, we spoke to the independent neurologist and determined that, A, he didn't understand what his job was, and, B, apparently he was hostile in the conversation according to the PA. What was that about? When I talked to some people with the union, the sense I got was they felt like, and then that hostility I think was reflected here, they felt like he was trying to prove to them that he went through a checklist to put Tua back on the field. And they felt like the doctor in question here was going through this checklist and not really making his first priority the care of the player, which is supposed to be what the situation – that's in there. That's what the team doctor and independent neurologist's first priority is supposed to be, is the care of the player. The union felt like he was going through a checklist in order to get Tua back out on the field.

So that was why that part of it happened. And I think that's why, you know, having seen that now and having examined that now, that's why they're going to take this approach that neurologists have always, that the neurologists have long advocated when it comes to this, which is when in doubt, send them out. So if there is any gross motor instability, instead of trying to determine whether it's the result of the head injury or something else, I guess the way you put it, Rich, is like if it looks like a duck and flacks like a duck, just assume it's a duck.

You know what I mean? So I think that's where they're at with that. And yeah, I think the larger discussion here, of course, is the role that the doctors and independent and team doctors play in all of this, because I think it's become pretty clear over the years just because of the nature of the game and the fact that the contracts are not guaranteed and all of that, how tenuous most players, like 95 percent of players' spots in the league are. Players really in these situations often can't be trusted to take care of themselves. So to what degree is it on the team doctor and the independent neurologist to protect the player when he won't protect himself?

So here's the question I have, Albert. You may not have the answer to it, and I totally get it, but if it sparks a conversation, I did promise the viewers and listeners of this show that I wouldn't just lose this conversation in the aftermath of actual game results and hot seats and things of that nature. So if Tua was deemed, in the players' association mind, to have been let down by the independent neurologist, right, on Sunday, and the loophole that might have been there was driven through by the independent neurologist and the team doctor that let him out on the field, and then we saw what happened on Thursday night, and that there was enough of a question by the players' association to demand an inquiry into all of this stuff, why was Tua allowed to play on Thursday night before the independent neurologist was even interviewed and that this investigation wasn't concluded?

How is that not a rule? How is he let back on the field before they even spoke to the independent neurologist? That's a great question.

I'll be honest with you, Rich, that's an awesome question I hadn't even thought of. The interesting part about it is there's a real nuance in the way they're talking about this, too. The league has maintained that, well, they checked in with Tua every day, right? But he wasn't in the concussion protocol. And if you look at the timeline and the history of these things, it's almost impossible for a player to clear the concussion protocol if he goes in it after a game on Sunday and has to play again on Thursday. It's really, really difficult for a player to get there. So had Tua simply put Tua in the concussion protocol after the game on Sunday, and the reason they didn't do that, I think a lot of people would say, is because they were covering their own ass, because they didn't want it to look like he had a concussion when they cleared him to go back in the game.

But if he had been in the concussion protocol, it would have been very, very difficult for him to jump through all the hoops to play on Thursday, which ultimately may have saved him from, I think, what we all think was a horrifying situation in the second quarter of that game. So there are a ton of questions here. And if there's any silver lining, it's that we're asking these questions, right?

Because hopefully that helps us get the better answers. Albert Breyer of Sports Illustrated here on the Rich Eisen Show. Is it Kenny Pickett's gig now in Pittsburgh? What do you think? I think so. Mike Tomlin's so aware of everything that goes into all of these things. I think there were points against Pittsburgh when Pittsburgh was playing New England. There were points when Pittsburgh was playing Cleveland when I think we were all thinking it, right? Like when we were all thinking, okay, is that point coming where he's going to pull Mitch out of there, and he's going to put Kenny Pickett in? And I think one of the reasons that Mike Tomlin didn't was because I think he knew once he pulled that lever, it was going to be really, really difficult to go back. You know, once you go to the rookie quarterback, it's like you almost never go back. And we've seen in the past what's happened when teams have tried to go back.

Like how much did it mess with Tua Tungabalola's development, the yo-yoing, you know, a couple of years ago when Brian Flores did that with him? So I think Tomlin's very aware that when you pull that lever, it's going to be difficult to go back. And I think that's why he was patient through the first three weeks, even as his offense struggled. And I do think a big part of this, Rich, is selling this to your locker room.

That's another thing that I know Mike's very cognizant of. As well as Kenny played in the preseason games, Pickett's got kind of a reputation for a guy who doesn't blow it up in practice, doesn't look great in practice, you know? And so I think over the course of training camp and through the preseason, while Kenny Pickett played really well in the games, Trubisky was the better player in practice. And so I think it was sort of going to be a process to get to the point where the locker room will be fully behind Kenny Pickett as the best option for the team.

And now it feels like they're probably there. And again, I can't imagine you go back to Mitch at this point. One of the main reasons why is the minute you put Mitch back in, he's on notice right away.

You know what I mean? As long as he's in the lineup now, you're playing that game for the rest of the year. So I'd imagine it's going to be Kenny Pickett's show. And if the Steelers are lucky, if it is Pickett's show, he plays as well as Cooper Rush is playing in Dallas. The owner said, I invite you, Cooper Rush, to create a quarterback controversy.

Has he done so, in your estimation? Well, Jerry Jones, as both you and I know, Jerry Jones says lots of things. I mean, Dak's going back in. I think Cooper Rush has done a fantastic job. Cooper Rush has basically maybe earned a Josh McCallum career for himself. Cooper Rush has probably earned himself 10 more years in the league and maybe $30 or $40 million, which is awesome.

And God bless America, he's probably not going to take very many hits and he's going to be a very wealthy man when he walks away from the NFL a long time from now. But yeah, they've invested so much in Dak. I think a lot of the first month of the season for them, and I give Mike McCarthy a lot of credit.

People haven't given him credit, but you've got to give him credit for this. To be able to manage some of the health issues they've had on offense where they lost Tyron Smith and they had to get a rookie ready to play at left tackle. They were without Michael Gallup and James Washington to start the year and all these different things. They really just had to find a way to tread water on offense. And I think sort of remake the team where the defense is going to win games for them.

And I think effectively through the first month of the season they've been able to do it, which I think Mike McCarthy deserves great credit for. Cooper Rush obviously deserves credit too, but this is Dak Prescott's team. Dak's going to do a starter when he's ready to go. Is he ready to go this week, do you think? I think he probably will be, but so much of that comes down to his grip and feel and all that stuff. A lot of injuries are a pain tolerance thing, Rich.

I think this is more a functionality thing. It's getting him out there and seeing what he looks like, gripping the ball, throwing the ball, can he function? The good news is though, if you think about it, they don't have to rush anything now. Because Cooper Rush has shown he can do the job. So if they feel like any, this is where it does make a difference, if they feel like they have any sort of doubt that Dak's ready to go out and function as a starting quarterback, Rush certainly gives them a really good option to be patient and take their time. Albert Breer here on the Rich Eisen Show. Is Baker Mayfield at a crossroads right now?

What's Sam Darnold's readiness? Matt Rule was asked about the college coaching job opportunities today. It seems like Carolina's first up on a hot seat crossroads situation this year.

Sure. Yeah, I think there's a lot of things to watch in Carolina. And the awkward part about it, Rich, is the timelines don't really match up with college and pros anymore. Where, you know, like if you look at like when USC and LSU hired Brian Kelly and Lincoln Riley away last year, then Notre Dame and Oklahoma replaced those guys.

I believe that was like the end of November, beginning of December. And, you know, the gap, because the college hiring cycle has moved up and the NFL season has moved back a week now with the 18th week and my 17th game. You know, if you're a coach in the position, Matt Rule is, where you're on the hot seat from an NFL perspective and you're going to be a hot commodity from a college perspective, those timelines don't really match up. So, you know, where this could get really, really awkward and weird is if the Panthers don't turn it around. And I'm not saying they aren't going to turn it around, but if the Panthers don't turn it around and you get to Thanksgiving and the Panthers are completely out of the race.

And now Nebraska and Colorado and Arizona State, Wisconsin want to talk to Matt Rule. That's where I think this thing could get really awkward. If the Panthers win, maybe it won't be. If the Panthers pull the plug early, it wouldn't be obviously, but this could get awfully awkward. And, you know, for Baker, obviously there's a lot on the line now. You know, because eventually there will come the point when Sam Darnold is ready to get back out there. And, you know, I don't know how much trust there is in Sam Darnold and that building after what happened last year, but we've all seen this in the past where desperate times can call for desperate measures where, you know, coaches, staff are willing to just throw stuff against the wall to try to see what works. Where's the next benching for quarterbacks? I'm looking around and I'm wondering, could Washington be one of them? I'm wondering, you know, is there a hot seat for Rivera in Washington, heaven forbid? I love that guy, but right now, I mean, Tennessee is now coming to town.

There's a Thursday night short week game at Chicago. That reeks of, you know, the Bears running Wentz into the ground as well. It just doesn't seem to be working right now in Washington. What do you think? I mean, I would say the arrow is pointing in the wrong direction right now. And, you know, the quarterback ratings steadily gone down week to week. You know, I think even like the coaches, you know, publicly saying a lot of the sacks are on Carson, you know, when you start to see it, when you start to hear the coaches talking that way, you know, it is very literally a kick in the ass. You know what I mean?

You need to do a better job. And so, you know, I just hate to use the word broken, Rich, but I mean, he had a pretty good situation in Indianapolis last year where the coach really wanted to make it work with him. And the Colts had all kinds of motivation to try to see what they could do to make it work with Carson Wentz. And he was playing with the NFL rushing champion behind him.

So there wasn't a world on his shoulders and it still collapsed down the stretch. And, you know, now I think, you know, you're seeing like Ron Rivera really, really wanted to put his trust in the guy. I, you know, I just, it's hard for me to see right now where he finishes the season as a starter, especially because they've got a kid behind him and Sam Howell who they actually really like. And, you know, if the staff does make it to 2023 and because of all that Ron's been forced to put up with as the head coach of that organization, I would hope that they would give him that amount of rope where, you know, he gets one more year to show that he can turn it around. I would think that maybe they'd want to see what they have in Sam Howell before they make a decision on what to do a quarterback in 2023.

Yeah, I know. How about that, Albert Breer? Last one for you, Albert, before I send you on into the day. Is there going to be an investigation into Detroit for providing a cart so somebody can go to the bathroom?

Is there going to be an investigation? I've needed a cart at points in the past. Wouldn't that be nice? Do you have like a golf cart to get you to the bathroom at the Isaac compound?

No, we don't have that. In all honesty, though, Albert, that was just a trick I'm playing on you because this has been such a lopsided conversation. This is a great segment. And I know you're used to calling fake punts up 40. So that was just a trick.

That was just a trick for you. Great job, man. Way to pull out that fake pun on Rutgers up 40, Albert. Way to go, man.

Way to go. We've got competitive kids who can get caught up in the moment. Even our punter is super competitive. I know Ryan talked with the kid afterwards.

There were no hard feelings. But just a pretty competitive team getting after it. You know what I mean? You only get 12 of those in the fall. Well, we might get 15 this year. We'll see what happens. Actually, I missed it because I was watching the main game on Fox and I didn't see it.

So I missed that. How many games have you guys had under the lights on ABC? Any of those? I don't know. Maybe at some point.

I don't know. But don't worry. Ohio State will get on Fox when you play us. Don't worry. We'll save the space for you in November.

Check the TV ratings over the years. I think you'll see who the real thing is. It's going to be great. November is just going to be dynamite. Either way, one of us is going to go down. One of us is going to be miserable at the end of November. And neither of you will win the national championship. So what are we talking about? My better half is an SEC person. Look at him.

All of a sudden, Syracuse is 5-0. He's Dino Babers' favorite kid now over there. I promise I'll come visit the studio when I'm in Inglewood in January. Fantastic! I have tickets for sale!

He's got tickets for January 9th. It'll be great. Albert, thanks for the time. Greatly appreciate it. You be well, brother. Thanks, guys. Have a great week.

I follow Albert Brier on Twitter. You should as well. You should as well. All right. I've got a couple of things I want to say about the tour story. Let's take a break. Overreaction Monday as well when we come back. And remember your phone calls at 844-204-RICH.

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Unlock your potential inside a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Tua Tunga Vailoa is out for this week's game against the Jets. Six days in advance they make that announcement. And four days after he scared the ever-loving Daylights out of anybody that was in Cincinnati and anybody who was streaming that game and watching it on Prime Video. And the question I still have is why was he allowed to play in that game? Because call me naive. Call me naive. I wanted to take the Dolphins and to his word for it that it was a back injury that caused him to stumble all over the turf on Sunday against the Bills and then come back in that game.

And I believe again that when he was shaking his head and holding his head that looked like a concussion to me. And taking that stance calls essentially the Dolphins liars. And I honestly thought, again call me naive. Call me naive.

Naive? I thought that Tua starting in that game meant that the independent investigation that the Players Association demanded and opened up as to how he wound up back on the field on Sunday had been wrapped up. Because why else would he be allowed to play in that game Thursday night if they didn't get the answers that they needed to make sure outside of again Dr. Alan Sills, the Chief Medical Officer of the NFL, saying that he was in fact looked at every single day that week and there were no signs of a concussion. But we find out over the weekend that the independent neurologist who along with the Miami Dolphins team doctor were the ones who said yeah Tua that's a back injury you can go back on the field. The Players Association interviewed that individual Friday and announced on Saturday that they fired him.

As is their right to fire an independent neurologist. And I'm thinking to myself how the hell was Tua allowed to play on Thursday night if that investigation was still open? And then we find out subsequently that investigation wound up with the Players Association feeling so dissatisfied with the independent neurologist answer they told him you're fired. So does that mean that Tua did have a concussion on Sunday? It is entirely possible again that Tua did not have a concussion on Sunday. It was a back injury all along and then on Thursday night he suffered a dreadful concussion. Is it possible that he had a concussion on Sunday, said it was his back, that's how he got back in the game?

Yeah. Is it possible that he said on Sunday it's my back he still had a concussion too and that's how he wound up back in the game because they're like yeah okay it's your back we get it. And he passed whatever baseline tests that you do on the spot. Because the baseline tests aren't as Albert Breuer said moments ago they're not sticking them in a tube.

You got to do this fast because the game's ticking clock's ticking. I just don't understand how if there was an investigation demanded and opened it wasn't completed in time for Thursday? They're like we'll just send him out there. Well how do you send him out there if the investigation is still open? What if the investigation finds out yeah he did have a concussion Sunday? So that's my opinion as well and I know we're talking about gross motor functions and gross motor inabilities and things of that nature and how that's a loophole and that needs to be closed. How about this if the player's association demands an investigation as to whether somebody was concussed or the concussion protocol was not followed then that player is officially out until the investigation is complete. How about that?

Isn't that simple? Seems like it. Well I mean you could say well that means investigations won't be opened. Well yeah they should if we're talking about this sort of seriousness. Again I was just gobsmacked when I found out they investigate they spoke to the independent neurologist as Tua was home. After getting concussed so bad the fencing response was had his hands in a way I've never seen before. I know they go up I've never seen his fingers like anybody's fingers like that so they'd still not talk to that neurologist yet?

And then the answers are so unsatisfactory they fired him. That one I don't get. And one last thing if fans who are outraged about this and I think that's most fans don't be outraged when your player is out of the game. Your team's chances of winning get lessened because the new concussion protocol means if you're stumbling around you're out. That's it. Oh game over.

That's it. Don't get upset about that because that day is coming. And I think at that day's coming starting Thursday week five these new rules are going to be put in place.

So like I said I think there should be a new rule a an investigations open player involved whose concussion is being investigated and the protocol surrounding it is being investigated. That guy's out until that report is in and seen by everybody and to everyone's satisfaction the case is closed. 844-204-rich number to dial. Jeff in Detroit's been waiting two plus hours. What's up Jeff? What's going on? First of all I'd like to tell Roku thank you because I was under the assumption that I had to do a lot to get on.

Dude I just put the app on my phone and you can continue as a guest so it was really really easy for me to get on and get in contact with the show dude. It was really really nice. Fantastic. So to the matter at hand my Detroit Lions you know I'm to the point now that the Detroit Lions are kind of like a 69 Yinko Camaro and it has the 427 motor in it. And you're wondering how you pull up next to a Malibu and a Malibu beat you and all of these other cars that you know that you're faster than continuously beat you. That's just how I feel. I honestly feel that way. Well you're going to be taking on a zappy jalopy next week potentially or a hoyer jalopy right or what would you say a zappy car or some sort of zappy car? I have a question for you too.

I shouldn't say the word jalopy but compared to the Detroit offense. Right. Right? Yes. I have a question for you. I also had a discussion with my friends about how much emphasis should be placed on a kicker. And I got to thinking outside of a quarterback there is nobody that can win you or lose you.

One singular person that is more important to a game than a kicker. Think about last year's playoffs. How many teams got kicked out of the playoffs literally or kicked into the playoffs? I mean just yesterday.

How many kickers won a game for their teams? Oh I'm with you. I'm with you.

I'm with you and thanks for the call Jeff in Detroit. To answer his question is there a player that can win you or lose you a game in a drop of a hat? I've got two words for you. Or Aldis Chapman. Or Craig Kimbrell for those out here in Los Angeles. That's a four letter word to a lot of the Dodger fans right now.

Him with his arm up there. They're like take that perch somewhere else pal. It worked in 2018 that's all. That's all it cares and matters to you. Alright it's a Monday. Chris Brockman has the floor for over Reaction Monday. Hit it. That was terrible. That was crap.

That was garbage. This place sucks. Over Reaction Mondays Monday. Christopher. Hey guys.

What's happening? TJ congrats. Your team is good again. And Cooper Rush should be the starter until he plays poorly in a loss. TJ you want to handle that one? Hey you know at this point brother Brockman I'm for best man up. And if Cooper Rush is the best man for the job then keep the job.

I don't believe he is better than Dak. I just want to win football games. I don't care who's out there doing it. I will say this. I will say this. Don't rush it. Don't rush. And by that I mean don't rush Dak. What's the rush?

Yeah what is the rush? He's 3-0. I would play him here in Los Angeles. Oh Cooper Rush should 1000% start this game.

Because the last thing I want to do. Look it up. How many hands has Aaron Donald's helmet caused to blow up in his career? Drew Brees will raise his throwing hand on that one. I don't know if that's a quantifiable.

I don't know if you can look it up. But I would take Dak's hand and keep it as far away from Aaron Donald's helmet as possible. Because Aaron Donald's helmet has created so much havoc. And I don't mean like a Bengals practice havoc. I mean follow through.

Because he's right in the quarterback's face all the time. Don't rush it. So I'll call that an overreaction but for the moment I'll say what's the big deal?

Keep going. Certainly this week against the Rams. Yeah I mean wait till he loses. Gallop's back.

He's throwing in Gallop. Hey man. Like I said it's a great situation to be in.

Shultz is back. Great problem to have. What's next?

Staying in that NFC East I think they're going to get three playoff teams. Yeah man. Aye. Aye.

The G-men. I will say that's an overreaction right now. There's only two losses on the board there. I know. You got four in three and one in three and one. How about them apples? Yeah man. Three playoff teams.

I'll just say it's an overreaction. Run down the other divisions. Where are the playoff teams coming from? I think there's one going to come from the north. Another one from the north. Another one from the west. And then one from the east.

I think one, one and one. I don't think the north or the west is going to get shut out. Certainly if the Vikings are going to get like the Lions handing them again one week and then the football gods double doinking in London. You know, I mean, they're three and one.

They keep on, hey man, they keep on keeping on and they got the Bears in their house next. So, I'll say that's an overreaction for the moment. Three and three from one division is a tough, is a tall order, Nordberg. It's funny that we heard from Matt Ruhle earlier because I had written this while my email was sent 13 hours ago. Baker Mayfield won't finish the year as the Panthers starting quarterback. I think that sounds like an overreaction, but if Darnold comes back healthy and Baker is struggling like this and Ruhle has got to try something, push some button, do something, right? Or does he pull like a Bobby Petrino and start pig suing for Nebraska right around like week 10? He's just showing up with ears of corn.

Yeah, right? He's un-busting with the boys talking to Compton, right? As in his entry interview, right? Is Will the final line of defense there for who gets the job there?

It certainly doesn't look like year 10 is happening. Alright, here's one and this is mainly just for me maybe, but I think we all owe Geno and the Seahawks a big apology. Oh yeah, man. Oh yeah. Number five on my list of the most surprising aspects of the season through one of the top five surprises of the 2022 season? Oh yeah. Maybe it's just me because I said they would be first on the clock in April. That didn't happen?

Yeah, he pounded that team. That's not happening. They're pretty good. They play fun games. Hey, man. By the way, you know what's next for them?

Hey, man. They scored 48 yesterday. Seattle is just like, we'll just go anywhere.

We'll play anybody at any time. They're in New Orleans next week. They're going to win that game. How do you say they can't? Because Geno is completing 77% of his passes and New Orleans, I'm sure, has got a cart in case DK's got to go. You know, I can't get enough of that. I mean, DK has 150 yards receiving and a cart.

Hey, now. What's wrong with that? Tom was of the essence, Rich. He didn't have time to do that shuffle. That clutch walk wouldn't have made it.

Wouldn't have made it. He needed the cart. He confirmed it. He confirmed it. All right, Lamar, you need to confirm it next. Come on. They're taking carts to go potty?

Tom is of the essence. He didn't have time to wait. Get him in there and get him back out there. And they're not dropping footballs. They're not dropping games. They're dropping Wolf Bay.

Kids at the pool. That's it. That's the only thing they're dropping right now. Oh, my goodness. What is happening? By the way, Rich, you see him at Bill Belichick looking over Brockman's shoulder right now. Tell him to do his job. What else you got? Make sure his job is done.

What else you got? Despite his three picks, by the way, no pass of Kenny Pickett's hit the ground. He was seven of ten.

Seven to his team, three to the other team. The Steelers are Kenny Pickett's team now. I think you got to see.

Deontay Johnson said after the game, obviously, we're in a rebuilding year and we're going to move forward with Kenny Pickett. What are you going to do? Go back to Chubisky?

Got to. He sounds like, again, he's a hostage right now at Chubisky. And Tomlin says he wants volunteers. Speaking of hostages, Chris. So is now Pickett walk into Chubisky and go, look at me?

Yeah. I'm the captain now? I'm the captain. Look, Tomlin could easily reinsert Chubisky and say, I'm Mike Tomlin.

This is my ship. Tomlin's the ultimate captain. I thought we needed a spark. And we're putting Chubisky back in. And Mitch, despite him, which is why Chubisky didn't just go all full ham after the game yesterday. Chubisky's also a captain. I understand that. So he could easily get handed the reins back to this team and then Steeler fans were howling like they're yelling at Coach Dale.

And Coach is like, I got my guys on the floor. But I think it is time for Pickett. Let's see what you got.

What else you got? I don't think you should be fired. I mean, I'm not.

I mean, I do like calling for people's jobs, but not not this particular one. But Jim Harbaugh, John Harbaugh, excuse me, did cost the Ravens a win. No, he didn't. No, he didn't. No, he didn't. No, he didn't. No, he didn't. Well, they lost. I know they did.

But it's a team effort. And he tried, man. The play worked. The play worked.

The play worked initially. Guys wide open. Lamar just had a guy in his face.

Didn't see him. And then Lamar made the mistake of thinking, I got to get points out of this because it's fourth down. Instead, you just throw it out of the back of the end zone and then let your defense do the work. So there were just tons of mistakes. And you could say he shouldn't have run that risk. Just get the three points and try and win the game. Again, we're still lionizing Brian DeBolt to this moment.

That two point conversion that he went for in Tennessee that hit is part of the reason why the Giants are three and one and feeling great about themselves right now. Layoff team. Come on. What else you got over there? You got one more?

I have two more, actually. The best team in football played last night on Sunday Night Football, guys. The Chiefs are the best team in the NFL right now. They certainly looked like it, but you got to go. I got to take the Eagles over them right now, don't you?

Really? I don't know. You put them above them in the power rankings?

No, the Eagles are kind of beaten up on. How about this? Let's put a pin in that two weeks from now. Buffalo's at Kansas City. Let's see what's what. Okay. Buffalo at Kansas City?

Buffalo at Kansas City. That's a spot where they can't win. Right. Or haven't been able to in a while. They're going to play a full game, 60 minutes, not 59. Don't do that. 47 seconds. Don't do that.

What else you got? Last one. This is mostly just for you because, you know, you're down with the Raiders still. Someone with one win through four weeks is going to make the playoffs. I agree with you. Absolutely.

I think that is not an overreaction. This league is nuts. All right, so here are your one win teams. Raiders. Patriots made the playoffs last year. They have won. Steelers made the playoffs last year. They have won.

Colts. Raiders have one win. The commanders have one win. The Lions have one win.

They're a fun team. Panthers and Saints have one win. And as of right now, the 49ers have one win. The 49ers have one win.

I'll still say okay, although that list is, I'd pass on that menu right now. But you never know. Your main guys are, you know, Niners, Raiders. What a terrible loss by the Colts. What a brutal one at home.

You know, Tennessee is now dug out of the hole as well, just like Cincinnati. But I'll say for the moment, that's not an overreaction. Just because I'm just going to lean on the side of this league is nuts. This league is nuts.

All right. Another wacky Sunday. Another overreaction Monday right here on the show. Let's take a break. Let's take phone calls. And there's a phone call TJ had been trying to avoid taking, but we'll have to, unfortunately, take it before we depart.

Don't move. This should be fun. Certainly, since my team's in the playoffs and at home already. Yeah, my team's also.

You can listen to the NFL and the NFL app on the Odyssey app on Westwood1Sports.com via Westwood 1 Station streams or by asking Alexa to open Westwood 1 Sports, sponsored by AutoZone. Pickleball injury. I have a pickleball injury and I fought through it this entire time. My right arm from from from my elbow down to my wrist is very sore. You and Tom Brady.

Very sore guys. Yeah. And my nickname on the pickleball court is, in fact, La Cucaracha. Fact. Look it up. So, where am I going? So, Josh.

Josh Norman goes and runs with the Bulls and he gets El Santador. Yes. Pickleball.

He gets the cockroach. Because I'm everywhere. I'm everywhere. You can't kill me off.

You cannot kill me off. Yeah, that makes sense. That's like Roku. We're everywhere. We're everywhere. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We're everywhere.

We're like, what a burger. What is happening? Hey. TJ, I tried to avoid this. I mean, look, I knew this was coming. Al and Atlanta, you're on The Rich Guys' show.

I knew this was coming. What's up, Al? Al, my man. Good morning, gentlemen.

Hey. Al. Why are you so happy, Al?

Why are you so happy? Oh, I was planning on coming in hot, singing my remix to Meet the Mets, making jokes about elves losing their cookies. And then I was watching the game, and the Mets took an early lead. So I started to really ponder. And then I think, oh, man, I might have to be a Met for a day. But then I also realized, no, I'm not worried.

This is just normal. This is what the Braves do. This is not what you do, Al. Well, just actually make Mets life's fans miserable and flip the script at the very end of a very long, successful season. They just win the World Series last year. But didn't Chipper Jones name his kid Shay because he was so terrific there? Yeah, well, Chipper ain't playing. OK, well, there's a lot of other guys playing. So, Al, do you have to do something for Al now?

Because the Braves won the season series against the Mets. Well, I mean, I technically don't. What do you mean? You never agreed to anything? I agreed to something, but I am no longer involved in the forum that would allow me to pay off the bet. Oh. Sorry. He's been suspended on Twitter.

Sorry. It's on Twitter. Yeah. So what else can we come up with? Instagram.

Instagram. We can't change a bet now. I mean, you didn't think you were going to get yourself banned. You just did that on purpose now. Wow.

Did you get banned on purpose? So we wouldn't have to change an avatar for 24 hours? Yeah. Why do you change your Instagram avatar for 24 hours? Well, because Instagram wasn't the bet.

The bet was Twitter. Wow. I think you should have to do that. Wow.

I would have done it too. That's messed up. That's out of my hands. You've got to talk to the powers that be.

What'd you say, Al? I've started the movement to free two jiggies. I'll be back on Twitter hopefully soon, and you'll have to pay up. Oh, I'll pay up for sure, but I don't think I'm ever going back. I think I need to get this account unsuspended just so you could pay off this bet to Alan Atlanta. And then get it back suspended the next day.

Give him a 24-hour brief. Al, my apologies. I 100% will get suspended again, so that's why I'm not going back. Sorry. But Al, hey, man, you guys did your thing. I don't feel as though... Look, you guys are the defending champions. You're a great team.

It is for this. That's not what you were saying back in the summer. Yeah, I said I think we could win this World Series. Yeah, there was the trumpets.

We're the trumpets. Why are you talking like our season's over? We have a better record than the Yankees, and we're in the playoffs. Well, the Yankees are already in the second round.

You can enjoy the San Diego Tigers. That's fine. And also, I never gave up on my team all year like you did.

I didn't give up on the team. Not even once. Not even once. You know how microphones work, right?

The things you say get recorded. Al, I'm sorry that you won the bet, and Twitter has decided to treat TJ like he's an insurrectionist, and he can't pay his bet now, so I apologize for that. But shout out to Al. You won the bet. He gave you the props.

The Braves beat us 10 to 9 in the season series. I know. You won the bet.

But this is out of my hands. Al, thanks for the call. Thanks for the call. There's Al in Atlanta. You're the man, Al. Oh, wow.

This is crazy. He owes you $5 from a bet in the draft, TJ. I think it's actually $20. $20. He owes you $20. He still hasn't paid you the $20. Never will.

And now you're telling Al in Atlanta, I can't change my avatar to a Braves logo for $24 because I don't have an avatar anymore because Twitter's treating me like an insurrectionist. You know what it is, right? Good lord. You know what it is. Yeah. The zone got upset that you're starting taking videos off the television screen. It's more than that, man. You're ripping video.

They're trying to keep the black man down is what it is. Well, then we need to change this. That's my stand this week. Let's get them all now while we got the muscle.

I don't know how that fits in this category or this conversation. We're going to get you the Twitter back. We're going to get them now.

Still suspended. I'm on at 2jiggy right now. Jason in Miami. Let's sneak in his call. Jason, I got about 20 seconds, 30 seconds for you. What's up, sir? What's up, guys? How you guys doing? I've been about a year since I called you.

So I got to talk fast. I really will come for TJ. Rich, I know you just won, and I'm happy for you, but I have a dilemma. How can I get the Steelers to lose but keep Mike Tomlin's record above 500?

I'm struggling with that. That's a tough one since they're kind of attached at the hip, Jason. Yeah, you can't do that, Jason. Hey, do us a favor. Call back tomorrow, Jason. I'm sorry to take your call so quickly towards the end of the show, but I just want to make sure I give everyone their money's worth. Bye-bye. I'm on Westwood One tonight in the host chair, pregame halftime, Niners and Rams. Tomorrow's show, RG3 will be joining us.

Hey, Bob Griffith. Oh, boy. His Twitter feed en fuego. Oh, my God.

And so RG3 is part of the ESPN coverage of the game tonight. I want to thank- Except for him on Twitter? I missed it.

Oh, yeah. Don't worry. We'll keep you up to speed. What do you got tonight?

Thanks to Chris Long and Albert Brie. I have the Rams tonight. I have the Rams tonight. We'll talk about it tomorrow, and we're back on the Roku channel in a moment. Ross Matthews talks to celebrities, friends, and people with interesting stories to tell.

Who's saying, hello, Ross, this week, Chelsea Handler. I'm not home enough to have a third dog. My housekeeper basically is their parent. I am not going to get another dog so that she has to take care of another dog until one of these dogs exits. It's a good move. I have three rescue dogs and only two hands, and when you're one person that's too hard to do.

I recommend two max. Okay? Use your foot, Ross. Hello, Ross. I'm Chris Long, and I'll see you next time, or wherever you listen.