Kurt Warner: Still Have Questions About The Ravens

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LinkedIn, the place to be, to be. This is the Rich Eisen Show. I'm here.

I'm here. Live from Kansas City, it's the Rich Eisen Show. Touchdown, Kansas City rookie Xavier Worthy. This is probably the worst game we're going to play all year, so this is the best that they got.

I mean, good luck in the postseason. The Rich Eisen Show. Earlier on the show, Jets running back, Breeze Hall. Coming up, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Kurt Warner.

Royal shortstop, Bobby Witt Jr. Plus, your phone calls, latest news, and more. And now, it's Rich Eisen. That's right, we're back here on the Rich Eisen Show kickoff special. Live from Kansas City at the Total Wireless Studio, Kurt Warner is making his way to our studio right now. Fresh off of calling last night's season kickoff.

An arrow ahead on Westwood One with Kevin Harlan. And then after him, our final guest of the week. It's kind of only fitting that the most famous and popular Kansas City and not named Mahomes will be coming here. Bobby Witt Jr. The number of people that I've run into in this town who adore this guy, I have lost track.

Dude, my son loves him. He's not even on our favorite teams. He is one of the best in baseball, and he is just living his best life here. For the Royals to take on the Twins tonight, they are one half game separated in the wild card standings. So it looks like we're going to see some playoff baseball out of Bobby Witt Jr. for sure. The only question is who does he visit? Will it be the Guardians, or will it be the Astros, or will it be the Yankees or the Orioles?

I mean, there's a lot going on in the American League. Penn and Chase right now as the football season has begun. 844-204 Rich is the number to dial here on the program. Let's go to Derek in Missouri, one of our regulars. We're in your state, sir. How are you, Derek? Hey, Rich. How are you doing, sir? How are you guys doing in Kansas City? What's going on, brother? What's up, Derek? Loving it.

That's good to know. I was going to say, I got kicked out of that video. You did it hard when you guys just stood at the stadium. I was going to say it was like Kurt was a big kid sitting in the backseat waiting to get to the stadium and say, Are we there yet?

Are we there yet? Well, I know I was basically going to tell you, don't make me turn this car around. You know, I almost did that, but we had to get to the game. You know what I mean, Derek? It's like, if you have to behave, we'll get you some ice cream after the game with Kurt, okay? It's like, all right.

What's on your mind? Well, Rich, I was going to say, last night was, if there was any indication that Kansas City is on their track for the three-peat, it's a pretty good start for them last night. Plus, I don't know what it is every time they go to Kansas City where we have a game played in Arrowhead, but it's always a matter of inches to somebody's foot. Like it's, you know, Kadarius Toney stepping offside last year, or last night, if Isaiah likely only had half a foot, his foot would have been inbounds. And if Xavier worthy is going to be any indication of a headache for defenses to come this season, people better watch out for him.

Well, and thanks to the call, Derek, and we're loving being in your state, and obviously in this town, Hollywood Brown, as we mentioned at the top of the show, he didn't even play. So they weren't even full strength on offense last night. They weren't even full strength on offense last night. And so we can only assume that Brown and the way that he will be utilized will become more of a problem for a defense that has to figure out if worthy is coming to this spot, coming out of that place, he's lining up here. And then there's Kelsey, and then there's Rice, and then there's Brown, and then there's Pacheco, and then there's a whole bunch of players that they can use to beat you that you're sitting there on a waiver wire and you don't have no idea if that guy's going to be a good fantasy player for you or not, but for the real Chiefs, they can be. And again, if you're just joining us, that was my main takeaway from last night's game for the Chiefs is they can absolutely three-peat, 100% three-peat.

Tonight you've got the game in Brethiel between the Eagles and the Packers, the NFC champions from two years ago who fell completely apart last year. We'll see Saquon Barkley for the first time. Is he, along with Kellen Moore, the new offensive coordinator, the fixed whatever, ailed them on offense last year? And will the coach let Kellen Moore do what he wants to do? And hopefully he and Jalen Hurts are on a better same page than Jalen and the coach was last year. And Big Dom is back.

Nick Suriani. And then we'll see how Jason Kelsey's retirement will affect this offensive line. We'll see if we'll see a push.

Very curious about that. We'll see if we'll see that push play and if it'll be just as successful. And then you've got the Packers who had a remarkable run at the end of the season that started, one would say, right around Thanksgiving when they punked the Lions on Thanksgiving and then one-and-done the Cowboys into an all-in offseason that still doesn't have Dak signed right now. And all of those young wide receivers growing up with Jordan Love and now Josh Jacobs is here. And, hey, Packers fans, you've got the new defensive coordinator you were screaming on X about for two-and-a-half years, you know. So we'll see what happens tonight.

And that means one last opportunity for an Eagles win-loss game. Nick in Philadelphia. You're here on the Rich Eisen Show. What's up, Nick? Good morning. What's going on, Nick?

You there? Yeah, can you hear me? We can.

What's on your mind, sir? I want to do a last-minute Eagles win-loss game. Last minute. Let's go.

Sneak it in under the wire. Philadelphia Eagles schedule is up. The music is about to be played. Nick in Philadelphia. What happens tonight in Brazil? Win. Then what happens on next Monday night home for Atlanta? Another win.

Then at New Orleans? Another win. Then home for Tampa, the team that knocked you out of the playoffs last year. At Tampa. We get some revenge and that's for straight wins.

All right. So you come out of the 5-4-0 home against the Cleveland Browns. Win.

Then you've got a visit to the Giants with Saquon. Such a big win that Brian Bayvault might get fired. Wow.

That's a hot take. Wow. 6-0 at the Bengals. And here comes our first loss.

Okay. So now you're trying to bounce back at home against Doug Peterson back in Philadelphia. Another win. You're now 7-1 at the Dallas Cowboys. Uh-oh. Let me teach you how to win.

Oh. You're now 8-1 home for the Washington Commanders. Win. 9-1 at the Rams. Another win. 10-1 at the Ravens. I'm going to be at this game and unfortunately the U.S. wins.

All right. So now you're 10-2 home for Carolina. Win.

You're bouncing back home for the Steelers. Big win. Big win. You're now at the Washington Commanders at 12-2. A win. 13-2 home for the Cowboys. That will be a loss. And then you're home for the Giants. I think we're going to rush our starters and we will lose that game. All right. So two straight losses to end the season.

13-4. Thank you, Nick. Enjoy the opener for your Eagles tonight. Thank you, Rich.

Have a good day. You got it. All the worst of luck. Wow. 13-4. Wow. I don't know if we'll be able to sneak in one more win-loss game. We will. That means we played 105 of these now.

13-4 for the Philadelphia Eagles. Not official. Dude.

That's what I'm telling you. Again. I love the win-loss game. One last thing on the Eagles here and we're going to start seeing it tonight. Okay. And the Packers are the first one up to either stand in the way or be part of what I'm going to throw out here.

The Eagles, as we know, had a Super Bowl worthy team two years ago and midway through last season. Correct. Okay. And DeAndre Swift, nice player. Nice player.

Good player. Okay. Certainly the way that they acquired him. You know, for a song during a draft from a team that didn't have much use for him anymore after drafting Jameer Gibbs.

Okay. The way Christian McCaffrey plussed up the 49ers. A team that was Super Bowl worthy, had a Super Bowl team, had been at the Super Bowl at the core of that team. Christian McCaffrey, you add him, turbocharged. Can Saquon Park Barkley do that for the Philadelphia Eagles?

Without a question, the best offensive line this guy's run behind, maybe since college, maybe ever in his career, an offense that has got weapons galore around him and a quarterback with whom some sort of mesh point game can make him even tougher. Can that happen starting tonight? Will we see it for Saquon Barkley? That's the difference maker between the Eagles making it back to the Super Bowl and potentially spoiling the party for this home team here in Kansas City or not.

It's a what's more likely Friday. Are you ready to play it, sir, as Kurt Warner is here on the Rich Eisen Show. Let's do it. He's going to join us next.

He's also sitting on the green room couch right now. And Kurt, I may come to you sort of like phoning a friend for some help on this one. Okay. All right.

Okay, here we go. Hit it. It's time for what's more likely. Hit it. What's more likely?

Never say never, but never. What's more likely presented by Total Wireless, have at it, Christopher Brockman. Hey guys, happy Friday. Good to see you. What's up? What's up? Kurt, you look phenomenal.

Great to see you, pal. Who's the more likely team you feel better about after last night's opener, Chiefs or Ravens? Oh, the Chiefs. Without a doubt.

Without question. The Chiefs won that game last night. They didn't have Hollywood Browns. Ravens are a toe away from winning, right, Kurt? Literally a big toe away from winning the game last night.

Don't involve Kurt in this right here. I'm telling you what's more likely. It was without a doubt the Kansas City Chiefs who won the game last night and did not have Hollywood Brown. Who do you feel better about? I feel so much better about the Kansas City Chiefs. Okay.

Interesting. They looked like a team that didn't have a hangover. They didn't seem tired. They didn't seem anything but as super as last year, and we know Hollywood Brown's coming. So that's my answer on that.

Don't involve Kurt Warner. Am I right, Kurt? Am I right? You are right. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. What else? Literally like a toenail. Breaking news, guys. We've got a game tonight in Brazil.

Yes. Very excited. Eagles. Can't tell Brazil. Packers.

What's more likely to be the post-Brazil headline? Eagles Super Bowl hangover cured, Packers back as title contenders. The headline coming out of this game tonight.

Yes. I will say the Eagles are through their hangover. That's the way I'll go tonight. I think this Eagles team is stacked, bro. And you've got Saquon coming in. I just hope he stays healthy, man, and doesn't have one of those usual high ankle things or quad things or whatever.

If he stays healthy, he can plus this team up like McCaffrey did, an already superb offense. So I'm going to go with the Eagles tonight. It's going to be a tough flight for both, clearly, and a tough game for both. But I'll go with that one. Even though you're playing Saquon in fantasy this week? I'm fully aware of that.

I shoot people straight, TJ. What else? All right. It could be a rough game in Cincinnati for the good guys. Wrote this before all the wide receiver issues. But more likely to be the higher total. Bengals touchdowns tonight or Patriots points? You mean on Sunday? On Sunday, yeah.

Yeah. Bengals touchdowns, Pats points. I'll go Patriots points. Come on, man. We're not going to get... You're not going to get... We're not going to get... You're not even going to get two field goals? That's six points. Come on, dude. We're going to get two touchdowns.

Have you seen Joe Burrow play? The bottom line is the Patriots defense is not in question here. You know that. Well, our two best players are not going to be playing. I get it.

And one is on a different team. I still understand. Come on, man. Give yourself a little credit. You get two field goals, maybe a third. You're good. One touchdown.

Ramondrae can bust one. Who knows? Come on. I'm not hopeful. Bengals...

I'll go Patriots points. All right. All right. Actually, I had fun doing that. Sorry. That's a lot of fun. Okay.

It's twisted. That's a blast. Glad there was one of us. More likely to have more rookie of the year hype after Sunday. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix. Oh, Caleb Williams.

He's the hype machine. Are you kidding me right now? What if Tennessee is much better than we think? And you know I think they are much better than we think, but he's going to have a couple plays that'll just light up the phone in the palm of your hand. And what if Washington goes to Tampa and wins? I hear you, and I think they might. They could. Bo Nix lights up Seattle.

That is just a... I know Kurt loves Bo Nix. That is a tough spot, but we'll talk about that with Kurt Warner shortly. I'll go Caleb. He's got the most hype already.

All he's got to do is just come up a couple of wild plays, Bears win. The hype train is leaving the station. You're leaving the charge. I am. We're going to put a conductor's hat. We should get you a Caleb Williams hype train conductor's hat. Don't let this game fool you. I'm so excited for Caleb Williams. What else you got?

All right. Rookie wide receiver is going to have the best debut this weekend. Marvin, Malik Nabors, Roma Dunze. I'll go Roma Dunze. Yeah.

I'll go Roma Dunze. Again, it's a tough spot to play in Pittsburgh, I mean in Buffalo, right? Western New York? Yes. Okay. And then you've got Malik Nabors at home against the Vikings.

Exactly. Daniel Jones. I still need to see a couple of things before I'm a... It's his sixth year. He's a captain again. I still need to see things.

Like what? Roma Dunze, pal. I'm going with Marzari. He's... Marvin and Nabors are the ones that the defensive coordinators are circling. They're not circling Roma Dunze. They should be.

They've been circling Marz since 21 at Ohio State though. I understand. Got it.

All right, TJ, this is for you. Which team more likely most needs to start 1-0? The Cowboys or Browns? Kurt, you want to take that one from me here?

What do you think? Most needs a win on Sunday. I would actually say Cleveland on that one. I think there's a lot of questions about Deshaun Watson right now.

And I think they need to see that he can right that ship with all the other pieces they have. So as much pressure as on the Cowboys, I'm actually saying Cleveland on that one. Okay.

I kind of dig that one too. But... I mean... But it's the Cowboys!

It's the Cowboys! Come on, Kurt! Yeah, I hear you. I hear you.

Don't let him press you into doing the thing, Kurt. I still got my answer, but I hear him. I hear him. I hear what he's saying.

I just phoned a friend right there. What else you got? All right, two more.

Two more. AFCE's contender most likely to get got at home? Bills or Dolphins? I'll take the Bills. Yeah. I'll take the Bills on that one too. You agree with that one? I agree. Yeah. I... Arizona hype train is leaving the station or what?

Arizona has what it takes to just not care, as you know, from last year they were in every damn game. Pew, pew. I just... I want to see the Bills before I start... 17's playing the game, right? Yeah. 17's playing the game. 17's playing? You know, the Mafia is going to be, you know, all... You know... They're looped up now. I know.

But I'll do that. I really like the Dolphins. I think the Dolphins are going to win that division, as you know, and so I will back it up with this what's more likely, certain since Kurt agreed with me right off the bat. Last one?

Alright, last one. Sunday Night Football. Massive game. Lions. Rams. Pass-catching duo with the bigger day in the win. Cooper Cupp, Pukunakua, Amanrah, or Sam Laporta. I will go with Cupp, Pukka. So you like the Rams?

I do like the Rams a lot. Dude, those two... I mean, how many people have just forgotten that Cooper Cupp is... Totally.

...is Cooper Cupp? We were talking about this this morning. We were talking about that pre-show, yeah. You know? And so, yeah, I will go in terms of... So you're talking about who will have more catches and yards combined together?

In the win. But you know Sun God... Harry and Arnold is going to have his hands full with one of those two. No doubt.

But you know Sun God's going to get about 12, 13 catches. I don't know about that. I don't know about that. Would you agree with my assessment or you take the other one, Kurt? I think it's close. I think it's close. You're not allowed to say that. Not an answer. That's not an answer. It's what's more likely is I think it's close.

What's more likely? I'll just go opposite you just because I want to. Okay, very good.

Kurt Warner, everybody. A very nuanced take. Yeah, let's go with what it is. By the way, I love the way that you're clutching the Roku pillow this entire segment. You know, a little love.

Purple's my favorite color. Roku. Just give a little love to them. Okay, very good. Doing a great job for you guys. Thank you, Kurt. Very good.

Sitting on the couch. Kurt, well done. Getting ready for some balls, you know? It looks like he's about to take that home with him.

Please, by all means. Fantastic. Kurt Warner is here and that was What's More Likely presented by Total Wireless. That unlimited data that never slows you down for less than $30 a month.

That's the new Total Wireless. Let's take a break. Bring Kurt Warner up here on the Rich Eisen Show set right here in Kansas City, Missouri. Our number two of day number three of our residency, the Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Kurt Warner, when we come back. Let's talk DoorDash, people. If your family's like mine, it probably is. You want something to eat, your kids want something else to eat. How do you handle it all? How do you make sure everybody's happy? DoorDash, that's how you make sure everybody's happy. The food delivery app is the most awesome on-demand delivery platform that you can go get to make sure that food comes to the places you like right to your table. It's awesome, especially now that football's finally back, which means it's time to order your favorite game day food, snacks, and drinks on DoorDash without missing a single play.

And here's how I can help you. Use my promo code, RichEisen24, for 50% off up to a $10 value when you spend $15 or more dollars on your first order. Limited time offer, terms apply. Promo's not valid for orders containing alcohol. DoorDash, your door to game day greatness, your door to more. Download the DoorDash app now to order your game day favorites and use my promo code, RichEisen24.

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Last minute tickets, lowest price guaranteed. Back here on the Roku Sports Channel, radio audience will rejoin in a couple of minutes time. Look who's here, everybody. Friend of the program.

Friend of mine. What's up, people? I like when you guys bring your show on the road. It's cool. Yeah, it's great. We like it. We were talking.

You should do that every Monday and then hang with us and we'll come join you on Mondays and Tuesdays. Oh, Kurt, great idea. Is Roku listening? Hey, Roku Joe. You back there?

Great idea that he just said. I'll come. I'll hold your pillow every week in here. That'd be great. I'll hold your pillow. We have to call Roku Charlie about this. Was that the original title of Melissa Etheridge's Come Through My Window?

I'll hold my pillow. I think that's what it was. And then she's just like, no, no, no, no, no.

It doesn't work. A lot of people saw the video of us arriving at Arrowhead yesterday as the Westwood One Group and had an issue with your seating in the vehicle that you're a Hall of Famer. We were just sliding into the stadium like there was, you know, that was going to happen that last night. No, but everybody thought I should have been there and the Hall of Famer should have been sitting shotgun. Oh, just where I was sitting. I thought people were making it fun. I did have my seatbelt on at that point. No, no, no.

That's not it. We were. Hey, it's your position. You called it on your show. Like, I mean, you were here before me. So you called it. That's the only unfair part that you were already here. I wasn't here yet, but you know, cause you kind of, but I did, I got to be in the same area when you call shotgun. Isn't that right guys?

I say, no, you can't just do it on your own. I see the vehicle. I also, you know, in a rarity, in a rarity, beat you to the car. I was there before you, normally you're the one already in the car texting me saying, where are you? Right. Cause I knew you're, you're on time. You are on time.

It's literally to the dot Tom Coughlin time to the dot note, to the dot of the actual time. Yeah. Like if, if he called it, once I walked out of the hotel, you know, like once you get outside, you can call shotgun. But I heard you called it like four hours before yesterday and felt like that was going to hold up.

But it was your first time with this. So that's okay. I'll give you the front seat. So you know, in the next time that we do this, I'm calling shotgun now.

We have to be in the city walking out of the hotel. To the same car. Right. Right. So whoever, and the other person's got to be there. You can't just walk out on your own 40 minutes early and go shotgun.

We both got to be there. And it's like, right. Right. Right. You know, like you did with your brother, as soon as we get outside the door.

One, two, three. Not it. Yeah. Kurt Warner is here everybody. I'm on the Rich Eisen show radio network sitting at the Rich Eisen show desk furnished by Grainger with supplies and solutions for every industry Grainger has the right product for you.

Call click Grainger dot com or just stop by. Okay Kurt Warner, your takeaways from the Thursday night kickoff you called on Westwood One radio is what are your takeaways? Yeah. I mean, takeaways still have questions about the Ravens. I didn't think they played very well.

What questions are there? Really on both sides. But I didn't think they played very well on offense. We talked a little bit about it on the broadcast last night. Was the meshing between Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson being a shotgun quarterback, Derrick Henry being more of a downhill eye tight back. You know, they tried to mix it and match it a little bit. With the pistol?

With the pistol. And then there was a couple times on the touchdown run, obviously they were under center. But I'm just interested to see that mesh because I don't think Derrick's nearly as good when he has to start lateral and then get the big body going downhill. I used to say this about Adrian Peterson, he was the same way. He was a downhill back. He was so good. And then later on in his career, they tried to get him more into that shotgun zone read stuff. And he just not quite the same back. So I'm interested to see that mesh first and foremost, because we obviously believe adding Derrick Henry to Lamar Jackson can be dynamic.

The past game in year two, I didn't like what I saw last night. I thought Lamar was much more looking to run than playing the pass game. And again, not that I don't like that, because obviously he's dynamic running the football. But I do believe you've got to let the pass plays play out and make the plays that are in front of you. And I felt like last night he was very impatient in the pocket and was looking to run as opposed to looking to throw and let the scheme work for him. And so another thing that I want to see, because there was a lot of talk, lost the weight. And last year there was that narrative of he's got to become a dropback.

And I understand all that. I want Lamar to be the best version of himself. But we've got to find a happy medium where he can play the position and look to throw and let those guys work for him and then run when those opportunities present themselves. And I thought yesterday was more a complete opposite of what we saw in the conference championship game. The championship game was, I got to stay in the pocket, I got to throw it. I got to throw it. I got to throw it. Where it was like, just take off and beat Lamar.

And then yesterday I thought it was the opposite. So there's some concerns to me. You know, through the broadcast, there was one point, you know, a couple of minutes to go in the third quarter and only one catch by a wide receiver outside of Zay Flowers. They have to get more on the outside, in my opinion, if they're going to compete with the Chiefs and some of the other teams in the AFC.

So I just wasn't as sold with what I saw from them. I didn't think the Chiefs played great, but I'm excited that they have Xavier Worthy and that speed and Marquise Brown, like you said, when he gets healthy. I think that opens up the possibilities for that offense and Patrick Mahomes. And we got to see a glimpse of that last night.

Thus, I'm more excited about what I saw from them opening night than I was from the Ravens. Before we linger on the Chiefs a little bit, back to what you just said about Lamar. So from your perspective, sitting there, watching the game last night, did you see moments where you thought he packed it in too soon, that there was something intermediate, if not deep, that was developing and that would have worked?

Did you see that last night? You know, when I was watching the game last night, I didn't necessarily see the things that were playing out behind him, but I saw the impatience of Lamar. I've actually gone back and watched the first half of the game and there were a few opportunities that I think were coming open or possibly could have been there had he been patient. But it was more the feel that I felt like he was dropping back and looking to run as opposed to really, you know, letting those things play out in front of him. And so there was just an impatience there that I felt watching the game. It showed up again when I watched the first half of the tape and that, again, there just has to be a balance between the two, right? He runs for over 100 yards, so you know how dynamic he is.

It's just hard to live and win games against good teams in that mode when there are things that are happening. You know, there was one at the end of the first half where they have an opportunity for a touchdown to likely on a little stop route and as soon as Lamar got back, he went running up in the pocket and ended up throwing the ball away in that situation where could have been a touchdown in that situation, could have been a difference maker. So just something I want to see play out as the narrative. We had the narrative last year of what they needed to become offensively and what Lamar needed to be, the changes this year and, you know, and just seeing kind of the opposite of the way he played. I'm just interested to see how this settles in and this offense looks down the stretch.

Kurt Warner here on the Rich Eisen Show. So your takeaway on the Chiefs, I started the show by saying they absolutely can three-peat. There's no question about it, right? I mean, obviously anything can happen, injuries can happen. We don't know who the other hot teams in the conference may be. The fixes that you think the Ravens need to make, they actually make them.

We don't know. But the bottom line is just seeing them on the hoof last night. There's no question they could three-peat this year. Well, you know, it always starts with 15 and as long as you have him and him making plays in those key moments, which again we saw last night, gives you a chance.

Chris Jones, I thought was dominant again. I mean, you know, doing what he does, which is a key part of their defense. He's a first ballot Hall of Famer, don't you think? He is, yeah. I mean, you watch him play, it's, yeah, you just, yeah, you size the jacket and you go, okay, yeah.

Pretty much. He's just a difference maker when he's on the field. And there were even a number of times where they were trying to double team him and he's just running around double teams and creating pressure.

So he's back. I didn't think their defense looked quite as dominant as last year. So that's going to be a question moving forward. Is that because Snead is out and they might have to do other things or what? Yeah, I think it's going to be a little bit different in how they have to play and their ability to, to really challenge people. But I just didn't feel like they were as stout as they were at the end of last year. And again, just like the Ravens changes.

So may take a little bit of time for them to mesh. But you know, I do like the idea of having an explosive player that you depend on, right? That it shows consistency. And you know, so last year they had, you know, MVS there who was a big playmaker and he's got speed, but you never felt there was a consistency with him and so you could never build around him. He was more like, okay, you're the decoy guy that runs the deep play and you know, we'll throw it to you a couple times a game, but it's really about everybody else. And if they can get somebody, and again, I'm not going to say like Tyreek Hill cause he's a difference maker, but somebody that they believe in and have that consistency and can build their offense around with that speed. I think that changes the dynamic of this offense. And so I'm excited because Xavier Worthy showed a couple things. And but again, you looked at the game and they didn't necessarily play drastically different than they played last year. You know, it was a lot of the short dink and dunk quick throws, which I think will develop, but it's about that confidence. If Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes can develop confidence in one of those guys with speed, it will change the way that they play football and call plays.

And and that's what excites me because you saw glimpses of that last night. So identify the AFC team that you think could stand in their way. Well, I mean, you know, on our show, I picked the Texans. To win it all, right? I did pick them to win it all. I don't know how much, you know, that's kind of fun preseason stuff, but but I like what they did. I think they got better as a team.

And obviously we're a team that with young guys were in the division, you know, playoffs last year. So I like them and they've got a quarterback, they've got pieces around him, so I really like him a lot. I do.

I really like it. What about C.J. Stroud really caused you to say that, Kirk? You know, I'm just a guy that loves when you see a quarterback that has the ability to process information quickly, get it to the right guy, and then his technique, which is another thing that that I love because technique leads you as a quarterback, you know, and it doesn't matter who you have, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, those are guys that sometimes their technique can get away from them and cost them plays, even though they make a lot of plays. He is so sound fundamentally on top of his ability to process as a rookie. It's just fun for me to watch that kind of stuff, because I believe that always gives you a chance as a team. If your guy can process and make the right decision and he's going to be accurate because his technique is solid, they're going to be a good team and they're going to have a chance.

And now you put weapons around them. So I do think they're going to be good. Your Jets. I really think the Jets and I know the caveat is, do they stay healthy because they've got older quarterbacks and older guys on the offensive line. But with that defense and Aaron Rodgers giving us a semblance of Aaron Rodgers, they're going to be a good team. They're going to be a tough team to beat if they have some semblance of an offense with that defense.

I like them. I'm excited to see if Joe Burrow is healthy, that team, as always. So those are three teams. Again, the Ravens pushed them to the limit last night.

To the toenail. So they're going to be around as well. So I think there's a number of teams on that side. I want to see a little bit more from Miami. I want to see if Jacksonville can take a step and specifically Trevor can take a step to move to that area where you trust him in those big moments. I think they'll both be good teams. So I think there's a number of teams that will be tough outs in the AFC. But those are the teams, because of their quarterbacks, that I say they're going to have a chance. And again, QB Confidential, your YouTube channel is a home for all of your analysis on all your game film watching and all your keen Hall of Fame insight.

Everybody should give that YouTube channel a subscription. And in terms of that, give me your QB Confidential crystal ball on Russell Wilson for 2024. Just a season. Is he going to play on Sunday? Like we already got those issues there.

Here's the thing. I actually broke down Russell on QB Confidential last week, just kind of preparing for the season. And I just believe Russell Wilson has become a completely different quarterback than he was in Seattle. In Seattle, he played confidently, their offense was built around, push the ball down the field, like make the big play or create. That was what they were. And that was Russell Wilson at his best when he went to Denver.

And I think this was twofold. I don't think it was just when he went to Denver, Denver tried to make him into a different quarterback. I truly believe Russell Wilson went to Denver saying, I want to show the league I can be a pocket passer. I don't have to be this creative guy, especially as I get older, that I can be a starting quarterback by playing the position in the pocket.

And it just hasn't worked out. His ability to see and process information from what I see just isn't there right now. And so what he's become over the last couple years is I'm going to peek at my first read.

And if it doesn't show itself really quickly, I'm going to look for a check down. And it's become small ball as opposed to big play football, which is what made Russell Wilson dangerous. Russell Wilson, you were afraid of playing him because he was going to threaten you with his arm down the field, or he was going to buy time and create and make big plays. And that's what made him a difference maker. And I just haven't seen that since he made the move to Denver. And it showed up again in preseason where it was like, peek real quick. And then where's my check?

Where's my quick completion? And it's almost as if you're playing for, and I hate to say it, like playing for stats. You're playing for, I'm not going to turn the ball over because I'm going to be safe with the football and I'm going to get completions.

So it looks really good. Like his stats last year looked really good for Denver, 20 some touchdowns, less than 10 interceptions. Like that looks like a really good season. I just don't believe you can win in the National Football League not playing aggressive football. Like I'm the opposite of most people. I don't care about interceptions. Like Josh Allen, I don't care that he throws interceptions because you're afraid to play that guy every time out because he's going to make more plays than he makes mistakes. Now there'll be a game or two he loses because of interceptions, is what it is. When I played, there was always a game or two every year we lost because of my interceptions. But we won more games because it was like, I will attack you.

You are going to be afraid of me. I am not going to be afraid to throw an interception. And it kept defenses on their heels. And I felt like that's how Russell Wilson used to play. And he doesn't play that way anymore. Almost like I got to hold on to my job.

So I just can't make mistakes. And that's not the best version of Russell Wilson. And so I'm hoping that he can turn that corner and get some of that aggressiveness back.

I just haven't seen it in the last couple years. And when you got a guy sitting behind you that is in a position to take your job, are you afraid to play that way? Because if you have one of those games, are you going to the bench?

Where I believe the opposite. If you play the other way all year long, you're probably going to end up on the bench because you're not doing enough to help your team win, especially in the AFC with all of these loaded teams and really confident quarterbacks. Kurt Warner here on the Rich Eisen Show. Just want to ask you, because you're just so great at just breaking stuff down like that, Kurt.

And again, QB Confidential, everybody give that a subscription on YouTube. Before I let you go, the NFC, how do you suss that one out? Big game starts tonight in the NFC with the Eagles and Packers. I don't really know.

I don't have the answer to that. You know, I know we always want to, what's your projection in the preseason? That's why I hate preseason stuff, because we haven't seen anybody play.

We don't know who anybody's going to be. By the way, I thought of you last week during college game day when Nick Saban was asked that they were picking games at the end. Did you see this moment with Nick when Nick Saban, Nick Saban, his first game. And before he picks, makes his pick, he goes, this is the first time I've ever had to pick anything without seeing any of the teams at all. And I thought of you because you say that all the time. It's like, all right, I'll make a pick.

And I'm like, welcome to TV, you know, and I understand it's TV and I understand why we do it. But I always say, I always say week one of our picks shouldn't count because we don't know, like half the players didn't even play in preseason and you're telling me I'm supposed to know who's going to win. But, but anyways, but it's the beautiful thing about the NFC for me because you know, we don't have the big names, especially the big name quarterbacks in the NFC that we have in the AFC.

But at the same time, to me, it's a complete toss up. When I look at the NFC, I'm like, I don't know, you talk about the Eagles on paper, they got better. I mean, you know, and not just because they were bad at the end of last year, but I mean, the 10 and one team from last year got better in a lot of ways.

So I'm excited about them. Who's not excited about Green Bay? I mean, they were so young last year and you know, they boat raced Dallas and had a chance to beat San Francisco and you're like, my gosh, you know, they're getting a year older and more mature.

Why shouldn't they be really good? The Lions should have been in the Super Bowl a year ago. I mean, why couldn't they not win it? You know, still questions to me about, you know, Dallas, who will they be? The Rams that you talked about, sneaky good team. I mean, they were a good team last year, could have beat the Lions, right?

Lions could have been in the Super Bowl, could have beat the Lions in the first. So there are a number of teams in the NFC that I'm excited to see what they are. You know, if everything that I think going in holds true, I think we've got five or six teams in the NFC that could be in the Super Bowl, just like I say the same thing in the AFC.

So that excites me when we go into a season and you know, you know, you got to count it on two hands, how many teams you think really have a shot that makes it fun for us because now we get to see it play out and see who can separate themselves. And as I said on our preview show, which of these young quarterbacks or quarterbacks on the NFC separate themselves from the rest? Because I think we have a questions about a lot of them and who they can be and can they punch their second ticket to the Super Bowl?

Yeah, I mean, Purdy being one of them, you're seeing him, it's the Westwood won Monday night game where you and Kevin Harlan will be in the field of Jeans. Against that defense of the Jets? Right.

Great test, yeah. Maybe that's going to be the next game that you call. And then, you know, the Falcons improve themselves, but your reservations about Dallas, let's let's finish up there.

What what what what are they? Well, I mean, I think the reservations are the reservations I've had with Dallas for a long time is they've had a number of years where they've had really good rosters and rosters on paper that you say they should compete in the NFC, but their best players have never separated themselves in the big moments. Right. This this game now becomes more about your big play guys. You know, you're game changing guys playing their best football in the big moments. And Dallas just hasn't done that.

And, you know, if we're going to point at the quarterback, Dak, as great as he's been in the regular season, hasn't elevated himself in the team in those biggest moments. So that's kind of where it starts is that if you're going to bring back basically the same team and I know they've made a few changes here and there, but bring back basically the same team built around those same players. Those guys have to step up in the biggest moments and show us they can be difference makers because I don't know if they did enough going out. I mean, obviously they didn't do enough going out and saying, hey, we brought in these three players that elevate us ahead of the NFC, pretty much the same team as last year. Now your big time players have to elevate in those big time moments against the best teams in the league.

And that's my reservation is we just haven't seen it over the last couple of years. So I've refreshed my memory from the season preview show on Tuesday on NFL Network. The NFC team you threw your dart at the dartboard at for the Super Bowl was which one? The Eagles. The Eagles. Yeah, I picked the Eagles.

Right. Is that I think this year they have a chance to kind of pull back from putting I felt like last year their offense changed and more pressure was put on Jalen Hurts to be a passer than being built around the run game in the RPOs, which is what really led them the year before and at the beginning of last year. And so I really believe with Saquon Barkley, you guys talking about him a little earlier, his addition, I really believe they go back to saying RMO is running the football, letting you know Jalen deal the football in the RPO game and then let the play action in the big plays to those guys on the outside come from that as opposed to trying to be a drop.

I think they go back to playing that brand of football and I believe that brand of football with the talent that they have is good enough to elevate them again and allow them to be competitive in the NFC. And so that's that's what I'm excited about. Great job last night. Great job Tuesday. It was good having you in the in the booth.

It was fun. Look forward to Sunday on game day morning for week one. I can't wait to hear your picks. All right. Well, I got my picks. I got them. I don't know how confident they're already in.

Most of them are already in. I still got something. I'm waffling. You guys talking about the Bears and the Titans. I think the Titans, again, quarterback, I want to see more from Will.

But around that, they got talent, they added some pieces on defense. So there's there's some games, the Rams, Lions. I mean, great game to start out, you know, Jets 49ers. I mean, we've got some great games, whatever. Yeah, no. Right.

With with some of the questions. I got my top five intriguing matchups still to come. Thanks. And a safe flight home.

All right. Thanks to Brenda, sir. The rest of your family. The great Kurt Warner right here on the Rich Eisen Show. Bobby Witt, Jr., making his way to our studio for our number three before we head to the airport ourselves. Hey, everybody, you know, we're living in a new age of football with the expanded college football playoff and IL conference realignment and increasing popularity of the draft. The landscape is changing and it's changing quickly and it can be confusing.

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That's OReillyAuto.com slash E-I-S-E-N, O-O-O-Reilly Auto Parts. Number five, we're now at the top five of my power rankings of NFL quarterback birthday parties I'd prefer to attend. Number five is Josh Allen, let's go hang out with Josh Allen. I don't know what this is photographs from, is it from a murder mystery party or something like that?

That looks like Halloween. I don't know, but let's go hang out with Josh Allen, all right? Number four on the list, who wouldn't want to go to Tom Brady's birthday party?

I thought that would be number one. No, no, no, no. Single Tom Brady, bro? Single Tom Brady. Are you kidding me? Tom Brady on a boat. Yeah.

And it's on his cheat day with no one day where he's drinking, too. We're okay. All right.

Okay. Number three. Number three on this list. Who wouldn't want to go say happy birthday to Joe Burrow? Oh, yeah. Look at Joe. Come on now. Joe Burrow's throwing her birthday party.

I'm going and everybody on the RSVP list is going to number two quarterback birthday party I would want to attend is Jimmy Garoppolo's birthday party. Yes. You bet. You bet.

How is that not number one? You know Tom's going to be there and you just, I mean, I will just, I'll stand in the corner and look and it'll be creepy. Not going to lie.

I'm not going to lie. It'll be creepy. There'll be some birds at that.

It'll be creepy. But Jimmy Garoppolo, I wouldn't be able to go to Jimmy Garoppolo's birthday party because Susie would say, I'm going you're home. The pigeons will be clucking top my power rankings, quarterback, birthday parties. I would like to attend him an NFL quarterback birthday party hands down. Number one, Gardner Minshew and the story, it's not just starting quarterbacks. I said, NFL quarterback.

Number one, Gardner Minshew. Fun stuff on our YouTube channel, check it out. Back here on the Rich Eisen show, as we know the NFL season is underway and don't miss a moment of the action with NFL Sunday Ticket and YouTube TV. When bundled together, you get the most live NFL games all in one place, but that is not all. You can watch up to four NFL games at once.

Their signature multi-view feature is awesome. It's a game changer for NFL and fantasy football fans alike. Sign up today. Don't miss out youtube.com slash NFL ST device and content restrictions apply local and national games on YouTube TV. NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market games excludes digital only games, eight four four two oh four rich number to dial Jonathan. This is for you, Chris.

In Alaska. Oh, Hey, here on the Rich Eisen show, what's up, Jonathan? Hey, how are you guys? What's going on?

What's up, man? Uh, first I just want to say I'm on TJ side with the whole fantasy draft thing. You guys could have had a lot of your content, uh, out of that if you had started it sooner. Okay. Thank you. You sound like a very wise man. Better late than never.

Never late is better though. You know, Drake said that, but, uh, yeah, I wanted to talk about Lamar. Uh, he was taking a lot of hits lower near the shoulders. He got hit in the helmet one time and I expect in the rest to call down and take them out of the game for concussion protocol, but he was just running hard the whole time. And I, if he keeps playing like that, I don't think he's going to hold up for the whole season. You know, I think he's going to end up getting injured. He got clipped a few times with a, with, with a defender coming across the middle. Like he got hit. He got particularly it, but again, Jonathan, and thanks for the call.

Greatly appreciate you chiming in from the beautiful state of Alaska. I really appreciated that, that I know that, that, um, he is in better shape though. I'm telling you, man. I strolled on the field before the game and he was there in his warmups and I'm like, this dude, he didn't just get thin. He leaned out, but he strengthened up. I think people forget how tall Lamar is. He just, he looked ripped and he looked fit in a way that was not, and you know, I always shoot you straight here when the whole business of him, um, you know, demanding a trade and then got his contract, right? And the whole conversation, that nonstop drumbeat in the off season, the whispers were, he didn't take care of himself like that, that he just, his diet was off, that he was not serious when it came to whatever he was putting in his body was the only thing that was best for his skill set and that his brilliant skill set was just outweighed the next level sense of how do I fuel my body properly and that was the conversation you heard nonstop and obviously the Ravens, you know, uh, when it all said and done, gave him what he wanted and he, he 100% has answered those questions now. He looks great and he looks faster and he looks more, as I said, athletic, which is kind of crazy to say that about Lamar Jackson, like you mean it's going to get better, but, but you heard Kurt break it down just moments ago, you know, the whole idea of, of him showing up and, and it's just like, well, damned if you do, damned if you don't. Last year, he's like, I'm going to be a pocket passer in the, in the AFC championship game.

Didn't work out. Last night, he needed to be more of a pocket passer, didn't work out. And so the guy's a two time MVP. He did miss the, the, the throw that he missed last night. Zay Flowers was wide open in the end zone, doing jumping jacks in the last second to last play of the game.

He hits him. We're not talking about a Toby in and out. So you know, the Ravens will always in Lamar, they trust. And I, I think the issue is, is who else can go down the field other than Zay Flowers? Is it Bateman or not?

And if not, where do they find one? Because that's a big difference maker for the Ravens this season, you know, so, and Derrick Henry and figuring out that piece, how he fits again, I just remember when Peyton Manning came, went to Denver and Gary Kubiak was the, the, the coach there and his offense was booting out and, you know, making plays off the boot. That's not Peyton's style. So they, they, they compromised, they put them in the pistol formation so he could have some of the offense that, that he wanted and Kubiak could have some of the offense that he wanted and they meshed it together. Let's figure out what's best with Derrick Henry to get him that head of steam going downhill. And last night we didn't see a lot of that, but they came awful close.

However, they are 0-1 and the rest of the division has a chance to just one weekend be one game up on them. Bobby Witt Jr. in hour number three, our final hour of our remarkably fun week here in Kansas City is coming up and also my top five most intriguing match-ups for the rest of week one right here on the Rich Eisen Show, our last hour in Kansas City. TJ, you've got something? Well, Richie, you know, you were just talking about things you didn't see, right? And you were talking also about Lamar and how good he looked.

Yes. We were sitting pretty high up so it was kind of hard for us to see, you know, that close to the field. But, you know, much like I would tell you guys when I fly, like if 99, if there's 100 seats and 99 people don't recline, the one person that does is the person in front of me, right? What happened last night? Well, last night it was kind of the same thing. Like we're sitting there watching the game and, well, they were watching the game. I was watching this.

Okay. I was, that guy was in front of me and he was the only one that stood up the entire game. So Hoskins would have to tell me every play. He was my color commentator.

He was telling me everything that was going on. So, you know, I really couldn't see anything. This is a big controversy when it comes to watching games as to whether you have a right to stand or not. And my philosophy is 100% you do not have a right to stand every damn play at a game. I'm sorry. And, but people feel like it's my way of showing my faith and love and zeal and fandom. And also there might be some sort of crazed tinfoil hat superstition, but I'm sorry. You're going to the game that does not give you the right to stand every play.

It does not. And I'm sorry, dude. Well, plus I wasn't going to say it. I know you feel differently, Chris.

I know you feel. I go back and I have no problem. Go back and forth. I don't care if you're sitting super low, like don't stand all the time, but we're in the 300 level. Like what if you had a stand, he had a cauliflower ear. So what was I going to say to him? The bigger pockets, portfolio of podcasts are worthy of your investment.

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