Scott Matlock: Jim Harbaugh Establishing New Culture In LA

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Welcome to the Chief's Kingdom. Live from the Rich Eisen show studio in Los Angeles. Touchdown Tampa Bay. Ryan Miller was opened by at least three yards. It's a walk off touchdown by Kareem Hunt. Earlier on the show, NFL network insider Mike Garofalo, World Series champion pitcher Jack Flaherty.

Coming up, Chargers defensive tackle Scott Matlock. And now it's Rich Eisen. All right, our number three of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air here on this election day. I voted.

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It is why we are the envy of the world is that we have a democracy like this and choose to keep it. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial here on the program. Chris Brockman and TJ Jefferson are already in Germany where we're going to be taking TJ's empty seat every single time that that throws me off. Anyway, he's in Germany. Chris is in Germany. The show will emanate from Munich, Germany coming up on Thursday. Our guests on Thursday show booked Kurt Warner, who's going to be calling the game with me on NFL network between the Giants and the Panthers on Sunday.

Hall of Famer, fellow Hall of Famer of his, Joe Thomas. We asked him to show up in his lederhosen and I hope he will. And Colleen Wolf, who's over there as well. So, all of my NFL network friends will be filling up our Thursday studio from BMW Welt, the world headquarters of BMW Motors, which is going to be our benefactors for the week. And we're very excited.

Susie Schuster is sitting in with Mike Del Tufo. Good to see both of you right there. How are you doing?

I always love looking over and seeing you there. I'm good. I'm just, you know, managing my anxiety for the day by looking at trade rumors. Anxiety management through Zadarius Smith.

Go figure that. Scott Matlock of the Los Angeles Chargers is going to be joining us in studio in this hour. And as a matter of fact, he did it. We recorded this interview at the end of yesterday's recording palooza of this show over Reaction Monday and What the Football. All of those are out there for you to check out in our podcast form through the Cumulus Podcast Network.

Scott is a two-way player, one of the rarities in the NFL, a defensive lineman and a fullback in Jim Harbaugh's system. It'd be a lot of fun chatting with him. 844-204, rich number to dial on the program. Tuesday, election day. Tuesday, trade deadline day. Tuesday, Jerry Jones speaks to local radio hosts day.

And it's always fascinating when Jerry speaks to 105.3 the fan. Settle down just a little bit. And the all-in season is taking on water. Three and five. And Dak Prescott is hurt. And the team's coming home after a bye and two consecutive losses on the road at San Francisco at Atlanta. This is fresh off of an absolute spanking at home by the Detroit Lions before the buy. That's three losses in a row. And it could have been four if they didn't have a fourth quarter comeback in Pittsburgh on the week five Sunday night. And then you look over the steering wheel and you see their first of two games against Philadelphia this weekend. And it's at home where the Cowboys are 0-3 this season and a hard 0-3. The three-point loss to Baltimore in week three is, as they would say in rearview mirror speak, the object closer than it appears. The Ravens, just like the Saints in week two and the Lions in week six, just obliterated the team before halftime. And that thing was over. Then there's another home game on a Monday night against Houston and then at Washington. And you know the commanders want to put the Cowboys pelt on the wall.

So here's the issue. It does appear Dak Prescott will not be the starting quarterback for those games. And certainly maybe even on Thanksgiving day against the Giants, certainly if the hamstring injury that knocked him out of Atlanta will place him on injured reserve, which is what Jerry Jones said is, if you will, likely to happen in his Tuesday chat on 105-3 the fan. Oh, it's safe, but it's extended period of time but it's extended period of time here.

So I wouldn't dare make a prediction when it could be. It's likely we'll hour him. And so we'll see kind of how his rehab goes.

So it also begs the question, what now? 3-5, Dak's out, Cooper rushes in and Jerry did not go in the direction of the last time Cooper Rush was in, which is like, I'd love to have him give me the issues of a quarterback controversy. Remember that? Last time when Cooper Rush came in and he started performing very well and it's just like, well, will Dak get his job back?

And it's just like, get out of here with that noise. That's what a backup quarterback is supposed to do. When he's got to play four games, he wins you four games. Malik Willis played two games.

He won them both in place of Jordan Love this year. And the Packers are three above 500 hitting their bye week in large part, thanks to Malik Willis doing what a backup quarterback should do. And so now Cooper Rush, if he performs well in these weeks without Dak Prescott being out there, then guess what? We'll hear the same nonsense again, but Dak's going to get his gig back.

And Jerry would love, I'm sure to be in that position, even though he's not voicing it that way this time. But the question was, what are you going to do with trade deadline? Does this mean you're not going to be all in on that because Dak's out and are you potentially pulling the plug and maybe even think of selling?

Mike? We're not selling. And so, we will make that case.

We're buying and not selling. What does this team really need? Well, we're going to have to have it from within to get where we all want to go. And we're going to have the ability to do it from within.

We've looked at it, we've looked at it, within. We've really tightened that window with our record right now as far as our goals of getting in the playoffs and having a team that can really compete at the highest levels. We've added to that by losing our quarterback.

So we're going to have to do something that's a storybook type of scenario. So, the Cowboys went and made a trade. And I know Cowboy fans are going to be like, yes, so what? Because it's for a player who you might not have heard of in the Metroplex. And part of the reason why is he's a second year player in Carolina. And last year was such an absolute dumpster fire on offense that you aren't going to hear at all about Jonathan Mingo, who was a second round pick in the 2023 draft, 39th overall.

Which, as you know, is where players who can contribute significantly reside top of the second round. And, you know, that's where Keon Coleman was chosen by the Bills and things of that nature. And he's obviously done more than what Mingo did last year, or even this year. 12 catches, 121 yards.

That's it. One catch in his last four games. And in his short tenure in the NFL, only two games with at least four catches or more within it.

So he's an unproven commodity professionally, totally unproven. And I know Cowboys fans, you are flipping out because you haven't heard of Jonathan Mingo and he hasn't done very much in the league. And the Cowboys flipped the fourth round pick for him. They got a seventh as well from Carolina, but they flipped the fourth round pick for him, which is more than what the chief slip for DeAndre Hopkins. I was just about to say that.

I don't get it. Or more than what Carolina just got for Deontay Johnson from the Ravens. And I guess the reason why, and just to echo what Mike Garofolo said in hour number one, is you're getting a second year player with potential upside here. And that's what the Cowboys are banking on as a kid who has never done it before, who they probably liked and had on the radar screen in the 2023 draft. And they're going to get them and they're going to bring them in and they're going to get them up to speed. And you have, and so the, the issue here is that they are banking on an upside we haven't seen yet from a player who hasn't done anything in a month for a team that was looking for any spark from any place for any reason over the last month, whether it's Andy Dalton or Bryce Young, he couldn't crack the lineup over this year's rookie receiver for them, Xavier LeGette, who is riding the pony pretty well these days. And I'll see him in Germany, jailing Coker, an undrafted rookie, and then a veteran from the 2017 draft seventh round, David Moore, and couldn't get on the field even there. So Cowboys fans are going to be like, all right, that that's their hope that they're going to get some kid that they didn't get in the draft, who hasn't done anything yet and hope that he's going to learn the terminology and get up to speed and give them some big time play against some hugely important opponents in some, or hugely important games against some of the best opponents they're going to face all year long with the backup quarterback there.

That is not a position of a position of strength that you would look at it for an all-in season, but it is some of the only moves they got right now, apparently. So put on your RAS consulting hat. Thank you.

I will do so. Or get out your magic eight ball, either one. Eight ball. And what does this say about the season? Have they given up already? No.

Are they building for next? No. Because if I'm a Cowboys fan and I'm still smarting off of the potential of having Derrick Henry and the off season not being fulfilled the way I would have liked it to have been, and then you pick up a kid like this, are you feeling like this is a future move? No, I think it's some of the only moves they have left because I don't know what their thinking is, but you could have given up less for DeAndre Hopkins. You could have given up less for Deontay Johnson and they didn't.

And you could have got Derrick Henry in the off season. Well, again, that ship has sailed. I'm sure they're sick and tired of hearing that, but that's my, but that's, I know. I hear you.

I hear you. And certainly since their current running back situation is Dalvin Cook returned to the practice squad, Rico Dowdell looking as good as he did in Atlanta while Zeke Elliott was at home because of disciplinary reasons. And Jerry Jones had this to say in his appearance about Zeke Elliott getting back in there. It's really pretty plain. If you look at it, the rules that were addressed are really clear and the attendant punishment is clear.

And he'd be the first to tell you. And so that was it. And that running back room, it's quite a setback for those running backs not to get out there because they need their snaps and want their snaps. And you can get out there and get on a roll as Rico did. And that is a step toward having a better season, both individually and for the team. So my point is, I've never seen a discipline matter any better aired for the world to see than the Zeke's impression.

But it was just for the game and I look forward to seeing him back out there. Well, and you and I and Amy Trask on what the football had a very spirited conversation about disciplining players by not playing them and how Amy has PTSD from Barrett Warabans being sat before the Super Bowl. And she's like, we could have disciplined him in other ways, other than just sending our team out in the most important game for the first time all year without the same starting five upfront against Warren Sapp and the Buccaneers.

Okay. And how she wishes they handled it differently when they being Bruce Allen and Bill Callahan and how, you know, we had a spirited discussion as well about me sitting here saying, well, is this a sign that of disrespect for the head coach who hasn't been signed past this year? And thus kind of dovetailing with my whole thought about the all-in season has just been poorly managed from the get-go. And hearing what Jerry Jones had to say, and then Jane Slater's report on Sunday game day morning that Zeke has been distracted and has missed three meetings, including one on Friday leading to the disciplinary matter. And then hearing Mike Garofolo in hour one saying that there's things going on in his life that, you know, the Cowboys are understanding of, but you got to tune out to be a professional. And they had to suspend him and they're hoping that this is now the end of it moving forward. That's kind of information speak of there's stuff going on with him.

And maybe it isn't disrespect to Mike McCarthy. And there's stuff going on with him that they're trying to be really understanding of bending over backwards, but couldn't do anything but keep him from going to Atlanta. So I'm kind of putting it all together here. We don't know everything. We're seeing just the tip of the iceberg like we usually do in sports. Oh no, there's a big story behind this. And to use your word with parlance, there's a different, there's something going on that we're unaware of.

And it sounds like a personal issue, right? And it has nothing to do with the fact that their coach wasn't assigned to a long-term deal because you tend to believe that that's a sign for the players that they don't believe in him. And there's a, it leaves like an opportunity for rancor within the locker room. I know it, I guess. And I know this sounds like I'm trying to cover my tracks for being wrong, potentially on this front, but you know I don't mind being wrong.

I'm always going to speak my mind. But if you don't sign your coach to a long-term contract and you have him go into a lame duck year and these things happen, the first assumption is going to be my assumption, as wrong as it may be. Cowboys coming back to take the Eagles on with Cooper Rush and a banged up CeeDee Lamb, hopefully Micah Parsons back, hopefully Daron Bland coming back, hopefully Jonathan Mingo picking up the lingo fast.

That's the state of the all-in Cowboys entering week 10. We'll take a break. Our conversation with Scott Matlock, one of the more fascinating players in the National Football League, our neighbor from across the way coming up. Let's talk LinkedIn people and small business owning. I'm a small business owner. Yeah, I might host the Rich Eisen show but I run it too. Rich Eisen Productions is a small business and when you're hiring for small business you want to find quality professionals that are right for the role and that's why you've got to check out LinkedIn Jobs. LinkedIn Jobs has the tools to help find the right professionals for your team faster and for free. It's not just a job board this LinkedIn. LinkedIn helps you hire professionals you can't find anywhere else, even those who aren't actively searching for a new job but might be open to the perfect role. In a given month, over 70% of LinkedIn users don't visit other leading job sites. So if you're not looking on LinkedIn, you're looking in the wrong place. LinkedIn knows that small business is wearing so many hats and might not have the time or resources to hire.

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I'm here, Rich. Happy birthday, Monday. 50th. Big 5-0. Wow, awesome.

Big 5-0. I was supposed to be at your surprise party Saturday night. I heard that story, but you got caught up with being a family man, which is... Yeah, yeah, I got my daughter's graduation party was that Saturday night. Her graduation was Thursday.

It's all good. The party was Saturday, so... Are you going to have more honorary captains? Are you still doing that?

Yeah, we're still doing that. We're going to honor the 69 team. Okay, so that means Deardorff comes back? Deardorff should be back. He'll be in the radio booth, so okay. Ty Law.

Ty Law is going into the Hall of Fame. Oh, yes. If you need me to let them know how high the bar is set in terms of speechifying, just give them my number. I'll tell them how high the bar is set, Jim. I will tell them that. I will let them know that.

I'm going to let them know. That's what we do. That's how we do it. Listen, you're going to be honorary captains.

You've got to talk to the team. You've got to watch this clip from Rich Eisen. This is how it's done.

This is how you do it. Hey, Jim, thanks for calling in. It really means a lot. You're one of my all-time favorites for many, many reasons, so thanks for taking the time here in June.

Well, enjoy your continued 50th. It doesn't sound like it's just one day. It sounds like it's an Eisenpalooza.

It goes on for weeks. Welcome back to the Rich Eisen Show Radio Network. I am sitting at the Rich Eisen Show desk furnished by Grainger with supplies and solutions for every industry.

Grainger is the right product for you. Call clickrainger.com or just stop by, which is the way we always envisioned this when the Chargers moved across the street. Just stop by. Look who's here. One of our neighbors from the Los Angeles Chargers, fresh off of winning in Cleveland, Ohio. They're five and three. Second year player, Mr. Idaho, through and through from Boise State and the Chargers.

None other than Scott Matlock. Yes, clap for yourself. How are you? I'm great. How are you like living in Southern California? It's pretty good. Weather's immaculate. You know, it's funny you actually mentioned that because every time we go on a way trip and we fly back, as soon as we get back and we step off that plane, I just take a deep breath of that ocean air. Yeah, you smell it, right? It's just great.

It really is. Are you a South Bay guy? Do you live down here too? No, I lived in Idaho my whole life. I've never moved anywhere until I got back. Where do you live around here?

Do you live like now that you're a Charger? Oh yeah, I'm right by LAX. Five minutes away. Oh really?

Yeah. You might be right next door to TJ, right? If he drives behind the airport. Did you drive behind the airport again?

I'm close, off of Maine. Okay, there you go. So you're in the other direction. So your commute is what, like three minutes to get to work?

Something like that? Five minutes, yeah. You realize that doesn't happen in Los Angeles, California. That's unbelievable.

Well, I like to be close, so I picked a spot and it's nice and close. So you're born and raised in Idaho, right? Played at Boise State. Yep.

And then the Chargers drafted you in the sixth round last year? And then Jim Harbaugh comes into your life? Yeah, Jim Harbaugh. Yeah?

Oh yeah. What do you think of when you hear that name? Jim, I mean, man, I love that guy. I think he's been a big blessing for our organization and I think you can already see the little bit of success that we're having. You can just tell the trajectory that this organization's on and everyone loves him.

I mean, obviously he's unapologetically himself, but I think that's what everyone loves about him and he always keeps you on your toes somehow, but I'm just lucky to have him. Well, I'm going to ask you some specific examples of that in a moment, but one of the many reasons why I wanted to talk with you is you are sort of a personification of his mentality coming in here where you play defense, but now you're playing offense too, and you're there as a fullback. You used to wear a 99, now you wear a 44, right? Yep. When did it come into your world that maybe you should be the blocking guy as well as the tackling guy on this team here?

Yeah. I think it just all started in training camp where I think we would do these team meetings where we would kind of go over every facet of the game and teach the game and just study two minute, four minute, every situation you could think of and that goes back to OTAs, but then we kind of covered them all so then we started going into what our scouts look for in certain positions and we go through every position, every guy, like there's some college highlights, have some fun with it. And this was in training camp and we got to me and they threw in my two touchdowns I caught in college, so jokingly I said to G-Ro, R-O-C, hey, what do you think about throwing me on the goal line there or whatever? And he took it and kind of ran with it and we started just going on the goal line there in the preseason with a package and maybe the open field, like third and one, fourth and one, and then it kind of just grew.

I think I did well in the preseason, so they were like, okay, let's see if you can keep it going and I just kept, I guess, exceeding expectations and two plays turned into four, four turned into six, six to eight, and it just grew into, hey, let's just make our starting fullback. Yeah, so then that's when the whole number thing was introduced and I didn't necessarily want to change. I really loved 99. How long had you been wearing 99?

Up to that point, like five years, yeah. That was your number in college? Yeah.

Okay. And then- Why'd you choose 99 in college? It's just badass. It's just, you know, badass.

And I'm a big growing up, high school, college, like a J.J. Watt fan and I actually just got to meet him for the first time the other day, which is cool. But then, you know, like I would have to report as eligible a lot. A lot of this. A lot of that. And I didn't know how much reps I was going to be getting, you know, going into it. And I asked, I was like, how much are you guys using me?

Right. You're playing on, you know, throwing me in there. Because I was kind of in the dark, I was just kind of going about my day like, okay, let's learn these plays. You know, and they were like, you know, 20 to 30 plays. I'm like, oh, that's a lot of reporting to do. Yeah. That's a lot of, you know, moving your hands up and down your chest.

That's just not going to, like, if I forget one time, that's just not good. It's a lot of pressure. It really, by the way, that's no joke. That's no joke. And plus also, you know, you're kind of giving it away. Right. And it's just, yeah.

So I was just like, you know what? I mean, it's just, it would just help the operation. It would just help.

It would just make everything easier. I can play defense. I can play offense, do special teams. It just, I can do everything I want with 44. And how did you choose 44? So I wore 44. Well, I wore a bunch of numbers in high school because I, you know, played a lot of different spots, but 44 was kind of my main one. And it actually was just recently retired this past summer. So I kind of have a cool full, full circle. It was retired in your high school?

In my high school. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. And so I thought 44 would be pretty cool. Retired because of you?

You're 44 was retired? Yes. Okay.

Yeah. So you're, you're in a, was it, I'm going to get this right. Your high school was? Holmdel.

Holmdel. The Holmdel High Ring of Honor, if there's a ring. Yeah. You're in the honor? Absolutely.

So yeah, 44 was retired there. And that was, obviously that was a huge honor. Dude, that's great. It was really cool. And so being able to kind of wear it again, I think that's kind of a cool full circle.

So it kind of, it feels pretty good to wear it. So what's the most number of snaps you've played this year right now? Total or just side on offense? Total. You over 60?

I'm not sure. You over 60 snaps? Yeah.

I think the Steeler game I played, I think I played 20 defense, maybe high 20s, maybe 30 on offense, plus special teams. Okay. Are we cold tubbing after a game like that? Or what are we doing? Are you good?

I know you're young. Maybe. Yeah. Away games, we kind of got to get the show on the road and get back on the bus. So basically you just throwing it out there to Greg Roman, the offensive coordinator, after they're showing some of your Boise State offensive highlights in the film room, in a meeting, you just threw it out there and have sort of like, maybe you should put me out there.

And now you're the fullback of the Los Angeles Chargers. Crazy. Yeah. Just throw it out there as a joke and look where we are. Yeah.

And so Harbaugh, what conversations have you had with Jim about your role at all? Yeah. I mean, I talked to him about the whole number thing, because he's kind of the one who brought it up.

Like, hey, it would just be easier. And so it was actually his idea. And I was like, huh, I like 99. And then the next, over the next, maybe two, three days, I really sat there and thought about it. And that's when I asked, how much am I going to be used? And then I was like, oh, okay.

This is probably the right thing to do. And I'm all about doing everything for the team. So it was a no brainer. But I mean, Harbaugh thinks I was the only guy that could probably do it and I was the right fit.

So that feels good. But yeah. Jim and I kind of just talk about random stuff. Like what? We don't talk about a lot of ball, honestly. Like on the plane or the bus coming back here, we just landed and we were just talking about politics on the bus ride. Politics?

Yeah. We just kind of shoot the shit. We don't really talk about much ball, which is nice. Have you played any of these board games with him at all on the road? Don't you guys play board games or something like that?

Did you pop those out when you were out there in Carolina for a couple of weeks or something like that? The guys, cards are big. We play it like a lot of the guys play cards in Carolina. I was playing with the specialists. They were teaching me a game and then we kind of got the other staple games and stuff, but I didn't play with Coach Harbaugh.

So what has Jim brought, do you think, to the Chargers? You're sitting here five and three. Obviously last year you were not. And last year was your...

I mean, that's the most simple way to put it. That was your rookie year. This is now obviously your second year and you're being utilized in a far different manner in which I'm sure as you're a rookie, you'd be like, what? Really?

You really want me to do that? So what has he brought that you can sit here, even as a second year player, to point out to the Chargers? I mean, people throw the word culture around a lot, but I really think that he's establishing a new culture. And I think that's what he's brought with his mentality and that he's establishing that and instilling it in us that we're not afraid of work. We like to work and we're not going to quit when things could get hard. So that was established through OTA's training camp and it's kind of...

I mean, we can see the kind of team we're going to be throughout this season. So I think that's the biggest thing that he's bringing here. What did you think of when he was pulling sleds and stuff like that? Did you see that?

You saw that for the first time? Oh, yeah. He would do everything we do. I mean, as far as our fourth quarter finishers we would do in OTA's, we would all kind of like a three station rotation. He's right there with us doing the same thing.

It may not be the same weight, but it's not far off. I mean, you kind of saw the... I don't know if you saw his press conference where he said he's blue twisted steel and did the...

But I mean, that's him. He's doing sled drags. He's flipping the flip sled.

He's carrying the med balls that we carry. He's doing all of it. And then sitting in the cold tub with us too. He's right there with us. Is it true he's sitting in the cold tub with his khakis on?

Is that true? I can second Joey. I was there. I was there. What Joey said, I was right there. You're here.

So what happened? Yeah. I mean, I think maybe I came in and he was already in there. Yeah.

I mean, he was... Fully clothed? Sitting in the cold tub? Khakis, belt, polo, tucked in. Tucked in. I didn't get a glimpse of the footwear. I didn't get a glimpse of that. Cleats. He always wears cleats.

Yeah. I don't think the cleats were in the cleats. I highly doubt it. Now that makes sense. Highly doubt that. That he would take those off?

Socks, maybe. Maybe. I wouldn't put it past him. And what do you just say?

Hey, coach, just get in. I didn't even question it. I'm going to let him do his thing. Whatever works for him. I don't... Yeah. What works for him? I didn't question it.

They're working for you. I mean, did we see him say the Blue Steel stuff? I mean, we have a segment here called The Harbaugh Files.

And again, it's based off of a television show way before you were born called The Rockford Files, which is what he was channeling during his first few months here living in an RV, just like the character named Jim Rockford, who was a private eye back in the day. But the reason why I bring it up is we cut up his press conference moments, call it a Harbaugh File. And here's that moment you're referring to. Hit it. Sometimes people that are standing at third base think they hit a triple, but they didn't.

The Harbaugh Files. As far as your status, everything's been okay the past couple of days? Yeah.

Good news. Just talked to the cardiologist before I came in here. Got some test results back. The heart of an athlete is a direct quote from my cardiologist. And he said stress test was really good too. I think he used the word incredible.

I think he did. My stamina was incredible and heart got stronger as it was more stressed. And yeah, back in rhythm. Hopefully that sticks. Got the monitor on.

So good news. I took that as a compliment. Blue twisted steel. That's my coach. That is my coach. That's our guy.

Makes you want to run through a wall. Yeah. I'll do anything for that, man.

Blue twisted steel. Yeah, that's our guy. And so it looks like your team's getting stronger right now. Does it feel that way to you too right now? Yeah, I feel like we're right there. I mean, we have all the pieces to the puzzle and we just we just got to keep getting better. It's a one week league.

Just keep dialing it and keep tightening the screw and just keep executing. I think we're going to be in a good spot. Five and three right now. And offensively you've got you've got that run game going with JK Dobbins, right? Do you ever think you'd be opening up running holes for JK Dobbins, you know? And now is there a plan for you to carry the football?

Scott? You never know. I mean, have we worked handoffs? Absolutely. Okay. We have worked handoffs. All right.

Yeah, you never know. Let's just let's put something on the radar screen for other like this is not a film session here. Yeah. Are you going to run a route here?

What do we got? I mean, I have two crew perceptions, so I am running routes. You are running routes? I'm running routes. Wheel route? Is there a wheel route with you? What are the routes?

I think Carolina, I ran a wheel route. Damn straight you did. I think I'm just eye candy on that. Do I expect the ball in that play? Probably not. Okay. I'm running. You're out there. I'm out there. You're doing it. Yeah. What's your 40 time?

Where are we? I ran a 41. 40. Okay.

Oh yeah. In Indy or your pro day? No, I did not go to the combine. You were not invited to Indianapolis? No, I wasn't.

Okay. Tell me about the kid running the ball right now at Boise State. Ashton Genti. Ashton, yeah. I was luckily was able to play with him for a year when he was a true freshman.

And I'm not surprised. I think we all kind of saw the potential he had. I mean, he was like the 1B running back when he was a freshman because we had George Elani. So it was kind of like a two punch combo with those two. And then we had Talon Green too, who was very mobile quarterback then.

So we were just running the options and stuff. But I mean, you see the things that he's doing. And also his interviews, the things he's putting together, like this scholarship he just made. I mean, he's just such a good person and he deserves all the success that's coming his way.

And I just wish I could be there on a day-to-day with him sometimes just to kind of see how he's doing. All I got to do is turn on the television set, turn on SportsCenter. You're seeing it. I don't think there's any doubt he's going to New York in December. That's for sure. Whether he brings home the Heisman is a different story.

I mean, the QB in Miami, you got the two-way threat in Colorado and you got him. I mean, he's definitely in the mix right now for the Heisman Trophy. Absolutely. I mean, it is. Yeah, it's pretty cool. Yeah, it's amazing. I mean, the things he's doing is just otherworldly. I mean, the comparison to Barry Sanders and stuff. I mean, that's not like throwing around lightly. I think that's super cool. And he should be pretty honored. And I know he is.

I just know that he's super humble and always hungry to just be more and just keep getting better, right? So before I let you go here, what's your favorite Justin Herbert story? Anything. Huddle, favorite locker room, Herbert's plane. Oh, man. Bus, huddle.

Oh, wow. On the field. You got anything for me, Scott Matlock? That's tough. I don't spend a lot of time around Justin, a lot of passing in the hallways kind of thing. You're his fullback. I am his fullback. You're helping him dot an I, man. I will say this last week, right before half, we were doing all that lateral backyard football play. Yes, sir. He just threw a great block and completely laid somebody out.

So that was a pretty fun moment for me to watch. He's a big dude, is he not? He's a large. Justin, he's that guy. Like three OCs in like three years hasn't flinched. I mean, he's that guy. Right. And I think Harbaugh and Hey are going to just be attached to the hip.

And right now it's not 35, 40 point games. I get it. But that's not your style right now. Your style is a little bit different. Yeah.

You know, I think it's funny. Coach Harper always tells him to not high five with his right hand. Yeah.

Harbaugh is very, very protective of Justin. So he has been instructed by Jim Harbaugh to not high five anybody with his throwing hand. Yeah.

Something like that. I think he said, yeah, like, don't high five with his right or maybe just the left, maybe a fist bump. So now do you protect? So to help, do you now go high five with your left when you go up to him or shake his hand?

I kind of just give him a fist. It's nuts. Yeah. Careful. I mean, you've got quite a fist on that arm of yours.

It's limp. It's good to know. Good to know. All right. Wow. Hey, he's thinking of everything. Jim, nothing will escape Jim Harbaugh right now.

That's true. It's pretty cool. Before I let you go. So Jim always did this at Michigan. You know, I'm a Michigan guy and I listen. I saw the photo in the hallway.

Let me tell you, man, so many people are like, hey, were you upset? Jim left Michigan to go to to the Chargers. And I say, there's a manmade lake outside of SoFi.

I think he walked on it to go take the job. That's my opinion of Jim Harbaugh. OK, so you and I are kind of like that.

All right, let's go. But what do you so what do you would do a lot after games, after wins? There would be, you know, a comp, you know, of a one on one interview with a sideline reporter, and he would basically bring over players and say, talk to these guys, not me. Or he'd just do a quick question and answer and then say, talk to these guys and bring over the players. Did he do that with JJ Watt recently?

JJ came out to talk to him and he brought a whole bunch of players to sit down. Yeah, yes. And were you one of them that he brought? Yeah, I was. Did he know that you love JJ Watt?

Is that why he brought you? No, he I was just getting taken my pads off after the practice and on the field. And, you know, I was you know, my body was, you know, kind of sore. So I was like, I like I really needed treatment. And he was like, hey, you want to come do this interview with JJ Watt? And I was like, no, like, I really need treatment.

Like I like I didn't need to go get some treatment. We had like 40 minutes until we had meetings or whatever. And he was like, come on, like if be five minutes. And I was like, I can't like tell them no. Like you're telling Jim Harbord, no, I can't talk to JJ Watt.

You're Mr. 99 in your program. I was like, OK, yeah. So I threw on a different shirt, go up there and there's Joey Khalil. And I was like, OK, I felt a little out of place.

I was like, I don't probably belong here. And I just don't think he wanted to I didn't think he wanted to do it alone. I think it was supposed to be just. Yeah, I know.

Yeah. JJ Watt flew out here to Los Angeles to sit down with Jim Harbaugh. But Jim does that a lot. So they're like, he didn't want to get five chairs.

I'm going to sit back behind here. Did he bring Joe Ortiz too? Did he bring him to the college? No, Ben Herbert, our strength coach. OK, Ben Herbert, well, yeah, that's another guy in Michigan.

Well, he was also jaded as former strength coach. OK, now I get it. And and, you know, so you've met Jack, you met all the Harbaugh's, man. You've met them all, right? Yeah. Did you know for he's a jolly good fellow? Have you ever heard that song before?

Because they are hip hip hooray and stuff like that. Definitely. OK. Heard it that I expect it to be as prominent as it is right now.

No, everything is with the Harbaugh man. And congrats on your start at five and three. And what's going on in your career?

Thank you so much. Pretty cool. And we're neighbors like, you know, neighbors. If you need a cup of sugar or whatever, or I don't know, whatever neighbors need from each other, why don't you come hang out? There's a nice place you got. This is us.

Oh, this is our this is our spot on my own desk or something. Yeah, sure. Whatever.

Right back here. Yeah, yeah, whatever. Yeah. Yeah. You got you got T.J.'s on your back. Yeah. You got putting green, whatever you have in the room with me. Yeah.

Tell tell all your friends all the charges. We're right over here. And last last question for you. I think you already know the answer to this question. Scott Matlock, who's got it better than us?

Nobody. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, of your Los Angeles charges right here on the Rich Eisen Show. The search for truth never ends. Introducing June's Journey, a hidden object mobile game with a captivating story. Connect with friends, explore the roaring 20s and enjoy thrilling activities and challenges while supporting environmental causes. After seven years, the adventure continues with our immersive travels feature. Explore distant cultures and engage in exciting experiences. There's always something new to discover. Are you ready?

Download June's Journey now on Android or iOS. This is a PSA or public sock announcement. Experts have declared Bombas socks as the best way to warm up chilly feet. These pairs are super cushy, soft and designed for maximum coziness. Plus, for every pair purchased, another pair will be donated.

So someone in need of essential clothing can stay warm this winter. Go to Bombas.com slash listen and use code Listen for 20% off your first purchase. That's B-O-M-B-A-S dot com slash listen and use code Listen at checkout. All right, everybody. Hey, let's take a phone call. Derek in Missouri, one of our one of our regulars. Derek, how are you, bud? I'm good, sir.

You know, I've got only a little inner Brockman here for a second. Del Tifo, can you hear that breaking news? Oh, wow. Oh, wow.

Look at him just ordering mike around. Here it comes. Okay.

Am I? I see breaking news. What do you got, Derek? Rick, the Raiders after firing Luke Getze and their two coaches yesterday, they have hired Norv Turner as an assistant coach. We haven't spoken about that yet. Yeah, Norv's back. His son Scott's involved. I mean, who's playing quarterback? That's the issue. I mean, honestly, you know, and here's the thing that's really amazing.

Is Bowers has been remarkable no matter who's thrown to him. So but I appreciate you chiming in with some breaking news. Derek. Oh, my pleasure. I appreciate it. Thanks for the call. Derek's been hanging on all this time for that.

I appreciate it. What happened to Tom Brokaw? Does he no longer do your breaking news anymore? You know, I think we were kind of bummed.

Yeah, I kind of think we're a little more current with Al Pacino having issues announcing best picture. My eyes see. Here it comes. I think it's going to take a lot to not have that one for a while. That's too good. Maybe Mikey, when I do the show next, he'll pull back the Dr. Spiceman.

Dr. Spiceman. Oh, yeah, you like that one. I do.

I know. Real quick, can you throw up that tweet the Chiefs threw out last night? Creed Humphrey meeting two members of Creed. I love it. Only thing missing is we should have gotten Creed from the office and it would have been just a Creed-a-palooza.

Yeah, I love it. Creed Humphrey meeting Creed. Can't believe that hasn't happened yet. Not too late. Not too late.

Never too late. No. Let's get Creed from the office out there, too. Oh, gosh, what a day right here on the Rich Eisen Show. Back here on our radio audience, all one big happy family. The Steelers have added. That's some trade news, Rich.

What do you got? We're going to get it under the wire. Hit it.

Go for it. Here it comes. Am I? I see breaking news.

Sues. Yeah, the Steelers busy today sending a seventh round pick to the Packers in exchange for edge rusher Preston Smith, 31 years old. Maybe they're making room for younger guys there, perhaps. I don't know. The best thing about us, though, is it's about us.

And he's part of the us know. Alex Highsmith, TJ Watt. They need a little bit of a breather. Let's send in Preston Smith in there, too. I don't think TJ Watt ever comes off the field. He never gets off the field.

He plays the entire game. Steelers are just going for it. I love it. I love it.

I love it. They're like, yeah, just being the seven seeds, not going to cut it. And we're going to get all these guys going. And the crazy thing about them is that their division schedule is all right in front of them. After they take on Washington, it's mostly division rest of the way. Tough part of the Steelers schedule. They've added Mike Williams and Preston Smith. Maybe they'll add some more as of this conversation. We're about a minute to go.

I mean, an hour to go to the trade deadline. A quick thought here. Every single time I wade into analytics, it's never pretty in the response from the analytics community. But two coaches did not go for two after tying the game in the final throws of regulation in both loss and overtime. And I just, you know, there's different categories of going for two. In my mind, these are my analytics. There's the need, want, and have.

Okay. Want is the most confusing one to me. The want to is when you're down by two scores and you score a touchdown to get down by one score, and then you go for two instead of just going for an extra point with like eight, nine, 10 minutes to go or in the third quarter. And you start going for two there because you want to get an opportunity to score one more touchdown and win. And if you don't get it, at least, you know, you got to go for two at the end, as opposed to having to go for it because you need to or want to. It's weird.

It's weird when that happens. The need to is when you're down by 16 points and you need to go for two to make it a two score game. The have to is when you're down eight and there's no time left and you're not going to get any other possessions other than an onside kick attempt.

So you have to go for two. And I kind of think the have to is you're on the road and you just shocked the team and the defense is on its heels and you don't want to go into overtime and risk it. And one thing is going into overtime and risking it against Mason Rudolph as Gerard Mayo did this week. I mean, after Drake May ran around for like 10 seconds and flipped it up in the air and you scored, the Titans defense is probably on its heels.

They're shocked. They're probably, you know, gasping for air and you don't go for two and you lose in overtime. And then last night, this is what we heard from Coach Bowles when he was asked if he thought about going for two at the end of that regulation.

Very minor. We wanted to get it to overtime with the wet conditions on the field. We felt like we had to go into overtime instead of go for two. So we had our shots and we lost the game.

I don't know in the past you've mentioned you had communications upstairs about decisions analytically, things of that nature. Did they advise you not to go for two? No, we went for one. We took our shots. We had our chances all game. We just lost the game.

It didn't come down today. Well, I mean, they should, you know, I guess you could have played better defense in overtime. The coin flip could have gone your way.

It's like a 50-50 shot. You get the ball to try and win it and it's probably better odds than going for two. I don't understand about the slipping and whatever because the defense could have slipped and you could have won the game with or at least Mahomes had three timeouts left in 20 some odd seconds and Bills fans will tell you that's more than enough for him.

Sorry, Hoskins. But all you got to do is wonder if he made the right move or not is listen to Andy Reid's reaction when he was asked if he was surprised if Bowles didn't go for two. Were you surprised talking that he didn't go for two and everything in regulation?

No, but I'm glad he didn't. And I know that's the hindsight of having Mahomes and going down the field and scoring. But again, you got the Chiefs on their heels surprised and shocked to go. So you would have gone for two.

Yeah, I was stunned that they didn't actually. Good show. Good to see you, Suze. Everybody get out there and vote. So important. Most important election for our lives.

Vote. This is a PSA or public sock announcement. Experts have declared Bombas socks as the best way to warm up chilly feet. These pairs are super cushy, soft and designed for maximum coziness. Plus, for every pair purchased, another pair will be donated. So someone in need of essential clothing can stay warm this winter. Go to bombas.com slash listen and use code listen for 20% off your first purchase. That's B-O-M-B-A-S dot com slash listen and use code listen at checkout.