Andrew Hawkins: Playing both ways will keep Travis Hunter from being the best

24:36Rich Eisen:automatic payroll tax filing simple direct deposits health benefits commuter benefits workers comp 401k you name it Gusto makes it simple and has options for nearly every budget and it's all built to save you time with built-in automated tools for offer letters onboarding docs direct deposit and more plus you get unlimited payroll runs for one monthly price no hidden fees no surprises try Gusto today at gusto.com slash rich and get three months free when you run your first payroll That's three months of free payroll at gusto.com slash rich. One more time, gusto.com slash rich. Rich Eisen here.

25:15Rich Eisen:We talk a lot about battles in sports, teams battling through adversity, athletes fighting for every yard. The toughest warriors I've ever seen, though, aren't on the field. They're kids fighting cancer. They're families standing beside them, doctors, nurses, caregivers. That's why I'm proud to support Hyundai Hope on Wheels. For over 28 years, they've helped fund pediatric cancer research, raising more than$303 million and supporting over 40 ,000 children. Learn more and donate at HyundaiUSA.com backslash Hope on Wheels. All right, everybody, ladies and gentlemen, back on the Rich Eisen Show after it's been way too long.

25:48Rich Eisen:Andrew Hawkins is back in the program. Thank you, Hawk. Thank you, thank you. We always shoot our audience straight. Hawk sits down and he goes, what do you want to talk about? I'm like, I don't know what you want to talk about. Am I wrong? No, it's vibes, man. It's all vibes. It is. That's what it's about. What's for dinner question at your house? What do you want for dinner? I never want to go first in that. We both want to eat. You know what I mean? I never want to go first. Whatever you say is the wrong answer. It's not that it's the wrong answer. I just don't want it to be wrong. You understand what I'm saying?

26:20Rich Eisen:That makes sense. But this is not what we want to talk about. No, that wasn't on the list. There are things I don't want to talk about. That's one of them. And having dinner is one of them. Yes, for sure. Well, what is on your mind football-wise? like what is what what what hits you what hits you is we're now we're pre-season less than a month i remember right so yeah is what's to read into it pre-season you know i think general philosophy around pre-season yes it means so much it means nothing at the same time for everybody because it's not life in such a way sometimes yeah exactly exactly we get excited about it and i get excited about it as well sure but there's like so many I mean, there it is, storylines, but like it's so specific to the player.

27:00Like I can remember going through my first preseason. And there was like four plays that allowed me to make the practice squad. Was this for the Rams? No, I actually was with the Rams for one day. So it wasn't with the Rams. It was with the Bengals. And there was like my first preseason game playing was against the Jets. And I made a tackle on the punt team. Nice. I jumped in for a fumble on offense. I cut a linebacker, which was a big deal back then. Now it's like I'd go to prison. But back then it was like, you're ready to mix it up. And then I caught a comeback for like 12 yards and nobody touched me.

27:41And I had the sense of mind to get up and run for an extra three yards. And Marvin Lewis, the next day, like put those string of plays together and was like, this is how you start to build to make the team. Four plays that you never would think that the fans don't give a damn about. That, you know, even the team is probably like, whatever. But for me, those were like, that was my Mona Lisa. That was my Super Bowl winning plays when I look back. And it changes the trajectory of my career. Because that's how you made the Cincinnati Bengals? Because that's how I made the Cincinnati Bengals.

28:15Rich Eisen:How about that? It gave me a chance to get a chance, you know? I love hearing stories like that. That's when people are watching preseason games over the weekend. This is some serious stuff that's at stake here. Lives are at stake. Careers are being built. And we like having fun. What does it really mean? Well, it means a lot. And obviously it also means about culture building and things of that nature and getting out there and coaches who are preaching something and selling something that it gets bought because you can see it in a game. You can see it in a locker room after a game and things like that.

28:47Rich Eisen:And then there's something like tonight with Shadour Sanders. I mean, what do you think his opportunity truly is tonight? It's kind of what I just talked about. And, you know, there's so much being said. Is he being set up to fail? Is, you know, he didn't get that many reps with the one team? Well, this is where you show it. This is like, can you make every snap, every play, every game feel like it's the most important thing in the world? Because as a professional, that's what you're looking for. So is it ideal? No, it never is. And the lower you are on the draft board or where you came into the league, the harder it is, right?

29:20So as a fifth-round pick, the setting is never going to be perfect. That's just the reality of what it is. And we know Shador, in my opinion, Shador is better than a fifth-round pick, but it doesn't matter because you're a fifth-round pick. And that is a system that you're now opted into.

29:35Rich Eisen:Like if you told me before the draft Shador Sanders would get the start in the first preseason game for the Cleveland Browns, that means he was drafted third overall, and he's going to be their guy. Seriously. But instead, he's getting the start tonight and maybe playing every snap because he was a fifth-round pick. And the guy who they plan on starting is 40. And he doesn't need the reps. And the other two guys, including the veteran they snagged from the Philadelphia Eagles and another rookie quarterback that they got, were banged up enough in preseason that they're just going to give Shadour the start.

30:08Rich Eisen:And so those are the circumstances. You start and maybe play an entire game if you're a fifth-round pick. And just to bring it all full circle here, the conversation was, does Shadour really take this stuff seriously? Is he going to be able to be a fifth-round selection and take advantage of the opportunities? Well, I think tonight he's going to show you damn straight I am. I think he is too. And I think even since he's been drafted, the narrative around his personality, how he approaches things, I mean, he's been the center of attention probably more than any draft pick that came into the league this year.

30:37Yes, in his whole life. And he's handled it like you would expect a professional to handle it, in my opinion. We're barely talking about Cam. Ward, they're talking about Shador Sanders. But when you hear in the building, all he does is do his work. He's quiet. He's trying to learn. No, he doesn't want his dad to come because he feels like he needs to do more. Those are all the signs you're looking for. Okay, now you're thrust into the starting spot when probably wasn't the plan based on where you are on the depth chart and the quarterbacks that came in before you. But this is what's special about it.

31:07Okay, you didn't have first team reps. People consider that. So if you go in here today and you ball with players that maybe you didn't get as many reps with, or maybe the setup wasn't ideal, that does tell you about who the player is. So this really is an opportunity for you because every player that has overachieved what they came into the league, what level they came into the league at, will have a very similar story. The only reason I made an active roster is because Jordan Shipley blew out his knee. Not ideal. Jordan is an incredible guy, was a great wide receiver. He blew out his knee the second week of that same season I talked about, and then I had a seven-year NFL career.

31:44If not for that, I don't know if I would have seen the field that year. I don't know if they would have kept me the year after, but that's the circumstances of being a professional. So Shador, now you have an opportunity that you have to go into every game thinking, I'm going to be the starter. At some point, I'm going to go in and play and I'm going to be ready. So it doesn't matter what the outside says. It doesn't matter what the setting is. In your mind, just like every player receiver has to think before the snap, I'm getting the ball. The moment you don't think you're getting the ball is when the ball comes and you're not ready for it, and it dictates your life.

32:14So Shadour should be ready. He will be ready. And all the setting around it will just play into the narrative of why he should or shouldn't be a starting quarterback.

32:22Rich Eisen:Andrew Hawkins here on the Rich Eisen Show. Your best guess, what's going through the mind of Shane Steichen, H.C. of the Indianapolis Colts, and the rest of the front office, okay? Yeah. after seeing Anthony Richardson get blown up on what appears to be a protection he needs to handle himself pre-snap, not look away from David Ajabo and the hot receivers while staring down somebody completely on the opposite side of the field. Now, obviously, I'm leading the witness here. But that said, though, do you think they're sitting there thinking, learning moment that he needs to play out, that at least he's healthy coming through it.

33:05Rich Eisen:Or they're like, this is exactly the problem with this kid. And I'm glad we have Daniel Jones and he's going to be our guy. What do you think is happening right now in Indianapolis? Of those two options, I would say it's probably the latter. Just because, to your point, at some point it's your responsibility to protect yourself. And the NFL is a 100 % injury rate. Simple as that. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. and how you manage that, how you prevent that, right? How you bounce back from that will determine how long you play, how well you play, and how much you contribute to an organization.

33:40And for Anthony Richardson from day one, that has been the question, right? There may be other quarterbacks who have also gotten hurt a lot of times in a short amount of span. You remember Joe Burrow is going through. He has injuries every other couple years, it feels like. Yes, sir. When he's not injured, you see the way he plays. But then on top of that, it's like, okay, could he have prevented this? And with Anthony Richardson, you see some of the way he runs and, you know, can he protect himself better? And this is another instance of like, well, you can't protect yourself. So it's not so much that the luck of, you know, bounce of the ball is preventing you from having games.

34:14It's you have to be able to play the position in a way that prevents you from losing time. Otherwise, we can't build around you as a starting quarterback.

34:21Rich Eisen:Shouldn't these be the mental reps that he's had all these years in the times when he's had downtime? Listen, I don't want to beat the kid up here. No, it's the truth. This is good. I love this. The reason why I love you saying that, should it be the mental rest? When you look at Anthony Richardson, here's why him not playing a bunch of football matters. I tell my son, who is 13 now, and from the beginning, I say, look, man, every day you have to be doing something towards what you want. You can't go into a season, if you're a basketball player, if you shoot four shots a day, that's not going to get you to where you need to get to because everyone has a number.

34:58I don't know what that number is for you. You don't know what that number is for you. If Kobe Bryant, it takes 20 ,000 shots to become Kobe Bryant, and he takes 19 ,999, we never hear Kobe Bryant. If that's his number. He doesn't know what his number is, so he has to shoot 1 ,000 shots a day because his number might be 20 ,000, it might be 100 ,000, it might be 200 ,000. Steph Curry's might be 2 ,000, it might be 100 ,000, it might be a million. But it's your job to get as many reps as possible to get to your number. for Anthony Richardson, I don't know if the amount of mental reps he's had to date is enough to unlock what his potential is physically or his tangible tools.

35:34And he doesn't know that either. So that's what you have to grade. Okay, is this a guy that's getting as many reps every day throughout the year possible to try to make his track towards whatever his number is? And that's something that only the Colts can decide. But typically when I look at a player, that's how I judge whether or not you'll reach your ceiling. Not because I know what your ceiling is, but I can see in you how important it is for you to try to find that seal.

35:58Rich Eisen:Andrew Hawkins here on the Rich Eisen Show. You mentioned about how it's basically 100 % hit rate on being injured in the NFL, right? That reminds me of what Devontae Adams said this week about why he thinks Travis Hunter will not be a two-way player in this league, is that you're now doubling your chance of the 100 % happening, and thus you will not be available on either side of the football because you're attempting this. And thus, you know, it's not that he thinks he shouldn't. He just thinks it won't be successful at the end of the day. I told him, you know, not personally, I just threw the screen here, stick to tacos in your basement.

36:40Rich Eisen:Don't throw cold water on this excitement that I feel about this opportunity for a unicorn to shine. What do you think? It's a matter of what success is to Travis Hunter, Meaning, like, I don't think he could be the best receiver he could possibly be if he's playing wide receiver and corner. I don't think he can be the best possible corner he can be if he's playing wide receiver and corner. Why not? He's done it his whole life. Deion's got this guy ready for greatness. I don't think he's not going to be great, right? Like, I'm just saying, like, he could be the best corner and receiver the NFL has ever seen, Deion included.

37:17And if that's the bar for success, go for it. Do what you feel is best. But just like the example I gave about the reps, for every rep that you're not getting at the cornerback position, you're putting towards something else. And if it takes X amount of reps to be the best corner the NFL has ever seen, and you're splitting it in half, that's just the reality. So it might be good enough for both sides, but it will be really hard. Now, I'm not going to say the injury thing is the reason why it won't happen because his own body and DNA composition would decide that. But I know when you get really, really tired, you have a higher likelihood of getting hurt.

37:54I know when you get really, really tired or you're putting more taxing on your body, you have a higher likelihood of getting beat at corner or not getting open at wide receiver. It would be really hard. And as you get older, that thing becomes even harder. So, yeah, I don't think it's impossible. I think it's impossible for him to be the best wide receiver that his body is capable of. or to be the best cornerback his body is capable of by splitting both. Listen, Hawk, Rich don't want to hear none of that. He wants Travis Hunter on the field 80 to 100 plays a game. He don't want to hear nothing.

38:29Rich Eisen:He's a young buck. He's like, you're only what, is he 22? You're only 22 once. And he's done it. And that's the only way he knows how to do it. So maybe he won't be as good a player if he doesn't do both. How about that? How about that? That could be valid. He knows how to do it. Yes. He could be so depressed about playing one side of the ball that he loses his love for the game altogether. I'm not saying he's going to lose his love of the game. I'm just saying. I agree, though. I don't know. He knows only one way how to do it. This is the way he does it. So let him do it. And let's see how it goes.

39:00Rich Eisen:And then maybe mid-season, you know, you pull back a little bit here, you pull back a little bit there, and then you keep him fresh and just let him fly. You know, like, why are we telling you too close to the sun already? Don't fly at all. You know what I mean? Like, that's what I'm saying. I don't think that's wrong. I don't think you're wrong on that, Rich. I'm with you. I'm all for fun. If you're the Jaguars, you want it. You want to see it. They don't have much to lose. So, yeah, try my tackle while you're at it. You know, put it all out there. Make him a punter. No. That's where I draw the line.

39:32Rich Eisen:Well, they're people too, Rich. Deion refers to himself as a five-down player, three on defense, one on special teams, and the first one on offense. Because he just got everyone off the field. I'm not saying it's not possible. I think he is a freak of nature when it comes to playing football. He is a special athlete, one like we have not seen in a very long time, and maybe ever. But I am just saying, people aren't crazy for saying that it's going to be almost impossible to do because we've never seen it done at that level. Doesn't mean it can't be done. Just means it's going to be really, really hard.

40:04All right.

40:04Rich Eisen:Going to keep you to the end of the hour? One more segment? I'll do it. All right. Andrew Hawkins is here, everybody. Phone calls. And then, of course, our friend Ezra Frack, who is a gold medal Paralympian, will be here on the Rich Eisen Show. Oh, oh, oh, O 'Reilly. Check engine, ABS, or maintenance light on. Take the guesswork out of your warning lights with O 'Reilly Veriscan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE-certified master technicians. And if you need help, we could recommend a shop for you. Ask for O 'Reilly Veriscan today. Oh, oh, oh, O 'Reilly. Auto Parts.

40:50Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen here. Running a small business means every hire matters. A bad hire costs time and money, but the right one helps your business grow. The challenge? Finding that person without sorting through resumes. That's where LinkedIn Hiring Pro comes in. It screens candidates so you can focus on conversations with qualified talent. With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence and build the team you need. Join the 2.7 million small businesses using LinkedIn to hire. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com slash eisen. Terms and conditions apply. Back here on the Rich Eisen Show, I've got Andrew Hawkins here.

41:24Rich Eisen:Were you ever involved in a training camp that got sucked up in a contract dispute between a star player and management? You ever in the middle of something like that? Let me think here. No? Yeah, I think basically my first training camp. Was who? Was 2011 Bengals. Odd that they're involved. Yeah. Sorry. Was that out loud? Carson Palmer refused to come to the facility. And that was the year they drafted Andy Dalton in the second round. A.J. Green was a first-round pick. And we're like, do we have a quarterback or not? And they're like, we got Bruce Gradkowski. I think we're going to ride with him unless Andy Dalton shows some promise.

42:07Andy Dalton ended up being the quarterback. They ended up trading Carson to the Raiders, I believe, right before or later in that season. But that was like a big deal. That was the storyline. So hell yeah. Yeah. So I'd say it was a pretty big one.

42:18Rich Eisen:Jeez, when it involves a quarterback as well. I mean, we're not seeing this with a quarterback, but we're seeing, I guess, with the quarterback of the Cowboys defense in one. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And a quarterback whose top weapon in his remarkable rookie season is another, right, with Terry McLaurin. Terry McLaurin. And there's Trey Henderson with Cincinnati right now. But how did that, I mean, you're a first-year player. Clearly, you're welcome in the NFL. But what was it like in camp when all of this stuff was going on and everyone's being asked about it? Yeah, it was a topic like every day. Was there a conversation that Andrew Whitworth was on the program earlier this week, was alluding to when he was in Oxnard and seeing firsthand, was there a conversation about within the locker room hey if they're not willing to pay the guy here what will that mean for me if i ball out was those conversations real those are real those are real because the tone is always like hey just so you you know you're not as good as this person so you understand like where you fit on that packing order you can't go into these situations these years these contracts and think that you're the one who's special because this is how it approaches and it does like fix your mind for that now that doesn't make you take your foot off the gas because it's still contracts you need or conversations you need to be had and carson was a little different because it was kind of like it wasn't like i need more money it was straight up like i want to be out and i actually think him him leaving the bangles you know i i would i would argue that it wasn't the best decision it needed to be done for him and kind of where he was in his career.

43:59But I think the Bengals went on a run. It didn't result in playoff wins. They went on a big run with some of the team that they were able to put together probably because their quarterback was on a rookie contract. But, yeah, you know, it is a sentiment and it does prepare you whenever you get in that situation to know what the team's perspective is going to be at you.

44:18Rich Eisen:Yeah, because that wit was describing that, you know. And then McLaurin, he turns 30. He wants, we would assume, DK Metcalf, 30 million, 32 million, A.J. Brown type money. Yeah. Can't blame him. You can't blame him. You can't. 30 is the magic number at wide receiver. No matter how good you are, they're going to try to pay you less. Unfortunately, that's the way. You're talking about 30 age. 30 age. Yeah, yeah, yeah. 30 age. Remember Bolden? Bolden was still as good as he was ever. like almost until the day he retired right and it always seemed like such a strain for him and i would look at his contracts and as receivers like we're watching the film like this guy 100 plus receptions like he's the whole offense is running through him and it just seemed like he would still have to keep proving himself or doing prove it deals and numbers wise yeah he was at the top and so i mean you could say like his hall of fame candidacy is going through the same thing right where you're just like hey that guy should be finalist every year absolutely like he is people forget and it's time goes by and if there's not enough people banging the drum you know well with larry going in next year maybe that could be you know he and kurt can utilize the platform that will no doubt be afforded to them i hope so uh to say let's not forget anquan who i hopefully will be in attendance because larry's going in next year yeah he is 844-204-RICH.

45:45Rich Eisen:Number to dial. Are you of the mindset the Eagles are the favorites? Again? Yes or no? Andrew Hawkins. Yeah, you're nay. Nay. Why? I like the Ravens. I like the Ravens every year, though. This is... I think that they've done a really good job in the offseason. I think that they were right there a year ago. I don't know. Something feels like this is the year they put it together. But I like the Eagles out there as well. I think it'll be an Eagles-Ravens Super Bowl. You do believe the Eagles at least make it back, is what you're saying. I think they are very, very talented, as talented. It will be hard personality-wise on that team for a repeat.

46:18But, like, their talent, if last year was in the indicator, because there was points in last season as well, that that thing did not look like a foregone conclusion. I think that they'll be there again. All right, then let's work backward from here.

46:32Rich Eisen:The Chiefs don't make it because the Ravens finally dispatch with them when they face each other, or the Chiefs will just have a regressed year? I don't think the Chiefs will have a regressed year. I also think that they got better. But, you know, at that point, when you look at those teams that are going to be there, I would put the Bills in that category as well. It really is like how much sleep did Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson get the night before. Don't forget Burrow too, right? Burrow, obviously, for sure. He looked amazing last night. For sure. The defense for Burrow is like what I question, obviously.

47:05Oh, yeah, right. Unless he can go do Travis Hunter and play some safety.

47:10Rich Eisen:Well, he'll be less of a quarterback. I know you're all for it, Rich. Listen, I'm not saying everyone needs to play both sides of the football, Andrew Hawkins. I'm saying there's one kid. Eight-man football in Iowa. Everybody plays both ways. No, I'm saying there's one kid who's proven he can do it, and he's done it at a high level, and he's a Heisman Trophy winner, and he is somebody that should not be held back in any way, shape, or form. and let's see what we got going. So, I mean. I believe that. Okay. One question on that. Okay. At what point, not that do you pull the plug, but what are your checkpoints to say this is or isn't working?

47:46Why do we got to have checkpoints? Why do we got to have, why are you being so negative? Checks and balances is negative?

47:53Rich Eisen:No. This is a big investment. I don't think, I'll be honest, I don't think there's enough checks and balances, but that's for another conversation. But, dude, come on now. Like, let's see what happens. Let's just see what happens. Obviously, you know the way this works. There's all sorts of, what, chips and shoulder pads, and they know how fast you can go, and they know what your GPS is and all this sort of stuff. They got this thing handled, man. You think so? Yes, they do. I like it. Let's see what happens. Let's trust them. Blind trust. Let's do it. And this is what I want. I want it ramped up.

48:28Rich Eisen:If you want to ramp it up, I want it ramped up week five. The Chiefs are in Jacksonville on Monday Night Football. Duval County is going to be showing up in full force, and I want Travis Hunter to be at his full complement of him standing across whoever, you know, if Rasheed Rice is there or not. I want him standing across Rasheed Rice or Xavier Worthy, and then I want him, you know, running routes against this Chiefs defense. This is what I want to see. It would be the most exciting thing. On Monday Night Football, they'll track them. and they'll have one of their 20 million cameras on him. And that's what the NFL should want.

49:04Rich Eisen:That's what the Jaguars should want. I mean, I've made my point, I guess. I don't think, I think the sentiment around people talking about whether this can or can't, should or should not, what's possible, isn't possible, is that it's from a spirit of hate. And I don't believe that that's the case. I think it is protection. I think like, especially from a player's perspective, when they're talking about Travis Hunter and this being hard and they shouldn't do this, it's coming from a place of you don't want the worst for this kid. No, of course not. And I am having a little bit of fun here, but I am fully aware of there's a reason why we don't see it.

49:48Rich Eisen:Right. There's a reason why he is a unicorn, all right? And that is because if everybody could do it, they would. What is that, from a league of their own, right? Isn't that the line about if... If it was hard, if it was easy, everybody would do it. Right, that's the line. The hard is what makes it great. Right, like that is... I like that. I totally understand what you're saying. Yeah. So, all right, so who's the team that gives the Eagles the best threat in the NFC then? Just if we're working backwards on the NFC side of things. Real quick on Travis Hunter, really quick. Oh my gosh, okay. I'm sorry.

50:18No, no, it's fine. Now my mind is going here. All right, here we go. Now I'm going to put my NFLPA executive director head on. Oh boy, okay. Okay. I think the job's open? In success. There's an interim person right now. In success, what does this look like? Let's say he goes, he balls out, receiver, corner. I'll tell you right now.

50:35Rich Eisen:I'll give you the answer. Thank you for asking. Yes. He's the offensive and defensive rookie of the year. Okay. And then creates a massive problem for the Jacksonville Jaguars when it comes time to pay him. And raises the boats of anybody else who wants to try it. Yeah. And resets the receiver and defensive back market at the same time. and he's on the face of every single cereal box you can think of. What do you think about that? I like that. The likelihood of that happening is so... I know. Trust me. I get it. I know we're threatening you here. Are they going to pay him like a top receiver and a top corner twice, which is what should happen?

51:12And that's why I say... Look at Otani. Is it worth it? Are they going to pay you the$32 million McLaurin's asking for as well as the$32 million that you're getting as a number one corner or a corner on the other side. They're not going to pay you$64 million, and this is a business still. No, I understand that. You don't give them more work than they're paying for.

51:31Rich Eisen:No, I understand that. By the time this will be a question, the markets will have reset, and it'll all depend on which corner or wide receiver Jerry takes too much time to pay. Did I bring it all full circle? You did. I like that. Good to see you, Andrew Hawkins. Thank you for being here on the Rich Eyes. Please come back anytime, man. Of course. Let's do it. And by the way, this is not an L.A. thing where I don't mean it when I say it. I truly mean it. What do we work for really quick before we go? Everybody. Okay. So I think we can figure that out. Andrew Hawkins here on the Rich Eisen Show.

52:02Rich Eisen:We're still here on the Roku Sports Channel, everybody. It's okay, Mikey. It's okay. Mike, premature, played music. Yeah, I got excited. Sorry. The league doesn't want him to play both, honestly, from a pay perspective. That is an absolute ridiculous notion. I don't know about that, man. I told you this, man. They don't want the issue of a guy being so good at two positions, he's going to now demand to be paid twice. Let me tell you something. The league does not want that. I think if that's the case, the league would be happy, right? No. How can it be looked as a bad person? Think about the finances.

52:35They do not want this.

52:36Rich Eisen:Let me just shoot everybody straight. There are people in the NFL who might feel that way. Okay? I'm not going to lie. I don't know who they are. There might be some people who feel that sort of way. Okay? They might be, you know, in ownership. Okay. Membership or whatever you want to call it. I understand that. And there are some people who, you know, are in the league offices who feel like the NFL stands astride the sports landscape like the Colossus that it truly is. And it doesn't really matter. All right. At the end of the day. But at the end of the day, there, every sports league needs to have somebody who is transformational.

53:19Rich Eisen:everybody's looking for it baseball should be throwing every rose petal at the feet of dave roberts for keeping shoay otani as a starting pitcher okay and they should be throwing rose petals at shoay otani's feet what else do you need shoay what would you like because you are a unicorn that cuts through all the static on behalf of major league baseball and there's a lot of static that the nfl has people to help cut through yeah travis hunter doing what i just laid out for you. You asked me what does it look like in ultimate success? And I gave you what I feel and on top of it, I'm sure the Jaguars would include an MVP for him and a Super Bowl trophy for the city, right?

54:01Rich Eisen:But at the end of the day, if Travis Hunter can play both sides of the ball like this and the Jacksonville Jaguars are suddenly getting flexed into because of it and they're winning divisions and they're winning the AFC and they're threatening the Chiefs on a Monday night and beating them in front to the whole country, and that's all we're talking about the next day is did you see what Travis Hunter did this time? Yeah. You can't turn that down. And the NFL, at the end of the day, should want that. And I hope they do. How's that for your answer? Are they going to defer 95 % of Travis Hunter's future contracts?

54:33Rich Eisen:I don't know. Now, the money aspect of it will be fascinating. Again, I want him to do all those things. It would be amazing. I think baseball has a better reputation of them compensating. for when there's no cap there. And that's kind of the point. It's like, there's a real good chance that all that happens. And then it's like, yep, now you're going to get paid like a top receiver. And that should be enough. Andrew Hawkins, you're on the program.

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