Hour 1: Browns QB Room Breakdown, plus NFL Network’s Kurt Warner

24:23And I haven't been ready to put Trevor in that upper echelon just yet. Now, he shows moments. He shows glimpses of everything you want in an elite, big-time quarterback. And he shows them every week. but there's also you know eight to ten plays every week where I'm left shaking my head like why did he make that decision you know why didn't he throw it there or how did he miss that throw after making that other like how do these things happen and and you could take that last drive and you could put all that in there like the first two plays of the drive he rolls out to his right hand side and there's nowhere to go and we know time is an element and instead of just running out of bounds, he turns up the field.

25:06He gets tackled, you know, right where he's at. Okay. So now the clock's going. So then the next play, he rolls to his left-hand side. There's nothing there. Just throw the ball away and stop the clock. And he tries to run again and he, and he loses three yards on the play. And you're just kind of shaking your head like, oh my gosh, what are we doing in this two minute drill? Like we got to save time. And then the next play is this dime that he drops to Brian Thomas for 40 yards down the sideline. That's perfect. You know, and And then you go the rest of the drive and he makes a couple of plays.

25:36And then the winning play, you know, and again, not his fault that, you know, he gets stepped on and falls down. But, you know, he's falling down and you're like, oh, my gosh, you're in a moment to win this game against the defending AFC champs. And he falls down back there in a situation with no timeouts. Now what's going to happen? And then he gets up and he runs it in and makes a great play and wins the game. But it's kind of been the Trevor Lawrence experience, as people say, is that there's so much good. But then there's always these things that leave you scratching your head. And that's the next step for Trevor is to eliminate those things that show up each week that, you know, can be game changing plays, you know, negatively for your football team.

26:17and those didn't cost him in this game, but those first two plays, you're like, man, this is exactly the opposite of how we want to start a two-minute drive. But he came back and made a play, and so maybe he's breaking through and he's able to make more of those big-time plays in the moment. Maybe this is one of those difference-making games for him and the Jags. But those plays are still in there, and they were on Monday night, and that's the thing I think he's got to eliminate if this team is really going to be a contender at the end of the year.

26:46Rich Eisen:Well, you know the Bill Parcells phrase, Kurt, right? So-and-so dropped his huggies. That's the phrase when a young quarterback or player becomes a grown man in the NFL. Did Drake May drop his huggies on Sunday night football against the Bills? Kurt? Yeah, I still want to see more. I think Drake's playing some good football. And, you know, but right now a little of it is, I think, more backyard football than it's just solid, consistent quarterback play. And, you know, and we saw that. I mean, there was one where he ends up rolling to his right and he drops a dime about 35 yards down the field, rolling to his right.

27:26Obviously, the play there at the end where some big fella's hanging on his left shoulder and he finds a way to shake him off and make that throw, that completion, instead of taking a sack in that situation. So we're seeing some big time plays and we're seeing some good quarterback play. But right now, I've seen a little too much for me. You know, look at one guy and go create. Look at one guy and go create. And he's got the ability to do that. But you know how I feel about that. That's a tough world to live in. To be a great quarterback in this league, you've got to be able to consistently live in the pocket, you know, win the play and the situation dictates that.

28:03and then go and create and be that special playmaker beyond that. And there's just a little too much of that. I think they were fortunate in that game that the Buffalo played as bad as they did. But he made some big-time throws, and he's played some good football this year. I'm just not ready to say he's taken that step to where I think everybody wants him to be.

28:26Rich Eisen:Excellent nuanced answer, Kurt Warner, but unfortunately it's the wrong one. I'd like to introduce you to somebody who thinks the Patriots are now going to win 12 games and Drake may can finish maybe in the MVP finalist voting. That's Chris Brockman. Correct, Chris? Hey, Kurt. Great to see you. Yeah. You too, buddy. Look at the Patriots schedule, Kurt. I don't see how it's any less than 12. Hold on. We're not talking about schedule. We're talking about Drake May. Oh, sure. How about this, Kurt? If you do a blind taste test of statistics, he has better stats than Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Oh, but it's cool when those guys look at one read and then start to create with their legs.

29:02It's cool when they do it. But when Drake May does it, you've got to see more. Well, because I've seen those other guys. I've seen those other guys do more. So when they do that. Oh, really?

29:14Rich Eisen:Like in the Super Bowl? I could live in that world. What's that? Like in the Super Bowl, he says. Well, I haven't seen Drake in the Super Bowl either. So let's be like, what are we talking about here? Not yet. This is the year, Kurt. No, but I've seen those guys win MVPs. I've seen those guys consistently do it for 17 games. But I'm with you. There are times that I say the same thing. I thought on Sunday night that Josh did that way too much. Drop back, look at one guy, or see a hole in the offensive line and take off instead of letting the play work for him. So I fully agree with you that there's times that those guys do that also, and they do it too much for my liking.

29:53But I've also seen them play high-level quarterback, where, again, I want to see more of Drake. He's played well this year. I just want to see it more consistently before I'm ready to, you know. And I totally get that. The frustrating part is, and look, and he's a second-year player, is that he does all these amazing things. He drops that, you know, the insane throw on the final drive, the one to Stefan Diggs on the sideline, and then he does the absolutely dumbest play you've ever seen, like the fumble and pick against the Steelers, and you're just like, dude, come on, man. Like, it's just right there.

30:26That's because he's a kid.

30:26Rich Eisen:He's a kid and he's going to have to get used to this whole thing. And go back to Josh Allen. Yeah. You know, like Josh Allen, didn't we say that about him in his second year? Like, Josh, quit making that play. You're like, you can't do that. So, yeah, I mean, I fully believe that he will work his way in that direction. I just don't think he's there yet. Okay. Kurt Warner here on the Rich Eisen Show. This isn't a quarterback thing, but it's something that's happening right there in your area. in Arizona was Demercato flipping the ball too soon before crossing the goal line. After he saw A.D. Mitchell do it, it absolutely turned the game for Arizona.

31:04Rich Eisen:Everything that happened after it isn't Demercato's fault, but it was the beginning of it. And, you know, Coach Jonathan Gannon went up to him and aired him out. I don't know what he said to him, but it was an airing out that Gannon apologized for. and then the team fined Gannon six figures for it. What's your take on all this, Kurt? Because there's back and forth about, hey, a coach isn't allowed to air out a player for a bonehead move, and he apologized. I don't know if he said something that he shouldn't have, but I give the floor to you on this, Kurt. Yeah, I think it was the physical part of the interaction where the fine and the apology came from.

31:49I don't think it was about getting on him and yelling and screaming at him. But, you know, there was, you know, a lot of people said he hit him, he punched him. Like, I don't know. I mean, they had lots of coaches, you know, I would say physical, you know, they just push you, whatever. I mean, I've had that happen a lot in this sport. And so I didn't really make as much of that as a lot of people did. I know in this day and age, it can be a bigger issue than, you know, maybe it was a decade ago. You know, but I believe that's what the apology was for was, you know, The physical nature of it shouldn't have done that, blah, blah, blah.

32:25I have absolutely no problem with any of it. Now, I know the young man feels as bad as anybody. He knows he made a mistake. He knows it was a bonehead move, especially after what happened the week before. Just like the week before, neither one of these guys thought they did it. They thought they crossed the goal line before they did it. So those things happen. And I know we say they can't happen. They shouldn't happen. why do they happen um and i fully understand why coach gannon was irate you know like like guys we're pros you can't do that stuff you know we just saw it i don't know if they talked about it too like we just talked about it after last you can't do it so getting angry uh i have no problem with that part of it either getting in his face and i wouldn't think the player would either i think if that happened to me and coach came and yelled at me i would be like i deserve that i I mean, I know and I feel awful.

33:23You don't have to yell at me because I'm a grown man and won't make the mistake again and we'll learn from it. But I understand why you're yelling at me and I have no problem with that. And I'm moving forward. And the young man took full ownership of it as well. And so the fine, I don't know. I mean, again, it doesn't make sense to me just because I think that's part of football. and sometimes we all go over the line yelling and screaming or pushing a teammate or physical part of it. I just think that's part of the game, and I don't think there was any intent there by coach to hurt the player.

34:05It was just one of those moments.

34:07Rich Eisen:Kurt Warner here on the Rich Eisen Show every single Wednesday, and every single Wednesday I ask you this, which quarterback had the best day on film that you've seen since that day. And I'm wondering if it comes from Seattle, if it comes from that Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold classic, in those classic uniforms, Kurt. You could put both of them right up there. I mean, I'm obviously leaning towards Baker. They got the win. I mean, he had four incompletions on the day, threw for 375 yards, something that I know hasn't been done very often. Sam Darnold was great with four touchdowns, did have the one blemish at the end with the interception.

34:46And then, you know, I'll throw out another name in Dak Prescott, who's playing really good football. You know, I know with the Jets and they're they're reeling, you know, it's going to be an interesting weekend for us, you know, with the Jets in London. But another four touchdown performance is in full command. Has this team playing better than I think anybody expected? and even with all the issues that they had, no C.D. Lamb and the issues up front, he just continues to play really, really good football. And so probably not getting talked about as much as some other guys because their team isn't good.

35:21But I think he would fully be in that MVP conversation if you really step back and looked at who's playing, you know, how early in the season. He's playing one of the best quarterback positions of anybody that's out there.

35:36Rich Eisen:Yeah, Baker, 29 for 33, 379 pass yards. And you said it doesn't happen too often. Did you know the statistic associated with it? And that's just you being, you know, humble? I don't know. Okay. I mean, I know that I did that. Baker's only the third player in NFL history with 375 or more passing yards in a game and fewer than five completions in that game, including the playoffs. The other two are named Peyton Manning and you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's obviously it's incredible. I mean, it's a rare feat to have, you know, that little, you know, incompletions. I mean, just four incompletions is incredible.

36:15And then the thing that I love about Baker, and I actually just did a breakdown of beyond QB Confidential, you know, a little bit later, but I always think that the best quarterbacks in the league are the guys that excel consistently at what I call chunk throws, the 15 to 35 yard throws that you make in a game. Like every quarterback in the NFL should make the short throws and everyone should be able to make, you know, the long throw here and there, you know, when you throw it in a game. But the guys that are so good at those chunk throws are the ones that become the great quarterbacks in the National Football League.

36:50And two of the guys I just mentioned, Dak Prescott and Baker Mayfield, have been two of the best this year in making those chunk throws consistently over and over again. And in that game against Seattle, he made some incredible chunk throws. But he's been doing that consistently, and that to me is what's taken him to that next level is consistency in the other areas. But his chunk throws are second to none right now.

37:18Rich Eisen:Does Zabuka look like the offensive rookie of the year on tape too, on film, just seeing the way that he runs his rocks for Baker? He could be the offensive player of the year. I mean, not just rookie of the year. But, yeah, I mean, he looked like a seasoned vet. and little nuances that he has, the feel for the game. You know, there was a couple plays where, you know, just him settling in a zone so Baker can make him available. The long touchdown, post-touchdown that he ran right at the top of his route. He gives a little lean to the outside. He's in tight coverage. He gives a little lean to the outside to create just enough separation from the corner so Baker can put it in there and that corner's not in a position to knock it away.

37:56And so things like that from a rookie are really, really impressive. And so, yeah, we could definitely say rookie of the year. But I think he's in the running for things like offensive player of the year right now with the way that he's playing.

38:10Rich Eisen:If I'm not mistaken, Kurt, wait for it. I'm not a tapehead like you, but that route that you're referring to in Seattle, was that the route that they beat the Falcons on too? Is that the same thing? It is the exact same route. You're right. Look at me. I see you. Look at me, Kurt. it looked just like the one that beat the falcons you are you are on the money it's called re confidential that's what it's called that's uh-huh yeah i'm coming for you start your own so you already got your own youtube channel man you can start breaking down come on now and because i can't don't steal my job i won't do that no no you're great at what you do and because again i i can't resist even though you know i i should um your name also came up in a stat from this weekend as well.

38:55Rich Eisen:Oh, no. Not like a Monday night game. Were you calling that for Westwood 1? Oh, trust me. I was calling it. And so when Devin Lloyd does what he does, I mean, what are you thinking in the booth when you're watching this happen, Kurt? Literally, I was thinking the exact same thing. Like, I've been there. I've seen this before. in Florida in the state of Florida I actually did think about that too it wasn't this stadium but it was right down the road yes all of that stuff came screaming back into my mind and then you know at the end Devin was starting to run out of gas you know and I saw I don't remember who it was maybe Thornton he's running down the white which is what Larry was doing I'm like he's going to catch him He's going to knock the ball out at the last second.

39:50And, of course, he didn't either.

39:52Rich Eisen:And so, yes, there was a lot of thoughts came back on that one. So can't confirm you were thinking about it, is what you're saying. Well, no, I talked about it on the air. Ah, fantastic. If you listen, everybody knew I was thinking about it. But Kevin Harlan was probably nicer about it than I'm being right now, Kirk. Very much. Okay, very much. He didn't bring it up. He left it fully to me. He didn't bring it up? It's a stat. It's a stat. It's the longest one ever other than, you know, yours. I know. I brought it up so he didn't have to, but he did not stay on it. You mean like what I'm doing right now is what you're saying.

40:25Exactly. Yeah, he just moved on quickly. Like, hey, Kurt, you do that if you want to. Otherwise, I'm just going to go to that great play.

40:31Rich Eisen:All right, we're finally out of time now. I'll see you in London. I'll see you tomorrow. All right, buddy. I'll see you tomorrow. I'll see you across the pond. There you go. That's Kurt Warner, everybody, in his usual Wednesday spot right here on the Rich Eisen show. He's already hung up. He doesn't want to hear what we have to say. ESPN Radio is presented by Progressive Insurance, supporting you every step of the way. Progressive.com. Every step of the way, like, say, Devin Lloyd. Or James Harrison. Just throwing... Just random names. Just random names. Just random names. The air that is thin.

41:05Rich Eisen:We'll take a break right here on the Rich Eisen Show. Back with more Fitz and Whit and B. John Robinson. Still to come.

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43:06Rich Eisen:844-204-RICH is the number to dial on the program. Dan Campbell is speaking and he, as we know 4-1 Lions next up in Arrowhead and the Chiefs just minted a new 4-1 team in the NFL in the Jacksonville Jaguars. My power rankings later on. See how high up the Lions have gone? The Jaguars are on it. I'm now teasing a segment I never really wanted to do. We love it, Rich. It happens. It does happen. We love it, Rich. so uh dan campbell last time they visited arrowhead they spoiled a party remember that one yeah where the lions went into arrowhead an opener in a season opener assignment everyone's like that's right why would the league put the lions in there right the lions are just going to be uh you know the uh washington generals here to the globetrotters and yada yada yada didn't happen Axel Foley here we go Detroit-esque look at you Mike I don't understand it he wrecked the buffet thank you sir ah let's uh let's hear from Dan Campbell would you mind actually working the fader so we can hear the sound I already did very good roll it look you you gotta do a number of things with him you know first of all he can smell a rat from a mile away so if you're gonna disguise boy it better be uh it better be you know worthy of a Grammy um because, you know, this guy sees it all and he smells immediately.

44:38Rich Eisen:He can alter protections. He can get to different things in the pass game. So I think you've got to do a number of different things. But you've got to be careful that you don't want to become something you're not either. You know, you've got to still hang your hat on what you do well. If there's anybody out there that's going to be able to sell authenticity, authenticity one would think it's dan campbell right can't can't disguise you know can't um disguise who you are you might disguise a coverage and if you do if i may it wouldn't be worth a grammy the grammy as we know is for music it would have to be an oscar or an emmy or even a tony i mean i don't know how many times he's been to broadway far be it for me to you know correct a guy who i think is in line for coach of the year which by the way he would be if the lions repeat what they did last year with two new coordinators everybody he's got the fifth best odds i don't understand it what because you got what let me guess the other one steichen sure steichen one uh kyle shanahan three um i will go with liam cohen two oh rich and who's the fourth is it shut you oh vrabel ribs oh okay you're always gonna go with the surprise team with a new ish coach yeah what about a guy or listen i'm glad you see kyle shanahan in that mix well they're half their team guy what about a guy who starts 0-1-1 and then wins four in a row and then goes who knows if they win 15 games again And with two new coordinators.

46:22Rich Eisen:Seems like you're interested in 11 to 1. I'm not interested other than being right. As you know, I don't know what you mean. Does that mean there's 11 other people who feel differently because I'm the one who says it? Is that what you mean by 11 to 1? Because other than that, I'm confused as an NFL employee. I don't know what you mean. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. MLB.TV on ESPN is your home for every out-of-market game. live or on demand. Catch your favorite teams and players, plus MLB Network and ESPN app features like Multiview, syncing your stats, key plays, bets, and fantasy, all in one place.

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