Hour 1: Ferando Mendoza Talks NFL Draft, plus Giants-Bengals Big Trade, AJ Brown, and NBA Playoffs

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1:00Rich Eisen:This is the Rich Eisen Show. Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of the Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Miss the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash Rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. Bang! This, this, this is the Rich Eisen Show. Now we're down on the run out. Game one. A jump! Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Today's guests. NFL draft prospect Fernando Mendoza. Raiders general manager John Spitek.

1:49Rich Eisen:NFL draft prospect Casey Concepcion. The ringer NFL draft analyst Todd McShay. And now it's Rich Eisen. Well, hey, everybody. Welcome to this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. Right here on Disney +, the ESPN app, and ESPN radio, and Sirius XM channel 80, everybody. It is NFL Draft Week. It's our only show from Los Angeles of the week. We will be joining you from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week. And then, of course, it comes down to the first pick in the draft to be revealed on Thursday night. I'll be on the NFL Network draft set for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

2:38Rich Eisen:Gavel-to-gavel coverage. I'll be from pick one to pick last in my 21st year of covering the NFL draft gavel-to-gavel for the NFL Network. and the first name that we expect to hear is the first guest we're having on the program today to kick off draft week. Fernando Mendoza, everybody here on the program. Casey Concepcion will be joining us on this show as well. The man who I believe will be writing in the name. If he did have a pen back in the day, general managers might have actually written something down for the NFL to read out on a draft night. John Spitek, the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, is on this program.

3:18Rich Eisen:And then in our number three, ladies and gentlemen from the ringer, we'll have our friend Todd McShay here in person. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial right here on this show. The NBA playoffs, the NHL playoffs are off and running. Major League Baseball, so much to talk about on this program. TJ Jefferson isn't here yet. He's still coming back from WrestleMania. is in route as well his plane was delayed a bit i believe he's now in the air he will be here on this program and as soon as he joins us um i don't care what he did at wrestlemania we'll be talking about the mets 11 game losing i would stay tuned for this uh again he's in the air he doesn't know what's going to hit him as soon as he walks in the door and it would be great if he walked in with a with a neck brace that would be outstanding pretty funny good to see you chris Brockman rich i'm great it's draft week it's marathon monday the red socks aren't losing right now so life is good well i mean they've been losing a lot lately so you know it's not hasn't been great and um but at at any rate uh overreaction monday chris brockman and i have recorded it it's out there for everybody to take in on your rss feeds wherever you get your podcast or our youtube channel good to see you mike delto how are you how you doing uh speaking of marathon Monday in Boston.

4:37Rich Eisen:One of my favorite things of this morning in between tapings for Overreaction Monday and getting ready for this program was Mike talking about his cross-country track days and following the exploits of those running the marathon in Boston. It's great. Mike Del Tufo, the long-distance running expert of the Rich Eisen Show. I'm the short-distance running expert. That's true. St. Jude.org slash runrichrun. You have the 40 yards covered. I got it. And Mike has 26.2 miles covered. And in between, none of us can run. Now, now, now. For real. Oh, no, no, no. All right. Ain't going there. 844-204-RICH.

5:15Rich Eisen:Oh, man. We already have our first draft trade of note, to say the least. Yeah, we do. We're wondering how many trades there are going to be in the top 10. I think that was a what's more likely construct. This might count as that, even though it's not on draft night. But the New York Giants, their issues in getting Dexter Lawrence name on a contract, their stand out defensive tackle and hold out defensive tackle and stand off between they and he have led to the boon for the Cincinnati Bengals. Dexter Lawrence, who has been described since he's come off the campus of Clemson as a unicorn right there in the middle of a defensive line up there with Jeffrey Simmons up there with Chris Jones up there with anybody in terms of pass rushing and run stuffing and double teams faced.

6:14Rich Eisen:He's now a Cincinnati Bengal. And the Bengals, for the first time in the common draft era since 1966, since the AFL and the NFL said, let's draft together. For the first time in that era, the Cincinnati Bengals have coughed up a first-round draft choice. Wow. Four-player. This is a first for them. According to ESPN Research, first time the Bengals have traded, pardon me, a top-ten pick for a player in the common draft era. That's how rare this is for the Bengals. and it's the same ownership group it's the brown family yep and what this means let's take it from the bengals point of view first i have all these stats here from nfl network research uh sent out to me on an email that i'll won't have anymore by the end of this month um but uh dexter lawrence Most double teams faced on pass rushes last five seasons.

7:21Rich Eisen:Only Dexter Lawrence leads that list. 1 ,103 double teams faced on pass rushes the last five seasons. Jeffrey Simmons, second. Third, his new teammate, B.J. Hill in Cincinnati. Oh. And that's where I will stop by reading all these stats. Trust me, Dexter Lawrence is one of the best in the business at his position. But this is the Bengals telling Joe Burrow, we mean business. Yes, you're not probably terribly happy that Trey Hendrickson didn't get paid by us to keep us, and he's now going to be a guy you're trying to avoid twice a year in purple for the Ravens. And if Burrow is at all, in any way, shape, or form, sitting there going, what are you doing?

8:11I'm sick and tired of trying to win games 41-40.

8:14Rich Eisen:Yeah. I'm sick and tired of putting everything on my shoulder here. I'm sick and tired of getting hurt by not being protected because I keep on being thrown out there, trying to fade back, catch up because the defense isn't that very damn good. In any way, shape, or form, if he's sitting there and thinking, I don't want to be here anymore based on all of his sudden press conference moments where he appears to be thinking about life in general. His future. Happiness, future, all that business. Here you go, Joe. Two guys, B.J. Hill, Dexter Lawrence, right there in the middle. Good luck, Derrick Henry, trying to run through that.

9:00Rich Eisen:Good luck, anybody trying to run through that. Good luck, anybody trying to double team either of these guys. They are leading the league in double teams faced. You can't double both of them and expect to avoid our pass rush. that's one way to tell Joe Burrow, if you're thinking of pulling a Carson Palmer, not yet. Let's see how it works. And as for the Giants, hey, fifth and 10th overall picks, not too shabby. It's old. Not too shabby. If you're sitting there hand-wringing over which Ohio State guy we're going to take at five, guess what? That guy might be still available at 10. Guess what? You want to move up for somebody?

9:41Rich Eisen:You want to package these two together? I don't think they're going to do that. I don't think there's really anybody that they would want to go get. Five and ten. Crazy thing is, is fifth and tenth overall pick to move up to take the first overall pick is something that you're in the neighborhood of, but they don't need the first overall pick. Five and ten is not too bad if you're trying to fill some spots for a young team. And you're a ball coach like John Harbaugh, wanting somebody maybe on the back end of your defense. If they thought, well, we really want Caleb Downs, but we just can't take him at five positionally.

10:19Rich Eisen:How about 10? That's where everybody was putting him, Downs to the Bengals at 10. Now, instead of having a young guy on the back end of the defense for Cincinnati, they got a big stud right there up in the middle, although you're already hearing Giants words coming out of Giants camp or at least people associated with knowledge of the situation. Dexter Lawrence had a downswing year last year. Didn't want to pay him. One year,$28 million. Spread out over three years is what made Dexter Lawrence happy enough to say, I'll be a Cincinnati Bengal. Giants didn't want to do it. Now they're going to have two kids on rookie contracts, fifth year of contractual control.

11:03Rich Eisen:Do you add two pieces to your defense? Do you add one on offense, one on defense? Do you add one Ohio State guy on offense, one on defense? Do you add an offensive lineman? They have a bunch of flexibility right there. So I like the move for both teams. Bengals fans who might be like, man, 10th overall pick, we just flipped it for a guy who had one of his worst years, just a half a sack, eight quarterback hits, four tackles for loss. That's a guy that we traded the 10th overall pick for. Last year was last year. The rest of the other years, he's been spectacular in Dexter Lawrence. Sexy Dexy. Is coming to Cincinnati rather than a kid on the back end.

11:43Rich Eisen:This is a way to say to Joe Burrow, we mean business. Which is the most important thing to indicate to your guy. Before he goes full Carson Palmer on you if he wants to. Or is thinking of doing. And for the Giants, two kids. Top of the food chain kids in the draft. One of six teams now, including their co-tenants in the Jets. To have multiple first round choices. We'll see what happens. And then there's the other news today, the latest. And again, when Adam Schefter says something, people listen. He's the EF Hutton of the NFL media world, as I've been calling him since he joined NFL Network all those years ago.

12:24Rich Eisen:Fact. You know, in his deep dive piece, putting out all his notebook thoughts and rumors and conjecture and things that he hears.

12:38Rich Eisen:pointing out that it's now likely that A.J. Brown goes to the Patriots at the end of the day, the end of the day being June 1st. Because again, this is June 1st, a date by which the Eagles will have some better standing salary cap-wise to flip number 11 to New England, where he's a perfect fit. That's why that makes sense. I don't know what the draft compensation is going to be. One would think how he would take the 31st overall pick this year and some other draft compensation for A.J. Brown right now. But the cap considerations need to be considered. And one also thinks that maybe Dontavian Wicks and Hollywood Brown being acquired by Philadelphia sets the stage for them feeling more comfortable to flip A.J.

13:37Rich Eisen:Brown elsewhere, which doesn't make sense unless there is something beneath the surface that requires them to get him out. if he is asked to be out if he is demanded to be out they have somehow kept that part of the iceberg beneath ear and eye level makes complete sense for the new england patriots and again for the eagles i would imagine if they do get a first round pick from new england

14:10Rich Eisen:they'll assume with all due respect to you sir it's a little bit better it'll be better than 31st overall that new england's not making the super bowl and back-to-back seasons i would think that's a likely although aj brown is that guy for new england i mean i mentioned it on the overreaction monday pod i might as well bring it here to what we refer to as the flagship show it's tough to use this analogy because of the guy i'm about to compare him to because we have seen before a Super Bowl participating New England quarterback. That is how I phrase that. Getting a beast of a wide receiver outside the numbers to flip 50-50 balls to and also having the ability to go across the middle and be a matchup nightmare for both of those routes.

15:12Rich Eisen:We've seen that before, certainly when he's added to a receiver room that otherwise isn't a boldface name group of receivers. Now that Stephon Diggs is certainly gone. But I just remember when Randy Moss was added to Tom Brady, Josh McDaniels coordinated offense and how that was fun. 50 touchdowns for Tom and 23 for Randy Moss. And I'm not saying that May is Brady, that he's going to throw for 50 if he gets A.J. Brown, and that A.J. Brown is going to catch 23 of Drake May's 50, or at least half of his touchdown passes. But he could. He could catch half of Drake May's touchdown passes. And one thing that Drake May did in year two when he became a grown-ass man was throw a deep ball that many of our colleagues and analysts who came on, I think Kurt Warner called it like a handoff.

16:14Yeah.

16:14Rich Eisen:And that's a compliment that Kurt doesn't usually throw out there. So we've now reached the it's likely going to happen scenario. and again i don't know what's going on in philadelphia but if there is something between the quarterback and the wide receiver they're certainly not going to get rid of the quarterback even though some eagles fans would be like why not i get it yeah but that just is not going to happen no i mean you know cap wise and things of that nature certainly if you can get a wide receiver off your books of that significant pay and you can get a significant draft compensation for him and think that Dontavian Wicks and Hollywood Brown together could surpass what A.J.

17:10Rich Eisen:Brown gave you last year and Wicks could grow into the role. I mean, I'm talking my way into this here. I just don't think A.J. Brown being dealt is what's best for the Eagles, but I'm also not in the building and I'm not privy to everything that's going on there. And I don't know who is. I mean, other than, you know, a handful of players in that locker room and keep their mouth shut. Big Dom, who makes sure everybody's mouth is shut.

17:39Rich Eisen:So those are two big stories. There are some other ones, too, obviously, getting ready for draft week. Aaron Rodgers readiness or not. there's also you know conversations being uh bandied about about the chiefs plans to move up who's ready to move up who's not so much to talk about todd mcshay in studio hour number three john spitek who holds the cards in vegas from which everybody will be playing third base you know hitting or staying based on the the moves that the first guy who gets the cards trying to keep on going with this analogy right here keep going he's getting ready to hit the point now roll the bones now we're talking uh he's first up in our number two but first up on this program is the guy we're all expecting to hear first being mentioned his name is fernando mendoza what a perfect way for us to start this program right here on our draft week rich eisen show he's next you don't move please the rich eisen show podcast

18:49Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen here. Every time I travel for a major sports moment, whether it's a playoff run or a huge primetime matchup, I see firsthand what happens to a city. Hotels fill up fast. Energy builds. Everyone wants to be part of it. Now imagine that on a global scale. The FIFA World Cup is coming this summer, people, and with it, thousands of fans traveling to host cities across the country. If you happen to live in one of those cities, and you're planning to be away, maybe you've got your own summer trip lined up, this could be a practical opportunity. While you're gone, you could list your space on Airbnb and welcome traveling fans who want to experience the FIFA World Cup in person.

19:28Rich Eisen:You're not changing your routine. You're not committing to anything year round. You're simply making the most of a moment when your city is in the global spotlight. I know when I'm on the road for a huge event, having a comfortable home base makes all the difference. And that's what fans will be searching for. If you've ever thought about listing your space, this summer is a great time as we welcome FIFA World Cup fans. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host. For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves.

20:04Rich Eisen:Loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Srivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrivent, where money means more. Connect with us at Thrivent.com. Need parts fast? O 'Reilly Auto Parts has fast. Need them now? We've got now. No matter what you need, we have thousands of professional parts people doing their part to make sure you have it. We're O 'Reilly Fast. Just one part that makes O 'Reilly stand apart.

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21:02Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show, 844-204-RICH is the number to dial. I saw this stat over the weekend. Mentioned it on Overreaction Monday. Only two players in the history of the NFL draft have entered undefeated in their final year in college and then won the national championship and the Heisman Trophy in that same year. And then we're drafted number one overall in the draft. Cam Newton and Joe Burrow are the only such players. And our next guest is likely to be the third. The first name to be mentioned in the NFL draft does appear to be our first guest of NFL Draft Week, courtesy of Pfizer. Fernando Mendoza is here on the program.

21:47Rich Eisen:How are you doing, Fernando? Doing well. Thank you guys so much for having me. It's a blessing to be here. I appreciate that. And it's a thrill to meet you, Fernando. I've been admiring what you've been doing from afar. And I was just wondering, you know, what's going through your head right now, a few days before the draft? well first of all i appreciate it friends and family have sent me the clips be talking about me so i really appreciate all the love and support means a lot of mendoza household meant every word yeah every word man every single word are you nervous are you nervous sighted that's a word my wife and i use with our kids nervous excited what are you feeling right now i don't know is that word in webster's dictionary i'm not sure but i want to start Start using that.

22:29Nervous-cited is the word to use. I'm going to thank you, courtesy to you. I'm going to start using that. You bet. I'm nervous-cited. It's going to be an opportunity and start a new journey. It's a celebration, but it's a celebration of a start. And I'm really excited to get started on this new journey. And the realization has hit me, especially on the top 30 visits, where, okay, you're going to be in these NFL facilities in the next two weeks. So get ready to rock and roll. You're going to be an NFL player. and so I'm ready for the opportunity. I'm nervous-sided.

23:01Rich Eisen:I feel like this is, you just used it in a sentence. You took it for a spin. Please take it. It'd be my pleasure to have you use that word because it kind of does fit everything. When's your first memory of when you dreamt of being an NFL quarterback? Can you remember when you first did? yeah i believe the first memory i always watched a lot of football when i was younger and i always enjoyed playing tackle football and flag football from a young age but i would say the first memories would have to be watching the patriots and the dolphins play in hard rock stadium back in the day when ryan tannahill was a quarterback and matt moore was a quarterback they're watching those games seeing how they operate on the field more from the sense of Tom Brady although the other two are great as well and that's been really settled in saying hey I want to be on that field one day and now you're currently about 72 hours away from the idea of playing for Tom Brady becomes official and I know again that's the the nervous part about it you because one never knows until they hear their name, but I can assure you.

24:22Rich Eisen:What would that mean for that kid in that stadium to play on a team that Tom Brady is part of running, Fernando? It would mean the world. Tom Brady, I'm sure he stated that he's going to pour into whatever quarterback they take or any quarterback they sign, like Kirk Cousins, and have the opportunity to be great if I get selected by the Raiders. He would be a boss. So it wouldn't be like how six-year-old Fernando envisioned it to be best friends. But it would be cool, and I want to be pushed. I want to be pushed to be the best quarterback that I can become, say what I'm all about, and live that experience.

25:04So I'm really looking forward to if I get that opportunity.

25:07Rich Eisen:Is it true you FaceTime with Tom at your combine conversation with the Raiders? He was on FaceTime for around 15 seconds at the combine interview, just saying, hello, good luck, and that he's wishing me the best. Because not a lot of owners are at those combine interviews or even calling for those combine interviews. So to see the involvement that team has with its ownership from the top down is very invigorating and very exciting. Yeah, and then I guess that conversation that you had with the Raiders, our colleague, my friend, I went to college with him, Adam Schefter, reporting that when you walked out of the room, you audibly said, the others heard that you screwed up the grease board, whiteboard conversation with them.

25:59Was that the case, Fernando, at all?

26:02Rich Eisen:Do you feel that way? I mean, I don't, yeah, I definitely did not say anything audibly. I mean, Schefter is very accurate. Right. I don't remember. I think what I was upset about, it wasn't messing up. It was a play that they had me draw was a seven-step timing play. And I believe that I was able to recall the play and draw it up how it was presented. However, leaving out the little nugget that it was seven-step timing. Although, if I was called to run the play in that room, I would have known. just you know being able to say hey and you know little nugget at the end hey it's also seven step timing nothing about three sport fernando mendoza here on the rich eisen show draft week that's the way we're kicking off our draft coverage here on the rich eisen show courtesy of pfizer which we'll get to in a moment when did you realize this year was special for you potentially fernando when did that hit you i realized this year was special we won a three-game stretch we're able to honestly beat the brakes off of Illinois, which was awesome.

27:11Iowa, and we were able to then come out in a close victory against Oregon at Austin Stadium. At that point, I knew we had something special, not because of the wins, but because of how tight the guys were. And we were in resilient moments. We all came together as a glue and were able to execute under pressure, able to hold each other accountable, and at the forefront have fun with all of it yeah and then you know that that that Penn State