Hour 1: Guest Host Colleen Wolfe, Burrow’s Back Issues, plus TNF Analyst Tony Gonzalez

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23:03The Rich Eisen Show podcast.

23:04Colleen Wolfe:Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez joins us now. What is up? Prime video Thursday night football coverage of the Lions and Bills starts with the pregame show with Tony starting at 7 p.m. Eastern. We're happy to see your face. This is a massive game coming our way. We have the christening of the new Highmark Stadium. Of course, these two teams, the Lions and the Bills, both had incredible games last week. So intriguing on so many different fronts. But for you, when I look at the Bills and I see what Dalton Kincaid did last week, exploding for 130 yards, he was involved all over the field. You know better than anyone else what it's like to be a tight end that's the focal point of an offense.

23:55Colleen Wolfe:So how much trouble do you think that Kelvin Shepard's defense is going to have just containing Dalton tonight? Well, you're right. He's at the top where they used him all over the field. And he's finally healthy, too. That's a big deal. He played 72 percent of the snaps last week. I think that's one of the highest he's ever played in the game since he's been in the NFL. So that was kind of the biggest thing that's been stopping him over the last couple of years is just being healthy because he's a phenomenal talent. They use him all over the field. His blocking has improved. He is on his way to becoming an elite tight end in this league.

24:35And obviously with Josh Allen throwing him the ball, it's going to be a special connection. And one of the things that really stood out to me was the trust that was there last week. There was one of the plays that they had where he was one-on-one with Stingley, who's one of the best defensive players in the NFL from the Houston, Texas, a DB and Johnson, you know what? My guy's going to be better than you. I'm going to throw it up in the air. And Dalton went up and made a hell of a catch. And to me, that's when I'm like, okay, he's arrived. He is, if he can stay healthy, I think by the end of the season, we're going to be talking about him as being, you know, one of the best tight ends in the league.

25:17Colleen Wolfe:Said from one of the best tight ends to ever play the game. That's high praise. The Lions, we saw their secondary exposed last week for sure. So defensively, they were able to just with their game plan, they were able to take advantage of the time of possession by just feeding Jameer Gibbs over and over again. A career high 34 touches for him in that game. How important is that identity for them, for the Lions in an environment that's going to be pretty hostile, pretty loud, new stadium? Yeah, that's you're right. If they don't have any shot, they better make sure that they're that they feed Jameer Gibbs.

25:59But at the same time, I'm pretty, you know, aware and a little skeptical that if you keep using him like that, he's not a very big guy. Five, nine, 200 pounds, electric guy, a home run hitter. But I do get a little concerned that they're using him a little too much. And they have right now in the backfield, they're kind of limited. A guy named Bakke is the backup. I think he had three touches last week. So hopefully they start to use him a little bit more to spell this guy. But he is a special talent. maybe tonight Dan Campbell says I don't care because we got to keep the ball a lot more than they have it because their offense is probably, actually in my opinion, the top three in the NFL.

26:42Another thing by the end of the season could be the best offense. To me, it's clearly the best offense Josh Allen's ever had. Offensive line, the receiving core, DJ Moore coming over, Shakur. They have a lot of talent. And so you want to keep the ball out of Josh Allen's hands, especially in this environment. So look for a big game out of Jameer Gibbs tonight.

27:03Colleen Wolfe:Yeah, I saw that he's on pace for something ridiculous, absurd, like 500 touches or something for the season. So that's obviously not sustainable. But we know that these fans can bring a totally different type of energy than maybe any other fan base in the entire league. So how important and how difficult is it for someone like yourself, a player, coming into that environment to tune out some of that noise, especially early on in the game? Yeah, it's going to be hard. This place, you know, it's going to be rocking tonight. We went over to the stadium yesterday. The Bills Mafia is going to be in full effect.

27:47Obviously, first game of the season, but the new stadium, the way it's designed, I mean, it's so tall and the acoustics in there are going to be going crazy. It's going to be such a home field advantage for the Buffalo Bills now. I think they nailed it on the stadium. And then obviously coming in there as an opposing player, you're coming into a zone of just chaos. You got to weather that storm at the beginning because, like you said, I mean, the fans in Buffalo are probably some of the best in the NFL. They're going to bring it tonight. But that's something you just you practice for. You try to prepare for it.

28:24But there's nothing like going through it when you can't hear anything. A lot of hand signals, a lot of, OK, we're not even going to call out the snap count and just go off the ball for the players. So you just got to be extra, extra focused tonight and go out there and execute that game plan. But I think early on, you're not getting used to it. And you might see a couple offsides. And I think the crowd is going to definitely play a factor in this game.

28:43Colleen Wolfe:What a treat that we have this already on the schedule. Our first game of this week to your first game on prime video. That's such a great matchup. There's so many different storylines. I'm sure you're probably a little concerned here, though, about the Lions offensive line. The fact that they're missing a couple guys in this game. Yeah, yeah. Left guards out. I think the right tackle's out. That's a big deal. But like we said before, these guys coming in on a short week with this crowd, with this environment, Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau waiting for you, it's going to be a tough, tough go for them.

29:21And that's what we talked about at the top. Like Jameer Gibbs probably is going to factor in really, really heavily at the beginning of this game, just trying to just keep some continuity with that offense because it's going to be a tough environment for these guys. It's a big challenge for them, though. As a player, you better look at this and go, okay, you know what? I'm going to go out there and make some hay and let people know who I am and I can handle this. So it's going to be a fun game to watch.

29:49Colleen Wolfe:I think they're up for the challenge. It's going to be awesome to watch. It's going to be great to have front row seats to it. Let's talk a little bit about your team, the Chiefs, and their week one performance. We saw Travis Kelsey move into second all time and receiving for a tight end right there behind you on the list. He's about you have a little breathing room here. He's a little over 2000 yards away from catching you. So that's like two seasons or so. But when you see the projection of his career, do you see him continuing to play? Do you think that he will catch you, especially considering with the run game that they have now with Kenneth Walker and how that could potentially help sustain Travis Kelsey for the long run?

30:38Yeah, yeah. You know, last year, I don't I don't know anymore because last year I thought Travis was going to retire last year and not because he wasn't playing well or anything like that. He's still playing at a high level. I just thought, you know, what for? But the guy loves football. And when I say before, I mean because he's gone to Super Bowls. He's done everything you can do as an NFL player. There's nothing left to prove except, and he told me this face-to-face, is the guy loves football. He loves competing. It's in his blood. And you're right. I think the situation that they're in now with Kidders Walker, great running game, it could prolong his career.

31:22and could he catch my records? Absolutely. And honestly, if there's anybody to ever do it, that's the guy that I would love to watch do it because he's such a good guy on and off the field. Obviously, we have that connection playing for the Chiefs. And I've been watching him since he was a young pup in this league and to see what he's done at that position, it's been nothing but great. And we're going to have fun. I think he's going to have a great year. When he took off last week, he caught that ball. I thought he was going to get in the end zone. but it's it's he's he's a joy to watch man i love watching him on the sideline everything about him uh is great and so yeah i wish him the best of luck you love watching him but tell me is there

32:02Colleen Wolfe:ever like even just a little part of you that is envious watching what andy reed does the concepts with him and seeing how creative he can be with travis out there is a part of you you know wish that maybe you could be out there doing some of these things with Andy Reid again? You said a little part. No, no, no, it's not a little part. It's a big part. Okay. Just obviously playing for the big man, Andy Reid, the big man in red. That would be a dream for any offensive player just because of his mindset and how he gets guys open to schemes. Patrick Mahomes. But, you know, the other side of it is I'm happy for him.

32:45You know, I'm not I'm not ever going to be that that bitter guy. But yeah, I think I think Travis and the rest of that offense is just a great situation. It's been so much fun watching the Chiefs have so much success over these last this last decade or whatever. It's been it's been fun to watch.

33:02Colleen Wolfe:It sure was watching the Chiefs. I'm sure for Chiefs fans, they absolutely loved the dismantling of the Broncos that the Chiefs put on them. But does watching the offense with Patrick Mahomes and how they look now compared to how they ended that final stretch of the season, how re-energized do they look? How optimistic does that make you feel about this team and where they can go this season? Yeah, well, obviously, Patrick, even being back out there after the injury this soon, it speaks about who that guy is getting his body back on track to go out there and compete. but offensively, I think they did what they wanted to do.

33:44Going into the game, you're like, they're going to have to run the ball and let's see what Ken Walker can bring to the table, and he delivered. It's been right now, it's only been one game, but it's been probably one of the best offensive additions that any team has had. And if they can lean on that running game until Patrick starts to really feel good with that knee and get his rhythm back, this offense can be really, really good. I think Eric Bien-Ami, offensive coordinator who came back, is going to really help that offensive side of the ball as well as just making guys accountable. I mean, he's somebody that discipline, accountability, he expects you to be where you're supposed to be, when you're supposed to be there.

34:28I think this offense, they have some tools, but I think it's really key, keeping that running game going, and then Patrick will do his thing 15 is going to be ready eventually I'm being those numbers obviously last week he looked a little rusty but I do believe that in the future he's going to start getting back to that form that he's all with that we're accustomed to seeing that MVP caliber guy well the Kansas City Chiefs

34:53Colleen Wolfe:they take on the Colts coming up in week two but tonight starts off with the Lions and the Bills what kind of shenanigans do you guys have planned are any tables safe who's going through one well you know we got ryan fitzpatrick on the on the desk i we're we're kind of taking the over under when the shirt comes off don't know when it's gonna be so i can't give uh any anything away but get your bets uh i would say it's probably going to happen um but yeah the atmosphere is is great i'm looking i'm so happy to be back with carissa with fits with sherm with wit uh the The whole gang, Taylor, Rooks is going to be there.

35:33Al Michaels, Kurt Herbstreet. It's a party. This is football, baby. Thursday night football. It's going to be great.

35:38Colleen Wolfe:I love it. I love it. And also, if he does end up taking off his shirt, I do hope that there's just a hood still on the back, like a hoodie, but just a lone hood. So, I mean, throw that out there as a suggestion. TJ, you have a question? I do. I just have a fun, I hope, question. What up, Tony? How you doing, man? What's up? So, there's been a few men who have done this, but you were very notable for playing college basketball and then turned NFL player. So I'm going to give you three names. You know, we love a start, bench, cut type of game here. You, Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers. I need you to start one, bench one, and cut one in terms of your basketball skill.

36:20Start one, bench one, cut one. Well, of course, confidently speaking, I'm going to start myself, even though Antonio will probably say he averaged 20 points and I only average, what, seven or eight points. But I'm going to start myself. And then because he's my tight end brethren, fellow Hall of Famer, he's going to be second. I'm not cutting him. I'm going to cut Julius Peppers, who's a defensive guy. And I got a feeling his offensive ability in basketball was good, but he was more of that guy who was just going to rebound and probably play good defense where me and Antonio, we could score some points when we had to.

36:58I love it.

36:59Colleen Wolfe:I love it. Well, Tony, go dunk on them tonight. We can't wait to see you guys back out there in action. 7 p.m. Eastern, Prime Videos coverage begins for the Lions and the Bills. We cannot wait. What a season it'll be. Good luck to you and have fun. All right. Thanks, Colleen. Thanks for having me, guys. Appreciate it, Tony. Tony Gonzalez with us here on the Rich Eisen Show. What a gem. What a gem he is. What a gem. What a fun schedule they have for Thursday night this year. It is incredible. Every game is loaded. I know. I feel like so, like, because Rich obviously started doing TNF, and then I got in there after Rich stopped, and then Amazon took over, and Amazon's games are awesome.

37:46Every year they've gotten better and better.

37:48Colleen Wolfe:I know. I mean, it used to be just like Jacksonville and Tennessee. Always. Always. It seems like they played every Thursday for the whole season. Yeah, I feel that. Like, I really do. I was going to say that. And I was like, I was always in Jacksonville or Tennessee or the Jets were always playing. No disrespect to Jacksonville. Of course. No, not at all. But it was like during the lean years. Yeah. And so and I do remember the humidity and being in Carolina, too. I mean, look at these matchups that they have this year. I mean, these games look so fun. Seahawks Broncos should be good as long as the Broncos show up a little bit better.

38:30Colleen Wolfe:Chiefs Rams. Patriots Bears. Look at that. Ravens Bengals. Texans Eagles. Texans Eagles could be a Super Bowl. It really could. I even like Jags Ravens. Jags Ravens. December 3rd, though, man. Let's go. Chiefs Rams. I know. Chiefs Rams. Oh, baby. I'm going. Yeah, this is good. I'm not selling those tickets, Mike. No. I'm going. Broncos, you're going. That's right. Broncos, Steelers. Where are we with the Steelers? We don't really talk about them. I don't know. I don't know. Look, they're going to win nine games. Are they? As per usual, you know, they're going to finish above five. Are they? Well, I think so.

39:12You know, being a Falcons house, we watched all that game on Sunday. And it felt like I was jamming spoons into my eyes at some point. watching Cooper Rush play quarterback and then Aaron Rodgers just you know check down and then throw it deep and DK Metcalf would just drop it and it was just like this is a tough watch and still yet Atlanta probably still should have won because Nick Falk who never misses field goals missed two and then TJ Watt had that crazy leaping pick six where no one just like touched him while he was on the ground for seemingly 30 seconds and you're like, man, should Pittsburgh have won this game?

39:53But the thing is, he wasn't seemingly on the ground for seconds. He got up immediately. I know, but it just kind of felt like as you're watching it, he did the thing. He does that once or twice a year where he'll comes hard off the edge and then leaps up and makes this crazy grab and returns it for a touchdown. And you're just like, yeah, of course, that's how the Steelers won this game. They can't do anything on offense. They can't run the ball. They can't complete a pass down the field.

40:15Colleen Wolfe:It's like they won by default. Right. Someone had to win. Yeah, it was just so sluggish. It was a tough watch. But someone's got to do it, you know? A win is a win. And on a weekend where everyone was throwing up crazy points and yardage numbers, this game was 20-13, and you're like, my God, this is awful. It was 49.4 points per game was the average score of Week 1, tied for the highest scoring week one since the merger. 49.4 points. And then Steelers, Falcons out here with a 30-burger total. Right. It's just like, ugh. But if you're going to crap on them, the Rams scored seven. Okay, so that's what I was going to get out of my head, TJ, because I was just thinking.

41:05Colleen Wolfe:They were in Australia, though. I don't care. It's still the Rams. They're going to be undefeated. They're the best offense. They need a new travel agent. Get it. Yeah, the Rams were the only team to not put up double digits. Yeah. They were seven. The Titans did it. Truth or lie. Is that who the Rams are? Or was it just a week one kind of way? I love it. Drug emotion. Call in. Let us know. Truth or lie. What did you see in week one? Who's telling the truth? Who's lying? You can call us at 844-204-RICH. And you can also, guys, hire right the first time with LinkedIn Hiring Pro. Get started by posting a free job at linkedin.com slash eisen.

41:53Colleen Wolfe:All right. We have more to come, everybody. We're just getting started here on this Thursday.

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43:12Colleen Wolfe:Back here on The Rich Eisen Show. And hey, if you're an NFL fan, you might be in a long distance relationship with your team. But you love your team. But you don't live near your team. And that just hurts your heart. Luckily, Marriott Bonvoy has hotels close to nearly every NFL stadium, which helps your heart. Because staying that close to your team while enjoying amenities across Marriott Bonvoy's 30-plus hotel brands helps fill the void created by miles and miles of separation. So if you want to stay closer to your team, check in for game day with Marriott Bonvoy, the official sponsor of the NFL.

43:51Colleen Wolfe:I'm a member of Bonvoy. Me too. We are. Absolutely. So speaking of NFL fans, we have the phone lines lit up, and I have been asking you to call in, So we're going to take a call. So let's go. Shall we go to Andre in Michigan? Andre. Andre. Hey, what's going on? I see you have a suggestion for our higher register. Yeah. So I was going with the notion that this Sunday, Bikes and Bears, Carson Wentz gets hurt in Sunday's game against the Bears. and then J.J. McCarthy wins it. I like that that's a higher register. How much do you believe that?

44:47Well, I see that in last game, Carson Wentz came out a little shaky, took a few hits, lower body to the knee, and I'm like, ooh. And then the camera pans right over to J.J. on the sideline. He's like checking his mic in his helmet, getting ready to. But like, I feel that it could be just JJ's time to come back out out there and take the Bears out again in the final fourth quarter to win the game.

45:17Colleen Wolfe:OK, so, well, we never want anyone to get hurt. We never wish this to happen. Of course. But Carson Wentz, it was the typical Carson Wentz experience. There were ups, there were highs, there were lows, there were downs. It is a rollercoaster ride. And I always think when we see the flashes and the good Carson Wentz, everyone always goes back to, oh, that 2017 season when he was in the MVP conversation. He was the MVP. He was the MVP. Right up until he got hurt. And then they played the Rams, the Eagles did. And he met Aaron Donald at the goal line. Exactly. And the meeting didn't go well. That was the wrong move.

46:02Colleen Wolfe:That was a bad date. So after that, though, I mean, he really was like he was the MVP. He looked so good. So you knew that you know that that was in his repertoire. But that was so long ago. And we have been on this ride with Carson Wentz ever since when he gets these spot starts. So I think that's the thing that you have to consider. you know, consider. And plus the way that he plays sometimes puts him into these vulnerable situations. But for J.J. McCarthy, I think that, yeah, if he gets his shot, he better take it. If not, what are they going to do with him? Because we talked to Mike Garofalo about this yesterday and he mentioned, yeah, maybe using him potentially for a trade down the line.

46:51Colleen Wolfe:Also, you never know what happens. And especially with when you have these mobile quarterbacks and quarterbacks that use their legs to try and extend plays. And sometimes they're susceptible to getting hurt because of the way that they play like Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. Maybe you do need that depth there on the bench. But I think what we saw from the Vikings week one, I just they were the first team in NFL history to be down 12 plus points with under 20 minutes left in regulation and end up winning by 17 plus points. Crazy. They scored 29 unanswered points to win. This was a 39 to 22 win after trailing 22 to 10.

47:37Colleen Wolfe:So they came back and they got it done. I wish you well. I hope the Vikings do pull it off. I don't want to see Carson Wentz hurt, but I do wish the best for both Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy. Oh, you're so nice. And for you as well. Thanks for calling in. Make sure you guys keep those phone lines ringing for us. We have higher register takes coming up. Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show podcast. You can watch and listen to the Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus and on the ESPN app. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.