Hour 1: NFL Thanksgiving Weekend Games Ranked, Ohtani’s Microscopic ERA, plus Steelers Insider Gerry Dulac

0:00Rich Eisen:Your summer starts now with Memorial Day deals at The Home Depot. It's time to fire up summer cookouts with the Nexgrill 4-Burner Gas Grill on special buy for only$199. And entertain all season with the Hampton Bay West Grove 7-Piece Outdoor Dining Set for only$499. This Memorial Day, get low prices guaranteed at The Home Depot. While supplies last, price invalid May 14th through May 27th. U.S. only exclusions apply. See homedepot.com slash price match for details. Chat, I think it's time to book that trip to Walt Disney World Resort. You know, you work so hard. I think it's time to give yourself a little TLC.

0:39Rich Eisen:Like, when's the last time you had fun? We could hop on a light cycle. Eat food from all over the world at Epcot. We could even build those lightsabers you've always wanted. Like, let's make plans for real. This summer? Find your moment at Walt Disney World Resort. 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.

1:27Rich Eisen:Now, on with the show. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Rich Eisen Show. The Pistons want a foul ball. From the Rich Eisen Show's studio in Los Angeles. It appears inadvertently tripped by Allen. He trips him when he's going for a loose ball. In the game situation, that's tough. Today's guests, Steelers Radio Network host Jerry Dulac, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Webber, And now, it's Rich Eisen. Well, that's correct. I can't confirm it because here I am on the Rich Eisen Show here on Disney +, the ESPN app, ESPN radio, and also Sirius XM Channel 80, everybody.

2:13Rich Eisen:844-204-RICH is the number to dial here on this program. Lots to talk about as the pivotal Game 5 went Cleveland's way in overtime last night in Detroit. in the Eastern Conference semifinal for the right to play the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. And then tonight, the Spurs can wrap things up against the Minnesota Timberwolves. We'll keep an eye on all of that. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial. We've got our regular Thursday guest talking about that later on. I won't mention his name yet because I want to introduce to you who's sitting in Chris Brockman's chair here today because Chris is out in his annual excursion being a celebrity at the Kevin Rahm charity tournament on behalf of St.

3:02Rich Eisen:Jude Children's Research Hospital. So we always love giving that tournament a pop. The very talented Kevin Rahm, the actor, making Chris Brockman a celebrity. Doesn't sit well with you. No, it sits greatly. It sits fine with me. I don't know how that sits with somebody who pays good money to golf and something like that. With a celebrity. And sitting in Chris's chair is the lovely and talented Susie Schuster. Hi. How are you, Suze? It was pretty exciting to sit in for a celebrity. Well, this is a long day for you. This is the first of two. Women's Sports Now later on today. It's a real heavy lift for me today as I go from this show to the next.

3:43Rich Eisen:But, yeah, we've got a great— You can handle it. I can handle it. I've got a little extra pep in my step. Excellent. Yeah, excited to be here. Women's Sports Now later on, 6 Eastern Time. There you go on ESPN and all of its digital platforms. And so it'll be you and Renee and Sarah. Colleen Wolfe is off this week. She is off this week. Very good. She's load managing. Very good to know that. And so we'll talk about that show throughout this program. Good to see you, Jason Feller. Hey, long day for me too. What's going on? Oh, that's right. You sit in that chair for women's sports now. That's why it sounds so damn good.

4:24Rich Eisen:It sounds great. TJ Jefferson, the candle's lit. Good to see you, sir. Show is. What's going on? Well, Susie's got a long commute to her next job. It's six feet away from where she's sitting. I understand that. But at any rate, Susie's here, and this is exciting. TJ, let's talk more about me. One of her favorite guests, one of her favorite people is on in hour number three, albeit he's not here. Chris Weber is on today's program. C-Web. What was that look for? That was a strange smell. Wow. What was that look for? What look did you just give TJ? I just looked at him because I looked at him. No, no, no.

4:58Rich Eisen:Give the look now that you're on camera. He can't recreate that look. I don't even know what you're talking about. It was a wide-eyed fuck. It was the last time I saw this look. Yeah? Have you ever seen that? Yeah. When Blair Underwood was on the show. Oh, right. Yeah. What are you trying to say? You're a big C-Web fan. The syllable burr came out of his mouth, and you just kind of went. I am a fan of the Sacramento Kings. I mean, there you go. Well, he was on other teams. Yeah, understood. The Wizards. Magic first. Jerry Dulac is first up. Jerry. We've been wanting to talk with him for a bit because where's Aaron Rodgers?

5:35Rich Eisen:What the heck's going on? Where's A.A. Rodgers? So we'll ask him that question. And then Tommy P., Tom Pellicero will be on and out. Ready for the video. do uh chris uh kindly uh left a what's more likely for you to administer later on in this program suz so that we got that going on yeah which is um and the schedule's gonna get released tonight in full right now it's just still drip drip drip drip drip and as you know because i'm not hosting the schedule release show for the first time in 20 some odd years weird i don't care normally i'm flipping out about it like come on like what else is there to and this is true reveal when it's already revealed there were times when we would come in before work like the last few years and you would literally be like upset about it like with this voice yes legitimately upset about it you know what it's like now the schedule release now because it's um you know the cbs up front and then it's the nbc up front and then it's the espn up front and And then it's the Amazon up front.

6:38Rich Eisen:And then everybody's got to, everybody's up front. You know, and they're announcing this game. They're announcing that game. They're announcing this game. They're announcing that game. It's kind of like now the schedule release used to be like you had no idea. Only a local show or two would get the schedule. You might not hear about it. You might see it on Twitter as it used to be known. Now, you know what? It's like seeing that movie preview where you feel like you've seen the whole damn movie. Right. Like, why do I need to see the movie? know all right great thanks get that memo did you get the memo that you're not supposed to leak anything but there's some leaks and there are some games that have been announced and put it all together right now what we know and a little bit of leakage um is the thanksgiving wednesday through friday it's no longer just a triple header on thanksgiving as you know that that That has also been eventized, the John Madden Thanksgiving special, basically.

7:40Rich Eisen:We remember John and we pay homage to John with those Thanksgiving games that are just great. And boy, man, the league has just loaded up that plate like a Thanksgiving dinner. And now, as you know, there's a Wednesday game before the Thanksgiving triple header that leads into a Friday game on Amazon. You need an appetizer. My goodness gracious. And the league is just absolutely loading up. We found out yesterday from Netflix. Ta-da. Suze, I think this is what we're doing Wednesday Thanksgiving. We're going to SoFi. Okay. We're going to SoFi. You okay with that, Suze? I don't know if Kara knows yet, but we're going.

8:27Rich Eisen:I was going to say, where are we sitting? All right. There's only one place that I want to sit. Jordan Love. It's where there's a large bottle that's blue and white. That's right. Very good. Some seltzer water? No, it's not that. So not. No, no, no, no. There's a... But there is a lime in it. There's a Klasa that is blue. Yeah. Azul. That is tequila of choice. And Kara's, too. And so... Very, very convenient. Jordan Love and the Packers in the home of the Los Angeles Rams the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is some good eats. Oh, yeah. I mean, that is pretty sweet. That's on Netflix. Talk about it too.

9:08Rich Eisen:This is Thanksgiving, right? Or the day before Thanksgiving. That's the day before Thanksgiving. That never used to be. I don't know. We'll find out what the schedule before. The schedule before. We'll find out tonight. that hasn't been released yet does that i don't know does that mean the rams and the packers are playing the saturday before that or maybe they're both coming off of a bye week right all i know maybe they'll be both coming off of because i believe that's week 12 they'll both have a week 11 bye yeah suze all i know is the world is going to tune in to see jordan love versus ty simpson okay wow look at you it's going to be trolling everybody here that's fired all right first round draft picks.

9:50Rich Eisen:All right. Just because I put Dallas fifth on my power rankings list doesn't mean you should feel yourself so much like that. Five I thought was fine. And then the Thanksgiving triple header. The first two games we know. Yes. They have been announced. It is going to be CBS. Nance and Romo in Detroit. And it's going to be Ben Johnson going back to Detroit with the Chicago Bears taking on the Lions. A division game in Detroit. Come on now. Come on now. The Tigers are feeling left out. Great stuff, man. Just great. But the Tigers and Lions and Bears. Oh, my. Oh, my. So that's going to be fantastic.

10:40Rich Eisen:So the NFC North will take center stage to start Thanksgiving weekend with the Packers here in Los Angeles just up the road. And then that division game leading to the division game that we already talked about earlier this week that TJ Jefferson says the Cowboys will lose. I mean, that's what you said. I mean, I said it. So I shall repeat it. Now until that day, you say the Eagles are going into the Jones Mahal and making your Thanksgiving, giving you a little bit of agita, a little bit of way, way, way too early on that. What about that? I mean, two division games like that. Back-to-back like that.

11:20Rich Eisen:My gosh. A massive conference game on a Wednesday night. Then the next day, the Bears and the Lions. And then the Eagles and the Cowboys. And that middle game gets the biggest rating. It always does. Makes sense to put the voice on. And last year, it was Kansas City at Dallas. And that game, even with both teams not performing, as well as both teams had hoped going into that game, that drew 57 million viewers. And this game, Eagles and the Cowboys should break it. And rumored, now the next two are rumored, leaked. Stay tuned tonight to find out if this is true or not. But I believe it is. The night game on NBC.

12:13Rich Eisen:NBC. Kansas City at the Buffalo Bills. In the house, the new house of the Bills. Let's go. That is rumored to be happening. Oh, my goodness. Those teams play some of the best regular season games, best playoff games. Usually the Bills win it in the regular season, as you know. But it'll be the Chiefs and Mahomes' first visit to the new Bills home on Thanksgiving night. Could you imagine those four games in a row like that? I'm cold thinking about that game. Yeah. That's going to be so cold. It's going to be cold, but you won't be. Nope. Wow. I can't wait for it. Can I ask you a question? Are you having fun with this?

13:03Rich Eisen:What do you mean? And all this because you're usually so tight around the schedule. Oh, yeah. This is great. This is house money. Are you actually having fun or not? Because I've always had fun. Why? I mean, well, sometimes get a little tight around this. Like, oh, I don't like that. They're leaking this. And why would they say this? And I'm talking about that's for my show over here. And like now you get to kind of poke the bear a little. Were you just so focused on C-Web joining us in our conversation at the top of the program? No, I can't tell. No, excuse me. I can't tell whether you're actually having fun with this or not.

13:37Rich Eisen:Oh, because you kind of are. but then didn't he kind of sound a little like a Costanzian? No, no, no. There's a little bit of FOMO. I'm not going to lie. He's having a little bit, but he's let us know the last few days that he's a little bit more loose about this. Now, you know, I listened to the show. I heard some of it. I was just double checking. I mean, she knows you better than us. So she's saying there's some in your voice. Did you hear what the Friday game would be potentially? And if these are three, these three have been were leaked and some of them then confirmed. And then the fifth one.

14:09Rich Eisen:is Denver at Pittsburgh. Oh, for Friday? Yes. Okay. On Amazon. So, man. And you remember last year, the Bears went into Philadelphia and shocked the Eagles on Prime Video. This game is now back in the Commonwealth on the western part of the state where I don't know if there is a Four Seasons for Al. But that's going to be lit. Can I ask you to do something that you weren't prepared for? Which is what? Power rank those five games. Power rank the games. Real quick, five games. It's a great idea. Or we can wait if we need to back up. No, I'll do it right now. Yeah, just off the top of the note. I'll do it right now.

14:47Rich Eisen:I'll do it live. I'll do it live. You know why? You know why? Because I'm carefree. Yeah, he don't care, Susie. I am carefree. Rich says dilly gaff. Do I look like I give? Yeah. Well, it is a top. So is it a power ranking? But there's five games. Do I do a top five? It's a top five power ranking. Well, there's five games. We already know that. I understand that. Well, I'm just saying, how do we brand it? Branding's important around here. The best. Power ranking. I know that, but a top five. In order, I give you the five games. What do you think, Hoskins? Is it a top five or a power ranking? What do you want?

15:19Rich Eisen:What do you want? What do you think? Your choice. What do you think? I think. Top five? It's a top five. Okay. I got five games. That popped out one up. All right. Because you just threw this on me. You had no idea this was coming. I had no idea it was coming. Okay. Okay. Oh, Jerry Duloc. This is perfect for Jerry Duloc about to join us here on the program. You want to do a top five or a power ranking? Top five. Okay, here. Hit it, please. Top five. One, two, three, four, five. Rich's top five. All right. On the fly right here. My top five, everybody.

15:56Rich Eisen:Number five. Got to start at the bottom. Oh, my goodness. Number five. I'll go Denver and Pittsburgh. Okay. I'll go Denver and Pittsburgh. you don't even have to explain no I'm going to explain it because right now in the middle of May Rogers is not there yet he's not there yet right now I'm going on with what I know and what I know is Rogers is not there yet Will Howard against Bo Nix Will Howard against Bo Nix why not number four I'll go

16:32Rich Eisen:number four is I'll go I'll go Packers-Rams. Okay. Just because it's not a division game. Wow, and as a passionate Rams fan. Okay, that's what, okay. Okay. I hear you. I hear you. I like the Rams, and I cannot lie. All right. Other analysts can deny. Number three is Bears-Lions. Okay. The Bears. Bears-Lions is three. number two is Chiefs-Bills, and number one is the Eagles-Cowboys. They hate each other, man. You know, there'll be Madden and Summerall, Madden calls of Reggie White. Nate Newton, Turducken. Right, Nate Newton, Turducken. We'll see the Jimmy Johnson saying that Buddy Ryan Buddy Ryan got his fat butt back in the locker room, right?

17:35Rich Eisen:Like, it's going to be some serious memory lane stuff. You know? So those are my off the top of the dome, top five ranking. Thanksgiving weekend. Thanksgiving weekend. It's not Thanksgiving weekend. We don't even know what the – like, what's left? We still haven't even had – Because you can't reheat these games. Well, for two days. After you consume these games. And there's no leftovers. Well, what are the leftovers? As you know, Thanksgiving leftovers are great. Oh, yeah. For the first few days. There's got to be like, what's the Sunday night game? Oh, and by the way, in case anyone's wondering, we will find out just how much Chris Collinsworth, if this is true, loves Patrick Mahomes, that he'll do the Thanksgiving night game, which he does not do.

18:25Rich Eisen:As you know, that's usually a Jason Garrett assignment on NBC. I think you know how much he loves it. So two things. Chris, we're going to find out. Here's a guy who normally doesn't normally do the Thanksgiving night game, but it's Patrick Mahomes. If he shows up, check the box. If he doesn't, then Torrico, as you know, who does the game, will have to make sure. The next time I talk to Mike, I'll make sure Jason Garrett slides in. It's mandatory. It's got to happen. Not to tell NBC how to do their jobs. Here's a game I don't usually do. Here's a game. I'm normally sitting at home. I'm mad I don't have a Collinsworth impression.

19:05Rich Eisen:You know who does? Cooper. Does he? I could do like a Christopher Walken for you, but I can't. He's a guy. He's a guy. He's a guy who's coming off of it. All right, forget it. That's my de facto top five. All right, Jerry Dulac is going to join us. What's going on with Aaron Rodgers? Aaron. And other things. The insider of insiders. we were in his town for the draft he's coming up next where is the rich is a show podcast

19:42Rich Eisen:the nfl schedule dropped and it is time to settle up people there's road trips to plan hotels to book tickets to split tailgates to cover scores to settle all the things for the season but now when you send ten dollars or more to a friend with paypal by may 28th you could win two tickets to every home game of your favorite team. Yep, the whole season. Visit paypal.com slash p2psweeps. No purchase necessary. See website for details, including how to enter by mail. Brought to you by PayPal, official peer-to-peer payment sponsor of the NFL. Rich Eisen here. You ever notice what happens when something big rolls into your city?

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21:35Rich Eisen:Because when you're hauling kids' gear, snacks, and backpacks, space matters. And so does comfort. Just make sure they keep their cleats off the seats. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for details. our friend the steelers radio network host long time insider the pittsburgh steelers jerry dulac is here uh on the program all right jerry i i read what you write i hear what you write all of that stuff uh it was just a what was it last week when we were started knocking on your door you were reporting that the steelers were losing a little bit of patience with aaron rogers um where do things stand right now well rich um what i had said then was that if he was not there by may 18th which is monday the start of otas then um there some people who matter were going to start losing their patients um now what does that mean rich i don't know what it means because I just don't see them walking away from this situation.

22:40To me, Aaron Rodgers has all the leverage, and not that this is about leverage. I can't sit here and tell you exactly what it's about, but I can tell you what I know and what I've been told for the longest time is that it is not about money. It's not like that's a holdup. It could be, you know, as to when does he want to come in and sign, you know, does he want to not participate in OTAs? Look, that's not a large deal. In the past, I know the Steelers. I go back to Dan Rooney when there were some players who were contract holdouts. Dan would tell him, said, look, wait till wait till a week before the end of camp and then we'll sign the deal because they were older players.

23:25And he'd say, just keep, stay away because we don't need you. We don't want you to get hurt. Now, I'm not sitting here to say that's the exact same situation, but it wouldn't be uncommon for the Steelers to feel that way. And they seem to remain very confident that calm and confident that he is coming. And, you know, Rich, look at it. Mike McCarthy is coming back to his hometown to coach the team that he grew up watching and cheering for. the Steelers are you know won the division title last year they've been in the playoffs five of the last six years Mike McCarthy doesn't want anything less than that in his first year with the Steelers and he feels the person who can at least replicate that and maybe take another step is Aaron Rodgers more so than what he has so he's going to wait for Aaron Rodgers and you know I really don't think it's going to take much longer, but you can just tell.

24:22There's no panic setting in, but I will tell you that if this drags on, which they said it wouldn't, yes, some people are going to lose some of their patients.

24:31Rich Eisen:You want to give me an indication how high up the flow chart we go here with the patient meter? Rich, pretty high, as high as you can possibly go. So if the elevator goes six floors, I'd say it gets stuck between five and six. How's that? Thank you, Jerry. I appreciate that piece of information. So is it true Rogers was in town last week, but didn't stop by the facility or meet with anybody? That is correct. That's what I was told, that he was in town. Of course, nobody spotted him, but he was in town and all they were doing was talking with his agent. And I'm not exactly sure I know in those instances You know, you cross some keys and dot some I's I understand that And there's legalities involved Whatever the case may be But again, the Steelers don't believe There's any big holdup with money They never thought that at all That was not an issue with them And for him, according to the way From what they understood So I don't know if that suddenly changed I don't know I don't think so but I don't know but they have not met with him he has not been at the facility where they've talked to him face to face Mike McCarthy claims he talks to him all the time and I know the GM and owner have talked to him as well but Mike says he talks to him makes it sound like it's several times a week and I don't think you know I don't think they're talking about the Penguins early playoff or paul skeins having an era less than two you know what i mean still not still not throwing a complete game you know listen it's the right move jerry right i mean there's no question it's the right move unless will howard is flashing and you want to go in that direction obviously drew aller who we'll get to in a second is is is going to be a work um i mean we've been there and done that with Mason Rudolph with all due respect to him but uh clearly Rogers the way that he finished the way that the team did not advance in the playoffs last year we're not laying a lot of that or even a large percentage of that at Rogers's feet or I don't even know what percentage you'd be uh able to lay at his feet at all so this makes total sense to me the thing that just makes no sense is why it hasn't happened yet you know do you have any you got any dart throw on that one no part of part of it is because it's it's you know let's face it it's aaron rogers and he does things differently and i'm not going to lay it off simply as that but you know it's kind of been his uh been his history um the steelers kind of know that why it is dragged i don't see any reason why look he never sold his house here rich and he hasn't cleaned out his locker.

27:25Now, does that mean he's definitely coming back? Well, it's probably a good indication that he is. And why they don't agree to the deal and then just say, look, he doesn't need to be here. Or if he wants to show up and shake some hands and meet the new coaches and probably many of whom he already knows, of course, I don't see what the problem is with that. And so why it is dragged on. I think that's kind of when I talk about some people losing patience. I think that's kind of, you know, what we're getting at there. You know, they have said all along that they did not expect this to be a repeat of last year when he signed on June 5th.

28:07Well, it's tracking in that direction right now. And when the owner comes out and says, told me at the owner's meetings that he expects him to be here by the start of the NFL draft. And he doesn't sign by the start of the NFL draft. When the owner says he expects him, you know, it just doesn't look good. Am I going to sit here and say it's embarrassing? No, but the optics aren't great. And so it's just that whole situation as it keeps evolving when they said it wouldn't drag on. rich if you pulled the fan base here i bet you 80 well i know from listening to them 80 of them want to just move on and let's let the young kids play well this isn't a college program that's not going to happen but i i mean if it happened i don't think there would be a large percentage

29:01Rich Eisen:of the fan base that would be upset with it well what about the relationship between rogers and Mike McCarthy are you hearing that their ability to collaborate like it's old times or any gear grinding that was reported towards the end of their previous relationship would still linger? I mean, what what are you hearing about that? Yeah, I'll be honest with you, Rich, not a lot beyond the fact that Mike McCarthy, when he talks about Aaron, he talks so with a talk. He does so with a big smile. Again, he claims he talks to him, and I don't doubt him, excuse me, that he talks to him several times a week.

29:46I don't want to say if not daily, but certainly several times a week. He says he's in constant communication with Aaron. So I would imagine if it's constant that they're, you know, on the same page with whatever it is they're either talking about or listening to. So, you know, obviously I can't speak to the relationship in Green Bay, only what I read. But I will say this, you know, everybody read some not so great things about Aaron Rodgers and how he is internally. And I can tell you that locker room in Pittsburgh absolutely loved having Aaron Rodgers around and all the things they heard, how standoffish he can be.

30:25And, you know, that he's a different duck. He was anything but. And so the players really embraced him. And that's that's all I can really speak to as to how he has been received here and whatever his relationship from based on what Mike McCarthy is saying. You know, it seems to be OK.