Hour 1: PFT’s Mike Florio, plus Rich on Mac Jones Stepping in for the Brock Purdy

24:30Rich Eisen:Well, how about this? I'll offer a little bit of pushback. The team that didn't look like what they looked like last year in week one, if you're looking at Chiefs and Eagles, I'll go with the Eagles didn't look like it, but they won because of what happened right before the game with Jalen Carter. And, you know, it was a little bit more difficult than we thought. Then the Chiefs did look like last year, except they lost, right? They were struggling to get the ball down the field, take the top of the defense off. And part of that was, you know, because they lost Xavier Worthy three snaps into the game maybe.

25:07Rich Eisen:And the idea is that they do want to go deep. They do have a fast wide receiver room. One of them is just suspended. The other one is who knows with Xavier Worthy's status is going to be long term here. And, you know, is it possible that the Chiefs are eyeing a reunion with Tyreek Hill? Mike Florio, do you believe? I have been saying, Rich, for several weeks now that I think Tyreek Hill could be this year's Devontae Adams, where when it became obvious last year, it wasn't in the cards for the Raiders. Next thing you know, he goes to the Jets for the Aaron Rodgers reunion. The Raiders weren't going to keep him for 2025.

25:44Let's get value for him. And they got a third round pick. I don't think Tyreek Hill will be a Dolphin next year based on his contract and just the overall situation. So why not trade him if things continue to go off the rails? And based on week one, it's clearly off the rails for the Miami Dolphins. Now, I was told in the aftermath of that week one debacle that both the Steelers and the Chiefs are eyeing Tyreek Hill. And the Steelers would be crazy to imagine with Tyree Kill and DK Metcalf with Aaron Rodgers throwing them in the passes. But it got complicated on Monday because TMZ reported on the existence of court filings in Tyree Kill's pending divorce case in which his estranged wife accuses him of eight incidents of domestic violence, including at least one while she was pregnant.

26:27And the league has launched a personal conduct policy investigation. So I think that any team that would be interested in trading for Tyree Kill wants to be sure they're not trading for a guy who's going to be suspended before the end of the season. So that is a massive complication that wasn't there when the chatter began of maybe the Chiefs or the Steelers trying to get Tyree Kill if this Dolphins week one trend continues.

26:49Rich Eisen:So what are you hearing out of South Florida right now, Mike, if anything, based on that 33-8 beatdown that left Mike McDaniel looking for any, asked about a silver lining, said, well, the silver lining is that we were embarrassed and that that should maybe shake a cobweb or two around here. Yeah, and that it can't get worse. Well, it can get worse. Joe Philbin was fired by the Dolphins four weeks into the 2015 season with a record of one and three. So it can get worse. If the losses continue, I suspect that Stephen Ross, the owner of the team, will consider making some sort of an in-season change.

27:23And, you know, I love Mike McDaniel. He's got such a refreshing and different way, the authenticity. But, boy, his demeanor and his words, they just land differently when the team isn't good. and the very chill mannerism and just that way of speaking it doesn't mesh with a guy whose team was just obliterated on sunday by the colts so something's off there and a lot of the problems that usually manifest themselves for the dolphins later in the year when they have to play outdoors in the cold those popped up week one week one they'd been undefeated under mike mcdaniel and they didn't just lose they were embarrassed how quickly can they turn it around against a team from new england that the dolphins have beaten seven of eight times at home and the dolphins are eight and two against the patriots this decade this is one that the doctor ordered for the dolphins and if they can't win this one it's going to be a long season for the team and

28:24Rich Eisen:it could be a short season for the head coach mike florio pro football talk right here on the rich Eisen show you could check out all of Mike's stuff online and of course on Peacock and NBC Sunday Night Football right here on the Rich Eisen show what did you make of the Lions week one because week one and certainly in in in many parts in our media is about salting away a salting a narrative or somehow wiping it away and with Ben Johnson coming in and what they looked like on Sunday in Green Bay, the narrative got a little bit more salted that the coordinator change is going to cost the Lions a step or two based on the last years of ascension.

29:07Rich Eisen:What do you think, Mike? One of your new colleagues, Kevin Clark, was with me today on PFT Live, and we were talking about the Lions. And it occurred to me during the conversation that the Lions are learning what it's like to be a good team. And there are growing pains that go with being a good team. They lost eight assistant coaches following the departure of Ben Johnson to be the head coach of the Bears and Aaron Glenn to be the head coach of the Jets. They took multiple guys with them. They have to work this through. And to go from 15-2 in the regular season last year to 0-2 since then, if we add the playoff outcome to the week one loss, 15-2 to 0-2.

29:49Those fans, I think, are going to be antsy when Ben Johnson brings the Bears into town. And last year, without Ben Johnson as the Bears head coach, on Thanksgiving Day, the Bears were in position to steal that game. But for poor clock management that got the head coach, Matt Iberflus, fired the next day, the Bears could have won that game. And now Ben Johnson is with the Bears. And I would just be very uneasy about everything if I was a Lions fan because the bar is high now and it has never been high for the Lions. It's high now, and they're 0-1, and they're facing 0-2 if Ben Johnson come in there and finish the job that Matty Refluce almost finished last year.

30:31Rich Eisen:Mike Florio here on the Rich Eisen Show. The Bills and the Ravens, that was amazing. Were you transiting back, or where were you? You were sitting there. Walk me through Sunday night for you on NBC. Here's what happens. Unbelievable. we watch the first half in the viewing room and then right after halftime we tape an fnia podcast while we have one eye on the screen and then it's go change get to the car watching the game on peacock on the phone the whole time yeah get back to the hotel so i was back at the hotel when all hell broke loose man i just couldn't i couldn't believe it and the ravens have they have an institutional, I think, stubbornness to recognize when their formula isn't working.

31:17And they think they're going to make it to the finish line as all the pieces are flying off of the car. They think they're going to get there before the other car in the race that they've lapped finds a way to catch them because they don't make any adjustments. They just think that what they've been doing is going to continue to work. And you could feel the momentum. It was palpable. You didn't have to be in the stadium just watching it on TV. Everything swung toward the Bills. Why would you give the ball back to Josh Allen? There was that key fourth and three. Now, Lamar Jackson has since said he had cramps.

31:50After the game, John Harbaugh said most teams would punt in that situation where it's four and three and a first down ends the game. Most teams don't have Lamar Jackson. So I just think the Ravens need to be ready to slip into a different mindset when that lead they systematically built throughout a game begins to crumble on them because they weren't able to hold on long enough to get the victory. And that's the kind of thing that can propel the Bills into becoming the team that we've been waiting for them to be under Josh Allen.

32:19Rich Eisen:Mike Florio here on the Rich Eisen Show. We've already, we're preparing for a new starting quarterback due to injury with the 49ers with Mac Jones. And we're keeping an eye on where the first sit down due to lack of production might be on the quarterback front. Would you say big game for Russell Wilson? in Dallas or there's really no itching to get Jackson Dart in there regardless of the record read some East Rutherford big blue tea leaves for me if you don't mind well I think Rich that if the Giants believe that Jackson Dart would be able to perform at a sufficient level given the blocking that's available to him I think he'd already be out there the mere fact that they were reportedly preparing a package of plays for Jackson Dart week one against the commanders I I mean, this isn't the Cordell Stewart slash offense, right?

33:11If you've got a package of plays for the guy who is your starting quarterback in waiting, why are you not starting him? And I think they're waiting for the right time to make this move. I think it's inevitable that they make the move. I just think maybe they need a little more evidence that Russell Wilson isn't going to be the guy that they need him to be. And then they flip to Jackson Dart when they think he's ready. And it's going to be when they think he's ready to go out there and play. Remember, when Eli Manning was a rookie, they were five and four with Kurt Warner. and they benched Warner because that's when they thought Eli Manning was ready.

33:40And some thought they should just ride that out. They have a winning record with Kurt Warner. Let Eli Manning sit until next year. So whenever they think Dart is ready to go out there and function, given the pieces around him, that's when he's going to go. And I think it could be as soon as week three, Sunday Night Football, Chiefs at Giants on NBC and Peacock.

33:57Rich Eisen:I mean, and then if it's not that, you're hard-pressed to look at their schedule and see something, if you will, soft enough, other than the fact that there's one at New Orleans after home dates against the two teams that played in Brazil and the Giants, based on their performance in week one, don't appear to be equipped to maybe come up with a win in those games offensively. Right after New Orleans' short week against the world champs, before you visit Denver, ask Cam Ward how that was, at Philadelphia, home for San Francisco, at Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit. Oh, my goodness. I mean, it's hard to see that spot where you're like, okay, it's probably best to put the rookie in now.

34:42Rich Eisen:Maybe week five. If not, I know week three might be a little bit more interesting if it is a Jackson Dart first career start for you and the crew on NBC. But I don't know. I don't see it. Where's the spot? I think week five is the one to watch because they could be 0-4 going into that game. And by then, there's enough evidence. There'll be enough of an outcry from the fans. We got to do something. Here comes a winnable game. Let's see what we can do. And then after that short week, you've got a little more time to get ready for the game at Denver. It really would be something if for the second straight year, Russell Wilson is on a team that's going to play Denver and in Denver and Russell Wilson doesn't get to play in that game.

35:22Last year, he had the hamstring injury. It was early for the Steelers at Denver. This year, he could get the hook before it's time to go play the Broncos in Denver. But yeah, they have a tough schedule this year. And I know every NFL team has an NFL schedule, but it just seems like everything is stacked against the Giants. There aren't a lot of winnable games. There's still a work in progress. And I just think the sooner they get to Jackson Dart, the sooner he gets the reps, the sooner the game starts to slow down for him, the better equipped he'll be next year. Assuming that the power structure is still in place and there isn't a new coach that wants someone other than Jackson Dart.

35:56That's one of the ways dysfunction manifests itself with a football team. If you fire the coach and the GM after this season, the new guys inherit a guy they may not have drafted. I hope the Giants give this some time so we can see what Jackson Dart's ceiling is with the guys who brought him in.

36:14Rich Eisen:Mike Florio, before I let you go, sir, your book, Big Shield, available now for only 99 cents in e-book form,$14.99 for the print edition. You don't need the graphic. I'm Carrot Top. I got props. I got props. Speaking of Vegas, Carrot Top. Okay, very good. It took me like a month to get these. Like, Bezos, what's going on, man? Like, why does it take so long to print up the books? Maybe it's because a lot of people are buying it. I'll tell myself that, and anyone else will listen. It is actually doing surprisingly well, despite the fact that I wrote it. So, yes, Big Shield, available on Amazon, 99-cent e-book or$14.99 for this beauty right here.

36:54Look at that. Isn't that beautiful? Look at that cover. Forget the content. Buy it for the cover.

36:58Rich Eisen:Beautiful. I love it. Maybe you sent it up with Gail King for a second. Maybe you lost him up there. I don't know. She was thrilled about that, too. Oh, my God. That was so good. I think my crack staff is bored because look what they've apparently made. There's the wrath of Khan. There it is. Gosh, I don't know what's up. I don't know why I'm in the middle right there, but it's a little frightening. Is that an AI generation? Is that AI? I don't know. It certainly isn't real eye. That's for sure. But you can't have, if you're con, you can't cover up the pecs. I don't know. You got to show it. This is apparently like a real photograph of whatever was going on back in the 80s.

37:45The big reveal of the pecs was coming. He was getting ready to push them aside gently and roll the arms open and show the world the product of the Herschel Walker push-ups and sit-ups during TV commercials routine.

37:59Rich Eisen:Something you read in your local newspaper there in West Virginia, I'm sure. 1985. Mike Florio, thanks for the time, brother. We'll chat again soon. Great talking to you, pal. Ladies and gentlemen, Mike Florio, creator, editor-in-chief of Pro Football Talk. Go get his book, Big Shield, available now, 99 cents in e-book form, 14.99 for the print edition. Okay. Steelers go and get Tyreek Hill. You know they feel like this is the time for Rodgers. put him in the basket. Sorry, when you looked up what I was talking to Brockman during the interview, that's what... That's what you were saying? I mean, listen, Rodgers throws for four touchdowns, and you think, again, if the run game's not going to be the focal point, then get Rodgers, Tyreek Hill.

38:42Rich Eisen:And DK, Calvin Austin. Right. Don't forget, Roman Wilson, Team 144. Well, I hadn't got there, but I was getting there. No, I guess that's it. It's just like, Russ is here. Let's put the eggs in the basket. And it's an interesting analogy that he's like this year's Devante Adams, which is done with one team. And now he comes and becomes the guy for Rogers, except I guess that does that make DK Metcalf, the Garrett Wilson of this scenario? I guess so. And the one thing that's not going to happen is they're not going to fire their coach in the middle of all this and replace the offensive coordinator.

39:16Rich Eisen:Please believe it. Cause that's what happened with the jets last year. In case you forgot. All right. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial your phone calls when we come back right here. It might mean at times an hour number two here on the program. Let's get our push-ups in, boys.

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40:11Rich Eisen:Buy one, get one free. Plus, receive four times O rewards points. Stop by your local O 'Reilly Auto Parts store or shop online at OReillyAuto.com. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Live stream on Disney +, the ESPN app everywhere, or ESPN Radio. What is it that makes the all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid an incredible SUV? I'll tell you. There's a spacious interior. It's comfy for the whole crew. It can go off-road. It's that capable. 600-plus miles of range. And, of course, hits the driver behind the wheel. It's you. The all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid. So much more than just another SUV. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for more details.

40:53Rich Eisen:That's 562-314-4603 for more details. Call 844-204-RICH to have a conversation with us, whether you're watching or listening. David in Boca Raton, Florida wants to chime in here. What's up, David? Hey, Rich. How you doing? I'm doing fine. I'm going to be on the show. Have you? You're going to love me, man. I agree with you 1 ,000 % on the Brock Purdy-Mac Jones dilemma here. I mean, they signed Mac Jones to do exactly, to come in when Brock Purdy gets hurt. Inevitably, they probably saw this coming in the future. So he's going to come in. He's going to win them the games. I'm going to start Ricky Pearsall in fantasy.

41:32He's going to hit all the overs on his props.

41:34Rich Eisen:Okay. And he's going to come in. And then right when Brock Purdy gets out, he gets a nice pat on the back and gets to, you know, ride the pine until Purdy gets hurt in the playoffs. Wow. What a call, David. you're making lots of calls right here, including one for this program. Listen, that's the idea. I don't, I don't think they saw this. You just got to plan, plan in advance. And, and if Mac Jones is becoming available and you liked him in the draft and you think he can do this exact job, that's why you have him. And I think he will be, he'll, I think he's going to be just fine actually, you know, and they have a last place schedule.

42:11Rich Eisen:Yeah. They have a last place schedule and there are some winnable games on on their schedule over the next few weeks. I mean, you've got a starting quarterback as your backup. I mean, they couldn't have finessed any harder with signing back Jones. Okay, thanks for the call. Wait, so I just have a question for tonight's game. Not gambling advice. How do we feel about the over-under on the game tonight? So this is not gambling, but you're asking me about who's going over or under. Okay, just I appreciate the, heads up. Chris, you want to take this one? Chris, what is the number? I don't know these numbers.

42:51Rich Eisen:So here's the deal. I'm an NFL employee. I become unfrozen caveman host when it comes to this sort of stuff. Thursdays are tough. Usually slow out of the gates. However, this does have the second highest total of the week. 48 and a half. So Vegas expecting seven touchdowns possibly in this game. If you want to tease that down a little bit, maybe go take Washington up to nine, seven. and get over 40. I think that's not a bad situation. Are we thinking Bartburner tonight? I'm not really sure. Is he going higher register? Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Even higher register. Uh-oh. Don't say that. It all depends.

43:28Rich Eisen:In all honesty, it really all depends on how Mac does tonight. Thanks, David. Appreciate it. Say hi to the Seinfelds near Boca there. I like shootout tonight, don't you? Dude, what do I know? What do you shootout? What do you know? You don't know anything. I don't know anything. I don't know anything. I have no idea. You can sit here and say, I think there's going to be a lot of touchdowns scored tonight. That's a shootout. I don't know. The commander's defense held Rust down. You know, Jordan Love better than Rust? Sure. Or will they hold a bunch of people down? You know, did the Lions miss their coordinators?

44:02Rich Eisen:And as Florio just said, eight assistants on the sideline. And thus the Packers just took care of business against a team ready to be rolled? Sure. Is the defense top five in the league? Maybe. Will we find out tonight? Jaden Daniels, you know, the last, the Jaden Daniels is the last cowboy sack for, for. Macca. So, I mean, he's used to taking care of business. The commanders. I'm going to, I'm going to drive that new drop into the ground. You are. Yeah, so. So, did a yes on a shootout tonight or no? Does this serve as our preview of, of the, of the game, of the game tonight? No, we need to know.

44:41Rich Eisen:Well, we'll talk about it later. I mean, this over-under stuff. Get out of here. Are you starting any of your fantasy players tonight in hopes of a lot of poker? Dude, Jaden Daniels and Terry McLaurin need to connect for my poker league. You're expecting a shootout. You're starting all your Packers. You're starting all your commanders. This is a full go game. Do I start Matthew Golden tonight over Tyrone Tracy against the Cowboys? Well, they can't stop the run. No, they can stop the run. They can now? Oh, that's because they got rid of what's his name? What's his name? Macca. That's right.

45:14Rich Eisen:Can't use the new Caliendo drop enough. Settle down just a little bit. Oh, I guess I should. My bad. Can I make a suggestion? That's just Jerry Jones, right? Feels like a golden game tonight. A golden game tonight. I hope not because I just dropped him. You dropped Matthew Golden after one week? It wasn't anything personal. It was the fact that. Talk about an overreaction. Here's the reason. Here's the reason. Hollywood Brown is still on my waiver wire, and I had to make a decision. number one receiver right now. Why is it one against the other? That's like Jerry Jones saying we got to stop the run, so I got to trade Macca.

45:49Yeah, because it's points Rich. Who else could you have dropped? I could have dropped Puka, I guess, or I could have dropped. Oh, you have other receivers.

45:58Rich Eisen:Come on, you have other running backs you could drop or other players. I could drop Jameer Gibbs. No, I didn't want to do that. Did you win last week at least? RJ Harvey, I guess. No, don't want to do that. Who's else on your bench? I'm telling you, Nick Nick Chubb, Tony Pollard, all starters. Nick Chubb you could have dropped. He's RB1. I'm not going to drop him for a receiver with a bat. By the way, I'll get going back, though. Don't worry about that. That's a week two game a lot of people aren't going to talk about because it's one of the two Monday night games, and we're so far away from it right now.

46:29Rich Eisen:But Tampa and Houston, brother, a great matchup. And if Tampa takes care of business, Houston could start 0-2. with Jacksonville potentially being 2-0 man oh man oh man Jacksonville is taking another visit Cincinnati this week 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

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