Hour 1: Seahawks’ Victory Parade Top 5 Moments, plus Hall of Fame DB Rod Woodson

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21:16Rich Eisen:Right now, get five quarts of Valvoline full synthetic motor oil and a Wix filter for$35.99 and receive a$15 O 'Reilly gift card after rebate. Upgrade to a Wix XP oil filter for just$2 more. Limits apply. See store for details. Stop by your local O 'Reilly Auto Parts store or shop online at OReillyAuto.com. The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. Rod Woodson here on The Rich Eisen Show. Our radio audience has returned on ESPN Radio as well as Sirius XM Channel 80, breaking down Super Bowl 60 with one of the greats of all time, Pro Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson. And I figured you are a perfect person to ask this question, because if I'm not mistaken, when you first arrived from Purdue, there were still some steel curtain guys in that Steeler locker room when you first walked in there?

22:10Rich Eisen:There was. Right? Well, I mean, not on the defensive side. I mean, Mean Joe Green was coaching the defensive line. Stallworth was still there. Mike Webby was still there on the offensive side. Donnie Schell on the back end was there. Blunt was gone. Blunt was gone at that time? Oh, yeah. Blunt was gone at that time. But, you know, getting a meeting, I think he's the best corner ever playing in National Football League's history. So I can call him a friend. Well, Chuck Knoll obviously was the head coach. So I'm kind of saying you're bridging the Steel Curtain era to the, you know, era in which you were still maintaining the Steelers' defense.

22:49Rich Eisen:and then obviously part of that Ravens team that won it all with a defensive standout performance from beginning to end. Folks are saying the Seattle defense is in those leagues, Rod. Would you agree with that? No, I think they had a great game. I know we had our thread going with our Baltimore guys that we played with. making we want to see what we were like rooting for new england to score score a touchdown right we're like come on score score score because we're technically yes we didn't give up the touchdown right and it was a kick return uh but they give it to the defense so they say it was you know but if you look at it from our perspective we're like we're the in the modern football we're the team that had the first shutout in super bowl history i know they had a kick return but But, you know, so we were rooting.

23:47We were texting each other back and forth. And then when they scored, we were like, yeah, we're the best.

23:52Rich Eisen:That is amazing. Can you share with me who's on that text chain? It's you, Ray. We got one with everybody. No, no, come on now. Grab your phone. Grab your phone. I need names here. I need names. Who is on the Ravens defensive text chain during the Super Bowl saying we want to be the 72 Dolphins of the Super Bowl defense of all time? Who's that? Pat Starks. Starks is on there. Yeah. Ray's on there. I'm on there. Oh, one of the coaches. I'm not going to say the coaches' names. Okay. Well, I know it's not Billick. We got a couple of defensive coaches. No offensive coaches. Okay. Okay. This is all defense.

24:34So a couple of defensive coaches on there. But, I mean, it's always fun. It's fun to kind of put us in the category of, like, hey, How do we fit and how do they, you know, teams. And it's really an honor if you think about it, Rich, because people talk about our defense in 2000 and then they're starting to mention us instead of the 85 Bears, right? I think it's always an honor. And as Dick LeBeau used to say, I'd rather be a has-been than I never was. And so it's an honor to put those comparisons to today's game and the guys that are playing today.

25:09Rich Eisen:And so, I mean, but you look at this defense from start to finish and what they did this year, and then you see what they did in the Super Bowl. I mean, the word I used the other day was marauded that line and six sacks, 11 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, three takeaways, including a pick six for a score. And folks are talking about this being, I guess, the Legion of Boom 2.0. and then in the realm of a defense like yours and obviously like the ones that you played for as well, which is why I took a swing at that with you. You know what's really great about it is that when we talk about modern-day football with today's rule changes, that we don't normally talk about defenses that play this physical and this fast, but they do.

26:01Like they don't let the refs throwing a flag here or there dictate how they're going to play and how fast they're going to play. And it was really fun to watch those guys kind of come into their own. And Mike McDonald, you know, I got to see him in Baltimore calling the game for the Ravens and seeing him put that twist on what they try to accomplish. And I tell you, they've got guys that can rush the passer from the front to the linebackers to the secondary. I mean, we saw Witherspoon, and we always say, you know, he made that offensive lineman, you know, he looked for that space, and then you always use that space to your advantage because DB should be quicker than off the lineman, and he got inside and made that sack in the Super Bowl.

26:43So that's an amazing play. All right.

26:45Rich Eisen:I'm fluent in Rod Woodson, guys. So this is his way because he's too nice of a guy to say, no, they're not in our league. Did I get that right? Well, I can say this. I say that we are the best defense in one given year in the history of pro football. That's a fact. I mean, the numbers, the numbers bear it out. I think we only had, we only gave up 18 touchdowns, 17, 18, 19 touches, in a whole year. Rich, we went five games of our offensive score touchdowns. We won three of them. I mean, we, I mean, this defense, you couldn't run against this. You know, we had Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams up front.

27:31Ray came into his own with the other young linebackers in Jamie Sharper and Peter Boulware. And on the back end, we had two young corners in Dwayne Starks and Chris McAllister, me as a veteran player at the safety position, but then we had Chris Heron and Corey Harris at the other safety spot. I mean, we played fast, we played physical, and Marvin Lewis did a great job that year of game planning week in and week out. And that's one of the main reasons he got a job over at Cincinnati as being a head coach.

28:00Rich Eisen:And he's on the text chain, right? Marvin's on the text sheet. He's on that text sheet. I'm not going to say coaches. They're defensive coaches, right? They're all defensive coaches. They're on it. At one point, Rod, there was a three-game losing streak in the middle of the season. You guys gave up 33 points and lost all three games combined. Wow. Yes. And still won the whole darn thing. Yeah. I mean, we gave up. I can't remember the total. So we gave, I think, 35 points week three against Jacksonville or like 35 or 33. 36. It was 39, 36. And I mean, so and that was our after we gave up after we gave up that many points, we knew we were going to be a good team.

28:45But we just had to make sure that we do everything the right way and that, you know, we did our own game planning as players. we definitely, you know, we challenge each other daily in practice, in the meeting room, and then we had fun going to play football. Football was fun. So it was Ron Dixon for the kickoff return by the Giants

29:08Rich Eisen:that ruined the whole darn thing for you. That's a shame that it counts against us. Sure. The defense. But I get it. You know, but we have our own way of saying, hey, listen, We didn't give up a touchdown. Right. We didn't even let him get close enough to kick a field goal. And we said so when I think it was that Monday prior to, after they beat the Minnesota Vikings, Ray and I got into the meeting room and we were watching film, probably halftime, probably about midway through watching the film, we looked at each other and said, man, if they get across the 50, we're going to take our uniform off and we're going to quit.

29:52Come on. Come on. Come on. I'm dead serious. I mean, they played the perfect game against Minnesota. You know, Minnesota had an outstanding offense that year. Right. And, I mean, I was a little nervous about playing Minnesota because they had so many weapons. And I'm like, you know, I don't know. Can we handle it? I don't really know. But they were putting up points against any defense. And then when the Giants dismantled them, we were like, what the heck happened? And we looked at the film, and me and Ray were like, oh, no. These dudes are trying to run the ball against us. that's not going to happen.

30:23And if they're going to try to throw, they're going to get sacked. Yeah, the only player to score in the playoffs against you guys on offense was Eddie George. Eddie George, the first drive. First drive, open the game. And I remember that game where they go right down the field and they score. And Brian Billick is like frantic, and he's coming over to us to get ready to give us this pep talk. And Ray Lewis looked at him and said, don't. I got this. and he came over and we talked and we played outstanding after that and we got the victory

30:54Rich Eisen:man Eddie and Ray used to go at it that was some of my favorite moments because you guys were still playing each other twice a year when NFL Network started and Rich I wish this one hit the show wasn't PG this wasn't on ESPN and Disney I can tell you some of the things that Ray used to say to Eddie. It was some crazy stuff. Next time I see you in person. Okay. All right. We'll take notes and I'll pass it along. I'll put it through the safe for work meter and filter and deliver it to you. Rod Woodson here on the Rich Eisen show. But that said, what voice can you give knowing McDonald coming from the Ravens and what he did and what this team was able to do to New England that also shows this is a team that can be even on the rise next year too.

31:48Yeah, I mean, I am surprised he did it so fast. I thought Mike was a really good defensive coach. I wasn't in the locker room, so I didn't really get to see him interact with the players on a daily basis. But talking to the guys, they all loved him in Baltimore. And I think he keeps it real. He's always on their side. but he holds them accountable to the things they do and they don't do. And I think players can respect that. And when you have a coach like that and that attitude and that mindset, it's easy to play great football for them. All right.

32:28Rich Eisen:Now let's turn the page to the Ravens and the Steelers before I let you go, Rod. Were you surprised John Harbaugh was fired by Steve Bichotti? Did that surprise you? yeah um was surprised i mean you know the rumor is that um mr bushadi wanted him to to fire or get rid of a couple coaches and uh john is very loyal to his guys and he's basically said no and steve just decided to to go in a different direction which is his his prerogative right but But, you know, when it did happen, I was shocked. I checked a couple people that was in the building and was like, what? It just happened. And, you know, that's unfortunate for them.

33:19But hopefully, you know, Jesse comes in with that same vigor as a young John Harbaugh and holds everybody accountable on both sides of the ball, makes some work, puts a good staff together for the players. Because coaching matters in the National Football League. And, you know, people don't think it really does. But having coaches that hold you accountable, that makes you build a great foundation per position, and then you can do it collectively as a unit, those are how you get great teams and great defenses and great offenses put together. So I hope he does that. The one thing I do understand is that if he puts a good staff together, I think all the pieces are there.

34:07I, you know, not knowing what's going to happen with Matt Abike, you know, they're going to probably have to get an interior pass rusher and some edge guys who can sit there on a daily basis, kind of similar to what Seattle did and get after quarterbacks on the opposite side.

34:25Rich Eisen:Well, I mean, they hired a guy who was on the staff with Mike McDonald, with John Harbaugh, who then went with Jim Harbaugh, won a national championship at Michigan, and you've seen what Jesse Minter's defenses have done with the Chargers. So that's kind of in the family, if you will. It's the offense, right? He hired a 29-year-old assistant from the Ben Johnson staff, so maybe taking some of what Ben Johnson's cooking up in Chicago and in Detroit and bring that to, you know, Baltimore outside of the Roman Todd Monken coordinated system might be the jolt of what Lamar and the rest of this offense needs, Rod?

35:14Rich Eisen:Is that the roadmap here, do you think? As long as he highlights Lamar's gifts, right, his natural talent. And Lamar has gotten so much better over the years of throwing the football. The intermediate passes are always been, he's always been really good. But the deep ball was inconsistent at the very beginning when he first started. And over the last couple of years, it's gotten better and better and better. And every year he's, I mean, two years ago when Josh Allen got the MVP, I thought Lamar Jackson should have won the MVP. But, you know, having him, Derrick Henry, a running game, there's going to be a new offensive line coach.

35:52Because two years ago, the offensive line played outstanding. Off the line coach, Coach D, passes away, they get a new off the line coach that comes in, and then the off the line doesn't play well the following year. So I said coaching does matter. I'm not going to blame that all on the off the line coach, but it's a combination of both. So I think bringing in those coaches who hold the players accountable, because I think they have the talent on the roster. and if they can do that and Jesse does that and hopefully you know the coordinator highlights Lamar's skill set because he he is very talented but you want to also hold Lamar accountable for him not having good footwork at times him maybe holding him to the ball too long so I think if you can do that and find the best version of Lamar Jackson in 2026 the Baltimore Ravens can

36:44Rich Eisen:have a good football team and then if i had told you uh the super bowl in dallas between the packers and the steelers that one day mike mccarthy would succeed mike tomlin as head coach in pittsburgh in 2026 you'd have said what to me ron get the heck out of here that's right i mean think about it think about yeah chuck no young bill cower young mike tomlin young uh mike mccarthy uh not so young. So it was a little surprise, a little surprising. I know he has some ties there, you know, and he's going to be given time. But at the end of the day, no matter who was going to be the coach, even if Mike came back, the question was still going to be, who's your quarterback?

37:29Who's the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers? Who's your future franchise quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers? And since Ben left, that's what they've been looking for.

37:41Rich Eisen:and it looks like it could be Rodgers again, Rod. I mean, it could be. You know, obviously he can run around, move around. Not like he did when he was younger. He could still throw the football. I think at the end of the day, I think they can score some points, but I'm curious of what the defense is going to look like and how they're going to perform. because that old Dick LeBeau defense, I haven't seen that in several years from the Pittsburgh Steelers. All right, last one for you, Rod. How did it hit you the news that Bill Belichick wasn't voted in for a shot to join you in that bus gallery, Rod?

38:24I mean, I was shocked. I mean, okay, I get two issues with two different Super Bowls, right, two different things that they said that they didn't do right. He still won four more. like what the heck so I think listen I think Mr. Porter who who's the CEO of the uh of the football hall of fame they have to really revisit who's voting and making sure they don't hold grudges in these votes um why they're having them because for him not to be in there as a first ballot is just to me it's just nuts man I mean one of the best coaches a guy if you talk to him about football. He knows where the refs look.

39:10He knows where the refs' eyes go. I mean, he knows everything about football. And for him not to be in that initial class in his first time around, to me, it's just nuts.

39:21Rich Eisen:Rod, thanks for the time. Thanks for reaffirming I'm your favorite, Rich. Thanks for joining here. No, listen, it means a lot to me. And let's look for more of my calls. I miss you, always. Miss you, brother. Tell the fan message hello. Rod Woodson, you bet. Right back at you. Rod Woodson, member of the greatest defense of all time. Don't even mention anybody else in the same breath right here on the Rich Eisen Show. Alright, we're up against it. Let's take a break right here on ESPN. The ESPN app, Disney Plus, ESPN Radio, Sirius XM, and you.

39:58Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it. And you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled but the old way you hand everything off and then silence days pass weeks pass you start wondering should i send another follow-up email it feels like you're chasing updates and getting nowhere but now taxes are different because your taxes are done for you by a turbo tax full service expert with into a turbo tax you can match with your dedicated tax expert and hand off everything right in the app and while your expert checks for every deduction you'll see real-time updates on your phone so you always know exactly where things stand.

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42:42Rich Eisen:ESPN Radio, along with our feed on ESPN. Cable, always excited to be here. Let's take some phone calls right here on ESPN and Disney Plus and everybody else. Bo on Washington, D.C., first in, first up. I think he's along the same lines of thinking with you, TJ. What's up, Bo? We can hear you. What's up, sir? Sorry about yesterday. I got into an elevator and dropped my phone. I was not cool under the pressure like Drake May. Jeez. Oh, I like that one. I mean, Chris, I know you don't appreciate the analogy, but it's vivid. Was someone, like, sacking you while you were getting in the elevator? Were you running for your life?

43:19Yeah, well, I don't know. I just didn't get good reception. Yeah, your blind side was having a bad day? Yeah. What's on your mind? Yeah, Will Campbell, he just didn't get the job done. Oh, wow. I'm too short.

43:29Rich Eisen:This is Bo just coming in hot. What's on your mind, sir? Anyway. I have no retort. All right, don't want to waste too much of your time. But watching the Eagles the past few seasons is like watching the girl I love go to prom with my bully. So if the Cowboys tag pickings, fix that secondary, can we win the division? Division. I mean, listen, man, Bo, the Cowboys need to have sets higher than the division. Like, let's be honest here. Like, it's been too damn long. I mean, Demarcus Lawrence being told by Dallas, we're done here. And thanks for the call, Bo. I mean, just think about it. Demarcus Lawrence being told you're done here.

44:12Rich Eisen:And he then goes and wins a Super Bowl on the spot. And all Dallas does after not signing Demarcus Lawrence is have Jerry create a situation. I'm sure Jerry and the Cowboys would push back and say Micah had something to do with creating the situation. But the two of them having their relationship, as Micah said at the Super Bowl when he was there for the Pro Bowl, that their relationship fall to S and and all they could use all year long was somebody like oh Demarcus Lawrence because that's what I would think the Cowboys are missing you take a look at this team that won their division and won their conference and won their league by winning it all how far off is Dallas from from Seattle and you could sit here and say career-wise, Dak is exactly what you want.

45:17Rich Eisen:Certainly if Sam Darnold's winning a Super Bowl, Dak can. All right? With all due respect to the Offensive Player of the Year and Cooper Cup, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are in their class, to say the least. The run game that Brian Schottenheimer brought to the equation this year I thought was going to be a massive minus for them, not so much. You take a look at what Kenneth Walker did. Could Javante Williams be that guy in the Super Bowl? Easily. Exactly. You know what I mean? Like tight ends, not too far off, okay? I'd say Ferguson is better. Ferguson is probably better. You could make this.

46:03I'm laying it all out here, and then you go to the defensive side of the ball.

46:08Rich Eisen:Yeah, that's the point. Kicker, we can compete. Well, no doubt. By the way, I know you're not joking. I'm not joking. Nor should you be. Brandon Aubrey's incredible. He could do in the Super Bowl what Jason Myers did. Absolutely. Okay. Easily. All right. The punter, maybe not so much, if you really want to now get down a nitty-gritty here. Defensively, it's just not in the same world. But there are some pieces there. and you draft some more people like John Schneider did, and then get a pass rusher like, say, what's his name again? The guy that you had for a decade. Pass rush. Gotta hit that pass rush hard.

46:54Rich Eisen:There's a name you mentioned there, right? That is the most important name of them all. That's John Schneider as the GM, okay? You see, we are respectfully sort of lacking in that. We don't have a Brett Veach or a Howie or a John Schneider. Settle down just a little bit. Yeah, yeah. So I don't know. All these things sound good. And yeah, offensively, we're there. But that defensive void is, oh, man. It's large. And I don't know if I am convinced our GM will fix it. Very large. Hour two coming up. The Ridge Eisen Show Podcast. Shot clocks, big shots, upsets, aces, TGL playoffs are here. First, Atlanta Drive starts their repeat run against Los Angeles Golf Club.

47:42Then, Rory's Boston Common Golf and Tiger's Jupiter Lynx face off in their playoff debuts. Who will advance? Keep up. It's playoffs. Tune in Tuesday, March 17th at 6.30 p.m. and 9 p.m. only on ESPN and the ESPN app.