Hour 2: ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky and ‘What’s More Likely’

23:06Rich Eisen:While the world watches the stars at the FIFA World Cup this summer, Hyundai has its eyes on the next generation of talent, future stars who are already turning heads at age 14. Because Next doesn't wait for an invitation, and neither do we. Hyundai has always moved the future within reach. We did it when we made advanced safety standard on every vehicle and engineered EVs with ultra-fast charging capability. Because the future isn't some far-off concept, it's already here. Next starts now. Hyundai, an official partner of FIFA. Rich Eisen here for gusto. On my shows, we talk a lot about what happens in the spotlight, the games, the highlights, and the moments that get replayed and debated.

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25:23Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show podcast. Back on the Rich Eisen Show. Hi, radio. ESPN Radio brought to you by Progressive Insurance right here. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial. ESPN Radio is presented by Progressive Insurance. They offer auto, home, and commercial auto insurance. Visit Progressive.com for all of that. 844-204-RICH, again, is the number to dial right here on the show. Dan Orlovsky just tweeted at me, or texted me, pardon me, that the Merritt won at the end of our conversation. Merritt Parkway almost as undefeated as the Van Wick. almost is undefeated. And I knew when Dan said he can do it, because I do see that he's in a car when he's on Pat's show and he does other shows in the car.

26:10Rich Eisen:But I know the Merritt dead spots really well. In the same way that Susie used to know where the cops were hanging out in a speed trap on the Merritt Parkway. She knew exactly where they were hanging. I always knew where the cell phone dead spots were. She knew where the... We used to go back and forth from... She's sitting at home right now remembering all this right now. She is watching still on Disney+. She was texting me. She loves the way it looks, the show, by the way. And anyway, there you go. And so we used to drive back and forth together from New York to Bristol with me hoping that this was more than just a friendship and her just driving to try and avoid being pulled over by the cops.

26:48Rich Eisen:We had different agendas. but she used to have one of those things that used to tweet every single time if the cops were I guess trying to feragun the car in a way so I just remember that a scanner, a radar detector one of those radar detectors totally legal I've now upgraded I'm drinking out of a bigger cup now Rich, I've never been on the Merritt Parkway Are you cutting me off? James Crittenden. James is cutting me off from the coffee. Rick, since I've never been on that parkway, can you compare it to the worst stretch of road that all of us have to travel in these parts, the 405? How would you compare the Merritt Parkway to the 405?

27:36Rich Eisen:Merritt Parkway has two lanes on each side with trees. It's very, very pretty, unlike the 405. Yeah, it's a much prettier ride than the 405, and it's not really traffic-y. There's just dead spots everywhere. Okay. At any rate, Dan's already texted me. You know, we're cool, and he's coming back at his earliest convenience. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial. Let's get to it before they start practicing behind us and changing some of the audio here in Arena Corinthians inside where the Chiefs and the Chargers are playing tonight. It's a Friday show. It's a staple. It's time for What's More Likely.

28:13Rich Eisen:Hit it. What? What's More Likely? Never say never, but never. All right, Christopher, you have the floor. What's up, everybody? Good, happy Friday. Hey, hey, hey. I mean, I've had better days, you know, considering last night. Sorry, TJ. Rich, what's more? Come on, man. Your team did fine. And let's get right to it. Rich, more likely team you feel better about after last night, Cowboys or Eagles? Oh, I feel better about the Cowboys. I'm not concerned about the Eagles. Like I told you, my only concern about the Eagles is there going to be some sort of an injury. Obviously, they lost a nice player that can play a lot of positions for them or give them a lot of efficiency.

28:59Rich Eisen:Card it off as Jalen Carter is being sent off. I'm not concerned about the Eagles. Last year, we were wondering about the passing game, this and that. The other thing on defense sometimes. but the Cowboys, I thought, were, you and I both predicted they'd finish in fourth place in the AFC. Disrespectful of you, too. That did not look like a last-place team at all. I mean, Dan Orlovsky just called the Cowboys a playoff contending team, and rightfully so. The way that they looked, man, the way that they looked, and, you know, at some point, Pickens is going to get some more catches. CeeDee Lamb's not going to drop those footballs.

29:44Rich Eisen:They were more impressive than I thought that they were going to. And Dak looked spry. He looked like he was avoiding the rush in a way that we haven't seen in a while. You know, so I will absolutely say that I'll go with the Cowboys here on that front. For sure. Rich, you're in Sao Paulo right now. Breaking news. Game tonight. Chiefs, Chargers. You've been talking all along about this new high-powered Chiefs offense we're going to see. more likely to be the longest play in Brazil tonight. Any Chiefs reception or any Dicker the Kicker field goal? Oh, nice one. Cameroon. I'll still go Dicker the Kicker field goal.

30:27Rich Eisen:The Chargers have a pretty damn good defense. It was the number one scoring defense in the National Football League last year. I'm not saying the Chiefs are going to hit a big one. I'm just saying they're going to try to hit a big one in a way that we haven't seen. So I'll just go Dicker the kicker field goals because I think it's more likely that we're going to see that as an attempt that is completed more than the Chiefs completing a deep ball on this defense that, again, gave up just 17.7 points a game last year. They led the league in scoring defense. I'll go with Dicker the kicker this evening here on this field behind me.

31:09Rich Eisen:Nice, nice. Okay, let's get into some of the other week one matchups. Guys, more likely playoff streak to finally come to an end. The Steelers miss it or the Jets make it?

31:24Ouch.

31:25Rich Eisen:How about I think? I don't know. I mean, I got him confused right now, Chris. No. I mean, the Jets have the longest streak of not making the playoffs, No, I know that. That's 2010. No, I'll say the Jets missing it. I mean, losing Elijah Veritaker is significant, man. I mean, he's their best offensive lineman, and I think a lot of other players were taking their cue off of him. That just was a terrible twist of fate that is, you know, unfortunately for the Jets, similar to what we've seen in past years. I'm not saying they can't overcome it. I'm very high, as you know, on the moves that they made this offseason.

32:07Rich Eisen:We'll see if they cash. But the Steelers missing the playoffs would be more surprising to me than the Jets actually ending their streak. So I'll go with the Steelers on that front. All right. All right. No, I know you're down on the Steelers, and I know you want me to, you know, join you in that regard. I want you to say the Jets are going to make the playoffs. I mean, come on, they're your team. The team of your youth. No, I mean, again, they made the right moves. They still have to make them cash. I mean, the Steelers' big move was to go with Rodgers, who I think is going to have a good arm.

32:41Rich Eisen:The question is, will he have the legs if they somehow can't protect him well enough? And then, of course, there's the run game to support Rodgers. We'll have to wonder if it is Jalen Warren's time. but again I'm more bullish on Tomlin's roster and chances than the Jets roster and their new Aaron and chances I'll just leave it at that Fun game in New England on Sunday me and Jay Feller are going to duke it out Raiders, Patriots, more likely rookie running back to have the bigger impact in the win, Ashton Gentry, Travion Henderson Well I'll just go with Gentry because we know he's going to be standing there starting in his new stance without being, you know, the Jason stance.

33:23Rich Eisen:We know that, right? Like it's going to be his show. Do we know how the Patriots are going to use Travion Henderson? And I just know that the kid had an incredible return in the preseason. And I know everyone saw Ramondre struggle last year. And we're just assuming because Ramondre is lower on everybody's fantasy depth charts that we're just assuming Ramondre is going to suddenly be the backup and it's the Trevion Henderson show. I don't know about that. So I need to see how they're going to use him first. Again, we're all wondering how the Chargers are going to split carries with O'Marrion Hampton and Najee Harris.

34:01Rich Eisen:I'm just wondering if the rookies are going to be somehow worked in in a way that we're all assuming they're already baked in. So I'll go with Ashton Gentry just because it's his show, and they drafted him that high, and it's going to be his bell cow to carry, not earn. You see what I'm saying? He may have earned it already with what he's done in his draft position and what he's done behind the scenes. Do you have any indication, Chris, as to how Vrabel's going to use Travion Henderson in this offense, that he's going to be the guy? You're picking the Raiders? You're going to pick the Raiders to win this one?

34:45Rich Eisen:I'm not saying they're going to win it. You're asking me which one is going to have the bigger impact, and I'm going to go with the guy that we know is the top running back and who's going to be the guy who's going to get the ball at least 20, 25 times if they're going to run it like that. I just don't know how they're splitting carries with Ramondre. Again, everyone's just casting Ramondre aside. I think he's going to have a role to play, if not a significant one. Yeah, I actually don't know. He's officially third on the depth chart that was released this week. But in the preseason, obviously, he was their most explosive offensive player.

35:14So I can't imagine he's not going to be involved.

35:16Rich Eisen:We'll see. I don't know. Again, it's a mystery how much Trevion Henderson is going to be used and when. Not so much with Ashton Gentry, which is why I'm choosing him here. Agreed. Rich, fun one in Cleveland with Cincinnati and the Browns lock and battle here. More likely to be the higher total. I'm kind of proud of this one. More likely to be the higher total. Trey Hendrickson sacks or Brown's backup quarterback snaps. Oh, I'm going to go Trey Hendrickson sacks, man. It's going to be Flacco. Unless he's hurt, he's going to play all four quarters. They're not going to bench Joe in week one due to some sort of inefficiency or lack of consistency.

35:59Rich Eisen:And plus, I think it's going to work out well with him and Stefanski married together in this playbook. I'll go with Hendrickson Sachs. The reason why I'm smiling in the middle of all this is, man, we've been doing what's more likely is coming off of drafts and, you know, schedule releases and off-season storylines. We got games. I know, games. You're feeding me games, man. You're feeding me games. Week one games. What else you got? Let's move on. What else you got? Season opening. Rich, more likely season opening streak to come to an end. the Colts 11-year winless run or the Saints four-year unbeaten run?

36:41Rich Eisen:Oh, I'll go, oh, man. I think the Saints lose, but I think the Colts might win too. Don't forget, they're putting Jim Ursa in the ring of honor. That place is going to be lit. That place is going to be lit. You know the Indianapolis Colts lead the league with fans wearing their team's jerseys coming to the game. That place is going to be loud, and it's going to be emotional, And that's going to be tough for the Dolphins to go in and win that game. Can they do it? Of course. And keep the Colts' winless streak going. I just think it's going to be a struggle for the Saints. And I think the Cardinals are poised to fare well in week one.

37:17Rich Eisen:Can I say both? Well, no. No, you can't, actually. I know. I'll go with the Colts' streak. I've got to say, I was surprised when I looked that up that the Saints have won the last four straight week ones. I wasn't expecting that. Hey, man, don't forget last year, you know, again, Dennis Allen can blame us because we had Dennis Allen on the show after they scored 90 points in the first two weeks last year going 2-0. We're like, let's get Dennis Allen on. And I think they lost the last 15. I know I'm exaggerating. Well, you're not that far off. But I think the Saints opening streak is going to be over, but I also think both.

37:54Rich Eisen:I think the Saints are going to lose, and I think the Colts are likely to win. Yeah, Colts 0-10. I know you don't like when I say both. 10-1 in the last 11. How about this one? What else you got? Keep the games going. All right, I got three more. How about more likely to be the bigger number in week one, the length of the longest play from scrimmage, okay, or plays for Travis Hunter. Longest play from scrimmage or Travis Hunter's plays. So that could be like five yards. If somebody scores a 70-yard, if somebody scores a 70, does it include field goals or from scrimmage? So obviously not field goals.

38:31Rich Eisen:Yeah, scrimmage plays. I'll go Travis Hunter snaps Because I want it to happen Because that's what you want to have happen I'm going That's all I'm only going Travis Hunter Because I want it to happen I don't see big plays I see Travis Hunter big snaps Let's go And let's keep going I want to work it all in And I want to hear my son's One more I didn't know there's one more Because I want to hear my I haven't been around Coop for two, three days All right, one more Keep going I want to get it all in And then the one more, okay? Understood This could be one of the more fun games on Sunday. I'm looking at Falcons, Bucs, wide receiver, running back duo to each go for 100 yards on Sunday.

39:12Bajon and Drake, Bucky, Mike Evans.

39:15Rich Eisen:Oh, I'll go. I'll go Bajon and Drake just because they're home. And last year, I'll do that. Yeah, I'll do that just because they're home. and also because last year didn't the Falcons with Kirk Cousins go nuts? They just scored points of Palooza. So I'll do that. I'll go with that one. I'll go with the Falcons. They're at home. Are you picking the Falcons to win? I know you don't like my answer. That's okay. I don't know. I like it. I don't know. This is what's more likely. Don't extrapolate what I'm saying about what's more likely into whether someone wins or loses. I'm trying to glean. Don't glean.

39:52Rich Eisen:Just read. Hit it. Hit it, Jay. Hit it. You have one more. I did not know this. Gosh, one more. It's my boy, Coop. It's my boy. All right, one more. The monster Sunday night game, Ravens-Bills. How about quarterback-running back duo to combine for more touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, Allen, Cook, Lamar, or Henry? I'll go Lamar, Henry, just because James Cook, man, I picked him up in two fantasy leagues, even though last year he was so, so frustrating. There would be games where he scores four and then games where it's just like, why are the backups in? Why am I seeing Ty and Ray? I want to see Cook.

40:30Rich Eisen:Let Cook cook. Now they paid him. I'll go. I know that. I know that. So I'll just go with Lamar and Derek Henry over the Bills. Not because I think the Ravens are going to win, Chris. I'm just going to go with Lamar. They're more likely to score with their legs than, you know. I mean, if you're saying Allen and all the other running backs, I might choose them. But I'm also trying to talk Cook scoring into existence. So that's my what's more likely for you. Attaboy. Good job, Rich. All right. Thank you. Let's take a break. When we come back here, maybe some of your phone calls. Tom Pellissero, what gives with Christian McCaffrey being limited all of a sudden in practice?

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42:00Rich Eisen:Loans originated by SoFi Bank N.A. Member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891. Fast funds terms apply at SoFi.com slash debt play. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Back here on the Rich Eisen Show. We're on our friends at ESPN Radio. So, guys, we have folks on the phone lines. Is that what we got going on right here on the program? We have, okay. 844-204-RICH is the number to dial right here on the program. You guys choose who to take on the phone. Go for it. You guys choose. Felley, my screens. You pick. I don't have a screen, Jay, so it's on you. Jay, you got a screen? Pick someone.

42:39You want to talk about Jaylen Carter? Oh, my God. Pick number three. Whatever color three is.

42:43Rich Eisen:Let's go with six. Okay. Go for it. Yeah, what do you got? Who is it? Who's on? Hello. Who are you? You got it. Miles in Maryland. Thanks, Jay. I'm new to this. Thank you. Come on, Jay. You've got to call out the name and where they're from. What's up, Miles? Just like, yeah, it takes line six. My God. It's like that was – I'm sorry to do this to you. Go for it. You've got the floor. I'm in Brazil. You're where you are. He's in Maryland. No worries. So since everybody is learning expectorate, and as a dentist, I would like to offer my services to RES Consulting. But you missed an obvious one. It's expector gate, right?

43:25Rich Eisen:It's not spit gate. It's expector gate. Expector gate. I like it. There we go. There we go. But, no, I just wanted to say I don't think that as somebody who gets spit on in a career often, you know, it doesn't require a suspension, a simple fine, you know, enforcement of a face shield and just tell the player to keep their mouth closed. They'll be good. I think we can keep it rolling. Simple fine. Yeah, I hear you. Miles and Marilyn, thank you for chiming in. I appreciate it. It's not a bad word for it, although I did see Smitsch nailed it during the commercial BreadTube channel and he posted our segment from hour one talking about it and our opinions of what happened with Jalen Carter.

44:13Rich Eisen:He called it a spit take, which, by the way, it's next level applause for Smitsch right there. Well done, Smitsch. A spit take. I don't believe he's going to be suspended either, just based on the fact, again, that Romo didn't get suspended. Don't put that on Tony. No, no, no, no. Romanowski didn't get suspended for years ago with J.J. Stokes. Words and names that we don't usually mention here. 844-204-RICH-NUMBER-TO-DAB, but we will ask that of Tom Pelissero if he's already gotten and any wind of whatever the league might be looking into on that front. And obviously that is a massive decision because if Jalen Carter is sat another game, the team that's playing tonight here is the road team in the Kansas City Chiefs.

44:55Rich Eisen:Their home opener is in nine days against the Philadelphia Eagles. Right away, we're going to get that Super Bowl rematch, and clearly they're going to be wondering once they're flying home from here back to Kansas City about the next game if Jalen Carter is going to be playing or not. What is it that makes the all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid an incredible SUV? Is it the spacious interior that's comfy for the whole crew? Maybe it's the capability to go off-road. Perhaps it's the 600-plus miles of range, or it's the driver behind the wheel. What if it's all that and more? What is it then? It's the all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, so much more than just another SUV.

45:33Rich Eisen:Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314 - 4603 for more details. That's 562-314 - 4603 for more details. Call us at 844-204-RICH being the number to dial here on ESPN Radio and this ESPN Radio affiliate, smart enough to have us. ESPN Radio is presented by Progressive Insurance. We're going to take your phone calls in the next hour. Also in the next hour, I've got my top five other week one games that I'm looking forward to seeing. It's what we do if you're somehow new to us because of our relationship with Disney Plus and ESPN, the app that can get you anything you need. ESPN everywhere and anywhere you get it.

46:16Rich Eisen:If you're new to us, this is what we do every Friday. We look over the steering wheel. We talk about the day before, the night before his game. One week from tonight, we're going to be talking about the Washington Commanders Green Bay Packers prime video Thursday night football kickoff. Al Michaels is going to be a guest in studio on Monday's show, and we're back in Los Angeles to talk about the rest of week number one. We also play, as we just heard, What's More Likely on a Friday, and Chris Brockman will give you his sneaky good games, which is his way of saying, I'm going to get my gambling Jones out in front of all of you and tell you about what to do with your hard-earned American money if that's what you choose to do with it on an NFL weekend.

46:57Rich Eisen:We're back with our three in a second. 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.

47:16You know when you're locked in, focused, and fearless. Welcome to the WNBA. Your vision narrows. You can't look away. Every assist, every stop, every logo three. From beyond the logo. Every did you see that moment. You bet. What records are going to be broken this season? All of it right here. Lock in. It's the WNBA on ESPN. All season long.