Hour 2: The Giants’ Jaxson Dart Gamble, plus NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah

0:00Rich Eisen:As soccer takes center stage this summer, Comcast helps bring the experience home to America. As the exclusive Spanish-language home of the tournament in the U.S., Telemundo is set to present its most expansive coverage ever. 700 hours of programming, live on-site presence at all 104 matches, and with multi-view and real-time 4K, Xfinity will deliver the most innovative and immersive sports viewing experience for fans watching on Telemundo, Peacock, Fox, and FS1. Learn more at ComcastCorporation.com. Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever.

0:40Rich Eisen:Is there any other player who has achieved that? No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with Power Boost ingredients inside? No, just Duracell. Goats only trust goats, because they're built different. And Messi only trusts Duracell. 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 richeisenshow and you'll never miss a moment.

1:26Rich Eisen:Now, on with the show. Hey, you know what show I love? The Rich Eisen Show. The pitch, the cow. There it is, number 60. From the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Goodbye. Home run for the captain is number 51. Earlier on the show, NBC Sports Bay Area 49ers reporter Matt Mayocco. Coming up. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. Actor and comedian Dan Soder. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Our number two of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air. It's a higher register Thursday, which means we're going to tell you something about week number four in the NFL campaign that we believe only to basically have to go higher register to believe it.

2:15Rich Eisen:That's coming up later on in this show. Dan Soder is joining us in studio hour number three. A lot of folks know him from his Billions Days. Maffee, the comedian, is on a Golden Retriever of Comedy tour. Hey. and he's gonna he's here in in los angeles for a gig tonight at the united center uh united theater part of me on broadway in los angeles united center would be a bigger uh venue obviously in chicago different time different time i know different time different times as well uh 844-204-RICH is the number to dial daniel jeremiah is going to join us shortly uh he calls chargers games locally here on the radio um he also is uh my guy for the combine and the draft and your guy if you watch NFL Network's coverage.

3:00Rich Eisen:And so clearly he knows a lot about what Jackson Dart could bring to the table. And so Jackson Dart making his first career start against the Chargers means he gets a phone call from us. And thankfully he will be joining us on Zoom shortly on this program as Jackson Dart joined the media after being named the starter by Brian Dayball saying, I'm not telling you what we said in the meeting. I'm not telling you what I told Dart and Russ. just telling you i told russ it's jackson's gig and um both dart and russ met with the media upon the news and um jackson dart no pressure you're just the savior don't screw it up honestly counting on you um just ask daniel jones what people thought about being drafted sixth overall.

3:52Rich Eisen:When you're drafted sixth overall. And this guy wearing number six got drafted by the Giants after the Giants drafted Abdul Carter third overall and then traded back into the first round to take the Ole Miss quarterback because they thought he had it. And I'll be honest with you. He looks the part. Oh, yeah. I mean, if you're watching on Disney Plus or the ESPN app, you will see what i'm talking about uh if you're listening on espn radio presented by progressive insurance or sirius xm channel lady or our podcast just trust me uh yet another quarterback that if i ever have the good fortune of interviewing one-on-one on camera it's gonna be a bad two shot for the kid and by the kid i'm just referring to myself as such even though he is a child you could be his father oh my god you're not wrong um other than the fact that he doesn't look jewish so no he doesn't okay very good no i got it jackson dart what a name too right great oh hey telling you it's right out of a high school movie dark it's coming to broadway man here we go jackson dart throwing darts what are you gonna be bringing to an oh and three team here jackson dart your thoughts first of all we just got to continue to you know keep the main thing the main thing process wise.

5:15Everybody throughout a season is going to face adversity. So I think for us it just shows, it's going to show what kind of grit we have as a team character wise. How do we handle when we're punched, when we're down? How are you going to respond to that? And I think the biggest thing for me is I want to do my best to be a spark. I want to create excitement on the field. I want to be explosive when opportunities are there. and try to just bring a little bit of swagger.

5:46Rich Eisen:Bringing a little bit of swagger.

5:51Bringing a little bit of swagger are words Daniel Jones

5:54Rich Eisen:never said as quarterback at the New York Giants. It's not his game. Neither did Eli, really. No, I know. I mean, Eli really never said it, but he did. Eli brought some swagger. But this guy has got it just in absolute spades. You know what I mean? It's coming out of him. Scadaboo, neighbors. Now that's the point. Now that's what you're talking about. That's the excitement here. I know. That's the excitement for Giants fans. And he's wearing the headband to keep that quarterback hair out of his face. If I wore that headband, I'd look like Alex Caruso. Yeah. You're a wonder why there's anything wrong with that.

6:32Rich Eisen:There's a sweatband. Well, it gets sweaty. Because your head will sweat. And there's no hair to absorb it? It's not to keep hair out of your face, bro. It's to keep sweating. it's not a hair band i don't know okay that's why i'm asking but at some point today i don't think there's any stupid questions around here at some point today there will be a picture of you wearing a sweatband popped out somewhere i'm sure fine i'll take it just so i can see what it looks like yeah sure it won't be pretty i saw matt nagy in um in uh brazil and i told him glad to see stopping wearing the uh the visors you told him that i did he sent us one because he did i know a bear's visor on back in the day and and uh as i told him it it accentuates the baldness then you wear a headset on top of it it just you know accentuating baldness yeah you know that's a name good fantasy at any rate back to jackson dart with the flow they asked him if he thinks he's playing for his coach's job?

7:33Ooh, come on, pressure. I don't really feel pressure. I feel like, you know, pressure is given to those who play at a high level. And, you know, the best players in the world are the ones that are kind of involved with that word pressure. So I don't feel it in that standpoint. You know, my focus is just trying to just win one game at a time. And, you know, we've been just, you know, we've been so close each week. And it's been tough to watch. It's been tough, you know, as a team to come back in the locker room. You know, like I said, when you're just that close to winning.

8:10Rich Eisen:Good answer. Good answer. Good answer. Atta boy, Jackson. Atta boy. That's what we said after Del Tufo. Good job. Said something on Celebrity Family Feud. It was a bad answer, Richard. That's the problem. Age like fine jewelry. Oh, wow. The board treated you like the Chargers intend to treat Jackson dark. I was just going to say. Yeah, survey says. That's the phrase. Right, exactly, right, exactly, right. Very good. I mean, come on. Oh, look at you. You got actual off-camera sound effects. Oh, my God. He's ready for anything. Jeez, you're like a vaudeville comedian right now with a horn. Jeez.

8:45Rich Eisen:Where's that giant hook? Please. Same man at the Apollo.

8:52What's he supposed to say?

8:53Rich Eisen:Because he's playing for his coach's job. I mean, that's the bottom. And the front office's job. I mean, if he doesn't perform well, and it looks like it's a lost campaign. But again, as I always say here, teams just have to make, based on their situations, based on the reality, smart bets. And Jackson Dart appears to be a smart bet to have gone up and have drafted him. Because you can't sit around and wait. hey, if we don't perform very well with these veterans, you know, we're going to go back with Tommy DeVito again, with all due respect. Damn it, should have said that in advance. And then we'll figure out the quarterback situation in next year's draft.

9:39Rich Eisen:Certainly when management has made it clear, and fans have made it clear, like it's now rubber meeting road time for Brian Dable and Joe Shane in the front office. And the smart bets were, okay, we're going to draft the kid. we'll see how far we can go with the veterans and then what we're going to do is build this defense so insanely out that all we need to do is get about two if not three scores from our offense and we're going to win more than not and um sure enough if they had gotten two scores in washington dc they still would have been a little bit short but it would have been better um they got a bunch of scores in Dallas and suddenly couldn't stop Dak you know like if you could blame Dayball for anything or the coaching staff for anything was allowing Brandon Aubrey to get close to the star to kick a field goal to send it to overtime you know and then you have to make these smart bets and and and Dart it's time for the bet to now start paying off and you're you're right Chris, and I think I speak for Giants fans, Dart handing off to Scadaboo and throwing to Malik Neighbors to give a lead to Kayvon Thibodeau and Brian Burns and Abdul Carter and Sexy Dexy and Okereke, who if I'm not mistaken is leading the league in tackles right now.

11:02Rich Eisen:That's better than what you've had for the Giants in a while in terms of exciting and in terms of what the future could look like. just protect the kid get scadaboo running and running people over get the chargers in one of those crazy east coast early window moments for a west coast team maybe you start shocking the world you know what i mean and uh one thing is for sure is the future does not include russell wilson who i mean the nfl is a cruel cruel world sometimes one one week you're turning back the clock you're russ cooking for 450 yards against the dallas cowboys you damn near come close you set things up to end the losing streak to the dallas cowboys to go to one and one send the cowboys reeling to owen to heading to chicago and two brandon aubrey 90 yard field goals later you're back under center at owen two against the kansas city chiefs who damn sure were going to make it sure that they weren't going to go 0-3, you have this awful series inside the red zone in a game that you're down 22-9.

12:08Rich Eisen:So a lot would have to happen in order for you to win, but the a lot will never happen if you don't score a touchdown here. And it was just a brutal series of four snaps. And now he's back to the role of saying things like this about his career, whether it's over or not? You know, I think for me personally, you know, as well as I'm not done. I got so much belief in myself and know what I'm capable of. I believe I was able to show it, especially, you know, on the road in Dallas and everything else. I know that can help this football team, you know, if that comes up. But, you know, I think also, too, just for me mentally, you know, just have the best practice, you know, have the best have the best workout session in the morning, early in the morning, you know, getting here and having the same routine and and just find every single way to get better um that's what you can control and you know you control your attitude you control your gratitude and those two things you know are important to me um because I love the game I love the process and I respect it man for a guy that just did what he did in Seattle and you know and it's just a shame that he's in these in this position again and you could sit here and say his plays is what put it there and you know um I have nothing but good things to say about him nice things to say about him and people who saw how to front row seat in Denver.

13:26Rich Eisen:I imagine that is what I shouldn't speak for Schlereth, but that's might be behind of what him saying that him throwing the ball away rather than try and put it on a receiver. And those four snaps against the chiefs was indicative of his, of Russ's selfishness, which makes what we just heard sound hollow.

13:45Rich Eisen:But I, I, I don't know. Denver dead captain. The Steelers just said, we're done here and now the Giants three three games in are are are laying in it essentially uh at that at that crossroads for him I don't know does he the crazy thing is his dart might need a blue tent moment he comes in and yeah you never know you gotta stay ready yeah so what he's saying makes sense you know what I mean you gotta be ready if you're Jameis do you go like what needs to be done around here for me. He should ask for a trade. One of these other spots with the QB issue. Maybe Cincinnati. I think the caller brought that up this week.

14:26Rich Eisen:For him to go to Cincinnati? Yeah. If Jake Browning has a bad Monday night against Denver? If Jake Browning is less than for a second week in a row, maybe that's a situation where Jameis can be like, hey, get me out there. But for the Giants, as I said, Jackson Dart. It's funny. I said to Cooper, did I say this yesterday when I told Cooper? He was wondering why wasn't Dart coming into the game against the Chiefs? Why is he just coming in for one snap and then running off the field? And running it. Right, and you know what I mean? And I basically said it's because in a struggling team, the most popular player is the backup quarterback.

15:02Rich Eisen:Always. Well, now the backup quarterback is it's time, and it's here. And man, I'm telling you, I was stunned that it would be against the Chargers. but to give them some oomph at home, you know, where the fans aren't already booing the first Russ overthrow, if it happens, now it's just excitement. Unfortunately, Tyrone Tracy Jr. is out for him, but Cam Scadaboo, the first moment that Scadaboo runs someone over, the fans are just plugged into that kid, and then if Dart turns that into points to Malik Nabors, I mean there's going to be a roar in Met life for the Giants that you haven't heard in a very long time and then Abdul Carter comes up with a sack and then the front office could sit back and go see we drafted it that's what's got to have to happen and then show enough of a sign a pulse that for Dable who I like and I think Giants fans should not discard I know I'm saying a lot there for him to be able to go to management to him and say let's keep it going and Dart if Dart does well and does suddenly have some juice and some capital in the building go I like this guy well okay then that's why he's being asked can you play enough to save the coach's job which is kind of unfair to ask someone who's never taken a starting snap in the NFL just yet but he can take it he looks the part question is uh will he look the part when it's time to play that's what's coming up on Sunday Chargers at Giants early window let's take a break man who's going to be calling that game locally on the radio here.

16:37Rich Eisen:My guy from NFL Network, Daniel Jeremiah, next on the Rich Eisen Show.

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18:06Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show podcast. ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. We're back on our simulcast. Disney Plus, the ESPN app everywhere, and ESPN Radio, Sirius XM Channel 80. This man calls the Chargers games locally here on the radio. Perfect guy to be chatting with, certainly since Jackson Tart's making that start. Ladies and gentlemen, Daniel Jeremiah back here in the program. What's up, DJ? I'm doing great, buddy. I like to see you trying to will fall to get here. I can't get enough of it. I can't get enough. Exactly what I thought to myself today. There's no chill in the Southern California here, but damn it, I just want to start to will that to arrive.

18:44How great is that first night, by the way, where it's just a little cold?

18:48Rich Eisen:I know. That's what I'm looking forward to. I know. Spoken like two Southern Californian residents right now. Some of the country's like, what are you talking about? Let's just jump into it. I texted you yesterday. You are the perfect guest in every way, no matter when. But in this instance, having probably watched as much Jackson Dart tape as anybody else prior to the draft and calling Chargers games, as you do locally here on the radio, now those two shall meet. Were you surprised that Jackson Dart, now is the time against this defense that you know is one of the top in the National Football League, DJ?

19:25I'm not surprised, and more so just because you look at their schedule. I don't know where the break is, really. I mean, there's just so many tough defensive opponents lined up for the Giants kind of as you look through it. You're like, okay, well, you could have gone to New Orleans, but then you turn around and you go Philly. I just saw Denver and saw them hammer Herbert. I mean, they are very good up front. Philly twice, San Francisco. I mean, like it's just, you know, I don't think they want to wait until Chicago Week 10 to get him out there on the field. So not surprised that it happened this early.

19:56There's no perfect time to do it. And, you know, I thought, OK, maybe Russ bought him some time with the Dallas game. And then we've just kind of learned that Dallas is just just awful, dreadful defensively. So that wasn't something that they felt was sustainable.

20:10Rich Eisen:OK, so now what do you think Jackson Dart can bring to the equation starting this weekend against those Chargers? Well, the things the thing that 100 percent is going to bring two things, going to bring energy and athleticism. So he's going to get everybody excited. He's going to get the stadium excited. And as someone who's been a New York sports fan, Rich, you know when there's the new thing. I mean, that gets everybody fired up and excited. So that's going to take place. And then the athleticism side of it, he's going to be able to get away from some things that maybe Russ couldn't get away from.

20:41They can create some design quarterback runs if they'd like to help in that regard. I mean, it's going to be a very tough challenge with the Chargers because, you know, the Chargers can collapse the pocket with their rush. It's not really an individual rusher. It's more kind of like a rush plan that they use where they're just going to kind of condense you in and try and just crowd your space inside the pocket. And they do it with four guys. And now you've got seven to comb through on the back end that can kind of muddy the picture. So, you know, I went back through all the preseason stuff. I, you know, went back through my college notes and I watched all the preseason stuff with Dart and he got better and better each game each of the three weeks and i thought they kind of figured out where he was comfortable which was a lot more empty stuff uh it really spread in the formation spread in the field giving him some clear sight lines kind of a catch rock and throw uh from the gun with quick decisions and then it also creates some running lanes when you spread the field like that where he can use his athleticism uh take off and go i don't think you want to condense things down i think that would make the picture very very muddy for him in his first start what do

21:47Rich Eisen:you mean condense what do you mean by that in terms of what what day ball would do is that what you're saying or well i mean look there's a lot going on with teams playing with a lot of tight ends and you're seeing 12 personnel a lot of two tight ends you're seeing a lot of teams condense it down you know so you're going to bring the receivers in into the formation you're going to kind of condense everything down and then kind of break out from there run the ball play action and then try and hit some things off of that i don't think that's you know at this point in time where Dart's going to be the most comfortable.

22:15I think he's going to be more comfortable. If you think back to when Joe Burrow was coming into the league, we advocated the same thing for him, which was he likes to have answers and be able to see everything spread across the field, find an individual matchup that he likes, and try and get the ball out. That's when he's going to be at his best at this point in time.

22:33Rich Eisen:Daniel Jeremiah here on the Rich Eisen Show. Let's talk Chargers here, sir. I mean, you've been part of the Ravens-Eagles organization prior to doing what you do on television. and so you've been there done that when you've seen championship organizations start to coalesce around a roster and a coach do you see championship stuff through three weeks with the chargers right now daniel i think there's some championship dna in there um and what those organizations have in common and what jim harbaugh has kind of instilled with this group is that you're going to have those three or four plays i mean how many times have you guys come in on a monday and you're recapping games and you go man if just this one play happens differently i mean the eagles could be oh and three right now if not for three plays right in their first three games well that's the nfl and those teams that in those winning time moments um they're comfortable in those moments and they thrive in those moments you've seen it with the eagles and it's not just offense defense it's special teams as well they block a kick last week the chargers defense had to get a stop late in the game they get it you got to get a drive down the field herbert's making plays to you know a rookie tight end and a rookie back.

23:42And then you've got a kicker that's got to nail the field goal and Cameron Dicker doesn't miss. So they've really got comfortable in those stressful winning time moments. And I think that's all Harbaugh, man. It's all him. It's all instilling belief in all of his guys. It's the extra work and the grinding that they do during training camp and the extra periods. And that's how you finish well. And in the NFL, that's every week you're going to be in games in tight games and you've got to make winning time plays in those moments and you were there for Herbert taking off and running to seal the Chiefs game uh I mean they've they've done

24:17Rich Eisen:this each and every week yeah and charging there was even a name for it right the what the Chargers would have happened to them wild odd self-inflicted whatever you want to talk about to prevent them from winning games like the ones that you're you're talking about and I know you came up to me during a commercial break on Game Day morning last week, and you mentioned number three in the program, number one in everyone's hearts here in Los Angeles. I just want to give you the floor on Derwin James, what you're seeing out of him defensively and what Dart is going to be dealing with this weekend with him.

24:51Well, Derwin's one of the best football players that I've been around, and I started in 03 in my scouting time, and I'll get to the player in just a second, but I also told you this. He's my favorite person that I've ever been around in the NFL. You know, I've been around for every single one of his games. This guy brings energy. And I'm not talking like energy in the huddle, on the sideline, on the field, all that stuff. You can see that on TV. I'm talking about energy on the plane. I'm talking about energy in the meal room. Like this guy is just a galvanizing force. Everyone loves being around him.

25:25He knows everybody in the whole operation. I mean, he'll come up to me and ask me how my kids are doing. Like he's just an unbelievable dude. So you start with him as the person, which is exceptional. Then you get him on the field, and they've mastered how to use him, Jesse Minner has, where he can do so many different things. So it's like, okay, is it too much? Do we narrow it down? They've got him living closer to the line of scrimmage, and he is a dynamic blitzer. He is going to get tackles for loss in the run game. He can buzz underneath coverage and take away tight ends and backs. There's screens.