Hour 3: Rich’s ‘4-Downs’ Saints Preview, Aaron Donald Prediction, plus Michigan QB Bryce Underwood

19:10Rich Eisen:I asked him about you, and the first words out of his mouth is, Bryce is our guy. Has he vocalized that to you? Of course. He displayed it in the opportunity that he came whenever we have a conversation. He trusts me fully with the leadership aspect of everything, so I think that's a great thing to have for him as a coach. When did he first say that to you? Do you recall when he first actually confirmed to you that you are the guy here on campus? I really feel like his first day in office, you know. So, you know, just a blessing to have that trust from a head coach, you know. Of course. So how did you take the change with Coach Moore to Coach Whittingham?

19:49Rich Eisen:Where did you learn about all of it? Overall, I just took it as God's plan, you know. The first thing I always do, I pray about a situation, you know, and then just let me back to where I was, my roots, being at the University of Michigan. So you, just like everyone else, just like me and everyone else, you're looking at your phone, you're learning about it, or did you get a call about something was up, what was going on? Learned about it, thought about it. No. I'm still at the University of Michigan. Did you ever at any moment in time think, you know, this isn't happening here? Like, I came here.

20:22Rich Eisen:It didn't work out for me on this campus in year one for whatever reason. Now there's a new coach coming in. I'm out of here. No. never came across my mind honestly you know i came here and my mind says to switch up so well that's that's great yeah i mean i would have thought first but i'll be honest everyone was worried like okay bryce bryce is gonna go out like there's lane kiffin sitting there and there was all sorts of folks you know joking around that he would be waiting at the bottom of your you know at the bottom of your driveway of your house basically with a sign saying you know you want to try this again then did that never happen no okay so so you're here of course all right by the way that's great that's great to hear so what was your first conversation with kyle whittingham like that you're you're willing to share um how much of of a big leadership role i'll be having to step up for this year so you know he wanted me to be me to be the leader of the team you know for this upcoming year and that was really the first ever conversation that we had what's my expectation for the next upseason coming up, you know?

21:25Rich Eisen:And what about your football advancement? How have you been working on that, Bryce? I've been working with Jordan Palmer, trainer. It's been going pretty good. I'm having a lot of fun, simplifying everything and just being the best I could be. Well, Jordan's been on the show many times. You picked a great one. Yes, sir. What has he been keying on with you? Overall, just simplifying everything, you know, making everything as simple as possible, easy as possible. That's a simple way to put it. What do you mean simple? Like, how does one simplify things like that? Overall, just making the game way easier, you know, not doing too much, just being calm, relaxed in the pocket, you know, just football.

22:07Was that a problem for you last year, do you think? I wouldn't say so much of a problem, but some things I had to work on.

22:12Rich Eisen:So what were the things last year that you're now sitting here next to me on the outset of this upcoming season that you're like, I am definitely going to handle this situation in a more experienced manner coming up this year? I'd say being mentally stronger. I feel like last year was more of like, okay, see if I'm physically gifted, and now it's about seeing how mentally strong I can be going throughout the season, no matter if, of course, the goal is being one another every single week, but no matter what, being mentally strong every game. And what about your things like footwork and what have you?

22:45Rich Eisen:Are you working on that sort of thing? Of course, like I said, just being calm, being real calm in the pocket. Don't look like I got to be in a rush for everything. Just relax, calm. Who else have you been speaking to? Whose brains else are you picking? Honestly, I'm praying a lot more. So I would say I'm picking a Bible a lot with that, honestly. It's more than you have in your life? Of course. What caused you to reach that decision? Overall, I just feel like God has the answer to everything. You know, so my thing is to go through the Bible, you know, see if I have any answers I need and everything like that.

23:20What other less spiritual people have you been have you been seeking advice from?

23:26Rich Eisen:My parents, my family, you know. Did I hear the name Joe Burrow out of your coach's mouth earlier? Have you spoken to Joe? I trained with Joe. OK, so you trained with Joe Burrow. Yes, sir. Now we're talking here. What are you what are you what are you picking up from Joe? Honestly, overall, when I was training with him, it just looked calm. It just looked easy. It looked simple, you know. And it was just me watching. I'm like, how can one have the footwork that's so simple? And then it's just so effective and so quick, you know. And I just picked it up, just watched this film more and more and seeing the whys and everything.

23:57And it just came to me. Interesting.

23:59Rich Eisen:But, I mean, if you could choose somebody who you're like, it looks simple. It's calm. That guy is like, he's the paragon of that. Definitely. That's who he is. Joe Burr. He's Joe Cool. Definitely. So has he given you any advice or have you asked any advice about calming yourself in that regard? Overall, it was me really just witnessing it for the first time. So I watched and then I had Jordan explain to me what was going on. Like, when am I singing? Why is it so simple? And then it just all clicked. So is it clicking in a way that you feel that week one we're going to see a different Bryce Underwood?

24:37Rich Eisen:Of course, definitely. Okay. Yes, sir. How so? I feel like how much time I put into it, honestly. When I'm at home, I do it throughout the house. It's a continuous repetition of everything I've been learning. Throughout that, like what? You're walking from the living room to the kitchen, and you're stopping and you're dealing with your footwork? Exactly. Like quite literally, changing directions, going up the stairs, but I don't like anything. You're looking off the kitchen, throwing to the living room. Yeah, definitely. For sure. That's right. Hey, listen, whatever works. I love it. and earlier just so you're aware i i told your coach whittingham i told him i'm like we've got to get bryce throwing on the run more you looked far more comfortable doing that last year than from the pocket is that a is that a fair assessment of your game from last year we can go with that we can go with that so and it just seemed like there were times where that just didn't happen And again, I don't want to throw anyone under the bus here, which is a way of me setting up an ability to potentially throw someone under the bus.

25:43Rich Eisen:But do you feel that your talents last year were properly coordinated? I feel overall I could have done also a better way of showing that I fully trust the playbook and everything in those ways by staying more. I was in the film room a lot, but I feel like I could have done a little bit more on my behalf as well. I appreciate you taking accountability. For sure. Which is, by the way, a great trait of a leader and a quarterback. And I don't mean to push you in a different direction, which means I'm about to push you in a different direction. But, you know, I did ask Coach Whittingham earlier about your last year, and he basically said you didn't have a dedicated quarterback coach here last year.

26:25Rich Eisen:For sure. Did that affect your development, do you think? um overall it could have been more of a reason why i feel that having an offensive coordinator and a quarterback coach all in one you know the office coordinator have so much like he had the game plan had to get the things to the receivers linemen tight ends running backs he got a whole bunch of responsibilities to take care of so i mean so okay you do realize that if you do exactly what you're saying and joe burrow helped you do know that joe despite having thrown 60 touchdown passes and gotten a ring from LSU. He still considers himself an Ohio State Buckeye at heart.

27:05Rich Eisen:Are you aware of that? Sure. Okay. He does. He does. I swear to you, he does. It bothers me. Clearly that doesn't bother him and it bothers me, but you can make them very upset by going into their house next year. Do you think about stuff like that? My goal is we want to know every game, so that comes across. Okay. So one at a time is the way you just went with me right now. Do you think about that Ohio State game at all? 1-0 every week. Okay. All right. So you've page-turned is what you're telling me right now. Definitely. Okay. Have you run into LeBron again lately? Actually, I haven't. You have not?

27:44Rich Eisen:No, I have not. It's probably a good thing. Because, you know, you talked mess to him last year. And there you are with him right there. You talked mess. And then, you know, he probably was a happy man on that day in November. The happiest, yeah. I know. now he's gone to Philadelphia so of course he's got bigger fish to fry I don't know much but does that mean he's gonna be a Penn State fan now that he's in Pennsylvania can't be I know um okay so you know before before I let you go on the rest of your day here uh what is your goal for this year what do you got for me first I'm team first so this thing right here the national championship is the mango so that's number one and then number two being the best player best quarterback in the country.

28:26So also the other thing is also being the best leader I can be for my team. So that's my main three goals. All right. And we just had Andrew Marsh here as well. Seems like you had a heck of a connection with him. Of course. Last year. How does it look this year? It's amazing. You know, we're consistently working. You know, all my receivers, the same ones that transferred in, the freshmen that just came in, you know, the receivers, I was already there. Right. We're working a lot. Okay. And Savion Heider is now here.

28:50Rich Eisen:Very excited. How, I mean, again, Jordan and Marshall was sitting here too. He says that it's possible that the two of them are on the field at the same time. So let's just say you, those two guys, there's a mesh point. Will we be confused as to who has it at that point in time? I don't want to – is that the idea here? Very exciting. Okay. You going to keep it and run it more yourself this year or what? We'll see game one. Come on, man. I'm trying to get something. I'm trying to get something here. I know you're looking off to the side here, but I don't want to – But this is the idea because, you know, Marsh said it's also going to be more wide open.

29:27Rich Eisen:So give me one thing that you think is going to be different this year than from last year. Other than the fact that you beat me in rock, paper, scissors, which you did not do the last time. All 11 players on the field will be electric. That's all. OK, so I'll say terrific. And and everything else in your your life is ready to go. Of course, you're good. Definitely. OK. Well, Bryce Underwood, I say good luck to you, man. I say my best of luck to you. What are you watching? Film. That's it? Yes, sir. Boy, that's the second guy that said something like that. You're not, your mind isn't anywhere else except football.

30:08Rich Eisen:Football. Okay. What about Heisman Trophy? Is that on your mind? Of course. Being the best player in the country, I mean, that's what that comes with. Okay. And what's your goals in terms of for this year? You got written down somewhere? Of course. Can you share them with me? This thing right here? Okay, that's number one. Heisman. Okay. Being the best leader for Montana. That's it. All right. No numbers? Okay. 1-0 every week. 1-0 every week. Bryce Underwood, it is great to see you, Matt. I really appreciate your time. Yes, sir. And I wish the best of luck to you. Of course. You know, and that, you know, I can't wait to have Jordan Palmer on the show, and I'll pick his brain on that.

30:45Rich Eisen:Definitely. And I get one. I do need to get one of these. Yes, you got it. Absolutely. Sir. That is Bryce Underwood right here on The Rich Eisen Show. We're back to wrap this up with my guys from Los Angeles in just a matter of moments. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.

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33:40Rich Eisen:Terms and conditions apply. Okay. Chris Brockman, TJ Jefferson. We're still here, Rich. Back there in the Los Angeles studios. We're still here. I know. I'm sorry, guys. But that's why I didn't have you fly all the way out here. because I knew that there would be a ton of guests. It would be guest heavy. Yeah, it's great. We had them all. Hold on a minute. Let me lean forward here. We had them all sign this Michigan Wing. Oh, yeah. Look at that. This is going to be every guest sign this. This is going to be auctioned off here at the Champion Circle event tonight. Oh, cool. Hopefully it will raise some money for tonight's fundraiser.

34:20Rich Eisen:Good stuff. Yeah, there it is. Has Bryce Underwood grown at all? Is he taller? Yeah, he's big. Dude, he's giant. What he seems to have grown as is he's still the same confident 17-year-old that we met when he was in our studio last summer. You know, and he's still the same confident kid. It seems that he's just more locked in and focused on the football aspect of things here. Yeah. And, you know, we've had Jordan Palmer on the show multiple times. He's no joke. He's not going to bring him on and just, you know, babysit him. You know what I mean? So I don't know what your take from that interview was.

35:07Rich Eisen:So I don't know what your opinion of that. No, it just seems like a kid who's really locked in and, you know, getting ready and focused. I do like that he never thought about leaving, entering the portal, following Lane or anyone else who, you know, probably came calling. You know, he set out to go to Michigan to accomplish, you know, some goals and he's still focused on getting there. So I enjoyed listening and hearing that. Yeah. well i mean his his ability to step his game up and uh read a defense uh in a you know more calm fashion basically that's what he's kept saying is just keep his feet calm and stay calm in the pocket um and then of course having a an offense that uses his ability to run and run um move the pocket i i think you know i don't think i'm telling any tales out of school that is uh that affects the entire Big Ten this year um because I mean Michigan goes to Oregon later on this year that's that's their toughest road game before Ohio State this year pardon me the Ohio State this year um and if Michigan can navigate those two games they've got eight at home this year um that could particularly affect the standings we'll see what happens when they do play Indiana this year they did not last year uh including the Big Ten championship game So his ability to actually turn it around and do something can affect the entire Big Ten.

36:34Rich Eisen:And if not, then Michigan will be less of a factor than anybody around here hopes. That's for sure. Later on this year. So hopefully everybody's gleaned that sort of thing. Turning back to the National Football League. We've been holding this segment for every single day that I've been in the host chair. The four downs, we'll get to the Saints in a second. But Sean McVay spoke over the weekend about Aaron Donald's readiness to rejoin the football playing world. And addressing the latest on that, here's Sean McVay. I'm sure everybody's wondering about Aaron. He is going through his process, and he is putting himself in a position to make a decision.

37:23And he's earned the right to be able to do that. And for those of you guys that do know Aaron, he's very diligent. Anything that he does, he does all in. And so he's going through a very strict regimen and process that was similar to what he did when he played. See how his body responds and feels. And then we've had some things that we'll just kind of check up on each other. And then we'll see when we have more information whether or not we're going to give it a go or whether or not he's going to continue to enjoy what he's been doing for the last couple years. But if that is something that he wants to do, we are going to try to be able to make that happen.

37:59But I genuinely do not have an answer on whether he is or isn't. I know he's preparing himself to be able to make that decision. And if he feels good, then you guys know he's going to be ready to rock. But if not, he's earned the right. He doesn't owe us anything. And he's a special person. You guys know what he means to me.

38:18Rich Eisen:Okay. Okay. Sounds like it. Here's my takeaway. Here's my takeaway. Here's my takeaway. Here's my takeaway. And I think it mirrors yours. Because I had not heard that sound bite. I just, Mike Hoskins got me here before the show. He goes, we got Sean McVay over the weekend about Aaron Donald. Like, okay. And I've been in visiting day world and travel world and whatever. So if there were stories written about it or put on threads, I missed it. um so this is my purely first blush takeaway or takeaways from hearing that soundbite under what circumstances does aaron donald go through a process and he comes through it saying yeah yeah yeah exactly you know what i mean like i'm not feeling it you know i'm not feeling it at what like how does he go through a process that let's just put it this way showing up to the facility the only mental part of it is you know i'm here i'm envisioning what it's going to be like week 15 after a training camp do i want to put myself through all of that that's why i stopped playing that's the only mental aspect of it that and the fact that there might be some car that creeps in front of him and he doesn't get to work faster because as some Southern Californian was driving on their phone.

39:41Rich Eisen:You know what I mean? Like that, what mental aspect of it will he come through and basically say, I don't want to do it? Because the physical can't be it, right? It can't, I mean - It can't be physical, it's mental. You might think so, you can't. Right? Yeah, I was talking about it over the weekend. Yeah, I was thinking about it like this. Hold on a minute, I guess. Go ahead. Yeah. No, I mean, you can't say can't. You're right, TJ. I can't say it can't be. Because one does never know. I mean, he isn't, he's not, even though he looks like an Avenger, you know, it could be doomsday at some point at any point with anybody's back or this, that, whatever's balky.

40:18Rich Eisen:He's, I understand that. I get it. But at the end of the day, him maybe not being home or he's been away all the time. And then he just, he kind of liked being around at home, being around his family. I mean, I guess it could come off. I just don't think that if he's part of me just thinks going through the process and just deciding I'm going to go through a process means he's already decided. Kind of seems like it, right? That may be an oversimplification and unfair. but just the decision that i'm gonna go through the process is enough for me to figure he's handled the mental part already and the family part already i can see that's what i'm thinking and that him showing up and the video of catching him on at the facility isn't like whoa no he's been here before he's done this over the last few years no he's going like it's confirmed he's going through a process he has decided i need to go through a process to see if i want to do it and it just seems like would he go through the process if he didn't want to do it i just know how we feel like after a week or two weeks of vacation and you have to go back to work this guy's been on vacation for two years yeah and to mentally go back to work you know that that's a lot yeah especially when the mental part and your work you know is so physical in nature and you got to kind psych yourself up for especially playing his position a car crash on every play that's a lot right that's a lot mentally for yourself and your family to kind of re get back into after you've been quote unquote on vacation for two years correct or he just says i just want to try it one more year yeah i got miles garrett let's do it superbowls here in los angeles i know that we want it let's make it happen it feels like we want this more than aaron donald might want this but i don't it would just be so cool for football nice you know you don't i know but yeah you know i fully agree and then the yeah sorry no just my one last takeaway because i need to get to my four downs before the end of the show my last takeaway on this is when we first came on the air with this show 11 years ago or chris you and i first started doing the podcast together that predated the show 14 years ago and the rams were still inst louis yep and people are like okay if the rams go back to los angeles what would their coach look like and then i saw like this is it right yeah what do you say that's like this is straight out like if ai existed 14 years ago like make up the coach of the los angeles like a like a police yeah The hardest rendition.

43:10Rich Eisen:Yeah, I played this dude. Hardest rendition of what the Rams coach would like. That's it. Yeah. He's got a tight fade, aviators, you know, 5 o 'clock shadow beard. I'd say he'd be a little bit more tan in the hardest rendition. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, true. Maybe a little bit more tan. Slightly better than that. But, you know, like that's my other takeaway. Not like George Hamilton tan. It's fantastic. Pretty good. All right, it's time for my four downs on the New Orleans Saints. Hit it, hit it, hit it. Four downs with Rich. Here we go.

43:44All right.

43:45Rich Eisen:It's our daily look at a singular National Football League team, all 32 teams all the way up until the playing season. This four downs is about the New Orleans Saints. First down. First down. This is a simple one. What does a Tyler Shuck sophomore season look like? this kid didn't take the reins of the gig until the middle of last season and maybe everybody thought he would show a spark and it would be ups and downs and mostly downs because this kid was not a first rounder and then lo and behold he damn near took the offensive rookie of the year award away from Ted Aroa McMillan what does year two look like now that he's going to be the man from the beginning all the reps in training camp all the reps in the off season and now coming in and getting all the reps from week one all the way to week whenever uh what does it look like and that is a crucial part of all of these puzzle pieces together including second down how much gas is left in alvin camara's tank because this guy is now second on the depth chart behind travis etn or etn jr uh the big free agent splash signing of the new orleans saints to snag him from the jacksonville jaguars and bring him back to the bayou how much does camara play does he somehow someway have a fountain of youth he's 31 now um can he be anything close to the Camara of old, because if ETN is like last year and Camara is anything like the Camara of old, I mean, the Saints have got themselves a heck of an offense potentially, which leads to third down is how can Jordan, can Jordan Tyson stay healthy?

45:41Rich Eisen:Their first round draft choice, the wide receiver taken after Carnell Tate. A lot of people thought he might be the first wide receiver taken in last year's draft this kid being brought to new orleans alongside chris olave and uh man i'm i'm telling you too you look at uh their depth chart they also drafted you know uh oscar delt from georgia chris being an sec household a lot of people saying he's got kittling him and so put it all together uh that leads to fourth down here which is kellen moore year two is it more or less and the more is obviously with just one oh because the saints thank you the saints last year put enough together in the back half of the season that they finished just two games out of first.

46:40Rich Eisen:Now, I know the first place team was under 500, but this team is just two games off the lead of their division. And if Shuck can step it up, and Kamara still has gas left in the tank, and the tight end room can be as, because Noah Fant wound up there too, as the second string, as the second string tight end that's there. If they could put it all together, Could they even win the division? Or do they take steps back and then we got to reassess things? And that's my four downs on the New Orleans Saints to wrap up this show from the state of Michigan. Guys, I appreciate the effort today. I appreciate you punching the clock where you are.

47:22Rich Eisen:I'll be back there tomorrow. We'll do it all together again. It'll be back together again Tuesday on the Rich Eisen Show. 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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