In short
Rich Eisen Show Hour 3 covers divisional playoff weekend preview, Rich’s “Top 5 defenses left in the playoffs,” and Rams RB Blake Corum’s outlook. It also includes discussion of Eagles offseason offensive coordinator decisions and Jalen Hurts/A.J. Brown system consistency.
Guests (and backgrounds)
Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams running back in his second NFL season; previously a Michigan Wolverines standout. Also referenced: NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero and Texans WR Christian Kirk (from earlier hours), plus Eagles-related voices (e.g., Nick Sirianni, Howie Roseman) via clips.
Key claims
Rams’ offense/identity won’t be stopped by Chicago cold weather; McVay’s message is “we’re enough” and play their style across offense/defense/special teams. Rich ranks Rams defense #5, Bills #4, Broncos #3, Seahawks #2, Texans #1; Patriots also discussed as a strong defense.
Notable examples
Corum cites Michigan duo-gap plus Rams zone concepts (mid zone/outside zone) and his year-two comfort; Stafford leadership and the “Snatching Hearts” drive; Bills’ recent success vs Trevor Lawrence; Broncos’ sack differential; Texans compared to the 2000 Ravens.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOUpcoming Playoff Weekend
1:15 to 2:28
Rich discusses the upcoming divisional playoff weekend and his schedule.
“What are we looking at, a three-peat now?”
Interview with Blake Corum Begins
2:28 to 3:30
Rich Eisen welcomes Rams RB Blake Corum to discuss the season.
“I love watching you ball out for this Rams team.”
Blake Corum on Playing Fast
3:30 to 5:44
Blake shares insights on understanding the game scheme and playing fast.
“What's it like sharing the ball with Kyron Williams?”
Weather Impact on Performance
5:44 to 6:45
Blake discusses how weather conditions won't affect their performance.
“bringing the energy execution and it's going to be a great day.”
Locker Room Dynamics and Rivalries
6:45 to 8:08
Rich asks Blake about locker room discussions regarding rivals.
“I do believe, you know, the Bears team in general, I think they're a phenomenal team.”
Staying Focused on the Present
8:08 to 9:14
Blake emphasizes the importance of focusing on the current game.
“Noticing that back and forth at all, Blake?”
Reflections on Adversity
9:14 to 11:24
Blake reflects on his journey through injuries and triumphs.
“you know, with Caleb leading the way and, you know, preparing for Sunday night.”
Final Thoughts and Team Dynamics
11:24 to 14:03
Blake shares thoughts on team chemistry and his excitement for the game.
“of the afternoon off, if I'm not mistaken, right?”
Blake Corum's Mindset and Team Spirit
14:03 to 15:17
Learn about Blake Corum's positive attitude and how he views his role in the Rams.
“So every time I touch the field, you know, like I said, I, you know, look up to the sky, man, I'm blessed to be here.”
Favorite College Players Discussion
15:17 to 21:42
Explore nostalgic conversations about favorite college athletes and their impact.
“He's about to go to war for the Los Angeles Rams right here on the Rich Eisenstein.”
Show all 17 chapters
Chris Mullin Story
21:42 to 22:32
Rich shares a humorous and awkward encounter with basketball player Chris Mullin.
“I told you about my Chris Mullen story, right?”
Eagles Offensive Coordinator Search
24:56 to 28:00
Discuss the Eagles' search for a new offensive coordinator and potential candidates.
“While I'm on the road, I sometimes miss the comforts of home, which is why when I travel with my family, we always check Airbnb for places to stay.”
Coaches and Playcalling Dynamics
28:00 to 30:20
Learn about the impact of coaches calling plays on NFL team success.
“Honestly, the last two that worked out that took you to the Super Bowl, one of them won and the other one didn't in Steichen, leave.”
Jalen Hurts and Consistency in Coaching
30:20 to 35:20
Explore the challenges Jalen Hurts faces with changing offensive coordinators.
“I'm going to watch no contest wrestling, but I just want to hear his picks for the Royal Rumble winners later in this month.”
A.J. Brown's Future with the Eagles
35:20 to 37:50
Discussing A.J. Brown's commitment and potential trades in Philadelphia.
“Well, I mean, the system might be the same because at least the head coach hasn't changed.”
Top Defenses in the NFL Playoffs
39:44 to 42:00
Rich discusses the top five defenses remaining in the NFL playoffs.
“I've got a top five as we go out the door.”
Rich's Top 5 NFL Playoff Defenses
42:01 to 46:54
Rich shares his rankings of the top five NFL playoff defenses, highlighting their strengths and statistics.
“As you know, there's only eight defenses left in the playoffs, so I got five for you right here.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Get in the game with the college-branded Venmo Debit Card. Wreck your team with every tap and earn up to 5 % cash back with Venmo Stash, a new rewards program from Venmo. No monthly fee, no minimum balance. Just school pride and spending power.
0:15Rich Eisen:Get in the game and sign up for the Venmo Debit Card at Venmo.com slash college card. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. Select schools available. Venmo Stash terms and exclusions apply at Venmo.me slash stash terms. Max$100 cash back per month. Protein is now at Starbucks, and it's never tasted so good. You can add protein cold foam to your favorite drink or try one of our new protein lattes or matcha. Try it today at Starbucks.
0:45Rich Eisen: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 +, 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 Rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers? What are we looking at, a three-peat now? This is the Rich Eisen Show. MLB do something, enough is enough. Just like that. Tucker's second home run of the ball game.
1:29Rich Eisen:Earlier on the show, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk. Coming up, Rams running back Blake Corum. And now it's Rich Eisen.
1:47Rich Eisen:Hour number three of the Rich Eisen show is on the air. One more hour to go and then we get to our divisional playoff weekend. Why not? I'll be on NFL Network between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. Eastern time, leading up to the first game of divisional playoff weekend. Bills at Broncos on Saturday, and then on Sunday, I'll be on NFL Network between 8 a.m. and noon, taking the kickoff of the Texans and the Patriots. We had Christian Kirk on last hour. Now it's time to chat with somebody from the final game of the divisional playoff weekend, the Los Angeles Rams at the Chicago Bears. Ladies and gentlemen, in his second year as a Los Angeles Ram, And one of my favorite Michigan Wolverines of all time always puts a smile on my face when I see Blake Corum smiling face on my screen.
2:27Rich Eisen:Good to see you, Blake. How are you, sir? I'm great. Good to see you, man. I just love watching you ball out. I love watching you ball out for this Rams team. How does it feel for you in year two? It feels different just watching you. I'm wondering about you, Blake. Oh, it feels completely different. I just feel like myself, right? I feel like, you know, I understand the scheme now. You know, I was in it for a year. Now going into year two, I just feel more comfortable. able to play fast, you know, build that trust with my guys. And, man, it's been a blast. This is a heck of a team. When you say understand the scheme better and allows you to play fast, you got an example of that?
3:05When I was at Michigan, we were duo gap scheme, right? And we still, you know, run that here. But here, you know, we also run mid zone, outside zone. And so really just understanding where my blocks are going, really locking in the film and understanding, you know, how to watch film on defenses. And so when I go into the game now, you know, I have a good idea of, you know, where the intent is to run. And I just feel very comfortable back there. And I'm able just to play fast. And when you play fast, you play good. What's it like sharing the ball with Kyron Williams?
3:36Rich Eisen:What's your relationship like you guys? We're close, man. You know, we really thrive off, you know, each other's success. you know I love seeing him out there you know make plays and then vice versa right and so we just feed off each other you know staying fresh you know it's been a great one-two punch this year and then what's it like being in the huddle with Matthew Stafford future Hall of Famer oh man that's that is great you know I couldn't be in a better position than you know being in the backfield with a great like Matthew Stafford just a great overall guy but really just the top-tier leader when you look at him, you know, a competitor, you know, savage.
4:16Now, he's phenomenal.
4:18Rich Eisen:Yeah, I know you're used to winning a championship with a guy who wears number nine. What is it like? Were you in the huddle for the Snatching Hearts moment? I was not in the huddle, but when I heard, you know, Devontae say that in his interview after the game, I'm like, yep, that's something, you know, I see Matthew saying just because he's that type of competitor and you know he knew we were going to win yeah and so what was your perspective then from the sideline watching that begin that drive oh start i had no doubt and that's that's just something with this team sure right you know we're so you know even kill you know throughout the whole game whether we're up or down you know whether we had to come back like we had to but you know there was never no doubt you know especially when you have a leader like matthew and then the rest of the guys you know uh man we're just like i said level-headed and we knew We were going to go down there, you know, and we play our style of ball, you know, hard to stop.
5:11Rich Eisen:What's Sean McVay's message been to the team this week? We're enough. You know, what we've done this season, you know, we're here for a reason. And everyone that's in this facility, on this field, you know, coaches, players, staff, whatever it is, we are, we're enough, you know, to get the job done. And so really, you know, three phases of football, right? You know, defense, special teams, offense. When we play our style of ball, you know, we're hard to beat. So really just doing us, man, you know, finish up, finishing up with a good practice today, you know, a little walkthrough tomorrow before we hit the plane, but really just being us, man, and going to have fun, you know, bringing the energy execution and it's going to be a great day.
5:47Rich Eisen:I thought you meant wear enough as in layered clothing. I thought that's what he, I thought that's what you meant by. Yeah, no, you know, it's going to be a little chilly, but there's a lot of guys, you know, from the Midwest. That's about to say, Blake, you know what? I was saying that the other day, you know, when, uh-oh, here it comes. Will they be able to run the ball in the cold? Somebody who's played in some big-time football games in the cold and flurries. I know one of those guys. I'm looking at him right here on the screen, right? 100%, Rich. 100%. Ain't no worry about how cold it may be.
6:21Rich Eisen:Well, I mean, apparently, though, it's supposed to feel like negative one, Blake. And now you're a Southern California guy. We've all had our blood thinned out. I mean, what are you and the rest of the team saying about this narrative that's going around that the weather is going to put a stop to what you guys are able to do offensively, along with a Bears defense who can take the ball away? Yeah, it's bogus. It's bogus. I do believe, you know, the Bears team in general, I think they're a phenomenal team. But in terms of, you know, the weather impacting this game, it's bogus. You know, we're going there.
6:56They had to play in it just like us. you know like I said a lot of the guys that are from the Midwest East Coast you know where it gets cold and you know so we're just gonna go play our style ball man you know we're not worried about you know how cold it may be negative one whatever whatever the weather is gonna be is gonna be right and so you know we just know we're gonna go in there you know have fun you know play our style ball and you know let everything else to take
7:19Rich Eisen:care of it okay Puka's not gonna be cold you know what I mean like that Devontae listen he wore shiesty indoors to detroit you know when you were coming out of college two years ago because he thought that the lions played outdoors bless him but i mean adams obviously has experience playing in chicago so does your quarterback hey no no worries over here yeah no worries over here okay i like that i like that a lot blake quorum here on the rich eisen show uh has mcveigh said anything or anybody in the locker room said anything about the way Ben Johnson has been talking about the Packers and Matt LaFleur's name being in his mouth and his introductory press conference and his actual brother as your offensive coordinator and Sean McVay's tight with Matt.
8:06Rich Eisen:Any conversation in the locker room? Noticing that back and forth at all, Blake? I haven't heard any conversation about Ben Johnson, Matt, and Mike. Like, haven't heard anything in the locker room about that. You know, I think we're just focused on us right now. Okay. All right. Just wanted to ask that. Damn it. Damn it. I've been trying to stir that up, Blake. I'm not going to lie. Really? Not going to lie. I'm not going to lie. Okay. So, the idea that the Rams can also potentially host an NFC championship game. Like, you could take the field knowing, based on the Saturday result, that you come home.
8:45Rich Eisen:Is that something that you guys have talked about, mentioned, anything of that nature? Blake. Honestly, Rich, we haven't talked about what's next at all. You know, I think, you know, we're totally, you know, locked in on learning from, you know, some things we can learn from from our game versus the Panthers. And really just, you know, we've been locked in all week. It's been a heck of a week of practice. So I really think we're standing where our feet are. We're being where our feet are right now in the moment. And really, you know, getting ready, you know, for the Bears, you know, good defense, great offense.
9:15you know, with Caleb leading the way and, you know, preparing for Sunday night.
9:19Rich Eisen:Okay. So let me stray out of the lane a little bit with you, Blake Corum here on the Rich Eisen Show. Any word from back in Ann Arbor about Kyle Whittingham showing up and how things are at that ranch, Blake? I haven't talked to anyone. A lot of people, you know, I played with are now gone. But, you know, I think just from what I've seen from outsiders, I think that's a phenomenal hire. You know, he's the right guy for the job. you know, so I'm super excited to see, you know, what our Wolverines do this year. You know, it seems like they did pretty good in transfer portal. Got some talented guys in the portal.
9:56Also, you know, you have Bryce coming back year two. You know, so I can't wait to see what the Wolverines do, you know, with this offseason with, you know, Coach Kyle. And, you know, I think it's going to be a good show.
10:11Rich Eisen:Yeah, I'm excited about that as well. Have you seen what Indiana's been up to? trying to do what Team 144 did, which is, you know, beat Ohio State, win the Big Ten championship, and go undefeated? Yeah, I really think they're going to do it. I think, you know, Miami may be more of a talented team, but I don't think – I think Indiana as a team in general, they play hard for one another. They make very few mistakes, right? And I think they're definitely playing for that coach, and I like that coach a lot. So I think Indiana is going to get the job done, you know, when it comes Monday. But it should be a good game.
10:50Rich Eisen:Yeah, no doubt about that. I mean, that would make it three in a row for the Big Ten as well. Like, who's the SEC, right, Blake? You can look at your quarterback and go, I don't know, who's Georgia? You know what I mean? Like, you could do that sort of thing. Right, Blake? Exactly, exactly. Come on, Big Ten, where is that? It just means more, my, you know what. Okay. Blake Corum here on the Rich Eisen Show. And let's talk about you a little bit here. I brought this up on the program, Blake, when you had your first career 100-yard rushing game and two touchdowns. I think we got a great photograph of you high-stepping your way into the end zone right there.
11:22Rich Eisen:I believe after this run, you gave Matthew Stafford the rest of the afternoon off, if I'm not mistaken, right? That's right. And I just remember because, you know, the only time I've seen you on that field with my own two eyes was when you were kind enough to take a picture with my son Cooper right there, who's now 6 '2", believe it or not. But there you are on crutches, you know, with your knee surgically repaired, you know, obviously your future, who knows, right, at that time on that field. Did you think about that, about how your knee was in a certain way? You couldn't play on that field when you were there as a Michigan Wolverine on that day?
12:04Rich Eisen:Obviously, it was not a day that Michigan won, But now here you are on that same field, two touchdowns, high-stepping for the Los Angeles Rams, your first 100-yard game. Blake? You know? Yeah, I definitely, you know, thought about it. I thought about it a lot. And actually, it happened again, right, when we played the Vikings, when the fires were going on out here, and then I was injured again with a broken arm. But, you know, I definitely thought about it, right, you know, how life works and how you have to, you know, fight through adversity. And at the end of adversity is success. you know the way I look at it you know hard times dark times that don't last forever you know as long as you keep pushing and fighting and believing and so uh you know that that was definitely something after that game I thought of like dang you know I've been injured twice on this field where I couldn't play in the game and I look at God right uh you know my first 100 yard game a great team win it was it was phenomenal yeah I I thought of that again that that um who knows right It couldn't have been easy for you to watch your teammates warm up for a national semifinal game.
13:08Rich Eisen:And you didn't know, you know, obviously what would happen when you returned. Although those who stay do become champions. You're actually an avatar for that sort of thing as well. But and now here you are in the National Football League getting to set to play on a divisional playoff weekend. Once again, in the cold, trying to potentially, you know, face a division opponent for a third time. and I'm wondering how that hits you. Do you sit around and wonder about your journey at all? Yeah, I definitely do. I sit around oftentimes and I just think about how blessed I am, right? Blessed to be in this position, blessed to have this platform, and blessed to play a game that, you know, this is a child's game.
13:49You know, our running back coach, Coach G, always says, you know, we're playing a child's game, so go have fun. And this is a game, you know, I've been playing since six years old and I've just been blessed, you know, be able to, you know, reach my dreams and continue to chase my dreams, you know, playing this game. So every time I touch the field, you know, like I said, I, you know, look up to the sky, man, I'm blessed to be here. Let's go have fun. And so, you know, I'm just very grateful to be in this position.
14:12Rich Eisen:Are you one of the people that Devontae has told this is, it doesn't get any greener in the NFL than right here with the Rams right now? Has he told that to you, Blake? Yeah, he's said that in front of the team and often to meet him before, but you know, you can, you can see how much fun he's having this year. obviously you know last year you know probably didn't have much fun in the year before that but um you know he's having a blast and he's contributed you know so much to this team he's added so much you know fire you know and he's you know done a phenomenal job you know just just his presence right i'm having a vet in the room like him a future hall of famer uh it's been nothing but great all right blake go be great you know go be great appreciate that you do you you do you.
14:54Rich Eisen:I'll be out there watching in this team from Southern California going to Soldier Field, man. That's a pretty neat spot. That place is going to be rocking and it'll be up to you and your teammates to quiet them. Nah, we can't wait. We're ready for the challenge. We're ready to go and can't wait for Sunday. Alright, Blake, you be well and let's chat down the line. Appreciate it. Sounds good. Thank you so much. That's Blake Corum right here. He's about to go to war for the Los Angeles Rams right here on the Rich Eisenstein. You want to go to war, Malachi? There he goes. Because we can't go to war.
15:27That's it. I'm for real.
15:28Rich Eisen:There you go. Taking on Sunday night football. Glad he said he laughed at that. Oh, good. He wants to go to war. He truly does bring you joy. There are, like, certain people that, like, when you interview them, it's different for you, and he's definitely on that list of, like, people. Who's your favorite college player? Of all time? Who's made you happy for the team? Again, you root for Penn State, Florida State, right? There's Duke and basketball for you, right? Georgetown. Who's made you the most happy? That's a good question, man. I don't know. You know who I used to love back in the day? Who's that?
16:06Craig Ironhead Hayward at Pitt.
16:07Rich Eisen:Okay. So much fun. Well, that's when you lived there, right? No, no. Oh, in Pennsylvania. Yeah, I lived in Pennsylvania. Okay, that's what I'm saying. What about you? Who's the Syracuse guy? Is it Mello? Carmelo Anthony and Jerry McNamara. Carmelo was obviously one and done. but Jerry McNamara, the king of the threes. In the national championship game, six threes in the first half, and then obviously a great, great four-year career for the Orange. Yeah, the king of the matchup zone that people would just not see throughout the year, and then all of a sudden, Syracuse is into Sweet 16 every single friggin' year.
16:40Yeah, the legendary running one-handed three against Cincinnati, that whole Big East tournament run, the Jim Boeheim, not one effing game this year we would have won, had 40 in the tournament game at BYU.
16:50Rich Eisen:Right. He loved Jerry McNamara. And then obviously. Who's a football player? Was it McNabb? McNabb was a senior my freshman year. So it was super fun. And it was, he was like kind of like the Beatles. Like he was, you never saw him around because he had already graduated. Right. And so if you saw his car driving around, he had a personalized vanity plate, D-Nab 5. So you knew that it was him driving around. And then right after the draft, because he went second that year. Yes. Famously. Famously booed by the Eagles fans who wanted Ricky Williams. He showed up on campus the next week at a brand new Lincoln Navigator.
17:24Like, oh, draft money. All right.
17:26Rich Eisen:Same plate? Same plate. He took the plate off? Took the plate off. Same plate. Somebody did it for him? Brand new. He used to have this old, beat-up Nissan Pathfinder with Illinois plates. He's from Chicago. Right. And right after the draft, a brand new Lincoln Navigator. You got one, college player? I was just thinking. So I partied with McNabb in Vegas a couple times. Nice. He was so nice to all the fans that came up. That's cool. He's just a great time with him. Absolute legend. Yeah, I mean, Blake Corum, I don't, I mean, there's Desmond. Desmond. Football, Desmond, Charles, Woodson. Desmond and Charles just make you kind of.
18:00Rich Eisen:Oh, please, come on. Are you kidding me? I mean, this is it. Desmond Howard doing the Heisman pose on Ohio State. I'm sorry, the Ohio State. Charles Woodson winning the natty, you know, having half of it taken away because there was a gold watch that needed to be given to Tom Osborne in Nebraska by the writers and by his fellow coaches. The writers made Michigan the national champs.
18:29Rich Eisen:Blake, Corum, just the way that he runs, it's his style. C-Webb? Well, I mean, Glenn Rice won it all. Right. Ramil Robbins. Right. Ramil made the free throws. Glenn Rice, you want to talk about reigning threes in. He was unbelievable. C-Web and the Fab Five were always fun to watch. Yeah. Right. But those are the folks. I'm starting to like now all these players are coming. Charlie Ward. Sure. Charlie Ward. You know. Georgetown, Iverson, Mourning, Mutombo. Those were all guys I love. You know, just. Sure. I'm thinking about this just because I have so many college teams. There are just. Where's Ewing?
19:08Oh, Ewing, of course. He was the reason. I've said that multiple times. Grant Hill at Duke. Grant Hill was the reason I even start paying attention to Duke.
19:16Rich Eisen:Who was it? Bomani Jones who couldn't believe he likes Duke and Georgetown? Yep. And he really read you a little bit of his riot act? I'm saying that was all Grant Hill right there, man. Sure. I still just love Grant Hill. Yeah. He's one of my biggest what-ifs, Chris. Well, he's got like an air about him of, you know, like a president of the United States. You know what I mean? Good one. You know, like he has this air about him where, you know. He seems like more than just an athlete. He's Gran Hill, man. And if his ankle doesn't betray him, I think we're talking about Gran Hill about it. Well, and Yaxa Lendiborg could be that way for me in about, wait a minute, two and a half months.
Read the full transcript
19:58Yeah, right.
20:00Rich Eisen:Oh, my gosh. Dusty May makes me happy. Yeah. Makes me smile. 844-2. Oh, gosh. At this point in time, I'm just thank goodness for him. Thank goodness for him. But Blake is definitely, he's 100%. Like out of everybody, Aiden Hutchinson. J.J. Right, but J.J. McCarthy as well. But Blake just has this way about, again, he's not tall in stature, but he is in terms of aura. And what he would do in the community, the way he would use his NIL to give away turkeys at Thanksgiving and go about his business. And, again, he blows his knee out. Okay, he blows his knee out against Illinois the week before Ohio State, tries to go against Ohio State, can't answer the bell.
20:48Rich Eisen:And then Michigan moves on to TCU and that Fiesta Bowl, and I saw him on those crutches, and of course, you know, I'm going to say, would you mind taking a picture with my son? And he couldn't have been, like, sunnier, happier. And when he got drafted by the Rams, after he comes back, wins the national championship scores in the rose bowl you know scores in the national championship game i think he had what 28 touchdowns something insane like that and um then he gets drafted by the rams i'm on the rams i'm on the draft set i was thoroughly unprofessional i just thought to myself my god sean mcveigh is going to employ this guy you know i don't know how it fit in with kyron and now he's getting more snaps he's getting more snaps yeah they're a great one two they are hell of a one-two punch but so do the bears have one of those as well yeah you know and he just blew up my whole narrative about it they're going to do it for the matt lafleur they're not talking about it took a chance there but guess what i only have uh 39 more minutes to beat that we can keep talking about our favorite college players when we come back oh we could just so many you like it right i'd love to do it you like it uh all the biggies basketball ray allen allen iverson yeah but no no i'm talking about for you personally Not like you're fans of.
22:06Rich Eisen:I hated Chris Mullen back in the day. Oh, my God. And on the other, I loved him. I loved Chris Mullen. Oh, John Wallace. I told you about my Chris Mullen story, right? About meeting him? No. Never told you that? Maybe. I mean, I'm sure. No, you would remember it. You'd remember it. You'd remember it. I think you should tell it. Tease. Sure. I don't know. It's not really a tease. It's just a really quick story. I was playing at a Jimmy V golf tournament, charity golf tournament, and I'd never met him before. And it's one of those where you play, and then there's a dinner afterwards. And we're showering.
22:49Rich Eisen:Get out of the shower, and who's standing there without a stitch of clothing on but Chris Mullins? And I learned on the spot how comfortable athletes are talking without a stitch of clothing on, because this is what they do. They play, they sweat, they shower, and they talk, and then they go about their business. I was not as comfortable. And Chris was talking about how he was a fan. And I was excited about that, learning that a guy who I adored in 1985 and made my life so happy as a teenager, you know how I am around like Mattingly and whatever. But every single time around Don, I'm fully clothed, and so is he.
23:33Rich Eisen:and uh chris mullen was not he put his like his arm up on the stall like hey man like what's okay like i would like to continue this as long as you didn't put this in about five minutes you don't mind i believed him yeah rich as long as you did that's my chris mullen story and by the way will you forget this chris mullen story so i don't believe i've told it before until now It's brand new. What's up, Chris? Hey. What if he's in the sauna right now watching this? I'm just saying what I said. Like, I remember that. Mansplaining. That's the point he put the John in St. John's. Take a break.
24:16Rich Eisen:We're back with more.
24:22Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show Podcast. If you're ready for an oil change, trust the professional parts people at O 'Reilly Auto Parts to recommend the best products for your vehicle. 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. In my line of work, I'm fortunate enough to travel quite a bit covering the biggest moments through the football season.
25:01Rich Eisen:While I'm on the road, I sometimes miss the comforts of home, which is why when I travel with my family, we always check Airbnb for places to stay. It's our home away from home, providing the comfort and safety that allows us to wind down and relax. Families like mine are looking for homes that fit their needs to make new memories and your home may be exactly what they're looking for. If you're looking to save up for a new addition to your house or a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see your favorite band in another country, for instance, hosting your house on Airbnb could help you reach those goals.
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26:56Rich Eisen:Real-time updates only in iOS mobile app. Only available with TurboTax full-service experts. 244-204-RICH, number to dial. Let's take some phone calls, shall we? James in Atlanta, Georgia is hanging on. What's up, James? Hi, Rich. Hi, guys. Thanks for taking my call. I'm a second-time caller. I'll behave this time because last time my Eagles lost three in a row. Okay. Shout out to TJ. That's too bad. The Eagles offensive coordinator search right now, the big names I'm hearing are Dayball and McDaniel, but I feel like they're going to both leave after the team has some success. So wouldn't it make sense to look for a guy who's going to stick around a little bit longer?
27:40A name we haven't heard from in a while is Eric Biennemi, who's a running backs coach in Chicago.
27:44Rich Eisen:We could probably get him. I don't know, James. It's whoever does well anywhere is going to be asked to go and be a head coach somewhere else. Honestly, the last two that worked out that took you to the Super Bowl, one of them won and the other one didn't in Steichen, leave. And, again, that's why, again, I would always lean towards hiring a coach who is the play caller. Always. That part. That said, though, four coaches this weekend, Ben Johnson, Sean McVay, Sean Payton, and who's the fourth one? Or Colin Plays. I think it's McDermott Colin Plays for defensive, right? And then you've got – I saw a list.
28:40Rich Eisen:So there's four who are calling plays and four are just the CEO. You know what I mean? D 'Amico Rines is a CEO and Vrabel is a CEO. And I go back and forth, right? McDonald. McDonald is calling defensive plays, right? You know what I mean? So I kind of like your head coach calling plays. if he can handle not having his face in the play sheet when you've got to focus on time and you've got to focus on timeouts, you've got to focus on a million other things. And in a way, I wouldn't mind being that way too if you're the head coach because you get the most control out of it. And then also, as you heard Tom Palacero saying in the first hour, part of the reason why Matt LaFleur is so valued by Green Bay is they know if they get rid of him, they're in the market for a new offensive coordinator as well right unless they hire somebody who is a play caller on top of it uh i i i go back and forth on this james you know um yeah and and that's that's my head's at because naturally you have success they come after your coaching staff um but it does hurt that the best guys we've had over the last five years have gotten head coaching jobs right after the super bowl and it's kind of like we need might stick around long term because you look at the situation for Jalen Pertz, who's had a different OC every single year he's been in the league.
30:09Like, where's the consistency to help him mature and grow into a system to take that next level as a quarterback in the NFL?
30:18Rich Eisen:Appreciate the time, James. Thank you so much. One quick thing for TJ. Oh, boy. I'm going to watch no contest wrestling, but I just want to hear his picks for the Royal Rumble winners later in this month. oh man it's kind of early but let's go braun breaker and bianca belair right off the top appreciate it there you go that's james in atlanta fan of tj jefferson's no contest wrestling but not his professional football you're on the rich eyes yeah ben johnson calls the plays for chicago shanahan for san francisco mcveigh for the rams sean payton for the broncos and then you've got I guess what four defensive-minded head coaches?
30:58Rich Eisen:Right. Ryans and McDermott and McDonald and Vrabel. So you got half of them are the play caller head coach on offense who aren't going anywhere. And I guess Vrabel's got the code cracked because I don't know if Josh McDaniels is ever leaving. They must pay him a pretty penny to be the OC there. and after his forays into the AFC West as the head coach twice, you're not hearing his name mentioned in the coaching carousel right now. You don't typically get a third opportunity after the way the first two kind of flamed out. Right. So if I can get somebody of Josh McDaniels and Mike Vrabel, sold. Sold.
31:43Rich Eisen:Right? John Harbaugh, and who's he going to bring as his OC? I don't know. And is it somebody, like if the OC kills it, then you're going to lose out. Yeah, they're going to leave. He's going to leave to be a head coach somewhere else. This was Nick Sirianni talking about how the offensive coordinator needed to be changed in Philadelphia. I think it's important that we continue to evolve as an offense and that we go out and do what's best for this football team. And again, everything that I do and every decision I have to make, I have to do that with what's in mind, just like how he does, just like Mr.
32:24Lurie does, with the intent of being the best thing for the football team at this particular point. I love Kevin and everything that he has provided to this coaching staff for his five years here. Big reason why we've won a lot of football games. But at this particular point, I just felt like that's what I needed to do to be the best thing for the football team.
32:46Rich Eisen:And then Kevin Petullo, I think, what did Ryan Fitzpatrick say on his pod with Witt, that Petullo had said something along the lines of, it's not just me here, man. It's deeper. And everybody keeps on intimating the deeper is what? Who is it? Is it the head coach? Is it the quarterback? And Mike Silver just wrote an article for The Athletic talking about how the secret, if you will, in Philadelphia is that Hurts is driving people nuts with his, I guess, as Kurt Warner says, his ability to process, other teammates, his ability to get him the football, despite Hurts' best games coming in the biggest game.
33:36Rich Eisen:And if you're wondering about his development, may be being stunted for somebody who's a Super Bowl MVP, maybe it's this. I keep returning to this. How Lane Kiffin was his offensive coordinator in Alabama, and then Saban tells him, you want to be head coach somewhere else? Get out. And then he has Sarkeesian be the OC for the last game, right? Was it for the Natty or the... Long time. And then so he's gone. Dayball comes in. Then he goes to the NFL. Mike Loxley comes in. He goes to Maryland. In comes, you know, Tua's time. So out goes Jalen Hurts to Oklahoma. I guess that's the one year that he purposefully left and changed his system.
34:29Rich Eisen:Lincoln Riley's the guy. Then he goes to the pros. Doug Peterson's his guy. I guess only when Carson Wentz does something to the bed so badly that he's got to turn to Jalen Hurts, if you remember. Then they pulled Jalen Hurts in the last game of the year because they wanted to see what they had in Sudfeld. Remember that moment? Peterson goes. In comes Steichen, who actually sticks around an extra year before he goes to the Colts. In comes Brian Johnson. That was the 2023 nightmare that everybody thought they were reliving this year in Philadelphia. In comes Kellen Moore. He goes to the Saints.
35:03Rich Eisen:In comes Petulo. Out he goes. Next person, I guess, is going to be a head coach in the NFL, right? as they take him to the Super Bowl? I mean, how can you possibly be consistent as a quarterback yourself if your system and you're – Possibly changing. Well, I mean, the system might be the same because at least the head coach hasn't changed. And then there's the question of A.J. Brown that was asked of Howie Roseman in the exit chit-chat in Philadelphia. Don't forget, earlier this week, we heard from our friend Mark Schlereth. Didn't you say that if he's the Eagles, you're done with A.J. Brown? Yep.
35:45Rich Eisen:And again, I guess from his position, he sees Brown's drops and his frequent passive-aggressive posts as being a guy who is no longer fully committed to the team? Did he say something along the lines of he's played with guys who you see working in the training room, you're like, I don't want to go in there. I don't want any part of this. And that permeates a team. And again, I don't know if that's an accurate finger point. But you were saying, Chris, the other day, that this is the end for A.J. Brown. I would be stunned if he's not back. And I did hear what Howie Roseman said earlier about great players.
36:27Rich Eisen:Well, I mean, I got the soundbuff. Oh, great, great. Hit it. Are you open to trading him, or is that just a non-starter? Yeah, we talked about this, I think, at the trade deadline last time I talked. It is hard to find great players in the NFL, and AJ is a great player. I think from my perspective, that's what we're going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he's that guy. So I think that would be my answer. I'm sorry? Yeah. Exactly. How much is enough, though? I hear you. He makes sense. You don't trade guys like him.
37:08Rich Eisen:You do when you're hurting the ball. This one does have a feeling of talking his value up more than sticking with him. Unless you don't do that, right? I mean, you've got Brown and Devontae Smith. Why don't we find a right OC here to potentially unlock? and you could, everybody who keeps saying Mike McDaniel's the guy, don't forget Mike McDaniel and Vic Fangio did not work out together in Miami. So I don't think that's the guy who's coming, but who could else? There are some big time names that are out there as opposed to trying it with somebody who hasn't done it before. That might be the way because they went to an old hand in Vic Fangio.
37:51Rich Eisen:Thumbs up. That's not the side of the ball that we're talking about. so maybe you go with some guy who's been there, done that call place for a while, sort of like Kellen Moore. That worked out. Shane Steichen had some experience. He did. But, yeah. You're kind of just eliminating the defense first coach right now. We're saying that you personally, you'd rather. Again, I mean, they're changing it out right now in Philadelphia. Wouldn't you want to just have the guy who's at the top just do it? If he can. He can. That ain't easy either.
38:27Rich Eisen:but that's not happening in Philadelphia. So find a guy who's done it before, been there, done that, get that old hand at it. Whoever the old hand is, get me a Vic Fangio on offensive coordinator. How's that sound? Get into the Hyundai getaway sales event and get away with a deal. So right. It almost feels wrong because right now you can get great deals on our most popular models, including our adventure ready SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe or Santa Fe hybrid and the Tucson or Tucson hybrid. Plus, there's our bold and stylish Elantra loaded with the latest tech. Or go all electric with the Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 9.
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39:44Rich Eisen:Isn't that easy? By the way, I think I looked that up. It's on page 300. Get the Vic Fangio front. It's Vic Fangio front right there. It's in the... Do you think about moving Jalen Hurts? No way. Get out of here. Stop it. Okay. Stop it. 844-204-RICH, number to dial. I've got a top five as we go out the door. And it's a fun one. And Coop came up with the idea. Not going to lie. It's coming up next.
40:14Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Here on Rich Eisen Show, the Hyundai Hope on Wheels campaign. I love talking about it because you may not know about it. I guess if you listen or take in the show, we talk about it almost every day. For over 27 years, every Hyundai Sold has helped fund life-saving pediatric cancer research. Together with over 850 dealers nationwide, they've raised more than$277 million, supporting over 25 ,000 kids in their fight against cancer. Visit HyundaiUSA.com and search Hyundai Hope on wheels to learn more. At Hyundai, Hope isn't optional. It comes standard. So it was Bryan Cranston who came on this show and talked about how when he was playing Dr.
41:00Rich Eisen:Tim Watley on Seinfeld and the episode where Jerry was getting the laughing gas and he said somebody, a gaffer or an electrician on top of a ladder said, you know what you should do? You should take a hit of it yourself before you put it on Jerry. And he did it and it made, you know, comedy gold. Gold, Jerry, gold. And he always said, best idea wins, right? So I'll take ideas from anybody. And certainly when they're my boy, Coop, I said to him, I said, I need to come up with a top five for Friday's show. And he said right off the bat, he goes, you know what I was talking about in school yesterday?
41:33Rich Eisen:I'm like, what? He goes, how about top five defenses left in the playoffs? Okay. So here we go. I can verify you left here yesterday knowing you had to come up. That is correct. And you were a little stressed. You're like, all right, I'll think about it. I said to him this morning, I'm like, Coop, I need a top five. And he goes, this is what I was talking about just yesterday. with his buddies. Top five defenses left in the National Football League playoffs presented by Hyundai. High five. One, two, three, four, five. Rich's top five. All right, here we go. As you know, there's only eight defenses left in the playoffs, so I got five for you right here.
42:10Rich Eisen:And I'm going to start number five with the best defense of weeks one through 12. They haven't performed very well since then, but the same guys are there, and I believe they can do it. and this is a team that has the fourth most takeaways in the National Football League this year. Only three teams created more takeaways all season long. They also rushed the passer really well, and they, again, like I said, they were the number one ranked defense for the first dozen weeks of the NFL. I'm putting the Rams fifth on my list right here. One of two teams have three players with 50 or more pressures this year.
42:46Rich Eisen:They also have Jared Verse and Byron Young. Byron Young, fifth in the NFL with 29 quarterback hits. Verse, eighth in the NFL with 27. They can rush the passer. They can also tackle you on the second level with Nate Landman, who hasn't been relieved of his duties. Spoiler alert. Rams defense number five on my list. Number four on the list is the one that's going to get my guy across the way, at the 11 o 'clock position for me, squawking maybe a little bit. I'm putting the Bills here. The Bills over the last month have tightened the bolts a little bit here. They are the number one pass defense in the NFL.
43:27Number one in the NFL.
43:30Rich Eisen:And they're the fifth team since 1950 of the NFL's leading rusher and the number one passing defense. The last two such teams each won the Super Bowl or the NFL championship. and they have begun to, if you will, cook a little bit. And last week they had enough in the tank to get Trevor Lawrence off his game when the Jaguars were as on fire as they come. So I'm putting the Bills fourth on the list, and I think you can guess the last three. I'm putting the Broncos here third on the list. They're stupendous. I mean, it's really what's your flavor? Who do you like? Who do you think's passing the eye test?
44:14Rich Eisen:The Denver Broncos have a plus 45 sack differential in 2025. 68 of their own. Only 23 sacks taken. That's the best sack differential in a single season since 2000. And their previous six teams with a sack differential of 32 or better since 2000 did lose their first playoff game, including last year's Broncos. So I don't know if it's going to get him through the day, but they've got tons of quarterback pressures. They've got four players with seven or more sacks for the second straight season. They got Nick Benito, too, a defensive player of the year candidate. Number two on the list, best defense remaining in the NFL, is the team that's first in points per game allowed, second in yards passing play allowed, tops in yards carry allowed, tops in opposing third down percentage.
45:05Rich Eisen:It's the Seattle Seahawks. They're two on the list. They've allowed the fewest points in the NFL at 17.2 points per game. It's the fifth season in team history that they finished with the number one scoring defense. And the only reason why they're not number two is I just seen that the Houston Texans in my own two eyes, or they're not number one. I'm putting the Texans number one. They appear to be as ferocious as anybody I've seen since I've started with NFL Network in 2003. and I'm not the only one comparing them to the 2000 Ravens as the most impressive defense that they've seen. I know the Legion of Boom is out there too.
45:41Rich Eisen:I'm putting the Texans there at number one. You have one more. I did not know this. It was Cooper's idea and it's Cooper's team. The Patriots, you know what, coming in. That's so low, by the way. But, dude, you're going to put them above, obviously, I know you think you put them above the Rams and you put them above the Bills. Yeah. But the Patriots are finally getting their guys back, and they just had an incredible game, obviously, against the Los Angeles Chargers. Listen, like I said, this is as close as they come. These lists are all food for thought or fodder. And they just destroyed and eviscerated the Los Angeles Chargers.
46:24Rich Eisen:And they're going to have their hands full. maybe not this weekend against the Texans but at some point the rest of these playoffs we'll see what happens but I'm putting the Patriots as a defense that I think a lot of people in the punditry coming into the playoffs were saying their defense isn't as good as their offense well for one week in the wild card round it caught up and they were both terrific and those are my top five best defenses left in the playoffs presented by Hyundai an idea concocted Bob I'm Boy Coop Brilliant. Thank you. I should have said it was Einstein in terms of defenses left in the playoffs, which makes no sense, but it's a bit, and I'd like the bits.
47:04Rich Eisen:I will see you on NFL Network hopefully Saturday and Sunday and then back here on Monday. Mark Schlereth is going to join us to break down the divisional playoff weekend and get you set for the national championship game. Enjoy the best football weekend of the season and the year. Everybody.
47:51Rich Eisen:single one is zero sugar. Tap the banner to learn more.
From the publisher
Rams RB Blake Corum and Rich discuss L.A. big Divisional Round showdown vs the Chicago Bears, his bigger role in Sean McVay’s offense this season, Kyle Whittingham taking the Michigan head coaching job in the wake of the Wolverines’ Sherrone Moore scandal, and
more. Rich weighs in on the Philadelphia Eagles’ big offseason priorities including finding a new Offensive Coordinator and deciding what to do with the talented-but-often disgruntled WR A.J. Brown. Rich ranks the top remaining defenses left in the NFL Playoffs
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