Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer

8:34Albert Breer:Nobody wants to see Pat's Giants that way in the season. Come on.

8:39Rich Eisen:We're talking about the Patriots being a playoff bound team. But if the Giants have one win, what are we talking about? Why would the Giants have one win with that defense? Come on.

8:49Albert Breer:It might be right.

8:50Rich Eisen:The Giants is low-key kind of nice, too. Words that have never been said out loud. By me, at least. In this decade. Caden.

9:03Albert Breer:Giants going to win more games than the Cowboys?

9:04Rich Eisen:Previous decade, even.

9:05Albert Breer:Not a chance. Look, man, if the Cowboys win 11 games, I'm not going to be surprised. If they win four games, I'm not going to be surprised.

9:12Rich Eisen:I don't know what's going to happen. Nobody knows. And really? We don't know anything. It's August 20th. Let's just say this, man. The Dallas Cowboys season can be spectacular or a spectacular mess. I don't think it's going to be, you know, if they win some, they lose some. I think it's either it's going to be.

9:32Albert Breer:They're not going 8-9.

9:33Rich Eisen:I don't think so.

9:35Albert Breer:There's only going to be like... 5-12 or 12-5.

9:38Rich Eisen:And the whole point is, again, I do not believe the Jones family, given a choice, your Forbes rating or your trophy. They're going to go with their Forbes rating. You don't think? I don't. I just don't.

9:54Albert Breer:Then why is number 11 not playing? Why is he not in practice? Why do we have to have this clown show every single year?

10:01Rich Eisen:This is what I'm hearing about this now. And I've mentioned it here a bunch of times. I'll repeat it here. Jerry thought they had a deal. A handshake is a handshake. And Micah has disrespected that. And I've heard Micah is just a different cat and he is somebody that is ready to just hold out, which is why Schefter's sitting here saying he sees us looking at Eddie divorce. Yeah, the D word. that's what I'm hearing is that Micah is not going to just roll over and say I'll take whatever you got or I'll play for you know my fifth year rookie deal figure and he'll just sit at home like Emmett and chill and that's what I'm because he is he's a type of guy that is 100 % willing to do that and And if the Joneses think he's just like everyone else is just going to take the money, they're going to learn that the hard way.

11:05Rich Eisen:And that Micah's going to learn the hard way that Jerry is like a handshake in his mind is a handshake. And he also has a year on his contract. That's the thing. And this is not like he's a free agent. And that's why this is that's what I'm this is what I'm being told by many people. I just find it hard to believe. and I understand you read the stories like there was a deep dive on the Cowboys that McCarthy wanted the practice field but it was taken up for some sort of an event that the Joneses didn't even tell them about and things like that right and that you know so a practice that a coach wanted to have couldn't have because the Cowboys are doing their business of being the Cowboys and all that business but at the end of the day um you don't think Jerry Jones wants to win the Super Bowl like badly, like really bad.

11:55Rich Eisen:Sign them. And for me, my only piece of advice, if I may, if I may dare even to have the temerity to offer it, and I do, is I would rather, like if it's all about being talked about, I'd rather be talked about like, wow, I'm so sick and tired of this team being talked about because all they do is win. I'd rather be talked about like the Chiefs. Yeah. Chiefs fatigue. the quarterback and the coach and the tight end there on all the commercials that are cutesy funny after the first airing if you're willing and after the 50th airing it's just like really this one again i guess i'll just i will now use the facilities you know like that's that's the like here they come again they're winning again are they really because i don't think they're good enough i think the league is putting their thumb on the scale i think all the things that the chiefs had the chiefs fatigue that we talked about yep i would rather that's how you're talked about that's how your name is spelled if it is important that your team's name is in the conversation and is at the forefront all the time i'd rather it be that than the hey look at us we've got drama i agree i i would much rather just let the winning be the conversation and what keeps you in the headlines than all this other stuff and i thought like you know this is part and parcel of keep it in the headlines by keeping the kid on the griddle and and let's not sign anything just yet because man i love turning on all the television seeing us being talked about i thought that's what that was that was that was but everybody's telling me no like the joneses or jerry is 100 thinking they had a deal and even i was told by one individual that that the deal was like reopened with another handshake where Jerry offered more money.

14:09Even.

14:10Rich Eisen:Again, I shouldn't be saying this stuff because I'm not confirming or any of this stuff. It's just things you hear. Yes. So I don't know. Only thing I know is they're not talking to each other right now. And if Schefter thinks they're headed for a divorce, he's not just saying that. That means he's hearing people are dug in. That said, we're not even close to midnight. Midnight is, what would you say? Like September? The key date right now is when the plane takes off from the Metroplex. Is 11 on it?

14:54Albert Breer:That's exactly it.

14:57Rich Eisen:That's it. Now, of course, if he's not on it and they sign it, he can get on Air Micah or Air Jerry if things are that copacetic. And he's there for the game and he's suited up and all he's got to do is go hunt Jalen Hurts. But that's not the way you want to go into the season. In the same way, you don't want to go into the season with your offensive coordinator in D.C. saying, we're not going to be firing on all cylinders until McLaurin's here. and you don't want, you know, you don't want Trey Hendrickson just showing up and his first snap of the season is going to be against the Cleveland Browns, but that's the way that one's going to be.

15:38Rich Eisen:He's not coming back and playing in preseason game number three, I don't imagine.

15:45Rich Eisen:So again, I shouldn't be saying some of the stuff I'm saying on the air because I don't want to give anything away or say things that are not personally confirmed by me. I'm just telling you what I hear. And what I hear is that the Joneses are very obstinate in what they're thinking, and so is Micah.

16:07Rich Eisen:And the two individuals are from different eras and different times and different decades, plural, apart.

16:17Albert Breer:Different business senses.

16:18Rich Eisen:Indeed. Let's take a break. Albert Brewer is going to join us next from Sports Illustrated. That's next. This is The Rich Eisen Show. Rich Eisen here with some advice. If high-interest credit card debt is grinding you down, it might be time to call an audible with a SoFi personal loan. It consolidates your debt into one low monthly payment with no fees required. And with as soon as the same-day funding, you can make the right play fast. Call an audible on your debt today at SoFi.com slash debtplay. Loans originated by SoFi Bank N.A., member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply. N.M. L.S. 696-891. Fast funds terms apply at SoFi.com slash DebtPlay.

16:59Rich Eisen:Get into the Hyundai Getaway Sales Event and get away with a deal so right it almost feels wrong. 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. So get down to your local Hyundai dealer and get away with a deal you'll love during the Hyundai Getaway Sales Event. Visit HyundaiUSA.com for details. Rich Eisen here. Running a small business means every hire matters.

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18:08Rich Eisen:Kirk in Brooklyn, New York, let's take your call right now. What's up, Kirk? Hey, Rich, what's going on? First time, long time. Okay, very good. For the French Open and the U.S. Open, Jimmy Butler has scored on Carlos Alcaraz. You can do it. That's all I want to say. That was a very Rob Schneider thing, right? You can do it. I mean, I can do it. Kirk, you really believe it? Now, Jimmy Butler got a point off of Carlos Alcaraz. Did he really? Yes, at the French Open and the U.S. Open. Athlete.

18:39Albert Breer:But was he really trying Alcaraz?

18:43Rich Eisen:It was volleys and stuff. It was volleys. I mean Jimmy Butler got the point so I believe Rich can get the point so I want Rich to keep his dream alive if that happens I should make my own line of coffee I should just keep doing it small face coffee Kirk I appreciate it and you've never seen my tennis game ever I have not but also I just want to say you on SportsCenter was amazing it brought my childhood back

19:11Albert Breer:and just keep doing you Rich man

19:13Rich Eisen:And you are just doing the thing, man. I appreciate you saying that. And, you know, I believe I'll be doing more sports centers in the future as well, as you saw today. Kirk, thanks so much. Kirk in Brooklyn. By the way, when I got to the sports center on Monday night, you know, looked at the, if you will, budget, which is a phrase of we use back in the day of looking at the sports schedule, like what could be there. Sinner was playing Alcaraz. Oh, yeah. And I thought, I'm going to get to do a Sinner Alcaraz highlight and mention on SportsCenter. And call out Alcaraz from that platform.

19:51Albert Breer:But Sinner had to retire.

19:53Rich Eisen:But Sinner had to retire. So there was no highlight. He wasn't feeling well.

19:57Albert Breer:All right, I'm watching the butler Alcaraz. First off.

20:00Rich Eisen:Let's go.

20:01Albert Breer:Whatever. Alcaraz is barely playing. He's not even trying.

20:04Rich Eisen:Listen, let's give Kirk and Brooklyn an attaboy. All right, attaboy. Thank him for his support. Thank him for his support. the lead member of the Julian Sane fan club from Sports Illustrated. Ladies and gentlemen, Albert Breer back on the Rich Eisen Show. Albert. How are you, Albert? Good to see you. How are you?

20:18Albert Breer:Hey, I'd echo what the caller said. I mean, I think for what I saw the other night on ESPN, I graduated high school in 1998. I graduated college in 2002, not to specifically date myself, but that was so wheelhouse for me. the graphics, the music, you on there. I mean, it was just, um, I like it, it starts to make you think maybe we had it better back then, but then you just realize that's just you being old. You know what I mean? So, um, no, it was really, really cool, rich. And I got so many responses from my friends too. Um, just so you know, um, because they know, obviously I know you and everything else.

21:02Albert Breer:And, um, you know, they all said, I mean, it was like just a cavalcade of everyone saying the same thing. It was really, really cool.

21:08Rich Eisen:I had no idea it would touch a chord like that, Albert. And I appreciate you passing that along. And, you know, you being considered me adjacent, I'm honored to have you considered such a thing to receive those things to pass along, man. I appreciate that. And it was a time machine for me. You know, it was great. Honestly, I felt so, I was on cloud nine. I got home, Susie's like, you know, I've seen you so happy like this. It was great for everybody. So thank you for saying that. Let's get down to brass tacks here. Why did Shane Steichen make the decision he made, best you can tell, in Indianapolis?

21:48Rich Eisen:Albert?

21:48Albert Breer:Yeah, so I think you have to just follow what he said all along, which was he was looking for somebody who could operate the offense at a high level, at the highest level possible. And I think he felt like he owed it to his team after what happened last year to give them the very best chance in the here and the now. And this year was never going to be about quarterback development. And, you know, I think one of the more interesting numbers that I came across on my camp tour was, you know, the one a couple of guys at the Colts gave me, which was last year they were 29th in total defense and they were 30th in giveaways and they still won eight games.

22:22Albert Breer:So you think about those two areas really conspiring to to to to to take down what they're what they thought was a playoff contender. and they were still that close. And so they feel like Lou Anarumo coming over from Cincinnati to run the defense and bringing in guys like Traverius Ward and Ken Bynum is going to give them a chance on the defensive ranking to get a lot better. And then the offense is going to have to get a lot better naturally at taking care of the ball. And so that's going to happen through things like staying on schedule, through running the plays at the highest level possible, getting the ball in the hands of the playmakers, And, you know, I really think like they felt like at this point, like if they can just be pretty good, not great, a quarterback, then they have a playoff team.

23:12Albert Breer:And remember, there's an ownership change there now, obviously, you know, with the tragic news we got in the offseason. And you've got a head coach now who's in his third year who hasn't made the playoffs yet. You've got a general manager who's in his ninth year who has one playoff win. And I just think because of all of it, it's who can give us the best chance in 2025. And I didn't ever sense any doubt from anybody there over the last three months that that was going to be Daniel Jones. If you were talking to people in that building, that's what they were saying. And I'm talking about from start to finish.

23:46Well, I mean, and again, Albert, fair or not, Brian Dable being on a hot seat in New York, New Jersey area.

23:56Rich Eisen:It was in large part to the fact that they weren't winning enough games as we know. And that is maybe on Daniel Jones's plate considerably. And that's now the guy that the Colts are saying, we're going to go with you instead of the kid that we drafted in 2023, fourth overall, who came into the league without a lot of experience and needs the experience to actually prove something. so we're and again you know Derek Jackson is agent telling ESPN that trust is a big factor and that's the best questionable right now I kind of is is putting out on the table that at some point the trust factor between both sides eroded and I'm wondering what the history of that is and and is it something that that can get old can be overcome similar to what happened with Bryce young in in carolina like what do you what do you think albert i i think that was the whole argument

24:50Albert Breer:for starting with richardson right like and i think that was sort of some of the internal discussion there was well if it's close right or if they're even maybe it's easier to go to anthony knowing that we can just you know pull the ripcord on that and go to go to daniel jones whenever we want other than the other way around it was always going to be harder to go from daniel jones to anthony richardson then go from anthony richardson to daniel jones so like i think that's sort of an illustration at least to me like that there was a gap here this wasn't like close to even this wasn't like six versus four in the room like there was a consensus that daniel jones was the best answer and i think that play he got hurt on that play anthony richardson got hurt on in baltimore a couple weeks ago to me illustrates the entire thing no one wanted to see the result right like no one wants to see a quarterback get hit clean like that.

25:44However, on that play,

25:47Albert Breer:he could have done a better job of recognizing what was in front of him. He could have done a better job of matching his protection to who was coming at him and knowing that he was hot. He could have gotten the ball out of the back. He could have gotten the ball out and to his back in the flat and saved the hit on himself. Instead, because he didn't recognize it and see it fast enough, he exposed himself to injury, and he exposed his team to loss of yardage, loss of down. And that's the exact sort of thing they're trying to avoid this year. And so when I say to you, the Colts looked at this and said, defensively, we underachieved and we bring in Luana Rumo to fix that.

26:26Albert Breer:And offensively, we just have to be better at the entire operation. That to me was a glaring sign that Richardson still isn't there yet. And I understand your point, which is that the kid does need to play and this to me is a little bit like trey lance right the niners very quickly got to a point where they couldn't throw any more games overboard in the name of quarterback development they had a good answer and brock purdy there at what point do the colts get to the spot where it's we can't just sink a season into the development of the quarterback no matter how important the quarterback is if there is a better answer on our roster and the jonathan Taylors and the Michael Pittmans and the Alec Pierce's and the guys in that huddle, how many more times can we say, no, this will look better in week 10, this will look better in week 13, this will look better in week 16, rather than just giving him the best answer for right now.

27:24Rich Eisen:Yeah, I hear you. Albert Breer here on the Rich Eisen show. Not to... Well, I mean, listen, you're welcome. Not to use someone else's reporting to get an answer out of you, but I'm going to. Our friend Adam Schefter use the divorce word that he thinks that Parsons and, and, and the Cowboys, Jerry Jones and Parsons are, are have irreconcilable differences is the, um, the gist of his report. Do you feel the same way? Um, I don't think the Cowboys feel that way.

27:57Albert Breer:I think it's possible that Parsons is getting there. Um, you know, and I wouldn't dispute Adams reporting, you know, the color I would give you on that is that and I'm this isn't like a blueprint that the Cowboys draw up but you know like the pace of the negotiation is actually similar to the pacing on the CeeDee Lamb negotiation to the pacing on the Dak Prescott negotiation to the pacing on the Zach Martin negotiation the year before that where you can take an early offer that's maybe a little team friendly or we'll see you a lot later, you know, and it's just been the way they've handled it.

28:39Albert Breer:I'm at the point now where I do wonder is there like an element for Jerry of like this keeps them in the headlines? You know what I mean? Because I've always denied that, but like it's hard now to like see this keep happening and not think that, you know what I mean? Like this gets you in the A block of first take, you know, I don't know. Like it just feels like

28:57Rich Eisen:but you don't also get you the A block of first take as you have 14 wins the year before and you win the Super Bowl. That gets you the first you know or as I was saying as I was saying no I know that but that but that's in order to get that way you pay Micah Parsons in order to get that way you pay Dak and you pay CeeDee Lamb you know earlier and you may use the cap space savings I'm doing it earlier on other players to get more depth so when the inevitable injury happens you don't have 11 wins what I'm so what I said the other I believe was at the end of the hour I can't even tell anymore um but you'd rather be talked about of having Cowboys fatigue in the same way of cheese fatigue because you keep winning rather than the drama like that's the goal here you know right and and here's the

29:45Albert Breer:subtle difference to me too like the subtle difference to me with this one versus the other ones Dak Prescott is beloved in that place CeeDee Lamb is beloved in that place Zach Martin is beloved in that place. I don't know that that's fully the case with Micah Parsons. And so like, I just think there's that element of it too, where if things going this way might have a different type of effect on the negotiation. Now, again, I think we all know that money can solve these problems. Miles Garrett wasn't going back to Cleveland until they put$40 million a year in front of him right and all of a sudden he was okay with the quarterback situation so i like i i like i i think there is a way to solve this and i think what we don't know is what jerry and steven are willing to put in front of of micah um you know i you know i all we also we also are aware of how vocal jerry's been about like the way that the contracts are with players and everything else amongst his peers, amongst the other owners.

30:51Albert Breer:And so it's just complicated. You know, I would think the Cowboys make another run at it. If that doesn't work, they hold the franchise tag over his head. And, you know, we'll see where that goes. But it doesn't seem what this has gotten. I mean, to Adam's point, like, I mean, I haven't sensed any sort of improvement on this whole thing over the last three or four months. And when you talk to Cowboys people about it specifically, When you ask them about it, they'll say, well, you got to ask Jerry. And that's a little bit different than some of the previous negotiations, too.

31:26Rich Eisen:Albert Breer here on the Rich Eisen Show. Who are we not talking about? Let's get there, man. Who are we not talking about that we should be?

31:37Rich Eisen:I'll give you one if you need. Go ahead.

31:40Albert Breer:Yeah, go ahead. You give me one, then I'll go.

31:42Rich Eisen:We're not Seattle. Seattle. Seattle.

31:45Albert Breer:Seattle is fascinating. I think Seattle, to me, is the team, they've turned the Russell Wilson trade into capital that's become a bunch of good players in their roster. And I think with the Seahawks now, the question is, can a number of players, and I think this is sort of like the Packers, too. Seattle, you've got a bunch of really good young players on their roster where it's, can they elevate and become great players? So, you know, running back, Kenneth Walker is a really good player. He's a great one. Zach Charbonnese looked really good in camp behind him. Jackson Smith and Jigba, can he be an elite receiver?

32:22Albert Breer:Charles Cross, I think you could argue, is already a top-shelf left tackle, so maybe he's already there. On the defensive line, Boye Moffey, Derek Hall have shown a lot of potential. In the secondary, we've seen flashes from Rick Willen. Devin Witherspoon's a really good player. They draft Nicky Imanwari out of South Carolina, who is going to play like a Kyle Hamilton type of role. in Mike McDonald's defense. So you've got this group of really good players. And the quarterback's probably part of this conversation too. Yes. Like how many of these guys can elevate from being good players to becoming great players?

32:58Albert Breer:And, you know, I think that's on Mike McDonald and his staff to get that out of them. Clint Kubiak's a big hire for them on the offensive side of the ball. But I like the potential of the group. And it's a bunch of guys similar to Green Bay. Again, like where you've got guys who kind of have come up together and now we'll see where they're going.

33:16Rich Eisen:Okay. Yeah, I mean, they're just, you know, Cooper Cupp's sitting there too, right?

33:22Albert Breer:Yeah. Yeah, but they have a couple, like they brought in Demarcus Lawrence from Dallas. Like, so they've added a couple of, and that was intentional too, like adding a couple of like veteran guys because they had to like, they got rid of some of the peak guys, right? Like, so Geno's gone, DK Metcalf's gone, and they've like intentionally brought in some older guys that can kind of fill those roles. You know, like there were a lot of people in that building that became very attached to Pete Carroll and Pete Carroll's program. And so, you know, I think bringing in some veterans from the outside to be in those leadership roles who've seen other ways of doing it was important, too.

33:57Rich Eisen:OK, what about an AFC team? You can't say Denver because those are everybody's been pegging them. Everyone's really been pegging them for the last month. And we run them into the ground. Well, I mean, about who we're not talking about that would leave the Raiders in the West. Houston? You don't think we're not talking about? Houston. Okay. Now you have the floor.

34:17Albert Breer:Okay. So, like, I think Houston, there is not a position group in the NFL that will do more to swing the fortunes of its season than the offensive line group will for Houston. Because I think they have everything else. they bring in a new offensive coordinator nick cayley who is going to do things to empower cj stroud which was part of his issue with the offense last year because they allowed him to do a lot the line at ohio state um you know like the the receiver group the two kids from iowa state look like they're ready to roll jayden higgins and jalen noel they bring in christian kirk to backstop those guys they've got nico collins as a true number one in the backfield i mean joe mix-ins a little bit like we'll see Nick Chubbs look pretty good they got Damian Pierce behind them they have a really reliable tight end in Dalton Schultz and their defense I think has a chance to be the best defense in the NFL they go eight deep on the defensive line and follow me here like a lot of the great defenses the last 15 years right have great pass rushers great corners they have Will Anderson and Daniil Hunter as edge rushers and they have Derek Stingley Jr.

35:26Albert Breer:and nobody's talking about this guy, but Kamari Lasseter was a rookie for them last year. They think he could be almost as good as Stingley. So if you have those edge rushers, those corners, and now you're really good everywhere else on defense too, you've gotten to that point. I feel like Nick Casario and D 'Amico Ryans have that program in a place where if the offensive line can come together, they've got a chance to crack into that Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore tier in the AFC, which they've been kind of like nudging up against it. Hey, man. That offensive line, that's a massive hit.

36:04Rich Eisen:That's it. That's it.

36:05Albert Breer:Because they traded away Laramie Thompson. They thought the room was toxic. They've thrown a bunch of guys in there. It's a huge F.

36:11Rich Eisen:I mean, Houston's made the final four in the conference the last two years. Every year Stroud's been with the team. And this could be the year where they take that step. That's a major question. in the AFC because that does change the dynamic. I mean, listen, everyone feels like there's that fourth seat in the musical chairs in the AFC Final Four, and we're putting the Ravens, Bills, and Chiefs in there. Who's that other team? Could it be the Broncos? Could it be the Chargers? Could it be the Steelers? Could it be the Bengals? Although Monday Night Football, you're watching the first two drives.

36:45Rich Eisen:You're watching the first two drives for the commanders, and you're like, can we get Trey Hendrickson's helmet instead of a hat? Yeah. Like, you know, not that he would stop, be the guy to stop the run, but you know, and then you're thinking that that's what you're thinking with all due respect to every other team, you know, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, fans think that they're on the up and up. The Jaguars have some good feelings about them. I do love every word that comes out of Cam Ward's mouth in Tennessee right now. I kind of love his, his edge.

37:19Albert Breer:That thing about his dad, you caught that I'm assuming. go for it like so he said in the media i think this was last week maybe it was this week but he said my dad i watched my dad get up at 4 a.m um every day to go to a job he didn't like why would i not be excited to get to the building really early to play football something along those lines i'm just like man i missed that maybe i was i was on walkabout i think you were that's exactly what you want your quarterback to say and by the way yes it's really interesting that's exactly what he's doing if you talk to people there he holds 5 30 a.m meetings with the rookie receivers the rookie tight ends the rookie running backs like every day they're practicing to go over the offense watch tape and go over the practice script and this has been since the day he got in the building he organized them himself and it was interesting i talked to to brian callahan about this when i was there last week and callie said to me he goes You know, sometimes you get rookies and come in and do stuff like that.

38:19Albert Breer:And they're just trying to like show everybody like, hey, you know, like, look how into it I am. And then you get a few weeks in and like it just dissipates. And, you know, they go on and they're normal NFL players. He's like, Cam started that the minute he got here and it's still going now. You know, so it's he I'm just interested to see what happens with him because he's an impressive kid.

38:44Rich Eisen:Me too. And by the way, inspiring. I think, what do you think, guys? 5.30 a.m. meetings every day now? What do you think? Sure. Let's do it.

38:51Albert Breer:If you're here, I'm here. Okay. Well, you would beat the traffic in L.A. Let's do it. I love this job. Don't you? Don't I? I like getting a burly. I like donuts. Let's go. Man, wouldn't you feel great if that was your quarterback to hear him say that? You sure? Of course. That's awesome.

39:06Rich Eisen:Of course. How about the Giants? Last one for you. I mean, I was talking the other day about an underrated group. That defensive front, man, for the Giants is no joke. And if the offense can crack open, what, 17-21 a game? They've got more of a chance than you think. What do you think about that?

39:32Albert Breer:I mean, I really like the young core there, despite all the criticism they've got. Like I like so I look at Dexter Lawrence and this is interesting. Like last year, the middle of the year, I'll do my midseason awards and I'll have executives vote on it. Right. So it's not me picking them. It's people who are paid to evaluate this stuff. And Dexter Lawrence won defensive player of the year and the Giants were terrible at that point. So like for a guy like that playing interior defensive line to be voted by the majority of people who I had voting on the thing, defensive player of the year despite a lost season despite being part of you know being part of a defense that wasn't great last year i thought spoke volumes for the type of player he's become and you've got cave on tibodeau and you've got brian burns and you've got abdul carter and in the secondary you bring in um paulson adibo from the from the saints like you've got like uh the the makings of a really good defense.

40:35Albert Breer:Yes. You've got a number one receiver in Malik neighbors, presuming health. I mean, for all the Saquon stuff, like Tyrone Tracy came in and had a really good rookie year running back.

40:46Rich Eisen:Yeah.

40:47Albert Breer:So is quarterback right? And is the offensive line right? And that's the question.

40:52Rich Eisen:I hear you. I hear you. And, and the, you know, I know Ross is the starter there and we're all looking at Jackson dart and, and the, you know, the ownership clearly wanting to see something and they they do like dayball i know that and and for good reason you know so it is it's it's a big that's a big week one game against washington

41:14Albert Breer:and a lot of people have asked me you know it's interesting a lot of people have asked me um what about jackson dart yes and i sort of think like if they go to jackson dart like i don't know where their season is you know um i do think like as well as darts played and what we've seen from dart which is like playing fast he's tough in the pocket he'll take a hit all that reflects 100 what they've already seen in practice right so he's really impressed them and i think the leash is probably shorter on russ but if you start like four and one or five and two or whatever then i mean you're probably sticking with him you know so yeah that's a little tricky too you know what I mean like so I just think where the offensive line is with Andrew Thomas coming back off the injury and you hope some of the acquisitions from last year pan out now you know and then obviously quarterbacks going to determine how far they go hey brother I mean if

42:09Rich Eisen:if if the Jackson Dart development plan is a hand wringer that's a first class problem right yeah because if Russ is 4-1, 5-2, that's a first-class problem about what to do with Jackson Dart.

42:28Albert Breer:For sure. You know what I mean?

42:29Rich Eisen:Like the Giants might even sign for something like that.

42:32Albert Breer:Yeah, and I don't know if the schedule is going to allow for it either. I think this is right. Like you guys look this up. No, no, we got it.

42:37Rich Eisen:We've been talking about it. It's Washington. It's Washington at Dallas and then home for Kansas City, their first three, which makes sense to put Russ out there against those guys. And then the Chargers at home after that.

42:49Albert Breer:But that's the whole NFC East, right? Because they play the, I believe, the NFC North and the AFC West. Is that right?

42:54Rich Eisen:Yeah, they played the, yes, sir. You could see it, the North, the West in their own division. My God.

42:59Albert Breer:Yeah.

43:01Rich Eisen:Yeah. And then, by the way, you know, at New England, week 13, that could be. That could be tougher than it was now. Oh, my gosh. Albert, great ball talk as always. We'll chat soon. Thanks, pal. All right.

43:14Albert Breer:Thanks, Ray.

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44:09Rich Eisen:Al Michaels, we're going to give you a choice of three. Okay. And you must start one. Okay. Okay. You're Tom Brady, if you will. Right. You must bench one. Malcolm Butler. Oh. Or cut one, which could be Malcolm Butler, too. All right. Here we go. Do you have any stuff?

44:28Albert Breer:It's time. Start.

44:29Rich Eisen:Start now.

44:30Albert Breer:Bench. Sit down and be quiet. Or cut. Get up.

44:32Rich Eisen:All right. With Al Michaels. First one up for Al Michaels in Start Bench Cut. Do you have any music, Mike Del Tufo, please? Thank you. Cuts of steak. Rib eye. Filet mignon. New York strip. Ribeye, filet mignon, New York strip. You must start one, bench one, and cut one. Al Michaels. New York strip is in the Hall of Fame, so that's the start. Filet is, you know, on the bench. Ribeye is great, but the problem is it's so fatty. So, you know, you're always watching your weight. So, I love ribeye, but I got to cut it. You're cutting ribeye. I'm cutting ribeye. New York strip is in the Hall? Oh, yeah.

45:11Rich Eisen:In the Hall? That's the best. First ballot? First ballot? Yeah. Okay. They waived the five-year waiting period, too. And it's your medium-rare guy, right? Medium-rare plus. Okay, medium-rare plus. Wow, look at that. Okay, next one up for Al Michaels. Start bench cut. Event to call. Super Bowl World Series Olympics. Start bench cut. Oh, boy. Oh, yeah. Well. Super Bowl World Series Olympics. Oh, he's thinking about it. I've got to put the Super Bowl as the starter. Okay. Bench. When am I going to bench here? That's the idea. I haven't done the World Series since 1995, so that's cut, I guess. Okay.

45:49Rich Eisen:The Olympics. You'll bench the Olympics. Well, yeah. I'm going to put the Olympics on waivers, but I'm going to bring it back. Okay. Very good. Off the waiver wire.

46:00Albert Breer:Al, we got a bonus one. You have one? Yeah, we got a bonus one. Okay. All right, Al, ready? Golf partner. Start bench cut golf partner. Okay. Doc Rivers. Pete Sampras. Rich Eisen. since i played golf with all of these guys you know i probably i'll probably start doc i knew

46:22Rich Eisen:that his stock is extremely competitive pete's a lot of fun to play with but pino pete he's been through the competitive realm of his life so he's out there to have fun and rich i'm sorry but you know i'm cut let's put it this way neither of us would fun i'm fun neither of us would make the cut we'd be we'd be gone by friday afternoon i was a crowd pleaser you know that's exactly what you want to hear brockman oh it's so much fun i miss out you just saw him i know but i might just have to call him i might have to call him just after the show just to say hey

47:09I love it.

47:10Albert Breer:What's the first Amazon game this year?

47:12Rich Eisen:First Amazon game's pretty good. Washington Green Bay. Then Miami at Buffalo. That's a very crucial week three contest in the American Football Eastern Conference. The Eastern Division. Then he's got Seattle at Arizona. Oh, we got it up there. Thank you. San Francisco, Los Angeles. Speaking of steak, he can have one right after the game. Philly, New York. Steelers, Bengals, baby, baby. I love it. Vikings, Chargers. Al's got two games in Los Angeles in October. How about them apples? Let's go with you know what? We haven't done a win-loss in a while. Mossab in Chicago. Let's go. Let's do it. What's up, sir?

48:01Rich Eisen:How are you? Good, good.

48:04Albert Breer:What about you?

48:04Rich Eisen:I'm trying to find my win-loss booklet right now because I haven't done it in a while. Uh-oh. You want to do the win-loss for the Bears? Is that what you want to do?

48:10Albert Breer:Yes. Yes, sir.

48:12Rich Eisen:All right. Perfect timing. I found the booklet. I have a pen. And it is time for a Chicago Bears win-loss game. This is the fifth one of them. What happens on the opening Monday night, sir?

48:24Albert Breer:We get a W.

48:25Rich Eisen:Against the Vikings. At the Lions.

48:26Albert Breer:Yes, sir. We'll take it out of there.

48:29Rich Eisen:Okay. Home for the Cowboys.

48:32Albert Breer:W.

48:34Rich Eisen:2-1 at the Raiders.

48:37Albert Breer:Yep, we got to win.

48:38Rich Eisen:3-1 off the bye at the Commanders on a Monday night.

48:41Albert Breer:We get our get back.

48:42Rich Eisen:Okay, you knocked the ball down. 4-1 home for the Saints.

48:46Albert Breer:Easy one.

48:47Rich Eisen:Wow, Dennis Allen's going to cook stuff up. That's for sure. He's going to get a team that fired him. Four wins in a row now at the Ravens.

48:54Albert Breer:That's where we lose.

48:55Rich Eisen:Yeah, I get you. 5-2 at the Bengals.

48:59Albert Breer:I think this is a sneaky one. I think we pull out the W. We have a good defense. We have an offense. As long as we can kind of keep up with the score, we can win.

49:09Rich Eisen:Okay, 6-2 home for the Giants. Win. 7-2 at the Vikings. Loss. 7-3 home for the Steelers.

49:17Albert Breer:Aaron Rodgers doesn't own us.

49:21Rich Eisen:8-3 at the Eagles after Thanksgiving.

49:26Albert Breer:This is where we lose.

49:28Rich Eisen:Okay, 8-4 at the Packers.

49:31Albert Breer:As much as I hate to say it, we take a loss.

49:34Rich Eisen:8-5 home for the Browns.

49:36Albert Breer:We win.

49:37Rich Eisen:9-5 home for the Packers.

49:40Albert Breer:We got a split.

49:41Rich Eisen:10-5 at the Niners.

49:43Albert Breer:I think this is where we win. Or lose.

49:45Rich Eisen:Okay, 10-6 home for the Lions.

49:48Albert Breer:And this is a win.

49:50Rich Eisen:11-6, Mossad in Chicago. Can I say something really quick, Rich? You've got 20 seconds, sir.

49:56Albert Breer:First of all, I'm a big fan. Second of all, Ben Johnson really needs to bring back the Packers' hate.

50:02Rich Eisen:Okay.

50:02Albert Breer:Packers' hate of Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs' time, Charles Tillman's time. He has to bring back that hate for the Packers that Bears fans love.

50:11Rich Eisen:Bo Saab, thank you for the call. I mean, love you. That's the first thing he said, right? At his opening press conference, we're going to beat the Packers. That's right. You got to do it, though. You can't just say it. Yeah. That wraps up this edition of the Rich Eisen Show. Everybody, we're back on the Roku Channel. to wrap it up on TV.

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50:49Albert Breer:And breathe. Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Visit 1-800-CONTACTS.com today to save on your first order. 1-800-CONTACTS.