Top 5 Under The Radar NFL Training Camp Storylines

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1:13Rich Eisen:You guys are going to go back in time. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Remember when Tyreek Hill, after the Miami Dolphins, didn't make the playoffs last year? I'm out, bro. It was great playing here. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. When you say something like that, you don't just come back from that with, hey, my bad. The Rich Eisen Show. Look at Tua being honest about that. It's a leader right there. Yes. Earlier on the show, Super Bowl champion Tyron Matthew, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. Coming up, former NFL executive Joe Banner. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Hour number three of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air.

1:56Rich Eisen:844-204-RICH is the number to dial here on this program. Phone lines are lit. I've got a top five coming up. The top five under the radar. Least talked about training camp stories. And I think I've nailed them. And that's coming up. The Cleveland Browns decision. and what Kevin Stefanski says is mapped out the way that he's going to figure out who the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns is going to be. Joe Flacco. Flacco. Apparently, latest Joe Flacco-ism, he was asked about it. He said his young son is asking him about it. And then, of course, the Browns revealed their new all-brown helmet for some reason on a barge, and somebody fell off the side.

2:47Rich Eisen:and there's all of that. I hope that's not a metaphor for the season. All of that, if you will, is coming up. Fun show already. Tom Pelissero in Hour 2. Tommy P. And also on this program in Hour 1, a terrific conversation with the recent retiree, 12 years in the NFL, Tyron Matthew. If you missed any of it, this show rears on the Roku Sports Channel, the Rich Eisen Show Fast Channel, as well as our podcast. You can listen to us there all three hours, every single day, wherever you get your podcasts. And then there's our YouTube channel as well, youtube.com slash RichEyesandShow, closing in on 960 ,000 subscribers on that one.

3:27Rich Eisen:Always get smarter talking to this guy. He's one of the best who's ever done it. Long-time president and general manager in this league, certainly serving with distinction all those years in Philadelphia and formerly of the Cleveland Browns organization. Joe Banner joining us back on this program. How are you, Joe? Good to see you, sir. What's up, Joe? I'm doing good, and I'm not going to deny I got a little kick out of your introduction, including the Browns' recent mishap. Yeah, I don't know. Did you see this video, Joe, of somebody falling off the side of the barge? You couldn't script it better, could you?

3:59Rich Eisen:This just in. Not really. All right, so what is happening, do you think, with Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys, Joe, and how do you think it's all going to work out or not? Joe, what do you think? Well, it will work out in the last week before the season starts, as it does every time Jerry's in one of these situations. You know, Jerry is doing what he does. And we should be clear, you know, there are some really smart GMs in this league, like Bill Polian, I think he was executive of the year, like four or five times in the Hall of Fame, who believe that every single minute the risk of injury and play quality is on the player versus the team is a huge win for the team.

4:41So they wait till the last minute to do deals. I mean, you may remember Peyton Manning had a tag on him while they were negotiating his deal. He got all the way to the point where he would have been a free agent without the tag. And they're still negotiating his contract. So there is a group of people, including some really smart people, that think waiting has benefits. Now, I've never believed that. I think we were the first team to start doing deals two years early because I felt like by waiting, you're handing a lot of leverage to the player. player because at that point you've got to do a deal two years early you may may not do a deal you get two more shots at it but you know he's doing what he's always done I think it's the wrong thing but I also think it's a mistake for people like oh is this going to ruin the Cowboys season or did last year when this happened ruin the Cowboys season because we've seen really smart GMs that believe in this philosophy now as the cap has gone up so much as contract values are going up I mean Miles Garrett did a deal a couple years ago for 25 million dollars he did a deal a couple of months ago for 40.

5:40So the price of waiting is massively higher than it ever was. Yeah, Jerry's sticking with that philosophy. He's being true to himself. He's actually following the steps of some smart people. But I think it's a dated philosophy at this point.

5:53Rich Eisen:Joe Banner here on the Rich Eisen show. Did you like the T.J. Watt deal? Do you think the Steelers should have done that? Joe, I think they should have done it sooner. And then I think they were stuck. But allocating $40 million to that position, which to me, you know, you can see what the Eagles did when I was there and since. I mean, the defensive line is massively important. You can cover up so many weaknesses. I mean, we lost the Super Bowl to the Patriots playing with a mostly injured secondary. The Eagles won their Super Bowl, their first Super Bowl with a mostly weak secondary. But both of those teams had dominant pass rushes and really smart schemes and really smart coordinators.

6:30And And guess what? So I'm a huge believer in that. But starting to get to 40 million dollars, I guess you're betting on how much the cap is going to keep going up. But you are playing with some players that are starting to get injured a little more. Rarely does a player get older and get injured less. So, yes, I would have done the deal, but I never would have waited that long and taken the risk of the market getting away from me like that.

6:49Rich Eisen:you would have done it earlier because I mean there's no question when you say stuck um I was saying that a different way of using I guess the phrase stuck is that when you go in on Rodgers right and you know this is a one to two years if you're lucky two years if you're lucky uh gambit then you gotta you you're not gonna you're not gonna go into that one season with T.J. Watt holding out or holding in or all of that stuff. At least they got it done before training camp. I mean, they had to do it. You had to do it. Yeah, absolutely had to do it for all the reasons you mentioned. Plus, you know, it's their personality.

7:29They probably care as much about the nature of the locker room and the positive feelings about who you're working for as any team in the league. And they've obviously changed some things. Has he got a new general manager in Cotton this year? But I don't think that's going to change. I think that's inherent to the Rooney family and the Rooney culture and philosophy. So for all the reasons you said, plus the fact that they so strongly believe in having a positive, appreciative locker room, and they think the only way you get that is by treating players the right way, it had to get done and it had to get done before camp started.

8:00Rich Eisen:What do you think's going through the mind of Adam Peters, the general manager in Washington with Terry McLaurin, being spotted outside of a yoga class today rather than being in training camp with the team, Joe? I mean, I think he's upset and it's hard to know, you know, kind of whose side here you want to be sympathetic to, because I know Dan Quinn very well. I was part of the group that hired him in Atlanta. To be honest, I recommended we hire him in Cleveland, but got overruled. He cares a lot about the locker room as well. So does Adam. I think they want to set the tone that you work hard for us, you do the right things, we're going to reward you.

8:36So I suspect that McLaren is being extremely aggressive. And there's two groups of possible comps he could be using on his deal. You got, you know, Jefferson and Chase that got$35 to$40 million a year in another exploding market. But then you've got a real large number of$28 to$30 million per year, very good players, including A.J. Brown, who re-signed after some of these deals were done and took, I think it was$28.5 on the New Year's of his deal. So some really good receivers in that$30 million. Now, if McLaren is asking to be in that, you know, Chase Jefferson deal, that's a bad situation for the commandos because you want to keep him happy.

9:14You want to retain him. But I think he's literally like five to ten million dollars over what he should be asking for, if that's the case. On the other hand, if he is asking to be in this batch of players at 30 million dollars per year and then, you know, shame on the commandos for not getting it done, keeping a good player, setting the right message. but I just know Dan too well and Adam's a little less, but a little bit. I can't believe that unless the ask is just so aggressive, they feel I have to take a stand why that deal wouldn't be done. So I tend to think the player may be a little over asking at the moment because, but I still think it will get done by the way.

9:49Rich Eisen:Yeah. Right. Cause again, in the same thing that I was saying about, you're not going to have TJ watt in the midst of some sort of contractual standoff when you've got one year most likely of having Aaron Rodgers there to get you to the playoffs and finally win a playoff game for the Steelers fans that have been waiting close to a decade for that or closing in on that I mean after Jaden Daniels remarkable rookie season what are you going to take away his his favorite receiver you're gonna you're gonna you're gonna go through some sort of monetary standoff on that going into this massive massively big season with lots of opportunity.

10:26It makes sense. And I, this is exactly what the agent is saying when he's talking to the player. If he's talking to anybody in the media, this is exactly what he's saying. He said, listen, I got a top notch player. They have to get the deal done. I just need to stay strong. The player needs to support me and let me be tough. And I'm going to get him a really good deal. And it will be there in time for him to still have a really good season, which by the way, isn't necessarily true. You know, Jerry made this comment the other day, and we did this at the Eagles, when a player holds out in more than a couple of days, so consequential holdout, his risk of injury in the season goes up dramatically.

11:01So some of these people that are waiting, thinking, you know, well, you know, I may save a little bit on the deal, or I just want to not create a precedent that hurts me on the deals, whatever their rationale is, you know, it could actually have the opposite effect. They increase the chance that the first year of the deal, there's always the most money the first year of the deal, because you've got the signing bonus or whatever they're going to call it in that year plus a salary you know you're running the risk of not getting what you deserve for that first year by letting them hold out so they better be a pretty significant gap or you ought to get it done same thing with the Bengals rookie Stewart who's holding out there's no way that the language they're asking for which at least Mike Brown claims only is protecting them in case the player who has had some trouble this past got in more trouble that he would not continue to have his guarantees.

11:48At least that's what Mike says. If that is the issue, all the player has to do is make sure he behaves well and he's asking for nothing. So there's no way to rationalize missing camp, not missing training camp over a language issue like that that may be harsher than most players, even the Bengals have signed in the past. But if all you have to do is make sure you stay out of trouble and the owner is asking for something completely meaningless, if you do that, it's very hard to justify holding out. And with the history of the past, it's a little bit justifiable that the Bengals would be seeking that.

12:20I understand that if you have a player, for example, Mike Brown used, he gets into a domestic problem and there's no consequence professionally to him, and all the Bengals seem to be asking for is the guarantee goes away. So they can still keep him, they can still pay him the money, all that kind of stuff, but it's not guaranteed. It just gives them leverage to try to make sure he's behaving and acting the right way.

12:42Rich Eisen:Well, have you ever heard of a player say that it's apparent that they're they're not into about winning and then leaves camp before he even plays a snap in the nfl i mean that i imagine to somebody like mike brown that's got to be like nails on a chalkboard right like that that had to piss him off to be straight up on that yeah this is a this is the problem they have now there's no way to get into this situation not have some emotions start to creep in and the enemy of that good outcome in negotiations emotions you got to just stay very calm, very practical, you know, stay with the facts. But once you reach this point, there's emotions involved, whether you like it or not.

13:18I don't care how patient you are, how even-tempered you are. It's just natural. People in this business, people playing, they're competitive. So hit this point, there's definitely frustration and some personal feelings that are hurt.

13:29Rich Eisen:So what is Mike Brown doing with Trey Hendrickson right now? You know, Duke Tobin with Trey Hendrickson right now, do you think? Same questions. I saw that Schefter reported that correctly, that the recent big deals have three years guaranteed in them. He also reported that so far the Bengals have offered one guaranteed. I don't know if that's correct or not. That would be very unfair and justify Hendrickson's actions. I do have to say that I think the fact the 32-5 sacks of the last two years in his case is a little bit misleading. He's still a very good player. He's still way underpaid. He deserves a sizable raise.

14:04But if you watch the tape of last year, watch which games against which players he got as sacks, you would say, you know what, he's starting to descend a bit. So I think he's a little bit below that group, and maybe that's the nature of the dispute, or maybe it's the length of the guarantee. But same thing. They have no chance of having a good season without it. And they already have some big challenges to do that with the way the defense is. but they have no chance if they lose the only proven pass rusher on the team. So unless he's being extremely unreasonable, they've got to find a way to get that done and sooner, not later.

14:38Rich Eisen:Yeah, and then, you know, obviously Joe Burrow was at the podium yesterday and inevitably, you know, inevitably the quarterback is going to be asked about this. and you know you're a long time executive um you know in this league i wonder how you think this soundbite landed in cincinnati with all of these negotiations clearly going on or not behind the scenes yeah obviously disappointing you know you'd like to have have all your guys out there day one to try to to build that cohesion that i was talking about earlier but that's it's not how it usually works out you know it's a business and that is uh how it's gone that was like a double sigh right there at the end joe like he was not masking his frustration very well was he no but how does that play into it on a negotiation we're talking about emotions you're you're most important for the lot you know all due respect to everybody on the bengals highest paid employee is saying this.

15:47I think it matters. They really do. And I give Joe credit. You know, I'm not sure many players are in the position where they should try to be the GM, and he clearly didn't really want to comment, but at the same time, he didn't want to not support, you know, his fellow player. And obviously, he does want him there. You don't have to even ask him the question. You know that. But, you know, the Bengals have a long history, and it isn't, you know, being aggressive financially to maximize your chances of winning, kind of on all fronts. and now you've got a quarterback that you know has a chance to be one of the greats certainly one of the top say five in this era you could argue even much higher than that if you wanted to and i wouldn't push back and you know he's being deprived of the chance that he should have by some decisions that are being made that don't put you know football first you know i think that there's a lot of guys and burrow appears to be with them that obviously they love making a lot money they want to maximize their own income but i still think if you put most of against the wall and force them tell the truth they care more about winning than they do about the money it doesn't mean the money isn't important it doesn't mean they're not fighting just like every one of us that ever worked for a living wanted to get paid the most we could you know within whatever is reasonable but then you find yourself in a situation where you should be you know establishing yourself partially through advancing through the deep into the end of the season over the end of the season, maybe into the Super Bowls multiple times.

17:08He's being deprived of that opportunity in the last few years. And I think he fears it could go forward that way too.

17:14Rich Eisen:And then you have the last question on the Bengals. And then I want to talk to you about Chiefs and Eagles before I let you go on the rest of your day here, Joe, is a cashflow question about the Bengals. Is that fair? You know, cause you got to put money in escrow for, for guaranteed dollars. And we were always talking about the Bengals might be thinking about that is that a is that a fair question to ask or wonder about about all this joe or no i'm going to say a little bit i mean the profitability of all of the teams in the league is such that the bengals have to may you may use up let's just say it that way a larger percentage of their potential earnings than for example teams like the eagles and bears and cowboys and teams like that but they can still do it and have a meaningful profit at the end of the year unless they're really mismanaging the opportunities the franchise provides so it is a little bit harder is some greater sacrifice in the parts of the owner but you're not like it's not like some of the other sports or even the way it was not that long ago with football where you could have the bottom two teams literally not making much profit it's not the case anymore the last two cbas have put the league in a position and like television contracts where every team the league is doing well but some still do better than others so i'm not going to say zero but the bangers could still have a reasonable profit in my opinion and be able to afford player salaries and re-signing players like most of the teams in the league are doing all right let's let's finish up this conversation with a question that is uh potentially silly to ask on july 24th but you have called your shot here before saying you know eagles and chiefs they're built in such a way that we're going to see them you know uh winning super bowls again if not trying to win a super bowl against each other again.

18:58Rich Eisen:Last year, they tried it again. You think this is another one? You think we might see it again this year? Joe, what do you think? I think just because they're both still outstanding franchises and they're not done appearing at Super Bowls in the near... I happen to think both of them won't make the Super Bowl this year. I mean, one is I've just, I just think the bills are just too good to keep almost getting there. Although I lived through that when the Eagles went to five championship games in eight years and only appeared one Super Bowl and we lost it. So it can happen. I know too well still have the scars from it.

19:28But I just think Sean's a really good coach. They get continuity and coordinators. They get great line play on both sides of the ball. And Josh Allen is a true difference maker. So I just don't think they're going to keep getting close and not get there. So I think they're getting there. And I think people like the Eagles are still very good. It's totally realistic that they'll get to the Super Bowl. I could be wrong. But I think people are underestimating the quality of what they lost. Now, they have some people on the roster that can replace some of those people, but they lost two really good defensive linemen.

19:58They lost Graham would be a third, although he didn't play the whole year last year. I think he played like the first four games or something like that. They lost the starting corner. They've lost some depth. They're counting on some young players in the secondary, some that haven't played much yet, a few that started to play and look like they have it. so I think that this the Eagles are a little bit more likely to still be really good could easily make the Super Bowl but I think there's a chance that a couple of the other teams have risen up to the point where they have as good a chance or better

20:30Rich Eisen:Give me the names of those teams, what do you think? You know, so my surprise kind of is Tampa Bay, which I think people are kind of underestimating and rarely do you see a team get into the Super Bowl that doesn't have strong lines and I think they have that and an excellent coach in Todd Bowles. Again, one year I recommended Dan Quinn in Cleveland. The next year I recommended Todd Bowles. Obviously, we didn't hire either of them. After the Jets experience, I'm sure you didn't think much of Todd Bowles. No, I just thought it was, again, just cards are stacked, man, frequently when you're trying to coach the Jets with a new quarterback there.

21:07Rich Eisen:So Tampa and who? Would the Rams be on that list for you, Joe? Well, I think the Rams, the NFC is a much harder pick for me than the AFC. But I am actually going with Minnesota. I think that they finally upgraded their offensive line. I think that will really help the quarterback. I think the coach is outstanding. The scheme. When we had Andy Reid in Philadelphia, when McNabb got hurt, we won almost as many games. It wasn't because Donovan wasn't great and invaluable. It was because Andy was so good and the rest of the staff under him, so they knew exactly how to take advantage of the strength.

21:38So McCarthy's going to need a little time, but I think he's going to do well. and I think everything around him has improved on a team that was already, you know, very good. So that would be my favorite. My sleeper would be Tampa Bay.

21:49Rich Eisen:Joe Banner, I love it. As I texted you, love our chats, man. They're great. Look for more of my texts and calls, and we'll get you back on as long as you're willing. Appreciate it. Enjoy it as well. Right back at you. That's Joe Banner, everybody, right here on the Rich Eisen Show. He's called a shot. Minnesota, where does the town of Bills, I imagine, You have a much better odds in towns that don't have a Mo Green plaque or signpost. It's funny. As he was saying that, I was also looking it up, Rich. Okay. This is courtesy of FanDuel. Bills to win the AFC is plus 340. What would that mean? What do you mean?

22:23Rich Eisen:What does that mean? That means bet a dollar, win$3.40. No, I know that. But what are the odds? Like, I'm a little bit more attuned to, like, what is that? An 8 to 1? 7 to 1? No, plus 340. That's 3.5 to 1. 3.5 to 1. Yeah. Okay. Just goes to show you how great a gambling or to pay attention I am. As the Ravens. They're the two favorites to win the AFC. They are. Yeah. Over the Chiefs. Chiefs are plus 4-10, so 4-1. And then big drop off. Bengals 11-1. Texans 12-1. What are the Vikings? So the Vikings are actually better than the Bucs. So the Bucs are 13-1 to win the NFC. Right. Vikings are 10-1.

22:59Okay.

23:00Rich Eisen:About the same as the Commanders. Commanders are plus 950. But notice, notice. Eagles are big favorites. Notice Joe's thinking about how neither the Chiefs nor the Eagles are going to get back to the Super Bowl in his estimation, or will, not can, is the Eagles lost this, they lost that, they lost this, they lost that. And the Chiefs aspect is like, odds are Bills are going to break through at some point, so I'm just going to go with the Bills. It's not like the Chiefs lost this, the Chiefs lost that, the Chiefs lost this and that. this coordinator gone. They're running it back. And you can make an argument that they are better.

23:44Rich Eisen:They're not going to go 11-0 in one score game. I understand. That's the point. Eventually, somebody else is going to get past them. And I will just counsel once again against that. You get better odds if you take the Chiefs. But Bill's Vikings Super Bowl is 42-1. Dude, if it happens, it's the Banner Bowl again. Last year it's the Banner Bowl because he was, you know, he basically helped birth everybody in both of those teams into the league. Bill's Bucks Super Bowl 58-1. In terms of architects and coaches. Alright. We will take a break. The Browns stating Stavansky, Kevin Stavansky, about the plans.