Hour 2: Sam Darnold Injury Impact, plus ESPN’s Alex Smith Talks Chiefs, Bills, Ravens & More

0:00We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime, but here's the best part. Our YouTube channel, subscribe at youtube.com slash for chisenshow and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. I gotta start to bring it up. This is the Rich Eyes and Show. It's a acceptance in the end, though. Holy cat gift, the third pick of the line. From the Rich Eyes and Show studio in Los Angeles. I just stopped being patient. Earlier on the show, senior writer for the MMQB, Albert Breer. Coming up, ESPN and a Philanalyst, Alex Smith. Iowa Head Coach, Kirk Ferrets. And now, it's Rich Eyes and... Our number two of the Rich Eyes and Show on the Air, Albert Breer.

1:02Our number one, Alex Smith, coming up in 20 minutes time. Kirk Ferrets will talk some college football. The most tenured head coach in FBS action. You're 28 for him at the helm of Iowa. That's an hour number three. You threw out at 844204 Rich, number to dial on the program. We were somewhat patriots centric to lead our program. And I know a lot of folks in the Seattle area, like, oh, that's par for the course of a passionate Rams loving host of the Rich Eyes and Show. I get it. And I know they're defending Super Bowl champs. So if it was the Patriots defending what I lead with the Seahawks. I think the bigger story. You know, I understand that. The bigger story, you know, normally would be the quarterback of the defending Super Bowl champs going down five snaps into the game and how healthy is he?

2:02And I totally get it. And I just want to sort of talk about that elephant in the room about, you know, East Coast bias and things like that. And there is more of an anger element of what's going on from the first game of the title defense season of Seattle in Boston. And the New England area and Patriot nation, if you will. But let's settle in on the Seahawks a little bit here since they are the defending Super Bowl champs and dive back into the Wednesday night game a little bit just from that point of view. The good news here, one and oh, and their one and oh with their star quarter back, which Sam Donald is having played just five snaps, just five. When he went down and he limped off, I thought, just he'll shake it off and I'll be back out there. And then he strolls into the blue tent and then he's kind of weird. Limpin off. Yeah. And then you're hearing, I texted you guys during the game. I heard he's in a hospital getting a CT scan.

3:03Yeah. And sure enough, that's what that rumor was fact. And thankfully, it appears based on the X ray and the stadium in the CT scan last night, that the dreadful nature of hips as we all know. You know, Bo Jackson once ran, you know, got tackled once and then he was done called it a hip pointer. And said he'd be back. So how serious is it, Mike McDonald delivered this information after the game? Sam, we got some great news back. It's to say it's good news right now. So it's, I know still does, you know, our thoughts and prayers with Sam. At this point, we were able to rule out a fracture. So there's some more tests to be done. And so that's what I'm saying when it's positive. So, but I know it's still working through all that. But right now, I think fractures out, which is, which is great news. Yeah, I didn't think we would, and again, this is why you can't make it up in the NFL.

4:03And why you can't have too much depth at any position. I didn't think we'd be talking about during the first game or after the game or the day after about Jalen Milrose readiness. But this is what we're talking about, right? Because if Donald is out for a while, or if he was out for the year, if this was a fracture, what would the sea hawks do with this position? And you already heard Albert Brewer and hour one say that they'd have Jimmy Garoppolo on speed dial. But for the moment, you know, the other reporting that's just coming out now, my colleague, our colleagues at the worldwide leader in sports as it used to be known. Both Shepter and Ian saying they've dodged a bullet they believe. And Ian even went back, started putting a little bit of timeline on it. Should be back sooner rather than later sources say could be just a few weeks with 17 days from Wednesday until their week three game against the commanders.

5:12You know, that's a, that's Donald getting according to Ian a schedule break as well. And then they're going to pop up the sea hawk schedule just a little linger on this subject matter just for a little bit longer. They're at Arizona and then at Washington next. And those are two teams that drafted in the top 10 last year and are going to be looking for their footing. One would think early on with Washington starting against Philadelphia and Dallas. That's the Washington home opener. And Arizona starts and just up the road against the charges and so far on Sunday. This is their home opener. So Seattle serves as the home openers for both of their next two teams October 4th week four against the charges at home. That would be one where you think, okay, it would be best of drew lock. Isn't the starter there? Although you have to give it up to this guy. I don't know. He looked pretty good last night. He's efficient. Well, first few goes at it. I thought this thing was a wrap because all the Patriots needed to do is just score a couple more times and then let the defense do the rest.

6:16And I didn't see the three interceptions coming. I'll tell you that. No matter how good the sea hawks defense says. Because that didn't look to be in the ether or through the first three quarters of this game. Although you're reading on on on socials all the. All 22 film watchers are saying the Drake May film is ugly. Yeah. So we'll hear more about that as. As the hours unfold. But you got to give it up to drew lock man. He didn't turn it over. That's the key. Obviously you saw last night one guy finished the game with a three and out to end the third quarter and three interceptions in the fourth quarter. And those are the last four possessions of the Patriots while Cooper cups making one handed grabs. And JS and is running away from the rest of the defense. As Locke was making the throws that one to JS and on fourth down play call execution touchdown. See you. And they had a back look. He had a couple procedure things the way a game. All of that. I think the motion call back on the cup touchdown was probably drew Locke's fault. But.

7:19No turnovers. No big negative plays. Aficient making the throws. I think 70% completion percentage and obviously the huge fourth down play. I mean, I think if even if Sam Darnel did have to miss half the season, I think they're in good hands. Well, that's why you you you have guys like him there. And that's why you know, Mac Jones isn't going anywhere as long as he's contractually obligated to the 49ers. You know there, but for the grace of the Aussie football gods go they this evening. American time, you know, so that's why you get the RAM strategy of not having a veteran backup quarterback. You kind of scratch your head like what if something happens to Matthew Stafford tonight? Unless they're ready and you we don't let they they have a front row seat again. We don't know we're thinking okay, Drew Locke, you know, good thing he got money of the snaps during the summer. And you got enough during the training camp season to be ready. But he's staying ready. Yeah. That's the whole phrase, right? You got to stay ready to be ready and he he peeled back the curtain a little bit on that in his post game presser.

8:21I biggest thing is always just drawing every play as much as I can. Literally drawing. Literally drawing. Yeah, yeah. By board. I've got one next to my bed. I'll do it at night. I'll do it in the morning. And that's just kind of been my thing being able to visualize it. So that when I read it out, it's just there in my head. Because of the lack of reps, you don't get to physically do it. I got to be able to draw it from somewhere and no pun intended and drawing it helps me draw it from somewhere. It's amazing. Susie is a whiteboard next to her side of the bed. It she hits me over the head with it and I look at it says stop snoring. It's successful just like Drew Locke. It works. All right. But that's pretty cool, right? Like you hear that sort of stuff. And then man, that defense is just sick. That defense is sick. Ernest Jones doesn't get talked about unless he's cursing about people talking about his quarterback, right?

9:2513 tackles eight solo. Good Lord. Leonard Williams in the new contract. He had a sack. Drake Thomas with a sack. The Marcus Lawrence. You know, you look at his stat line. It doesn't jump out at you. But take a look at the interception that wrapped it last night. Drake may looks like he's about to escape and he jumps out to keep me in the pocket. From where he made a horrible decision. Horrible decision. I mean, if he honestly think about it, if he rolls out. All right. It's a chance he could run for it. Or it's much easier decision. I'll flip it out of bounds. Let's go play for overtime. Yeah. Instead he stays in the pocket bad decision. And that doesn't show up on the statute right there. Derek Hall with a sack and a tackle for loss, making up for a horrible 15 yard panel. I mean, the sea hawks. That's one thing they got to clean up. I'm sure that is what Mike McDonald's talking about. I mean, they gave they gave the Patriots an extra possession on a roughing the punter.

10:31Right. They shoved Drake may out of bounds. Hall way, way out of bounds. I mean, stupid penalties. You just didn't see from Seattle all last year, cropped up last night, but they overcame it all, which is what champions do, man. Which is what champions do. And then honestly, you look at Locke and the games that if let's just say it's a six weeker. Right. Let's just give him the six weeks. And you look at their schedule again at Arizona at Washington home for the charges boy, you would love for him to be. Donald back for your San Francisco home date. Here's a fascinating one. A Thursday night visit to Denver, who, as you know, Drew Locke once plied his craft. That's fun. And got drafted, right? By Denver. But you don't want you don't, I mean, let's get Sam Donald back. That's obvious. But you need a court, a backup to get you through the four to six weeks if need be. And that's a wrinkle of the Seattle Seahawks title defense season. I didn't see coming. There's three straight prime time games, the week six through eight on a Thursday Sunday Monday.

11:40So Amazon prime NBC and BC and ESPN ABC get shots at at the Seahawks three weeks in a row at Denver home for Kansas City home for Chicago. Those are, those are games you really want. Donald back for. Or he goes five and one and you got a quarterback controversy. No, you don't get out of here. You don't quote backup quarterbacks that go five and one are doing their jobs, right, right. Which is why you know, they're a rough. Why wouldn't we do it for Sam Donald? Okay. We didn't do it for deck. Yeah. Okay. Maybe collectively folks in our profession did it for that. We here on the rich eyes and show did not take that cheese. Of course that Jerry Jones left out there by saying, I hope he gives me a big problem. Remember that everyone's just like, oh, even Jerry saying it would be a quarterback controversy if Cooper, I should not win it. Nobody here did. He did just to stir it up for overreaction Monday. What I feel is great about the drew lockings. You got a seven year vet, right.

12:40I think it's a great time to be a part of 28. I think games in his career. But also if you watched hard knocks in season three Jason Garrett came in and he talked to the quarterback room. And he basically talked to the a and Jalen Millro about what it was like to be a backup quarterback and the things he had to do. To make sure he was prepared because he knew he wasn't going to get the reps and he even talked about drawing out. He was doing that before, but maybe he took what Garrett said to heart and you know it helped him succeed last night. How about Jackson Smith and Jigba game on the line. Let's just run away from everybody and come up with 120 yards. There was three guys. Nobody was doing it seemingly right there to have the angle on him to tackle him for only like a 10 or 12 year game. Boom. Right past 45 year debt. What a great catch is 11 targets. Like that's what you need your big time players to do. And Cooper Cobb. He got fouled on the play where he one had a grab. He was grabbing it with one hand because the defender was grabbing the other. Also shout out Brian Flurry. First game as OC came out called a great one. You have to adjust on the fly.

13:44We're losing your starting Super Bowl winning quarterback. And I thought he was fabulous last night. Shout out all of them. Shout out the coach who hired him. Shout out the coach who hired him who calls the plays on defense and gets it going. Shout out the general manager, John Schneider who just keeps on reloading with guys you've known. With guys you've never heard of who just keep making plays in a team concept. And speaking of that chemistry cup was in the quarterbacks room when Garrett was making that. Well, he's a few different for a QB room. So, you know, he was all over there. Hard knocks. Yeah. Nonstop in the QB room. Good stuff by the by the. That's why they're the champ. Sam Donald one of two for 13 yards. That's it. See a five, five snaps and done. But at least they dodged the bullet is good to know about that. Let's take a break. We'll talk about Drake May with Alex Smith and set up the rest of the week with one of our favorites from from NFL countdown Sunday countdown.

14:45Pardon me. And we'll be back with Alex Smith in a moment. But real quick when it takes when it comes to you and your home. Pelow windows and doors are the experts that taking care of you and your home at Pella. They find the products that meet your needs and their experts install them. And that means working with a company that builds and installs a quality product with real pricing, real simple, really beautiful. And when a trusted name like Pella chooses to partner with the rich eyes and show that says a lot. 0% financing options are available. Certain restrictions apply. Find your local Pella windows and doors showroom today at Pella.com slash eyes and for details. Make life brighter with Pella windows and doors. Alex Smith makes my life brighter when I look at a zoom and see him getting set to join us. That's next on the rich eyes and show. The rich eyes and show podcast. On with obviously a lot of physical talents. Alex Smith here on the rich eyes and show our radio audience just returned. We're on Disney plus the ESPN app.

15:47ESPN radio serious XM Alex Smith getting set for another season of NFL Sunday countdown coming up this Sunday. What would you say to Drake May if you had a few minutes with him this day? Yeah, I mean, I'm sure that was not a great night's sleep. I'm sure it wasn't a fun ride home watching that. Those are just you just replaying those three plays over and over and over in your head. You know, and you got to go in this morning and watch him again knowing that that certainly. You had a huge hand in that loss, right? Like if you just go take care of business. That's a huge win on the road. I mean, that is a monster defense. I don't care that Donald was out. You playing them at their place that crowd noise to go in there and take care of business and get a win. Would it just been so big and into three costly turnovers. They're all kind of unexplainable, right? The first one high red zone. You're taking a shot into double coverage. Don't know why. You know, second one, third and long. You forced it down the middle and then the last one. Obviously have the you have overtime in hand and then throw that ball up. So I'm sure he's kicking himself. He's still such an incredibly young player.

16:50I think he's younger than there's some of the rookies that came out this year at quarterback. Right. Like this guy has such a bright future fresh off of almost an MVP season. And I firmly I firmly kind of believed this going into this year. The Patriots are going to be a better football team than they were a year ago, but they won't have as good a record. Right. Like that's just I think obviously they tried the schedules, but year two, a Josh McDaniels. I think Drake may will learn from this. This is part of playing quarterback rich, like situationally, right. They're starting quarterback goes out. You're in hand of the game. Just kind of go win the ugly game. Right. Like just go keep checking it down. Even punting and you win that ball game. Yeah, he just turned 24 just, I guess on August 30th. So you could do the math here on September 10th. And so I guess what does this show you? And again, I know it's just a snapshot. And it's going to play Seattle. Let's put it this way in back to back games is going to make most quarterbacks not look their best basically right now. But what does this sort of indicate about the difficulty of growing as a quarterback in the NFL and getting better.

18:02Alex. Yeah. I mean, again, I think from a from a tool set standpoint, when you think about size and speed and on strength and the ability to process information, right. Drake may has them all. There is this nuance though of situational football that the NFL comes down to so often and in these games and you have to be able to kind of elevate as a quarterback and take the big picture. It's like Sam Donald goes out on the 5th play. Our defense is playing outstanding. This all of a sudden does turn into I hate this term. You got to manage this game, right. Like you need to kind of babysit this game and not make the mistake. You were in the driver seat. And again, I think got a little impatient right and forced some balls. And then all of a sudden now you let this defense and this team back in the game. Alex Smith here on the rich eyes and show. So you said moments ago that you think the Patriots will be a better team, but how won't have his greater record. Because obviously you're now a team that has a bit more of an AFC target on your back. If not every single time you go out there. Does that mean you believe the bills are going to win the AFC East this year?

19:09Oh, I mean, I certainly wouldn't be surprised. I mean, I think they're one of the best teams in football, not just in that division or conference. I mean, you've Josh Allen is playing unbelievable. Right. This is the only team in the NFL. I think they want to play off game and six six or seven consecutive years. Certainly haven't got to the Super Bowl. And then they go make this big drastic change. Obviously at the head coaching position. And so a lot of eyeballs, certainly on Buffalo and Baltimore. I think there are two teams that fit in that same bucket MVP caliber quarterbacks in their prime that decided to make a change at the head coach. Despite a ton of success, a ton of regular season success. And so no, I wouldn't be surprised at the bills when that division. All right. And if they want to talk about a monster defense to their play and they're going to the Texans. They're kind of in a similar bow. If there were two defenses, I would not want to start the def start the season off against it would be at Seattle or at Houston. And that's what Drake May and Josh Allen has door for him. That said, my homes is home, but he's going to be coming off of a knee injury, potentially without his left tackle against the Broncos defense, which sacked a quarterback 68 times last year as well.

20:17What's your thoughts on the Monday night week one finale on on our family of networks Alex. Yeah, I mean, a huge game. That's great analysis there. They're the right rich. You know, that's why you're on the NFL countdown Alex. That's why you're on TV. That's right. That's why they made the big bucks. The Broncos are awesome. Like you look at the roster. They're so deep across the board offense and defense. There's playmakers all over the place. You said it. I think they've led the NFL and QB hits and pressures and sacks from a year ago. And I don't look for that to change much. Again, I think a lot of eyeballs certainly on Patrick and his ability to move around. Right. How's the need look? You know, he does such an unbelievable job getting the ball out on time when teams pressure him, but right like he also has the signature Patrick plays when he runs around and turns into a superhero. And is that still there? Is it there already? Right. Like he seems so ahead of schedule in his rehab. And again, I think we're all going to be watching that.

21:17You know, it was last year in aberration for the Kansas City Chiefs, right. They'd had so much success. There was kind of a perfect storm of adversity that they went through a year ago. Certainly that culminated in Patrick's injury and can they bounce back from that? And I think certainly a lot of people expect them to and we're going to find out there's we're going to the barometer week one going against Denver. So I will be there lucky enough. And so can't wait to see it. I'm sure you will. And you'll be seeing a lot of old friends, a lot of old times right there in arrowhead. So what do you think the offense does look like at the end of the day? We talked about Kelsey and the TV only segment. We're just kind of hit on my homes right there. Then you've got yourself Rishi Rice and Xavier worthy and now Kenneth Walker with Eric B. Enemy back calling some things right here at the OC. What do you think at the end of the day the Chiefs offense looks like in 2026 Alex? I think a big things. Hopefully they get some run game going. You mentioned Kenneth Walker, right. I think they really missed in the last couple of years. Any kind of consistent running game.

22:20And it really made them one dimensional. And again, it's just hard to be good football teams. Offensively when you are that. And so again, I hopefully they can get back to some consistent running game that will open up some, you know, obviously opportunities and match up in the past game. I look for Rishi Rice to kind of be the straw that stirs this drink. Right. I think he's kind of this unique mix of a body type. Right. He's so thick. He can do all the stuff over the middle. You're going to see him do a lot of the things that Travis Kelsey has done traditionally at the receiver position. And then you know, Andy Reed loves speed. Right. He's always going to have a guy that can can take the top off and as a deep threat. And certainly they have that with the fastest guy in the NFL and Xavier worthy. So, you know, a mix of explosive plays. Right. And again, those are the things that they have been missing. They miss the running game. They miss the explosive plays. And I do think those two things weirdly enough are tied together often with play action that comes off the run game. And then again, Trab, I think still right. I think despite aging still plays at a very high level. And so he certainly is a problem in a matchup situation in situational football in the red zone.

23:25So certainly I think I look for them to be competitive. And again, Ken, what does Patrick look like from a mobility standpoint, but sounds by all reports I've got camp was amazing. He looks really, really good. So I expect them to be coming out at a high level. All right. Sports talk radio question for you, Alex Smith here on the program. You kind of alluded to the fact of Joe Brady and the bills are in a good spot as Brady takes over from Sean McDermott, who is there for quite some time, but about half the time in Buffalo as John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin were at their respective posts in Baltimore and Pittsburgh, which team with a new set of eyes with a first year head coach, although McCarthy's done it before. Which team is going to have the best season in the AFC with a chance to go the longest Alex Smith and the whole AFC of those three bills, those three Steelers Ravens. What do you got for me? Oh, I like the Ravens. Okay, I like the Ravens. Even you even dip down with your voice right there. Listen, sorry. I know we got a new offensive coordinator in Baltimore, right? We were turnover, right? The whole regime changed on Harbaugh's not there anymore.

24:38But the last two times rich that we had a new offensive coordinator in Baltimore, they got an MVP there, right? Lamar won an MVP. The last two times he got a new offensive coordinator. This guy, this idea that I know they're going to go under center a little bit more. And I think there's some for some reason, their speculation of whether or not Lamar can do that. I think that's crazy. This is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. You look at his stats under center from his career. He's been phenomenal. And I, I really look for him to pair this now with a great defense, right? This is a defense that is really under achieved the last two years. Right. There's first round picks and playmakers all over the place on the defense side of the ball. And so now you know, hopefully that, you know, they improve. And again, you combine that with with Lamar who's in his prime. I look for them to be really, really dangerous. Okay. So on Sunday NFL countdown when you are no doubt asked for your Super Bowl 61 prediction because that's what gets done on shows like that or mine of game day morning. On Sundays of week one and it's not just any Super Bowl. It's the first one ever in the history of ESPN. You're going to be asked this question. Do you have an answer for it? Alex already?

25:46What do you do? Rich likely I got a couple days to still stew on this. So on Alex tune in. Okay. I did give you an out to get make it a tease as opposed to an actual answer. But it sounds like you like the Ravens more than anybody else. No, I mean, I certainly Ravens or Steelers. I'm taking Ravens. Okay. I just asked you to throw the bills and that makes two though. I love the bills. Right. And the AFC is so stacked. I think, you know, there's so many good football teams. And then I just think there's some intriguing divisions. Right, Rich? Like you tell me the NFC North. You picked that division first to last. And like, I could try it too. I think we could all be dead wrong. Right. Those four teams are so evenly matched. How's that going to shake out? I'm so interested to see they're all really good football teams. I'm intrigued to see Kyler Murray playing for Kevin O'Connell. How do you think that's going to look? I think it's going to look really good. I think Kevin O'Connell is one of the best quarterback coaches, offensive minds and football.

26:51I think Kyler Murray is insanely talented. Right. Like when he plays his ceiling is so high. And if they can even get him going in that trajectory, combine that with the playmakers they have on the outside with this defense that Brian Flores continues to bring year in and year out. Right. I think this is a, this is a team that can play with anybody. So can't wait to see that one right here to Ben Johnson Caleb Williams. Right. Like can they keep it going? You also got the fighting Dan Campbell's there. Right. Like again, there's so much, there's so much good football in that division. And it's so competitive. It's so same as same as NFC West. Right. We're going to see that show down tonight. NFC West is stacked. So again, there's some some amazing divisions that are tough to pick. Okay. So where do you stand? I mean, we got the Rams and the Niners coming up tonight. And they they're going to wake up in Melbourne. And and then play a game just mere hours later.

27:52So two things. First of all, did you ever play a game ever where kickoff was in the morning, where you were? I mean, I played in London twice. I also played in Mexico City, but that wasn't that wasn't in the like a lot of the morning. Yeah, I mean, since college college, you did like all of the games where you wake up and play. Okay. And that's certainly kind of the norm in college. And then you convert. And then you know, Kansas City, you play the new kickoff if you're in the central time zone. So it's pretty quick turnaround in the morning. Okay. But never for Australia. Right. So right. But they're waking up to hear, hey, did you hear Sam Donald's out for potentially a significant amount of time. So you have to think that that's a moment for both of these teams in this division. Say we've got to get this one. Right. We have to get this one no matter the circumstance, even though it's week one or or no. No, yeah, I mean, that's what's crazy about this. Again, I listen, I'm all for the international play. I love it. Right. I think expanding obviously the popularity NFL, the greatest game there is. But the fact that this is a division game.

28:56That's this amazing rivalry between Northern California and Southern California, right? This is this is Giants Dodgers. This is Lakers Warriors. Right. And this rivalry of Rams Niners is so awesome. And the fact that we're playing this in Australia, I think it's kind of pretty weird. Frankly, with that being said, right? Like I think you look at the beginning of the calendar, the three best football teams a year ago were in this division arguably. Right. Again, I think this was Seahawks Rams, Niners, where maybe the three best teams in all of football. And they happen to be in the same division. Right. And they all beat up on each other. And here we are week one. We're going to get these teams pretty healthy. And there are all pros all over the place, Rich, right? Like on both these rosters. And they're going to be out there slugging it out in Melbourne. So, yeah, I mean, again, this is a unique in so many ways. But yeah, huge, huge magnitude. Okay. Before I let you go, Alex, I've got one more second left on the clock. You know what I'm going to do it, Rich. Hey, man, this is this is my school. It's your coach. It's your guy, right? I mean,

30:03yeah, yeah. Okay. You know what I mean? Like what is he kind of winning him was supposed to remove the scandal in the Contravers, not like it's his fault. But you know, it's he's got a quite a decision going on right now. He's got Oklahoma this week. And for all of us Michigan fans who are kind of new to him, how do you think he's taking in what just happened? And a 19 year old quarterback who comes with a massive price tag talk about stuff that wasn't happening when you were in Utah. Yeah, but who clears clearly appears to be struggling with pre snap post snap stuff. Alex who's incredibly talented at the position. What do you think Kyle Wittingham is how he's going to handle all of this. That you can tell. Yeah, no, I mean, I think we saw a little glimpse of that. Certainly post game. We saw glimpse of that in his press conference sense, right? Like things are not okay in that locker room and in that facility, right? Like Kyle is not a guy again. I've known him for so long. This stuff's not going to get swept under the rug here, right? Just because they lucked out with a Hail Mary win.

31:09I'm sure things are very, very uncomfortable in that building. You know, certainly defense looked good, but they looked outside of the first drive. Pretty inept on offense. And again, right, you even heard him come out and this is all no one, no one's jobs written in Eke here, right? Like things can change fast in this university of Michigan and you better believe they got a stable of talented quarterbacks that can step in there and play. And that's the reality, right? And I think you just stated facts. Nobody's right. This is this is a performance based business. And if you don't go out there and perform and show improvement and play winning football, right? Like nobody's job is safe, right? Including his. And so sometimes I think it's the job to say the uncomfortable thing is a head coach. And I felt like that was done. Certainly we'll see if it works, right? If they can make the adjustments. Cause what wasn't good enough? That's obviously stating the obvious. And again, for a young talented quarterback, it's hard. Expectations are so high, right? I mean, coming out of high school for a young kid to deal with these kinds of expectations is so rare.

32:10So certainly hope that he can, you know, progress here, right? And certainly start to try to reach some of his amazing potential. Well, I mean, we Michigan Wolverine fans are used to paint pealers, you know, bow. You know, Jim Harball would be, you know, if need be paint some, you know, get paint, peel some paint off the walls. But that doesn't appear to be coach winning him here. So when you say he's dealing with it behind closed door, how, how does he deal with it? Best your knowledge. What does he do? Behind closed doors that we might not know. Yeah, I mean, again, I think the recipe always with coach Wic coming in, right? Like was this Michigan defense was going to, you know, be elite, right? Like is a defensive guy? Every defense he's ever had is always been pretty dominant. And could you pair that with a great running game on the offence side of the ball? And an offense that was good situationally, right? And I think you can win a lot of football games that way. You know, coach Wic is proving that over the course of his career. So, yeah, I mean, again, I think the pressure is going to get turned up on this offense, right? Was this one bad game?

33:11Were there things that, that right, they can see on film that they can correct going forward? Right? I mean, I think that's the biggest thing. Right? Can you learn from this? And continue your development not just as a quarterback, but as an offense, right? Because it wasn't just him clearly this offense didn't get much going in the run game. And that's, you know, certainly obviously looked not very good in the past game as well. So a lot of room for improvement. Will we see that here week? All right. Well, I guess I should have been more direct than do you think he's the guy who could basically say I know the kid comes with a massive N.I.L. price tag, but we're going to sit him. Do you think he's got that in him? Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Without a doubt. Without a doubt. All right, Alex, I didn't mean to turn this into college game day, but you know, I mean, I see the double you behind you. Yeah, I mean, you know, that's all I'm hearing about is one second on the clock. This that the other thing. I just want to. I think I got a free cheeseburger in college, Rich.

34:11He's in doubt like the extent of my N.I.L. deal. And that was scared to death when I took it. You don't want to say anything? Yeah. So man, all right, Alex, have a great week one on Sunday NFL countdown. Look for more of my calls and texts, man. I just love chatting with you. I feel we had our first conversation on TV 21 years ago, man. Like that's what I fact. Yep. That's a favor half a lifetime ago for me, Rich. I know that's how long we go back the amount of time, the amount of time that we've known each other is now legal to drink. I think so thanks for the time. Alex have a great weekend and I hope to chat with you soonest love love. Always coming on. Rich, the feeling is mutual. Thank you. That's Alex Smith. Check him out on Sunday on ESPN will be coming out of the smoke on NFL network. It's all on the ESPN app. Talk about how wild things are. And again, I'm just saying nonstop. That's all I'm hearing clock this clock that one extra second Michigan didn't deserve it.

35:17Western Michigan brass that we're like we accept it have completely flipped saying we do not accept it. No one else should accept it. And Michigan's just trying to turn a page and figure out how to take on Oklahoma. And then everybody's got an opinion on it, including coach what's best friend urban Meyer went on his podcast and just laid into the whole situation, which is why coach what you need to break up with him. He does not have your best hand. That's all I'm saying. He's not going to sit there and cape for you. At the end of the day, man, they might go on vacation together know each other. They're tight, but when it's mazing blue versus the buck guy scarlet and gray, someone is going to take one side. You might as well take the other. If I have an extra second to say something and I did so I took it and went all the way flat footed. Oklahoma's coming to town there. There's a lot to fix. Did you see new highs old thinks Michigan's going to win it. Rick said Michigan will win. He just out right.

36:25What are you smoking bro? Give me some. Okay. What are you smoking bro? Give me some. That'll be that'll be coming up on noon on Saturday. Let's go. Eight four. Yeah, and I'm sure urban will pregame be very mindful of coach what. Eight four four two four rich number to dial on this year program. The rich eyes and show the podcast. Back here on the rich eyes and show eight four four two four rich number to dial on the program will take a call in a second. Did you know every 36 minutes a child in the United States is diagnosed with cancer. It's awful. It's just absolutely dreadful, but thankfully there's Hyundai hope on wheels that we're proud to support here because they know that some of the bravest warriors you'll ever meet aren't professional athletes are super heroes. They're the kids in the fight. And for the past 28 years with support from Hyundai their dealers and every new Hyundai sold hope on wheels has contributed over 300 million dollars to childhood cancer research helping save more than 40,000 kids.

37:35Join our fight please at Hyundai warriors.com. Let's go to Kenyee and DC on the rich eyes and show what's up sir. Well, well, well, go bird. Good morning, Charlie. How you doing brother? How? Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Wu Tang clan and yours truly both proud statin islanders. Thank you, sir. That's right. Yes. That's not a rich. That's me. Sadie. What's up, baby? I've been better. I know it. I know it. Hey, Mike. What's up, big. What's happening? What's happening? Hey, man. Look, that game last night was wonderful. Start to the season. And I loved it. And the football guys did not like the ugly way the AJ left silly. Carman hit him fast. Mm hmm. Mm hmm. What a take. And I noticed you didn't say hello to the cowboy fan on the show. Better. I did big tune up. Big tune up. I don't know who he's talking about. Yeah. Hey, hey, that exit from Philly was so class.

38:36Well, it was so classless. So, you know, so everything that AJ got last night, he deserved. Wow. The grass is dealing that green on the side. Can you? Can you? Can you? That is the key held his his camp for kids. Still knowing he was gone. That is the tip. Come on. Now he didn't he didn't he didn't leave classlessly. He did not as much as I'm talking all the side drama and all the individuals that work on a class was brother. Okay. Can you listen? You got the commanders coming up. This would not be a great way for you to stroll around town there in DC. Uh, with a week one loss. Can you? Yeah. Well, I'll be in the lead watching it live. So we don't see what's going to happen. And I'll be back next week to talk about that. We'll be great. Please call back. That was a fun conversation right there. Okay. You bring. Yeah. So that's it. That's a take. Okay. Oh, actually, uh, we got an update on a J Brown from Mike Vrable. Hit it. Continue to evaluate. Continue to get run tests. But, you know, I don't know if he'll be available going forward here for for the next week, but we'll see.

39:44And, uh, you know, I know he'll do everything that he can to get back as quickly as possible. And once we get the reports, then we'll figure out what the treatment plan is. And they're only home date in the first month of the season in 10 days. Yeah. Let's see. Let's say crazy or things have happened. I'd be shocked if he's out there. Mm-hmm. Injuries. Coaches don't like talking about him. The brutal. Uh, case in point, Clint Kubiak had this to say two hours before Brock Bowers had a, uh, a meniscus trim. We didn't see that string preseason just a little bit of, uh, Brock Bowers are both of those guys cleared to play and are they ready to go on something? I can't have all our guys ready for Sunday. No. Hmm. Maybe he got a different report. Maybe he did not. And, uh, that's now a game or two. Should I mention what we talked about in our fantasy, uh, we had a source tell us something else about why not like that? Should I send it back because he's not saying it to, you know, bring it to the people.

40:45I mean, he didn't tell us to not tell people. Well, I mean, he didn't think that it would be on the record. So when you put it in the week. Uh, listen, um, these things based on people who have had this procedure before, think it could be two to four weeks. Who knows? Yeah. And in terms of people in terms of people returning from injury, in terms of people returning from injury. And, uh, coaches don't want to talk about it before week one because they want to leave the opponent guessing. Right. And Malik neighbors is returned from his knee injury has been cloaked very well by John Harbour. And if he's ready to come out of the box like he's Malik neighbors week one of college. The giants have a serious weapon to roll downhill and throw down field to on Sunday night against the Cowboys. And I was always wondering how John is going to handle the New York media. And the New York media has been peppering. They want answers about Malik neighbors readiness.

41:49They want to know and John wasn't having any of it. And he's in full game week mode. I'm just saying this right now. We've stopped all these questions because I'm not going to tell you who's playing in the game. I'm not going to tell you who's starting. I'm not going to tell you what package we have in. I'm not going to tell you what plays we're running. I'm not going to tell you any of that. Okay. So we can make it great and have a great press conference or we can make it uncomfortable. But I'm not going to tell you because when you know the Cowboys know or every other team we play knows. And that's not the competitive interest of our football teams. That makes sense. So I think you can respect. I mean, guess what's going to happen, John? They're going to keep asking you these questions. Well, I mean, John knows this to John. John knows this to man. He knows this to that the middle name of most New Yorkers is uncomfortable. And if not, it's called awkward. In the media doesn't care. Okay, just wouldn't man, which John, I think is going to do more often than not. But there you go. Not even a snap of John Harball regular season football. And that went everywhere saying he's snapping at reporters.

42:58I think Malik neighbors are going to play and I think he's going to look great. By the way, maybe Kirk Farens coming up in our number three. You're listening to the Rich Ison Show podcast. You can watch and listen to the Rich Ison Show live weekdays from noon to three Eastern only S.B. and radio Disney plus and on the ESPN app. The Rich Ison Show, the podcast.