“I really think everything needs to be a perfect storm and this was the perfect storm for activism because there’s no distractions.” – Chris Webber on how the Orlando bubble impacted NBA player boycotts

“I understand there’s bigger issues and trying to find the bigger picture, which is the most exhausting part of it. Yeah, we sit out one game and the next game we play, so what is the true meaning?… For me, I’m trying to find the bigger picture and just can’t see it.” – Emmanuel Sanders on whether NFL players would boycott games similarly to NBA players if they were playing now

 “I think the conversations will still happen and need to happen. Now to kind of understand for the industry to support it, we need to come together and find solutions.” – Dave Roberts on continuing social injustice conversations after the Dodgers boycotted last night’s game

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 27, 2020 – Host Rich Eisen was joined on today’s episode of The Rich Eisen Show on Peacock and NBCSN by:

• • NBA on TNT analyst Chris Webber
  • New Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders
  • Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts

 

Peacock will become The Rich Eisen Show’s exclusive video home on Oct. 5.

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Chris Webber on NBA players boycotting games: “It’s just a lot of emotion…I’m proud that young people had so much passion, pain and love in their hearts that it just didn’t sit right with them and they decided to do something, which meant do nothing yesterday. The point I wanted to make about the players yesterday was I just didn’t want to bash them. I didn’t want everyone to throw away what they did and be like, all these entitled athletes, they never give back and if they do, they take off and boycott, they don’t know what it’s really like… I just wanted to stand with those players in some way and if they did in fact decide to play, I’m very happy that they are going to continue because they started the conversation…I was encouraged and hopefully people can just express their pain, have conversations, and hopefully things can change.”

Webber on how the NBA bubble is impacting players’ actions and conversations on racial injustice: “You can’t hug your friends, can’t see your grandmother. I really think everything needs to be a perfect storm and this was the perfect storm for activism because there’s no distractions. There aren’t that many sports, you don’t have college football ramping up and other things I like. They are but they haven’t been on TV. I think the world has gotten the chance to see what really goes on…Watch the news way too much and see these same instances happen. I think here in the bubble…I think a lot of these guys feel like ‘I’m not using the value that I have. I’m wasting my value and could be doing something.’ And they may feel like it’s frustrating that I’m here and not doing anything while the world is burning. You know, so I do think the bubble has had an effect on guys and their anxiousness, wanting to speak out and do something.”

Webber on the importance of having the conversation surrounding racial injustice: “I believe personally that sports are the first introduction of someone not like you into your family and living room. I suspect that in the ‘50s and ‘60s — ‘40s when Jackie Robinson came into baseball — that there were not many Black people in the homes of White Americans. There weren’t people that you could say, ‘Hey son, I want you to work hard like Jackie (Robinson).’ You know what sports does? It takes all the blinders off and just puts it on the characteristics — hard work, tough, show up. Things that are common denominators and all admire. The fact that my nephew loves (Luka) Doncic as much as he loves LeBron (James) speaks to that.”

Emmanuel Sanders on the video of the Jacob Blake shooting and his own experiences: “I was disgusted and it’s crazy. Here I am, I’m an African-American and I don’t do any bad. I’ve been racially profiled just driving my car…I was out here in New Orleans and an officer pulled me over, said I was doing 75 mph and ran a red light when I know I didn’t run a red light. He told me to get out of my car, and I got out of my car and we talked. He let me go. But then I’m leaving work and I’m driving home down the same road, this was probably about five hours later, I see down the same road I’m driving, and I look to the left and I see an African-American outside of his car and a cop talking to him. And then I drive probably less than a mile down the road and I see another African-American outside of his car talking to a cop. I was just like, wow they are racially profiling down this road right now because it happened to me this morning and it’s not a coincidence.”

Sanders on if NFL players would have done the same as the NBA players did last night, if there were preseason games: “I don’t know. For me, I sit back and look back at the situation and say, ‘Okay, you postpone the game.’ What is the end goal? I don’t know, it’s a sticky situation for me. I support what they are doing, but for me, what’s the bigger picture like? I don’t see the bigger picture, so to cancel a preseason game where guys have the opportunity to showcase their talents to play and make a team, make a living for their family, I don’t know. I understand there’s bigger issues and trying to find the bigger picture, which is the most exhausting part of it. Yeah, we sit out one game and the next game we play, so what is the true meaning? What is it really changing? For me, I’m trying to find the bigger picture and just can’t see it. The only way I can see it is through the government and the President making laws to bring some kind of change.”

Sanders on if he thinks there will be a full NFL season: “I hope. The only thing that scares me about the season is going to be the bye week when players have that time off and when families come into town fresh off a plane to come to a game. That’s the only thing that truly scares me. If we can control that, I think we can possibly finish the season.”

Dave Roberts on the postponement of yesterday’s Dodgers vs. Giants game: “It’s player-driven, it’s individual. Mookie (Betts) and I talked, decided at the heels of what’s going on in our country, we needed to make a stand. He decided he wasn’t going to play. For me as well, I felt the same and decided I wasn’t going to manage. George Lombard, first base coach, felt the same way and we brought it to the players in the clubhouse and kind of told them our thoughts…They were all aligned and playing wasn’t the right thing to do…I know Mookie has been on Zoom calls all morning with the players alliance and those guys trying to figure out what the Black players in baseball should and are going to do. Mookie came to the consensus that he wanted to play both games today and I thought that was amazing and I’m excited about that.”

Roberts on how the postponement of yesterday’s game can help social injustice issues: “[It] promoted a lot of conversation in the last 24 hours. I think the conversations will still happen and need to happen. Now to kind of understand for the industry to support it, we need to come together and find solutions.” 

–NBC SPORTS–

“If they feel this is important as a team to miss because mentally their minds aren’t in the space to play basketball, I think we have to respect that.” – Kenny Smith on Raptors and Celtics players potentially boycotting Thursday’s game as a result of the Jacob Blake shooting

“We are a player-driven league and I think for good reason…Whatever is decided, they are going to have full support.” – Daryl Morey on NBA players potentially boycotting games

 “Now it is about trying to accelerate your learning, accelerate your play during camp without having those previous reps that any other normal previous rookie class would have.” – Jonathan Taylor on getting up to speed in training camp as a rookie

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 26, 2020 – Host Rich Eisen was joined on today’s episode of The Rich Eisen Show on Peacock and NBCSN by:

• • Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor
  • Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey
  • NBA on TNT analyst Kenny Smith
  • Actor Don Cheadle
  • Actor Joe Manganiello

 

Peacock will become The Rich Eisen Show’s exclusive video home on Oct. 5.

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Kenny Smith on the Celtics and Raptors potentially boycotting Thursday’s game as a result of the Jacob Blake shooting: “I think we all are in a reactionary thought process with what is going on. I know that for the first time last night, even watching Doc Rivers speak, I was like, man, I really (for the) first time felt that being in the bubble, the guys felt helpless. Like I am in the bubble and I can’t even do anything. I can’t join a march, I can’t do anything. And at times if I’m not playing, I’m just sitting in my room and I think that feeling is starting to come out. I don’t know the right answer to that honestly. I think the correct answer is whatever they do, you have to support (them) because somethings are bigger. Guys miss games because of family or the birth of their children and if they feel this is important as a team to miss because mentally their minds aren’t in the space to play basketball, I think we have to respect that because they have also given us time to play in a profession in that bubble that is uncharacteristic of anything that we have ever seen in our lifetime.”

Smith on who the Lakers don’t want to see in the second round: “I don’t think they are fearful of anyone because they walk on the court and LeBron James and AD (Anthony Davis) go, ‘Ok, we have the advantage.’ I don’t think they fear anyone.”

Smith on which team is being overlooked in the NBA Playoffs right now: “The Rockets with (Russell) Westbrook. If he comes back and he is able to play, then all of a sudden you’d be like, wow this could be a mix we haven’t seen…Utah with Donovan Mitchell with the way he is playing and shooting the basketball, and the ability he is playing at…the West is wild and it is wide open.”

Daryl Morey on the Celtics and Raptors potentially boycotting Thursday’s game: “We are a player-driven league and I think for good reason. I think one thing – both the NBA players union and the league and Commissioner Silver have put the players front and center, and I think that led to such a good restart here and I think the players are going to lead again on this. Whatever is decided, they are going to have full support.”

Morey on Russell Westbrook’s health: “This morning we got something positive…He’s still not 100 percent. We don’t know what will happen. He will give it a go in warmups before the game and then it will be a game-time decision with Russell.”

Jonathan Taylor on being a rookie with no offseason activities: “It is really about trying to play catch-up in a sense. You usually go to rookie mini-camp and you have those on-field reps, that on-field coaching. So now it is about trying to accelerate your learning, accelerate your play during camp without having those previous reps that any other normal previous rookie class would have.”

Taylor on Philip Rivers’ leadership: “When you have a guy like that who is able to show that emotion and show that passion and still have a sense of restraint and control himself in certain ways, I think that is the kind of leader that you want.”

Taylor on Jacob Blake and if the Colts have discussed it as a team: “We just did that today. We reemphasized that we are going to be at the forefront, we are going to be the spearhead of this movement going into this season. Definitely won’t be silent, but like I said, we are going to be at the forefront, and we are going to do everything in our power to continue to raise awareness, have these conversations, and promote change.” 

Morey on reports that Indiana would be interested in head coach Mike D’Antoni if he were to become available: “Mike D’Antoni is a hell of a coach so I am not surprised people are interested. We love Mike and he loves being here, so we will work that out…We are going to meet after the season.”

Don Cheadle on watching the Super Bowl as a Chiefs fan: “When it wasn’t looking good, I just walked away. I just went by myself, there was no one on the golf course…because if they are going to lose, I don’t want to know…And if they win, I am taping it, I will just plug my ears, go home and watch it, but I can’t watch them lose.”

Joe Manganiello, a Steelers fan, on Pittsburgh’s outlook this season: “I think after last year’s fixing of the defense, I am excited to see what Big Ben brings back to the offensive side of the ball. I think Big Ben would have been worth at least two more wins last year.”

 –NBC SPORTS–

“I look at it as simply…that’s not right, and I’m going to say something about it. Hopefully it impacts others.” – Bubba Wallace on using his platform to speak on social issues

“You’ve had two very good, very respected, consistently-winning organizations decide that they would prefer to have him not play safety for them. That is concerning.” – Ian Rapaport on free agent safety Earl Thomas

 “It’s not a spot that we’re looking to address, but he’ll always have a spot with me in terms of the effort, the competitor.” – Dan Quinn on if the Falcons have interest in signing Earl Thomas

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 25, 2020 – Host Rich Eisen was joined on today’s episode of The Rich Eisen Show on Peacock and NBCSN by:

• • NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace
  • NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport
  • Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn
  • Host of A&E’s What’s It Worth? Jeff Foxworthy

 

Peacock will become The Rich Eisen Show’s exclusive video home on Oct. 5.

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Bubba Wallace on using his voice and platform to speak on social issues: “I don’t look at it as [being] an activist. I don’t look at it as politics, as some would say. I look at it as simply…that’s not right, and I’m going to say something about it. Hopefully it impacts others.”

Wallace on his recent reception by NASCAR fans: “I’m definitely not a fan favorite anymore. At the All-Star race, people loved the boos when my name was called, and they loved when I was crashed out there on Lap 15. Daytona, there were the boos, so it’s all good. My name sparks some sort of reaction…whether it’s good or bad, they’re saying something. So, I’m good with it.”

Ian Rapoport on Earl Thomas becoming a free agent: “The Cardinals just invested a whole bunch of money in Budda Baker. He is their own guy, his character is impeccable, he’s a great player, and he’s young…Earl Thomas is also a great player, but he’s older, he’s expensive and has had some issues. In a pandemic, you see teams hold onto their wallet much tighter than you otherwise might.”

Rapoport on his report that the Cowboys do not plan to sign Thomas: “I don’t think it’s about money. I get the sense it’s more…‘Are we sure that we want to bring everything that he has done into the locker room?’ On one hand, he’s a Pro Bowler. On the other hand, you’ve had two very good, very respected, consistently-winning organizations decide that they would prefer to have him not play safety for them. That is concerning.”

Rapoport on the recent NFL false positive COVID-19 tests: “The NFL is going to work toward clarifying and confirming those results as fast as they possibly can…You can make sure that if someone’s going to be held out, he’s really going to be positive…How quickly can you find out test results to confirm that a guy you think is called a positive actually is?”

Dan Quinn on potentially signing Earl Thomas, who he coached in Seattle: “It’s not a spot that we’re looking to address, but he’ll always have a spot with me in terms of the effort, the competitor. I absolutely love the guy, but as far as joining our team, we’re squared away at safety due to the players that we have today.”

Quinn on Atlanta’s rookies adjusting to the NFL: “Those guys have a good understanding, more so than most rookies, of the concepts and the playbooks. So, there’s very few mental errors taking place. Now, it’s the matter of the speed, and can you make full speed decisions.”

Jeff Foxworthy on his baseball memorabilia collection: “I may have the most eclectic autographed baseball collection. Like I have a whole section of just comedians…I’ve got five presidents on baseballs. I’ve got Tiger Woods on a baseball.”

–NBC SPORTS–

“If any of us makes a bad decision, we know there could be consequences for not only ourselves but for all of the people around us, and vice versa…Players have taken a very serious and diligent approach to doing the right things.” – Bill Belichick on the Patriots’ approach to COVID-19 protocols

“I’m not surprised to see him come over here and do stuff like that because the gap between European and American basketball isn’t like it was in 1992 or 1996.” – Shaquille O’Neal on Luka Dončić‘s success in the NBA

“Unless you create a bubble, you can’t keep the virus out…It’s hard to completely sequester them in college sports.” – David Shaw on factors in the Pac-12’s decision to suspend fall athletics

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 24, 2020 – Host Rich Eisen was joined on today’s episode of The Rich Eisen Show on Peacock and NBCSN by:

• • New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
  • Basketball Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal
  • San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle
  • Stanford football head coach David Shaw
  • Actor Tony Shalhoub

 

Peacock will become The Rich Eisen Show’s exclusive video home on Oct. 5.

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Bill Belichick on the Patriots’ approach to COVID-19 protocols: “It’s really been a collective team effort…We all realize that we’re all in this together — for ourselves, for each other, for our families. If any of us makes a bad decision, we know there could be consequences for not only ourselves but for all of the people around us, and vice versa. So, I think that the players have taken a very serious and diligent approach to doing the right things.”

Belichick on signing QB Cam Newton: “We wanted to add competition. We always try to add competition to our team, and we felt like we’d be able to do that. He was very open to talking about and working with our situation…It’s been fun to work with him. He’s a very talented player with a unique skillset.”

Belichick on one NFL rule he would change if he could: “I think probably the one thing that is worth looking at is just the college pass interference rules. I know why it is what it is, and I also know why it’s different in college and you can argue both sides of it, but it’s a big penalty. Sometimes those are just tough calls, so I think that’s worth looking at. I’d just say in general, I would be in favor of the NCAA and the NFL trying to consolidate the rulebook where we can have as many rules be the same as possible.”

Shaquille O’Neal on Luka Dončić: “He’s a great player…This kid was able to be a professional at 15, 16 years old. That should tell you something about his makeup, that should tell you something about his heart. So, I’m not surprised to see him come over here and do stuff like that because the gap between European and American basketball isn’t like it was in 1992 or 1996 when you’re playing the Dream Team. It’s very, very close.”

O’Neal on Joel Embiid: “If you want to win, you definitely have to do more in this league. It can be done, and if you want to be one of the greats and you want to win a championship, you have to do it…Sometimes you just have to look in the mirror and say, ‘Ok, what can I do?’ Because when you’re a superstar, when you’re the main focal point, all the praise comes to you and all the blame comes to you.”

O’Neal on his relationship with Kobe Bryant: “For all the people who really think we hated each other, I always tell them, after my first championship there were 100,000 people at Staples Center, who was the first guy to run and jump into my arms? We had our arguments, some disagreements. What brothers don’t? What business partners don’t…The respect was always there.”

George Kittle on if he feels comfortable with the COVID-19 protocols at the 49ers facility: “I think what we’re doing right now is incredible…They do such a great job with the distancing and really they’ve outfitted the entire facility for this. They made it as normal as possible…I do feel safe and I know a lot of the other guys feel safe.”

Kittle on if he thinks the NFL will play a full season: “I think it all depends on how seriously the teams and the players take it. You have to kind of shut out the outside distraction more than you would in a normal season, and it’s going to definitely change the livelihoods of a lot of the people in the NFL. I guess at the end of the day, you just have to be responsible…I think if all the teams and all the players do that, one hundred percent there’s going to be a season.”

David Shaw on if he agrees with the Pac-12’s decision to not play fall sports: “Unequivocally. Absolutely agree…A lot of people forget, we all started this process way back in March and April with two questions: can we do this and should we do this? And we got to the point to where it was really hard to answer both of those questions as the season was rapidly approaching.”

Shaw on factors that played into the Pac-12’s decision: “Unless you create a bubble, you can’t keep the virus out. Our student-athletes, in particular, engage with society and engage on their campuses. It’s hard to completely sequester them in college sports…We can’t do what the NFL is doing to test every single student-athlete in every single sport every single day from now through the entire fall semester. That is a really difficult thing.”

Shaw on the possibility of a college football season beginning January 1: “Nobody really knows. I think it would be great. I think we’d have to do it with some common sense. The later we start, the shorter the season has to be, in my opinion, in order to not adversely affect the fall of ‘21.”

Tony Shalhoub on attending Packers games at Lambeau Field as a child: “I just have this memory of going to these really, really brutally cold games and loving every minute of it. I still love going to the cold games.”

–NBC SPORTS–

“We sat down one day for about three and a half hours talking about what he loves to do, and it really wasn’t anything different scheme-wise…I haven’t had this much fun coaching in a long time.” – Bruce Arians on coaching Tom Brady

“When you see that guys have each other’s backs and they’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder supporting one another, I think it’s huge for team chemistry.” – Justin Turner on how the Dodgers rallied from Joe Kelly’s incident with the Astros

“The teams that go down early, they find themselves without the boost that comes with playing in front of their home crowd.” – Chris Mannix on teams adjusting to not having fans for home court advantage in the NBA playoffs

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 20, 2020 – Host Rich Eisen was joined on today’s episode of The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN by:

• • Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians
  • Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner
  • Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis
  • Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix
  • Actor Rob Riggle

 

Beginning next Monday, Aug. 24, The Rich Eisen Show will also stream live on Peacock, which will become the show’s exclusive video home on Oct. 5.

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Bruce Arians on coaching Tom Brady: “Every single day is fun because you’re speaking a different language. When you’re talking with a guy that has 20 years [of] experience…he just looks at you and says, ‘Sure.’ When you’re talking to these young guys, they go, ‘What?’…Tom, he just gets it.”

Arians on working with Brady on their playbook: “It’s a great collaboration…Him learning what we do, me picking his brain on things he likes…We sat down one day for about three and a half hours talking about what he loves to do, and it really wasn’t anything different scheme-wise. It was just adapting the terminology and putting the pieces together…I haven’t had this much fun coaching in a long time.”

Arians on Brady’s influence on the Buccaneers’ trade for Rob Gronkowski: “(Brady) sold me on the fact that he wanted to play again. I thought he was happy in retirement…I called a game in New England during my year off and Gronk didn’t look like himself…He got here, he looks like he’s eight years younger…Tommy sold me on him and then we got the deal done.”

Arians on if the Buccaneers could sign Antonio Brown this season: “That would take a lot of different moving parts, injuries and other things that would have to happen. I don’t think that would ever happen.”

Justin Turner on if the Joe Kelly incident with the Astros brought the team closer together: “Anytime something like that happens I think it brings the guys closer together…When you see that guys have each other’s backs and they’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder supporting one another, I think it’s huge for team chemistry.”

Turner on playing this season without fans in the stadium: “It’s definitely different…No fans is tough. I knew we had great fans in LA, and I knew we always fed off of their energy and what they brought every night, but you don’t realize how much you enjoy playing in front of people until there’s no one there.”

Jerome Bettis on Ben Roethlisberger’s outlook this year: “Hopefully we get 75 to 80 percent of the player that he has been…If he is 80 percent of himself, this is going to be an out-of-sight team because you already have a championship caliber defense. They proved that last year.”

Bettis on Bill Cowher being selected to the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class: “You look at the consistency of what his career was…He was the model of consistency and you knew the Pittsburgh Steelers, when you played them, what you were going to get — which was going to be physical, hard-nosed [football]. We won a majority of the games we played.”

Bettis on what he would do as a player right now: “This would be very scary. I am an asthmatic. So, this would be a very difficult decision for me to have to decide to play or not. This would be a scary one, but the football side of me I think would want to win out because you want to play and that is what you love to do. But your health is paramount.”

Chris Mannix on the NBA bubble and teams adjusting to playing without fans: “The teams that go down early, they find themselves without the boost that comes with playing in front of their home crowd.”

Mannix on the Philadelphia 76ers: “I think where Philadelphia made a huge mistake was not re-signing Jimmy Butler. It would have been an expensive team, that is for sure, but Jimmy Butler has been brilliant for Miami this year. The Sixers didn’t believe in a five-year contract that Jimmy Butler would be able to stay healthy enough and produce enough to live up to that money. That was a mistake.”

Mannix on the Lakers struggles: “All it takes is one practice, or one meeting, or one quarter even, for them to get it right, for their shots to start to fall.”

Mannix on Russell Westbrook’s potential return from injury: “Not soon from the people I have talked to within Houston. The concern in Houston is not the state of injury right now, but the likelihood that if he comes back too soon, he gets a more significant version of it.”

Rob Riggle on being a Kansas City Chiefs fan: “I got to play golf with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce at the American Century Golf Tournament in Tahoe. They were just so fun and lighthearted and jovial…It just feels like there is this wonderful optimism that surrounds them. I sincerely hope we are the team of the ‘20s. I hope we are the dynasty of the ‘20s.”

–NBC SPORTS–

“You look at his eyes and there’s not a stitch of doubt that he will one day play for an NFL team that is not the Green Bay Packers.” – Kyle Brandt on Aaron Rodgers’ future

“I’m down to fight anyone. That’s what I always say.” – Stipe Miocic on potentially fighting Jon Jones

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 18, 2020 – Host Rich Eisen was joined on today’s episode of The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN by:

• • Co-host of NFL Network’s Good Morning Football Kyle Brandt
  • UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic

 

Beginning next Monday, Aug. 24, The Rich Eisen Show will also stream live on Peacock, which will become the show’s exclusive video home on Oct. 5.

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Kyle Brandt on Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Green Bay Packers: “You look at his eyes and there’s not a stitch of doubt that he will one day play for an NFL team that is not the Green Bay Packers. He knows it. He’s at peace with it.”

Brandt on the Dallas Cowboys: “I think they were a playoff team last year. I think their biggest mistake was not firing Jason Garrett…I think they held on too long, and if they hadn’t, I think they’re a playoff team. If Mike McCarthy is the guy, that’s great, but they’re never great. They’re always just solid. Dak Prescott is a solid quarterback. Mike McCarthy is a solid hire. When are they going to be spectacular? We’ve been waiting 25 years for this.”

Brandt on the Chicago Bears: “The Bears have 99 problems, and Mitch (Trubisky) is one.”

Stipe Miocic on defeating Daniel Cormier for the UFC heavyweight title last weekend: “It was an honor…He’s an amazing fighter. Like I’ve been saying all week, he’s an amazing ambassador. That guy has a great resume of not just fighting…He’s a great commentator. I wish him nothing but the best.”

Miocic on potentially fighting Jon Jones: “I’m down to fight anyone. That’s what I always say.”

–NBC SPORTS–

“If they really do emerge and they become widespread and available, well that’s a paradigm shift.” – Dr. Brian Hainline on how new Point-of-Care COVID-19 testing could help college athletics

“I do think you’re going to really earn it if you want this World Series. You’re going to have to play multiple series in the playoffs against good teams.” – Charlie Blackmon on this season’s expanded MLB playoffs

“That could be a January, February schedule playing in domed stadiums with the NFL Combine moved back, and the NFL Draft moved back to accommodate those kids.” – Albert Breer on possible college football and NFL offseason schedule changes

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 17, 2020 – The Rich Eisen Show returned to NBCSN today as host Rich Eisen was joined on today’s episode by:

• • NCAA Chief Medical Officer Brian Hainline
  • Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon
  • MMQB senior writer Albert Breer

 

Beginning next Monday, Aug. 24, The Rich Eisen Show will also stream live on Peacock, which will become the show’s exclusive video home on Oct. 5.

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Dr. Brian Hainline on conferences making different decisions on fall sports: “With a new pandemic, a new disease, you have people looking at the same science, but they look at it somewhat differently…It’s not just a black and white, the scientists say…It’s also how we interpret what the scientists are saying.”

Hainline on if the SEC, ACC and BIG 12 have the ability to test enough to have a football season: “Not if it were today, there’s no way anyone could if it were today…I think what the other conferences may be holding off for is that a different type of test is going to emerge, and indeed we saw it this weekend that a new saliva-direct test has come about…I think some other of what we call Point-of-Care tests, meaning you get the results back immediately and you aren’t using scarce resources in other labs, I think those are going to emerge. If they really do emerge and they become widespread and available, well that’s a paradigm shift.”

Charlie Blackmon on the competitiveness of the shortened MLB season: “I still think it’s a very competitive season. Also, we changed the playoff format so that more teams will make it. So, we’ve addressed that short season to allow more teams into the playoffs, so I do think you’re going to really earn it if you want this World Series. You’re going to have to play multiple series in the playoffs against good teams.”

Blackmon on playing without fans in attendance: “At first it was really different…It’s a super intimate game now. There’s no ambient noise…Your teammates are the only people screaming and it’s more like you’re just playing for your teammates instead of for the fans. Everything should be about the fans, but if there’s one thing that’s also important, it’s the teammates you’re playing for.”

Albert Breer on the impact of college football’s schedule on the NFL’s offseason: “The NFL wants to help college football…The people in college football who are working on this…they’re working on a plan that would work for everybody if they can’t play in the fall. That could be a January, February schedule playing in domed stadiums with the NFL Combine moved back, and the NFL Draft moved back to accommodate those kids…I can tell you the NFL is amenable to trying to work with college football.”

Breer on if the NFL will create a committee to decide in-season COVID-19 scenarios: “(Teams) want to know the rules beforehand…Things have changed so quickly and things have evolved over the last few months to the point where I do think the NFL wants to maintain some level of flexibility…As of right now, it feels to me like they may be leaning more towards that committee approach.”

–NBC SPORTS–

“The league is determined to get this season and all 16 games in. Whether that can actually happen over the course of the year without outbreaks of the virus, no one can predict.” – Adam Schefter on the NFL season

“The ones that are most tied to their mechanics and have a smooth delivery are going to be the ones that jump out…and have an advantage…The pressure is on because there is not a lot of time to struggle.” – John Smoltz on pitchers in MLB’s shortened season

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 26, 2020 – Host Rich Eisen was joined on today’s episode of The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN by:

• ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter
• Baseball Hall of Famer and MLB Network analyst John Smoltz
• Actor Rob Lowe
• Comedian George Lopez

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Adam Schefter on talks surrounding the upcoming NFL season: “When I speak to people on teams, they are nervous, uneasy and anxious. They’re concerned. When I speak to other people who are near the top of the NFL food chain, they are convinced there’s going to be football…This tells me that the league is determined to get this season and all 16 games in. Whether that can actually happen over the course of the year without outbreaks of the virus, no one can predict.”

Schefter on Jets safety Jamal Adams’ trade request: “It’s been a one-way street…Just because he wants to be traded doesn’t mean that the Jets are going to oblige him…The system is weighted in the favor of the team. The player has a lot to overcome…The Jets are not just going to go peacefully.”

Schefter on Dak Prescott’s contract extension negotiations with the Cowboys: “The situation, to me, is complicated and it is complex. Dak Prescott, if he’s willing to bet on himself, and so far he has been, can play this out and see it through to where he puts himself in position to get an incredible contract…You can just imagine what would be at stake if Dak Prescott can get himself into the (free agency) market.”

John Smoltz on the negotiations that occurred between MLB and the MLBPA: “I thought the whole time that something would be worked out. I remained optimistic, having been through it, knowing it’s not always depicted the right way. It’s always a tenuous situation when you’re trying to negotiate something under normal circumstances. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to throw in a million other possibilities to try and figure it out…The good news is…that baseball will be played, and it will be one of the most intriguing and exciting seasons we’ve ever seen.”

Smoltz on the biggest challenges for players resuming play: “The biggest challenge is the mental change every player is going to have to have…Players are going to have to be creative in their thinking of how they’re going to maintain focus without the extra adrenaline of fans and the extra narrative they are normally used to.”

Smoltz on pitchers at the start of the season: “The pitchers with the least awkward mechanics, in other words, the ones that are most tied to their mechanics and have a smooth delivery, are going to be the ones that jump out…and have an advantage. The high-working, high-velocity, much-needed to get in tune with their mechanics (pitchers) may struggle early on. Let’s face it, the pressure is on because there is not a lot of time to struggle, in theory, because (the season) is only 60 games.”

Smoltz on games taking place without fans: “The creative teams will get out in front, both philosophically and maybe having fun in the dugout with banter and chatter…That part is going to be intriguing…The teams that are cohesive and that get out in front and collectively work a plan out, are going to be the teams that will have the most success.”

Rob Lowe on his experience traveling with the Los Angeles Lakers: “(Pat) Riley banished me from traveling with the team…Riley didn’t want any distractions…Magic (Johnson) told me they wouldn’t even let the married players’ wives come to the hotel.”

George Lopez, an avid Raiders fan, on the team leaving Oakland for Las Vegas: “It’s a little disheartening to know that a city like Oakland — that has been a city of the Black Panthers, of culture, of historical situations that have happened in such a great city — that they would be left with a reminder of the team and their fans that would die for that team.”

–NBC SPORTS–