Hour 1: NFL Week 11’s Big Stakes, plus ESPN’s Marcus Spears on AFC/NFC Contenders/Pretenders

We all "start" somewhere. But, the road of life takes us all in different directions. Some achieve stardom, fame and fortune quickly. Others must grind their way to the top and take the long road to success. Listen each week as veteran broadcaster Rich Eisen sits down with the biggest names in entertainment, sports, business and beyond to find out the answer to the question..."How did it all start for you?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Mar 20211min

NFL Network reporter Jim Trotter and Rich discuss how committed the Texans are to keeping Deshaun Watson on the Texans, a possible timeline for a Watson trade, which teams could be bidding against each other for the disgruntled QB, and what Watson’s endgame is and why we haven’t heard from him yet with a hint that there could be a camera crew documenting the whole situation. Rich and the guys discuss the Deshaun Watson-Texans standoff and how it could get really ugly at some point down the road. Chris Brockman runs down the latest news in the sports world including Patrick Mahomes restructuring his contract, the Texans adding a running back, and a red flag from Trey Lance’s pro day. Rich wraps up the hour reacting to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shaving off his combover for charity and if that puts him in the Bald Brotherhood club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Mar 202154min

NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks and Rich discuss if the Patriots could be in the market for a quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft, how the top quarterbacks in the draft compare, if the Jets should stick with Sam Darnold or draft his replacement and why the Falcons should draft Justin Fields to supplant Matt Ryan as their QB, which stellar player in the draft is being overlooked and undervalued, why the Dolphins should be patient with Tua Tagovailoa, and the Bears’ best option at quarterback if they can’t land Russell Wilson (the answer WILL surprise you.) NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran tells Rich why he’s not surprised AT ALL by Tom Brady’s success with Tampa Bay, Bill Belichick’s philosophy with the QB positing in New England going forward, why New England can’t afford to give up picks in order to move up in the NFL Draft, and how new Texans GM Nick Caserio will ultimately have to deal with the Deshaun Watson situation. Rich wraps up the hour explain why he things the Cowboys will be vastly improved in the 2021 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Mar 202157min

Rich kicks off the hour reacting to Tom Brady’s contract extension that frees up $19 Million in cap space for the Buccaneers, Cam Newton re-signing with the Patriots and a debate with Pats fan Chris Brockman who is NOT down with that move. Rich reacts to Knicks legend Patrick Ewing being ‘accosted’ by MSG security and takes a shocking tack in siding with James Dolan in this case. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi and Rich discuss his bracketology method, if Virginia will be able to make the NCAA Tournament after having to bow out of the ACC Tourney due to Covid-19, how the NCAA will react if any tourney teams have to withdraw due to a coronavirus outbreak, which teams likely to earn #1 seeds and which teams might be on the outside looking in, and his new book “Bracketology: March Madness, College Basketball and the Creation of a National Obsession.’ Rich, a University of Michigan alum, weighs in on Michigan State selling its hoops team naming rights so that they’re now officially called “MSU Spartans presented by Rocket Mortgage.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Mar 202157min

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Rich discuss the impact of the lowered NFL Salary Cap on the current rash of roster cuts and free agency this offseason, why teams like the Patriots and Colts are best situated to pursue some top free agents, how draft QB’s Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Mac Jones grade out, and the question marks and tremendous upside of Justin Fields and Trey Lance. Rich and the guys react to new Texans head coach David Culley using two words to describe Deshaun Watson’s status as the team’s starting QB that set off alarm bells. ESPN NBA Insider Ramona Shelburne and Rich discuss the one-year anniversary of Rudy Gobert testing positive for Covid-19 prior to the Jazz-Thunder game in Oklahoma City, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s leadership during the Covid crisis and how the league helped set tone for how the country responded to the global pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Mar 202154min

Rich kicks off the hour pondering the question ‘hos Tom Brady figured it all out?’ with a debate about how the 7-time Super Bowl champion has been able to play for less money over the years in order to benefit his teams. Super Bowl-winning QB Trent Dilfer tells Rich how the Buccaneers transformed themselves from run-of-the-mill team at mid-season into NFL champions, how Tom Brady’s 7th ring has suddenly changed the way EVERYONE in the NFL thinks and makes decisions, his evaluation of Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa and Joe Burrow after their rookie seasons, the pecking order for this year’s NFL Draft QB class and if the Jets should move on from Sam Darnold, and why he’s not completely sold on BYU QB Zach Wilson as the 2nd best quarterback in the draft. Chris Brockman wraps up the hour with the latest news in NFL cuts, and what new Texans head coach David Culley said that could indicate something about Deshaun Watson’s future in Houston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Mar 202157min

Rich opens the hour reflecting on the one-year anniversary of Rudy Gobert testing positive for Covid-19 and how our everyday lives have changed drastically since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. Rich reacts to the news that the Chiefs have released both of their starting Offensive Tackles, Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, and how much Patrick Mahomes’ big contract played a role in the cuts. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport and Rich discuss why the Chiefs blew up their offensive line, why we’ll see a glut of high-profile players like JuJu Smith-Schuster possibly signing for less money and shorter terms than expected, who we can expect to see as the Saints starting QB next season, how the crazy game of NFL QB Musical Chairs plays out, if the Patriots could possibly bring back Jimmy Garoppolo, and how Dak Prescott turned the tables in Jerry Jones while negotiating his new, record contract. Rich wraps up the hour examining Dak Prescott’s MONSTER contract and why Jerry Jones fully admits that he overspent to keep the QB in the fold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Mar 202157min

‘The Dream Team Tapes: Kobe, LeBron & The Redeem Tea‪m’ podcast co-host J.A. Adande and Rich discuss how sports journalism his change COMPLETELY over the last 20 years, what Kobe taught LeBron when they were Olympic teammates, how Mike Krzyzewki become the Olympic ‘Redeem Team’ coach, if the Nets can topple the Lakers from their championship perch and the Jazz’s NBA Finals chances, and if Los Angeles is a Dodgers town or a Lakers town. Chris Brockman runs through the latest NFL cuts with some high-profile players now looking for work, along with Rich making the case why the Carolina Panthers could be poised to make a big run at disgruntled Texans QB Deshaun Watson. Rich wraps up the hour looking at which QB’s from the 2018 draft class are no-brainer choices to have their 5th year options picked up by their current teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Mar 202154min