Rich Eisen Show HC Interviews: AFCE Edition
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Hello Folks & welcome to the Rich Eisen show presented by RedZone's the Athletic. This year on my show I have decided to spend time interviewing all 32 coaches in RZ during Training Camp & Preseason as we ramp up for S77 here in the RedZone. We started in the AFC East & For those of you unable to watch us on Peacock or listen to the podcast we have released the interviews here in this article. Now as a NY guy its only right that I start in the AFC East with my beloved New York Jets. Here is how it went:
(R) Joining us today on the Mercedes Benz Vans Phoneline is none other then Coach Atom of the New York Jets. We are very excited to have you here today to speak with us about the state of the team & learn about training camp over in Floram Park, NJ. How are you feeling about what you have seen from the team so far?
(A) Thank you for having me Rich. I’d be lying if I said it was all sunshine and rainbows. But I knew this job wasn’t going to be a cake walk when I took it so I feel confident in my ability and my team’s ability to make adjustments and play as well as I know we can.
(R) Well coach I for one will be watching every week & hope that you can turn this team into a winner. As a long suffering Jet fan its been quite a while since I got to watch them succeed here in RZ. Most of that success will be determined by the young QB. We know Wilson was selected a year ago with the 2nd overall pick, year 2 will be very importat in his developmet. With a much better supporting cast from a year ago how do you think he fits into your scheme & what you are trying to do here in NY & what are youre expectations of the young man out of BYU?
(A) Yeah for sure, he will be very important to our success this season and moving forward. Zach is one of the more underrated young QBs in the league I think. He’s still very very young and also has a canon of an arm. He has a good feel for throwing the ball short and deep with good accuracy and can cause defenses problems with his legs when he needs to. My expectations of Zach for this season are to just learn the new system and get better from week to week. He’s going to flash his high potential a couple times each game, it’s just going to be about turning those flashes into an every down thing.
(R) Well I certainly wish him well, he seems to have figured out his way off the field if you know what im refering too. I hope he finds the endzone as well as he finds the cougar den. Moving on from Zach & talking a little more about you coach, last cycle you came in taking over as a replacement for a longtime RZ Vet & you had some success. How do you think getting your feet wet in RZ last year will help you moving forward with your own team from Day 1?
(A) I think stepping in halfway through last cycle helped me a lot actually. The last 2 season of last cycle I finally felt like I was getting 100% confident in my ability. I think I now have a good sense of where my place is in this league and I only plan to go up from here. Also the aspect of not having to take over someone else’s team is going to big for me I think. I enjoyed that falcons team but they were not built in the way I would’ve liked. This jets team will live or die by my own decisions and that for sure makes it less frustrating.
(R) Looking around the division there are some tough teams in the AFCE. How do you think the Jets stand up against the other teams?
(A) I think people are doubting this roster can keep up with any of the other teams in our division and I don’t blame them because they don’t know what to expect. We have a lot of unproven guys but if they come out and play like I know they can we should be pushing for a playoff spot for sure. It all comes down to our young players stepping up. If they’re up to the challenge I don’t see why we can’t make a playoff push year 1.
(R) Obviously this previous draft was Massive for the Jets. Landing players like Sauce, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson & Breece Hall. How does having such an influx of young talent at premium positions position you to turn the Jets around?
(A) It sets us up for prolonged success. Other teams have to worry about expensive contracts with aging players at premium positions. We may not have established superstar players but we do have a bunch of guys that could develop into that in the next 1-3 seasons. Also, not having to worry about drafting certain positions right off the bat is one of the reasons I chose to come to New York. This roster can only get better with time and the same cannot be said for some other teams.
(R) Looking at the rest of the roster, what is maybe an area of weakness or a position you are still looking to upgrade?
(A) I think we have room to improve at a couple positions. But like I said earlier we’re pretty set when it comes to having youth at the more premium positions like QB, RB, WR, DL, and CB. Interior O line, linebackers and Safeties are what comes to mind immediately when thinking about where we might look to add a piece or two either before the trade deadline or come next off season.
(R) What do you expect from the Jets this year? Is it 8-9? Is it AFCE Crown? Is it deep playoff run? Superbowl? Talk to me coach, what does a successful season look like to you?
(A) A successful season to me, like I mentioned earlier, is one where we get better every single week. Wether that includes a playoff run remains to be seen but I know this team is definitely capable of doing that. My main focus is developing the players we have and to have team success along with that would be my ideal situation.
(R) Alright coach before I let you go, lets go a little off the field here. Picture you win a SB & you're going to go out & celebrate with a great Meal where are you headed? What's the go to type of food you're eating?
(A) If we actually won a super bowl my team can have whatever the fuck they want. Don’t know if I’m allowed to curse here but yeah, if all they wanna eat is ass that night, I’ll make it happen.
(R) Haha I feel that coach & yes please feel free let the F Bombs Fly. Well I appreciate you joining us & giving a look behind the curtain at 1 Jets Drive. I look forward to watching your team this year & I wish you all the best. Thanks Coach take care.
Next up on our Tour of the AFCE we spoke to coach Theo of the New England Patriots
(R) Always tough to talk about the Patriots but boy do I love their coach. Coach Theo welcome, we are happy to have you here on the Rich Eisen show, presented by The Athletic, Coach lets jump into it how do you feel about what you have seen so far in training camp?
(T) Happy to be here Rich, look My team is not perfect and we had some work to do on both ends of the ball, but I love my linebacking core. I feel like we will have a solid front that can bring some pressure and help out or defensive backfield. With Malcom going out at corner during camp we’ll have to make things work this season. But I think we will surprise some people.
(R) The previous regime drafted QB Mac Jones last year & he had a good rookie season. He will enter the season as your starter but does he fit what you are trying to do here in New England & will he be the guy long term?
(T) As you know Rich a coach likes to come in with their guy and vision. In this case I think Mac can fit my vision for our offense. I want use to solid in the run game and make timely accurate passes. I think Mac fits the bill there. The beauty of a rookie contract is we have a couple seasons to see how this works out. Right now Mac is the guy for us.
(T) It’s a headache, everytime you think you have coach Adelmann figured out he comes up with something new. Between that and his innate ability to fleece teams out of their stars to bolster his own teams makes him a challenge everytime. He has some speedsters this season and he’s looking to add another RZ Bowl to the resume for sure. But that old saying is iron sharpens iron and we’ll be a threat to him every week.
(T) We stand up well against any team not just the AFCE. But we know the Dolphins are the favorites with their staff and speed. The Bills are the darlings with that killer roster in the hands of Coach Mayne. We know from last cycle Coach Atom is a fighter. We are going to give our division mates hell 2 times a season and there is nothing they can do about it.
(R) I look forward to watching those divisional games whenever they are on the schedule. Looking at this team give me someone who has really impressed you so far through camp.
(T) Damien Harris has come in strong and solidified himself at the top of the running back rotation. He’s running hard and looks to get the extra yard each time. If he keeps this up 1000-1200 yards could be a possibility.
(R) What is one position you would love to upgrade, or an area you think still needs some work & development?
(T) No offense to my guys in the receiver room but that is an area I’d love to upgrade. Getting an influx of speed in there could really help open up our passing game down the road.
(R) What do you expect from this team this season? What does success look like in S77 in New England?
(T) You can expect us to compete week in and week out. We plan on making the playoffs consistently, and being a thorn in the Dolphins and Bills sides all season. A successful season is a Superbowl and until we get there its just a work in progress.
(R) I notice you left my Jets out of that but hey its okay I understand. Alrite coach I always like to end the interview with an off the field question. If you had to pick your favorite sports movie what would it be? You know that one movie thats on & you drop what youre doing & sit down to watch it.
(T) Its got to be Major League for me. Willie Mays Hayes and Wild Thing are my guys. Lots of great memories watching that with my grandpa as a kid
(R) Well coach I appreciate you joining us, I wish you all the best this season, except when you head to MetLife. Coach Theo everyone.
Next we are joined by Coach Warren of the Buffalo Bills:
(R) Coach Warren I thank you for joining us on the Rich Eisen Show. Lots of people expect big things out of Buffalo this season, on paper the team looks great. How do we feel so far in training camp?
(W) Thanks for having me Rich. A new season is always an exciting time and the sounds of training camp just gives me goosebumps. As for the team, I like the talent we have in-house. Guys like Josh, Stefon, Von, Hyde and Poyer just continue to show me why they are top players in this league. And we have some potential breakout stars like Gabe Davis, Edmunds and Rousseau among others. But these guys come to work every day to get better and I feel like we are really building a team that will make some noise this season and beyond.
(W) Josh just continues to amaze me. He has a good grasp of the scheme. He doesn't try to do too much. Takes what the defense is giving him. As far as the marriage... We are for sure in the honeymoon phase still. He's played well in the few joint scrimmages we've had. And we hope to transition that when the season starts.
(W) I was a young man in my previous run in RZ with no responsibilities. Now, I've been married for going on 8 years. Two kids. I've become a smarter and more thoughtful coach. Not just worrying about 1 play at a time. But I’m thinking about 2 and 3 plays from now or 2 and 3 drives from now.
(R) I love to see growth & development in coaches. Its beautiful your home responsabilities have helped translate into your coaching career. Lets move on to the AFCE, the battles ahead of you will be good ones. This team is great on paper, how will that translate on Sundays compared to the rest of the AFC East?
(W) On paper or the ratings sites can say whatever they want. Things for us are always decided on the field. I love the group of coaches we have in the AFCE. Coach Adel is an RZ mainstay. What he was able to do in Baltimore the last cycle was impressive. Coach Ambers and I are like brothers. He's a real Hoot. I always like going head to head with him on the field. Coach Atom joined us mid-way the last cycle and really came into his own the last two seasons. I think the AFCE will be competitive from top to bottom and the 6 division games we all play each season will be a knockdown drag-out fight.
(W) I got a few guys for that. Greg Rousseau has learned so much from playing across from Von Miller. He impresses me each day we are on the field. I have to mention Tremaine Edmunds and Gabe Davis as well. But someone that is forcing their way on the field is James Cook. Our RB room is deep with Singletary and Zack Moss. But the rookie is making it very hard for us in the best way possible.
(R) What is an area you feel needs to be upgraded for you guys to take that next step?
(W) Well, two areas of need we were able to address when the trade window opened. Getting Blake Martinez and Isaiah Oliver are definitely big gets for us. Going forward, you always want to acquire talent each year. You can never have enough O-Linemen, that's for sure.
(R) What is your expectation for this team this season? How far do you have to go for this year to be deemed a success in your mind?
(W) Obviously, all 32 coaches are going to answer the "What's a successful season?" question with a Super Bowl win. But I think a successful season is playing meaningful games going into the final weeks of the season. The AFC as a whole is loaded with great teams and coaches. And only 7 are going to see postseason games. So if we are in the mix by the end, I'd say that's a success.
(R) Alright coach, im going to end this how I always do a non team related question. Lets pretend youre going on a cross country road trip & you need to bring 3 other RZ members with you. Who else is in the car? More importantly who is driving?
(W) Umm, Theo is in the car for sure. Spence is coming because we'll need that Chex Mix to snack on for the long drive. And the third is Jake. I will be the driver because I'm a fabulous wheel man.
Last but certainly not least is Coach Michael Adelmann of the Miami Dolphins
(R) Coach welcome to the Rich Eisen show. Many of the experts are picking your Dolphins to win this division. Whats the word out of Miami coach? How has training camp gone so far?
(A) Thanks for having my Rich, I know how big of a Jets fan you are so I know this wasn't easy. The guys are really buying in to what we are trying to do, I have a vision of what this team can be and we are getting there day by day.
(R) Not easy at all coach, but thats why the Athletic pays me the big bucks you know haha. Big news out of Miami when the new CBA was signed & the league year officially opened. The Tua experiment is over for you before it ever began. Correct me if im wrong but it seems like Teddy is going to be the guy in Miami, walk me through that decision to move on from Tua & hand the keys to Teddy for atleast S77.
(A) Yeah Rich, as of now Teddy is going to be the guy. Teddy and I have a long relationship through Red Zone history, and we have aspirations to go on a deep playoff run now, and he is the guy I trust to lead us. As for Tua, the kid has a bright future. If I'm being honest rich, the plans we have involve a different style of quarterback, and rather than try and fit a square peg in a round hole, why not give him a chance to start fresh elsewhere, and move on right away? That was our thought process.
(R) Well regardless of what happens long term at QB, you seem to be set at the Wideout position. You have to be beyond excited to coach talents like Hill & Waddle. What has it been like to coach & design an offense around those two guys?
(A) I've been around a long time Rich, and this duo is as dynamic as I've been around. Our offense is going to have motion, screens, deception, and all of it will be built around the speed of these two. Hill and Waddle will get the ball in every type of situation. Most teams build around one player like this, we are fortunate enough to have two game breakers.
(R) They are going to give teams fits for sure. Like I mentioned earlier youre the favorite to win the division. What do you think of the rest of the AFC East & how Miami matches up?
(A) I have a ton of respect for the coaches in the AFC East with me, it's a good mix of up and comers and veterans ready to take the next step. I think if there is any advantage, it's how to deal with the pressure. I've been in every playoff situation imaginable, and I think that prepares us for anything. These division games are massive as you know Rich, and I think from the standpoint of 'been there done that', we have the advantage.
(R) Give me someone thats impressed you so far on this Dolphins roster. All the buzz is about the high profile players, whose that guy who may be a little less known that has grabbed your eye?
(A) Great question, you're going to hear a lot about our linebackers like Jerome Baker and a guy we just traded for Uchenna Nwosu, but a big under-the-radar guy is rookie linebacker Channing Tindall. Georgia Bulldog we drafted in the 3rd round this year who plays with elite speed, he has been climbing the depth chart and I could see him turning heads this season.
(A) We are weak on the interior defensive and offensive line, and there is no secret we are having open competitions at all interior offensive line positions, and defensive tackle. We are going to be working the phones and the waiver wire this fall to improve.
(R) Alright Coach Adelmann tell me what success looks like for you this year? I know missing the playoffs would be deemed a failure. So how far do you have to go to consider this a good first season in Miami?
(A) Our expectations will always be to win the AFC East, first and foremost. After that, I hope our fanbase understands that with my coaching staff, we expect to win championships. We want our young players to grow, while also having success in the win/loss column.
(R) Alright coach before we go Im always curious, its the night before the game & youre about to sit down & eat dinner to get yourself ready for the next day. What does that plate look like? You have a habitual night before meal or anything special you do on Saturdays to get ready for Gameday?
(A) Great question Rich, I'm a big wing guy. Give me a plate of buffalo wings and I'm set man. I actually just grabbed wings with a guy you might know, remember Coach Tauph? He's enjoying retirement. Him and I grabbed wings and I watched the guy eat 40 in one sitting.
(R) Oh yes I was a big fan of coach Tauph. A shame he had to step away to get gastric bypass surgery. 40 wings sounds like a light night for him. I am glad hes enjoying his retirement & hopefully he is taking care of his health. I look forward to seeing him return to RedZone some day. There were stories out of Philly last year he had to get to the Cafeteria before all of the players. Several players complained to upper management because half of the food was gone before they could even get in there. I guess its no wonder that his last stop was such a disaster. Anyway coach its always a pleasure, even if you are down there in Miami. I wish you well & will catch up with you soon. Thanks Coach.
There it is ladies & gentlemen, your 4 Coaches of the AFC East. We will be back soon as we head to the NFC East to talk to those 4 coaches. This has been the Rich Eisen show presented by The AthleticRZ!