CHARISSA THOMPSON: If the Cowboys are America's Team then Dak Prescott is America's quarterback, ranking first in the NFL with the highest completion percentage. He and the Boys battle the undefeated Panthers in Jerry's World.
Chase Young, meanwhile, and Washington's defense rank 29th in the NFL, allowing over 30 points per game. That's not good, Michael Vick. They'll look to get right today against the Falcons. Week four is underway. This is "Fox NFL Kickoff"..
[MUSIC]
>> Welcome to "Fox NFL Kickoff". Presented by IBM.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Ahead this hour, master and commander meet for the first time head to head in Foxboro. We'll wait for that one. (Indiscernible) out of there. Are the Bears headed toward a complete meltdown? And the OG of rushing quarterbacks, Mike Vick, (indiscernible) has graduated to the next level.
Later at 4:05 Eastern Fox has you covered with the double dip of what may be the best division in football. We've got Cardinals-Rams, Seahawks-Niners as the battle of the NFC West gets real.
Welcome to "Fox NFL Kickoff." I'm Charissa Thompson, along side Mike Vick, Charles Woodson, the Coach, Dave Wannstedt, and Peter Schrager. Andy Reid and I are both out of the hospital and doing fine.
MICHAEL VICK: Welcome back, Charissa.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: You're tougher than all of us are.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: It's all a facade. I'm happy to be back. I missed you guys. I waited for a big day. Brady-Belichick.
MICHAEL VICK: The Rams beat Tom Brady. He's been barking out those signals all week as loud as possible.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: I love it. Exactly, every season brings with it some surprising early storylines, whether it's unexpected breakthroughs or unforeseen breakdowns. So far this year it's been no different.
>> The first three weeks of 2021 have proved expect the unexpected. Four of the longest tenured more successful coaches in NFC history hold a losing record. After the pomp and circumstance about rookie quarterbacks making a splash, this group is drowning at 1-11.
Meanwhile the Cincinnati Bengals lead the AFC North. It's not a joke (indiscernible) yell into a time machine. And New York teams are 0-6 for a second straight season, proving that all that glitters is not gold, at least not yet.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: So, Chiefs, 1-2. Is this a case of a few bad bounces or is there cause for a concern, Coach?
DAVE WANNSTEDT: There's big concern. We talked earlier, last place in their division. Are you kidding me?
CHARLES WOODSON: Who's in first?
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Well, Andy -- there's those in -- there's a tough --
CHARLES WOODSON: I'm just saying one of the teams.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: He's wearing a tie. So that's good.
CHARLES WOODSON: Overdressed (laughter).
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Seriously. This is something that Andy needs to make some adjustments here. I mean, this is not new. Everybody's assuming, and perception was that, oh, the Chiefs always blow teams out last year. They're struggling this year.
Go back to 10 games last season when Patrick Mahomes was the quarterback. They beat people by seven points or less. They struggled, Mike, all the way through that thing. And now what's happened is defenses are playing what I would call a cover-4, corners coverage, soft -- a bubble, they're not giving them the big play. Keeping everybody deep. They're making -- obviously force the football, which has happened. And now Patrick Mahomes ad-libbing more than what he ever did in the past. As a result, last week six turnovers. That's not going to get it done.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Three interceptions this year. Six all of last season. But to your point, they're 0-11 against the spread, so not putting up the big numbers, not what we're used to seeing them.
CHARLES WOODSON: What they're giving them a solid box, so they should be trying to run the ball, which brings me to [drum roll] -- how about them Cowboys?
To me it's about the Cowboys. Dak Prescott has been playing unbelievable football, we know that. To me it's about the running backs, about Ezekiel Elliott and Pollard. These are a two-headed monster in this offense.
A lot of talk has been about Ezekiel Elliott and how much money he makes, and he shouldn't be on the sideline if he's the featured back. He should get all the carries.
No, the two running back system works. Listen, do not listen to all the hype out there. Keep running this. At the end of the day, it's all about winning football games. You can do it and you can be fresh at the end of the season with both of these guys healthy. You have won the back to back.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: You like the Cowboys against the Panthers team, looking to go 0-4 for first time since 2015. All in on the Cowboys?
CHARLES WOODSON: All in on the Cowboys. One in particular because of Dak. I think he's playing with such command. I've got to take my hat off to him coming off a broken ankle playing the way he's playing. I didn't expect that. You throw in Zeke and Pollard, the way they're playing together as a tandem, this is a winning program.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Score points, run after the run.
MICHAEL VICK: Look, rookie quarterbacks, you just saw the graphics 1-11 right now. This is shocking, this is a talented rookie QB class. When you look at it think about it it's hard for quarterbacks to win in this leg in general, and much so for a rookie. The coach's got to be patient. The fan base has got to be patient. And then these guys take it step by step be, real meticulous in their approach. And I want to see Matt Nagy and Justin Fields shift today and get it going, another rookie quarterback win a game today. It will be good to see.
CHARLES WOODSON: Yep.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Good. We'll talk about that right now. Wait for the dramatic walk, everybody. There I go down the stairs. More cameras with Peter Schrager. Come on. Walk the walk, talk the walk. We're going to get in the know with Peter Schrager. It's in my contract to stand six feet apart from him. I'll stand right here. Let's start right now with what we were just talking about. Justin Fields clearly coming off a terrible performance. Matt Nagy tell us what we need to know about the situation.
PETER SCHRAGER: This is not a slam dunk that Fields is going to get the start this week. In fact, Andy Dalton was the hope. His knee not ready to go. Fields finds out late in the day yesterday. The entire team finds out. Hope to get him out of the pocket more. Whatever it is, run or pass, it has to be faster. They worked on tempo and pace.
Matt Nagy knows how important the game is not just for this season but for the young man's confidence. Hope to get it going.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Putting it him in a position to succeed, comfortable outside the pocket, making moves. Brady, Belichick, the whole thing, the whole return. What happens with his return, and specifically where do you think his focus is because we know he's laser focused on everything?
PETER SCHRAGER: My TV producer, (indiscernible) or whoever we have here, there's going to be a video montage before the game. But 68 yards in, everyone is expecting some big ceremony for him to break Drew Brees' record. Not going to happen.
The league and networks were suggesting it. The Bucs and Brady said, no, no, we're not bringing out the kids, not doing what Drew Brees did on that Monday night when he broke the record. In fact we want to get back to football as soon as we can. Do not expect a huge stoppage of play and a second celebration of Tom Brady. It will happen before the game.
As for a team that needs a little something, the New York Giants, they're now in a mode where it's now win or the season gets away from you. They're 0-3, but they're going to be without Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard. I'm here to tell you that John Ross, the former top pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, gets his first action with the Giants today. At Kadarius Toney, their draft pick, who everyone has been waiting for something to see, has a significant part of the game plan. Expect both of them to play against the Saints today.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: But we like the Saints.
PETER SCHRAGER: I'm not making picks. I'm just giving you information.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Okay, well, there's a lot more information where that came from. If you check this out, the cheat sheet, it's all you need to know. On the Fox Sports app, Peter Schrager's cheat sheet. It's got pop culture in there too. You can see this guy on Extra. Unbelievable, on the red carpet. Thank you for being here as always.
Coming up we take a look at today's battle between two future Hall of Famers as Roethlisberger and Rodgers go head to head in Lambeau.
>> A legendary duo reconnects as New Orleans' greatest son returns home for good or bad. And the unknown: Belichick-Brady 2.0. Plus, the Cowboys' light is shining as bright as it has in years, but as Dak and company take on the undefeated Bears, will their star remain facing true north?
>> We've just got to be efficient running the football. I think that's the next biggest thing, be efficient in the run game and everything else will kind of fall into place.
>> And later, something's got to give as the 3-0 Cardinals visit the 3-0 Rams for an NFC West showdown. All right, guys, a great NFL season so far, and tell you who's best prepared to pass this early season test. It's all ahead on "Fox NFL Kickoff"..
[COMMERCIAL].
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Celebrating Ron Rivera is clear on his one year biopsy. It's not just about coaches and players. It's about the fights that are bigger than us. The NFL and American Cancer Society have teamed up again for Crucial Catch, not only to provide funding but to encourage fans to get screened. Join the cause, talk to your doctor and remind a loved one to do the same. Visit NFL.com/crucial catch to learn more.
Back inside the hash marks now, four of today's games feature quarterbacks in all phases of their careers. Lamar Jackson, potentially playing the best football of his career faces a resurgent Teddy Bridgewater. Coach, how does Vic Fangio defend against him?
DAVE WANNSTEDT: I believe Nick is -- there's not a better defensive coordinator in NFL than Vic Fangio. And, I think, everybody agrees on that. Lamar is, correctly, he's carrying that football team because of injuries.
Today, Denver, I believe, gets 4-0. They get the win today. I'll tell you why. This defense right now for Denver, it matched up great against what Baltimore wants to do. They've got two corners, Kyle Fuller, a Pro Bowler -- Charles, we talked about. They've got the star rookie, Pat Surtain, on the other side. That enables him to bring the safeties down, as you did, and get involved in the run game to take Lamar Jackson out of the game. So I like Denver in this one. I think they match up good.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: And Teddy Bridgewater is getting pressured more than any quarterback in the league and still completing 80 percent of his passes. No Jerry Jeudy. And KJ Hamler is still out. He's doing it and doesn't even have everybody around him.
Huge NFC West match up Monday night featuring Derek Carr and Justin Herbert, who have been playing out of their minds. Whose streak continues here?
MICHAEL VICK: I think the Chargers and it won't be because of Justin Herbert, but because of Derwin James. He's a superstar on the back end. Good to see him back and healthy. He's making everybody better on the back end, Asante Samuel Jr., is playing lights out. He's one of the best players, one of the best corners in the league right now. I think this streak continues. But that guy Derwin James deserves some credit right now for what the Chargers are doing on defense.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: (Indiscernible) only five games in the last two seasons. So huge pickup for them.
MICHAEL VICK: Good to have him back.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins go head to head in Minnesota. Charles, the Browns defense coming off of that nine sack performance. But you like the offensive side of the ball, why?
CHARLES WOODSON: I like the Browns today. And I like it for the same reason that I like the Cowboys, because of the two running backs, Nick Chubb and in particular Kareem Hunt. Such a versatile player. This is a guy -- he can run in between the tackles.
When you talk about him out of the backfield on the screens and on pass plays, I think that a lot of guys, I think they underestimate him as a player, how thick he is as a player and how powerful. They run up and they end up taking a lot of the brunt of the action.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: You don't want to talk a guy like that.
CHARLES WOODSON: He's a guy you don't want to tackle. But he is so versatile, I like them because of that. And guess what? OBJ made an appearance last week. And (indiscernible) that weapon with Lance being out. I like the Browns today.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Schrages, we saw what Rodgers did last week with the last-minute heroics there, going up against and Ben Roethlisberger. On different sides. Ben doesn't look so great, the Steelers don't look so great. Who do you like?
PETER SCHRAGER: I think everyone is ready to bury the Steelers and say, all right, the season is done, move on to the next era. I've been around Mike Tomlin too many times to think they'll pack it in October 2nd.
I think the Steelers come back playing strong today and I think T.J. Watt might be the most important piece. Ben is going to do whatever he can behind that offensive line, which is patchwork, but T.J. being back in the lineup, which is expected, I would not be surprised if the Steelers shock the world this week.
CHARLES WOODSON: Whoa, whoa. You gotta go. You think or --
PETER SCHRAGER: Charles Woodson, here we go. I don't make picks. The Steelers will beat the Packers today.
CHARLES WOODSON: I love this. They're not going to.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: The quarterback.
CHARLES WOODSON: Black and gold.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Terry Bradshaw is across the way. All eyes on Brady and Belichick. We'll break down what you need to know. Plus, Kyler and Stafford try to keep perfect. Who will stay atop the NFC West. "Kickoff" returns after this.
PETER SCHRAGER: I don't do picks.
[COMMERCIAL].
>> In the end zone. In the infield. Tom Brady from his own one. And returned for a touchdown!
>> Pick-6.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Starring in a nearly two decades long highlight reel for the Patriots, Tom Brady's last pass, as you saw right there at Gillette, was a forgettable one. As he makes his return, Colin Cowherd looks at his journey from obscurity to the king of New England to at least for tonight the prodigal son.
COLIN COWHERD: Most great stories are documented in mythology. Heroes and villains linked by fate. Destined to collide in the end. But not all are true. That's what makes the tale of Brady and Belichick so compelling and complex. Every arc starts in the ordinary world. Tom Brady was once overlooked, undervalued and, well, just ordinary until an unexpected call to adventure.
>> Second year quarterback from the University of Michigan. Brady in charge.
COLIN COWHERD: Almost 20 years ago to the day Brady entered and with the guidance of a brilliant mentor his NFL journey began. With Belichick by his side Tom transformed from an unknown backup to football's (indiscernible).
>> The New England Patriots are the first dynasty of the 21st century.
COLIN COWHERD: But the pairing was never perfect. Historic defeats and cheating allegations scanned a franchise that became as secretive as it was successful. For Brady and Belichick these trials were unfamiliar but it prepared them for the events that would later come to define their stories.
>> And he's there! He's in. Brady has his comeback and the Patriots have won their sixth.
COLIN COWHERD: While his quarterback status was undeniable, his relationship with the coach was called into question then validated when both were ready to turn the page. For pride, opportunity or was Tom just tired of being treated like another ordinary player? Nobody knows for sure but he's back to prove that he was a hero all along.
[MUSIC]
CHARISSA THOMPSON: I'm wearing seven layers and compression tights but I have chills. I'm so excited about all this. I really am. Already sucked in. It's all sucked in. Charles, what do you want to see tonight?
CHARLES WOODSON: Man, I hope Brady beats the brakes off of them. I really do. This game, it's all about players. And that's all Brady wanted was for him to surround him with players. Right? Late in his career he wanted stability in New England and then he wanted players to surround him. Right? When you think about it, that's what it's all about. We put on the helmets and shoulder pads, we're the ones that had to go out on the field and perform. All he wanted. He showed no indication of ever wanting to retire. He was going to play a couple more years just give me the tools to go out there win ball games. They didn't want to do it. They kicked him out, Tampa. It comes back with a Super Bowl.
PETER SCHRAGER: What's a more compelling story? What's tomorrow morning going to have -- what's going to have Colin Cowherd inspired to do another monologue? It's going to be if Belichick beat the brakes off Brady.
16 months of Brady being in Tampa, Brady, Brady, Brady Belichick. Wouldn't it be cool to see balance here, have Belichick has some chess masterpiece?
CHARLES WOODSON: What's his record?
PETER SCHRAGER: That's what I say, what if he does the brain stuff.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: He's going to.
PETER SCHRAGER: Master game plan like he did in seven Super Bowls and Belichick greatest coach of all time.
MICHAEL VICK: Bucs down four, minute 30 on the clock, one timeout, need a touchdown to win. Tom gets the walk off, should 'em down.
CHARLES WOODSON: Story. Story.
MICHAEL VICK: Right there. That's good football.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Uh-huh. Coach, there's nothing that Brady hasn't seen, of course, right? How do you defensively scheme against a guy that you know knows you so well and all of it?
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Before you put the plan together. Bill's sitting there on Monday and this is what he's saying. More passes than anybody NFL Tampa Bay stroller, right. The least amount of rushing yards per game it's the Bucs. Big pass plays, second most in the NFL.
So that tells Bill, I guarantee you, he's going to test the patience of Tom Brady and Bruce Arians today. He's going to play a coverage or he's not going to blitz much. He's not going to play man. He's going to play zone and if Tom is patient to throw the four-yard passes and run the ball with --
CHARLES WOODSON: Which he will do, which he will, with the Patriots.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Than advantage Tom Brady. If they force the issue, advantage Patriots.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: How big is Rob --
PETER SCHRAGER: It's big. It's not good, and he might miss next week also. I think Gronk will be a major factor.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: I'm so sad, not even making the trip.
PETER SCHRAGER: Don't sleep on the Patriots.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: O.J. Howard.
CHARLES WOODSON: He can play.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Don't sleep on him. For just the second time in his career, he has back-to-back games without a turnover. Will that streak continue today against the Saints? More "Kickoff" ahead.
[COMMERCIAL].
PETER SCHRAGER: This is on Fox Sports and the Los Angeles Rams, this is an authentic (indiscernible) jersey for Michael Vick, a fake player that you thought started week one for the Rams.
MICHAEL VICK: This jersey will be the number one seller in the National Football League.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Sean Foley is a golf instructor. He is. Golf game. Winning series that's why --
MICHAEL VICK: It's all you. For you.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Mike?
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Quarterback. Kyler Murray has the Cardinals flying high. Stafford writing his own Hollywood story. And both former first rounders have so much to prove. If your offense can take headlines away from Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, Chandler Jones, you're doing something right.
>> Two of the best offenses in the NFL on a collision course in the NFC West.
>> This game is huge.
>> Rams led by Sean McVay.
>> Traffic need a touchdown.
>> The son of the West Coast dynasties of the past.
>> He's a pioneer of the new era of offensive football.
>> Brings all the new flash of Hollywood.
Across the field, it will be Cardinals Kliff Kingsbury, the leader of the original era raid offense. A coach ready to slam his foot on the gas. And score from anywhere on the field.
>> You are ridiculous!
>> These coaches understand their scheme's only as good as the players operating within them. They move to maximize their modern philosophies.
>> You always want to be in attacking mode mindset.
>> Leading into their offensive identity.
>> Arizona Cardinals select Kyler Murray.
>> Finding the best fit.
>> Stafford Fields like their memes.
>> Lighting up scoreboards in the process.
>> Touchdown LA!
>> The football teammates.
>> This is what the hype is all about.
>> It's the perfect player to run their system.
>> That's awesome.
>> Here we go.
>> Get ready for some fireworks.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Schrags.
>> I'm ready to go.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Shout out to the producer who cut that.
MICHAEL VICK: Gonna be a good one. I like Kyler Murray. Has a better day today, ironically 0-4 against the Rams. I don't know what it's all about. He needs to change the narrative. Do things differently. Get the monkey off his back. I do think he plays a better game and outduels the Rams today.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Which group has a better group of which of these teams has a better group of weapons?
CHARLES WOODSON: I think weapon-wise I think it's the Rams. I think it's the way that they're used. They ran them the 1-2 stacks, line them up in bunches, shift. Motion a bunch of times just when you think you've got them figured out Cooper Kupp lines up in the back.
Robert Woods is in the backfield, so it puts that defense at a disadvantage trying to figure out who you have. So I think with the addition, too, of DeSean Jackson, you've got the home run hitter down the field, a guy who is still running a 4.3. This is the scariest group --
MICHAEL VICK: Either a 4.3 or 4.4.
CHARLES WOODSON: Can I say low 4.4 or high 4.3.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Low 4.4.
CHARLES WOODSON: He's still fast.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: That's enough.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Coach, we know both of these defenses are good. Who has the advantage?
DAVE WANNSTEDT: I hear what Mike is saying about Kyler Murray. And I love him. And this is the first time that the Rams defense is facing a quarterback that could beat you running it or throwing it, like Kyler.
But I like the Rams defense. History and experience. They've played Kyler Murray and beaten him every time. They know his strengths and weaknesses. Raheem Morris, the defensive coordinator, he's going to have a good plan and his players will respond.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Coach -- coaching battle here. I know you know both of these coaches, friends with both of them. Who has the advantage?
PETER SCHRAGER: I spoke to them this week. They're usually very kind. They've not communicated at all. And I talked to Kliff because I wanted to see, like, you've never bean Sean. You're 0-4. Is that bulletin board material?
He's like, no, we're a completely different team. If we play our game we should be fine. They're not using this 0-4 as motivation. Truth is Cardinals have lost their last eight games against the Rams. McVay has never lost to Arizona -- all the years as a coach, he's never lost to the Cardinals. I can't pick Arizona as a coaching advantage if one coach has such a dominance over the other.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: I thought you were going to say you can't make a pick because you don't make picks. Because there are NFC West battles -- back all right. Thursday night is back.
Rams travel on a short week to face the Seahawks. Our entire Thursday night crew will have that one for you, 7:30 Eastern. Don't miss it.
Time for Insights by IBM Watson. Seattle is sometimes known as the coffee capital of the world, but they could use a major perk-up. Defensively they currently rank last in yards allowed, 30th against the rush and now third down percentage not much better here. So, Charles how concerned are you about the defense?
CHARLES WOODSON: Very concerned because when I see this defense all I see is Bobby Wagner. That's it. Missing K.J. Wright. No Cliff Avril. Richard Sherman is gone. Earl Thomas. Like, the playmakers that they used to have on this defense to where you know when they went out on the field what was going to happen, who was going to make the plays, they worked together and they had that chemistry, and they were a dominant defense for a lot of years. They've got Jamal Adams, high paid safety.
PETER SCHRAGER: Highest paid safety in the history of this sport.
CHARLES WOODSON: He's not making any plays on the back end, getting the ball back for the team.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Why? What's the deal with him? He's on the field but he's not doing anything.
CHARLES WOODSON: Ever thought about being a ball hog, I don't think he's a ball hog. He's a great blitzer. You want to bring him off the edge and get to the quarterback that's what he does. On the back end, when you need to get the ball back for your team and snatch it out of the air they don't have that --
DAVE WANNSTEDT: And no one is throwing the ball against them because you're always behind. Teams are just running it. It's easy.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: They score a lot of points in the first half and no points in the second half.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Time for Celly Zone brought to you by Bud Light. CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys fans are shouting. But could the Panthers claw away at the early season hope. That's ahead, plus Strahan joins us to talk about all things that are unbearable in Chicago, next.
[COMMERCIAL].
>> I'm the busiest retired guy ever. As a player, every decision I made impacted my ability to go out and have a good career. Speaking 360, who is at the top of that list, today was a great day. I hope when I put my feet on the ground tomorrow I can have another one.
>> 26-6, the final over the Bears.
>> As a head coach I didn't do good enough job. It starts with me, ends with me. It's as simple as that. Matt Nagy is -- (inaudible) out there.
>> That's coaching that's not players.
>> He was incapable of getting a game plan ready.
>> If we didn't have a defense this game would have -- a peewee football shutout with a slaughter.
>> We are a disappointed fan base.
>> Just put it up.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: I mean, when you talk Chicago Bears, you bring in Michael Strahan. Everyone knows that. Means absolutely nothing. You've been in a locker room for a long time. The highs, lows, winning and losing. Has he lost this locker room?
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Boy, that is a very strong question. It looks like he's having trouble with whatever situation that he's in right now with this locker room. But I just think that this team is not talented enough to compete in the way in which we expected them to compete. You have a young quarterback. They put so much on this young quarterback who is only in there because Andy Dalton had the injury, and you can't protect him up front. And teams are built up front. You've got to have a great line to protect these young quarterbacks or any quarterback. And this is a guy, he looked lost on the field last week. That's coaching.
If you don't have a line and you don't have protection, that's on the coach and that's on the general manager. So a lot of things I think in Chicago are going to change after this season. And I'm just -- I'm not talking about a field of players.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: I am first. I was told one time by Tom Bradley, the former defensive coordinator.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: I know Tom.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: "It's not about the Xs and Os; it's about the Jimmies and the Joes."
Meaning, it's the scheme, that you've got to work with your personnel. Don't you have to change the game plan when he's in there versus Andy Dalton?
DAVE WANNSTEDT: They've had 144 days since the draft, and that's what they came up with. I hear Michael about the locker room and I kind of agree. I'm not sure, but I'll tell you what, I'm going to be the owner now. Yelling I'm George McCaskey, owner of the Bears. He may have lost the ownership.
I'm going to call Matt Nagy, and think about this, I'm going to say we had Mitch Trubisky, we gave up picks, we paid them money and gave up time. And it didn't work out. You're a quarterback expert. You've got two other guys that are gurus on the staff, that are quarterback.
Now we give up picks, we get Justin Fields. I don't care if we win or lose. I want Justin Fields in the game, and I'm evaluating you. Can you develop this kid? At the end of the day that's what this franchise is hungry for, a quarterback.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: I don't want this to be a indication of an untalented Justin Fields. It's not an indication what his career can or will be. Never see an offense average 1.1 yards a play.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: We had a conversation about these rookies, they're only 1-11 in their starts. Troy Aikman 0-11 in his first rookie year. We can't just base one game, one performance.
You have to put him in a position to succeed like we do on this show Michael, are you in a position to succeed. That's why you look so good.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: That's why I come over. It makes me look better than the other set.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: And by Michael Strahan. (Indiscernible) and other offenses that are actually working.
PETER SCHRAGER: Let's bright up the mood a little bit and talk about good things here, 24/7 with two of the best. 24-7.
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Slashing.
PETER SCHRAGER: Let's start off with one of the best routes we've ever seen in a game. This is called the Ocho route. This is what Cooper Kupp did. Watch this, Michael Vick, see this. Look at the move from Cooper Kupp -- out, in and turning out. Poor Carlton Davis never had a shot. Michael Vick, what was your favorite route to throw to when you had a star receiver.
MICHAEL VICK: My favorite route to throw was the corner route. It was easy to complete. The defensive declared quickly, and you just high-low the corner or the inside defender.
Right here we've got an ace formation. Don't want to get too much into that. I found DeSean Jackson, high-lowed the corner. DeSean was able to take it the length of the field. Beautiful throw, beautiful catch. And right here, just sitting in the pocket, (indiscernible) defender style Grin Celly [phonetic]. It was a cold night that night, like 19 degrees.
CHARLES WOODSON: Put meat on that ball.
PETER SCHRAGER: Best corners coverage in the history of the game. I ask you what was the hardest one to defend.
CHARLES WOODSON: Hands down, back shoulder fade. When I was a young player coming in, the back shoulder wasn't that prevalent. You were taught to get into the receiver, turn your head over the shoulder, look for the ball coming. You watch the Super Bowl, I did just that. Got my head around. But with the back shoulder fade, the receiver gets in to you. They're allowed to give you a little nudge, and then they just fall back off of you and the ball is placed right there perfectly. You can't stop it unless you are already planning' in the play for it. When that route became prevalent, people started playing for it more instead of like what we did in the old days.
PETER SCHRAGER: Michael, one of the greatest mobile quarterbacks of all time. Whether it's Kyler, Daniel Jones, Josh Allen, quarterbacks are running wild. You once ran 130 yards in the game before the RPO was a thing. Why is there so many rushing yards coming from the quarterback now in 2021 and there weren't typically from when you were playing?
MICHAEL VICK: In 2004, when we ran the RPO, shout out to Greg Mavid [phonetic], coach, love you to death. RPO was looking with a side eye. People didn't know where it was coming. Didn't think it was for a quarterback. Now it's embraced. Quarterbacks all across the league running it.
And helping the offenses progress each and every week. Easy way to move the chains. Get first downs and score touchdowns.
PETER SCHRAGER: Charles, how would you defense these rushing quarterbacks? What would you do, why was it so hard now for them to find a way to get it done?
CHARLES WOODSON: It's different now than back when I keep talking about the old days. Like a brilliant --
PETER SCHRAGER: What changes?
CHARLES WOODSON: When Vick was at quarterback, there weren't a whole lot of design runs. Vick would break the pocket, all of a sudden scramble around, gain 176 yards. These guys now, they're actually running powers. With Lamar Jackson, design runs where they're actually gaining an extra blocker. You're letting the running back run through the hole, all of a sudden here comes Lamar, wait a minute, the running back is supposed to have the ball that's what makes it so difficult. For a defense, when that --
(Laughter).
PETER SCHRAGER: How do you --
MICHAEL VICK: I'm hearing the quarterback transfer.
CHARLES WOODSON: Let me with a sore back. I just figured out how to stop him.
PETER SCHRAGER: I was going to say --
MICHAEL STRAHAN: No, no, this guy was dangerous. We had to run special drills just for Vick when we knew we were going to play him because you couldn't predict what he was going to do. He was the most dangerous at it because you didn't know, run pass, whatever, he was always going to make something happen. Always electric. We knew we weren't fast enough to catch him by himself so we had to corral you and that was the best thing we could do.
CHARLES WOODSON: Don't rush too far afield.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: You can't be afraid to rush him. Incredible arm.
PETER SCHRAGER: Why did you shiver when you came here?
MICHAEL VICK: Left me with a sore back, four months in traction.
CHARLES WOODSON: I've got to say, number 27, 4 that's why you wore those numbers.
MICHAEL VICK: Forward thinking.
CHARLES WOODSON: You're not old school. If you're old school I'm ancient. We're in charge, so we --
CHARISSA THOMPSON: 98 degrees. Coming up, will Dallas expose Carolina, as will Sam Darnold prove he's the real deal, and Cooper has a stylish back stage look at this game with two Panther legends coming up next.
[COMMERCIAL]
CHARISSA THOMPSON: New Orleans comes marching back to their home field. A date with the 0-3 Giants with a tasty welcome. Let's bring you up to speed brought to you by State Farm.
Speaking of tasty, there are no more beignets left, because Jonathan Vilma I'm told ate them all, now that he's back in New Orleans.
JONATHAN VILMA: I had a little help.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: You always need help from your friends. Buddy, you know how important routine is for athletes. For these guys to be back home in their own beds, routine. You've been talking to them all week. What's the mindset here?
JONATHAN VILMA: It's great for them to get some normalcy and some sense of stability. I remember my rookie year, Hall of Famers Curtis Martin and Kevin Mawae, when I was with the Jets, that's the first thing they told me. Get a routine. Then tweak your routine from there.
But you need to have the right mindset when you are going into Sunday. So guys coming back, it's great for them because now they can get back into that mental mind frame for the rest of the season, get ready for each game.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Jonathan, two questions. Do you have a flight schedule back to Miami to get the Hurricanes squared away on their tackling? Second question, we've seen good Jameis, bad Jameis, good Jameis. What do you think we'll see today?
JONATHAN VILMA: I'll answer the second question first. Good Jameis, Jameis is understanding and evolving in this offense where now he doesn't have to throw for 300 yards. It's a process for him to understand that. With the Fitz, he felt like he had throw for 300. If he did that, they would lose. Now 150, 200 yards, get the ball to Kamara.
And they win the game with good defense. Going to your other question, if you give me that private jet, I'll be down there right after the game, and I'll talk to Manny and everybody on the defense, show them how. And give me a private jet, I'll be there.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Call Jimmy Johnson, he'll take care of it.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: "Big Noon Kickoff" is off a on a P.J. Every other day.
CHARLES WOODSON: Living the life.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Wrong show. Jonathan, have good game.
Charles, looking to the Saints offense, doesn't seem they've found their identity. But defensively top five in scoring, takeaways against rush, lots left there.
CHARLES WOODSON: Talk about the identity of the offense. The defense takes on the identity of their defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. This guy wakes up out of the bed in the morning thinking about pressure. You watched the game last week against the Patriots. They really, really confused --
DAVE WANNSTEDT: That's the difference.
CHARLES WOODSON: Absolutely -- Mac Jones. They would line up everyone at the line of scrimmage, bring five or six man pressure at times they would drop them off. You think about today's game. No Shepherd. No Slayton. These guys will be all over the line of scrimmage and they're going to say run it there with Saquon, we're not going to worry about the run game. Not worried about the pass game because the top receivers aren't in. They're going to pressure -- so they get a young rookie in Mac Jones and a young player, Daniel Jones, today, and it's going to be success today.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: 0-3, would you say they're the most disappointing team so far?
MICHAEL VICK: Very disappointing. They want to blame Jason Garrett in New York, but you have to point the finger to Dave Jones, the guy with the ball in his hands. Right now, year three, this is the time to show you're the franchise guy. Left a lot of yards on the field last week versus Atlanta. A lot of plays I know that he wants back.
I said it earlier, the onus is on the quarterback. But coaches coach and players play and sometimes you've got to play outside of the system.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Look at that.
MICHAEL VICK: I'm being real.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Be a man. Take some responsibility. Elsewhere in NFC, Panthers have surprised everyone with a perfect 3-0 start as they lead to Dallas. Leave it to Cooper Manning to use his southern charm and dress up the festivities like no one else.
COOPER MANNING: Look at who it is. Greg Olsen and Thomas Davis, two Carolina Panther legends. Started pretty well with the tale of Cougars, if you know what I mean. Ties, you're old men. Time to start looking the part. Dressing the part.
>> What's wrong --
COOPER MANNING: You're retired.
>> Not fully retired. You do realize I work for the same network you do.
COOPER MANNING: That can't be true; is that true?
>> Who?
COOPER MANNING: Everybody knows that.
>> Appreciate you taking notice.
COOPER MANNING: Thomas, what have you been up to?
>> Enjoying life.
COOPER MANNING: Led you here to G-Reg and the third man.
>> You know.
[MUSIC]
COOPER MANNING: The credit card. Look around, Fitz, it's all on him. Why do you do that? He felt bad after the last time he saw you all. I'm not sure exactly what went wrong. But it did not go well for you, I think. Oh, the devil bird. That's Eli's deal, guys.
[MUSIC]
Headed 3-0, what do you think?
>> Thomas, does it better than Archie does.
COOPER MANNING: Want to measure your neck and your brain? What do you want to do?
>> You know why Griggs (phonetic) doesn't think that the roster is better, he's not on there anymore.
COOPER MANNING: Let's look around, guys, let's go buy something. It looks a little snug.
[MUSIC]
>> Is it?
COOPER MANNING: The Cowboys this week on Fox.
>> No way that game is highbrow for you.
>> Actually am, thank you.
COOPER MANNING: Let's talk about the 2015 Panthers deal. What do you remember about that?
>> We had a lot of fun. There was the biggest thing about that team --
COOPER MANNING: What do you remember funny about that year?
>> The show.
COOPER MANNING: This is a comedy show, is it? Ooh. Not bad. I think I like this. It's the new Griggs. Looking sharp as a tack.
>> Appreciate that. Your support is invaluable.
COOPER MANNING: Guys, you look just perfect.
>> I feel like I look like a Manning.
COOPER MANNING: That's what I said, perfect.
>> Definitely looks better than anything Cam ever wore, true.
COOPER MANNING: Guy, it's high fashion. You two guys are going to make a lot of money on the catwalk. Roar like a Panther, roar at me. Really fun. You all have a lot of potential.
[MUSIC]
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Comedy hour all the time with those. Despite what Cooper said, yes, Greg is calling that game today. There's proof of those guys reconnecting with old trainer Kevin Keene. Very sweet. Very sweet. Well, the Panthers have a few key names missing in their lineup due to injuries.
Schrages, latest with Carolina.
PETER SCHRAGER: Played Thursday night last week. Had both of those guys. Christian McCaffrey is not going to play because of hamstring. Chuba Hubbard will be the starting running back. And Jaycee Horn, their top 10 pick, playing outstanding, broke a couple bones in his foot. Out as well. Carolina, couple men down. Let's see how they do.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Missing in the lineup, Sam Darnold has played well. Sounds from production meetings you're not too into Sam Darnold. Why?
DAVE WANNSTEDT: I am big fan of his, I've got to see it. But he's got to prove it to me. Prove that he can be a quarterback when his team is behind, which they have not been. Carolina hasn't been around in all this season. Now you're behind in the fourth quarter. Can you bring your team back, win a game? This Dallas defense now, number one in the NFL with takeaways and they're scoring 30 points a game. He's going to have to put some numbers up today, have to make more plays today than he has all year.
MICHAEL VICK: Very understandable, Coach, but the Dallas Cowboys on the other side of the ball, Dak operating at a high level. Showing masterful skill set at the quarterback position. Don't take it the wrong way, but he kind of looked like Peyton Manning at the line of scrimmage. I encourage this. Continue to run Zeke, puts pressure and makes the game plan a lot easier. Carolina Panthers will be without defensive starter Jaycee Horn today. And that's going to hurt them. I expect CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper to step up big.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Jaycee Horn's out. That's who Carolina took it with their pick. Passed over Micah Parson, who had been well and out. You like him. Why, Charles?
CHARLES WOODSON: Put out a tweet couple weeks ago he might be the best pass rusher in football. Took a lot of flack on Twitter about that. But if you watch this young man, he has all the tools of a great pass rusher. Usually a pass rusher has one of three things: Speed, power, hands. These young men already have all three of those these things. You watch him here, just look at the power. These guys pushing it back and the one thing that you can't coach on any football field is speed. He has that naturally.
But here's the most important, the hands. Watch him at the point of attack. Inside, watch the hands. And left tackle's hands and right tackle's hand up off of him, get the pressure on the quarterback. This guy is a special young talent. Like I say, probably be the best pass rusher.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Everything you're describing, I remember Dallas, drop those players, do those things we don't have to coach.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: No, when you can say you're a middle linebacker today, you're a defensive end today, and move that guy around, he's like move me wherever you need me.
CHARLES WOODSON: He's a football player. He told me I'm not a linebacker, I'm a football player. Reminds me a lot of someone on this --
CHARISSA THOMPSON: More interviews coming up Kristina Pink talks to ((indiscernible)) and a bunch of other guys coming up next.
[COMMERCIAL]
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Looks like someone had quite the day the yesterday. Charles, Wolverines beating up on Wisconsin.
Well, the only thing you don't have is a point in Super-6 standings. So maybe you can predict college games. Need you to show up here. Okay.
CHARLES WOODSON: I'm okay.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Super-6, enter now. Correctly pick the outcome of six NFL games, with your shot of Terry's money. Scan the QR code. Download the app and play it for free. Weekly game, I'm going to take the Chiefs by seven.
MICHAEL VICK: Dak too much for Carolina today. Dallas over Carolina by three.
CHARLES WOODSON: Me, Washington by three. Defensive line plays true to form today.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Bucs by seven, they're the better team.
PETER SCHRAGER: That's the vibe in Chicago. You live there.
DAVE WANNSTEDT: Vibe in Chicago is go White Sox.
PETER SCHRAGER: I'm taking the Bears. Bears win by two. Great line by coach. Bears by two.
CHARISSA THOMPSON: Leave it there.
CHARLES WOODSON: Give me one, Mike.
MICHAEL VICK: The Bears.
[COMMERCIAL]
END OF FIRST HOUR
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports