Jalen Brunson can’t praise Cowboys, Peyton owes Vic Fangio a round of golf, and more from ‘Manningcast’
Eli and Peyton Manning hosted their alternate broadcast during the Eagles-Cowboys game and discuss flipping the double bird, teasing noted Eagles fan Bradley Cooper, and Brunson's love for the Eagles.
Peyton and Eli Manning had plenty to say about the Eagles’ fifth straight loss Monday night on their Manningcast broadcast, which aired on ESPN2. They also had some explaining to do about middle fingers, Bradley Cooper’s text messages, and a golf outing that never happened.
During the Eagles’ 38-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field, the brothers shared embarrassing memories and had ‘Nova Knicks star Jalen Brunson and former NFL head coach and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips as guests.
» READ MORE: Stephen A. Smith sits with Jerry Jones, Super Bowl halftime announcement, and more from Eagles-Cowboys broadcast
A double-bird family tradition
Eli’s infamous double-middle-finger gesture during a 2021 Manningcast came back to haunt him Monday, but Peyton had evidence that his younger brother wasn’t the only Manning guilty of flashing the gesture.
Peyton showed a video of himself flipping the double bird during a Denver Broncos workout in 2015. He was trying to find out whether team personnel was actually watching the film, he said.
“You taught me to do the double bird,” Eli said. “I thought I was allowed to do it whenever I wanted to.”
Peyton argued that his gesture was different because he was sending a message to people reviewing his workout, whereas Eli had made his on a live broadcast.
Has Bradley Cooper gone missing?
An explanation of hot routes somehow led to a discussion of the movie Wedding Crashers, which then led to a conversation about one of Philadelphia’s most famous Eagles fans.
Eli asked when Cooper might finally appear on the ManningCast. Peyton complained that he had done a movie for Cooper, but the actor still hadn’t returned the favor.
“Is he going to come on when the Eagles are 2-10? Probably not,” Peyton joked.
» READ MORE: Eagles drop fifth straight; porous defense struggles to get off field in 38-21 loss to Cowboys
Peyton also teased Cooper for apparently becoming less communicative as the Eagles began losing. He said the brothers heard from the actor when Philadelphia was winning, but his messages became scarce during the losing streak.
Brunson refuses to praise Dallas
Brunson might play his basketball in New York, but his football allegiances remain firmly in South Philly.
Brunson, who joined the Mannings in the third quarter, explained that he grew up surrounded by Eagles fans and idolized Donovan McNabb. Peyton then challenged him to spend 30 seconds saying something positive about the Cowboys.
Brunson, who began his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks, went quiet.
The brothers also showed Brunson a painting featuring him and Eli, hoisting the Lombardi as New York Giants together. Brunson wasn’t eager to display it, but Eli suggested giving it to Brunson’s mother, who is a Giants fan.
Peyton still owes Fangio a round of golf
The Mannings also aired some behind-the-scenes grievances involving Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Eli accused Peyton of persuading coaches to grant pregame interviews by promising golf outings — then failing to deliver.
“The rumor is that you’ve been bribing people with golf trips to get the interview access and not following up on the golf trips,” Eli said.
Peyton acknowledged owing Fangio a round, but said the veteran coach didn’t give revealing answers to the former quarterback’s questions.
“Fangio gave me nothing,” Peyton joked. “Not exactly going to do a stand-up comedy show anytime soon.”
Phillips calls Peyton a scout team nightmare
Former Eagles assistant and Cowboys head coach Phillips joined the brothers in the fourth quarter and wasted little time poking fun at his former Broncos quarterback.
Phillips, who was the Broncos’ defensive coordinator in 2015 and 2016, recalled that when Peyton worked as Denver’s scout-team quarterback, he sometimes ignored the plays designed to simulate the upcoming opponent. Instead, he would reach the line of scrimmage, shout “Omaha,” and change the play.
“He was a nightmare, man,” Phillips said.
Peyton insisted he was helping prepare the defense.
Phillips also remembered Philadelphia fans from his years coaching the Eagles (1986-88), calling them a tough crowd but praising their loyalty.
The Eagles could have used a little more of that defensive expertise Monday.
