ESPN's latest ManningCast on "MNF" featured guests including David Letterman, Aqib Talib and Joe Buck for the Patriots-Bills game, with the former "Late Show" host using the opportunity to "poke fun" at Bill Belichick. The Pats coach was "caught on camera using his hand to mop his face on a cold, blustery night." Letterman: “Oh, look at that guy. Ooooo. Yeah, just go ahead of use your hand, Bill. And then wipe it on your shirt. I love that move." Meanwhile, Buck discussed Belichick's stingy media habits: "If I wanted to talk about the history of the designated hitter with Bill Belichick, he’ll talk for an hour and half. But try to pin him down on who’s playing quarterback that next game, it’s like ... (Buck began to mutter) ... 'Oh, we’ll see who takes the field'" (USA TODAY, 12/7).
Meanwhile, Peyton Manning discussed how he could not even "land a Mac Jones 1-on-1." The Patriots are "notoriously stingy with media access." Eli Manning took his brother "to task in the first half for referencing his interview with [Bills QB] Josh Allen repeatedly and asked if he spoke to both quarterbacks." Peyton: “Well, I tried. ... He said, ‘Peyton, I want to do it, but can you call our PR director Stacey (James)? Because he has to oversee all things.’ I said, ‘No problem.’ I called Stacey, he was very professional. I said ‘Stacey, I’m talking to coach Belichick. Can I talk to Mac Jones? ... So yes I did get denied" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/7).
There are two ManningCast broadcasts remaining this season: The Jan. 3 Steelers-Browns game and ESPN's Wild Card game (SBJ).
