ManningCast features Will Ferrell, 'meatloaf' call and a touching tribute

The ManningCast took an audacious leap into uncharted realms this Monday night. MetLife Stadium witnessed a Seattle Seahawks victory over the New York Giants, a game notably devoid of Taylor Swift's presence. Yet, over on ESPN2's alternate telecast, the Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli, served up none other than the irrepressible Will Ferrell, accompanied by uproarious exclamations of "meatloaf!"

For those not yet initiated into this distinctive broadcast, allow me to elucidate: In the cinematic masterpiece "Wedding Crashers," Ferrell graces us with a small but unforgettable performance. Picture him, luxuriating in the basement of his parental abode, thundering, "Hey, ma! The meatloaf!"

Now, flash forward to September 27, 2021, during the showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on ManningCast. Peyton Manning regaled the audience with a tweet that cheekily suggested, "At this point, I’m like 80 percent sure that Eli currently lives at home with his parents.'"

Eli's response? A resounding chorus of, "Ma! Meatloaf! Meatloaf!"

Fast forward a tad more than two years, right into the second quarter of the Seahawks-Giants showdown. Enter Ferrell, gracing the ManningCast, tasked with evaluating Eli's 2021 rendition. What unfolded was nothing short of comedic genius: a Hall of Fame quarterback receiving instructions on how to bellow "meatloaf" from none other than the illustrious Ferrell himself.

"There’s some rage behind it," Ferrell remarked, unleashing yet another emphatic "meatloaf!" Following another attempt by Eli, Ferrell advised, "Why’d you drag it out like that. Just bark it."

And then, in a twist worthy of sitcom gold, Meatloaf commandeered the ManningCast, prompting Eli to quip with a mischievous grin, "My Mom’s starting to come down here. She’s freaking out. She doesn’t know what’s going on."

Now, what would John Madden make of all this? Peyton Manning, in a commentary that would make the legendary Madden nod in approval, dissected the first series of the game. The Giants faced a crucial fourth-and-1 at the Seahawks' 27-yard-line. Quarterback Daniel Jones surged forward, but to no avail.

“That guard’s got to get his hand more on the butt,’’ Peyton opined. “He’s got to get up in there a little more. He’s not pushing hard enough."

Eli chimed in, "He didn’t get a push."

Predictably, the commentary took a humorous detour, with Peyton elucidating that three players were lined up behind the Giants quarterback, and two should have executed a posterior nudge, while the third ought to have gone "down the middle."

However, amidst the mirth and Meatloaf, a moment of clarity emerged. Peyton astutely elucidated Seahawks defensive back Jamal Adams' role. Eli noted that Adams would be in the nickel spot.

“By saying the nickel spot, he’s actually replacing a linebacker,’’ Peyton expounded. “He’s playing in the linebacker position as a fifth defensive back, hence the word nickel.’’

A bit more detail from Peyton, and the ManningCast viewer was deftly orientated.

Would you believe it? The Manning brothers' second guest was none other than Shaun O’Hara, Eli Manning’s trusted center from 2004 to 2010. It turns out O’Hara had a perspiration predicament, setting the stage for a comical exchange.

“To say that you are a sweater is an understatement,’’ Eli quipped. “So at halftime of these football games, I’d make you change your pants at halftime. Of course your cleats are taped and spatted, so you couldn’t take off your shoes and take off your pants. So you had to lay on your back legs in the air and they’d get trainers and equipment guys to take your pants off … to get new paints on.

“It’s easy to get them off, it’s hard to get new pants on over shoes. Did you enjoy that experience?’’

O’Hara’s reply? A resolute, "Yeah, no, not at all. I’ll tell you who really didn’t enjoy it was Eddie Skiba, our assistant equipment manager. He had the poor misfortunate of having to take my sweaty pants off, take the sweaty pads out of those. … my cleats are spatted, so it’s like you got to pry them off. All so that Eli didn’t have to throw a wet ball."

In the twilight minutes of the ManningCast, Peyton and Eli tenderly paid homage to Buddy Teevens, the venerable Dartmouth football coach who passed away on September 19. Teevens, who for years orchestrated the Manning Passing Academy for high school athletes each summer, was a familiar figure to the Manning brothers from his tenure at Tulane in the 1990s.

“We lost one of the great people of all time,’’ Peyton eulogized. He highlighted Teevens’ pioneering move to eliminate tackling from Dartmouth practices, a measure aimed at reducing concussions, and his trailblazing hiring of women, two of whom went on to become NFL assistant coaches.

“A true role model,’’ echoed Eli Manning, underscoring the indelible legacy of a man who left an indomitable mark on the world of football.