Mad Dog Has Heard Enough About Peyton Manning (We Think)

Chris "Mad Dog" Russo arrived home yesterday from Miami after covering the run-up to Superbowl XLIV, and quickly admitted he had been wrong in thinking the Indianapolis Colts would triumph over the heretofore Superbowl-less New Orleans Saints.

"Boy, did I enjoy that Superbowl game last night!" he screeched. Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning had been much less impressive than Saints Coach Sean Payton, a point not lost on Russo, the host of "Mad Dog Unleashed" on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

"I was in Miami, I listened to it all week — everybody had him as the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL," Russo said about Manning.

He went on, "If you're going to go down as Unitas, if you're going to go down as Joe Montana, if you're going to be Brady, if you're going to be on that level — you can't be outplayed in the Superbowl. And he was outplayed yesterday."

Imus was forced to interrupt this all-out bashing, telling Russo "Fine, okay, the guy sucks!"

Ever the critic, Russo thought CBS had a rough game, and that Imus's guy Jim Nantz did not "emote" enough at the game's end. And yes, it appears Russo knows the proper meaning of "emote."

"I thought his last second call was very lame," Russo said, adding, "Show me enthusiasm! Wow! The Saints! Upset! Katrina! What a story! I got nothing out of that from Jimmy."

Clearly rattled, Imus protested meekly, "I thought Nantz did fine."

Jeremy Shockey, the former New York Giant whose absence was largely attributed to the Giants Superbowl victory two years ago, caught the winning touchdown in last night's game for the New Orleans Saints. It was a moment of irony not lost on Imus or Russo.

"It makes you want to get an American flag tattooed on your arm, doesn't it?" Imus asked his guest, who cackled like a hyena.

Taking advantage of his ability to send Russo into a fit of laughter, Imus added, "Say hi to Mike!" and put ol' Mad Dog over the top.

-Julie Kanfer