Just got off the phone with Tony Dungy, so I thought I'd turn today's "Four Downs" over to a man who has won one more Super Bowl than moi (warning to Cowboy hate-ahs: Our former Gopher likes Dallas to win the NFC) ...

First down:

Q: The Cowboys seem to be a popular pick to win the NFC this season. What are your thoughts?

A: "I like what the Cowboys have done, and they've got a lot of people back and in place. They finished the year pretty strong last year, had a good December. They probably have the best balance in terms of offensive and defensive personnel. And then I think you have to look at the divisions. That's why I kind of picked the Cowboys when someone asked me. The Giants, with some of their injuries, have taken a step back. I think Philly has taken a step back. So the Cowboys look like the favorite in their division. Minnesota, if everybody is back, you still Green Bay, which is coming on and playing better. The first thing you have to do is win your division. I think Minnesota will have as good a shot as any in the NFC, given the fact Favre comes back. I think the Cowboys have the easiest shot of anybody in winning their division."

Second down:

Q: What about the reigning champs, the Saints?

A: "I just think it's tough to repeat. From what we've seen the last six, seven years with teams such as New England and us [Colts]. We had a very good team coming back in '07, but it was tough for us to achieve. Even though New Orleans had momentum and they got great players, I just hesitate in picking a team to repeat. I just think it's too hard. You get the tough schedule and everybody circles you. You have to battle through all the offseason hoopla and everything. I think they got a good team, but I don't think they'll repeat."

Third down:

Q: Do you think Peyton Manning will still be playing when he's 40, like Brett Favre?

A: "I think it will be hard. I think physically, he probably could. I think mentally will be the tough thing. The way Peyton approaches the game, he's never going to say, `OK, I'm going to come in the week of the first regular season game because mentally I need a break. He just doesn't approach things that way. I think mentally I don't see him going until he's 40."

Fourth down:

Q: Brad Childress and the Vikings have given Favre no timetable to make a decision and return. What would you do in this situation if you were the head coach?

A: "Everything is different. That's one thing I learned from [Steelers Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll] and my dad. Coach Noll always said your job is to get the best out of every player and the best out of your team. My dad would say the same thing as a teacher. He'd want to help every student get an A. You can't teach the same way for every student. You can't have one syllabus for everybody. I think you have to do special things to help certain guys out. I don't know. I've never functioned in a situation where you have different timetables for guys to come in. But I think as a head coach, you have to guage what's best for your team. If it's that your quarterback needs some time off, you make it work someway. It would affect me if I was a player. But I don't know the Vikings locker room. I don't know those guys. It seemed to work pretty well for them last year. So I guess that's what you have to go by."