is here. terry bradshaw, howie long and michael strahan, our super sunday panel. this should be interesting. and our power player of the week carries on the family business calling the big game. all right now on "fox news sunday". you are looking at cowboys stadium in arlington, texas. where tonight the pittsburgh steelers square off against the green bay packers in super bowl xlv. a spectacular setting for what each year is the biggest sporting event in america. more than 100,000 fans will be watching here, and in all likelihood, 100 million more of us will put out the chili and chips and watch on television. hello again from fox news, today in texas. while the focus tonight will of course be on the game, there are other big issues for pro-football, especially whether the league and players will agree on a new labor deal. joining us now the commissioner of the national football league, roger goodell. commissioner goodell, welcome to "fox news sunday." >> great to be with you, chris. >> chris: yesterday, you held your first meeting since november with the players union. any progress, and what are the chances that we'll get a full football season in 2011? >> chris, i think it's always a positive when both parties are talking. a number of players, a number of owners participated in the session yesterday. it was beneficial and we agreed to continue meeting. again, i think it will help us find resolution for issues we have to address responsibly. >> chris: what are the chances of lock-out for partial or full season? >> our agreement expires on march 4. we have to use that period of time to reach an agreement fair for the players, fair for the club and allow our great game to grow for our fans. >> chris: well, the n.f.l., i don't have to tell you, is a $9 billion industry. television ratings have never been higher. wouldn't you have to be crazy to cancel this season? >> well, we're not focussed on cancelling the season. what we're focussed on getting an agreement to allow us to grow the $9 billion -- >> chris: but there is something else implied here. wouldn't you have to be crazy? >> if there is issues that have to be addressed, the ownership has responsibly managed their business over the years. there are issues that need to be addressed in the context of that. you have to address it responsibly so the game can continue to grow. so everyone benefits, the player, the fans, the game itself. >> chris: why do the issues have to be addressed? what is the problem? >> this are several issues. first, we have rookie compensation system that is out of whack. we believe the money should go to veteran players and reward them on the field. we have players making extraordinary money before they hit the field. we have retired players issues. we have want the players particularly before 1993, we can address some of their benefits. we have economic issues. to build great stadiums like this, it takes significant private contribution. and then we have to operate those facilities. so we have to have those cost recognized. so, we want to continue on with the integrity of the game, my number one issue, making sure we have the best program in sports. so there are a number of issues in the context of any collective bargaining agreement that need to be addressed properly. >> chris: i think it's fair to say, the big issue is money. the owners want to take another $1 billion off the top before they share revenue with the players. but the national football league for all the reasons i just said is hardly general motors. why should the players give back things they got in the last collective bargaining agreement? >> because the economics are changing, chris. the way you continue to be a successful business is you don't wait for the car to go off the cliff. you have to manage yourself. and make sure you do it in the right way so you are not making decisions in crisis. you want to make sure you responsibly manage your business, revenue is not the only indicator. you have to watch the cost side of the business. if you don't want the cost side of the business, then you have long-term problem. our issue is manage the business properly, make sure we can continue to grow game by building game. make sure we can continue to build great facilities, and other investments that we think are going to pay off for everybody. >> chris: now demorris smith, the head of the players association, the players union says if you want concessions, then open your books. full, financial transparency. to the outsider, that seems reasonable. >> it does. that's why the n.f.l. has been transparent. that's why they know all of our revenue down to a penny. they know virtually all of our costs. they have audit rights, large aspect of their business. so they know our business. they know that the economics are not working. and they recognize that. they have said it in our negotiations. so it's time to get beyond the negotiating voice and get into serious discussions that are going to lead to solutions. >> chris: but let me ask you about some specifics, because mr. smith says that you're not showing them the profit that each team makes and that you don't show them the cost that aren't involved with players, the non-player costs. >> in fact, they do see a lot of those costs because they participate in those costs. when we talk to them about a cost recognition system, we want them to recognize those costs. we offered to show them every one of those costs and they never disputed any of those costs. >> chris: what about the profits? is it true that you don't show them the profit or loss that each team makes? >> we don't show profit to them. we have not claimed that we are a profitable entity, and we want to continue to be a profitable entity. >> chris: why not show them the profits? >> it doesn't lead to a solution. i'm interested in leading to solutions. n.b.a. showed their books to the union a few months ago. at the end of it, the director said baloney. so what they do is they have offered to a lockout. that's not where we want to be. we want to be in a position where we can find solutions. they know what the economic issues are that need to be addressed. we need to do that at the table. >> chris: you crack down this season on hits to the head. and several players, most notably james harrison, the outside linebacker for the pittsburgh steelers who is going to be on the field during the super bowl and who you fined $100,000 for hits to the head during the course of the season, a lot of the players say you're preventing them from playing the game the way it's supposed to be played. here is what james harrison said this week. >> i just want to tackle him softly on the ground, and if we can, we'll lay a pillow down where i'll tackle them so they don't hit the ground too hard, mr. goodell. >> chris: so they don't hit the ground too hard, mr. goodell. are you making the game, as some defensive players say, too soft? >> chris, this is not something new that is different in our game. for decades we have made changes to our game to take certain techniques out of the game that we think are dangerous to the players. it's been very successful. it makes the game safer for our players. we recognize we play a tough game. but you can make it safe and still make it few and exciting. we have want to get back to the fundamentals. when we made the changes, we made the changes with all 32 clubs. all of the football people. input from the players, input from the coaches, to identify those techniques, along with the medical staff that we think should be removed from the game. they have been done effectively. they have made our game safer. frankly, our game has been more popular. >> chris: now, i have to ask you the question. i must say when i tell people i'm going to interview roger goodell this is the question i was asked most often to ask you. if you are so concerned -- and i believe it, about the health of the players, why push for 18-game season? isn't it just going to result in more injuries to the players? >> we play a 20-game format now. four preseason and 16 regular season games. we switched several years ago from 14 regular season game and six preseason game to 16-4 concept that we have now. it was done very effectively. what you have to do is you have to improve the quality of everything you're doing. we have fans who do not want to go to our preseason games. they do not meet the quality standard that the n.f.l. represents. we need to fix that. so making preseason meaningless game into a regular season game makes sense on the quality side. at the same time, from a safety stand point, you have to make changes in the game, you have to make changes in the off-season, you have to make changes in the training camp period and in the regular season to take unnecessary contacts out. we identify the issue and discuss it with the union and we continue to do that. >> chris: i'm enough of a football fan to know one of reasons i don't like exhibition games particularly is the starters don't play in the exhibition games. so instead, the two games will become regular season games are two games that the starters really wouldn't have played much in and wouldn't have gotten injured to now regular season games they would conceivably get injured. it's not like you just interchange two games of one sort for another. it's really whether the players are playing full-out or not playing. recent poll, 18% of fans said they don't feel strongly about longer season. dan rooney, one of the legendary owners says 16 games is enough. aren't the only people who really benefit from adding two games the owners who are going to get more money? >> no. absolutely not. i couldn't disagree with you more. if we are able to grow the game and build the game, that's more revenue which the players share in. >> chris: and what about the argument that these are games that players are going to get injured in and they wouldn't have gotten injured in the exhibition game because they wouldn't play. >> unfortunately, mike -- >> chris: i'm chris. >> excuse me. i apologize. that's exactly what happens. we have players who get injured in the preseason. that's what we're trying to do is address that. players don't like to play in the preseason games either. i recognize if it was a regular season game, they would play more and that's why you have to focus outside the game and make sure we're doing things in practice, in training camp and o.t.a.s in the off-season to reduce the impact to make the game safer. >> chris: three years ago you instituted a new personal conduct policy. i want to ask you about a few of the more notorious cases this year. ben roethlisberger. you say that you talked to some two dozen players and none of them came to his defense. there has been a little confusion, so let me ask you two questions. first of all, were any of the people you talk to, players, teammates of his on the steelers? secondly, why is the question of lack of support from other players relevant anyway? >> it wasn't that. what i do when i make a decision and the reason this came out is i do speak to players. i do speak to coaches. i do speak to other people that i think have perspective about. these issues reflect on the players. so i have a very open policy where i like to hear from the players about their perspective on the issue. i don't take a vote. i don't ask them -- i ask what is it that we can be doing to support the players better? what can we be doing? how do you see this type of image? what is it that you think we need to do better as a league? >> chris: were any of them steelers? >> no. >> chris: okay. that clears up one issue. brett favre. you have been criticized for letting the investigation of whether he sexually harassed a sideline reporter drag on for a long period of time and the allegation is, and you well know, you were doing this on purpose so that you wouldn't have to deal with the suspension of him while his consecutive game streak was still alive. what about the argument that you let the investigation drag on? you didn't talk to the woman involved, the sideline reporter, for more than a month. >> we didn't speak to her until one of the latest stages because we were looking to gather all the information we could. we had to gather that from her. we had to gath they're from brett favre. we had to gather that from various other sources and make sure we got the information. when we make the decisions they are serious decisions. we have to be thorough, we have to be fair and make sure we have the facts straight. i went and got all the information i could possibly get. and made a determination i think is in the best interest of the national football league and the game. >> chris: were you at all aware of the idea, if i suspend him now, i am wrecking the consecutive game streak? >> no. that's not my focus. my focus is to get to right decision as soon as possible. >> chris: michael vick, do you view him now as fully rehabilitated, as just another player? or in your mind and the mind of the league is he still on some kind of special status? >> michael is in a position where everyone is going to challenge his decision going forward. he is in a difficult position, because people are looking for him to fail in some cases. i personally would like to see him succeed. i would like to see other players succeed and make good decisions. that's why we're supporting him to make better decisions going forward. i'm rooting for a guy like michael vick. he is a young man trying to do the right thing. we should support that. >> chris: finally, we heard from president obama the other day on the "state of the union." as we sit here in this incredible stadium for this exciting game, but obviously as we've discussed there are problems in the league, what is the state of the n.f.l.? >> i think the state of the n.f.l. has a very positive outlook. we can get the collective bargaining agreement addressed in responsible way, a fair way for everybody, move this back so we have an agreement that the club feel good about, the players feel good about. we can make sure the game continues to be safe and competitive and we can continue to grow. that's great for the fans and great for game of football. >> chris: we have about 30 seconds left. just personally, obviously, the big issue here with the whole labor possibility shutdown you have to know for most americans there will be a national nervous breakdown if we don't have football this fall. how much does it weigh on your personally and how much do you think my term as commissioner will be judged on how good i'm able to negotiate for the good of the game, for the good of the players to make this turn out the right way? >> the most important thing you can do is get an agreement that works for everybody. you are not going to get evening you want. you need everything you need. that's what we have to do is get a system that's balanced and allow us to continue to grow. i understand my responsibility in that. no one wants this game to go on and be more successful than me. >> chris: commissioner goodell, we want to thank you for coming in today and taking time out of a very busy week and a very busy day. good luck with the game tonight. >> thanks, chris. >> chris: should be great. up next, the packers and steelers. two storied franchises. and a legendary player from each team joins us after the break, as we continue from cowboys stadium in arlington, texas. >> woman: good night, gluttony-- a farewell long awaited. good night, stuffy. >> ( yawning ) >> good night, outdated. >> ( click ) >> good night, old luxury and all of your wares. good night, bygones everywhere. >> ( engine revs ) >> good morning, illumination. good morning, innovation. good morning, unequaled inspiration. >> ( heartbeats ) how are those flat rate boxes working out? fabulous! they gave me this great idea. yea? we mail documents all over the country, so, what if there were priority mail flat rate... envelopes? yes! you could ship to any state... for a low flat rate? yes! a really low flat rate. like $4.95? yes! and it could look like a flat rate box... only flatter? like this? you...me...genius. genius. priority mail flat rate envelopes. just $4.95. only from the postal service. a simpler way to ship. >> chris: and we are back here in cowboys stadium. no, we didn't break out the field. the game tonight features two of the n.f.l.'s most famous franchises, the green bay packers started in 1919. while the pittsburgh steelers date back to 1933. earlier, we sat down with a legend from each team. lynn swann of the steelers and jerry kramer from the packers. gentlemen, welcome to "fox news sunday." >> thank you very much. >> pleasure. >> chris: jerry, you played in and won the first two super bowls. did you ever dream it would be this big? >> you know, i had an opportunity with a group of guys to buy the new orleans saints back in 1971-'72. we talked to three or four, five general managers around the league about the future of professional football and the growth that they might or might not see. i got words like "peaking," "saturation," "overexposure," "levelling off." the g.m. said i don't know the tickets gone from $2.40 to $4. i don't know how much more the fans can stand. >> chris: what would a dollar that you invested then be worth today? not to rub it in. >> wow! normally inflationary spiral is 10 to 15% from that time to today. the n.f.l. salaries have increased 300 times. so, it would be very dra matt -- dramatic in the n.f.l.. >> chris: lynn, you played in four super bowls. is there one that stand out for you? >> one moment that crystallized what it meant to the city of pittsburgh in the locker room after super bowl ix when they presented the vince lombardi trophy to rooney. a man that built 40 years to build the franchise and get a championship. crystallized things. >> chris: with the n.f.l. bigger and richer than ever, what do you think of this labor dispute and the possibility of a lock-out? billionaires fighting millionaires. >> roger goodell is trying to win for the ownership. and the executive director is going to try to win for the players. at the end of the day, it may not come down to strategies, it may come down to more testosterone on one side or the other. >> chris: a lot of testosterone in that room. jerry, should the players refuse to give back the money they made in the last contract, even if it means a lock-out? >> a hard thing to do, chris. extremely hard to go backward a little bit. i'm kind of in lynn's camp. if they could defer some of that money or put more money toward the retirement phase when some of the players are now broke and they've been padding their pockets for a while and wondering what they are going to do next, that would be a very wise move. >> chris: do you agree with that, lynn? >> i do. for a long time, professional football was america's greatest part-time job. you go play for six months. you have didn't necessarily train that much in the off-season. at time, you had six preseason games and you move it along. i think today, they are professionals. it's a year-round job that they have. it's a career. >> chris: commissioner goodell cracked down on hits to the head this season. some players say that he is fooling with the essential nature of the game, which is violent. has he gone too far? >> no. i think what he is doing is absolutely necessary. if you would spend an afternoon with four or five of my old teammates and see the degree of dementia and the mental problems they're having, there wouldn't be any question in your mind about whether we ought to protect those concussions and protect those heads or not. absolutely not. there is no question about that in my mind. >> chris: i want to pick up on that with you, lynn, because before super bowl x you spent a couple of days in the hospital with a concussion and there was a big question whether you were even going to play. was the league too reckless then? or is it getting too soft now? >> i don't think the league has ever been reckless. i think it's a matter of we now have more information. we know more now than we did then. sure, harrison and the guys from the steelers are upset about the rule changes, because you have officials on the field who are interpreting what is a bad hit or helmet-to-helmet hit where a guy might have ducked his head and there is no way to prevent that. how they call it on the field will progress and get better. it's incumbent on the league and most incumbent on the players association to embrace the rule changes and continue to do the right thing as you move forward. >> chris: let me ask you both and start with you, lynn. do you have any lasting effects from injuries you suffered in the pro-football career? >> i had my hip replaced. i'm probably looking at another surgery on the knee, some problems happening there. i joke sometimes having played the raiders five times but i can only remember three. if there is a neurological problem it will show up at some point in time at my life. i hope i am not that particular guy. but you won't know. that's why decades ago i advocated for lifetime healthcare for players, if you play in the league minimum number of years, so that when the problems do occur, you have a way to get them taken care of. you would get some help. it would not bankrupt your family. >> chris: jerry, any lasting effects from a tough career in the trenches? >> i had a hip problem for four or five years and i recently had a stem cell injection and trying to solve it that way. i haven't had mental lapses of any significance. >> not that you've noticed. >> but i am acutely aware of any time i have a thought and it doesn't come right away, i say uh-oh, is that it? >> chris: i'm afraid to say, jerry, that's more age than playing football. or at least i got it and i never played a down in football. a couple of final questions. jerry, you can't have a super bowl without thinking of vince lombardi. would his coaching techniques work today? >> coach lombardi was so fundamentally sound, his philosophies, his principles and his beliefs, chris, founded on ancient greece. he believed in preparation, and commitment and consistency and discipline and pride and character. and some of the things that are integral to success in any walk of life. i believe if he played today he would be successful today. >> chris: lynn, your steelers teams in the '70s were legendary, some of the best ever. how do you think your teams would do against the two teams in the super bowl? >> oh, we'd beat them. [ laughter ] >> chris: are you serious? >> oh, yeah. we'd beat them. >> chris: they're faster, they're stronger. >> but we would be bigger, faster, stronger, too. take our team. his team, my team. put us in five years of college and training that they have today and then put us in the same situation. we're bigger, we're stronger, we're faster. the question would be if the guys who play today, would they be able to play our game in the '70s where they could hit a receiver 20 yards downfield? or if dick butkus could clothesline a guy, go downfield and make the same catch again. >> chris: finally, you knew this was coming, starting with you, lynn. who is going to win tonight and why? >> the green bay packers are not going to win. [ laughter ] >> what a surprise. >> i believe in this football team. i believe this football team has many of the attributes that we were just discussing. they will seize the opportunity and take advantage of it and that will be the difference in the ballgame and the steelers win. >> chris: jerry? >> the steelers haven't got a chance. no, it's going to be a great football game. i believe the steelers have an edge in experience. i believe it might take a little while for the green bay club to settle down a little bit. we have a sensational quarterback and receiving corps almost as good as this guy was. five guys who were just sensation sensational. our defense is playing well. the whole team is peaking at precisely the right time. we're now here in jerry jones' backyard, to get the lombardi trophy and there is something sweet about that. >> whether it's pittsburgh or green bay, we're taking it out of dallas. [ laughter ] >> chris: jerry kramer, lynn swann, thank you. that was a treat. hall-of-famer lynn swann and jerry kramer who shockingly is not in the hall, and clearly deserves that honor. up next, our special super bowl sunday panel, as we continue from cowboys stadium in arlington, texas. [ male announcer ] how can rice production in india, affect wheat output in the u.s., the shipping industry in norway, and the rubber industry, in south america? at t. rowe price, we understand the connections of a complex global economy. it's just one reason over 80% of our mutual funds beat their 10-year lipper average. t. rowe price. invest with confidence. request a prospectus or summary prospectus with investment objectives, risks, fees, expenses, and other information to read and consider carefully before investing. and other information to read and consider carefully fox tomorrow... mom i think we need to get you to the hospital. you think you know house? she's dying! that doesn't mean we should all go to jail to save her! do it or you're fired. you don't. if you tell anyone i will destroy your career. all new house viewer discretion advised tomorrow at 8/7 central on fox >> chris: we're back inside cowboys stadium in texas, and the fox sports pre-game set, where the words of hank williams junior, i've been joined by all my rowdy friends on our special super bowl panel. quarterback, pittsburgh steelers, four-time super bowl champion, twice the mvp, terry bradshaw. defensive end, oakland raiders winner of one super bowl ring, howie long. defensive end, new york giants, one super bowl ring, michael strahan. we'll get to the game in the next panel, but let's start with the state of the game. do any of you actually think that the owners will lock out the players? and if so -- let's start with you, howie -- how long do you think it will? >> if it gets to midnight march 3, there is a good chance not only there will be a lock-out but it probably could run into september. the owners seem to have bunkered down and they have put money away. they are prepared for a long, long lock-out. i think with the players there is a lot at stake. look at 18-game schedule potentially. we are at the envelope of what players can take, given the size, strength of where the game is today. if the league is in fact concerned about the health and safety of the players, going to 18 games is mindboggling to me. >> chris: terry, your thoughts? there wi will there be a lock-out? >> my gut feeling i do believe there will be one. i do think it will extend in the season. i hope, i hope that they will -- let me say this, chris. when you give something, when you give candy to a baby and try to take it back, that baby pitches a fit. what the owners are trying to do, take back from the players, that is a hard sell. i don't blame the players for saying we reject that. there is too much money out there. >> chris: i was going to ask you about that. let me pick up on that with you, michael. the owners say we made a bad deal last time and we have to take money back we gave last time. when you have record revenue and record ratings, how much are the owners really hurting? >> the owners feel like they need to take some back to grow the game. it's hard, as t.b. said, to give candy to a baby and they will pitch a fit. the players are pitching a fit. i do believe there will be a lock-out. but as howie said, a combination where the owners put money away and the owners can sustain. it will be interesting if it goes a few weeks in the season how many players you see start to either hear little thing here and there about hey, we need to get back on track. obviously, the game is bigger and better than it's ever been and nobody is going to win with a lock-out. >> quickly, this is a $1.2 billion stadium that owner jerry jones of the cowboys. he has to pay for this thing. i would think even as successful a franchise as the dallas cowboys, man, that is a big note to pay. >> i think you are looking at two weeks in the season as being the cut-off point. i think they can make up and get a full season in. if the lock-out were to extend two weeks in the season. >> chris: let me pick up on another subject. i think you mentioned it, howie. let me ask you about it, michael. 18-game season. we have injuries already that are terrible problem. obviously it makes sense for owners and it make sense for the television networks. does it make sense for the game? >> i don't think it makes sense for the game. i don't think it makes sense for the players. if you talk about long-term player health, you can't say let's add two games, and we really care about your health. you've had 100 more players on injured reserve this year than last year. guys are getting bigger, faster, and stronger. you can eliminate two preseason game and add them to the regular season but in the preseason the guys don't play the game anyway. now if you add regular season game and you add ten guys to the roster, the ten guys still won't play. your stars are still going to play. i don't think it benefits the player in their long-term careers and i don't think it benefits the player in the long-term health. >> and if you do go to 18 games, which, you know, i can't imagine, but if you do, you have to add an extra bye week, eliminate o.t.a.s and eliminate essentially two of the preseason game so the season is divided up to thirds. one third, get a bye, one third and gate bye and then another third. give player chance to recoup. >> chris: two pass rushers, a quarterback, and obviously -- [ laughter ] >> too far away. >> don't mess with me. >> i'm too far away from your tv. >> what are you going to do, limp over here? [ laughter ] >> don't make me mad. >> that's bold talk for a one-eyed sap -- >> chris: this is like this in washington. brit hume doesn't act this way. what do you think of the crackdown on illegal hits? i know what you will think of the illegal hits. has the league gone too far, as james harrison, the stud linebacker of the pittsburgh steelers says? >> you will be shocked by my response to that. i think, for instance, if they went to 18 games, they'd have to, they'd have to relax the rules a little bit more. if they protect their quarterbacks more and receivers more and the running backs more, all of a sudden the game that is so powerful, you start losing -- of course it's smart football, but is it the football that is generating the ratings today? i for one played in the '70s where you were body slammed, you very seldom wore a chin strap. it was a rough game. and i liked it that way. i like it that way today. to me, the rules favor the offense. that's only because the more points we score, the better tv ratings are. and we got that from the a.f.l. we stole it and merged in 1970. that's what gets ratings. >> chris: let me ask the two pass rushers have they gone too far? >> i think they have. i think they have. this is actually the result of too many shots to the head. [ laughter ] >> chris: a case study here, right? >> i think they've gone too far. you see some of the hits where the guys are trying to get down and you accidentally run into a helmet and the guy gets fined, it's a flag. a lot of these things, if it's blatant you have to fine a guy, flag a guy. but you rarely see too many blatant. you see guys trying to play the game. the way they were taught to play. they just happen to hit somebody the wrong way. >> you know, we weren't kind of models that don't come with air brakes or abs brakes. not like you're full speed running -- the game happens at warp speed. >> fast! >> subtle changes, quarterback suddenly at the last second after you have already launched. they don't like the word "launch" but you do launch into opposing players. when you do launch at the quarterback or the running back or the receiver ducks, which is instinctive thing to do. if i'm going to hit you, you are going to duck. if i come over there and throw a right at you, you are going to move. if your heat -- head flies and i hit you -- >> chris: when i'm watching in slow motion on tv it looks like you have all the time in the world. >> the game is not played in slow motion. >> sometimes it is played in slow motion for you. >> chris: glad you're on this side of the table. overall, go down the line starting with you, michael, what is the state of the game and of the league today compared to when you were playing? >> oh, man. i think now from my first super bowl in 2000 to now, the way the super bowls are handled when i went in 2007 to being here, totally different. i think you have more women involved in the game. i think the fantasy football has added a different dynamic. people are not just interested in their hometown team. they are interested in players now, because it's about points and building your franchise. i think what the n.f.l. has done to grow the game and popularity of game has worked. got more people interested in the game that has never been interested before and i hope they keep it going. >> i this it's the way the game is covered. michael talked about the changes from his first super bowl to the second super bowl. i took a cab to the super bowl in 1983. got stuck in traffic and walked the last three quarters. >> chris: as a red skins fan i wish you had gotten it caught. >> you can draw a parallel to the way politics is covered. what was covered in 1963 or '70 in politics and sports is different now. the 24-hour news cycle, the twitter accounts, the internet. everything is fair game. >> chris: terry? >> yeah, that's just what i was about to allude to, it's 24/7 now. you can't do anything, chris, anymore in this league without someone sticking a cell phone that you don't know about taking your picture, interviews are around the clock. it personally would not have enjoyed playing in this environment. i liked it the other way. >> what are they doing now? >> chris: all right, panel. take a break. but up next, we'll talk about tonight's game and get some predictions from the guys with the rings. terry, howie and michael. as we continue from cowboys stadium, the site of super bowl xlv. host: could switching to geico 15% or more on car insurance? host: what, do you live under a rock? man: no way! man: hey rick check this out! anncr: geico. 15 minutes could save 15% or more on car insurance. [ male announcer ] before he changed the world... tear down this wall. [ male announcer ] ...or led a nation... i ronald reagan do solemnly swear. [ male announcer ] ...or governed a state... you and i have a rendezvous with destiny. [ maleer ] ...he inspired our company... with his optimism, his belief in innovation, and his entrepreneurial spirit. [ man ] for general electric, here is ronald reagan. ♪ >> chris: and we're back now with our special super bowl sunday group. let's go down the line, starting with you, terry. we'll get predictions at the end. how do you see the game? what are your keys to the game? >> first of all, both defenses are very aggressive. they like to blitz. they like to come at you. they like to play man-to-man on the outside. i see this game coming down to a big play. i think it's going to be 30-27, but big plays. i think our viewers are going to be excited, and are going to be given a game they haven't seen in a long time. but i see a lot of monstrous plays in this football game. >> chris: howie? >> you know, i hope we get the kind of game in their match-up from last year. week 15. >> you're not going to get that. >> you know what? you were pretty close. 37-36, six touchdown passes, zero interceptions. 800 -- they threw the ball 105 times in that game. i don't expect to see that in this football game. i think it will come down to the last possession, it will be a great game on fox. >> i think it's going to be -- way to go. that's the way to go, howie. [ laughter ] >> you taught me about the whole game right there. i think it's going to be -- it's interesting because two defenses are very close. they practice basically against this defense every day. and so there is a lot of familiarity with it. quarterbacks, two different styles. one is a big ox that can't go down and makes the play happen when they break down in the secondary. >> chris: roethlisberger. >> only one guy could do what he does. the other one is nifty, smart, gets rid of the ball quickly. has the best receivers running after the catch in the league. i think they will depend on that. >> chris: i want to pick up on that with you, terry. a lot of people think it will be aaron rodgers' coming out party as a real star in the league. how confident are you that he can rise to the occasion? >> listen, this is not a coming out party for him, chris. everyone knows he is a fabulous quarterback. the thing he had to learn in the last three years, as a starter for green bay, he had to learn at the end of the first half and the second half is to lead his team for a come-from-behind victory, which he has now done. he has gotten them to the super bowl. no surprise if he puts on a big show today i don't have a problem with that. i expect him to play extremely well. >> chris: on the other hand, howie, if ben roethlisberger wins, this will be his third super bowl championship in six years. that would put him in very elite company. >> yeah, and it gets him closer to my partner sitting here to my right that won four. >> that's just close, though. just close. >> these two sat down for the pre-game and i'm excited to watch that interview. i think the steelers, particularly the defensive players, the wide receivers, the whole football team. you're facing ghosts when you play for the pittsburgh steelers. jack lambert, jack lamb, joe green, terry bradshaw. the other players i see embraced that history. i'm not sure that ben up until now, and maybe age gives you a better perspective and maybe you sitting down with him for this super bowl will give him an opportunity to gain perspective, that you two should have a great relationship. he has a chance to get to three and chance to get to four and every indication he will get the chance because it's a great football team. >> he's young. 28 years old. >> chris: michael, i think it's fair to say that the pittsburgh steelers' defense is better known to most casual fans than the packers' defense. how do you compare them? >> they're both aggressive but in a different way. harrison scares you if he looks at you. i would be scared if i was the offense -- >> chris: outside linebacker. >> yeah. if i was jack clifton and i knew i had to block james harrison, i don't think i'd sleep very well. i just wouldn't. he is a beast. lamar woodley is a great complement to him. clay matthews does it but he does it in a different way, with the hair flowing. makes you want to take a brush out there and brush it straight. he just does it a lot smoother way. t.b., don't be looking at me, because you don't have hair. not my fault, don't be jealous. >> i don't. i'm better looking than you. that is the first time i've ever said it, mike. >> how did you go from defense to you better looking than me? >> you turned it on me, so i'll stand up for myself. >> we're talking about clay matthews' hair -- >> chris: i want to say on our show when i get brit hume and juan williams fighting with each other i just sit back and let them go. my job is done. >> all three of us have carnival mirrors at home and we see something different than what america sees. all three of us. >> >> howie, howie, you threw that in there about all three, but you know you're just -- >> no, no. >> howie gets -- all the ladies love howie long. >> both teams are agressive with the linebackers and their corners, and their safeties blitzing. nothing unravels a quarterback, i don't care what his status is in this league, more than blitzing. that is the thing. which one of the two guys, and this football team -- >> chris: let me ask you this. i know they are conference champions, one is going to be a super bowl champion. do you see any weaknesses in any team that can be exploited? >> one weakness that can be exploited is the safety position, because pittsburgh can run the ball. green bay would have to drop the safety down, open up things with mike wallace. >> they will need help. >> chris: if mike wallace had a good night we'd be happy in the wallace family. [ laughter ] >> there you are. >> chris: i get a big kick every time i hear that. mike wallace. >> you're a steeler fan -->> i'm not. i'm a mike wallace fan. >> i thought you were a washington fan. >> chris: yes, i am a washington -- >> you're a politician. >> chris: i'm talking about mike wallace. >> mike wallace. >> chris: sure. do you see any weaknesses? >> you know, i think michael talked about the weakness in terms of having to force the green bay packers to bring another safety up. i think for me, woodson playing in the slot is like bringing another safety up. i think polomalu-woodson match-up for both football teams, how dom capers, how he uses woodson, the emergence of williams and shields in the secondary allows him to be a run blitzer, a pass blitzer, cover the slot receiver and cover the tight end. i think there are plays made for aaron rodgers. the question is will he be on his feet? >> i think he will. he is so quick getting rid of the football. if you identify where the blitz is coming from, they are so skilled at the wide receiver position that that is why i think big plays -- >> chris: trust me. i was watching some analysis, i don't know where i watched it in the last days that said aaron rodgers, one thing amazer about him he can be on the run, out of position, throwing across his body, feet on the ground and still throw it. >> he is amazing. amazing. got one of the quickest releases i've seen since namath. he can hurt you. >> he can outrun the line. give him a hole and he can creep through and outrun it. different, because ben stands back to take shot but aaron can run. >> chris: you should be impressed i know this about your game. pouncey, what about the fact that the center is out? i didn't need any help! >> no. are you okay? >> chris: i'm okay. i'm okay. everything is fine. yes. >> good. that was good, though. >> welcome to my world! >> i'm trying to help you. >> you should go to washington and do an interview. >> i would be great there, wouldn't i? >> chris: we got a minute left. each of you take 20 seconds. starting with michael. who is going to win? what is the score? >> when is this airing? >> chris: this is airing sunday morning. [ laughter ] >> it's live sunday morning, mike. >> chris: you're live! it is sunday morning. >> we love you, but we're going to give you our pick. in the fourth hour -- >> chris: c'mon! >> i can't give you mine. all i can say these are well-matched team. may the best team win. >> pittsburgh wins. >> you're saying that because you're -- >> i have to say that. >> sunday, saturday, friday. >> oh, what are you afraid of? he is picking green bay and he is picking pittsburgh. i heard you say it in rehearsal. >> if you believe rehearsal. >> i want to know who you are picking. pittsburgh. >> i am a redskins fan. you're right. have you ever watched a game on tv and you don't know who you are rooting for and third down, they make it or they don't and you're happy or sad. then you go oh, i guess i'm rooting for -- i figure five minutes in game i'll look and say -- >> oh. that is so lame! >> you mean to tell me you don't have a choice in this game? >> chris: not yet. >> i don't buy that. >> chris: i want to say thank you, all. >> bill o'reilly would have a pick. >> chris: if any of you want to come to washington. >> haggerty would have made a pick. >> chris: if you want to talk politic, you're all welcome. >> let's send him over there. he i'll figure the whole thing out. >> we'll be watching the coverage of super bowl xlv later. up next, our power player of the week. >> you're so weak! to build a new generation of airplanes to connect the world. ♪ airplanes that fly cleaner and farther on less fuel. and make nonstop travel possible to more places. ♪ [ female announcer ] around the globe, the people of boeing are working together -- to bring us together. that's why we're here. ♪ ♪ >> woman: good night, gluttony-- a farewell long awaited. good night, expected. >> ( yawning ) >> good night, outdated. >> ( click ) >> ( whimpers ) >> good night, fluffy. and good night, stuffy. >> ( clinking ) >> ( chewing ) >> good night, old luxury and all of your wares. good night, bygones everywhere. >> ( engine revs ) >> good morning, illumination. good morning, innovation. good morning, unequaled inspiration. >> ( heartbeats ) >> chris: the super bowl is the big game not only for the players, but also for the folks behind the mics. today's lead announcer is our power player of the week. how is doing a super bowl different than a regular game? >> well, it's scary as hell. and i think the more you accept the fact that you're doing this for 100 million people plus, and you treat it the right way, with your preparation, you just go in and do it. but trust me, i mean, i'd be lying to you if i sat here and said oh, it's just another game. this is like week 8. this is not like week 8. this is as big as it gets in my world. >> chris: the last super bowl, the most watched television game -- not trying to make you nervous, joe -- in history. this one is supposed to be even bigger. do you really feel the nerves? >> yeah, you do in the preparation. you know, i think my preparation is more extensive for this. which i'm telling you that, and you alone that. i think that then suggests that during week 8, i'm mailing it in, and that's not the case. but when you have two weeks of clips to read and you're preparing yourself the right way, it can become overwhelming. >> chris: once the game gets going, obviously you follow the action. but going in, do you have a story line for this game? >> yeah, i think you start putting that together in your head and you think to me, it's aaron rodgers and the green bay passing offense against pittsburgh passing defense and the pass rush. and then on the other side of the ball, you know, how well can pittsburgh run the football? and how well can green bay stop it? that's it going in. just like any coach, i mean, you have to adjust. and they'll adjust. and then we adjust off that. and i just react. i see it. i react. and i try to say it without messing up. >> chris: what about the fact that you have these two storied long-time n.f.l. franchises? >> i can spend two weeks thinking about the history of the steelers and the history of the packers. but once you touch on that. that you kind of throw away. and now it's mike wallace making a big catch down the sideline. >> chris: and i want you to say that with feeling "mike wallace." >> i will. god, please. i hope i don't say "chris." >> chris: for both of our sake. >> exactly. >> chris: before your last super bowl, you said, "i don't care who wins." i know you always call the game fair and balanced. >> sure. >> chris: as we like to say. >> the way we do it at fox. >> chris: privately, do you ever root for a team? >> no. once i got into this business, i stopped going to bed in my cardinal pajamas and sleeping in my helmet bed. i don't think that way. my answer to that was always the guys on the field aren't caring how i broadcast the game. and i don't really care who wins and loses. i've got enough on my mind. >> chris: you literally don't care? >> why would i care? i'm not from green bay, i'm not from pittsburgh. we're here now and whoever wins, wins and i just hope i get the score right at the end of the game. >> chris: did your dad, legendary sportscaster jack buck, did he ever give you a piece of advice before a big game? >> no, he gave me advice when i was a kid to start smoking to get my voice down a little bit lower. and then he'd laugh. beyond that, it was know the rules. enunciate. and unless you think you could have made the play ten times out of ten, don't be too critical of the guys doing this down on the field, because they're doing it at a level that we'll never understand. >> chris: stay tuned to your local fox station, as the best team in sports television brings you every moment of super bowl xlv. but before you watch, go to our website foxnewssunday.com. if you scroll down the right side one last time you will find a link to my wife lorraine's buffalo turkey chili, which i promise you is the perfect game-day meal. that's it for today. a special thanks to our colleagues here at fox sports for all of their help. have a great week. we'll see you back in washington next "fox news we'll see you back in washington next "fox news sunday." captioned by closed captioning services, inc