Jimmy Johnson, Fox Sports

Back here at Gillette Stadium we are -- the hall -- patriot place this is the start of the NFL season tonight. In Pittsburgh is the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers host the Tennessee Titans. Joining us on the line right now is the guy who made the phrase how bout them cowboys famous Jimmy Johnson is with us Jimmy gets stale and Michael it and Foxboro how are yeah.

I am doing great -- everybody up in Foxborough.

We don't pretty well we're still we're just trying to we've been talking a lot about Richard Seymour and his straight to the raiders. First -- I guess I guess we should ask what did you what did you think of that deal --

Well my buddy Bill Belichick I think made another might nice move again and number one pick in 2011. And especially you which ignores contract began last year so it's something that needs to be done. I think it's a good thing about the patriots they always you know treated as a business and that's one reason why they have consistently been much better instantly.

You know Jimmy I didn't like the trade because it doesn't help pump for this year -- Donald thinks the war. Is done it to point nine years electric is does a lot of the football left and.

Agree with you they've got a lot of football left and went to number one pick is a valuable pick Matt rader they could be really. Though but I think he -- you have to do that with your football -- Billion -- Walsh back many years ago that you know you don't. Wait until players done to try to trade him you trading with certain other eager to left. In the tank so. I can make and I -- special port number one pick -- generally around the league. Error by it would bank. The patriots made out of that deal.

I'm curious as a coach how you would view this we were just talking to Andre Tippett about this. You know in the course of a calendar year the Patriots defense has lost. Rodney Harrison Junior Seau Mike Vrabel Tedy Bruschi and now Richard Seymour Heidi overcome a lack of that leadership on a defects.

Well thank you when you have an outstanding team and you have outstanding leadership at the top -- Your head coach in the administration and the people they're with the patriots. You know young leaders evolve and think -- what's gonna happen obviously you've lost some talent there you close them. Some players well most of those players are older players that are poured into their career. And it may be that you may not be as strong defensively but. You know maybe you're going to be good enough offensively to cover that up so the idea that the young players -- and if you -- well which you have of in the -- folks did the players like that they -- come to the front.

and wonder what what do you think. Who was the toughest or most controversial. Decision that you had to make. As a coach whether it was in Dallas or Miami.

Oh I don't know what day it seems like at the time they all seem like tough decisions. But you know I think the most critical decisions are when you put in the team together and that's the thing at -- pride in. That bank on talked about over the years it. You know making sure you have the talent ever talked about chemistry of football team and experience been. Leadership one thing and other what went in this league talent. What we and in this league is individuals that don't make mistakes. And that's wild one reason want those veterans have been so good for the patriots is that they haven't made a lot of mistakes. But bring it -- talented players like Randy malls and you know players that even this year in a break in the Brit sailors in the -- that coming up that football team's gonna help you know Tom Brady be efficient offensively.

I think we all think -- we feel that that the patriots offense is gonna be really good again with Brady at the -- at the Helm. But can you win a championship in the NFL if -- deep into isn't pretty darn good.

and now I I think you have to have a solid deep into pain but you know a lot of the questions about the page deep it's right now is because. You know a lot of the fans don't know some of the characters they don't know the individual -- of those spots. But yeah just like mail coming in a year ago. -- a there's a young players bigger -- article really gonna blossom going to be good it just that they haven't been in the forefront.

01 switched gears and ask you about another big story in the -- was a few weeks ago that was Michael Vick returning. With Philadelphia. -- how did you see that situation playing out do you think he will be. Playing at at quarterback or another position or do you think this is a learning year for him.

Yeah I think he's. Quite a distance away from being productive for the I thought it was a great move for by the way. But. I don't see -- contributor until probably mid season or thereafter unless -- The magnet -- then who knows what's gonna happen. But I think he can't help in this way I think he will be so good for that football team and that. Opposing deep sense is that they're gonna have to try to dipped in ghost. They're gonna have to play the what if game -- wanna be in the game what if Iran and the Wallach hit what if they're doing this what you're doing that. And all that time that they spin and trying dead debris and Michael Vick if he then became. That's gonna make it that much more difficult for them to defend Donovan McNabb in the conventional -- that I -- spin that and get ready for the conventional topic that's why I think it's gonna up early in the season who knows how to go up at the end --

Lord knows you've coached successfully in a place in Dallas where distractions can become a big factor. Are distractions always a concern for a head coaching could Michael Vick be a distraction.

I think can be if you take away from the preparation in gamely. Thank. Right now and the policy in the in the pre season that distraction. Wasn't. You know what standards I think once you get into the seat and if they're still -- Michael Vick and it may be a distraction but I don't see that happening -- want to restart play in the games. They're gonna start talking about the performance of Donovan McNabb or whether or not I spoke to felt the or whether or not they're -- it's going to be able hold up against the run. And so I don't see that being as big distraction once we start playing in the real things.

Speaking of playing the real games on site Jimmy for this game tonight Tennessee in Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh. Defend its title from last year in -- in Tennessee. Bounced back from losing Albert Haynesworth to a very good -- obviously this matchup playing out tonight.

Again I think can be a tight game tonight low scoring game Leo. And you know you do is talk to people around the country thereby start the picked well the patriots going to be the team to beat because the got -- back are there chargers that talented. Team like there are. You don't you know maybe Green Bay your -- may be far going to Minnesota if people are not saint -- for separate native -- a lot of changes. Well not -- ought to change the gulf of those Super Bowl team. And -- have liked what it wants starters back they're going to be good again they're going to be solved it and look for him to be right in the mix at the very end. And as Forrest didn't they would without any word without that DP it's being strong what they were a year ago and that's how they won. And with Kerry Collins -- in a year older. I think then pull it back a little bit and -- and not quite strong they've worked in the regular seat him when they had -- good record anybody.

There's a big billboard about a half mile from where we sit right now just up the road here. That shows you when Howie Long and we know this the team -- the year paired up with during the season -- at fox which are also teamed up with a a new team here at Procter & Gamble this year.

Well Procter & Gamble -- teamed up with him they -- there the official locker room products of the NFL. And so every NFL teams got. Procter & Gamble products there and and they're -- product out but he kept both football players well the Dell products like the Gillette products. You know I did that this McLaren with -- fusion razor. And then the old spice products that hit children you know I gotta keep my -- looking good. And it it that don't need prospect OTC here in Foxboro coach always many games but. There's some people around the league got some heartburn they they got to use the brother. And then no Bill Belichick you know -- here is you gotta have that locker room smelling good with the appropriate. So idea job right there on the billboard but the but in all honesty how -- are big patriots thing.

You think that they've got a team that can go back to the Super Bowl again this year.

Yeah I really didn't I think it's consistent is they've banned. As well -- what they are and that about that they have. With Tom Brady with those receivers. With Wes Welker who can maybe it -- slot receivers Africa Spain. Yeah they can be -- without question.

Who would you like an NFC.

You know -- and Alec Green Bay Packers -- the Packers are strong I like the Eagles. I don't know if -- Eagles are going to be strong and updates instantly. But I like both those states lot of people can be -- Minnesota because they -- even before Brett Favre so we have to wait deal that.

and we appreciate you taking a few minutes to join us here in Foxborough best of luck to you this season.

Well I'd certainly appreciated and -- we love talk and a the home of Gillette one of -- total product.

Thanks Jimmy Jimmy thanks. Take care that is Jimmie Johnson.