Stephen A. Smith’s First Take replacement praised as ‘best guy talking sports’ after ‘intelligent’ Dak Prescott claim

AN ESPN analyst received plenty of compliments for his take concerning Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during First Take.

One of Stephen A. Smith ‘s replacements on the sports debate program battled it out with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo over the NFL topic.

X/FirstTake

AP

The fiery personality Russo revealed his top 10 NFL quarterbacks during a segment on First Take .

However, Prescott , who was second in last season’s MVP voting only behind Lamar Jackson , wasn’t on the list.

Riddick made sure to tell Russo and TV viewers that he disagreed with the Prescott snub.

“Who was the guy in jersey No. 4 for the Cowboys?” Riddick asked Russo.

“He was like the No. 1 quarterback in QBR and completion percentage over expected. Who threw all those passes? Was that not Dak? It was him!”

Riddick did admit that Prescott “needs to step up his performance in the postseason.”

The three-time Pro Bowl signal-caller has a 2-5 playoff career record and is coming off a three-interception performance against the Green Bay Packers in last year’s Divisional Round playoffs.

But the former NFL front office member argued that Prescott and Miami Dolphins ‘ Tua Tagovailoa are “responsible for every single thing” when their team loses, and don’t receive credit when they win.

Fans shared their praise for Riddick’s argument on X.

“Thank you! Louis Riddick is one of the best guys talking sports. Highly intelligent and insightful,” one commented.

“Riddick the only voice of reason on a show full of “hot take artists” who want to say the most outrageous things in order to be relevant,” another stated.

“Let Riddick cook,” a third wrote.

Last week, Molly Qerim returned to work her usual hosting duties on First Take after spending time on vacation.

She has since appeared on the program without colleague Stephen A. Smith , who left the show for an extended break on July 2 and has since only appeared in three broadcasts.

First Take

On Wednesday, Qerim revealed Smith would return on First Take on Friday.

[Smith’s] going to be with me in Chicago on Friday,” Molly said.

“We got a big show and he’s going to be there.”

First Take will take place in front of a live audience at the National Association of Black Journalists conference.

It will take place at the Hilton Chicago as part of the NABJ festivities,” Qerim revealed to fans earlier this month.

First Take airs each weekday from 10 am Eastern to noon on ESPN.