Analyzing the new NFL analysts

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Tony Dungy offered exceptional analysis during his debut on NBC's "Football Night in America." Larry French/Getty Images Richard Deitsch's Mailbag Submit a question or comment for Richard. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND Follow Richard Deitsch on Twitter

Each week, SI.com's Richard Deitsch will report on newsmakers from the world of TV, radio and the Web.

ESPN toots its horn with the fervor of Louis Armstrong, but Monday was easily one of the best days in the network's history. Its signature program -- Monday Night Football -- delivered the biggest cable television audience of the year.

New England's come-from-behind victory over Buffalo drew 14 million viewers and a 10.3 rating, topping the previous cable mark set with the June 22 episode of TLC's Jon and Kate Plus 8. Even with the ignominious reviews given to the announcing team of Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, ESPN's broadcast of the Chargers-Raiders game (the second game of Monday's doubleheader) pulled in 11,945,000 viewers, the second-largest audience for any cable program in 2009. The opening game also marked the regular-season debut for Jon Gruden, the former Bucs coach and the most visible of a trio of high-profile broadcasters who debuted last week in new roles. Here's my analysis:

Gruden: The three-man booth can be a logistical nightmare because of the number of chefs cooking the groceries. But Gruden instinctively found his place with colleagues Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski. He didn't dominate the game coverage, showed a sense of humor and gave viewers some interesting nuggets to digest. "Tom Brady does more before the ball is snapped than any quarterback in the league," Gruden said after Brady completed a short pass to Kevin Faulk in the opening quarter. "He's going to motion a receiver across the formation, take a look at the defense, read to clear the blocking pattern, and make sure Kevin Faulk gets out in the route. Tom Brady does more for this offense above the neck than most people realize." Gruden played nicely off Jaworski. Both men amplified the other's points.

Obviously, it wasn't a perfect debut. Gruden referred a couple of times to Patriots lineman Matt Light as "Todd Lyght" (strangely, neither Tirico nor Jaworski corrected him) and claimed Brady was a global superstar. (If Tom Brady walked down the streets of Lhasa, Lima or Lisbon, we'd bet 9 out of 10 people would not recognize him. Gisele is another story.) Gruden also incorrectly predicted the Patriots would opt for an onside kick prior to their final touchdown. He later gave Bill Belichick and his staff credit for kicking it deep. Gruden was critical when he needed to be. Both he and Jaworski got on Terrell Owens when he dropped makeable catches. Worth noting here is that Tirico called an excellent game.

Cris Collinsworth: NBC announced last April that Collinsworth would replace John Madden on its Sunday Night Football broadcast. In my opinion, he worked seamlessly with Al Michaels in his first two regular-season games (he called games Thursday and Sunday). In the latter, Collinsworth was forthright about Jay Cutler's early troubles (he called the quarterback "a bomb" and declared "Jay is not getting help from receivers but he is pretty awful right now.")

Collinsworth told SI.com earlier this year that he knows he's not for everyone. "I offend people," Collinsworth said. "I know that. There are a lot of people who don't like a football analyst on the games doing that. They just want a straight calling of the game and there are a lot of places that they can hear that. But that's not what I do."

One of his critics last week was Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who tweeted during last Thursday's Steelers-Titans game: "Can I ask ur opinion on Cris Collinsworth [sic] commentary guys? Hmmmmm a bit critical on guys dont ya think?"

Collinsworth's coverage analysis was also interesting. "I really think that Charles Woodson is messing with Jay Cutler here," Collinsworth said, diagramming why the Packers cornerback stopped a quick screen in the second quarter. "He acted like he was coming on a blitz, so Cutler checks to this quick screen to the outside. [Now watch] Woodson go back out and make the tackle."

Tony Dungy: He was candid, prepared and delivered the goods as a studio analyst on NBC's Football Night in America. On his former player Marvin Harrison, Dungy said, "Marvin does want to play. He can play. But Marvin wants to get paid." On Cutler's maturity: "The thing that I have not seen from Jay Cutler is the leadership ... Jay Cutler can make all the throws. He is going to help them move the football on offense. But is he going to lead them in the tough situation when they really need him?" Dungy also calmly explained how the Cowboys were spreading the football around in the wake of Owens' departure.

Rodney Harrison, the former Patriot who also debuted on the show, appeared nervous and set a record for the fastest NFL analyst to use the phrase "butt naked." (Harrison was speaking about being hazed as a rookie in 1994). Beat writers around the NFL say Harrison has great potential, so we hope he'll grow into the role. But Dungy had a great first night.