This is what I'm thinking:

In two ESPN preseason games, new Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden sounds

like he has the potential to be the new generation's version of John Madden.

Of course, Gruden is expected to do something that Madden surprisingly never did —

return to coaching.

Gruden has been impressive. He is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, funny and a bit of a teacher.

During the victory by the New York Giants over Carolina on Monday night, Gruden got into a

laugh-filled, spirited debate with analyst Ron Jaworski over the value of the Wildcat

formation.

Gruden is a big fan of the formation and used highlights to show viewers why the scheme works

so well. Jaws is skeptical that it can last and doesn't like having top quarterbacks like the

Eagles' Donovan McNabb off the field for several plays a game.

Gruden's illustrations trumped Jaws' fears. His sense of humor was also on display when he

said he calls Carolina star receiver Steve Smith "Freddy Krueger" after the fictional horror

movie character. Why? Gruden said Smith scared him to death twice a season when the analyst

coached Tampa Bay.

With the preseason behind him, Gruden should be in even better form for his first regular

season game Sept. 14 when the Buffalo Bills play the New England Patriots. Can't wait to hear

what he says about Terrell Owens.

That picture in Wednesday's Buffalo News of Jessica White, the supermodel dating Owens,

didn't do her justice. The News couldn't have carried a picture of her in the sexy lingerie

she wore when she supposedly surprised Owens at his rented house Monday at the end of "The

T.O. Show."

Remember Channel 7 sports reporter-anchor Pat Tomasulo? Didn't think so. He left for

Chicago in 2005 and has hit the big time as co-host of the ABC reality show, "Shaq Vs.," in

which Shaquille O'Neal competes with athletes in their sports.

Wednesday's opener, which featured O'Neal trash talking and competing with Pittsburgh

quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, had decent ratings even though it was less exciting than a

preseason football game.

The Bills preseason victory over Chicago had about a 14 rating on Channel 7. The Bills'

loss to Tennessee had an 18 rating on Channel 2. Of course, 75,000 potential viewers were in

the stands for the Bears game.

I love host Colin Cowherd's takes on sports but he had me shaking my head this week

when he said on WGR Radio that some expert claimed that it was twice as hard for the Bills to

sell out a game today as it was 40 years ago. The Bills have practically sold out this season

and they have about twice as many seats to sell as they did 40 years ago.

Cheers to CBS' James Brown for his handling of the Michael Vick interview on "60

Minutes." Brown challenged the disgraced NFL star when he veered slightly from his script and

seemed to be more concerned about the pain he caused his family, his career and his pocket

book than he did about the dogs. Smartly, Vick responded by downplaying the importance of

football.

Rich Gaenzler will be the sideline reporter on Bills broadcasts on 97 Rock this season

now that Channel 4's Paul Peck is too busy.

Lou Piccone was always a good interview in his days as a Bill so let's hope he's as

good an analyst on University at Buffalo games this season. He replaces ex-Bill Steve

Christie, who is moving from the area. A kicker isn't an ideal analyst and Christie was just

passable.

A receiver and special teams player, Piccone has greater potential. He also can turn a

phrase. Piccone has nicknamed the new UB announcing team "Peck and Pic."

About 11 years ago, Rick Jeanneret told me in an interview he would love to see his son

Mark replace him as the voice of the Buffalo Sabres after he retires. The idea got new life

last week after Mark was named the voice of the Portland Pirates, the Sabres' minor league

team.

"I'd love to see it happen. It's a thought in my mind," said Jeanneret in 1998 of having his

son succeed him. "But it's never been broached by anybody in a position to do anything like

that. But that would be a legacy I would look forward to."

If it happens in a few years, I don't envy Mark. It is tough enough replacing a legend, but

it's even tougher when the legend is your father.