* Ron Jaworski replaces Joe Theismann on ESPN's Monday Night Football: From an X's and O's standpoint, nobody dissects strategy better than Jaworski. The issue is whether he will do a better job interacting with Tony Kornheiser than Theismann did.

Kornheiser said he's determined to be more than simply "OK" in his second year in the booth. But he'll need Jaworski to be far more responsive than Theismann was.

* NBC adds Keith Olbermann, Tiki Barber to Football Night in America: These are two enlightened moves -- the best made by any network this offseason. Barber -- polished, articulate and opinionated -- will be a huge upgrade over Sterling Sharpe, who couldn't stop interrupting and shouting over his colleagues.

Olbermann's sharp opinions, clever writing and witty narration of highlights will elevate a pregame show that dragged badly at times. And Olbermann, Bob Costas and Cris Collinsworth give NBC three of the sharpest minds in sports television.

* Fox moves its pregame show back to Los Angeles: Wise move. Viewers -- and the announcers -- were constantly distracted by fans shouting over Jimmy Johnson & Co. in stadium parking lots. The move means Joe Buck returns to doing one job (play-by-play) instead of juggling two. And capable Curt Menefee becomes the program's permanent host. Also, Barry Switzer joins the cast as Jimmy Johnson's sparring partner on a "Coach's Corner" segment.

* CBS adds Bill Cowher: This is only a pit stop for Cowher, who probably will return to coaching in a year or two. Two questions: Will the five-man set be too crowded, especially considering how often the analysts interrupted each other last season? (Probably.) And will Cowher say anything remotely controversial that would risk angering another coach, player or owner? (Probably not.)

That's why the best ex-coach analysts are the ones who don't intend to return to the sideline.

* ESPN dumps Michael Irvin, adds Emmitt Smith, Keyshawn Johnson and Bill Parcells. Johnson has the most potential of this group but is hardly can't-miss. Though Johnson has TV presence, he must prove he has substance, too. (His work on the draft and SportsCenter's embarrassing "Who's Now" series didn't have anyone nominating him for a Sports Emmy.)

Smith, who was mediocre in work for NFL Network two years ago, lacks Irvin's charisma but gained appeal to Disney executives with his performance on ABC's "Dancing with The Stars."

ESPN will rely heavily on Smith, who will appear on the Sunday and Monday night pregame shows. Parcells won't work on Sundays but will be an analyst on "Monday Night Countdown," joining Chris Berman, Tom Jackson, Johnson and others on a set in ESPN's Bristol, Conn., studios. A second set -- featuring Stuart Scott, Smith and Steve Young -- will be based at the game site.

* Albert moves up: Besides the Jaworski/Theismann one, there was only one other significant change in the booth: Kenny Albert (son of Marv), who has become a first-rate play-by-play man, replaces Dick Stockton alongside Daryl Johnston on Fox's No. 2 team. Stockton moves to the No. 3 team with Brian Baldinger.

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