PHIL SIMMS vs. JOHN MADDEN

NFL coaches complain about John Madden’s commentary, according to broadcasters. The coaches say ABC’s Madden fails to grasp the contemporary concepts of the NFL, which results in his words lacking substance.

Phil Simms of CBS, meanwhile, is all about substance. He hates “TV talk.” He tells you what he knows, not what he might know. It is a more honest approach.

These days, MNF stands for Madden Night Football. It’s Madden this and Madden that. At times, Madden is still entertaining. Mostly, he is a caricature of himself.

Simms is not a personality. He is just an analyst. He is more about football than he is about TV. Madden is the opposite now.

Simms is fortunate, too, because the broadcaster whose style most resembles Madden’s former partner, Pat Summerall, is Greg Gumbel. Gumbel gives Simms room to work.

Simms takes it, and takes this Matchup.