The league-owned NFL Network, despite its bloodlines, has struggled to sell cable operators on the idea that it's must-see TV, although a deal with Comcast that adds 8 million TV households came this week after years of dickering.

NFLN's eight regular-season games, in prime time on Thursday or Saturday, are its aces. NBC's Cris Collinsworth had been the game analyst. But he's gone, headed to NBC as John Madden's replacement. Then, NFLN recruited Jon Gruden to fill the vacancy, but he signed with ESPN.

NFLN has shown it will take risks to create buzz, such as using Bryant Gumbel, who'd never called football, on game play-by-play. Here are candidates, who'd work with play-by-play announcer Bob Papa, for what could be a two- or three-man booth:

•Michael Strahan: As NBC let Collinsworth call NFLN games, the Fox studio analyst is wasted just being in a studio and should get a chance beyond his regular gig.

•Dick Vermeil/Marshall Faulk: They've been in three-man NFLN booths when Collinsworth had scheduling conflicts. Zzzzz.

•Tony Dungy/Mike Holmgren: Predictable.

•Michael Vick: Admit it, you'd watch. And, he's done his time.

•Terry Bradshaw/Howie Long: This would be my pick. Let 'er rip.

•John Madden: Don't laugh. If NFLN also signed Brett Favre for a three-man booth with its late-season eight-game schedule, Madden might be tempted. There might be contract conflicts with NBC, but hasn't Madden sold enough video games to do whatever he pleases?