Bill Belichick has more Super Bowl rings than Tom Brady.
And after Week 1 in their new head-to-head TV battle, the greatest NFL head coach of all-time also has an early edge on the GOAT player
Brady's broadcasting debut on the opening NFL Sunday of the season produced, at best, mixed results.
Fans and critics complained that Brady was flat, lacked energy and often produced "awkward silence" while calling a Dallas Cowboys vs Cleveland Browns game that was loaded with season-opening storylines, including Deshaun Watson's poor play and Dak Prescott's record-breaking $60 million-a-year contract.
"It was straight up bad," talkSPORT NFL Rundown host Will Gavin said.
"That's the problem. Because it wasn't just, 'Oh, he didn't give enough information, but he just ticked the boxes and said all the nice things he's meant to say.'
"Literally there were sometimes where you heard his commentator pause to let him speak, and then he didn't speak, and we just had silence for like 10 seconds."
Meanwhile, Belichick drew raves for his work on ESPN's ManningCast with brothers Peyton and Eli.
While Belichick became increasingly cantankerous and battled with the media during his final years leading the New England Patriots, a coach with eight career Super Bowl rings -- including two as an assistant with the New York Giants -- showed off his lighter side on TV.
"Belichick has always been good in front of the camera, if only because of the wealth of knowledge he brings with him," one fan tweeted. "But he really seems to be enjoying himself these days, which is great."
Belichick even offered a "peace treaty" to Eli, who twice guided the New York Giants to upset Super Bowl wins over the Patriots.
Peyton joked that whenever the former coach with 467 career wins was "in doubt" on the show, he should "make fun of Eli."
A smiling Belichick had the perfect witty response.
"I'm not throwing any stones at him," Belichick said. "Because he'll toss some boulders back at me.
"Eli, can we have a peace treaty?"
