Simms is cool under pressure.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Barry Jackson

MIAMI _ We've said before that CBS could spice up its dialogue on playoff games by using No. 2 analyst Dan Dierdorf with lead announcers Greg Gumbel and Phil Simms. After all, Simms was at his best when paired with Dick Enberg and Paul Maguire on NBC.

But starting with the opening Patriots play Sunday _ when he correctly predicted New England would execute a play-action pass _ Simms demonstrated he can carry the weight of a two-man booth, repeatedly offering salient points about strategy and delivering a terrific performance in one of the most dramatic Super Bowls in memory.

Simms has more responsibility than the other network No. 1 analysts because unlike Cris Collinsworth, Troy Aikman, Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire, Simms doesn't have the luxury of a three-man booth. And unlike John Madden's colleague, Al Michaels, Gumbel has a reserved, minimalist style.

That increases the pressure on Simms, who delivered repeatedly Sunday. He correctly questioned Carolina for trying a two-point conversion after pulling to within 21-16.

He noted early in the game how Carolina's receivers were open and could make plays if Jake Delhomme had more time. And he quickly explained rules, such as the unusual ``simulating the start of a play'' call against Carolina on New England's first field-goal attempt.

In the past, Simms too often would rely on throw-away lines such as ``good play.'' On Sunday, his analysis on replays was more incisive.