Emmitt Smith takes the hand-off three yards deep in the end zone and heads for a hole between the guard and tackle. Just as he is about to sprint through, the gap is filled by the 6'-5", 295 lbs. frame of Denver’s Trevor Pryce. There is no friendly shake of the hand, no love tap. Pryce pounds Smith backwards and into the ground.

It’s a safety. But let’s look at that on the replay. The telestrator shows how Pryce managed to fend off the double-team, then slip into the gap as a one-man Bronco welcoming committee.

ESPN NFL Football for the PlayStation2, a release from ESPN Videogames and Visual Concepts, is one of those titles that absolutely shines one moment, then lapses into mediocre graphical quality the next. The sound is also mixed, but the game play sparkles. And while the online gaming community is relatively sparse at the moment, it is quite easy to join up and play online.

A mixed bag? You might say that, but this is a lopsided bag with the good points outdistancing the bad with the ease of an NFL team running roughshod over a Pop Warner squad.

From the pregame studio work, to halftime analysis with Chris "Boomer" Berman, this game does have the ESPN stamp all over it. The commentary is sharp and nails the game play. Terry McGovern and Jay Styne provide the play-by-play and color work, and while Styne’s comments are a little dry in tone, he does not go for the silly joke. The analysis accurately reflects the game.

Game features include the current lineup of NFL teams, classic teams (sans names and profiles, just like most games) and a variety of game modes. You can select the franchise mode to control all aspects of your team through a number of years, enter seasonal play, play a tournament, create situations or find a game in the lobby Online. It is quite simple to sign-up to play, and find a game.

Two of the new features to grace this edition (which harkens to the Sega 2K series for its roots) is The Crib and First Person Football. In the former, you can unlock items earned during game play, listen to music and, in general, relax. In the former, you are able to strap on a helmet and get into the game in a completely innovative way.

For anyone who has ever played the game, you will notice how well ESP NFL Football covers that facet of the game. You are the running back, lining up in the Denver backfield, taking the handoff and hitting the hole in the line. Move left, move right, look for that tiny game, see a sea of enemy jerseys converging on where you are and then analyze the turf. You will see a lot of turf close up in this inside-the-helmet look at the game. Yes, it is fascinating and a great deal of fun.

Using NFL stars such as Brian Urlacher, J.J. Stokes, Tyrone Wheatley, Ahman Green and Tom Brady for motion-caption has certainly been a boon to the animation. Running backs fight, scratch and claw for extra yardage in some of the most realistic football animation to date. That receiver may flash open between double coverage to find the football right there, stick out a mitt and making a spectacular one-had grab, or snare the pigskin with fingernails. Low passes or high can be snagged, all of which points to the reason these guys are in the NFL.

But after you see the terrific game animation, the title finds it necessary to try to round out the game experience by showing cheerleaders jiggling between quarters. With flat mask-like faces, and snakelike arms, this is a contrast to the action that is a treat. The ESPN blimp dots the sky and is out of place lighting-wise with the play on the field.

True, this game lacks the shiny helmets that sparkle and reflect the sun on a Sunday afternoon, but the shadows are well done, and the overall animation is superb.

The controller interface, while taking up pages in the manual, is easy to grasp. This title has done a remarkable job of putting the game in players’ hands, and not requiring them to go through a series of movements to effect a simple tackle.

In terms of game play, the title does have all the flavor of an NFL game day. Some teams have returners who seem to have a tendency to run out of bounds a lot as tacklers close in, and there were some minor clipping problems with players bodies moving directly through others but these seemed minor flaws.

ESPN NFL Football is a solid, title. The game animation is some of the best around and the commentary is spot-on, not to mention the fact that you get the no-holds-barred studio analysis. If a player is not doing particularly well, you will hear all about it. With the addition of the First Person game play, this is a title that cannot be ignored.

This game is rated E for everyone.

Gameplay: 9.3
Lose the cheerleaders and the crowd shots, please. The sideline animations are wonderful, though, and while they do interrupt the flow of the game, the overall pacing of this title is great. The numerous replays are not a nuisance but actually show off the quality of the game.

Graphics: 9.4
Lose the cheerleaders and crowd shots, please - they detract from the sterling game play animations. The game animations are clearly some of the best in video games. The way that ball carriers don’t just fall down at first contact, but actually twist, turn and struggle for extra yards mirrors the pro game incredibly well. And while the inside of that helmet may look a little flat, the first-person perspective is a dizzying, delightful and thoroughly refreshing look at the sport.

Sound: 9.4
The color commentary is a little understated, as are the on-field sounds but this is a solid audio package.

Difficulty: Medium
The challenge here is not in picking up the gamepad. The challenge is in playing the game and succeeding in that regard. The AI is well done.

Concept: 9.5
The game has depth, it has solid game elements and is set up to allow easy access to it all. What more could you ask for.

Multiplayer: 9.4
This game’s online support is great. From leagues to single-player action, this is simple to get into and easy to find a game.

Overall: 9.4
The multiplayer option is well supported, and the graphical and sound quality of this title if amazing. The game does have a few stutters, but manages to slip those would-be tackles and emerge from the pile on a sprint for the end zone. If you want a good NFL football title, get this.