Keith-Dan duo together again

The fact remains, however, that the two worked extremely well together. And that's not something you can fake, it's just something that sort of happens — the indefinable "chemistry" that's instantly recognizable when you see it and impossible to force.

"I think we are opposite, but we respected each other when we got on the air," Patrick said. "And so when I watch Keith do his show on MSNBC now, it's a solo show, but people forget just how good he was as a teammate, and I think that's why it worked."

Olbermann recalled that they would "slip each other notes" with extra information or jokes to use during highlights the other person was narrating.

"We respected each other, helped each other, and tried to make each other laugh or question what we were talking about sometimes," Patrick said.

And maybe the rest of the "Football Night in America" team — Bob Costas, Cris Collinsworth, Jerome Bettis and Tiki Barber — ought to be a little worried that Patrick and Olbermann will go back to their old ways.

"We basically tried to get away with whatever we could because we didn't think, at 11:30 at night, our bosses were even watching," Patrick said.

"But that one day they would be watching, and we would both be finished forever," Olbermann said. "So let's get as much past the censors as we possibly can. That was the key."

"And we will try to do that to Costas as well," Patrick said, with his partner instantly voicing agreement.

They were kidding. I think.

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com