CANTON, OHIO ? A punt, pass and kick and John Madden had eased into his new role as analyst on ABC’s “Monday Night Football.”

The former NFL coach and longtime announcer at CBS and Fox was right at home with play-by-play man Al Michaels.

New York tight end Jeremy Shockey makes a catch in front of Houston linebacker Jamie Sharper. The Texans made their NFL debut Monday at Canton, Ohio.

Madden, 66, made his debut Monday night during the NFL’s annual Hall of Fame exhibition game. The New York Giants defeated the expansion Houston Texans, 34-17.

Comedian Dennis Miller and Dan Fouts lost their spots in the booth to Madden, considered one of the most knowledgeable football broadcasters.

Winner of 13 Emmy Awards, Madden looked and sounded sharp in his new job. Wearing a dark blue jacket and blue-and-white stripped tie, Madden, serious one moment, funny the next, appeared relaxed as he worked with Michaels, who was obviously happy to have the big man by his side.

“I’m looking forward to this,” Michaels said. “I’m really excited.”

Madden, who coached Oakland to seven AFC Western Division titles and a victory in Super Bowl XI, showed he hadn’t lost anything entering his 22nd year of broadcasting.

“All coaches get that look like you’re trying to hear through your mouth,” he said as coaches on both sidelines waited wide-mouthed to hear calls from officials.

The true measure of the success of Madden and Michaels won’t come until the regular season. The show’s ratings have declined for seven years.

“I don’t want to take the temperature too soon,” Madden said. “You just kind of build and get more comfortable as you go. I do know this: With Al, it’s going to work.”

ABC is counting on it. Madden jumped to ABC from Fox in February with a four-year, $20 million deal. The network dumped Miller, while Fouts will work college games.

When Miller joined “MNF,” his debut was peppered with references to the pope, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the Rosetta stone. Here’s about as esoteric as Madden got Monday: Telling Paul Tagliabue, “You’re like Switzerland, aren’t you?” when the NFL commissioner stayed neutral while a play was being reviewed.

Madden wasn’t the only one making his debut. The Texans were playing their first NFL game, though it was just an exhibition.

Two rookies Houston quarterback David Carr and New York tight end Jeremy Shockey had their moments.

Carr, the No. 1 pick from Fresno State, completed 9-of-17 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown with one interception.

Shockey scored on an 8-yard reception and finished with four catches for 80 yards.

Two injuries cast a pall on the Texans’ debut. Houston safety Leomont Evans bruised his spinal cord while rushing a punt. A team spokesman said Evans regained some feeling in his upper body and both legs. Evans’ breathing and vital signs as well as an MRI exam and CAT scan all were normal.

The Texans also lost receiver Trevor Insley, who broke his left ankle.