Trio of Mike's, praise for Vitale, Kobe blunder, more

	Mike Ditka has been hammering the NFL for the way it treats its retired players. AP
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1. Mike Ditka, ESPN analyst: There are TV tough guys (Mr. Sean Salisbury and Mr. T come to mind) and then there are tough guys. Dikta's very public advocacy for improving disability and pension benefits for older NFL retirees is particularly gutsy given that his network is one of the NFL's television partners. He testified this week in front of a Congressional subcommittee and has been pounding the issue with Dick Butkus-like zeal. It'll be interesting to see how much leeway Ditka gets to address this on ESPN's airwaves. We all know what happened to Playmakers.

2. Richard Williams, Guardian newspaper: Read the next sentence with the most Stephen A. Smith-like hyperbole you can muster: "There is no finer sports writer on the other side of the Atlantic." If you're a fan of Wimbledon, click here.

3. Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, ESPN power brokers: First, they get assigned as the lead broadcasters for the Arena Football League. Then comes a gig at the National Spelling Bee. Now comes word that they'll make their debut as a Monday Night Football announcing team on the latter game (Cardinals-Niners) of the ESPN doubleheader on Sept. 10. Can a Disney-produced buddy flick be far behind? While the duo has had no impact the AFL's low television ratings, it has helped extend the popular Mike and Mike brand. There are two schools of thought on giving the M&M boys the MNF assignment. The old-school take? It's a blasphemous call. Your most important sports property deserves the most experienced and seasoned broadcasters. The new school version? It's just one game and why not try something outside-the-box for the sizzling Cardinals-Niners matchup.

4. Gene Peterson and Jim Foley, Houston Rockets broadcasters: If you're still calling games in your 60s, you get props in this space. The longtime radio partners each signed one-year contract extensions to work a 33rd and final season together before retiring after the '07-08 season. Of course, not everyone is happy that the Sunshine Boys have one more year in the sun.

5. Dick Vitale, ESPN tough guy: Did I just hear Vitale call out Smith during ESPN's NBA draft coverage? Did I hear him do it again? After Smith questioned the depth of the NBA draft beyond the top two picks, Vitale channeled his inner college provost and boldly declared the 2007 draft would be "the deepest draft of them all." Later, Vitale questioned whether Zach Randolph could handle New York City after Smith praised the deal that sent the Blazers frontcourt star to the Knicks. Smith responded by saying he loved Vitale, who offered to bet dinner on the outcome. Who needs The View when these guys are around.