OF DICKIE V AND ATHAN K

 I KNOW … NOBODY ASKED ME, BUT ...

… DICK VITALE wants/needs our prayers. For the fifth time since he 

was first diagnosed five years ago, the one-of-a-kind former coach who 

became TV’s best known for his unique coverage of college 

basketball, is back in the hospital, resuming a gallant battle with 

cancer … Word of advice: Don’t bet against the 89 year old from New 

Jersey beating it another time, either. 

Still vivid is JIM VALVANO’s DON’T GIVE UP … DON’T EVER 

GIVE UP during his last appearance when, already-weak with cancer, 

he was helped to and from the stage by Vitale and legendary Duke 

coach MIKE KRZYZEWSKI … For sure, Dickie V won’t either 

although he will tell you that our prayers certainly helped him win 

before … and there is no reason to think they won’t again.

ON SUNDAY afternoon you’ve got to believe there is a serious drop 

in ratings once NFL coverage ends – and women’s pro soccer begins -- 

on ESPN … which, by the way, could/should be THE 

proper TV burial ground for RANDY MOSS and REX RYAN ...  

even MIKE GREENBERG who has grown from easy-going, likable 

half of the week-day Mike and Mike Show (with MIKE GOLIC) to 

the loud-mouth, gets-on-your- nerves on ESPN week days.

IT HAS RAPIDLY become a not-so-funny joke… the video-replay 

virus that’s been plaguing big-time soccer spread to the NFL … when 

your Washington Commanders were deprived of a game-tying 

touchdown pass, MARCUS MARIOTA to STEPHON DIGGS early 

in the fourth quarter … Twice the men charged with getting it right got 

it wrong. First, the on-field official ruled no-catch after Diggs made the 

reception at the flag and stumbled into the end zone. When the 

Commanders’ protested, we already knew Diggs had done everything 

right – like both feet inbounds while securing the ball

before his body hit the ground … No question about it, said CBS’ rules 

interpreter DEAN BLANDINO, the call should be overturned. 

TOUCHDOWN, WASHINGTON! A former QB of some repute,

 TOM BRADY, working the game as network color commentator, 

agreed. So much for high-priced expertise ... The Commanders had to 

settle for three points and lost 37-20 to open 0-2. They also lost

QB JAYDEN DANIELS to a bad knee injury for the second straight 

season after a banner first campaign (2024) when he was runaway 

choice for NFL Offensive Player of the Year … Rapidly becoming 

“The Second Coming of RGIII,” the former top draft choice (2d 

overall) from LSU is sidelined indefinitely ... but that hasn’t kept 

several media outlets from offering such out-of-touch headlines as 

“QB ISN’T EXPECTED TO PLA Y THIS WEEK.” Well, duh!

UPDATE: The Commanders lost another quarterback Sunday when 

Mariota went down with a leg injury suffered on the second snap of 

the team’s second possession against Indianapolis in London, England. 

With Daniels already sidelined indefinitely, Washington had no choice 

but call on rookie ATHAN KALIAKMANIS from Rutgers, making 

his pro debut, and hope he would cause the Colts as much trouble as 

anyone trying to remember, much less spell, his last name … Well, by 

jove, it wasn’t to be. In a game that satisfied no one, the Commanders 

(1-3) dropped a 30-13 decision that left Indy (2-2) media asking, 

‘WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE COLTS?’ … in particular QB 

DANIAL JONES whose numbers hardly are reflective of a two-game 

winning streak. 

Until next time ...