The NFL can be called a lot of things but its move to put the Patriots-Giants on CBS and NBC as well as its NFL Network is perfect.

It keeps Congress off its back, it showcases its broadcast ability; it showcases its talent (Rich Eisen is one of the best in the business); it allows them to sell more ad spots.

It also puts the NFL on two networks on a Saturday night when many folks are on vacation. The rating should be high. So there is even more money for the juggernaut.

I still don't think cable companies should be forced to add the network, but this is the best way for the NFL to get customers to push the cable companies to add the channel.

The Big Ten Network has a legitimate beef with the cable industry.

The network does belong on the same tier as ESPN, ESPN2, etc. BTN will have games on its network that normally would have been on ABC or ESPN.

That is something the NFL Network can't say. The eight to 10 lives games on NFLN are just games that normally would have been played on Sundays and would not have been seen nationally. Say the Browns are on NFLN, the network is required by the NFL to put the game on a local over-the-air channel, too. So I can see NFLN being put on a sports tier only because it truly is a network for the diehard NFL fan.

Right now OSU will have, at least, two games on BTN, and if you don't have DirecTV, you aren't going to see the games. Same with the Buckeyes basketball team.

In the end, Time Warner and its brethren need to get a deal done for the fans of college sports.

Some of the folks commenting want to know why I discuss ESPN as much as I do on this blog.

One reason, they provide the most content on sports on the Internet that they have produced. You can argue that Google News and Yahoo! Sports provide content but much of that is available anywhere and is produced by the Associated Press.

Same goes with TV: I will discuss the broadcasts of TNT and Speed and Fox Sports and Golf Channel and NFL Network, but at the end of the day, ESPN is the top provider of content.

As for news: the New York Times and Washington Post are the present kings online.

So plan on seeing more discussions of shows on ESPN.

And some more …

SportsTime Ohio is barely relevant beside its Tribe broadcasts and FSN is in the same boat beside Cavs games. I would love to see some network take a swing at ESPN on the national level. Comcast and its Versus channel gave it a shot, but the network couldn't secure NFL or MLB rights. It only got the NHL and is doing a great job, but few are watching. FSN has its Best Damn Sports Show and its half hour highlights show but nothing really relevant.

Speed Channel is a godsend for auto racing fans. I would go as far to say that Speed and Fox Sports have made NASCAR a mainstream sport with its excellent coverage and reports. ESPN will have it tough in the second half of this season to measure up to Fox Sports' coverage of NASCAR.

Also with some of this, I defer to George Thomas who provides media coverage for the local radio and TV on Ohio.com and the Beacon Journal.

There is plenty of Browns, Cavaliers and Indians material on Ohio.com and in the Beacon Journal this weekend.

On the site now you'll find Patrick McManamon's prediction that Joe Thomas will become the Browns' left tackle today. He picks the rest of the draft, too.

Sunday, look for Terry Pluto's analysis of the Browns draft and also the Cavs' performance in Game 3. Brian Windhorst also will provide coverage of Game 3 from Washington, D.C.

Nate Ulrich will be filing reports on each of the Browns selection Saturday, and that will be posted immediately after each selection on Ohio.com. George Thomas will be blogging on the draft all day. So as you watch the NFL Network and ESPN coverage of the draft take a look for Thomas' take, too.

Sheldon Ocker examines the Indians' possible problems of too many platoons, as he continues to cover the home series with the Baltimore Orioles.

I have DirecTv so I have enjoyed the NFL Network since its beginning. The network does a tremendous job of giving you NFL Films quality coverage between games each week. Its Super Bowl coverage is great, and I am sure that its draft coverage is good, too.

But ESPN and Mel Kiper Jr. and the rest of the gang can't be beat.

I used to stay home from school to watch the drafts on ESPN in the early 80s, just to see whom the Steelers would take.

I think I recall Louis Lipps being compared with Lynn Swann on draft day. A couple of bad hamstrings cut his career short.

Anyway, when I watch the draft I will be sticking with ESPN maybe it is just a habit but I think it probably is just better, too.