MIKE AND MIKE!

The Mikes talk sports across the board.

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"Mike and Mike may not read my book, but I will. I mean, I would, if I could read. But that's an issue."

THE MIKES ON: NFL SALARY CAP

GREENY The NFL needs a salary structure similar to the NBA's. The amount of money rookies are paidespecially those at the top of the draft — is ridiculous, and it throws salary caps into disarray. Having the first pick in the draft these days comes with as many negatives as positives.

GOLIC I love the NBA's pay scale; no one holds out because everyone knows what he's supposed to make. But in the NFL, guys get paid — a lot — for potential. There should be two or three years of standardized pay for players entering the league. If they produce, they'll make big money with their next deal.

GREENY Unless there's a can't-miss quarterback in a draft, I bet most NFL GMs would prefer the fifth pick to the first. And that's not how it should be.

GOLIC If you hold the No. 1 pick, you want a player who's going to be great for years to come. But in the past few drafts, all we've heard is: Can we get out of this pick? Can we trade down?

GREENY It's a by-product of the NFL's philosophical change from a five-year plan to a one-year plan. Coaches are expected to go from 4—12 one season to the playoffs the next. You don't do that by drafting the best player available; you do it by filling holes. So you don't want to pay top dollar or use a high pick if you're not getting a franchise player at a marquee position.

THE MIKES ON: SUMMER SPORTS READING LISTS

GREENY Victor Conte and José Canseco have the right to tell their stories, and they may actually have a lot of credibility. But I can still refuse to buy their books.

GOLIC I won't read them because I don't care. People read these books to see what names are inside, but I know there was steroid use in all of sports — I lived it in the NFL. Conte and Canseco aren't going to give me a name that will shock me. But there are people out there who do care, and they are going to buy the books.

THE MIKES: NBA WORD ASSOCIATION

Chris Paul: Premier point guard for the next decade

Kevin Garnett: Catalyst of the greatest turnaround in NBA history

Kobe Bryant: Best player never to win an MVP

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