Who knew the Mcpaper took mulligans? After a pretty pathetic first cut at the don’t-criticize-ESPN story, USA Today takes a second whack today, bringing out big gun Michael McCarthy to chime in on this week’s hottest topic not involving pills and attempted suicide and sketchy publicists.

For those of you that are Whitlocked-out, we’ll spare you the cut and paste details. Ok, fine, just one: “Too many journalists want to collect a paycheck from ESPN rather than cover an institution that’s very influential in the sports marketplace.”

More from Whitlockland: the Overweight Lova’s debut column at AOL is out, and that right there is the best analysis we’ve seen so far.

But wait, there’s more: The New York Post weighs in on Whitlock’s move, and offers up a choice nugget at the end: the KC star columnist is represented by Creative Artists Agency. Is Hollywood ready for Whitlock?

Turner Calls Cal – 2nd item (New York Post)
Whitlock leaves ESPN, but not quietly – second item (USA Today)
Leaving ESPN and Joining AOL, Whitlock Won’t Back Down (AOL Sports)