I know you weren't equating Smith's journalistic abilities w/ Cosell's, Lori (he isn't even close), and I do agree w/ that ASSessment of him. I personally don't like him, but I don't want him shot dead in front of his pregnant wife and children either as some seem to.
Kellerman's Fox PTI ripoff (I, Max) is pathetic. He even took Michael Holley over there (both were Around the Horn staples; Kellerman was the original host while Holley was a frequent guest like the annoying Page) to be his sidekick. I watched that show a couple of times, and it is really awful. Around the Horn is only good for Tony 'Stat Boy' Reali. I like his wit and how he cuts the irritating jerks on the show down. When they get to bickering over each other, especially all @ once, the show becomes unbearable.
Now, PTI is a different story. Not only do we get Reali's quips @ the end of the show (my wife likes that part), but I genuinely like the back and forth between Kornheiser and Wilbon, both of whom are very good columnists. I even like when they get other good columnists on there to fill in when someone is off, like Jason Whitlock. As long as they stay clear of Page or Dan LeBatard, I'm good to go. I tivo PTI daily, even though I could watch it on ESPN Insider from work if I want to.
Other than PTI, you're hard pressed to find good programming on ESPN, other than when they actually have a football game on or the occasional Behind the Lines story (good, but Real Sports does it better than anyone).