TFD: Recommended reading -- two pieces from Grantland on "The National"

Grantland -- the new Bill Simmons venture via ESPN -- probably won't be able to fill its site every day with stories of how talented journalists had the time of their lives telling great stories and losing $150 million in 18 months. But Friday, it had just that with stories of "The National," a noble experiment in creating a national daily sports newspaper two decades ago.

If you haven't been to Grantland yet -- it launched this week -- consider this a perfect time to get your introduction via this series of recollections from those who were there and this account from National-turned-Grantland contributor Charles P. Pierce.

If The National failed in part because it burned money and had a ridiculously poor set-up plan on the business end, maybe Grantland can succeed with a similarly high-minded concept without the printing press nightmares and other such barriers? Even if it doesn't, it seems like Grantland will be fun for however long it lasts.