Today is Blog Action Day 2008.  Last year’s mission was to help the environment, and SportsAgentBlog.com did its small part to notice those in the sports world who have been going green and encourage others to follow suit.  This year’s goal is to make a difference by having over 7,500 bloggers post about poverty.  Those 7,500+ sites have a total readership of over nine million.  I have once again signed up this blog to take part in this effort to promote a good cause.  What can sports agents do to raise awareness about poverty and potentially reduce its footprint?

We can follow the lead of Glenn Toby.  Glenn, himself, had to deal with poverty as a child.  He went from not knowing if he would have a comfortable place to sleep at night to becoming a sports and entertainment executive worth many millions.  He has represented LL Cool J, 50 Cent, and Asante Samuel among many other big name clients.  Still, with all of his success, he gives back to those who need money a lot more than he does.  Toby is doing his part to ensure that young disadvantaged children have more opportunities than he did growing up.

Glenn Toby has gone from homeless to hero.  With all of his great achievements, he takes the most pride in the creation of the Book Bank Foundation.  It was formed in 1997 with the goal of boosting literacy among the nation’s youth.  Its mission is to make a positive impact on the communities in which we live by providing homeless children and their families resources for combating illiteracy.  The emphasis is placed on helping inner-city children who are often poverty stricken.

Dr. Cornel West, a popular professor at Princeton University, has noted, “Poverty is what has created & shaped Glenn Toby.”  Dr. West’s words are very inspiring, but trumped by this quote by Mr. Toby: “Homeless does not mean helpless.”  Do your part and either help Mr. Toby advance his Book Bank Foundation, find another worthy cause that raises awareness and helps out those who are poverty stricken, or start your own initiative.  Blog Action Day is all about doing something.  Even if it means donating a piece of memorabilia from one of your clients so that the money made from its sale goes to help out those who need the money, you would be doing a part in helping out our world.

For information on the Book Bank Foundation:

The Book Bank Foundation Inc.

Phone: (718) 989-2168

Fax: (718) 989-2168

Email: info@thebookbankfoundation.org
Web: http://www.thebookbankfoundation.org

In some cases I don’t blame players for complaining about their contracts, because teams can cut them at any time. With football being such a physical sport, players know they need to make the money as soon as possible, for one injury can end their career. I understand players like Urlacher complaining, especially when he is the heart and soul of the defense and his current contract is now outdated compared to others at the linebacker position.

But what I can’t stand is when guys like Jeff Garcia or Lito Sheppard complain. While Garcia is a very talented quarterback and deserves the respect he is demanding, he is also an old quarterback. Garcia isn’t getting younger and it seems only natural that the Bucs are looking towards the future without the aging QB. Why threaten to retire? If you sign a contract, you should be ready to play through the contract. At this point Garcia must know the business of football. Not every player deserves extensions before his current deal expires.

The Lito Sheppard situation really confuses me; he signed a 5 yr $25 million that runs through 2011 and yet he’s complaining. Since his contract was signed in 2005, he has only played in 34 games. He has proven he just can’t stay on the field, and he is no longer one of the elite corners in the league. He may think his contract is now outdated compared to the recent deals signed by Nate Clements, Asante Samuel, Marcus Trufant and Terrance Newman. Unfortunately for Lito, he just hasn’t earned himself a new lucrative contract.

I understand griping about contracts is part of the business because of the lack of guarantees, but I would like to see a time when players play through the contracts they are given.

The Steelers, Patriots, and Giants were all great examples of knowing the limit on their own players. Look at the Patriots, for example, and all of the guys they let get away: Branch, Milloy, Law, McGinest and Asante Samuel. The Patriots have been able to find cheaper and younger players to step in right away and contribute. And look at the Giants. They knew Gibril Wilson was going to get big money. But instead of overpaying for a middle-of-the-pack guy, they brought in a much cheaper and cost-effective veteran in Sammy Knight (I love this move and by the way, he led the Jaguars in tackles). While the Steelers will miss Fanaca on their offensive line, they were right to let him go. The Rooneys have a way of doing business, and it has proven pretty successful if you ask me. Fanaca, while still a dominant lineman, is only getting older, and the Steelers knew it was time to move on. They will reload with the second wave of free agency and through the draft–something they have done with much success in the past.

As for the Dolphins, we have seen them get incredibly younger and more athletic. They cut Zach Thomas, Marty Booker, Trent Green, L.J Shelton, and Keith Traylor, and brought in Ernest Wilford, Justin Smiley, Josh McNown, Randy Starks, and Reggie Torbor. These were all moves that immediately made the Dolphins a lot more completive, and also provide the foundation for a brighter future.

I finally would like to challenge anyone out there who can find one player on the Steelers, Giants, Colts, and Patriots who is overpaid. Good Luck.