Humorous, strong brand identification, and probably paid a good endorsement fee.  I love it from every angle.

Baseball

• The Nationals had no problem signing its top draft picks last year, but this year, no such luck thus far [Top Five Picks, Team at Odds Over Bonuses].
• Goodbye to a man who opened up a new market for agents recruiting foreign clients [Nomo's impact hit Majors like a 'tornado'].
• We’ve discussed buscones before.  Here is one tied to our boy, Michael Inoa [Ties between Dominican prospects and bookie raise concerns for MLB].
• I am still not convinced that Gus is guilty [Despite smuggling conviction, agent has no regrets].

Basketball

• The Vegas Summer League has experienced tremendous growth [Summer League on firm ground].
• Is there a higher valued position player than a superstar point guard right now? [Report: Jazz, Williams agree to four-year, $70M extension].
• adidas better get ready to send me a pair [Bulls' Rose gets shoe deal].

Football

• The other Long has signed, meaning that the top 4 picks are with their respective teams for the start of training camp [Rams first-round pick Long agrees to six-year deal].
• Jason Taylor to the Redskins…Jeremy Shockey to the Saints.  Two of my favorite players no longer playing for my favorite teams.
• Brian Urlacher has the potential to make $43.5 million between now and when he turns 35-years-old [Sources: Urlacher to get raise with revised contract].
• The Chargers are showing a lot of faith in someone who is injury prone [Chargers DE Castillo gets $43M in 5-year extension].

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like Urlacher complaining, especially when he is the heart and soul of the defense and his current contract is now outdated compared to others at the linebacker position.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.