I’ll Take “Spoiled-Ass Receivers” For $500, Alex

It was only a matter of time before Anquan Boldin decided that he didn't like the fact that Larry Fitzgerald got a new contract for $10 million per year and he didn't. And now the waiting is over because Boldin has requested a trade. The Cardinals, at least for now, said no.

The Cardinals told Boldin they were unwilling to trade him, but would consider exploring the possibility of a new contract with him.

Boldin is signed through 2010, so he has three years remaining on his contract -- an extension he signed in 2005 that included a $5 million signing bonus. The Cardinals shouldn't even be dignifying this by bringing up the possibility of a new contract. Fuck him. And I don't say that lightly because I think Boldin is one of the best receivers in the league and I'd love to have him in Tampa Bay. But if players want to be free agents sooner, stop signing contract extensions! Chad Johnson is doing exactly the same thing only two years into a six year deal. They get that big up-front bonus for signing a long-term contract, then want a new deal halfway into it (or less) or to be traded so some other team will repeat the mistake for them. It's also no coincidence that Drew Rosenhaus represents both players. He also represents Javon Walker, Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow, and of course, Terrell Owens -- all players who have assholed their way into new contracts or new teams, or just been a huge pain in the nuts for their employer. It's worth noting that Earnest Graham is also a Rosenhaus client. At some point, players have to realize that agents don't get paid unless they get new contracts and that their agent probably isn't really looking out for what's best for the player in the long term. Join me now in wishing for Rosenhaus to suffer acute angina for the rest of his miserable life.

Marvin Lewis is my new best buddy for putting his foot down on the Chad Johnson trade and daring Johnson to go ahead and sit out all year.

"I've stated our case with Chad," Lewis said. "He has a contract through 2011. He's stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn't going to play. I think he's a man of his word and says he's not going to play, so don't play."

It's the same tactic you have to use with children. "Fine, hold your breath until you pass out." I hope it's a position more teams take with players who want to double-dip the system. I understand trying to push for a new deal in the last year of your contract if you don't really want to be a free agent and you're happy where you are. But two or three years into a huge deals like the ones Johnson and Boldin signed? Sorry. The teams will get by without you.