"As a competitive endeavor, JaMarcus Russell's tenure with the Raiders was almost unwatchable. One eye patch? Try two.

Considered in a sociological context, it delivers a powerful message: When you hand a young man an unthinkable amount of money for something he might do for you at some point, you get what you pay (and pay, and pay) for.

Long-term contracts have been a talking point in professional sports dating back to Babe Ruth's peak earning years. And they have always been a gamble. They became even more problematic when the Me Generation came of age at the dawn of free agency.

Sometimes they work out. In December 1992, the Giants' new owners signed Barry Bonds to a six-year, $43.75 million contract that outraged baseball but revived their franchise.

Sometimes they don't. In November 2008, the Warriors signed Stephen Jackson to a three-year, $28 million extension. Less than a year later, long before the new deal had kicked in, Jackson demanded to be traded."