First time Weaver is referenced as 'angelic'

RHP Jered Weaver just signed a five-year, $85 million extension with the Angels.

At least somebody's down to earth in Los Angeles.

The Angels just signed RHP Jered Weaver to a five-year extension for $85 mil, a sum critics say underprices the starting pitcher by a lot.

So let me break this down. Weaver's receiving $17 million per season, which would pit him in a tie (with Red Sox RHP Josh Beckett, no less) for the 19th-highest-paid MLB player, according to 2011 paystubs. L.A. is an expensive place to live, sure, but I'm pretty sure $17 mil can cover the costs of a plush L.A. gated mansion and trust funds for his future kids to go to, say, UCLA. Since he's the only guy crazy enough to call L.A. "home."

Regardless, this is awesome. Weaver may have had his controversial moments, but recall his resume: led the league in strikeouts last season, currently boasts a personal-best 2.10 ERA for the season, started the All-Star Game, is 14-6.

Finally, a top-tier athlete doesn't care (that much) about the number on his paycheck.

"If $85 (million) is not enough to take care of my family and other generations of families then I'm pretty stupid, but how much money do you really need in life?" Weaver said Tuesday. "I've never played this game for the money. I played it for the love and the competitive part of it. It just so happens that baseball's going to be taking care of me for the rest of my life."

In a day and age when money and contractual bargains cause unnecessary hold-ups in all professional sports, here's a guy who's content with where he is, and doesn't mind being paid so-called chump change that the rest of us would love to find in between our couch cushions. So thank you, Jered Weaver, for being normal.

PS (taking a cue from Beyonce): Can you see his halo, CC Sabathia?

5 QB thoughts post-preseason NFL weekend games

Colt McCoy led the Browns for a 27-17
victory over the Packers.

1. Colt McCoy is going to be -- and already is -- huge for the Browns. Remember, this is the QB that set the college football record for pass accuracy at a whopping 76.7 percent. He's beginning to adjust to the Big League, as evidenced by his successful 9-of-10, 27-17 campaign against the defending world champ Packers this preseason. Trust I will be keeping a keen eye on one of my favorite Longhorn alums; he's definitely a franchise guy who will do a lot for this team sooner rather than later.

2. Somewhat curious there's so much public outcry about Tim Tebow's No. 2 slot in Denver. If it were up to me, he'd be probably be served best as the third, go-to man on the QB depth chart; Brady Quinn, although perhaps not what he was at Notre Dame, is a better fit for an offense that doesn't stray toward risky spreads much. Tebow undoubtedly puts on a show and is a fan favorite, but he lacks the pocket poise and traditional skill set needed in a NFL pro. Count me in as a non-believer, Tebow, but it's possible you could convert me.

3. Not gonna lie -- I was pleasantly surprised by Cam Newton's 8-of-19, 134 yd. confidence under center as he debuted for the Panthers against New York, which Carolina won 20-10. I have admittedly never, ever been a fan of the rapid-rise-to-the-top Heisman winner, but it was awesome to see him utilize his 6-foot-6, 250 lb. frame to aid his running corps by blocking an encroaching defender post-handoff. Though the Panthers are on the right side of the record for 2011 for now, it will be interesting to see how they shake out in division play now that we've seen Newton might not be a complete flop.

4. Tampa Bay's coach Raheem Morris says his team is "youngry" -- "young" + "hungry." He's right. The Bucs routed Kansas City 25-0, with second-year QB Josh Freeman at the helm, symbolically scoring the team's first 7 points of the season. This kid (and his kid coach) brought this team back from oblivion and into contention; Freeman is a leader and a playmaker who holds massive promise for a city that has forgotten victory. I could see this squad storming the NFC South if these youngin's really do want to satisfy their hunger.

Jake Locker threw 7-of-10 in his NFL debut for the Tennessee Titans.

5. I just want to say go Jake Locker. The QB out of Washington threw 7-of-10 and a 45-yard bomb for his first pro TD. That is how you arrive in style. His talent needs a bit of refining at a higher level of course, but with veteran Matt Hasselback on for a three-year deal with the Titans, Locker has a great, seasoned mentor to keep him in check. Another QB out of this year's rookie class from whom to expect great things.