- SPORTSBYBROOKS brings us the (good) news that ESPN couldn’t come to terms with Stephen A. Smith on a new contract, so he won’t be with the Worldwide Leader for much longer. Apparently, ESPN’s offer was “considerably lower” than Smith’s previous contracts.

- MOONDOG SPORTS has the story of Charles Barkley’s speech at the University of Memphis. Apparently, Sir Charles believes that the NBA should require two years at the college level before a player can make himself eligible for the draft. That’s what David Stern originally wanted, but he had to compromise with the player’s union. Personally, I think a player should be able to go into the draft straight out of high school, but if he goes to college, he has to go for two years. These one-and-dones are wreaking havoc on the college game.

- JORGE SAYS NO has a list of the worst free agent contracts in baseball from 2005 to 2009.

- PRO FOOTBALL TALK says that the Cardinals want a first and a third for Anquan Boldin. For a team on the cusp — Titans, Giants, and maybe the Vikings — I think that would be worth it, but Boldin is turning 29 this year and that might be too much to give up for anyone else.

- DEADSPIN tells us that top linebacker prospect Aaron Curry is defying the spoiled athlete stereotype by bringing a 12-year-old leukemia survivor to the NFL Draft. That’s just reason #43 that Curry should be the Lions’ #1 pick.