News item: Terrell Suggs has signed a six-year deal with the Ravens worth a reported $63 million, making him the highest-paid linebacker in the history of the NFL.
My take: I know that sounds like a lot of money to pay a guy for running into people, but Suggs is the real deal, and the Ravens are smart to lock up the nucleus of their strong defense.
Bonus take: And I give both sides a lot of credit for getting through the long negotiating process without a lot of public rancor.
News item: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones delivered a sacrifice fly to drive in the winning run in the 80th All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
My take: That's terrific. Maybe when the Yankees sign him to a huge free-agent contract five years from now, they'll give him a bonus for getting them home-field advantage in the 2009 World Series.
News item: Brett Favre continues to work out with a Mississippi high school football team and says he'll let the Minnesota Vikings know by July 30 whether he'll report for training camp.
My take: Of course he's coming back to the NFL. The only question is whether he breaks into tears when he announces his retirement from that high school team.
News item: Tom Watson shot a 65 in the first round of the British Open on Thursday, evoking memories of his famous "Duel in the Sun" with Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry 32 years ago.
My take: I've never been to Scotland, but it must be tough to live in a place where they still remember the day the sun came out in 1977.
News item: Lance Armstrong remained in third place overall in the Tour de France on Thursday in spite of a flat tire.
My take: Just curious. Do you ever wonder who all those other people are in the race?
News item: Embattled driver Jeremy Mayfield has allegedly tested positive a second time for methamphetamine, prompting NASCAR to ask a judge to reinstate his indefinite suspension for an earlier positive test. Mayfield is challenging the legitimacy of the tests and charging that NASCAR is conspiring to destroy his career.
My take: What a tawdry tale. At least with steroids, you have to give the athletes credit for trying.
News item: Ravens receiver Derrick Mason abruptly announced his retirement Monday but is taking a couple of weeks to mull over that decision even though he told ESPN News he's "99 percent" sure he won't be back.
