Arguing Over Pennies

Lovie Smith got his payday:

Smith was given a four-year extension through 2011 and Angelo a five-year extension through 2013, the Bears announced. ...

But sources estimated Smith's extension is worth $22 million in new money.

Added to his 2007 salary of $1.45 million, the five-year average of $4.69 million jumps him from the lowest-paid coach in the league into the top 10.

So, looking back to what Smith turned down a year ago, the Bears had offered approximately $12 million for years 2006 through 2009. Instead, Lovie earned $1.35 million in 2006, he gets his set $1.45 million in 2007 and then $5.5 million per year through 2011.

That means, for years 2006 through 2009, Lovie will earn $13.8 million. That means, all this arguing was about $450,000 per year -- plus two additional years worth $11 million.

Was it really worth all this haggling? Was it worth the bad press the team got? Probably not. If you are going to give a guy his money, why drag out the process? They could have given him this money a month ago and the Bears would have received hossanas for their forsight.

Then again, if it gets Carol Slezak fired for the piece of trash she wrote, maybe it was worth it.