Eagles starting cornerback Sheldon Brown seems to have forgotten an old adage when it comes to contract talks.

Any time someone tells you it’s not about the money, you can pretty much bet it’s about the money.

Brown is unhappy with his deal and has indicated he would like a trade.

The Eagles responded - rather bluntly - saying they had no intention of trading a key member of their defense and that Brown’s very public (read
ESPN) statements actually hurt his value on the market.

If Brown is ticked at anyone, it should be his agent and himself. He signed the contract a few years ago that gave him financial security in the form of a healthy up-front signing bonus.

Now, toward the end of the deal, he considers himself underpaid in today’s market.

He did not seem to consider that when he was stuffing that signing bonus in his pocket.

The fact is Brown very likely is underpaid in today’s NFL market. It doesn’t change the fact that no one held a gun to his head and forced him to sign this deal. He did it of his own free will, and I am assuming the advice of his agent.

It’s just amazing how many times athletes seem to forget that small item.

Yes, Brown has legitimate points about how the thing has been handled by the Eagles. Their PR skills are right up there with the Octomom. There’s not a situation that’s beyond them bungling.

None of which changes the fact that Sheldon Brown’s signature appears on that contract.

It’s about the money.

Sheldon Brown thinks he’s going to be able to “buck” the system. He might want to chat with another Eagle who tried that, fellow corner Lito Sheppard. He’s now a member of the New York Jets. He never did get a new deal from the Eagles.

The guess is Brown won’t either.