I wanted so badly to believe that hed learned. After years of indefensible spending on mediocre players, it seemed like Bryan Colangelo had finally become cap-conscious after two years of smart, defensible spending. And then this. Today, the Raptors agreed to terms with DeMar DeRozan on a four-year contract extension worth a reported $40 million, suggesting a level of confidence in a player that over the last three years simply hasnt warranted it. This is a player that finished with a 12.8 PER last year, below the league average, and has seen his shooting percentages decrease every year hes been in the NBA. Oh yeah, hes also a shooting guard that cant shoot threes (so much so, the club has absolved him of the responsibility of learning to), a guard that doesnt pass and an athlete with tremendous hops that doesnt rebound (he finished tied for 46th amongst 73 shooting guards in rebound rate last season). For some reason, though, the Raptors found it imperative to (over)pay him when they would have controlled his rights as a restricted free agent next summer. Now theyve banked severely on his ability to improve demonstrably after three years of relative stagnation, and at four years, they didnt even protect themselves by shortening the contract (either outright or with a team option) as recompense for extending a player that really hasnt done enough on the court to warrant such an investment. We were supposed to have the last of this, Colangelo; the one that inked Jason Kapono to his full mid-level exception or bet the farm on Jermaine ONeal or thought Hedo Turkoglu was his ticket to retaining Chris Bosh long-term. Colangelo was on such a hot streak, from hiring Dwane Casey to drafting Jonas Valanciunas to trading for Kyle Lowry. He really seemed to have a grip on what this team was, what he wanted it to be and how to get it there. In reality, it looks like the old Colangelo was just lying in wait, eager to pounce. Really it shouldnt be all that surprising. Colangelo has never failed to extend one of his lottery picks. Hes always demonstrated a certain affection for the kids hes plucked out of the draft. That said, when your lottery picks are Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire and even Andrea Bargnani, you can make a pretty strong case for getting that money committed early. DeRozan is a different case, though. Hes not an All-Star, nor is he seven-feet tall. Hes good, but hes far from where he needs to be to justify the contract he just signed, and that is why its so hard to defend the decision to commit so much money to him today when he still has so much to prove before he earns it. When it comes to DeRozan, though, the Raptors have a history of putting him into positions before hes earned it. He was handed a starting spot on Day One, despite being a tremendously raw rookie who didnt contribute much to a starting lineup that had playoff aspirations (he was yanked from the starting five when the season was hitting the skids down the stretch). He spent the last two years as the clubs primary backcourt scoring option despite his increasingly inefficient production and his inability to assert himself at the defensive end. That latter point is perhaps most disquieting since the organization paid so much lip service to the heightened importance of defensive accountability, yet the club allowed 3.5 points per 100 possessions more when he was on the court last year. Not even Bargnani was a negative in that area a season ago, and he was injured for half his games. So what needs to happen now? Well, DeRozan has to prove that he can get to the line a ton to help get his efficiency up, he has to become a consistent threat in the post and he has to become a way better defender. Thats a lot to ask of a player who has shown such minimal tangible growth to date, but thats the standard hell be held to now that hes a $10-million-per-year player. Still, even if DeRozan manages to significantly improve his game and warrants the deal in the end, it doesnt speak well of Colangelo that he was so eager to give it to him. It wasnt a necessary expenditure and will put a tremendous strain on the teams cap if DeRozan cant live up to it. There is a difference between having faith in a player and gambling on him. It seemed for a time like Colangelo the gambler had given way to Colangelo the patient and reasonable. It was a mirage. With his own contract up at seasons end, though, hed just better hope his gamble pays off. ray ban sunglasses for sale ." But the Toronto Blue Jays are banking heavily on R.A. Dickeys dancing knuckleball leading them back to the baseball playoffs. Ray Ban Outlet Mall . Tate is expected to be out indefinitely, according to Stampeders coach John Hufnagel. The coach told TSNs Katherine Dolan that the injury is either a separation or dislocation. He will most likely fly back to Calgary to get an MRI and see the extent of the damage. http://www.officialraybansun... . -- Canadas Graham DeLaet is quietly becoming the Cinderella of these FedEx Cup playoffs. [url=http://www.officialraybansunglassesoutlet.com/]Ray Ban Aviators Sunglasses . This week, they discuss the debut of Robert Griffin III, Paula Findlays support team, Derek Jeter turning back the clocks, and head coaches willing to try trick plays. ray ban wayfarer sunglasses .E.I. Rocket 6-1 on Sunday afternoon in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. It was the first-career QMJHL hat trick for the 20-year-old centre and he now has nine goals and 26 points in 22 games.DENVER -- Saturdays rematch between UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and the man he beat for the belt, Frankie (The Answer) Edgar, wasnt supposed to happen. Following Hendersons UFC 144 win over Edgar in February, UFC President Dana White suggested former World Extreme Cagefighting champion Anthony Pettis would get his shot at UFC gold. But Edgar, who had previously granted title-shot rematches to B.J. Penn and Gray Maynard, was relentless in his pursuit of a return bout and eventually forced Whites hand. The two now meet in the main event of UFC 150 on Saturday night at the Pepsi Center. "Rematches are -- I mean theres two sides to it," Edgar said. "You get to see what your opponent is all about, and you get to see what youre about. I think sometimes in rematches it matters who makes the best adjustments and who is the best. But at this level, fights are so close and sometimes its who shows up that night and who performs better." Thus far in his career, Edgar (14-2-1 MMA, 9-2-1 UFC) has proven himself a better fighter in return bouts -- soundly defeating both Penn and Maynard in rematches. In February, Henderson was awarded their first fight with convincing scores of 49-46, 48-47 and 49-46. Still, Edgar believes he should have retained his belt that night, and hes determined to walk away a champion on Saturday night. "Hes not defending the belt," Edgar said. "That belt is mine, and Im taking it back. "I feel like I can do better than I did last time. All respect to him, hes a very good fighter, but I still feel I am No. 1 in the 155-pound weight class, and I will prove that." Despite Denvers high altitude, which has had visible effects on a handful of fighters on previous fight cards in the Mile-High City, Henderson and Edgar are well-equipped to maintain a fast pace for a full five rounds. The key ultimately boils down to the larger Hendersons ability to absorb Edgars blows while utilizing his strength to control the action in clinches and on the floor. Meanwhile, Edgar will likely look to capitalize on speed and movement to frustrate his opponent while landing rapid-fire combinations at every opportunity.dddddddddddd Henderson (16-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has already been told Nate Diaz is in waiting, and a trilogy fight is not in the cards should he fall short on Saturday night. Meanwhile, Edgar has been told repeatedly by White he should consider dropping to 145 pounds. So while the UFC 150 main event will determine the promotions lightweight champion, it will also have much to say about the future of two of the sports most exciting fighters. "I think its going to be another great fight, another great performance from both of us," Edgar said. "The biggest thing, I think, is that we both always bring it. We both always have good entertaining fights. We dont need to talk smack and hate each other. We dont need to dislike the guy or be hateful towards each other, but we always put on a great show, and its going to stay the same in Denver." On paper, the nights co-main event between Colorado native Donald Cerrone and Melvin Guillard looks to be a crowd-pleaser and a leading candidate to score the evenings Fight of the Night. Former teammates and current friends, Cerrone and Guillard have each promised to deliver an action-packed contest from start to finish, and their past performances would suggest thats not an empty pledge. Guillard fought just one month ago, but the potential to compete in such a high-level affair against Cerrone was too enticing to turn down. "Donald has always been a great friend of mine," Guillard said. "The first thing I thought was, The least I can do is show up for the guy. That way he can fight in his hometown. But by no means did I come to Colorado to lose." Meanwhile, Cerrone, who is 8-1 in his past nine fights, was especially appreciative of his opponents willingness to clash. "I am honoured Melvin stepped up," Cerrone said. "He could have said, We trained together. Weve sparred. He knows my style. Its in his hometown. But he stepped up right away. Hes a warrior. Hes a man." ' ' '