People power, walled content and the NFC east

There was a time a certain world wide leader in sports offered all their content free of charge.

It was joyous time.

But it was all big tease -- a decade long plot to indoctrinate young minds with a whirling dervish of statistics, analysis, polls, message boards, fantasy games, pictures, videos, commentary and inside information, as well as light, comedic fare.

Part one of their devious corporate scheme complete, espn.com has quietly been moving more and more of their content behind a 50 dollar a year wall.

To attract subscribers to their "insider" service, espn.com places thought provoking links on their main page, basically daring sports fans not to whip out their credit card.

For me, the last couple years have been a painful battle between a conscience that believes if the "people" all stick together and refuse to pay subscriber fees the world wide web will remain free, and an id which burns for each and every draft board Mel Kiper Jr. has put to press.

Lately, espn.com has been turning up the heat. Just this morning they dropped this morsel, so intriguing, my left hand was forced to protect my wallet from my right.

• Scouts Inc.: Eagles' success hinges on McNabb

I'm left to wonder what kind of insanity leads to a conclusion so genius.

And, for you, wonder is all I can do.