2334 Beiträge -
Forengott
|
|
|
CFL training camps opened Sunday amid the uncertainty of a potential players strike. Graham Zusi Jersey . Veterans reported for the start of two-a-day workouts three days after negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement broke down for the second time in as many weeks. The old deal expired at midnight ET on Thursday, the two sides havent met since and have no new talks scheduled. The CFL Players Association has mailed strike ballots to its members but Alberta labour laws could push the start of a strike into next week. For defensive back Eric Fraser, a union rep for the expansion Ottawa Redblacks, thats a good thing. "Thats a lot of time for the (CFLPA) executive and CFL to sit back down and hammer something out," he said. "I dont think were too far away right now, but tough decisions are going to have to be made on our end and their end and hopefully we can nail something out and everyone leaves the negotiating table a little upset because they think they gave up a little too much." There has been one strike since the formation of the CFLPA in 1965. That was in 74 when a new agreement was reached during training camp without the loss of regular-season games. The 2014 regular season is scheduled to kick off June 26. Despite the huge cloud hanging over the league, Fraser is confident a deal will be reached. "I have 100 per cent confidence there would be no lockout or strike like (2012 in the NHL) in the CFL," he said. "You just cant do it. "A good deal is going to get done here and I think thats positive." The CFL and players met for 17 hours over two days last week but money remains a major stumbling block after the league signed a five-year TV deal with TSN said to be worth a whopping $42 million annually this off-season. That deal alone would reportedly net teams an extra $2.7 million in 2014. The CFLPA is looking for the salary cap -- which was $4.4 million last year -- to increase to $5.8 million, with a $4.8 million minimum. The league has countered with a $5-million cap offer and boosting the average stipend to $96,000 from $92,917. The players have amended their revenue-sharing stance. Instead of requesting specific percentages on gate, television and sponsorship revenues, the CFLPA proposed a fixed cap for at least two years. After the second if league revenues increased by more than $12 million -- excluding the Grey Cup -- the two sides would renegotiate the cap or the CBA would be terminated at seasons end. The league would renegotiate the cap if revenues increased by $27 million or more in the third year. Cohon, who called the CFLs proposal last week its last and best, has repeatedly stated owners wont agree to any revenue-sharing offer because league revenues and profits arent enough for the model to work effectively. And that bothers veteran kicker Paul McCallum, the B.C. Lions player rep. "I dont know which way is up when (Cohon) talks sometimes," McCallum said. "All I know is the finances are what they are -- theyre black and white. "As players we just need to be treated fairly, and thats all were asking for. Were not millionaires here." For decades the CFL suffered financially, something the 44-year-old McCallum knows firsthand. But the veteran kicker feels the CFL is banking on the union cracking this time around. "To be quite honest, over my career weve sort of bent and bent and bent so I guess they think why would we not bend now," he said. "Theyre in for a rude awakening this time. "Enough is enough." Argos centre Jeff Keeping, also a member of the CFLPA executive, is glad to be playing football again but would readily replace his uniform with a suit for the resumption of contract talks. "The players are unwavering . . . we hope to get back to the negotiating table," he said. "Until then were here to play football." Veteran Ottawa quarterback Henry Burris is undeterred about the leagues labour strife but said its time the two sides resume talking. "The people that are in place saying all this stuff in the media, they need to quit all that crap and get to work and do what theyre paid to do and thats to make decisions and get this thing rectified so we can get back out here and do our jobs," he said. "For me thats the bottom line, as a senior member of the CFL, Im telling you guys Lets get this thing done, so we can get out here on the field and do our jobs because were looking forward to an amazing time here in Ottawa and we dont want nobody to spoil this party that we have planned." Toronto head coach Scott Milanovich has contingency plans for a work stoppage but says right now its business as usual. "Any practices we can get is great for the coaches, great for the players," he said. "It just makes the practices we get in even more important that we take advantage to all the minutes and reps we get." Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and B.C. running back Andrew Harris are both pretty much taking the same approach. "Its not in my mind, its not in my control," Levi Mitchell said. "No matter what, whatever happens, the day you come back, if it does happen, youve got to be ready to play that day. Were going to come out here and compete and get better every single day and practise like nothings going on." Added Harris: "Were here to work. were here to get better. Youve just got to prepare as if everythings going great and were going to be playing." -- With files from Lisa Wallace in Ottawa, Donna Spencer in Calgary and Joshua Clipperton in Kamloops, B.C. Kyle Beckerman Jersey .com) - A pair of Eastern Conference rivals will meet on Saturday as D. Brek Shea Jersey . According to MMAFighting.com, MacDonald needs an x-ray on his right ankle and doctors clearance to fight or he will be subject to a mandatory medical suspension that will end on August 22, 2014. http://www.soccerusafansshop.com/Timothy-Weah-Amer...ca-Jers ey/ . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games.SEATTLE -- Jake Odorizzi did his job on the mound backing up what David Price did the previous night for Tampa Bay. It got overshadowed by the concern for how long the Rays could be without All-Star second baseman Ben Zobrist. Odorizzi pitched one-hit ball, but the Rays lost Zobrist to a dislocated thumb during a 2-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Zobrists injury isnt considered serious. But the Rays are not sure whether hell end up on the disabled list or be able to play through the injury. Rays manager Joe Maddon said the club would likely make a decision on Thursday after seeing how the thumb responds. "Were getting different opinions. I think a lot of it has to do with how sore he is tomorrow, how swollen and sore," Maddon said. "That could indicate DL. That could indicate maybe not." Zobrist hurt his left thumb on a headfirst slide while trying to steal second base in the fifth and yelled in pain. The valuable all-purpose player jammed himself into the bag after being tagged out, walked off the field holding his hand and later had his thumb adjusted back into place. Zobrist said having the thumb put back in hurt more than jamming it originally. X-rays to check if there was a fracture were negative. "I guess best case scenario is it heals very quickly and I can get back on the field, maybe within a week," Zobrist said. "Thats unlikely I think and I think theyre trying to decide whether I need to go on the DL or not. Well see what decision is made." Odorizzi (2-3) picked up his first win since the opening week of the season, teaming with three relievers on a combined two-hitter. Odorizzi allowed only two baserunners, both on walks, and then retired 12 straight batters before James Jones broke up the no-hit bid with a two-out single in the sixth. Odorizzi struck out Stefan Romero to end the sixth, his eighth, but his pitch count was at 95. Odorizzi said he knew he had a no-hitter going but realized it was a long time before it could become reality. Gyasi Zardes Jersey . "If I would have gotten through that sixth inning there are still nine outs to go. Thats a lot of outs. I dont think you really think about it until its like the eighth inning and you have an out or two," Odorizzi said. "The hit we gave up was on the pitch we wanted too." With the Rays bullpen rested after Prices complete game the night before, Maddon ended Odorizzis day after six innings. Jake McGee walked Robinson Cano to open the seventh, but got Justin Smoak to ground into a double play. Joel Peralta worked around a one-out double by Dustin Ackley in the eighth, helped by a questionable strikeout of John Buck when he was called out by first base umpire Lance Barksdale on a check swing. That set off Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon. His argument led to his second ejection of the season and left a fan with a souvenir after McClendon threw his hat into the stands. "It is what it is," McClendon said. "You write what you saw. If I tell it, I get fined." Grant Balfour worked the ninth for his seventh save in eight chances. Brandon Maurer (1-2) and the Seattle bullpen held the Rays to three hits, but Tampa Bay scored twice in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk to Yunel Escobar and a wild pitch that scored Wil Myers. Maurer failed to make it through that inning after losing command. With a runner already on base, Maurer issued three straight two-out walks to Myers, Brandon Jennings and the last to Escobar that forced in a run. Reliever Dominic Leone almost immediately threw a wild pitch that scored Myers. NOTES: Rays won consecutive games for first time since May 1-2. ... Seattle LHP James Paxton (back) threw a 52-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday. Paxton hopes to throw a simulated game this weekend on the road. ... Seattle SS Brad Miller committed his seventh error. He had seven errors in 68 games at SS last season. China Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL T-shirts Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Stitched NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '
|