Bewerbungen » tinues to fuel me." Raymonds pick-six

NEW ORLEANS -- The Saints Jimmy Graham and the NFL Players Association were dealt a setback Wednesday when an arbitrator ruled that he can only be considered a tight end for the purposes of his franchise tag designation. NFLPA had filed a grievance arguing that Graham was used as a wide receiver often enough to qualify for the more lucrative receiver tag. But arbitrator Stephen Burbank disagreed and now the NFLPA is reviewing his ruling, and will advise Graham on his options, which could include an appeal. Grahams case is being closely watched around the league because it could set a precedent for negotiations involving players who fill diverse roles in their teams offensive or defensive schemes. For example, some outside linebackers in a 3-4 defensive scheme could argue their right to receive the higher defensive end tag. NFL franchise tags, which allow each team to keep one prized player who is due to become a free agent, were set this year at $7 million for tight ends and $12.3 million for receivers. Burbank, who is also a University of Pennsylvania law professor, found that Graham could fulfil the standard duties of a tight end when he was lined up in the slot or within 4 yards of an offensive tackle, as he was for most of his snaps. Burbank further pointed out that defences usually accounted for Graham as a tight end, regardless of his alignment, by assigning a linebacker or safety to cover him. "Like tight ends, wide receivers and running backs often line up in the slot," Burbanks ruling stated. "The defence employed against any player so aligned turns on the players position, not his alignment, because of the physical attributes and skill sets of the players in those positions." Burbank indicated there could be merit to the NFLPA contention that Graham cannot be considered a tight end when he does in fact line up as a wideout. However, because both sides stipulated that Graham lined up within 4 yards of an offensive tackle for nearly 55 per cent of his snaps, Burbank said he did not need to address the minority of instances in which offensive formations employed by Saints coach Sean Payton placed Graham at a wider distance from the offensive line. The NFLs collective bargaining agreement states that franchise tags should be applied according to the position at which a player lines up for the majority of his snaps. Graham has skipped Saints off-season practices while holding out for a new, long-term contract. A favourable ruling from Burbank would have further enhanced negotiating leverage for Graham, who last season led the Saints with 86 catches for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns. Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said the club would have no comment on the ruling, and Sexton did not respond to a request for comment. In its statement, the NFLPA said: "We will also continue to assist Graham and his representation as necessary to help the player reach a fair long-term deal with the New Orleans Saints." Such disputes are not frequent, but draw lots of attention because of their potential to set a precedent. Baltimores Terrell Suggs, the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year, argued in 2008 that he should be tagged as an end, not a linebacker. The difference back then was about $800,000. That dispute ended when Suggs signed a new long-term contract with the Ravens. He later helped them win the 2012 NFL championship. July 15 is the final day a team can sign 2014 franchise players to long-term extensions. Otherwise, they must play under their franchise tag designation for one season, after which they would be set to become free agents. Jordan 3 Clearance . They actually finished with a better record in ‘07 than they did in ‘06 but only marginally, going from 61 victories to 66. Wholesale Jordan 3 Cheap . De La Rosa pitched six strong innings to win his sixth consecutive decision, Todd Helton homered and the Colorado Rockies snapped the Los Angeles Dodgers six-game winning streak with a 7-5 victory on Wednesday night. http://www.wholesaleairjordan3.com/. The Force had two men, including former Wallabies No. 8 Ben McCalman, in the sin-bin in the dying minutes of the match, but were able to resist a late Highlanders surge to post a four-try, bonus point win. Discount Jordan 3 Wholesale . Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 6:30pm ct/7:30pm et. The game is also avialable on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg at 7pm ct. Jordan 3 For Sale Cheap . Grilli hasnt pitched since straining his left oblique in late April. Manager Clint Hurdle says the right-hander will make a couple of appearances in middle relief before the team determines whether to return Grilli to the back end of the bullpen.CALGARY - Keon Raymond scored the first touchdown of his life off an interception at the age of nine. That set the tone for his football career. The Calgary linebacker is one away from becoming the franchise leader in defensive touchdowns as the Stampeders (4-1) face the expansion Ottawa Redblacks (1-4) for the first time Saturday at McMahon Stadium. Watch the game on TSN starting at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. Raymond tied Frank Andruskis club record last weekend when he intercepted former teammate Kevin Glenn and went 63 yards for the TD in Calgarys 25-24 loss to the B.C. Lions. "It would be a blessing if I was able to get another one," Raymond said Friday. "I dont worry about it. "If the opportunity presents itself, I want to take full advantage of it." The 31-year-old is in his seventh season wearing Calgarys galloping horse logo. Raymond signed a contract extension with the club in January. "It was one of the things I said when I signed back here is I want to be able to have my name on the side of this stadium one day, " Raymond said. "Thats one of the things that continues to fuel me." Raymonds pick-six against B.C. was his fourth. The other two TDs have come on fumble recoveries. He dabbled on offence as a receiver and running back in high school but said nothing beats the feeling of scoring off the opposing offences mistakes. "It sucks the life out of them and I dont mind being a vampire," he said. A staunch Calgary defence allowing a league-low 15.1 points per game has been a huge difference for Calgary this season. The clubs offence is the least productive in the West Division, averaging 24.6 points per game. However, B.C. became the first CFL team this season to surpass the 100-yard rushing plateau against Calgary. "Our biggest thing is to make sure were in position to win the game at all times," Raymond said. "We did that. "We just didnt close out defensively, so we want to make sure were able to bounce back and continue to play defence the way weve been playing." A former Stampeder quarterback returns to McMahon a second consecutive week although Ottawas Henry Burris spent two seasons as Hamiltons starter following his seven-year stint in Calgary. However, Raymonds familiarity with Burris will certainly help him anticipate his one-time teammates moves. And in 2012, Raymond returned a Burris interception 100 yards for a touchdown but he says he wont shirk his defensive responsibilities for a shot returning a second Burris pick for the team record. "I played with Hank for about five years and understand how he throws, what his looks are and what his main targets are," Raymond said. "It gives me a little bit of a bead on him, but I still have to make sure Im doing my part, covering guys and in the right position." Ottawa is ccoming off a 38-14 home loss to Saskatchewan and is averaging just 18.dddddddddddd8 points a game, ahead of only the Montreal Alouettes (15 points per game). However, Ottawa remains in contention in the East Division. The Toronto Argonauts are the only Eastern club with more than one win and are on their bye week. "Thats the silver lining behind all this," Burris said. "You never expected the East would get off to this slow of a start. We need to take full advantage of it. Thats what weve been preparing ourselves for all week. "Toronto has the bye this week, so we have the chance to tie them up. Hamilton is thinking the same thing as well as Montreal, so who is going to take that next step? Its sitting right there for us. We need to make that step happen and its going to start with our offence." The Stampeders supplied the Redblacks with significant manpower, both on their roster and coaching ranks. Ottawa selected Glenn, offensive lineman JMichael Deane and safety Eric Fraser in the expansion draft. But Glenn asked for and was granted a trade to the Lions after the Redblacks signed Burris as a free agent. The Stampeders also sent veteran offensive lineman Jon Gott to Ottawa for the first overall pick in the CFL Draft in May, using it to take Laval offensive lineman Pierre Lavertu. Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell spent the last two seasons as Calgarys defensive co-ordinator while offensive co-ordinator Mike Gibson is a former Stampeders offensive line coach. Ottawas first trade in February was acquiring defensive lineman Justin Phillips from Calgary, but Phillips is currently on the six-game injured list with a broken leg. There wasnt much for Ottawa to celebrate against Saskatchewan but the clubs first TD at home was certainly memorable. When backup quarterback Thomas Demarco punted the ball into the end zone, an on-side Dobson Collins raced downfield and jumped on it for the score. John Hufnagel, Calgarys head coach and GM, pointed out Campbells coaching roots are on special teams. "Hes always been known to have some tricks up his sleeve," Hufnagel said. With Canadian running backs Jon Cornish and Matt Walter still out with concussion symptoms, ratio issues will keep veteran slotback Nik Lewis a healthy scratch for a second week. Cornish, the CFLs most valuable player and leading rusher last season, hasnt played since the season opener. Cornish and Walter were both able to get into the weight room this week. Cornish also attended team meetings "so theyre both going in the right direction," Hufnagel said. NOTES: Burris needs 373 passing yards to become the fourth player in CFL history reach the 53,000-yard mark. Danny McManus is currently third at 53,255 . . . Stampeder cornerback Buddy Jackson returns to the lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury. ' ' '