Mr Dee

TYRON BRACKENRIDGE – Jovon Johnson called and left you a message..

Nope. Wrong Derek Walker.

how about Kyle Walters just does what every other GM in the league can do and find some pass catchers on his own from the states? There's only about a million of them down there. Some pass catchers from the states? From the Free Agency camps that we run down there? Yes, I agree. It's darn near time we start unearthing some gems from those camps. Gotta be one or two in this million you would think. But really, I don't care if we get one and one from up here and down there, as long as we get performance from them. We need a new 'star' in that regard.

CAREERS NFL 16% of retired NFL players go bankrupt, a report says - http://fortune.com/2015/04/15/nfl-players-bankrupt/ And to dispute SI's figures.... Today, however, a new working paper released by the National Bureau of Economic Research is challenging that number, at least somewhat.* Using data on all 2,016 players drafted between 1996 and 2003, it finds that after two years off the field, just 1.9 percent of former NFL pros have filed for bankruptcy. A dozen years into retirement, 15.7 percent have filed for bankruptcy. So, is the Sports Illustrated number simply wrong? I wouldn't go that far. While the article is a tiny bit murky on the provenance of its big stat, a source who was familiar with its origins told me that it had in fact been circulated internally by the NFL and its players union. The likely reason it's so high is that it measures much more than bankruptcies. Any former athlete who wound up unemployed or experienced a divorce would be lumped into the 78 percent total, regardless of how well his finances survived the experience. The authors behind the new NBER paper, on the other hand, are looking exclusively at bankruptcies. Since their analysis only includes former draft picks, they may also be tracking a somewhat elite subset of ex-pros. About 30 percent of players in the league were never selected in the draft, and—while I haven't seen any specific stats on this—I wouldn't be shocked if they generally had shorter, less profitable careers. - MoneyboxA BLOG ABOUT BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS.APRIL 13 2015 6:08 PM How Many Pro Football Players Actually Go Broke? Fewer Than You Might Think. By Jordan Weissmann

Sorry the report said 80% of NFL athletes go broke within 5 years and black atheletes make up almost 70% of players in the NFL. I apologize for being slightly off resulting in your panties getting in a bunch. Those numbers are still off, but I'll let you and your 30% apology off the hook.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tyson-hartnett/why-athletes-go-broke-and_b_6812864.html ESPN had a documentary about it.... Also common sense... Hockey is an expensive sport to play and usually families in poverty cannot afford to put a kid through hockey. Boxing, basketball and football... these guys are coming straight from the ghetto from usually broken homes and very low income... they have zero knowledge of how to manage finances and of course so many of them go crazy and blow the money or get conned out of the money. Your example is flawed. It's states SI did a study of former NFL and NBA players. That's all it said. Not how many or for how long. Even then, the percentage is well below what you stated and is not broken down by any racial identifications.You're guessing. I'm not saying players don't go broke, just your statement of 90% of black athletes go broke.

And I'm pretty sure you're 90% wrong.

LaPo's success pivots on quality of his QB columnist.title By: Doug Brown The premise of this article can be summed up as; when LaPolice has a healthy QB on the uprise, then he has been successful and has proven his offensive proficiency. When the QB is at the tale end of his career..or has injury concerns (think Buck Pierce) then his offences don't move the chains. I'm intrigued by this line from the article- "word coming out of Investors Group Field is addressing this shortage of pass catching talent will be one of the team’s primary focuses in free agency this off season." . "If these associations and timelines are more than just coincidental, then it should be noted Drew Willy will be the best quarterback LaPolice has worked with in Winnipeg since Jones in his prime, and Willy is on the upswing of his career — not at the apex, or on the downside. While there is currently no Milt Stegall, Arland Bruce, or Bobby Gordon to throw to, word coming out of Investors Group Field is addressing this shortage of pass catching talent will be one of the team’s primary focuses in free agency this off season. If LaPolice can implement a protection scheme that plays to the strengths and taps the potential of his young and up and coming offensive line — and run the football — his mentorship with Drew Willy could turn both of their resumés in Winnipeg." http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/LaPos-success-pivots-on-quality-of-his-QB----361924711.html

Gary Lawless - Orridge’s deft handling of Maas dispute a much-needed win http://www.tsn.ca/orridge-s-deft-handling-of-maas-dispute-a-much-needed-win-1.409165 "Orridge managed to extricate the league and two of its member clubs from a potentially messy custody battle over Jason Maas. The Edmonton Eskimos got to announce Maas as their new head coach and the Ottawa RedBlacks will have their day in mediation court. Accounts from a number of the parties involved the Monday morning conference call paint Orridge as being clear, concise and fair on the issue at hand. He presented an option that would allow all involved to move forward and, maybe most importantly, allow the league to save face. It took Orridge just 20 minutes to win support for his plan and put it into motion. For a commissioner still in his first year on the job, battles between clubs are landmines that not only can explode in the moment, but also leave lasting marks on relationships going forward." Under the ironic heading - Arash Madani – ‏@ArashMadani In 2005, Ed Hervey agreed on terms to play with the Ottawa Renegades. Then bailed. Ten years later, Hervey vs. Ottawa encore une fois. #CFL 10:35 AM - 14 Dec 2015

Really pleased with this piece of information.. Cross one off the FA list. Now, I'll pay attention to the new CFL site, and see how long it takes for them to note this signing.. **** Just checked the CFL site, and less than an hour later, it was updated to include this extension. That's good news..

For those questioning Gary Lawless and his knowledge of Labour law, don't overlook what his name is...

Zoom...

David William Naylor David William Naylor – Verified account ‏@TSNDaveNaylor It appears the Esks will be able to proceed with introducing Maas as their next head coach, while compensation matter will be settled later. I absolutely agree with Mike on this one..beware Ottawa what you wish for, this is not an area you want to be front runners in.

gary lawless gary lawless – Verified account ‏@garylawless Told CFL constitution does not provide commissioner to void valid contract. He can't force @REDBLACKS to release Maas. Dispute between teams 5:55 AM - 14 Dec 2015 gary lawless gary lawless – Verified account ‏@garylawless Maas resigned from @REDBLACKS contract but that does not provide him right to work elsewhere. Labour law takes precedent over @cfl tradition

CFL News – ‏@CFL_News RT .@garylawless so @EdmontonEsks and @REDBLACKS have agreed to mediation on Maas file @CFL #CFL 8:17 AM - 14 Dec 2015 Jax – ‏@jfeliciao funniest comment today re: Maas situation came to me via text: "Well Ottawa is two years old, so this tantrum isn't surprising"

What you state is true, but, what you omitted was this statement:*"In this circumstance the Eskimos knew we were withholding consent to hire Jason until the matter of compensation had been addressed. They simply ignored that request and hired him anyway." *"The Eskimos decided not to seek compensation from Saskatchewan when the Roughriders hired then-Esks head coach Chris Jones as their new head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations." *By Dave Naylor, Gary Lawless and Ryan Rishaug Ta-da.....drama in the offseason. http://www.tsn.ca/redblacks-seek-compensation-from-esks-for-maas-hiring-1.408645

It's a matter of a stipulation form Ottawa before allowing Edmonton to talk with Mass. Something like: "Sure, you can talk with him, but he's under contract. If it goes further, we want something to let him out of the contract". Legally, I guess they're solid. I don't really know. But, otherwise? Seems a little, I don't know? Off? Depends on that contract and their viewpoint I guess.

Concussion issues..

Arash Madani ‏@ArashMadani Per #CFL sources: New trend in assistant/coordinator contract talks of late is management now adding compensation clauses in case they bolt.

More Calgary.. What are he chances the Stamps lose this guy? Scott Mitchell – Verified account ‏@SUNMitchell Whole lot of NFL interest in Eric Rogers. He’s got 11 workouts scheduled so far. Patriots done, #49ers up next Monday, per sources. #CFL 10:04 AM - 13 Dec 2015

Arash Madani – ‏@ArashMadani The Baltimore Ravens activate WR Chris Matthews, the former #CFL top rookie, off the p-squad. Matthews had the huge game in Super Bowl XLIX. 8:51 AM - 12 Dec

Hate for Jones? Nah…well, maybe. See the *line See what Graham Hicks - Edmonton Sun, has to say about Jones: *This is a guy who, until recently, wouldn’t shake hands with other coaches, didn’t get his teams out for the national anthem, didn’t have the time of day for sports media. When it comes to class, he’s way more Don Matthews than Hugh Campbell. It was Jones’ first head-coach job after bouncing through three teams over 10 years as a defensive coordinator. Always the groomsman, never the groom, at least not until the Eskimos gave him his break, complete with a three-year contract. And Hervey gave him the players. So, just as long-suffering Eskimo fans could realistically savour the return of a Canadian Football League dynasty based on three pillars - GM Hervey, coach Jones and quarterback Mike Reilly - what does Jones do? He gives EVERYBODY – his players, his staff, the Eskimo organization and, most insultingly, Eskimo fans – the middle finger! http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/12/11/hicks-on-biz-good-riddance-to-the-traitorous-chris-jones He may be a top Coach in the CFL, but he doesn't exude class, and if the mood, or other offers come along, he'll bolt the Riders too, because he has absolutely no loyalty.

Fill me in on how real sports fans conduct themselves? There you go again. You guys want the answers without studying for the test.

How about... R idiculous I rritating D olts E mulating R eal S portsfans

"IT'S TIME AGAIN FOR A CFL SPENDING CAP; IT SAVED THE RIDERS ONCE" This is not my headline, it's a headline from somebody who's covered the Riders for the last 20 years - Darrell Davis, who's covered the Riders for the Regina Leader-Post. He's probably not the only one with that opinion, but no matter, he is reiterating what has been discussed recently in this thread. - "As the league’s wealthiest franchise the Roughriders can afford the extravagance, but is it right? The way the Roughriders are spending money, it’s time for the CFL to put in place an administrative salary cap, much like the league prudently implemented in 1987 to put a lid on costs. That initial spending cap included the cost of players’ salaries, training camp, coaches’ salaries, scouting expenses and other sundries designed to create a level playing field in the CFL. It was also designed to save the poorer franchises in the CFL. "Teams like the financially strapped Saskatchewan Roughriders." - "Piece by piece all those extra costs were taken out of the cap, until only players’ salaries were capped. A Salary Management System was established in 2006 that dictated how much each CFL franchise could pay its players, with teams being closely audited to insure they don’t exceed the cap. Mild punishments will be imposed if they spent more than $5.05 million for their players in 2015." - "The Roughriders were so poor in those early cap days, trying to stay competitive, that they carried heavy debts and were on the brink of folding several times. The provincial government ultimately forgave the team’s $2.8-million loan, giving the community-owned franchise some breathing room." - "The Roughriders started becoming successful in 2007, partly because they changed how they operated and hired a fulltime CEO/president in Jim Hopson, but also because all CFL teams were adhering to a cap on players’ salaries. The Roughriders were allowed to become relevant, allowed to become competitive." - "Hiring Jones is expensive — reports of his annual salary range from $500,000 to $750,000 annually. Meanwhile, the community-owned franchise is also paying his predecessors, Brendan Taman and Corey Chamblin, approximately $700,000 in 2016 and 2017 to not be the team’s general manager/VP and head coach, respectively. Taman and Chamblin were already paid about $350,000 for the second half of the 2015 season, after they were fired." - " Few teams in the CFL can afford to pay so dearly for coaches and on-field management. That’s unfair. That’s why a cap should again be implemented for all CFL teams to make sure none have a financial advantage when it comes to being competitive. The Roughriders, of all teams, should know that a cap is a good, fair idea." So, it's out there. It's a pretty complicated matter, but one that will now be looked at more carefully, I would think. http://3downnation.com/2015/12/08/its-time-again-for-a-cfl-spending-cap-it-saved-the-riders-once/