with 22 road wins and should be able to take

With emotions over Saturdays tentative five-year collective bargaining agreement between the CFL and the Players Association running high, the union has decided to act in an attempt to cool any tension. Sources tell TSN that union executives travelled to select CFL cities Monday to open dialogue with players and answer questions. After the tentative deal was reached Saturday night, several players posted messages of frustration and disappointment on social media - and that carried over into Sunday on both the web and the field. One source emphasized the purpose of the executives trips wasnt to convince players to vote for the tentative CBA, but for executives to "show face" with players in the hopes of, "bridging a gap in communication." On Saturday, the Players Associations team representatives held a conference call to measure the emotions of players across the league. "Personally, I think the right move is to ratify [the tentative deal]," Hamilton Tiger-Cats representative Peter Dyakowski said Monday when asked how anxious he was for a ratification vote. "However, Ive seen a lot of people disagree with that." The ultimate goal of the executives outreach, whether explicitly stated or not, is to secure a majority "Yes" vote in ratification, which is set to take place in the coming days. TSN has learned that the Players Association is trying to expedite the process of obtaining a physical copy of the tentative deal in the next couple of days to pass it along to its members, who can then read it over and ask any questions to clarify concerns. Right now, legal counsel for both the league and the players are reviewing and solidifying language in the potential agreement. The earliest the players hope to hold a ratification vote is Wednesday, and the union would require six of the leagues nine teams voting in favour - with players on each team voting 50 per cent-plus-one to ratify the agreement - for the tentative CBA to pass. All players, rookies included, will be allowed to cast a ballot. TSN has also learned that prominent CFL agents are encouraging their clients to accept the tentative CBA. "But a vote to reject the tentative CBA is not a vote to strike," a player with knowledge of the ratification process told TSN. Strike ballots from all nine CFL teams have been counted already, with a majority of players across the CFL voting in favour of a strike. If the tentative CBA is rejected, the union will notify the CFL and attempt to reopen negotiations with the league. "I think if we look at this deal through the lens of what some teams are making, and what our new TV deal is bringing in, and what we see the future holding for us, it doesnt seem like a fair deal, or a just deal," Dyakowski said. "But if you look at it compared to our last two CBAs, in a vacuum, and look at the numbers we have made huge strides." In the last year of the CFLs previous CBA, the salary cap was set at $4.4 million and the minimum salary was set at $45,000. In the first year of the tentative CBA, the salary cap would be set at $5 million and increase annually by $50,000, with minimum salaries rising to $50,000. Also included are the elimination of the team option year in non-rookie contracts, and a ratification bonus of $7,500 for veterans and $1,500 for rookies. The CFLPA will reportedly control the disbursement of the bonus, and set a veteran scale that could potentially award players whove played six-plus years in the league $12,000. "We have made huge improvements; we have won on a lot of football-related issues, a lot of player safety issues," added Dyakowski. "There are a lot of good things in this deal being realistic, being pragmatic. I believe this is a good deal, without any bloodshed." According to reports, Roughriders union representative Brendon LaBatte feels Saskatchewans locker room will vote to ratify the tentative agreement. But LaBatte knows of vets in the room willing to sit out the season and miss pay checks because they feel the possible deal isnt good enough. And again, there was vexation over social media, as one player in particular took to Twitter to voice his disapproval of the union executives team visits. "Just wasting more of our Union Dues...Aint nobody in Saskatchewan wanna see them, hope they bring their own security," tweeted Ricky Foley of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The defensive lineman tweeted later, "I am voting YES to accept the deal & NOT strike...cause weve been backed in2 a corner & I have no confidence in our execs or legal counsel." Although he knows how his locker room feels, Dyakowski isnt sure how players across the league will vote when its time for them to cast their ballots. "I feel in my gut that [the tentative CBA] will be ratified in Hamilton," the offensive lineman said. "Thats all I can say." Braden Smith Colts Jersey . Johnson shared an update after his surgery Tuesday on Twitter. He also wrote, "now lets get on the grind." The running back told The Tennessean he was having surgery in Pensacola, Fla. Nyheim Hines Colts Jersey .Impact president Joey Saputo confirmed Thursday that he is part of a group of investors whose offer to buy the 105-year-old Italian club was accepted by the teams board of directors. http://www.coltsofficialstore.us/authentic-eric-ebron-colts-jersey/ . Patrick Sharp scored twice and Patrick Kane, Bryan Bickell and Nick Leddy also connected to lead Chicago to a 5-2 win over the Devils on Monday night. Nyheim Hines Jersey . The Calgary skip fell 10-8 to Swedens Oskar Eriksson in semifinal action Saturday and will face Switzerlands Peter de Cruz for the bronze medal (Saturday at 10pm et/7pm pt on TSN2). Braden Smith Jersey . 1 Pete Sampras. Speaking ahead of an exhibition match against Andre Agassi in London on March 3, Sampras said on a conference call Wednesday that he is impressed by Federers longevity.Each week, The Three-Man Weave will fill the lanes and Weave To Achieve on the News, Views and Truths of the NBA and beyond. The unit will be led by Will Strickland and Duane Watson, hosts of TSN 1050s basketball radio show, 1 On 1 with Will & Duane. This week, international comedian and basketball fan Frankie “Trixx” Agyemang joins #3MW as they discuss the NBA Playoffs, which have gotten off to a rousing start. Adding to the excitement are the gritty Toronto Raptors, who are in the midst of a historic journey through the NBAs second season. Should the Raptors take Terrence Ross out of the starting line-up and start Landry Fields? Trixx: I do think they should take Terrence Ross out for a more defensive player. And although I think Landry Fields is as valuable as a broken bike reflector, his defence may be valuable... Considering what theyre about to face in BK!Watson: No. Despite Ross lack of ability to slow down Paul Pierce, or get his shot going, you still stick to what got you there. If Ross struggles stem from his inability to adjust to the post-season level of play, benching him is only going to affect the sophomores psyche. Fields was exactly what the Raptors needed on the defensive end, but Coach Casey can regulate his minutes off the bench.Strickland: Yes. Ross shouldnt look at this as a demotion, but rather a way to help him get back as a primary scoring option off the bench on track while helping the team better defend Joe Johnson. Jason Kidd sadistically attacked DeMar DeRozan with the seven-time All Star in Johnson during Game 2 in Toronto. The Raptors were able to overcome Iso-Joe with stellar defence in the most important scoreless 18 minutes of Landry Fields life... and maybe even the Dinos record breaking season. Do the Raptors have enough to take two wins on the road in Brooklyn? Trixx: I feel the Raps can win at least one and they shouldnt get ahead of themselves! Just focus on Game 3, and the possible bullet holes members of M.O.Ps crew may send into most of their dressing rooms! Masai might wanna consider staying in Long Island or perhaps New Jersey for this one... Juss sayin!Watson: Toronto took a much needed Game 2, but still have adjustments to make. For the intensity, noise and energy that Air Canada Centre showed, its going to be interesting to see how the Raptors respond being showered with chants of "Brroooooookkkklllllllyyyyynnnnn" from the Barclays Center faithful. Coach Caseys group were road warriors this season, setting a franchise high with 22 road wins and should be able to take one of the two games.Strickland: Absolutely. Toronto had 40 turnovers in the first two games of the series, so valuing each possession is paramount to success in the playoffs, especially against a veteran team like the Nets. If the young Raptors team can limit their affinity for offering fresh baked pastries to their older opponents, there is an ever greater chance of flipping Brooklyn into "Crooklyn" and steal a game or two games on the road. Is Frank Vogels job in jeopardy if the Pacers lose before the Eastern Conference Finals? Trixx: If the Pacers lose and are eliminated in round one, I dont think theyll necessarily fire the coach, but I do think things will be shaken up! Lance (Stephenson) will probably be gone for his antics and Roy Hibbert thinks Paul George is selfish from those off-court issues. The line-up will definitely be shaken up! Watson: Jeopardy? Yes, not entirely sure if he will get fired, the Pacers looked like they were playing out of Tankers Life Fieldhouse for the second half of the season and couldnt get it together in Game 1 against the Hawks. This team is in a free fall and is in danger of making it out of the first round, when the NBA Finals were the goal. Larry Bird is going to be forced to make some kind of change.Strickland: In our Playoff Preview on #1On1, a wise hoops sage whose name rhymes with "Will Strickland" predicted that the Pacers were primed for an upset by the No. 8 seed Atlanta Hawks, who had destroyed Indyy is the last game of the regular season.dddddddddddd. That said, Frank Vogels squad has been punched in the mouth again by the Hawks, are now down 2-1 in the series after a rollercoaster season of dysfunction and infighting, and are being asked questions they may be unable to answer. Now, if Indy loses this series, much less doesnt advance to the NBA Finals, Vogel might as well place a listing to sell his home there. Are the Washington Wizards for real? Trixx: The Wizards are no joke and they may do more damage than expected in the playoffs... John Wall and the other guys or as I like to call them, "Destinys Child feat John Wall," have no pressure. Theyre just loose and theyre just playing, there are no expectations for them so they have nothing to prove. This makes them very dangerous! Theyve already overachieved by winning more than 10 games this season! Watson: They are about as real as the Raptors and Bobcats are, all three teams overachieved this season and finished above .500. However, the Wizards are facing a tough defensive team with veteran experience and finding ways to win. Theyre getting balanced production, with solid contributions from their bigs in Nene and Marcin Gortat, scoring and speed out of Bradley Beal and John Wall and three-point shooting out of the playoff savvy Trevor Ariza. If the Pacers fall, the Wiz can possibly end up in the Eastern Conference final.Strickland: Along with having backcourt mates of the future in All-Star John Wall and Bradley Beal, the Wizards also possess the calming effect of crafty veteran Andre Miller off the bench, NBA champion utility man Trevor Ariza, the surprising coaching job of perennial hot seat candidate Randy Wittman and a better-than-advertised defence. Under-recognized are their bigs up front in Nene and The Polish Hammer, Marcin Gortat. Washingtons Twin Towers Of Power are a huge reason why nooooooooobody who wears a Bulls uniform beats the Wiz in Chicago yet and Washington has a chance to close the deal in D.C. Which series so far has proven to be must watch TV in the NBA Playoffs so far? Trixx: The most awesome series is hard to say. I know the series nobody cares about and will probably go straight to DVD is the Chicago/Washington series. Two words from Masai made the Raptors/Nets series personal and I must admit, as expected, the OKC/Memphis series has had some pretty good games! Hard to say, but Im enjoying a lot of round one right now! Watson: As soon as the series were set, it was little secret the Golden State Warriors vs. the Los Angeles Clippers was going to be electrifying and it hasnt disappointed. The Warriors ability to score and make big shots whenever needed makes them a team you cant count out; the Clippers are deep and talented with big game players as well. Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin are two of the most exciting players in the NBA and aside from the Game 2 Clippers blowout, the other two games have been decided by six points. Defence will not be the order of the day here.Strickland: Rockets-Blazers, no question about it. LaMarcus Aldridge became a bonafide star in Portlands sweeping of the first 2 games in Houston, flame broiling anyone pretending to guard him to the tune of 44.5 ppg, 12.5 rebs and 2.5 blks. Despite James Hardens poor play thus far, the eyes of the many are trained on Dwight David Howard, who cried his way out of Orlando to the Lakers, came up woefully short of expectations in a drama-filled season in LA and left $30 million on the table to win a title in Houston. On paper, the Rockets are one of the most talented teams in The Association. But the games aint played on paper and the Blazers looked as poised as their sophomore PG Damian Lillard is to launch the Rockets into an early summer vacation.The Three-Man Weave contributors are co-hosts of TSN Radio 1050s 1-on-1 with Will and Duane, Will Strickland (@WallStrizzle1) and Duane Watson (@byDuaneWatson) and guest hoops fanatic and rising Canadian comedic superstar Trixx (@ComedianTrixx) Blackhawks Jerseys Store Cheap Wild Jerseys Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Penguins Jerseys Store Capitals Jerseys For Sale Blues Jerseys Store Cheap Kings Jerseys Adidas Lightning Jerseys Stars Jerseys For Sale Cheap Predators Jerseys Ducks Store Sharks Jerseys For Sale Cheap Sabres Jerseys Rangers Jerseys For Sale ' ' '