METAIRIE, La. -- The NFL Players Association confirmed Wednesday that it filed a grievance on behalf of Jimmy Graham concerning the Saints tight ends franchise tag designation. At issue is whether the NFL was correct to apply the tight end tag to Graham or whether Graham should have received the more lucrative wide receiver tag, a difference of $5 million. The NFLs current collective bargaining agreement states that a player should be tagged according to the position at which he lined up most often. Graham and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, are contending that the frequency with which Graham lined up split out from the line merits the $12.3 million receivers franchise tag, not the $7 million tight end tag. No date for a grievance hearing has been set, but the filing alone could provide Graham with a measure of additional leverage as he seeks to have his franchise tag designation removed in favour of a long-term extension. July 15 is the final day a team can sign 2014 franchise players to long-term extensions. Grahams agent, Jimmy Sexton, did not return a message seeking comment on the matter. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Wednesday there had been no progress to report on negotiations with Graham. The Saints have asserted that lining up split from the line is a significant part of every tight ends job description. When asked in January whether the Saints viewed Graham as a tight end under the leagues CBA, Loomis responded: "Isnt that what we drafted him as? Isnt that what he made the Pro Bowl as? Thats what we see him as -- a tight end. "The tight end has always been part of the passing game," Loomis continued. "Hes part of the running game. So hes part of both. So are receivers. So are running backs." According to an analysis by ESPN Stats and Information, Graham lined up split out from the line on 67 per cent of his snaps -- 45 per cent of the time in the slot and 22 per cent out wide. Unless the Saints and Graham pre-emptively agree on a long-term deal, an arbitrator may have to decide whether those numbers alone, under the language of the CBA, would require the league to apply the receiver designation to Graham. If so, it likely would set a precedent for negotiations involving other tight ends who figure prominently in their teams passing games, and could substantially lower the franchise tag number for tight ends who more often line up next to offensive tackles. It could also affect other positions in which players have varying roles, most notably some outside linebackers in a 3-4 defensive scheme, who could argue their right to receive the higher defensive end tag. Dante Fowler Jr Jaguars Jersey . Rosenthal, the St. Louis Cardinals closer, got into a major ninth-inning jam, allowed the Pittsburgh Pirates to draw within a run and then load the bases with none out. 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Jan Hudec became the first Canadian in 20 years to win an Olympic medal in alpine skiing on Sunday when he captured a bronze in the mens super-G competition. LANGLEY, B.C. -- For years, they have been rivals. Now, for a short time, they are teammates. Canadian adversaries Jeff Stoughton of Winnipeg and Glenn Howard of Coldwater, Ont., will try to help Team North America beat Team World at the World Financial Group Continental Cup of Curling, which starts Thursday. "Every time were on the ice, we want to beat him, and he wants to beat us just as badly," said Stoughton, the defending world champion, who is competing in his first Continental Cup. "So its a little different that were going to have to cheer for him." Stoughton, 48, and Howard, 49, a three-time world champion, have battled against each other in numerous Briers for the right to represent Canada in the world championships. But they have never worn the same colours on the ice until now. "Weve been so-called opponents and enemies for all these years," said Howard. "Now, its nice to have him on our side. ... Were all good friends. But youre never really that close, because youre always playing against each other. But here, were going to be one big team, and I cant wait." Stoughton and Howard, a three-time world champion, will also have to get used to wearing American stars and stripes as well as the Canadian maple leaf symbol on their backs. They will join forces with American mens and womens rinks on Team North America in the international competition modelled after golfs Ryder Cup. "Ive never done that," said Stoughton. "I think thats kind of cool. Thats what its all about -- Team North America. Its an honour to have both (symbols) on there, so were pretty proud." Team North America is looking to repeat as champion after thumping Team World 298-102 in St. Albert, Alta., last year. Stoughton and Howard said the event offers them more of an opportunity to relax because it does not count for entry into the Brier, world championships or Olympics. However, Team World is taking a much more serious approach. Coach Peja Lindholmhas instituted a no-alcohol policy throughout the competition, even when his team does not have to compete. Team World also arrived a day early, on Monday, so that it could get in two extra practices Tuesday at a local Langley, B.C., club before practices were held at the events venue Wednesday. "Last year, North America, they really kicked our ass, and well make sure it wont happen again," said Lindholm , who was also at the helm during the one-sided loss in 2011.dddddddddddd "Well do our best and well set up a winning climate for our players and for our teams." "This, for us, is the equivalent of the world championship," added Team World captain David Hay of Scotland. Similar to golfs Ryder Cup, the non-traditional event includes mens, womens, mixed doubles, singles and skins competitions. Each team consists of three mens and three womens rinks. The team that earns the majority of 400 possible points is declared the winner. Defending Canadian womens champion Amber Holland of Kronau, Sask., said the event will be good preparation for her. Since her rink has an automatic berth in the Scotties as Team Canada, this event is one of the few in which shell compete before nationals. Despite Team North Americas view that the Continental Cup is more relaxing than other championships, the competition will get heated, said Holland. "Dont kid yourself," she said. "When everybody steps out on that ice, theyre competitors and they want to win, and itll be intense." Notes: Steve Gould, the lead on Stoughtons rink, will miss the event because of illness. Stoughton has obtained Ben Hebert, the lead on Kevin Martins Edmonton rink, on loan. ... Stefanie Lawtons Saskatoon rink rounds out the Canadian contingent on Team North America. U.S. national champions Pete Fenson of Bemidji, Minn., and Patti Lank, a Midale, Sask., native who now lives in Lewiston, N.Y., head the American rinks. ... On the mens side, Team World comprises rinks skipped by two-time defending European champion Thomas Ulsrud of Norway, Swedens Niklas Edin and Scotlands Thomas Brewster. ... The World womens rinks will be skipped by defending world and two-time reigning Olympic champion Annette Norberg of Sweden, 2010 Olympic bronze medallist Bingyu Wang of China and Scotlands Eve Muirhead, the reigning European champion and a four-time world junior champ. ... North America holds a 4-3 overall record. The victors have alternated every year since the first Continental Cup was held in 2002 in Regina. The Continental Cup was not held in 2005, 2009 or 2010. cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '
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