NFL Loses Another Series, Locking Up

Minneapolis (AP)-NFL has promised to give his team instructions on what to do after another stinging rebuke of the same federal judge who lifted the lockout.

Whether that includes rules on free agency, NFL, which begins on Thursday evening, or simply because players can talk to their coach was anyone guess.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson on Wednesday denied the request for the NFL to lift the lockout pending further appeals. It rejected the argument that the NFL had no jurisdiction and that it faces irreparable harm because of his decision to end the lockout of 45 days at the request of the players.

"The world of" chaos "of the NFL says it has been pushed, the system essentially" free market "of this nation otherwise operates under a voluntary, not compelled by court order," wrote Nelson.

And yet there may be chaos, perhaps as early as Thursday, the first day of the NFL draft.

James Quinn, a lawyer for the players, free will, said the main immediate problem between owners and players should start immediately. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is "evaluating a district court decision," and I would advise the teams on Thursday morning on how to proceed.

NFL Players Association, a trade group now, not a union, accused the league of stall.

"The advent of one of the biggest events in sports fans, the players moved a step closer to bringing fans of football," spokesman George Atallah said that the e-mail to The Associated Press. "The owners have decided to prevent this from happening. NFL owners do not try to protect the game. Protect the blocking process."

Nelson's decision was no surprise, given his questioning of the lawyer David Boies in the NFL during a hearing on April 6 and 89-page order to lift the blockade. He wrote another 20 pages in his refusal, saying that the public interest in the resumption of the league.

The judge acknowledged that his decision was appealed to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Luis, Aiello said the action was taken immediately. The appellate court is considered a friendlier place for business, the league that the federal courts in Minnesota.

"We believe that there are strong legal and practical reasons supporting the stay and the appeal tribunal should have the opportunity to take the important legal issues that will be presented," said Aiello.

League rules are actually suspended in the collective agreement expired on March 11 and the first work stoppage in the NFL since 1987 began.

Nelson said he would not be the case.

She suggested that the NFL "to make a decision on how to proceed and accept the consequences" of such a choice. In telling the NFL to move forward on its business, Nelson said that the championship had already gone ahead and announced that a draft calendar 2011.

Nelson also said the equipment procurement contract awarded restricted free agents in March, before the lockout, "treating them as if the league is designed to work with the 2010 rules in place."

What the NFL will be on Thursday was an enigma, but the President and CEO Mark Murphy, Packers suggested earlier in 2010, the rules may be applied.

"What we could do if Judge Nelson and 8 Circuit has rejected our request for suspension would play by the same rules we had last year," Murphy said Tuesday. "It's the 2010 that the rules were approved by the actors of the collective agreement, I think that's probably the rules that make the most sense. "

Bears safety Chris Harris , put it in his Twitter feed: "the owners have opened the door and 'impossible to start a new league YR without free Agency"

And agent Drew Rosenhaus tweeted: "Time to get to work, let us work!"

NFL had claimed that Nelson was not competent and must make a decision, the appeal against the inconsistency of the negotiations between the players was still in the National Labor Relations Board. The League also said, should not apply to some of the requirements of competition law level players with a lot of collective bargaining is just finished.

The judge shot down, and they all said the ongoing antitrust issues has led to a complaint from Tom Brady
, Drew Brees and the other is not ventilated and are therefore not yet discussed.

"There is no order in place preventing the NFL from exercising, in the hope that the protection of labor law, to negotiate the terms and conditions of employment, such as self-referee," he writes. "The Eighth Circuit did not even address, much less power and restrictions on the player, free will, etc, for the simple reason that this court has not ruled on these issues."

The shape of the league in Nelson's stay was also based on an alleged fear that the immediate lifting of the blockade would mean a free for all the agency could create a mess that would be difficult to undo if a new collective agreement with benefit rules different.

Nelson called a "false premise." She insisted that its order was simply an end the lockout.

The parties have 16 days of negotiations, a mediator earlier this year, and four other federal judge who had ordered increased by Nelson. Little progress has been seen, and both sides will meet again on May 16.

AP Football Writer Barry Wilner and Howard Fendrich contributed to this report.

Del Potro Survives Afraid To Step In Estoril

Oeiras, Portugal (AP)-Former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, survived a scare to beat the Portuguese Pedro Sousa 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round of the Estoril Open on Tuesday.

Eighth-seeded Argentine, bringing his season debut on clay, broke his opponent's serve a third and seventh games to take the first half an hour.

But Del Potro is a double fault helped the game eight seconds Sousa, ranked 488th, the level of the game.

Argentina again double-faulted to lose his serve in the first game of the final set before breaking twice.

Del Potro is backwards in the rankings after undergoing wrist surgery almost a year ago.

Fifth-seeded Milos Raonic had a minor nuisance meeting eliminate Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-4, while sixth-seeded Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil beat Denmark Frederik Nielsen 7-5, 6-1.

In the women's competition, the fourth-seeded defending champion Anastasiya Sevastova came as Urszula Radwanska rallied to a 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-1 victory.

Second-seeded Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia andthird-seeded Czech Klara Zakopalova advanced player after two consecutive victories, spread over Renata Voracova and Beatriz García Vidagany, respectively.

Eighth-seeded Greta Arn, the champion in 2007 when Hungary came through qualifying, beat Portugal Maria Joao Koehler 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Grizzlies Take The Lead In The First Set 3-1 Against The Spurs Always

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)-The Memphis Grizzlies to a victory over the history of the franchise, and Shane Battier  expects a fight from the San Antonio Spurs.

The Grizzlies defeated the Spurs 104-86 on Monday night, and only need a victory to become the second No. 8 seed to knock off the top seed in the best of seven playoffs in the NBA.

Game 5 is Wednesday night in San Antonio, and Battier is to prepare his younger teammates what is ahead.

"This is a very difficult situation," he said. "These guys know how it could be. They will fight as hard as I fought before as a group. We must be able to match the intensity and excellence."

The Spurs have won 61 regular season games and only missed the NBA's best record by dropping the last two games. However, the NBA champions on four occasions to the verge of losing their playoff series 4-1 to open the second time in three years.

Battier think this is extremely dangerous on Wednesday night.

"I'd feel better if it was against a person other than the Spurs," he said. "They are very capable of winning three times in a playoff series. All we have done is kept home court."

Memphis made history by winning the game franchise in the playoffs for the first his first victory, then added his win in the playoffs for the first time at home. A win on Wednesday will put the Grizzlies in 2007 with Golden State Warriors No. 8 seed to eliminate only the best team since the NBA expanded to a best of seven series.

"I know many people did not expect to be here," said Grizzlies guard Mike Conley . "It's not as if we expect to 3.1 at this time. In our locker room we're playing this game just a game. We want you in San Antonio trying to end it. We are focused and want to be able to move to the next round."

Spurs are now placing their hopes to take a position on Wednesday night at home. Coach Gregg Popovich pulled his starters with 5:43 left to start resting for the match.

"They need the juice for the next game," Popovich said.

Conley scored 15 points and seven assists. Darrell Arthur added 14 points for Memphis. Tony Allen  scored 12 and Zach Randolph and OJ Mayo  each had 11 points.

Tony Parker scored 19 of his 23 points in the first half for the Spurs, but also had seven sales. Manu Ginobili had 14 points, Gary Neal finished with 11, and George Hill and Tiago Splitter : 10 each. Splitter, a rookie from Brazil, had not played in the series before.

Tim Duncan with six points for the Spurs to their 35th birthday.

"Obviously the whole team is very frustrated," said Parker. "I mean to go through an entire season and get the first seed, and now we are a party to remove what is most important that we focus on Game 5. This is the most important thing for Game 5 and try to get another opportunity to get a win here. "

San Antonio took 50 to 48 in the leading position at halftime for the first time in the series, and Memphis coach Lionel Hollins ripped his team at halftime.

Grizzlies responded with a 14-0 run to start the third quarter. Marc Gasol , two free throws put Memphis at 11:04 and then remains at 52-50, and Sam Young capped the rise with a dunk. Spurs missed their first five shots, had seven sales in the quarter and put on the line with Memphis in early mistakes.

"Everybody began to smell blood," said Conley. "I think we started to make some more shots and we have them. A couple more stops, a layup just over a little more than flying. "

The Grizzlies have all the fans and waving a rally towel, pick up the sound of every Spurs lose or error. Arthur closed the quarter by hitting a pair of jumpers to put Memphis up 78-65.

Battier made a 3-pointer to give Memphis the command 94-75 with 5:43 left, the party starts in earnest in the city desperately winner of the tenth year, the NBA Grizzlies' here.

"They have set foot on the neck and never leave," said Popovich. "They did a great job."

Grizzlies had their packed-sixth of the season and the fans could not have been more electric. They were buzzing with a sense of expectation rather than hope for a victory against the same team that swept Memphis in the playoffs in his first trip series in 2004.

Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have been in this team, and they are still the Spurs. Ginobili was asked whether they feel old right now.

"We've been feeling old for five years. I do not think it's a matter of experience, old or young," said Ginobili. "We are not the most athletic team in the league, and as hard as we said a week after we started playing. They are young, athletic. They play hard, and we could not find answers in the third quarter."

Ben Smith Scores In OT, Force Game Seven Blackhawks

CHICAGO (AP)-Ben Smith , listening to the advice of his teammates Blackhawks, who won them the Stanley Cup a year ago. Even when they lost the first three games of the series this year round opening of the Vancouver Canucks, who still had a chance.

"Never again to lose the fourth game. Rehashed more of the kids," Smith said Sunday night after his overtime goal gave the Blackhawks a 4-3 victory and sent the cartoon series back to Rogers Arena and deciding Game 7 on Tuesday.

"He would not say it's fantastic. It's something that we all had hoped. Down 3-0 do not panic," said Smith. "Nobody quit."

Vancouver had the best record in the NHL this season and had command of the series. And the Canucks on Sunday night came hard and fast when it became a game notable for the deafening United Center. Coach Alain Vigneault said it was the best game in Vancouver in the series, despite the loss.

When a diamond in Chicago to win games 4 and 5, Vignali blender. He went to a backup Cory Schneider  and the goal, having struggled with Roberto Luongo  had produced 10 goals in 40 shots over the last two games.

It turns out that Luongo was back on the ice in the third period and overtime Sunday because Schneider was injured, he called it spasms, after attempting to stop a penalty kick equalizer Michael Frolik.

"I was a little surprised, but Alain just wanted to shake and give a different look and Mo get his game back in shape and try to maximize my chances and give my team a chance to win," said Schneider, who finished with 17 saves and turned a game of 5-on-3 Chicago power for one minute, 43 seconds.

So who will play in Game 7?

"I have no idea. In reality they have never spoken. Lu looked good in the third period and overtime in a fixed place," Schneider said.

Luongo and Schneider said they have discovered Saturday on the transition.

"It's not something I'm used to, but of course when I came, I thought the boys really tightened defensively and not give up much of the remainder of the third and playing me a chance entering the game, "said Luongo, who had 12 saves.

"I was really happy with how we played the second half of the game. We're going to take this and try to build this game 7."

Chicago is trying to become the fourth team to win the series in seven NHL games after falling behind 3-0. Philadelphia did last year against Boston in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

"Anything can happen in Vancouver, says Smith, a rookie who made his NHL debut in October." I'm just trying to take a deep breath every once in a while '. ... They got some great players. E 'nerve-wracking when they had the wheel. They really wanted us to us in time. "

At 15:30 of overtime, and Niklas Hjalmarsson Smith (notes) shot that bounced off Luongo point.

"I was just trying to fight for the position of the body," said Smith, who has three goals in the series.

"I have a piece of it with my (stick) button and do not know exactly what happened," said Luongo. "I think Smith is roughly at me on the rebound."

Daniel Sedin , Alexandre Burrows  and Kevin Bieksa scored for the Canucks. Bryan Bickel  and Dave Bolland added goals for the Blackhawks.

Chicago goalie Corey Crawford  32 saves including 12 in overtime, when it looked like the Canucks win any.

"They threw a lot online," said Crawford, another rookie. "It was probably the biggest game of my career. A lot of fun to win. "

By playing 4-on-4 opens the third season the Canucks ahead goal in Bieksa's rebound 58 seconds in

About a minute and a half later, Frolik was awarded the penalty shot when Dan Hamhuis  him down on a breakaway. Frolik skated in, faked a hand and the other was to beat Schneider, who was awarded the game twisted.

Chicago goalie Corey Crawford made 32 saves, including 12 in overtime, when it looked as if the Canucks win every second.

"I have not heard from the crowd," Frolik said. "I focused on myself, tried this and hoped it worked."

After Schneider replaced Luongo, the Canucks dominated the game and had the chance to take the lead again, but Chris Higgins  attempt hit the post with just over 5 minutes to do.

Chicago goalie Corey Crawford made 32 saves, including 12 in overtime, when it looked as if the Canucks win every second.

NFL Says Law Firm Can Not Bring New Players To The Court

Minneapolis (AP)-NFL has rejected a request from the office of a conflict of interest waiver to represent a group of players seeking to join the anti-trust battle against the league.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday that the league was informed of the negative. The firm was later identified as Barnes & Thornburg in Indianapolis.

Aiello said it would be inappropriate to allow the company to work with players in a claim against the NFL, while one of its partners represent the league in licensing music for shows on the network NFL and NFL Films.

"We do not know the details of the claims to be claimed or the players allegedly involved, can not consent to the company's request to grant a waiver," Aiello said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Cafferty Faucher Bryan CLOB lawyer said that his company had "discussions about some players who want a more representative voice" in the legal battle. CLOB but said Thursday he is referring to the NFL, not Cafferty Faucher, and said his firm has represented the NFL in all cases.

Sports Business Journal reported that the group wants its voice in the negotiations of the work is about 70 players upset by the collective bargaining talks broke off last month. Clobes told the AP the number is "far from the 70" and the discussions did not indicate dissatisfaction with the representation of 10 players from which the applicants in a lawsuit filed March 11.

It had expired when the CBA and the union disbanded to pursue the antitrust case. The league responded by ordering the lockout.

Players asked U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson to stop immediately all Lock 'hearing on April 6. His decision is expected soon.

NFL has also supported the filing in court Thursday that the players do not earn millions of dollars in damages after a federal judge sentenced a different league of disputes over four billion U.S. dollars income from broadcasting rights.

U.S. District Judge David Doty decided on March 1, NFL not to maximize revenue from both parties to share when he negotiated the last round of TV contracts are extended networks.

The players wanted recipes "on the table" in 2009 and 2010, but lawyers for the league said Thursday there is nothing to indicate network would have paid over these years to eliminate labor laws that would stop the money from the NFL, but no games were played in 2011.

The league argues that because a special master to Doty already awarded $ 6.9 million in damages for the players, there is no legal basis for their request. NFL wrote that lawyers for the players "never claimed, argued or briefed the issue of punitive damages" so far, and accused them of trying to "guess" special master Stephen Burbank with this strategy.

The players called the "war chest" of $ 4 billion to stay away from the owners to not be used to "continue to fund" the blockade against them. They also requested at least three times the total amount of damages awarded by the court.

Doty will chair a hearing May 12 to review the claim.

Players use a written complaint by the finance expert David Schulte in his last appearance on March 31 to claim damages, but the NFL responded Thursday that the prior testimony of Schulte before the special master in contradiction with the last request.

According to court documents, Schulte Burbank said he had no "idea" of how to evaluate precisely the appropriate amount of damages.

NFL, Players Locked Out For Now Conclude Discussions

Minneapolis (AP)-The four sessions long and intense mediation between the NFL and its players locked out, the judge decided to give both sides a long pause.

When they meet in mid-May, the view of the discussions could be completely different.

The executive vice president Jeff Pash, the NFL's chief negotiator, said Wednesday that U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan said the two sides, which probably will not meet again until May 16 because some questions about his judicial calendar.

Meanwhile, the U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson is expected to decide before the players, a request to immediately lift the blockade now 40 days old.

Also to come: District Judge David Doty has scheduled a hearing for May 12 at the request of the players of the damage after it failed in March that the NFL does not maximize revenue for both parties when it renegotiated $ 4 billion in contracts TV with potential labor dispute.

Finally, there may be a fourth group of lawyers and the players in the mediation table, with a law firm in Philadelphia to talk with another group of players to join the fight.

"We had some discussions are other players who want to make their voices matter," said Bryan Clobes Faucher and Cafferty.

These discussions are ongoing, but all these elements combined can tip the lever on one side or the other where there was little of it, perhaps increase the chances of mediation ordered by the court will produce much needed progress in the preseason game first just 3 1 / 2 months.

"There are a lot of uncertainty right now," said Pash. "I think when we're together again we'll know more. Popular legal position will be clearer."

Both parties stated that the meeting was positive and productive Boylan.

"I believe that everything was considered useful and is really where we are," said Jim Quinn, a lawyer for the players.

Hall of Famer Carl Eller agreed.

"I feel very positive 2011 season," said Eller. "I believe that everything that came here 2011 season and the idea is not only easy to get to this point. So I think that everyone has worked in this direction. Watching them work for what makes me feel much more optimistic. I certainly say we are going to have a season 2011. "

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will begin the season despite a long period of navigating the legal system.

"We planned to play all season and we negotiate as hard as you can get that done," said Goodell subscribers the Giants' a break during a mediation session conference call to the Federal Courthouse in Minneapolis.

Later, he reiterated this commitment in a forum with the fan 49's, said "a number of pressing issues that must be addressed responsibly."

"This has a negative impact on everyone, especially our fans," Goodell said of the lockout. "We have to get these things fixed right away. We believe there is plenty of time to get there. On behalf of the 32 clubs, we will do everything we can to ensure our full season play this year. "

Goodell, Packers CEO Mark Murphy, president and Falcons, Rich McKay owners Pat Bowlen of Denver, Jerry Jones of Dallas and Jerry Richardson of Carolina attended Wednesday's session. Players Ben Leber  and Mike Vrabel joined Eller and lawyers for the players.

Goodell said all parties remain committed to ending a work stoppage in the NFL first time since 1987, before the game is lost. Preseason begins August 7 and the first regular season game is scheduled for September 8, less than five months from now.

"I think the fans want solutions. I want solutions," he said. "I think players want solutions and I think teams want solutions. Therefore we have to work on that in the negotiations and find a way to get to this point."

Players like MVP quarterback Tom Brady and Peyton Manning (white) filed for an injunction and a class action antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. The lawsuit was combined with two other similar requests for retirees, former players and recruits to be, with the lead plaintiff in this group Eller.

Nelson ordered the parties to mediation, while it considered the request, and they met after 16 days Boylan does not speak in front of a federal mediator in Washington.

"I think you can not sort this as a table of stock in what is happening up and down on a given day, but it is always good to be able to converse with humans," Pash said.

Pash said he felt the negotiations were very fruitful in the league and retired players and the owners are committed to improving the performance and care of their former players.

The league and players disagree sharply on how to allocate more than $ 9 billion in annual revenue.

The owners originally wanted double the money than go to cost about $ 1 billion to about $ 2 billion, but fell during the first round of mediation. The players have requested that all financial information on all 32 teams, and so far the league has not opened its books to your liking.

Other important issues for the players understand the benefits of retirees and the desire to extend the NFL regular season 16-18 games. NFL wants also decreased by nearly 60 percent of the guaranteed wage to draft first-round pick, the block for five years and divert the savings to pay and veterans benefits.

More than 525 million dollars U.S. for the first round of guaranteed payments in 2010. The league wants to reduce this figure of 300 million, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

In other news, The Sports Business Journal Wednesday that a group of about 70 "mid-tier" players had to hire a law firm and dismay that the negotiations broke down last month. But Clobes said the number is "far from the 70" and does not indicate any dissatisfaction with how things are progressing.

"The players have a very skilled lawyer," said CLOB. "If we were to get involved, it would, so we can add and bring our expertise, not because we thought that prosecutors do not make a credible job. They do an incredible job. "

Faucher Cafferty also represents clients before the former UCLA basketball star Ed O'Bannon of the class-action lawsuit against the NCAA and the sale of use of its resemblance to other athletes in video games and other media.

DeMauro Smith, head of the players union, said he was not aware of the development. Vrabel said he has not heard a report, either, but more than the players "is not a place (the table), with Ben and me."

AP Sports Writers Tom Canavan and Janie McCauley contributed to this report.

Giants-Redskins, Cowboys-Jets To Play On September 11

NEW YORK (AP)-The New York Giants visit the Washington Redskins and New York Jets will host the Dallas Cowboys Sept. 11, marking the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

With the NFL and its players locked out mired in negotiations over a new collective agreement, announced Tuesday the league's 2011-12 schedule, provided that the season starts on time.

The regular season begins on Thursday, September 8 at night, when the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers host the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field.

The first Sunday of several high-profile games, including Atlanta and Houston Indianapolis Chicago. But a lot of national attention on Washington and New York, two cities 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks.

"This stadium will be full of emotion, not just the people of the region, but throughout the country," said Jets coach, Rex Ryan, who is confronted with his brother, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. "That is the 10 th anniversary of 9 / 11, where the focus should be, not me playing against my brother."

The Redskins and Giants kick off at 04:15 local time (2115 GMT), with the Jets and the Cowboys at 20:20

"For almost 10 years, we felt obliged to use the platform to ensure that none of us will ever forget the tragedy and suffering and the courage and heroism of September 11," Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said. "The responsibility is even greater."

Pittsburgh is the third largest city in the NFL most affected by the terrorist attacks on Flight 93 crashed after 80 miles near Shanksville, Pa. The Steelers visit the Baltimore Ravens Sept. 11.

New England went to Miami and Oakland visits Denver for the opening night Monday.

The last Sunday of the regular season falls on New Year's Day, when all 16 games are scheduled between the division rivals, the strengthening of the possible ramifications in the playoffs.

The regular season includes 17 weeks of the opening round of playoffs is scheduled for January 7-8 and the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

NFL has expressed a desire to stretch the season to 18 games, one of the nodes in the contentious battle between owners and players on a new collective agreement.

The two sides resumed mediation ordered by the court on Tuesday in Minneapolis, the decision of a federal judge is expected soon on a request to immediately stop the blockade.

Both parties have spent 16 days immersed in the mediation talks in Washington without reaching an agreement, leading a class action antitrust lawsuits filed by players against the NFL and the decision of the League of work first time since 1987 . They recently spent about 20 hours over three days of meetings in Minneapolis, with more talks scheduled for Wednesday.

In a statement announcing the schedule of upcoming NFL season was not all eventualities if negotiations on a new collective agreement last fall.

"I'm confident we'll have a season," said Rex Ryan on Tuesday night. "We will be ready to play. Whenever they say, 'OK, we're going back to work, "we will be ready to play."

Other highlights of the schedule, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Chicago Bears at Wembley Stadium on October 23, one of two games outside the United States and the fifth consecutive year, the NFL played a regular season game in London.

Bucs defeated the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium in 2009, when the bears are marked 25th anniversary of their preseason game against the Cowboys in London.

Buffalo Bills playing in Canada is the fourth consecutive season when they host the Redskins at the Rogers Centre in Toronto in October 1930. Invoices must be treated with Rogers Communications, 2012, and will play five games in the regular season of Canada's largest city.

Thanksgiving Day games have the Packers in Detroit, Dallas and Miami to San Francisco at Baltimore, when the 49ers face the new coach Jim Harbaugh and the Ravens coach John Harbaugh is the first meeting between brother coaches in NFL history.

Packers play the Bears in the game only on Christmas Day. There are 13 games scheduled for Dec. 24, including the Giants against the Jets.

NFL will again use the "flexible scheduling" for weeks 10-15 and the final week of the regular season, so the league to move the start times for certain games.

AP Sports Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. in New York, Tom Canavan in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Jon Krawczynski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.

Day 2 Of The Mediation Ends NFL, Talks Resume Tuesday

Minneapolis (AP)-Negotiators for the NFL and its players locked out wrapped another day in court has ordered the talks on Friday with no sign of significant progress. They intend to sit again next week.

The parties have left the federal court in Minneapolis in about four hours of talks after nine hours of meetings on Thursday. They will meet again on Tuesday.

Hall of Famer Carl Eller, representing the retired players of the competition for the continuation of the league, said he thinks the parties are "forward", but the process "slowed down a little 'on Friday.

"There is progress, but it was as if we were just around the corner," said Eller. "We could resolve whether he had met over the weekend, but maybe not."

U.S. Judge Judge Arthur Boylan, who controls the sessions provides some homework over the weekend that Michael Hausfeld, a lawyer for the players.

"The judge asked us to give answers to questions about a half dozen asked," Hausfeld said, without elaborating. "There are a lot of work."

With the 2011 season in jeopardy, Boylan is the monitoring of the round after 16 days of mediation in Washington did not get a new labor pact.

"We need to be productive," said Eller. "We've got to come out with something here, and I think there is a sense of realism is part of the court. It's not just talk. It 'is not productive to talk."

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, who ordered mediation is still considering a request for players to lift the lockout imposed by owners. After a hearing on April 6, she said she intended to rule on the injunction application in a few weeks, which would mean next week.

Players like MVP quarterback Tom Brady (notes) and Peyton Manning (notes) filed an application with an antitrust lawsuit against the league. The lawsuit was combined with two other similar requests for retirees, former players and recruits to be, with the lead plaintiff in this group Eller.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, four team owners and league executives and several lawyers have left the building without speaking to reporters. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, email, declined comment.

DeMaurice Smith, the NFL players association executive director, also declined to talk. He left the courthouse with lawyers and linebackers Ben Leber (notes) and Mike Vrabel (notes), two other plaintiffs in the antitrust action filed on March 11, when the last collective agreement expired, the union dissolved and lock- out began.

At least the mood seemed light.

Reporters visiting the closed meeting was greeted with smiles and farewell dealers and lawyers, they are gone. In a packed elevator on the way down the hall, needled by Smith Vrabel deadpanning members of the media, "Okay, seriously, Mike will have an explanation. Are you ready?"

Silence.

Then laughter.

stop work before the 1987 NFL strike, of course, is not a joke or half-especially the fans who pay to stay in a place of sparkling new stadiums, buy replica jerseys to show their support and watch the games out of television market satellite.

"I am a fan, too," Eller said earlier this week. "We want to ease your mind. We can not tell you the result, but we are very keen to have a football season."

It is a goal shared by both parties. With the dispute now in the court, public relations is an important part of the effort of each side through press releases, links and comments on Twitter, and report directly to the public in the effort to pass the message.

"We want to make sure that we have the football, and on it," Goodell said in a conference call this week, the Cleveland Browns subscribers.

Smith said after April 6 court hearing of Nelson: "Keep cheering on the players and keep rooting for football."

Spin and the rhetoric has been intense at times of the two corners, but Aiello said the league does not consider this as a public relations battle with the players.

"Our mission is to keep fans of" Aiello said. "This is what we do in that situation."

George Atallah NFLPA spokesman did not return messages this week.

Players have a website, nfllockout.com, highlighting the efforts of community outreach and charitable players and includes discussion points on their side.

The nfllabor.com site of the NFL, is a similar version for the league. The chief negotiator Jeff Pash recently wrote an opinion column in the Chicago Tribune, noting the grant of the NFL gave a list of the highlights of their last offer before talks broke down.

Eller sounded optimistic, not only for development but the possibility of representing his fellow players retired, who have called for better care and treatment in the league for years.

"We do not drive it. We need both," Eller said, referring to the players and the owners of the league. "We need to depend on both. It is not an either-or situation for us. ..

"What I want pensioners to understand is that we are carving a unique situation. ... We are on the table, and I think that's something you should be able to rejoice at an early stage, because we do here will be a big step. "

NFL Rookie Pitch: 300m Away From The First Rounders

NEW YORK (AP)-The NFL wants to cut about 60 percent of salary guaranteed draft pick of the first round the block for five years and divert the savings to Veterans' salaries and benefits.

More than 525 million for the first round of payouts in 2010. The league wants to reduce this figure of $ 300 million, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Tenders League have made a total of over 1.2 billion four years until 2015-37500000 overalls per team and curb the growth of guarantee payments in the first round, which show the documents have increased by 233 percent from 2 to 1000

This drops as quarterback JaMarcus Russell ($ 32,000,000), Matt Leinart ($ 12,900,000), David Carr  ($ 15,000,000) and Joey Harrington  ($ 13,900,000 ) has been plenty of guaranteed payments were $ 367,000,000 in the last 10 projects.

Sure, Eli Manning  (24 million), Philip Rivers  (17.9 million) and Matt Ryan  (34.7 million) has not done too badly for their team .

It is guaranteed the money poured into the top 10 selections from 2000 was nearly $ 2 billion. Guaranteed payment of all first rounders 3.5 billion U.S. dollars. Average duration of the career of the first round pick in 1993 after 9.3 years.

Eagles president Joe Banner said the initial objective of the proposal is jeopardized by the costs associated with signing of top picks.

"The concept of the project and the order of the peaks is to maintain competitive balance in the league," said the flag. "Now, take high-level teams that have become so expensive and there is a risk that can fail, and makes the ability to trade in and out of these places almost impossible. It can be a disadvantage to be in one of the top. "

The owners, of course, are the ones offering the huge guaranteed bonuses.

During talks for a new collective bargaining agreement, the league also proposed eliminating holdouts by reducing the maximum allowable salary if a rookie isn’t signed when training camp begins. The NFL also suggested eliminating holdouts for all veterans by prohibiting renegotiations of contracts if a player holds out in the preseason.

The payment system does not include a rookie pay scale and allow negotiations of individual contracts. Contracts have a fixed length of four years for players selected in the second through seventh rounds, and will not affect salary for these rounds, the league said.

"From a standpoint of fairness to perform this simple concept should be that players who contribute the most in the league should get more money," said Banner. "What this system does is to ensure the well-NFL players and bringing the fans and the TV guide (rating) will receive the money went to players who turned out to be not so good. And it is good for everyone."

NFL Players Association were not immediately available for comment.

Several officials said the proposals to impose unfair restrictions on players entering the league.

"Five and a reduced salary is basically gamers limits," said Ben Dogra, whose clients include Patrick Willis and Sam Bradford . "Approximately 68 percent of NFL players consists of five years or less experience in the NFL.

"Even players essentially take 11 to 32 in the first round of financial affairs are good for the teams. If a player becomes an input or an integral part of the team with the current system, NFL teams have the Rookie of an agreement that is favorable for the team. "

Peter Schaffer, who represents Joshua Cribbs (notes) and Hakeem Nicks (notes), this system is called "reconnaissance teams, insurance bad choices project up.

"It also makes it more valuable recruits when you reduce the amount you pay for the youth," said Schaffer. "This will eliminate the middle class because veteran teams can have young players who earn less and are under contract."

Changed the pay system has been the negotiation of a new entrant to the CBA until negotiations broke down on 11 March and the NFLPA union dissolved. The owners locked the players an hour later.

The parties were designed for the judicial mediation office in Minneapolis, starting Thursday.

The Legal Team Of NFL Players Meet With The Judge

Minneapolis (AP)-With the lockout at one month and counting, sat lawyers for NFL players to Tuesday, with the federal judge overseeing the court ordered mediation in the league later this week.

Lawyers and Hall of Fame defensive end Carl Or met with U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan for about four hours.

Boylan was "very open" and "was a very constructive meeting," said Michael Hausfeld, lead attorney representing Eller and a group of players withdrew most of its antitrust lawsuit against the owners. Other lawyers have declined comment.

The meeting took place the same day as the NFL has released its 2011 preseason schedule, led by Hall of Fame game between Chicago and St. Louis to Canton, Ohio, Aug. 7.

That game will take place remains an open question. The attorneys will meet with NFL Boylan on Wednesday before the mediation begins on Thursday the first talks since negotiations have failed on March 11, followed hours later by a work stoppage in the NFL since 1987.

Boylan has a reputation as problem solver, but what you can get more than two weeks left mediated talks in Washington last month, remains to be seen. He is a judge since 1996 and chaired a series of mediations, including the $ 195,000,000 settlement between Boston Scientific and about 4000 calls with cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers made by Guidant Corp. in 2007.

It will be at its best in this meeting, because the animosity between the two sides has grown increasingly bitter as the dispute reached the court.

"If the parties prefer to take their shot in the dispute, you can do to stay there forever and will not be another result," said Seth Borden, a labor law expert at McKenna Long & Aldridge in New York.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson on Monday ordered mediation. Nelson is still considering an application for an injunction to lift the players' lockout imposed by owners after the players their union dissolved, paving the way for the game right. Players including MVP quarterback Tom Brady (notes) and Peyton Manning (notes) filed the application for injunction in Federal Court here with a class-action antitrust lawsuit against the league.

Elders, including Eller, left his cause, and things are connected.

"What happened today was to mediate the broker to become smarter and attitudes plaintiffs or complainants Brady and understand their overlap, and their positions on various issues," Hausfeld said.

Nelson ordered both sides to keep details confidential mediation, urged both sides to "return to the table." NFL said it wanted to resume talks with federal mediator George Cohen in Washington after 16 days failure of collective bargaining, but the players wanted to hold mediation under the auspices of Nelson.

Nelson's decision as' an injunction could swing the weight in one way or another, so it is unclear how a party is willing to make a serious settlement discussions until its decision.

"Both sides want to go to this (settlement), balancing what they could carry out direct negotiations with the possibility of getting something worse possible if the judge is to decide," said Borden.

Big East Villanova Delays Decision

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP)-Villanova University will not take a vote expected this week will decide whether the football program will offer the Big East Conference.

The university issued a statement Monday that said the Big East needs more time to do due diligence in connection with the accession of the Villanova football potential.

Villanova works with the Grand Orient to provide additional information. The Council was to vote on Tuesday. Instead, Villanova is now hoping to vote in the "near future".

The Wildcats have all college sports programs in the flag of this great accept the invitation to attend the conference.

If they are moving, you must be a transition period for the Wildcats and a mandatory period of two years, provisional, leaving 2014 or 2015 as a rookie possible.

Sterger ABC News: "I'm Not The Gold Diggers"

NEW YORK (AP)-Former New York Jets play the hostess, who claimed to have received pictures and phone inappropriate posts by Brett Favre (notes) says an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos that he is not a "seeker gold "and don" t "done somersaults off the scandal.

"I have not made a penny from anything in this whole situation," Jenn Sterger said in the interview that will air on "Good Morning America" ​​on Tuesday and Wednesday, and "Nightline" Tuesday night. "No photos. No Favre. I never wanted to sue someone. It was never the intention of mine. I'm not a gold digger. The only way I wanted to make my money all this time was just having a job. "

In December, the NFL concluded its investigation Favre hit him $ 50,000 fine for failing to cooperate with the process. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he could not conclude Favre policy violated the league's personal conduct on the basis of available evidence. Investigators trying to determine whether Favre sent inappropriate messages and images Sterger below the band in 2008 when both worked for the Jets.

"You know, I tried to go to work. To do my job," he told ABC Sterger. "But how to report the news when the news? It 'was hard. It' was embarrassing. It 'was humiliating. All I wanted to do was go to work. To do my job. That's all I wanted. "

Sterger said he does not know how Favre has a phone number.

"He approached me one day in the first preseason games, by a man wearing an employee badge insignia Jets, who asked:" How would you feel if Brett Favre has asked for her phone number? And you? "'Sterger said." And I looked, my usual smart self. And I said, "I say I love my job immensely. And they told me I look like her extraordinary woman '."

In January, Favre ended his career 20 years after two NFL seasons, and Minnesota.

Bucks Beat The Heat 90-85, Wounded In The Hunt Miami East

MIAMI (AP)-MLS final tape is hope for the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night took off his long-awaited word that comes from when they played the Miami Heat.

They do not hurt and the liquidation of Miami dealing a blow enough.

John Salmons scored 17 points before leaving late in the game with an injury that needed 12 stitches head, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute  added 14 points and 12 rebounds as the Bucks defeated the Heat 90-85 an hour after being eliminated from the playoffs.

"We knew that sooner or later, which would, but that tells you where we stand together as a team as competitive as well," Bucks forward Drew Gooden  said.

The Bucks trailed only 9 minutes, 46 seconds against the Heat, who won 3-0 against Milwaukee this season.

And just because the Bucks are out does not mean they have no voice in running the Eastern Conference: Beat the Heat a new half-game behind Boston in the race for the No. two seed in the Eastern Conference.

"Nobody said it would be easy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

It's a good thing.

Although Miami (54-24) wins its last four games, must be the Celtics to lose at least twice in order to move in the standings. Boston holds the tiebreaker over the fire and won all three meetings this season and is the fourth Sunday in Miami.

Carlos Delfino 3-pointer with 24 seconds helped seal for the Bucks, who got 14 points from Corey Maggette and 10 Keyon Dooling .

LeBron James  scored 29 points for Miami, which played without injured guard Dwyane Wade , No. 3 scorer in the NBA. Chris Bosh  added 18 for the Heat, who had no other double-digit range.

Miami takes only 41 percent, and its 16 turnovers led to 18 points for Milwaukee.

"Every time you play, will be a grind it out tough matches," said James. "They do very physical. ... I've played against teams of Scott Skiles, when I was in Chicago and now in Milwaukee, and is always the same effort."

The Bucks were officially eliminated when Indiana defeated Washington. The Pacers closed the last available spot in the playoffs is the last Wednesday, when Orlando beat Charlotte in overtime.

Thus, the Bucks became the spoiler, and the role to perfection.

"You do not want to take anything away from him," Skiles said. "The reality is that we eliminated tonight."

The change in the fifth and final lead came with 2:27 left when Delfino hit a 3-pointer for a lead of 81-79.

With the power Milwaukee to four, James was in Miami for the next three points, but the Heat lost the opportunity to take the lead when Mike Bibby  was applied for viewing illegal 41 seconds remaining. Delfino March 3-pointer came 17 seconds later, the judge in Miami.

"It 'was a blow that gave me confidence and I have all my teammates, coaches and everything," said Delfino. "And I just did."

Down to 14 in the first half, Miami has a range with 3:56 remaining immersed Joel Anthony (notes). Milwaukee took the following four points, making it 45-40.

It 'been so for about 30 minutes in real time, in any case.

Neither team scored at 2:45 of the final half of the Bucks were 0-6 during that period, Miami 0-5 after the break, finished drought James with a 18-feet at 11:02 left in the third.

Milwaukee's drought lasted another 1:33, broken only when Delfino shot beat the clock with a 3-pointer that put the Bucks up 48-44. It was a theme of much of the night: When the heat had the chance to take the lead, they usually came up empty, seven possessions as in the second and third quarters.

Then in the fourth round in Miami from 7 to 21, with Bosh missing six of his nine shots, four of six James sound. Perhaps this shows how much they missed Wade, the Heat backcourt from Wednesday Bibby and James Jones  not only failed to score in the fourth quarter, but not even attempt a shot.

"We must give credit to their defense," Bosh said. "They play good defense. ... It will be such sometimes."