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Theres a reason there hasnt been a meaningful work stoppage in pro football for almost 27 years, and its not because this is a sport where the players have nothing to complain about. The very nature of the sport makes it difficult - some might say near impossible - to keep players united during a work stoppage because work stoppages are always about making sacrifices in the short term to benefit in the long. And for a great number of players in a sport with short careers and non-guaranteed contracts, there is no long term. But perhaps even more difficult to overcome is the fact that in football a small number of players on every team are paid far more than the rest, especially the large number of players on every team who will earn at or near the league minimum. And it is those star players, who already enjoy the biggest paydays and the most job security, wholl gain the most as the result of a successful work action. Look at any roster in either the CFL or NFL and youll probably be surprised to earn how many players are earning at or near the league minimum, which this NFL season will ranges between $420,000 and $645,00 for players from zero to three years of service in the league. In the CFL, that figure will go from $45,000 to $50,000 for this season based on what the parties have agreed to so far during current CBA negotiations. Since payrolls for CFL teams arent public, lets use an NFL team as an example to illustrate the payroll dynamics in pro football, which are similar in both leagues, albeit on a different scale. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers enters this season with an average salary of $22 million, nearly double that of anyone else on the team. Among Packers currently under contract, there are only four with an average salary of more than $7 million season, and another four at more than $4 million. There are eight players listed at between $2 million and $4 million, and 67 whose average salary is less than $1 million, 49 of whom are due to earn less than $600,000. The numbers in the CFL are obviously smaller but the manner in which they compare to one another is similar, with star quarterbacks earning roughly $500,000 per season while a large portion of each roster earns less than $60,000 per season. The truth is that whatever gains are made for the players in either league usually mean the rich will get richer. For example, the NFL will operate this season with a salary cap of $133 million dollars. But if that figure was suddenly increased to $200 million, the primary beneficiaries would be the Peyton Mannings, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Bradys and Richard Shermans of the world, while the leagues rank and file would essentially remain un affected. Same thing in the Canadian Football League - where if the CFLPA were to get its wish and have the salary cap jump immediately from $4.4 million to $5.8, the benefits would go to players such Ricky Ray, Darian Durant and the rest of the players whom fans pay to see. Of course theres another dynamic in the CFL game that doesnt exist south of the border. And thats that starting Canadian players - the ones mandated by the leagues quota system - also stand to benefit handsomely from any increase because of the laws of supply and demand. But the question becomes how do you convince the great number of players earning at or near the league minimum - young American players or backup Canadians - to commit to a work stoppage when theres little or no chance many of them will benefit from it? Standing up for a much higher minimum salary might help boost support among the rank and file, but that never seems to be the priority in either league. And therein lies the challenge of trying to keep a union full of professional football players all on the same page during a negotiating process. Consider that, despite having the leverage of being able to shut down the most profitable sport in North America, NFL players werent much interested in testing the resolve of their membership by missing paycheques when the league locked out its players during the off-season three years ago. They settled before that could happen. In Canada, the CFLPA has made a lot of noise about being disappointed in the leagues various offers this spring. But it hasnt said anything about having all of its membership on side, or being unbreakable, or being willing to miss game cheques in order to reach their goals in negotiation. The truth is that if the CFLPA were to strike a portion of the season, a great number of players will never get that money back - even if the owners were to capitulate completely. Many would simply be out of the league before they could benefit or would be left to watch the windfalls go to star players while they continue to earn similar amounts. All of these dynamics play to the owners advantage. And in the CFL, where were talking about players needing money to simply pay for the cost of living, the advantage is even greater. Will we see a CFL players strike later this month? Perhaps while its just training camp being missed, when no one has to make a true financial sacrifice to benefit the group for the long term. But in a sport where the rewards of such an action are likely to wind up in the hands of a select few, expecting anything more may be asking too much. Cheap Keith Hernandez Jersey . - While he appreciates suggestions from Packers fans of remedies for his sore left calf, Aaron Rodgers is not necessarily going to listen to the advice. Cheap Mike Piazza Jersey . While the pair of Spain internationals return, midfielder Xavi Hernandez will not be included in the squad after failing to recover from a muscle strain to his left leg. http://www.cheapmetsjerseys.com/. The 20-year-old Barkley, whose impressive form this season could earn him a place in Englands World Cup squad, was hurt in Evertons 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup on Jan. Cheap Tug McGraw Jersey . As each game passes (each has played close with the exception of last night) it becomes clearer just how evenly matched these two teams are and how one mistake, or one bad inning, is likely to sway the result. Cheap Gary Carter Jersey . On paper, it looks a little like Andre the Giant taking on a midget wrestler. It has all the makings of a rout with the Americans adding an eighth win in nine outings of this biennial event. The Yanks have eight players in the top 15 in the world while the Internationals have just one.VANCOUVER -- The B.C. Lions have put some concerns about their quarterbacking situation to rest, at least for a little while, as the CFL playoffs loom. And their running game is looking pretty good, too. Nominal No. 1 signal-caller Travis Lulay scored a touchdown and completed three-of-four passes in limited duty upon his return from a shoulder injury as the Lions beat the Calgary Stampeders 26-7 in the final game of the regular season for both teams Friday night. "It was just exciting to be back on the field with the guys, just to get in and call some plays," said Lulay, who missed six games. Quarterbacking has been a concern because of Lulays health, Buck Pierces history of injuries and second-year pro Thomas DeMarcos inexperience. But all three impressed at times as the Lions sent a message that they will not go down lightly if the clubs meet in the West Final for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, Andrew Harris rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown as the Lions posted their second straight win heading into a semifinal game in Saskatchewan. "We just have ultimate confidence right now, and its perfect timing, because we have a (potentially) long stretch here on the road in the playoffs," said Harris. "Where we are right now, these two wins were absolutely crucial for us. I just think if we keep building off this well be all right in the playoffs." The Lions (11-7) had already secured third place, while the Stampeders (14-4) were already assured of first place and an opening-round playoff bye in the West Division. The clubs approached the game like an exhibition contest, with each deploying three quarterbacks and resting several other players. Harris excelled as he cracked the 100-yard barrier for the first time since July 30 against Toronto and was held under 20 yards on three occasions. "Oh, man, if Id have known that, I would have been yelling at (the coaches) to be running the ball," said Harris. "But its just one of those things. Its been a disappointing season and to not get 1,000 is a disappointing thing as well. But at the end of the day, were in the playoffs a and thats the biggest thing for me." Paul McCallum provided the rest of B.C.s points in the form of four field goals from 46, 44, 17 and 23 yards and two converts to account for the rest of B.C.s scoring. Calgarys Rene Paredes booted field goals of 46 and 21 yards while the Stampeders other point came on a punt single. "We didnt play good enough to win," said Calgary linebacker Juwan Simpson. "We take all the blame. We allowed them to score. We know we have to play better. We had a few injuries, but thats no excuse. We should have played better as a team." The Stampeders suffered a blow when they lost running back Jon Cornish, who entered the game as the CFLs rushing leader, with an apparent shoulder injury. Cornish recorded only four carries for 14 yards before leaving the game. The Lions got off to a rough start as Pierce threw a pass way beyond intended receiver Courtney Taylor and was intercepted by Deronn Mayo.dddddddddddd. But on B.C.s next drive, he moved his club to the Calgary one-yard line and DeMarco came in and handed off to Harris for a touchdown off a third-and-one gamble. The Stampeders picked up a point on Mavers 60-yard punt single on the final play of the first quarter to close the gap to 7-4. But McCallums 47-yard field goal at 6:23 of the second quarter put the Lions ahead 10-4, setting the stage for Lulays short, but victory-clinching effort entry a little while later. Harris chalked up 51 yards on four plays that included three runs and just one seven-yard pass reception. But Lulay then connected with Nick Moore on a 36-yard pass that put the ball at the B.C. one-yard line. The QB then ran for a one-yard touchdown to culminate an 11-play, 87 yard scoring drive that with McCallums convert gave the Lions a 17-4 lead that stood up until halftime and effectively erased any further doubt about the outcome. "We were able to execute that one drive really well," said Lulay, who passed for a total of 54 yards. "We were second-and-long but the run game kept the drive alive. It was just a well executive drive and we finished it off, so it was good to be in and be a part of that." Pierce completed four-of-nine passes for 41 yards while Lulay was good on three of four, accumulating 54 yards, before they were both pulled. "It was good to get the start in," said Pierce, who made his first start since July while he was still with Winnipeg. "I threw an early turnover, but we wanted to take some shots early." DeMarco completed 9-of-12 passes for 96 yards, including a 45-yard strike to Emmanuel Arceneaux in the fourth quarter. The second-year Lions QB, who had struggled in recent weeks, generated three field goals and was unlucky not to get his team in the end zone after Harris was tackled for a loss that forced the Lions to settle for a 17-yard field goal. "I think its a good (quarterbacking) situation right now, and I think the whole offence and the whole team is confident in our play over the last two weeks," said Pierce, who led the Lions to a win over Saskatchewan seven days earlier. Glenn finished with five completions on eight pass attempts before getting the rest of the night off. Drew Tate and Bo Levi Mitchell also saw action at quarterback for Calgary but generated little as the Stamps generated only 165 yards in net offence to B.C.s 365. Notes: As a result of Pierces start, CFL teams deployed 19 different starting quarterbacks this season, according to the league. He was viewed as a "double-counter" because he started for both Winnipeg and B.C. The actual number of quarterbacks to start a game was 18. He was the third Lions QB to receive a start. a Calgary also lost defensive tackle Demonte Bolden, receiver Marquay McDaniel and defensive tackle Micah Johnson to injuries in the first half. a B.C. nickleback Korey Banks sat out with a lower-body injury, while linebacker Anton McKenzie was sidelined with an undisclosed ailment that kept him out of practice all week. 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