Hes the most prolific receiver in CFL history and a future member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, but theres no guarantee Geroy Simon will return to help the Saskatchewan Roughriders defend their Grey Cup title.
[b]Fred Jersey[/b] . The Riders acquired the veteran slotback from the B.C. Lions in January 2013 to provide veteran leadership for a squad looking to make a successful Grey Cup run on home soil. After enduring one of the worst seasons statistically of his illustrious CFL career, Simon stood tall in the title game, registering three catches for 67 yards and two TDs in leading Saskatchewan to a 45-23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Mosaic Field. However, Brendan Taman, the Riders general manager and vice-president of football operations, couldnt guarantee Simons return during a CFL conference call Tuesday. "Geroy and I have, obviously, a pretty good relationship so when we made this deal last year to acquire him we knew at the end of the first year he played for us that wed sit down and talk about his role," Taman said. "Obviously we have a contract issue were going to have to talk about, too, so that plan is ongoing ... those talks are progressing, you could say, one way or the other. "Hes got as good a chance of not being back as he will be back." The six-foot 198-pound Simon, who turns 39 in September, had just 40 catches for 565 yards and three TDs last year, missing the first three regular-season games due to injury. The native of Johnstown, Pa., is the most prolific receiver in CFL history with 1,029 receptions for 16,352 yards -- both all-time records -- with 103 TDs over 15 seasons. "Obviously he had a good year for us and did a good job for us," Taman said. "His status for 14 is to be determined and were still in talks about that." At the root of the talks, not surprisingly, is money. Simon was reportedly set to earn $205,000 with B.C. heading into the 2013 season. But the Lions were prepared to pay roughly half that while giving Simon a reduced role. When Simon and the Lions couldnt reach an agreement, GM Wally Buono, out of respect for the veteran, gave Simon permission to seek a trade rather than release him outright. When the Riders acquired Simon, they signed him to a one-year deal, plus an option, that reportedly called for a $170,000 base salary that, with bonuses, could increase to about $200,000. "There was an agreement in place that after the first year we would talk about a second year going forward," Taman said. "That was mainly, obviously, financial related. "Right now hes still on the same contract that he was on and if we can work that out and (it) stays that way well see. But we have some discussions we still have to do with him." Given the off-season departures of running back Korey Sheets (Oakland, NFL) and Weston Dressler (Kansas City, NFL), Simon was expected to be a key figure in the Riders offence this season. Also gone from Saskatchewans Grey Cup-winning squad are safety Craig Butler (free agent, Hamilton), defensive linemen Keith Shologan (Ottawa expansion draft) and Jermaine McElveen (free agent, Montreal) as well as linebacker Diamond Ferri (free agent, Montreal).
[b]Marcus Rashford Jersey[/b] . After not scoring 40 points in the opening quarter in the last five seasons, the Rockets have done it five times this season and twice in the last three games.
[b]David de Gea Manchester United Jersey[/b] . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.SAN DIEGO - Its been a rough two weeks for the San Diego Chargers, who not only lost at home to the best two teams in the AFC, New England and Denver, but saw thousands of Patriots and Broncos fans jam into Qualcomm Stadium.The Chargers have gone from controlling their destiny in the wild-card race to needing to win their final two games and getting help from other teams to return to the playoffs.The Chargers (8-6) play at San Francisco on Saturday night and then at AFC West rival Kansas City in the regular-season finale. San Diego is tied with Kansas City and Buffalo, one game out of the final wild-card spot. The Chiefs beat the Chargers in their first meeting. San Diego and Kansas City both beat Buffalo.A week after losing 23-14 to New England, the Chargers lost 22-10 Sunday to a Broncos team led by Peyton Manning, who played despite being sick and then had to leave the game just before halftime to get treatment after he hurt his right thigh. Denver (11-3) clinched its fourth straight AFC West title.The Chargers scored only one offensive touchdown in each of the last two games. Philip Rivers was intercepted twice Sunday.You definitely want to come out and play your best ball, wide receiver Eddie Royal said Monday. You want to make a statement and win those games, especially at home. That didnt happen but it didnt take away from the type of team and type of players we know we have.Defensive tackle Corey Liuget said the Chargers need to learn from the losses and move on.We always know we can play with the best of them, but in order to be the best, to be considered one of the top three to five teams in the NFL, youve got to beat the best and we didnt prove that the last two weeks, he said.
[b]Anthony Martial Manchester United Jersey[/b]. We tip our hats to those two teams and continue to move on.The Broncos also scored only one touchdown Sunday but got five field goals from Connor Barth. San Diegos Nick Novak made one field goal but had one attempt blocked and had another attempt go off the left upright.The Broncos got inside the Chargers 10 on consecutive drives in the first half but had to settle for field goals each time.If you play red-area defence the way our defence was playing the last couple of game we should win these games, coach Mike McCoy said. But its a team game.McCoy said he believes the Chargers can beat any team in the league.What you have to do against the really good teams is youve got to make the most of every possession, in all phases, and we gave a good team a number of extra opportunities — missed field goals, turnovers, third-down conversions defensively, McCoy said. You give them another opportunity to do what they do and theres a reason why theyre at the top.McCoy confirmed that inside linebacker Donald Butler has a dislocated left elbow and said he was awaiting test results. Butler was hurt after being blocked by Manning on a run by C.J. Anderson. Butler could be a candidate for season-ending injured reserve.___Online:
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