The CFL's NFL lockout FAQ

This NFL lockout Q&A courtesy of CFL.ca ...

With the ongoing labour issues in the NFL, we have received a lot of questions relating to players signings in the CFL.

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Q: Can NFL players sign with a CFL team during the lockout?

A: CFL rules prevent any player who is under contract to an NFL team, or any other league, from signing a contract with a CFL team.

Q: What about players who already have a CFL contract and signed with an NFL team in their option year? Can they come back and play for the CFL?

A: Those players are under contract to the NFL and therefore cannot play for their CFL team until they are released and clear NFL waivers. During the NFL lockout all player transactions are frozen, meaning an NFL team cannot release a player until the labour issues are resolved.

Q: What about NFL players who became free agents prior to the lockout?

A: Yes, those players are free agents and can sign with a CFL team.

Q: If a player is selected by an NFL team in the upcoming NFL draft, can they sign with a CFL team during the lockout?

A: Yes. Those players are considered free agents until they sign with the NFL team that holds their rights. If they did sign with a CFL team, they wouldn't be able to sign with an NFL team until they were released from their CFL team or their contract expired.

Q: Can players sign a one year deal in the CFL?

A: The CFL's standard player contract is one year plus a club option for a second year. This means that a player signs for a minimum of two years unless he is released prior to the expiration of his contract.

Q: Does the NFL option-window still exist?

A: The NFL option-window was removed from the new CFL-CFLPA CBA (ratified in June, 2010) and is currently being phased out. It does not exist for any new contract. Players who signed a contract prior to 30 days after ratifying the new CBA (July 25, 2010) still have the NFL option-window as part of their contract.

Posted By: Ticats Communications Posted On: 2011-03-28 15:58:09

Former Ticat John Harris Earns Police Leadership Award

John Harris, a 38-year veteran of the Hamilton Police Service, is being recognized with the Blue Line Police Leadership Award.

"The award recognizes and encourages a standard of excellence exemplifying 'Leadership as an Activity, not a Position,' and pride in service to the public," said Blue Line Magazine Publisher Morley Lymburner.

"Its goal is to increase the effectiveness, influence and quality of Canadian police situational leadership from both an organizational and community perspective."

Harris epitomizes the best qualities of leadership in police work, the judges concluded. "He has overcome physical adversity with an admirable tenacity and has demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities to his co-workers and community throughout his career," said Lymburner.

"Sergeant John Harris is without equal as a supervisor," wrote Hamilton Police Chief Glenn De Caire. "He is equally a mentor, sympathetic listener, task-master and supporter.... his squad members consider him a co-worker... and he is the quintessential 'cops' cop."

A former Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive end, Harris began his police career after an ankle break ended his football career. He currently heads a 35 officer platoon in downtown Hamilton and previously worked in criminal intelligence, patrol and investigating biker gangs.

BACKGROUNDER

The Police Leadership Award was presented from 1999 until 2005 by the Canadian Police Leadership Forum. Blue Line took up the challenge this year with a Canada-wide search for candidates.

JUDGES

Coordinated by former Peel Regional Police Chief Robert Lunney, the judging panel includes Kingston Police Chief (Ret.) William Closs, York Regional Police Chief (Ret.) Armand LeBarge, Atlantic Police Academy Director Edgar MacLeod and RCMP Dep. Commissioner (Ret.) Roy Berlinquette.

Sgt. Harris will be presented the award at a special ceremony April 26, 2011 at 4 PM in conjunction with the Blue Line Trade Show at the LeParc Conference Centre, 8432 Leslie St., Markham Ont.

/For further information: WEB SITE: www.blueline.ca

Posted By: Ticats Communications Posted On: 2011-03-24 15:53:24

Carlos Thomas Youtube Highlights

Defensive back Carlos Thomas is now a Tiger-Cat after today's trade with the Edmonton Eskimos.

You can familiarize yourself with Thomas by checking out these clips below, capturing during his NCAA career at South Carolina...

Posted By: Ticats Communications Posted On: 2011-03-21 15:46:39

2011 Cats Claws Walk of Fame Dinner

This year's Cats Claws Walk of Fame Dinner will take place on Friday, June 3 at Michelangelo's Banquet Centre (1555 Upper Ottawa Street, Hamilton). Cocktail hours beings at 6pm, with dinner following at 7pm.

This year's Walk of Fame inductees are Joe Montford and Pete Neumann

The Charlotte Simmons Humanitarian Award winner is Ray Mariuz

Speakers to include Denis McPhee, Micheal Philbrick and more. Rick Zamperin, 900 CHML sportscaster and Tiger Cats Play by Play radio announcer will serve as the MC.

Tickets are $60.00 each

For information and reservations, please contact ccfc@mountaincable.net or call Carol Rose at 905.664.6117

Posted By: Ticats Communications Posted On: 2011-03-07 12:23:22

Dalloul + Kohlert On Youtube

The Ticats have added four young Canadian players, which you can read more about by clicking here.

Defensive end Yahia Dalloul participated in the team's training camp last year, lasting until the final round of cuts were made.  You can see some of his highlights from his tenure at St. FX below...

Rory Kohlert completed his CIS career at Saskatchewan in 2010.  You can see him in action here during the Huskies training camp last year...

Posted By: Ticats Communications Posted On: 2011-03-02 13:56:37