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When a fan tweeted at BC Lions defensive back Korey Banks on Wednesday that he was looking forward to him suiting up for the team in 2004, the player himself wasnt so sure. "@gjmarc: @24Banks hey man happy new year ... See you on the turf at BC Place in 2014!” (I dont know about that) we will see." Banks hopes to return to the Lions for a ninth season, but is preparing for life after the Lions. The 34-year old believes the Lions want him back, but is growing frustrated at the lack of progress towards reaching a contract extension. Banks is entering the option year of his deal, but like many CFL veteran players, has no intention of playing without an extension. The seven-time all-star, who doesnt use an agent, reached out repeatedly to the Lions front office, but isnt hearing much back. Lions GM Wally Buono is currently on his annual vacation in Hawaii, but has been known to regularly conduct business from there. Buono plans to return to Vancouver on January 15th, at which time he will sit down with Benevides and new defensive coordinator, Mark Washington, and take recommendations from his coaches on which returning players are biggest priorities and where the team must upgrade. "This will not be about money," said Buono. "If the coaches tell me that Korey is a player they must have to get this defense to play at a championship level then well get it (an extension) done. If their feeling is that there has been a loss of production that comes with age, or that he may not fit in as well with any potiential scheme changes, then well have to make a decision."Banks is one of a number of thirty-somethings on the Lions defense, including fellow defensive backs, Dante Marsh and Ryan Phillips, both of whom are expected to return for 2014. Keron Williams, scheduled to become a free agent in February, plans to explore NFL possibilities. Banks believes his value to the organization has been demonstrable. "Ive given a lot to this team. At least show me the respect of making a decision and letting me get on with things for my family," said Banks from his home in Atlanta. "Im not like the other guys, who have never played anywhere but BC. Im prepared to move on if I have to. Im sure I wont have a problem finding work with another team." Lions head coach Mike Benevides thinks the ball will rest in Bankss court. "I still believe Korey can play the game at a high level," said Benevides. "Hes a tremendous leader and provides value, but its a case right now of how he sees himself at this stage [of his career] and where he wants to be." Banks is also considering retirement. He has been approached about a number of coaching opportunities at the NCAA level, and says he could see himself going in that direction. Ultimately though, Banks still hopes to play at least one more season, but only if the price is right. He wont be surprised if the Lions ask him to take a reduced salary for 2014 but says, "I wont go through what Geroy (Simon) went through last year," referring to the drastic reduction in salary and role the CFLs all-time leading receiver was asked to take last year. Simon would eventually be traded to Saskatchewan, where he won his third Grey Cup in November. Its highly unlikely the Lions would ask Banks to take as drastic a pay cut as Simon was asked to, and given the makeup of CFL rosters, if he returns, he would almost certainly still be teams starting nickelback. But both Banks and Benevides acknowledge there are no guarantees and, as the Simon situation at this time last year showed, anything is possible. Adrian Dantley Jazz Jersey . Kyle Denbrook, a soccer player from Saint Marys University, took the CIS male athlete of the week honour. Stanley, a fourth-year business administration student from Charlottetown, scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Dalhousie on Friday and tallied again in a 1-0 win over Saint Marys on Sunday. John Stockton Jersey .com) - The New York Jets have named Mike Maccagnan their new general manager. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/kids-karl-malone-jazz-jersey/ .com) - Eric Fehr and Marcus Johansson each registered a pair of goals, as Washington spoiled the head coaching debut of Peter Horachek by picking up a 6-2 victory in Toronto on Wednesday. Pete Maravich Jazz Jersey . They actually finished with a better record in ‘07 than they did in ‘06 but only marginally, going from 61 victories to 66. Tony Bradley Jazz Jersey . Scrivens stopped 48 shots and captain Andrew Ference scored in overtime as the Oilers pulled off a 4-3 upset of the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino has filed his own NFL concussion lawsuit. Marino, along with 14 other players, filed the lawsuit on May 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Marino joins a little under 5,000 retired NFL players and their families that have sued the league across approximately 225 concussion lawsuits. There have been many notable players that have filed lawsuits, including Tony Dorsett, Eric Dickerson, Mark Rypien, Tony Mandarich, Art Monk, Jim McMahon and Jamal Lewis, as well as the estate of the late Junior Seau. None, however, are as well known as Marino. The key allegation raised by Marino is the NFL concealed information. He is arguing that the NFL knew of the long-term neurological impact of headshots but failed to share those findings with the players. This issue of fraudulent concealment was also alleged in the other concussion lawsuits so its not new. Its tough to know if Marino will succeed as everything turns on the evidence presented at trial. To win, he will need to show that the NFL had key and important information about the long-term and devastating impact of headshots and concealed it. The NFL, however, has certain defences available to it. First, it can argue that players were aware of the risk associated with playing football and they agreed to those risks each time they stepped onto the field. The NFL would also maintain that they didnt conceal anything. As well, the NFL could point out that no one can say for sure what caused a players dementia, and even if it was caused by repeated headshots while playing football, how much of that damage was sustained outside the NFL in places like college or high school ball. So what caused the dementia and when it was caused become key issues. The NFL can also argue that Marinos lawsuit doesnt belong in court in the first place, but rather should go to arbitration. The collective bargaining aagreement provides that issues of player health and safety go to arbitration and not court.dddddddddddd. On the flip side, Marino would argue that since this case involves fraud in the form of concealment, it properly falls outside of arbitration and within the jurisdiction of the courts. Bottom line is this: both sides face challenges in this case and thats where we generally see settlement. All this is probably moot, as the league is working on finalizing a global settlement of these cases. You may recall that back in July 2013, the league announced it had settled the concussion lawsuits with the players. The negotiated settlement was for $765 million and would bind every retired NFL player, of which there are about 19,000. You should note, though, Marino is included among these players. So that means that Marino didnt need to file the lawsuit at this time. As well, while settlement was indeed announced, it was not finalized. Before the NFL can consider the case closed, the Court has to approve the terms of settlement. The problem is that on two separate occasions the Court has rejected the settlement on the basis that there is insufficient money to pay all players. As well, even if the Court were to approve the settlement, any of the 19,000 players would have the option to opt-out of the settlement agreement. If a player believes that he can do a lot better filing his own individual lawsuit, he would tell the court and the NFL thanks but no thanks, Im headed to court. The Marino lawsuit may suggest that he is tired of waiting around for a payout from the proposed settlement and wants to take matters into his own hands. Whatever Marinos motivation, these concussion lawsuits are likely to continue for years. In the event a global settlement is approved by the Court, it seems likely that a number of players will opt out and file their own lawsuits. Indeed, there is still a lot of track to cover. ' ' '
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