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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Louisiana lawmakers ask NFL for leniency

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 05/16/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Louisiana Legislature is asking the NFL to reconsider the penalties imposed on the New Orleans Saints because of its bounty program.

The formal request received final passage with a 28-1 Senate vote Monday.

In the resolution, lawmakers say there is "widespread public opinion throughout the state of Louisiana and beyond that the penalties imposed upon the Saints are too harsh and should be reconsidered."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Saints coach Sean Payton for the 2012 season. General manager Mickey Loomis got an eight-game suspension, assistant coach Joe Vitt received six games and the club was fined $500,000. Two current Saints players and two former Saints players also have been suspended.

Jones-Drew a no-show

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Maurice Jones-Drew was a no-show again.

The Jacksonville Jaguars running back skipped the first day of organized team activities Tuesday, and coach Mike Mularkey said the three-time Pro Bowler wants a contract extension.

"He's talked about trying to get an extension for his contract, which I think everybody's aware of," Mularkey said. "I'm on the coaching end of those matters. I talk to him about football and what I can do for him on the field and in the locker room."

Jones-Drew is set to make $4.45 million this season, considerably less than top tailbacks such as Chris Johnson, Arian Foster and Marshawn Lynch.

Since the workouts are voluntary and Jones-Drew has stayed away before, it's not a huge concern. But the Jaguars would like to have their best offensive player attend to get acquainted with a new coaching staff and new playbook.

Bills to be back in T.O.?

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills' bid to extend their series of playing regular-season games in Toronto could take a big step forward before the end of the month, barring a setback in negotiations.

League spokesman Michael Signora wrote in an email that the Toronto series will be on the NFL International Committee's agenda for its next meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place this month, but no date has been set.

Though Signora declined to discuss the status of talks between the Bills and Toronto-based Rogers Communications, the two sides have previously expressed optimism a new deal will be reached to extend the series before it expires after this season.

Sports Business Journal reported Monday that an extension of the series appears imminent.

Super Bowl a loss for Indy

INDIANAPOLIS -- City officials say Indianapolis lost more than expected hosting this year's Super Bowl.

Leaders of the city's sports and convention board say final figures on tax revenue and expenses show it lost $1.1 million on the February game, about $300,000 more than expected.

The biggest expense was $3.6 million for police and fire protection. The Capital Improvement Board received about $2.9 million more in hotel, restaurant and auto rental taxes during the Super Bowl period than during the same time a year earlier.

Board president Ann Lathrop said the $1 million was a good investment for the national exposure the city received and that it could be absorbed in the agency's operating budget.

-- From the news services

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 16, 2012 C4

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