Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Simpson, Bombers go to war
Linebacker files grievance over being placed on injured list
Barrin Simpson has been placed on the nine-game injury list against his will.
Barrin Simpson wants out and, it appears, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers don't want him in their colours again, either.
But the saga that has become his request for a trade -- and the club's decision to place him on the nine-game injured list without his consent -- has become just another ticking time bomb about to explode.
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Simpson has hired agent Mark Maren to help mediate his situation and has filed a grievance with the Canadian Football League that states he did not sign the team's request to place him on the nine-game injured list, a move that would have kept him off the field until the end of November and resulted in his salary not counting toward the team's cap.
The club first announced Simpson, who had been taking injections to deal with the pain from a turf-toe injury but had suited up for all nine games before the Banjo Bowl, was being placed on the one-game injured list. But on Sunday he was put on the nine-gamer instead.
Initially, reports indicated the CFL had given the Bombers permission to place Simpson on the list without his consent as long as he had been served notice of the move. However, that revelation had the rest of the league, unaware of this 'loophole', howling in protest. Teams like the Saskatchewan Roughriders have eaten salary in the past after not being able to get a player's consent to being moved to the long-term injured list. And if they did not require that authorization, the Riders could argue for compensation after paying a fine for going over the salary cap last season.
When asked for a further clarification, the league indicated a ruling would be forthcoming today.
"Our contention, and it's always been this way as long as I've been in this league, is that a player has to sign a form acknowledging that he has been put on the nine-game injured list," said Maren Tuesday. "I'm looking at an addendum to the form right now.
"Barrin did not sign such an agreement. We've filed a grievance, according to what Barrin has to sign or has not signed. And there's also the fact of who's the doctor that signed off and said Barrin is not able to play for the next nine weeks when he's been playing on this turf toe for how long? That's why we're in holding pattern right now and waiting to get clarification from the league."
Severe
Maren said that as part of the grievance he may also ask for a neutral physician be assigned to examine Simpson and determine whether the injury is severe enough to keep him out until late November.
The Bombers have refused comment on the matter until the league presents a ruling, but president and CEO Lyle Bauer told The Canadian Press on Monday: "The player does not have to agree. The player has to be informed and acknowledge. There are no provisions. I guess that would be a ludicrous system, wouldn't it, for a player? Last time I looked, I don't know too many players who are doctors."
Simpson was approached by the Bomber coaches after the Labour Day Classic loss about dressing, but taking a reduced role in the defence to allow him to heal his toe. After questioning the staff about whether his play had dropped off -- and apparently being told it had not -- the 31-year-old veteran balked and asked for a trade.
He was welcome at practice in the days prior to the Banjo Bowl but was not on the sidelines with the other Bombers who did not dress.
In the meantime, the Bombers have given Maren permission to seek out a possible trade suitor across the CFL, but this latest development makes that decision perplexing. After all, who would trade for a linebacker if he was on the injured list for the remainder of the regular season? And how does an agent broker a deal when he doesn't know what the two teams might be asking for in the transaction?
"The fact the Bombers have granted me permission to go out and contact other clubs to see what can be worked out is a positive," Maren said. "But the feedback from the other clubs is, 'Well, let's see what goes on with this before we examine anything any further.
"Hopefully something can be worked out."
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 16, 2009 C1
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14 Comments
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Posted by: sparky
September 16, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Lastly I don`t blame the players we have. They are a taleted bunch(WHATS LEFT). Defence is getting burnt out..Doug Brown watch out you could be the flavor of the week, next. What other titles does Kelly have along with being a CFL coach. Maybe he has too many hats, due to budget restrictions. How can one be an offensive coach as well as a cfl coach. How many CFL or for that matter NFL coaches have as many titles as Kelly. Bauer your time is up...Maybe we should help out the Bombers like we did trying to save the Jets. They are paying Berry and signed Kelly to a 3 year contract. Lets raise money(like we did with the jets) to cover there salarys along with Bauer and ship them out for a Professional Head Coach
Posted by: sparky
September 16, 2009 at 1:54 PM
MANX07........ give your head a shake what is the procedure for placing a player on the injured list
Read on
"Our contention, and it's always been this way as long as I've been in this league, is that a player has to sign a form acknowledging that he has been put on the nine-game injured list," said Maren Tuesday. "I'm looking at an addendum to the form right now.
"Barrin did not sign such an agreement. We've filed a grievance, according to what Barrin has to sign or has not signed. And there's also the fact of who's the doctor that signed off and said Barrin is not able to play for the next nine weeks when he's been playing on this turf toe for how long? That's why we're in holding pattern right now and waiting to get clarification from the league.
Seems like a circus
Posted by: Grey Cup 2009
September 16, 2009 at 12:48 PM
And as the light slowly grows stronger, the true culprit is finally revealeds. It's not Michael Bishop's fault that he's not very good. It is Mike Kelly's fault that he does all the dumb things he does, but it's not his fault that he's still allowed out in public-at least as a Bomber rep. Lyle B. is the poison root that's supporting the rotting mildew that's ruining Bomber-land. Hopefully SOMEBODY does something before his decay casts a shadow on the whole CFL.
Posted by: Stiicks
September 16, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Exactly Skyryder.Well said.
Simpson took a pay cut to play on a team he didn't want to be on, ya right.
Simpson was a Bomber thru and thru and he's unfortunately just the canary in a coalmine in Kelly's whole regime.
Posted by: donmaximo
September 16, 2009 at 11:59 AM
I’m pleased to see some true fans posting on the last few articles. I was beginning to believe all the true grit had left Winnipeg and been replaced with a sea of fair-weather “fans” and band wagon jumpers.
The paradox is that these “fans” constantly berate and boo a beleaguered team while spreading sensationalism and demanding unrealistic and uneducated action, but simultaneously feel entitled to a football team that has had time to develop and performs as a cohesive unit worthy of a playoff run. And when they DO perform (like against BC) you could hear a pin drop it’s so quiet.
If you don’t think that these players play for the fans, then think again. And if you think that all the negativity shown has no effect on the players and their desire to succeeded, then think again. In the CFL in particular these guys aren’t playing for the extraordinary salaries – they play because they love the game and they love the show: The Friday night lights. Every time you “fans” spew your poison you take a bit of that away from them and you erode their will to stay in Winnipeg, and work towards success.
The road to a Grey Cup in Winnipeg, in my opinion, starts with the fans – not more coaching changes. Simpson is just another example of a player beaten down by this negativity and looking for any way to escape.
Posted by: skyryder
September 16, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Skyryder
...and the gong show circus continues.Seriously ..how can these people continue to lavish their affection on Mike kelly?? Just wondering..slams Taman with childish "napkin"remark..reinforces remark that Sask is "crotch' of canada..reuses to review Lefors decision until game 4..'shotgun is only for people that don't know anything about football'..can't communicate with armstrong..no more call-ins on cjob..can't communicate with simpson..suffers one of the worst efforts in team history ..and now at 3-7 unbelievably states "we are on the right track here"!!!!!REALLY PEOPLE...let's get serious !
Posted by: howie
September 16, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Another day and another embarrassment for the Bombers and Winnipeg. No one minds losing as long as there is humility and hope. We have none of either. This is not Lyle's first rodeo but it sure looks like it is. He has been in the CFL for 2 decades yet still makes astonishing rookie mistakes which cost the team money, players and respect. Armstong, Spygate, Sheridan, Lefors, and now Simpson, could have and should have been dealt with in proper fashion. This one is going to hurt.
Should be fun this weekend!!
Posted by: Jesus of Suburbia
September 16, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Well it's about time! It's already Wednesday and we hadn't been served our scandal-of-the-week until now.
Then again this is just last weeks warmed up leftovers, an appetizer if you will. So when does this weeks main entree get served?
Doug Brown is one of our stars and he's been playing well, that should qualify him as this weeks sacrifice in "the season of self destruction".
JOIN THE DEVOLUTION !!!
Posted by: manx07
September 16, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Sparky and booboo, you guys are seriously out to lunch. This is a player that we called a leader and looked up to acting like a brat and we find out he did the same thing last year !! How can you blame Mike Kelly for that ? You are so blinded with rage for Mike Kelly that you aren't making any sense and lose any credibility. There are lots of hungry players that want to step in and make a difference on this team. Go Blue !
Posted by: majikmonkie
September 16, 2009 at 8:48 AM
I think Barrin is just being a jerk about all this. I'd use stronger wording, but it would be edited. He knows he's not going to play another game with Winnipeg. He gets paid the same whether he's on the 9-game or not, and any team that trades for him will likely take him off the 9-game immediately, without any penalty to them. So what is his reason for contesting this? Trading shouldn't be affected, as the 9-game is merely a safety net for the Bombers if he doesn't get traded and taken off it.
He's just bitter and trying to screw with us. If this goes through, the Bombers should refuse trades for him until the off season to make sure he's benched for the rest of the season. Heck, take away any locker-room and training privileges, take him off the sidelines, make him a ghost. But require him to be in Winnipeg for a weekly meeting or something of that sort, so he can't do very much with his time off.
I wish there was a better way to "punish" problem players. He has a history of this, and that's likely why he hasn't had much trade interest. Probably would have had more luck a few weeks ago. Good riddance. I used to be a fan, but his true character is starting to show.
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