NFL teams "have quietly been given the right to sign
players who are under contract" with CFL teams, according to
Marty York of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. A memo from NFL
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue states that NFL clubs have a
"window of opportunity" -- from December 23 to February 28
-- to pursue players who have one year remaining on their
CFL contracts. CFL Lions Personnel Dir Brendan Taman: "This
has to be considered a major development, and not really a
great one for the CFL." CFL President Jeff Giles: "If a
player has the capability of playing in the NFL, then they
will eventually, anyway. This just makes the process
quicker" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/9). More than 200 CFL
players "are heading into their option year" and will be
available (Joanne Ireland, EDMONTON JOURNAL, 12/10).
PUT A LID ON IT: The NFL has sent a memo to its 30
teams "requesting that club personnel not badger or attempt
to intimidate officials during games," league sources tell
Mark Asher of the WASHINGTON POST. The memo was sent on
November 26 -- "apparently drafted in part in reaction" to
Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones' behavior during the November 16
Redskins-Cowboys game (WASHINGTON POST, 12/10).
