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The "final hurdle" to testing players for HGH this season apparently involves the NFL and union agreeing on whether Commissioner Roger Goodell will hear appeals for violations other than a positive test, according to a person who works for the league. The person sent an email Thursday to The Associated Press to update the status of negotiations between the league and the NFL Players Association. The information was provided on condition of anonymity because the sides talks about the drug policy are supposed to remain confidential. The person said that while several issues standing in the way of HGH testing have been resolved, "the final hurdle appears to be" the unions desire to have someone other than Goodell rule on appeals that involve violations of the law or "demonstrated use" of a performance-enhancing substance without a positive test. The email adds that the NFL does not "believe it is appropriate further to limit the commissioners disciplinary authority." It also says: "We have made clear to the NFLPA ... that we are not prepared to resolve issues relating to HGH on a piecemeal basis. Two years after agreeing to HGH testing in the first place, we think the goal should be to reach a comprehensive agreement on all aspects of HGH testing so that the program can be fully implemented for the current season." The league and union originally paved the way for HGH testing in the 10-year collective bargaining agreement they signed in August 2011, pending discussions to resolve various details. But two Super Bowls have come and gone -- and the 2013 regular-season opener is only three weeks away -- without a single blood test for human growth hormone having been administered. Since the current CBA went into effect, the sides have haggled over several aspects of the program, including the appeals process and the unions insistence on a population study to determine what constitutes a naturally occurring amount of HGH in NFL players. A memo sent to players by the NFLPA this week -- and obtained by the AP -- indicated that the population study process was settled, as was a tentative agreement to randomly test 40 players per week during the season. Thursdays email from the NFL employee refers to those as "agreed-upon elements regarding HGH testing." It also notes that the scientific experts in charge of determining a threshold for a positive test "plan to create a control group in addition to the pool of current player specimens" but says "there is presently no agreement of any kind involving a role for retired players in the study." Air Max 90 Cheap . The deals were announced on Friday. Beckham will receive $4.175 million in base salary, while De Aza will receive $4.25 million. Beckham hit .267 with five home runs and 24 RBIs over 103 games last season, his fifth with the White Sox. Air Max 90 Cheap Sale . The Canadian Football Leagues all-time passing leader said he has not made a final decision, but he will discuss his future with Montreal Alouettes owner Bob Wetenhall on the weekend. http://www.airmax90cheap.us/.com) - Coming off a pair of tough losses last week, the Syracuse Orange will try to put an end to their first losing skid of the season when they pay a visit to the Maryland Terrapins at the Comcast Center on Monday night in Atlantic Coast Conference action. Air Max 90 Cheap Clearance . During the furious first few hours of free agency Tuesday, the team agreed to terms with strong safety Donte Whitner, a Cleveland native who cant wait to play in his hometown. Air Max 90 Cheap Free Shipping . On Wednesday, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas hit back. In a passionate defence of himself and the London clubs medical staff, the Portuguese coach rebuked the "incompetent people" who have attacked Tottenham for allowing Lloris to continue playing after being briefly knocked unconscious against Everton on Sunday.Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss Steve Nash, the Spirits handling of Terry Traffords passing, Ralph Krueger and NHL shootouts. Bruce Arthur, the National Post: My thumb is up to Steve Nash, who was shut down this week with nerve pain, which has been limiting him since a harmless-looking collision early last year. Hes only played 10 games for the Lakers this season and he looked like himself once. If this isnt the end of his 18-year career, then were getting close. So why thumbs up? Because of how hes facing it. Nash is making short films for ESPNs Grantland that are incredibly honest - jarringly so, at times - about what its like to face your athletic mortality and was incredibly honest again when I spoke to him this week. Nash and I are the same age; we both came from B.C.; we both played basketball and thats where the comparison ends. And again, hes showing me what it would be like. Steve Simmons, Sun Media: My thumb is down to the eerie silence that has engulfed the Saginaw Spirit in the tragic wake of the passing of 20-year-old Terry Trafford.There are questions here – but, to date, no answers coming from the prominent junior hockey people, coach Greg Gilbert or general manager Jim Paliafito. We know, from Traffords father, that the Spirit sent Terry home for what Roy Trafford calls “disciplinary reasons.” And we know, from the same conversation, that the time away from the team was supposed to be temporary, a few days. Then something changed. What changed? We dont know. Telephone messages were left informing Trafford that he was no longerr welcome to return to the team.dddddddddddd What we dont know and may never know - is why. To date, the only people who have those answers arent sharing them. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: Forget the Dos Equis guy. My thumb is up to the truly most interesting man in the world, Ralph Krueger. Less than a month after being the big-ice guru for the Canadian mens Olympic hockey team, Krueger has switched continents and sports. He is now chairman of Southampton FC, having jumped to the rarified world of English Premier League soccer without prior experience in the game. Krueger can match resumes with anyone. The Manitoban played pro hockey in Germany, built the Swiss national program, coached the Edmonton Oilers before his premature firing and boosted Team Canada. He also is an active member of the World Economic Forum. Now, soccer. Bartender, Ill drink what Kruegers drinking. Dave Hodge, TSN: Thumbs down to the NHL and its inability to deal with its dislike of the shootout. At the GMs meetings in Florida, the NHL continued to look for ways to decrease the number of shootouts. One way would be to change overtime from four-on-four to three-on-three, but if youre making a list of ideas that are less popular than the shootout, start there. The NHL will consider a change of ends for overtime to put skaters farther from their benches, as they are in the second period, which, statistically, is the highest-scoring of the three periods. Okay. Keep trying. The easy solution would be for the NHL to give up and decide it likes the shootout. Oh, but as with visits from grandpa, it does - there just shouldnt be too many of them. ' ' '