The Atlanta Hawks

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance to help former New England Patriots star tight end Aaron Hernandez collect an $82,000 workout bonus. Hernandezs contract provided for him to receive that amount if he participated in 90 per cent of the teams voluntary off-season workouts. "On behalf of all players, it is our responsibility to protect the rights in the collective bargaining agreement," the union said in a statement. "We are not tone-deaf to what the allegations are in this case, but for the benefit of all players, there are important precedents here we must protect." The Patriots cut Hernandez after he was arrested on June 26 and before he was charged with murder later that day. He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd, a friend whose body was found June 17 near Hernandezs house. The union believes Hernandez earned the bonus before his arrest. Patriots owner Robert Kraft indicated he disagreed. "Its simple," he said Tuesday. "You can look at our history. We honour all our contracts and we expect the people who sign them to honour their part of the contract." Asked if he felt Hernandez didnt do that, Kraft said, "We honour our contracts and we expect the people on the other side to do the same." Last year, Hernandez signed a five-year, $40 million contract extension through the 2018 season. The contract, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, includes an $82,000 bonus if Hernandez "successfully completes" at least 90 per cent the possible off-season workouts at the teams facility. The bonus would have been paid "on or about" Aug. 1. The NFLs collective bargaining agreement allows teams to recoup bonus money when a player is incarcerated. The Patriots cut Hernandez before the bonus, if earned, was due. Hernandez was indicted last Thursday on first-degree murder and weapons charges in the death of Lloyd, whose bullet-riddled body was found in an industrial park about a mile from the ex-players North Attleborough, Mass., home. Prosecutors say Hernandez orchestrated Lloyds killing because he was upset at him for talking to people Hernandez had problems with at a nightclub days earlier. Kraft said that since he bought the Patriots before the 1994 season, "weve had probably over 2,000 people playing here and I think, by and large, weve done a pretty good job. If you look at the last four years I dont think we had any off-field incidents. So were as diligent as we can be. "We know what we want to achieve, yet, when people go outside this building, its like those of you who have children," Kraft told reporters. "Once they get to a certain age, you cant control all their activities." He also said that "every year in all of our businesses, we recalibrate what we are doing to make sure were staying fresh and on top of things, and once you stop doing that, youll perish." The NFL, Kraft said, is "the most competitive business Ive ever been involved in and so we have reviewed everything. Weve been very diligent (in) the way we look at things and well try to do things as best as we can to achieve the results we want." The Patriots are "a microcosm of the world," he said. "All kinds of things are going to happen. We do our best to hope that (players) understand theyre in a unique place. Playing in the NFL is a privilege and we hope theyre wise and mature enough to make sure they know how to take advantage of that." Anthony Davis Jersey . Lynchs attorney, Ivan Golde, told The Associated Press on Thursday of the plea deal that was reached with the Alameda County District Attorney Office. The plea will be formally entered in court in Oakland, Calif. Stitched Pelicans Jerseys . -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are tightening the race for second place in the Atlantic Division. https://www.cheappelicans.com/375u-grei ... icans.html. Bookies were offering odds of 13/1 before kickoff that the home team Houston Dynamo would prevail by three goals to nil. Jamal Mashburn Jersey . Lupul injured the hand in a fall at practice on Thursday. He will wear a cast for a minimum of 10 days before he can put a glove back on it and get some mobility back, said Carlyle, who added the winger wont go on the teams upcoming road trip. David Wesley Jersey .com) - The Atlanta Hawks have stepped up to every challenge during their 14-game winning streak and will face another daunting task Friday with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder in town. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals acquired outfielder Carlos Peguero from the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash. The 26-year-old Peguero has spent parts of the last three seasons with Seattle. He is a career .195 hitter with nine home runs and 27 RBIs in 219 at-bats in the majors. He ranked seventh in the Pacific Coast League with 19 homers in 2013, along with a .260 batting average, 28 doubles and 83 RBIs at Triple-A Tacoma. Peguero was designated for assignment on Jan. 16 when the Mariners signed free agent catcher John Buck. Kansas City also ddesignated left-handed pitcher Everett Teaford for assignment.dddddddddddd Teaford made one appearance for the Royals in 2013, pitching two-thirds of an inning at Cleveland on July 14. Seattle also agreed to a minor league contract with 32-year-old right-hander Scott Baker, who had elbow ligament replacement surgery in April 2012. He made three starts for the Chicago Cubs last September, pitching 15 innings with a 3.60 ERA and no record. Baker has a 63-48 record with a 4.14 ERA in 162 starts and four relief appearances with Minnesota (2005-11) and the Cubs. ' ' '