http://www.mynorthwest.com MyNorthwest.com delivers up-to-the-minute local news and information for Seattle and the greater Puget Sound area. en-us 15 144 21 http://www.mynorthwest.com http://www.mynorthwest.com/img/lg_mynw_144x21.gif http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=25&sid=682633 AP Pro Football Writer (AP) - The lockout was easier than all this. In many ways, more peaceful, too. Nine months after the NFL and the players union agreed on an unprecedented 10-year labor deal that, at the time, had everyone from Roger Goodell to DeMaurice Smith smiling, the relationship between the sides couldnt be testier. During this offseason alone, the union has filed grievances in the Saints bounties case and for drug-related suspensions for two Broncos. Thu, 24 May 2012 03:47:28 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=25&sid=682632 AP Pro Football Writer (AP) - The lockout was easier than all this. In many ways, more peaceful, too. Nine months after the NFL and the players union agreed on an unprecedented 10-year labor deal that, at the time, had everyone from Roger Goodell to DeMaurice Smith smiling, the relationship between the sides couldnt be testier. During this offseason alone, the players union has filed grievances in the Saints bounties case and for drug-related suspensions for two Broncos. Thu, 24 May 2012 02:31:58 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=25&sid=682533 AP Sports Writer SANTA CLARA, Calif. Wed, 23 May 2012 21:08:31 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=25&sid=682411 AP Pro Football Writer ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Wed, 23 May 2012 16:36:45 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=25&sid=682402 AP Pro Football Writer (AP) - The players union claimed Wednesday that the NFL imposed a secret salary cap during the uncapped 2010 season that cost the players at least $1 billion. The complaint was filed in U.S. Wed, 23 May 2012 16:05:07 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=25&sid=682383 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Wed, 23 May 2012 15:41:31 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=25&sid=485522 AP Pro Football Writer ATLANTA (AP) - The NFLs move to make thigh and knee pads mandatory equipment for the 2013 season already has drawn criticism from the guys who will have to wear them. Not long after Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay, chairman of the competition committee, said at an owners meeting Tuesday that the league can apply the decision unilaterally, the players union and several members expressed their dissatisfaction. First, the NFL Players Association argued that the move should be negotiated. "Any change in working conditions is a collectively bargained issue," the union said in a statement. Wed, 23 May 2012 03:08:23 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=25&sid=680899 AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Forced to fight for his name in a "public trial" against the NFL, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita vowed he did not participate in the New Orleans Saints bounty program. Fujita, suspended for three games by the league for allegedly contributing "a significant amount" of money to a pay-for-hits pool while he played for the Saints, maintained his innocence on Tuesday in his first public comments since the disturbing scandal broke. "That is not true," he said. The 10-year veteran has appealed the penalty handed down by commissioner Roger Goodell. Tue, 22 May 2012 14:00:35 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=25&sid=643636 ATLANTA (AP) - An arbitrator upheld the NFLs salary cap reductions on the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins for this season and next. Stephen Burbank ruled Tuesday in favor of the league and dismissed the grievances by both teams. Tue, 22 May 2012 13:55:25 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=25&sid=680793 AP Pro Football Writer (AP) - Junior Seaus suicide is troubling NFL players. No one knows precisely why the 43-year-old Seau shot himself in the chest at his oceanfront home May 2, less than 2 1/2 years after the end of his Pro Bowl career as a linebacker. Tue, 22 May 2012 12:17:19 PST