Jason Pottinger chose his words carefully, because this was the first time he could speak for himself, on the record. Doug Gilmour Jersey . And the Ottawa Redblacks linebacker wanted to be sure his words delivered their full effect. "Its an insult," he said over the phone Wednesday after the CFL Players Association lifted its media ban, giving its members the ability to speak openly about stalling collective bargaining talks. For Pottinger — 30 years old and an eight-year CFL veteran taken by Ottawa in Decembers expansion draft— "It," is an all-composing term, referring to the CFLs reluctance to explore any revenue-sharing model, and the publication of the leagues newest offer Wednesday, which includes a "ratification bonus" ($1,000 for rookies and $3,000 for veterans) if the players agree to the leagues terms by June 2. "Its a slap in the face." "It" ultimately alludes to a negotiation process that has made no progress for months. Like most players, Pottinger has not directly been part of the talks. There is now a week left before the current CBA expires on May 29. Last week the CFLPA began mailing out strike ballots to its members. Pottinger has received his, and he has voted Yes. "Im hopeful," he said. "But the league has to start taking us seriously." For the most part, players have kept quiet over the last few months. The CFL made certain no one representing the league or any team spoke, threatening hefty fines for any league or team official willing to share any thoughts on the negotiations. And then today - after TSN initially reported the leagues latest offer to the players - CFL commissioner Mark Cohon released the offer on the leagues website along with an open letter to players and fans. The leagues offer includes an initial nine per cent increase on the salary cap — from the existing $4.4 million to $4.8 million — in the first year of a new CBA, and a yearly $50,000 increase over the life of a new five-year deal (putting the cap at $5,050,000). The league minimum salary would also be raised from $45,000 to $50,000. And the CFL would maintain a $450,000 annual payment to the CFLPA for "Player marketing and other rights." The proposal also includes larger active rosters, plans for limited amounts of contact practices, and the continuation of player pension, medical, and life insurance benefits. "The CFL offer strikes an appropriate balance of, on the one hand, providing significant compensation increases and health and safety improvements to the Players while, on the other hand, creating an environment in which the League and its teams can continue to build for a strong and stable future," Cohon wrote in his letter to the players. "I was surprised [the league went public]," Pottinger said. "This must have been their plan. We had an understanding that neither side would approach the media for 24 hours. [The players] gave that notice [Tuesday afternoon] and the league broke that understanding. They came in [to the proposed Toronto meeting place Wednesday] handed their proposal and walked out. Now is that bargaining?" Four hours later, CFLPA executives held a press conference and released their counterproposal. The crucial component of the players offer is $6.24 million salary cap partly determined by a revenue-sharing model, which would allocate 55 per cent of gross revenue from TV, internet and radio rights, 45 per cent of gross sponsorship revenue, and 40 per cent of gross ticket revenue to the players. "We advised the CFLPA in no uncertain terms that their proposal was not realistic, and would not form the basis for any financial settlement," Cohon said in his letter. "In fact, it would threaten the very existence of the CFL." "The league has only recently been upfront with us about their finances," Pottinger said. "This isnt just about the players now. This is about the players who are coming into the league, and who will come into the league. In five years, I will likely be out of the league. I want players coming to the CFL then to say Thanks for putting up a fight. CFLPA president Scott Flory also issued a letter to CFL fans Wednesday afternoon. "We are in not interested in destroying the game that has given us all so much. We put our bodies, hearts and souls on the line and seek nothing more than to be fairly paid for what we do," Flory wrote. Sources - players both close to the negotiations and outside of the meetings - have told TSN over the past few months that some kind of revenue-sharing scheme must be an integral part of any new CBA. But are the percentages in the CFLPAs recent proposal fixed, immutable numbers? Or a starting point that hasnt yet been properly considered? Pottinger, a businessman himself working toward his Master of Business Administration, paused when considering the questions. The terms "whats fair" and "fair share" were constantly repeated principles when players were advised to say little or nothing. The message wont change now. "In the end - and I know youve heard this enough times already - but we want whats fair," he said. "I want you to write this: Back in 2010 [when the soon-to-be-expired CBA was being negotiated] revenue sharing for the players was around 56 per cent. The league approached us and said they couldnt operate with a revenue sharing model. They told us the league wouldnt be healthy. They told us to be partners. We understood. We thought we were partners." "Now it just feels like take, take, take." Players used social media to air frustration and show their filled-in strike ballots. Ones with NO crossed have yet to be seen. "In writing this letter, we the Executive, are still here where our negotiations were scheduled to be, working towards furthering talks. We need two sides," Flory wrote in his open letter. What is the timetable now? Does Pottinger expect to miss the first week of training camp? The first preseason game? The first week of the regular season? Is he ready to strike? "Im still hopeful for a new deal," Pottinger said. Dalton Prout Jersey . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt and listen on TSN 690. The Canadiens have won three in a row and four of their last five games and recently put the finishing touches on a 3-1-0 road trip. Mikael Backlund Jersey . Blown save in the ninth inning? No problem. http://www.officialflamesfanstore.com/authentic-jaromir-jagr-flames-jersey/ . Here is a look at all the moves through the first week of NHL Free Agency. The most significant deals will get the full Numbers Game column treatment, like these:Briere-for-Parenteau trade. DENVER -- Jorge De La Rosa sweated almost as much watching the Colorado bullpen preserve the win as he did earning it. These days, nothing comes easy for the Rockies. De La Rosa pitched six strong innings before giving way to a shaky bullpen and the Rockies snapped a five-game skid by holding off the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 on Saturday. "We won and thats all that matters," De La Rosa said. The Rockies are 3-16 since June 16 -- with De La Rosa (9-6) accounting for every win. The lefty allowed two runs and three hits, all in the first inning. He then watched the bullpen almost completely unravel. What looked like a blowout -- Colorado led 8-2 -- suddenly turned into a game when the Dodgers scored five runs in the seventh. But Adam Ottavino put the brakes on the rally, with De La Rosa nervously watching on a television in the clubhouse. "It was a tough situation, but we got out of there," said De La Rosa, who tied Jeff Francis for the second-most wins (64) in Rockies history. Dan Haren (8-5) gave up a season-high eight runs in 5 1-3 innings while striking out eight. He had a hard act to follow after teammate Clayton Kershaws masterful performance the night before, when he allowed two hits in eight innings. "I did my best, just didnt work out," Haren said. Drew Stubbs hit a two-run homer, Corey Dickerson added a solo shot and Wilin Rosario contributed two RBI singles as the Rockies ended a six-game slide against the Dodgers. The team was without NL hitting leader Troy Tulowitzki, who rested a tight groin for a second straight game. Los Angeles took advantage of three hits and two errors in a two-run first. But De La Rosa was tricky to solve after that. "Hes just effectively wild," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly explained. "He makes you swing out of the strike zone because hes always kind of around it." De La Rosa was taken out for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning after throwing 100 pitches. The Dodgers immediately pounced on reliever Nick Masset, who gave up four runs and recorded no outs before departingg with a tweaked left knee. Michael Frolik Jersey. A rusty Boone Logan, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list Saturday, didnt fare much better, loading the bases without getting an out. The booing began from the Coors Field crowd, which Rockies manager Walt Weiss fully understood. "We have an 8-2 lead and looked like we had the game in hand," Weiss said. "It looked like it was slipping away in that seventh." Enter Ottavino, who got Juan Uribe to hit into a double play. After an intentional walk, Ottavino worked the Rockies out of the jam by striking out A.J. Ellis. In the eighth, Ottavino escaped another sticky situation by striking out Yasiel Puig and getting Hanley Ramirez to ground out with Dee Gordon on second. "Tried to bring everything I had," Ottavino said. "It worked out today." Colorado had a chance to cushion its lead in the eighth, but Puig made a highlight catch in right. He came in on a ball before realizing it was over his head. He dived backward to make the grab, quickly got up and rifled a throw to the infield, doubling up Rosario at third after the Rockies catcher tried to tag up. LaTroy Hawkins pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 16 chances. "Luckily for us, we were able to hang on there," Stubbs said. "Regardless if its 8-7 or 8-2, a wins a win." NOTES: Dodgers OF Carl Crawford (left ankle sprain) was scheduled to begin his rehab assignment Saturday night and play six innings in left field for Triple-A Albuquerque. ... Dodgers LHP Scott Elbert (left elbow surgery) had his rehab assignment halted because of soreness in his left big toe. ... Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez (left index finger) participated in a simulated game with RHP Eddie Butler (inflamed rotator cuff). Gonzalez could soon be headed for a rehab assignment. ... Butler threw 35 pitches in the simulated game with "no pain at all," but finished with a blister on his middle finger. ... Rockies RHP Jair Jurrjens checked out fine after going to the hospital with tightness in his chest following Fridays start. 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