The Province from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • 66

A66 1 PROVINCE -Thursday, May 20, 2004 CFL drag pDov tn Dl WD ffl I'll Sure, everybody wants to help, but who'll pay? response from the all-star defensive end that will determine his fate with the Lions. However, Buono said the club is willing to offer counselling to Jacobs, who also has had child support payment issues. "It's easier to work with peo The CFL has historically been a second-chance refuge. Lawrence Phillips, whose problems centered around domestic abuse, was the most notable recent example. This week, Toronto signed receiver R.

Jay Soward, a former first-round pick who has 5 17 A-Zs" v. By Lowell Ullrich Sports Reporter I i i 'V been on the NFL suspended list the last three years for substance abuse policy violations. But Wright strongly objected to a suggestion the CFL is attractive to some imports due to the absence of a doping policy. "Athletes are attracted to our ple you have, and if that's the case, you have to be able to help them," Buono said. "We're trying to do what's best, but there also has to be a responsibility, too.

That responsibility has been outlined to Jacobs." In a way, Buono i AP Dexter Manley peers out of his cell window at a Texas prison while serving t- a two-year cocaine conviction In 1996. He was released In March this year after serving another two-year cocaine conviction. CFLs second-chance all-stars JACOBS One arrest not far from a known crack house isn't going to change the way the CFL looks at players who may use drugs, which is to look the other way. But commissioner Tom Wright said he remains committed to implementing a drug-testing program that stays outside the collective bargaining agreement with the CFL Players Association. In a conference call Wednesday, Wright said he continues to hold talks with both CFLPA president Stu Laird and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport in order to develop a five-step policy.

Formal institution of drug testing, however, Is a year away, and will never happen until the union receives assurances the league Is willing to offer employee assistance programs for its players. That's too far away for the Lions. In the wake of several Incidents, notably an arrest In connection with an alleged cocaine-related bust Involving Ray Jacobs, the club Is reaching out now. Coach Wally Buono declined to offer specifics pending a has gone this route before. In 1995, he caused a public outcry for trying to get receiver Allen Pitts to serve as a spokesman for an RCMP drug awareness program after pleading guilty to steroid possession.

Calls for a steroid and drug policy were widespread back then as well. Fast forward to Wright, who now says he'll do what he can, even if it may only be minimal If owners are nudging the CFL to get federal government test funding. "We are working towards an effective policy, and the primary reasons are the health and safety of our players," he said. league because it's a great game," he said. "We talk proudly of the fact our players are accessible, approachable and relate-able.

CFL players stand apart as local heroes. They are critical role models." IN SHORT: Wright also announced that Sportsnet has picked up five games that were not slated for broadcast. None involve the Lions, who only have one road game not televised. The commissioner also said he hoped to announce a U.S. television deal In two weeks, and had a similar time frame foraNFLrCFLdeal.

lullrlchCpng.canwttt.com booked at USC for drug possession. Rashaan Salaam, RB. CFL team: Toronto. Signed for upcoming training camp with Argos in comeback attempt after admitting marijuana was his undoing with the NFL's Chicago Bears. Mike Sellers, RB.

CFL team: Winnipeg. Received rare second chance by the NFL's Washington Redskins, who signed him to a contract this winter. Had two productive seasons with Bombers after he was charged with felony cocaine possession In 2001 while with the Cleveland Browns. Jerry Crafts, OL CFL teams: Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal. Played in CFL last year despite pleading guilty to a pair of 2003 cocaine charges following three seasons with Buffalo Bills.

A partial list of CFL players past and present who have benefitted from the absence of a league drug policy to continue derailed NFL careers: Dexter Manley, DL CFL team: Ottawa. Banned by NFL in 1991 and spent two seasons with Rough Riders after pleading guilty to a charge with evidence tampering when he tried to swallow cocaine during a drug bust. Released Mar. 6 from a Texas prison after serving another two-year cocaine possession charge. Todd Marinovlch, QB.

CFL teams: B.C., Winnipeg. Between a failed training camp stmt with Bombers and not taking a snap in 1999 with the Lions, former first-round NFL pick served three months for growing mar-ijuana. Also turned pro early after being jettison Mitche Hlouseclea mn Argos ers and Argonauts. The Riders first sent the 24-year-old (ilenn to Toronto for future considerations. The Argos then flipped the quarterback to Winnipeg In exchange for futures.

TORONTO The Toronto Argonauts released veteran slotback Derrell (Mook-le) Mitchell on Wednesday and took part In a three-way deal that sent quarterback Kevin Glenn to Winnipeg, Mitchell, 32, Is the second vet- eran released by the Argos In less i "Kevin Glenn Is one of the best young, up-and-coming quarterbacks In the league and he has done very well when he's been ,1 fc'lvcn the opportunity to play," said joined the Argos In 1997 here he earned CFL rookie of the ear honours and a Grey Cup. The S4cJot-9. 190-pound slot back was originally drafted In the sixth round out of Texas Tech by the New Orleans Saints In the 1994 Na draft. In other moves, the Ottawa Renegades signed non-Import offensive lineman Ibrahim Khan and wide receiver David Al to two-year deals. Both are Ottawa natives.

Khan, from Simon Fraser University, was the second overall pick lit last month's CFL draft, one place ahead of ArI. front the University ol Ottawa, Khan won the J.t Metras Trophy last year as the outstanding lineman In Canadian university football and attended a Chicago Bears' minkamp, Crti rm Glenn had requested a trade after 'Riders head coach Danny Barrett announced that Nealon Greene would remain the team's starting quarterback In 2004. The I lamilton Tiger-Cats were also reportedly Interested In acquiring Glenn. The Argos already have veteran QB Damon Allen, Marcus Brady and rookie Scott Krause on their roster. Free agent Michael Bishop signed with Grand Rapids of the Arena league In February but could return lo Toronto after the Af season.

Toronto had talked with other CFL teams this offseason aliout Mitchell, who was closing In on the club's career receiving yardage record. But with the emergence last year Tony Miles as the club's big play receiver. It appears Mitchell became expendable. Mitchell, who completed 61 passes lor 741 yards and touchdowns In 2003. than a week.

Running back Michael Jenkins was cut loose Saturday, deemed surplus to requirements after the acquisition of John Avery and Rashaan Salaam. "We would like to thank Derrell for all ol his great years as an Argonaut," said Adam Rita. Toronto! Itombers GM Hrendan Taman. "Anytime you have a chance to upgrade your quarterback post lion, you have to lake a serious MITCHELL look at (ilenn, who will back up starter vice-president of football operations. "We wish him all the best for the future" The Bombers acquired Glenn In a three-way deal with the Saskatchewan Roughrid- Khari Jones In Winnipeg, completed I 70 of 322 passes for 2.223 yards, six touc hdowtts and 16 Interceptions during his Ihree sea sons with the "Riders..