Star-Phoenix from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada • 15

Wednesday, February 23, 2000 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan The StarPhoenix SPORTS B3 CFL salary figures don't always add up who wants to be millionaire? Every player in the CFL would like to be but none did so in 1999, unless he had a second source of income. B.C. Lions quarterback Damon Allen came the closest, if the CFL Players' Association's 1999 salary survey is to be believed. The survey said Allen had the highest annual stipend $340.000 Cdnamong the 442 CFL players whose contracts were examined by the union. Here's a look at the survey, the legitimacy of which is questioned annually by CFL insiders.

To the rest of us, finding out what, say, Edmonton Eskimos rookie defensive back Frantz Clarkson made in '99 ($28.000) is vital to our well-being. Onwards ON AVERAGE The CFL's average salary was $43,776.63 last season, up from $43.006.09 in 1998. It's the first time the average has gone up since 1991, when the average player made $60,893 -up from $57.496 in '90. The average salaries of defensive linemen ($43,214.29 from linebackers ($39.301.59 from quarterbacks ($57,806.45 from $64.931.03) and punters-kickers ($42.484.38 from $47,742.86) all fell in Defensive backs ($42,141.18 from offensive linemen ($46,372.86 from receivers ($43.570.42 from $41,774.36) and running from $38,397.44) did better than they had in '98. MONEY MEN: The survey says the runner-up to Allen for highest base salary was Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Kerwin Bell, who received $125,000.

Toronto Argonauts linebacker Mike O'Shea was next at $95,000, followed by Eskimos defensive tackle Doug Petersen at $85,000. According to the survey, the highest-paid member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders was slotback Curtis Mayfield at $80,000. Quarterback Reggie Slack who many believe received the team's highest salary allegedly was paid just $61.000. BONUS BABIES As usual, teams paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars in performance and non-performance bonuses. The former included payments for such accomplishments as snapping the ball on punts to leading a team in sacks to being a CFL all-star.

Non-performance bonuses which are listed in the survey included extra season tickets, money for signing (Montreal Alouettes quarterback Tracy Ham got $100,000) or money for helping to market the team. BONUS BABIES II: Many players hiked their pay significantly through non-performance bonuses. The aforementioned Ham allegedly received just $50,000 as a base salary, but tripled his pay with his huge bonus. Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Danny McManus doubled his salary with $75,000 in nonperformance bonuses. Winnipeg defensive tackle Glen Scrivener gets the award for the most interesting bonus total.

Scrivener, who allegedly had a base salary of $29.000. had a non-performance bonus of $51,720. YEAH, RIGHT: OK, everyone who believes Lions cornerback Eric Carter took a $20,000 pay cut to sign as a free agent with B.C., raise your hand. According to the survey, Carter got $65,000 from Hamilton in $98. Last season B.C., his base salary was $45,000 with $10,000 in bonuses.

The survey also would have us believe that defensive tackle Johnny Scott and wide receiver Alfred Jackson didn't get raises when they re-signed with the Lions prior to becoming free agents in February of 1999. Scott allegedly accepted $45.000 with $5,000 in bonuses after making $45,000 in Jackson, who received $55,000 in apparently played last season for $35,000 with $10.000 in bonuses. Sure, guys RAISING THE ISSUE: The survey says Bell got the biggest raise between the '98 and seasons, going from $75,000 to $125,000. Mayfield and two of his teammates defensive back Shannon Garrett and quarterback Steve Sarkisian also did OK for themselves. Mayfield jumped from $45,000 in '98 to $80,000 last season, Garrett went from $33,000 to $63.000 and Sarkisian went from $30.000 to $60.000.

Edmonton linebacker Justin Ring, who was paid $35,000 by Hamilton in got $60,000 from the Eskimos last season and didn't exactly earn all of it. BARGAIN BASEMENT: So who was the best buy in the CFL last season? Hamilton tailback Eric Lapointe ($28.000 for 691 yards rushing in limited duty), Als wideout Ben Cahoon ($33,000 for 845 yards receiving) and Montreal left tackle Uzooma Okeke ($55,000 for being the CFL's top offensive lineman) all qualify. But we like Montreal tailback Mike Pringle who, if Covington on leads charge into CFL Hall of Fame HAMILTON- Nine years ago, one of Hamilton's favourite sons left town, never expecting to come back. But on Tuesday, Grover Covington returned. The veteran defensive end who thrilled Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans with his onthe-field tenacity and tireless community work during an illustrious 11-year CFL career was among five named for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum.

Covington, linebacker Danny Bass, receiver James Murphy and running backdefensive back Dave Raimey were appointed in the player category while Edmonton Eskimos president Hugh Campbell was named as a builder. Covington, 43, was overwhelmed during a news conference at Canadian football's shrine. "I never thought I'd ever be back in Hamilton," said Covington, who has operated a pizza outlet in Vancouver since retiring after the season. "For 11 years I drove by this place and never imagined one day I'd be here. "I felt so at home here in Hamilton when I played that to come back here and be inducted into the Hall of Fame completely blows me away.

When I came here, I was just happy to still be playing football. This is a dream come true." The newest members will be formally inducted Sept. 28-30, boosting the Hall of Fame's membership to 194. Covington joined the Ticats in 1981 and quickly developed into the CFL's top pass rusher. Quick off the mark and strong enough to shed off bigger offensive linemen, the four-time league allstar was relentless in his pursuit of rival quarterbacks.

In 1988 he was named the top defensive player after sacks and his career total of 157 still ranks No. 1 in league history. But Covington was never complacent. "I never felt comfortable," said Covrington, a married father of three young "Each year I knew I had to work hard because the way the business is they're going to bring in new guys and pressure is always on you. "I feel blessed to have played with so many talented players and spent my career in one city.

It's hard to believe." Bass played for three teams during his 12-year CFL career. The six-time all-star joined the Toronto Argonauts in 1980 before being traded to Calgary in 1981. years later Bass settled in Edmonton, where he played in three Grey Cups (winning in 1987) and captured the CFL's outstanding defensive player (1989). The 41-year-old native of retired after the '91 season with 21 career fumble recoveries and 52 sacks. the survey is to be believed, was paid just $50,000 with $5,000 in bonuses for leading the league in again.

The entire CFLPA salary survey begins below and continues on the stats page. IAN HAMILTON Around the CFL MUSEUM IMPAQ, COM COOTBAL OF AMUSEUN IMPAC A OMPA A SEUS The CFL is still buzzing about the news delivered last week by president and chief operating officer Jeff Giles, who said the league doesn't have a maximum salary of $150,000. That figure, Giles said, is just a guideline and isn't etched in stone as many people believed. "I thought it was, but I don't know when the stone was changed," Bombers assistant GM Brendan Taman says. "It probably changed with the new collective bargaining agreement." Despite Giles' announcement, many teams want to see the $150,000 figure enforced.

"I think the salary-cap initiatives have to start with everybody at the top agreeing philosophically that the cap is real not only in form, but in spirit," Bombers president Bob Miles told The Winnipeg Sun. "Do I think that's possible? I do. Are we there today? Absolutely The Bombers are anxious to use two Canadian receivers next season and therefore are hot on the heels of free-agent wideout Andre Kirwan. But Kirwan appears to have NFL aspirations; he already has worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars and plans to visit the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers in the coming days Free-agent Dave Donaldson, who played both defensive back and receiver for the Lions, is another player at whom the Bombers are looking. The interest appears to be mutual; Donaldson phoned the Bombers as soon as he became a free agent Taman is taking the free-agent process seriously: He plans to drink coffee (something he doesn't do) and refrain from shaving until he signs a free agent.

"It's like the NHL players who don't shave during the playoffs," Rip Van Taman says. "This is my playoffs right now." By mutual agreement, the Bombers and quarterback Troy Kopp have parted ways Not much has been heard out of Montreal, but the Alouettes are believed to be courting a number of high-profile free agents. They're said to be after two Montreal products Argos linebacker Kelly Wiltshire and Hamilton defensive tackle Tim Fleiszer and have talked to Tiger-Cats standout offensive tackles Dave Hack and Seth Dittman The Als once again are shopping rush end Elfrid Payton around the league. "The things that have happened have been well-documented," Als GM Jim Popp said in reference to Payton's untimely lapses in discipline. "Those things become a concern.

You wonder whether they're going to happen again." Edmonton is after offensive lineman Tim Prinsen, a graduate of the PFC's Edmonton Huskies who spent the past three seasons with Hamilton Eskimos head coach Don Matthews may have called Bell when the quarterback became a free agent, but the Eskimos are not interested in him anymore. "It's an easy way out," Bell said. "Now I don't have to tell (Matthews) no." The Lions have come to terms with one of their own free agents, rush end Daved Benefield, but he has until March 17 to find NFL employment B.C. plucked linebacker-long snapper-special teamer Roger Reinson a former star with the PFC's Regina Rams away from Calgary. The Stamps could replace Reinson with another former Rams linebacker who's a free agent, Randy Srochenski.

He can long snap and play special teams abilities which also may be attractive to the Bombers With Mike McCoy having left to become an assistant coach with the Carolina Panthers and with Henry Burris on every other team's wish list, the Stampeders are in the market for a backup quarterback. They're expected to go after free-agent Jimmy Kemp and perhaps even Jay Walker, a free agent who refused to play in Winnipeg last season The NFL's Seattle Seahawks have tendered a contract offer to Toronto linebacker J.P. Darche, who impressed the Seahawks in a recent workout with his long-snapping abilities. Trouble is, Darche was on a one-year sabbatical from McGill's medical school when he played for the Argos last season and he wants to complete his studies. The Seahawks have told Darche an they'll American investigate university the possibility Argos of wide getting receiver him into, Masotti is working in the team's front office these days -he's an assistant to team owner Sherwood Schwarz and tailback Mike Clemons may follow suit.

It's unclear whether the players will play again next season While announcing his coaching staff Monday, Argos head coach John Huard didn't name offensive or defensive co-ordinators. That's because he plans to fill both roles The last word this week goes to Joe Womack, who took over as the Shreveport Pirates' director of player personnel after J.I. Albrecht the Argos' new managing director was deposed in 1994. Here's what Womack had to say about Albrecht and his cronies taking control of the Argos: "Having that bunch together again is just not a good sign for the Canadian Football League. I don't know Dean (Albrecht, Toronto's GM), J.I.

or John that well, but all I know is that the situation they, left in Shreveport was pretty bad." That's good news for Toronto, isn't it? (Around the CFL appears Wednesdays.) By Dan Ralph of The Canadian Press SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS PLAYERS' ASSOCIATION 1999 SALARY SURVEY Some players advised the CFLPA that not all compensation received has been recorded on their standard contracts or addendums I Dot Denotes import (NPB Non-Performance Bonuses) Position Salary NPB Paul McCallum K. .15,000 Alli Abrew QB. Todd McMillon CB ...20,000 Bamidele Ali LB. 41,000. James Monroe 49,500 Ken Benson I LB 45,000 Shay Muirbrook LB Ryan Carey Sheldon Napastuk DT 28,000.

Mike Cawley QB 45.000 Don Narcisse I WR Dan Comiskey OG. 41,000 .0 Kennedy Nkeyasen RB. Steve Conley DE Jeremy O'Day OL Jim Cooper Willie Pless I LB .60,000 000 Douglas Craft CB .25,000 Dan Rashovich LB Shawn Daniels FB .48,000 John Rayborn QB Robbie Desrosiers SB Rob Robinson OL Ventson Donelsoni Brendan Rogers LB ...0 Ben Fairbrother OT Gary Rogers I L.B 40,000 .0 Terrell Farley I LB Glenn Rogers DB. Dan Farthing SB 5,000 Steve Sarkisian Stephane Fortin .30,000 Mike Saunders RB 15,000 Curtis Galick DB Colin Scrivener Shannon Garrett I DB .63,000. Reggie Slack 61,000 Paul Girodo Neal Smith I DE 45,000 ....0 Andrew GreeneG.

Trevis Smith I LB. 37,000 Eric Guliford SB 60,000. ..0 Randy Srochenski LB Matt Hammer DB. Cory Stevens P. 28.000.

Albert Johnson I WR. Chris Szarka 35,000 Reggie Jones I WR. Mark Tatel DB 43,000. Wayne Lammle 36,000 John Terry OT .62,500 Michael Lawson I DT 45,000 Ousmane Tounkara WR Rob Lazeo R-Kal Truluck DE ....50,000 Gene Makowsky OG .56,000 John Van DE Kelly Malveauxi DB .45,000 Neison Van Waes Mike Maurer RB ...31,000 Ricky Whittle RB Curtis Mayfield SB Rich Young DT .40,000 CFL PLAYERS' ASSOCIATION 1999 SALARY SURVEY continued on B6 -CP Grover Covington, one of this year's CFL Hall of Fame inductees, looks over the Grey Cup at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame Ticats coach Ron Lancaster, was pleased with Campbell's induction. The two were former teammates in Saskatchewan and later Campbell hired Lancaster as Edmonton coach in 1991.

The two worked there together for seven years before Lancaster joined the Ticats. Campbell was no slouch as a coach himself, leading the Eskimos to a leaguerecord five straight Grey Cup titles (1978-82). His .755 win percentage (70- 21-5) is the best in CFL history. "It's hard to win one Grey Cup as a coach, five straight is unbelievable," Lancaster said. "But the thing is he does an awful lot of work for the CFL behind the scenes that nobody knows about and that's the way he likes it.

It's nice to see people like that be rewarded." In eight seasons with Winnipeg, Murphy was a two-time CFL all-star and the league's outstanding player in 1986. The 40-year-old native of Deland, was named the MVP of the 1988 Grey Cup, one of three CFL championship squads Murphy played on. He retired after the season and remains the Bombers career receiving leader with 9,036 yards. Raimey began his CFL career in Winnipeg as a running back. After registering two 1.000-yard seasons in four years, Raimey was dealt to Toronto, where he was converted to defensive back and kick returner.

In 1969, Raimey was a league all-star after scoring a team-high 10 touchdowns. The Hall of Fame also announced Tuesday it has reached a sponsorship agreement with computer manufacturer. Compaq. 8 Pieces of KFC for just $6.49 (Drumsticks and Thighs) AVAILABLE SUNDAY TO THURSDAY ONLY Saskatoon Prince Albert Rosetown Kindersley KFC We do chicken right:.