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2B Daily News – Wednesday, August 28, 2013 NFLPA files grievance on behalf of Hernandez FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — 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. Hernandez's contract provided for him to receive that amount if he participated in 90 percent of the team's voluntary offseason 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 Hernandez's house. The union believes Hernandez earned the bonus before his arrest. Patriots owner Robert Kraft indicated he disagreed. ''It's simple,'' he said Tuesday. ''You can look at our history. We honor all our contracts and we expect the people who sign them to honor their part of the contract.'' Asked if he felt Hernandez didn't do that, Kraft said, ''We honor 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 percent the possible offseason workouts at the team's facility. The bonus would have been paid ''on or about'' Aug. 1. The NFL's collective bargaining agreement allows teams to recoup bonus money when a player is incarcer- 49ERS (Continued from page 1B) When Fangio walked through the locker room a few minutes later, Reid said: ''What's up, Coach? I heard the news.'' In response, a smiling Fangio offered, ''You knew.'' In 39 career college games with 26 starts over three seasons for the Tigers, the 6-foot-1, 213-pound Reid finished with 199 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 11 pass breakups and 4 1/2 tackles for loss. ''Just everything we've talked about, he's been good. He's shown that he's picked up the system fast and played well in games,'' Harbaugh said. ''It's been a nice progression, nice process for him.'' San Francisco traded up with Dallas to draft the speedy safety with the 18th pick out of Louisiana State, believing all along he would make an immediate impact as a rookie. ''He doesn't look confused at all now,'' Whitner said. ''He's a guy, from high school on to college, he's always been a good student and a student of the game. When you put those two in a guy that is willing to work, that's why you win a starting free safety spot on arguably the best defense as a rookie. It's hard to do, and he did it.'' Fangio offered a pace throughout the offseason and training camp that allowed Reid to grasp the concepts of the defense without becoming overwhelmed while learning more each day. Whitner challenged Reid to lift weights with the veterans at 6:30 a.m. during offseason workouts. OPEN (Continued from page 1B) ing Meadows last year in his only previous appearance in the U.S. Open. He had 11 double-faults and 53 unforced errors Tuesday. On the women's side, fourth-seeded Sara Errani posted a ''double bagel,'' beating Olivia Rogowska 6-0, 6-0 in 51 minutes. The 151st-ranked Australian was a ''lucky loser,'' falling in qualifying but making the main draw when Ayumi Morita withdrew because of injury. Seventh-seeded Petra Kvitova weathered another tough U.S. Open match, needing three sets and nearly two hours to beat 92nd-ranked Misaki Doi. Kvitova won 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 on a windy day at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Kvitova has reached at least the semifinals at the other three major events; she has never made it past the fourth round at Flushing Meadows. ''I like big matches on the big stadium, but the ated. 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-player's North Attleborough, Mass., home. Prosecutors say Hernandez orchestrated Lloyd's 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, ''we've had probably over 2,000 people playing here and I think, by and large, we've done a pretty good job. If you look at the last four years I don't think we had any off-field incidents. So we're as diligent as we can be. ''We know what we want to achieve, yet, when people go outside this building, it's like those of you who have children,'' Kraft told reporters. ''Once they get to a certain age, you can't control all their activities.'' He also said that ''every year in all of our businesses, we recalibrate what we are doing to make sure we're staying fresh and on top of things, and once you stop doing that, you'll perish.'' The NFL, Kraft said, is ''the most competitive business I've ever been involved in and so we have reviewed everything. We've been very diligent (in) the way we look at things and we'll 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 they're in a unique place. Playing in the NFL is a privilege and we hope they're wise and mature enough to make sure they know how to take advantage of that.'' Whitner also has handed over duty of making calls for the secondary to Reid for series from time to time. ''That's me trying to get him mentally ready,'' Whitner said. ''We're not surprised. Ever since Day 1, he's been picking up the system really well. He's been tremendously physical back there, he's tackling well, communicating well. So, he's showing some veteran already in him.'' Fangio noted that Reid earned his spot, mentioning how linebacker Aldon Smith didn't get his job as a pass rusher in nickel sets until after the final preseason game as a rookie two years ago. ''Just being the No. 1 draft pick doesn't mean you come in and get a job,'' Fangio said. Also Tuesday, San Francisco traded linebacker Parys Haralson to the Saints a day after he left team headquarters with hugs and handshakes. Lawrence Okoye, a former British discus Olympian who was trying to make the team as a defensive tackle, was waived/injured Tuesday. Also, defensive tackle Lamar Divens was waived/injured, while cornerback Chris Culliver was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Harbaugh said first-time footballer Okoye — on crutches with a bulky knee brace — could return this year. Some tough decisions still remain. The 49ers must get their roster to the 53-player limit by Saturday — and they have two capable long snappers at the moment in veteran Brian Jennings, the team's longest-tenured player, and rookie Kevin McDermott. ''Very, very even, both are NFL snappers,'' Harbaugh said. ''I feel people — it's too much crowds for myself, I think,'' she said. She's also struggled in the North American swing leading to the U.S. Open, but she made a breakthrough last year. Kvitova won two of those tournaments and reached the semifinals at another in 2012, then matched her longest run at the year's last Grand Slam tournament. The final set Tuesday was closer than the score in this rare matchup of two lefties. After Kvitova went up a break at 2-0, Doi had a chance to break right back but couldn't convert. Two years ago, Kvitova became the first reigning Wimbledon women's champion to lose her first U.S. Open match in the same season. She was in danger of another early exit Tuesday when she made 15 unforced errors in the second set. But she's hardly fazed by three-set matches. Kvitova recently played six straight across three tournaments, winning four of them. very good about both those men. It will go right down to the wire.'' The 36-year-old Jennings is a two-time Pro Bowler and the only remaining player from the 49ers' 2002 postseason run. ''I feel like I'm snapping well. I'm healthy. I feel like I can play unlimited seasons, so I don't know why I wouldn't play this season,'' he said. ''Obviously there's another guy here. He's doing fine. I don't get to make the decision. If I could make the decision it would be pretty straight forward. I'm just getting ready to go. My mentality is I'm a 49er. I think the 49ers are going to have a great year this year. I'm planning to be a part of it.'' Notes: Fangio said Ian Williams will be the likely starting NT. ... Fangio said he expects LB Patrick Willis, nursing a broken right hand, to play Week 1. ''That's my impression right now, yes,'' Fangio said. ''Now he might have to play with some contraption on his hand for a little bit.''... Fangio is planning on having LB Ahmad Brooks available for the opener without facing a suspension by the NFL for his altercation this summer with Divens. Brooks wasn't arrested and the Santa Clara County district attorney said there was insufficient evidence to charge him. ... RG Alex Boone hooted and hollered ''Yeah!'' in the locker room at word players got to go with shorts and shells — no pads! — for Tuesday's practice. ... DT Tank Carradine, DT Quinton Dial, RB Marcus Lattimore, T Luke Marquardt and CB Eric Wright placed on the reserve/nonfootball injury list. ... The 49ers have signed linebacker Joe Holland to a one-year deal. Doi, from Japan, fell to 0-4 against top 10 opponents. Players in action later Tuesday include top-seeded Novak Djokovic and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka. Sixth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, with boyfriend Rory McIlroy in the stands, held off qualifier Duan Ying-Ying to win 62, 7-5. The 133rd-ranked Duan had a chance to serve out the second set at 5-3 in her Grand Slam debut. But the 2009 U.S. Open finalist broke back. Then Duan had a set point on Wozniacki's serve that she couldn't convert. Wozniacki broke serve in the next game, then staved off three break points to clinch the win. No. 10-seeded Roberta Vinci, a quarterfinalist at Flushing Meadows last year, beat Timea Babos 64, 6-2. She's reached a career-high ranking this summer at age 30 after making the round of 16 at the French Open and Wimbledon. No. 13-seeded Ana Ivanovic and 14th-seeded Maria Kirilenko got off to quick starts, each winning in under an hour. Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open champ, beat Anna Tatishvili 6-2, 6-0. Kirilenko won 6-1, 6-1 against Yanina Wickmayer, a semifinalist at Flushing Meadows four years ago whose ranking has fallen to 57th. Christina McHale, a 21year-old from Englewood Cliffs, N.J., snapped a fivematch losing streak by beating 45th-ranked Julia Goerges 6-4, 6-3. McHale's ranking had slipped to 114th. On the men's side, Americans John Isner and Sam Querrey reached the second round. Isner, seeded 13th, beat Filippo Volandri of Italy 6-0, 6-2, 6-3. The 26th-seeded Querrey defeated Guido Pella of Argentina 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Milos Raonic won his first Grand Slam match while seeded in the top 10. The Canadian defeated qualifier Thomas Fabbiano of Italy 6-3, 7-6 (6), 6-3. NASCAR Haas courts Busch on his own KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (AP) — Gene Haas wanted to build a dream team, with an opportunity to see his name in Victory Lane. He wasn't going to let Tony Stewart stand in his way of making that happen. Haas admitted Tuesday he went rogue in courting Kurt Busch for a non-existent fourth team at Stewart-Haas Racing while Stewart was incapacitated with a broken leg earlier this month. When he finally brought his business partner up to speed on his expansion plans, Stewart balked. But Haas forged ahead anyway with a multi-year offer to Busch, who was introduced Tuesday as the newest driver at SHR, where officials are now scrambling to make room at an organization that will double from two cars in 2012 to four next season. ''I don't think Tony was exactly enthralled with what I did,'' Haas said. ''But I think he saw it my way, you know? Either that or get out of the building.'' Haas was laughing during two different recollections Tuesday of how he sidestepped Stewart during the lightningfast courtship of Busch, which apparently began at a General Motors dinner in Indianapolis before the Brickyard in late July and ended last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway with Busch accepting Haas' offer. But the message Haas delivered was very clear: Stewart, the three-time NASCAR champion, is the front man of the race team but Haas is still very much a player in the organization he founded in 2002. He brought Stewart aboard in 2009 in a co-owner role to bring legitimacy to the team and help get the cars to Victory Lane, and Stewart has delivered. Now Haas wants to be bigger and better, and wants to see his CNC machine company, Haas Automation, enjoy the spoils. He'll fund Busch's car out of pocket and sponsor the 2004 NASCAR champion himself. Busch, who spent Sunday with Stewart watching the IndyCar race at Sonoma on television, said Stewart got a kick out of the financials. ''Tony was slapping me a high-five, he says, 'We're tapping into Gene's wallet the way I wanted to,''' Busch said. Haas insisted getting his name on a car was his primary motivation. ''It was an opportunity for Haas Automation to be a primary sponsor. This is going to be my shot at being a primary sponsor, going to the Daytona 500, the Brickyard as the primary sponsor,'' he said. ''Haas Automation has never been in the winner's circle, and I'm sure that's going to change next year. So that's my primary reason for basically pushing this expansion. It's been met with a little bit of resistance.'' Stewart, who broke his leg in two places in an Aug. 5 sprint car crash, was not present for the hour-long news conference to introduce Busch. But in a statement issued by the team, he praised Busch's talent and seemed neutral in tone on expansion. ''When Gene Haas laid out his plans for what he wanted to do in regard to this race team's future, which included bringing Kurt on board in a fourth car, it was impressive,'' Stewart said. ''You can't stand still in this business. You have to constantly improve. Gene's investment in this race team ensures the success of Stewart-Haas Racing for many years to come.'' SHR competition director Greg Zipadelli, who joked at one point he's built a rubber room at the shop to deal with the 2014 driver lineup of Stewart, Busch, Danica Patrick and Kevin Harvick, tried to calm any misconception of a rift between co-owners by clarifying Stewart's position on expansion. After all, Stewart in July cited an inability to expand to four teams in releasing Ryan Newman to make room for Harvick. ''Tony was very much in favor of the fourth team,'' Zipadelli said. ''What Tony was against was us trying to get it done for next year, just so you don't read anything more into it. Tony was in the hospital. Tony didn't know the discussions that were going on. When we all met and talked about it and assured him we would do our best to make sure things didn't slip through the cracks, it took him a couple days to process it. ''But it's an opportunity of a lifetime for a race team to have a caliber of a driver like this. I know he's very excited about it now. But it's a little overwhelming when you're first hit with it.'' WATSON (Continued from page 1B) onto the field, it's a new pace than just watching.'' Now the plan is to put Watson in hurry-up mode to make up for lost time. Raiders coach Dennis Allen said Watson will start against the Seahawks and will remain in the game long after Oakland's first-team offense has been pulled. ''He's going to play a significant amount,'' Allen said Tuesday. ''He hasn't taken a snap in a game situation and he needs all the work he can get.'' Watson won't be the only one pulling overtime duties in the Raiders' final preseason game. First-round pick D.J. Hayden is also expected to start and remain in the game when the backups enter, as will Pryor. ''Even though they might run out there with the starting unit, there will be some guys that haven't had as much play time during this preseason, and they're going to need to go out there and play some,'' Allen said. Kicker Sebastian Janikowski won't be among them. Janikowski strained his right calf in last week's preseason loss to Chicago and will be held out against Seattle. The Raiders instead signed veteran Justin Medlock to handle the kicking chores against the Seahawks. Medlock played for Carolina in 2012 after spending four years in the CFL. Notes: The team made several moves to get down to Tuesday's 75-player limit. LB Miles Burris was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and will miss at least six games. Additionally, CB Joselio Hanson (groin) and RB Latavius Murray (ankle) were placed on injured reserve, and CB Mitchell White was waived.