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RENTON, Wash. -- Back from their bye week, with the best record in the NFL and heading into a Monday night showdown with the Saints, Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks spent Tuesday dealing with the kinds of distractions they believed were over. Instead, the Seahawks are adding to the list of player suspensions theyve faced since Carroll took over in 2010. "Were still trying to work through it. Ill say it again, Ive always found myself looking for guys that maybe other people dont see something special in and we take a chance on a guy here or there that needs some extra consideration and care," Carroll said. "And sometimes guys they have issues and things pop up but Ive always been kind of hopeful and make guys find the best in them and bring it out. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesnt. Well certainly hang with our guys and take care of them." Starting cornerback Walter Thurmond was officially suspended Tuesday by the NFL for the teams next four games for violating the leagues substance abuse policy, leaving the Seahawks short-handed going into Mondays matchup against New Orleans. Thurmond will be eligible to return to the active roster on Monday, Dec. 23, before the final game of the regular season, but his absence leaves a hole in a secondary that was previously missing starting cornerback Brandon Browner because of a groin injury. Thurmonds suspension was first reported by NFL.com over the weekend. Thurmond took to Twitter and apologized on Sunday, writing, "Yes I made a mistake and I have to live with the consequences. Im disappointed in myself for letting my teammates and family down." Thurmonds is the sixth Seattle player officially suspended for substance-abuse or performance-enhancing drugs violations by the league since 2011. That doesnt include Richard Sherman, whose suspension was overturned on appeal late last season. "I dont know that we can expect to be perfect. We would like to be, but that isnt the case," Carroll said. "Its a big challenge for these guys to do right and we want them to do it and carry through and be there when we need them and count on them. It doesnt always work that way. It presents opportunities for other guys. Weve always championed that and our guys have always come through and theyll do that again in this instance." Thurmond has started three games this season for Seattle, including the teams last game against Minnesota when he had his first interception of the season and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown. Even when he wasnt starting, Thurmond was a critical member of one of the NFLs best secondary units as the fifth defensive back in passing situations. Thurmond beat out veteran Antoine Winfield, whom Seattle signed in the off-season, for the nickel cornerback spot during training camp. He had struggled with injuries throughout his career but was finally healthy and playing well ahead of an off-season where he will be a free agent. Seattle moved quickly to fill Thurmonds roster spot, signing veteran Perrish Cox, who worked out for the team recently after being released by San Francisco on Nov. 12. Cox played in 25 games over two seasons with the 49ers in a reserve role after starting nine games for Denver in 2010. Seattle had also worked out former cornerback Marcus Trufant, who has not played this season, before deciding on signing Cox. The Seahawks are likely to lean on young backups Byron Maxwell and Jeremy Lane. Maxwell had been seeing more playing time, especially on passing downs when Thurmond would move inside to cover slot receivers. Lane started three games late last season when Browner was serving a four-game suspension for using performance enhancing drugs and Thurmond was injured. Carroll also indicated that DeShawn Shead will be promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, but that move was not made official on Tuesday. Presumably, Sheads promotion will coincide with a roster move involving Browner, who is also reportedly facing a suspension for a substance-abuse violation. Shead can play both cornerback and safety. Its his second season with the Seahawks, most of that spent on the practice squad. He was added to the 53-man roster late last season but was inactive for each game. Hes been getting paid this season at the same rate as a second-year player on the 53-man roster according to the NFLPA database. Carroll said despite the continued problems he doesnt believe his message or approach needs to change. "Well always look to do it better. Were on it. I think this team is very strong about where were going and what were doing. Because somebody slips, that doesnt mean were not on track," Carroll said. "I believe were on a tremendous track right now. The focus around here, the dedication to what were doing, the standard that we hold them to in all areas. Look at where we are; were exemplary in many, many areas and were really proud of it. But that doesnt mean somebody is not going to slip and make a mistake now and then." NOTES: Seattle WR Percy Harvin was held out of practice on Tuesday. Carroll reiterated that Harvin is day to day. ... WR Jermaine Kearse did practice after suffering a concussion in Seattles Week 11 win over Minnesota. Wholesale LeBron Shoes . No, the San Antonio star didnt announce retirement plans during an off day at the NBA Finals on Wednesday. Lebron Basketball Cheap . Maximilian Arnold put Wolfsburg ahead in the eighth minute, when the stationary Fallou Diagne allowed him to guide Patrick Ochs cross beyond the helpless Freiburg goalkeeper, and Ivica Olic doubled the lead three minutes later after Luiz Gustavo did well to set him up. http://www.lebroncheap.com/. -- The Green Bay Packers have signed quarterback Graham Harrell to the active roster from the practice squad and placed tight end Andrew Quarless on injured reserve. Discount LeBron Shoes . -- First baseman Carlos Pena and outfielder Brennan Boesch have signed minor league deals with the Los Angeles Angels. LeBron James Sneakers Wholesale . With the results, North America claimed 2.5 of the three available points, opening up a 17.5-12.5 lead in the overall standings. A total of 60 points are available, meaning the first team to 30.5 points will win the Continental Cup.Jason Pottinger chose his words carefully, because this was the first time he could speak for himself, on the record. 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] handedd their proposal and walked out.dddddddddddd 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. ' ' '