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NEW ORLEANS - The NFL Players Association is asking player agents to warn clients that signing with the New Orleans Saints could subject them to unfavourable workers compensation benefits. In an email Friday, NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith said union officials believe agents should "consider the Saints efforts" to push for legislation that would substantially reduce benefits to players who are hurt outside the 17-week regular season, when player salaries are paid. Players receive only per diems during off-season workouts and training camp. Under legislation which has passed the Louisiana House of Representatives and awaits consideration in the state Senate, workers compensation benefits could be based on per diems — rather than the full annual value of a contract — if injuries occurred in the off-season. "We are actively involved in the effort to defeat this bill but we feel it is important for you to consider the Saints efforts given your representation of our players and the advice you would have to give to any free agent player considering an opportunity to play for the Saints," Smith wrote. "Please advise your players of the potential consequences of the Saints efforts should they sign with the Saints." Bill supporters say it would place athletes under the same rules as other Louisiana employees. The Saints have not commented on the legislation since its introduction in the House of Representatives, but quarterback Drew Brees has come out publicly against it. In a written statement distributed by the NFLPA, Brees said the legislation "is not good for Saints players, not good for our team or other sports teams in Louisiana and not good for our state." "The job of legislators in Louisiana is to protect injured workers and fight for their workers comp benefits, not find ways to support bills like this one which reduce the workers comp benefits we receive when we get hurt. There is no financial benefit to the state with this bill, only team management," Brees continued. "Whether we get hurt during the season or in the preseason, it is all the same. It is in preparation to help us win a championship for our community." The legislation, called House Bill 1069, aims to calculate workers compensation benefits for pro athletes based only on recent earnings. The NFLs collective bargaining agreement has a formula that also includes future earnings and is aimed at ensuring that benefits are calculated on the full annual value of a players contract. The bill is sponsored by state Reps. Chris Broadwater, R-Hammond, and Cameron Henry, R-Metairie. Broadwater has said the Saints asked for the bill, which aims to clarify in law that pro athletes cannot be exempt from a state formula that applies to every other Louisiana employee seeking workers compensation benefits after a workplace injury. The NFLPA counters that athletes should not be punished with potentially reduced benefits simply because their salaries are not distributed evenly over a 52-week period. In past years, the same matter has spawned several lawsuits between the Saints and former players — with differing outcomes depending on the venue. A state appeals courts in Jefferson Parish, home of Saints headquarters, has sided with the clubs assertion that players must follow precisely the same formula as other Louisiana employees. However, an appeals court in Orleans Parish, where the Superdome is located, has ruled that the annual value of player contracts should serve as the basis for benefits, regardless of when the injury occurs. John Atkins Jersey . 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Miami led 47-46 with less than seven minutes to go but made only one field goal the rest of the way. Syracuse (19-0, 6-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) need one more victory to tie the school record for most wins to start a season, set two years ago. The ACC newcomers beat defending league champion Miami (10-9, 2-5) for the second time in three weeks. Both teams played zone defence and made points tough to come by for long stretches. The game was nearly 30 minutes old before either side made a fast-break basket. Jerami Grant scored 16 points to lead the Orange, who had a 39-24 rebounding advantage. Davon Reed scored 16 points for the Hurricanes, who kept it close by shooting 9 of 17 from three-point range. The game drew a sellout crowd, the seventh in coach Jim Larranagas three seasons at Miami. The stands were a sea of orange, including plenty of visiting or transplanted New Yorkers rooting for Syracuse. Both sides were roaring when the Hurricanes made a comeback after trailing by 18 points in the first half. The Orange had to rrally in the final minutes to beat Miami three weeks ago, and the Hurricanes again had an upset on their minds.dddddddddddd Reed hit a 3-pointer that cut Syracuses lead to 46-44, then converted a three-point play on the next possession to put them ahead for the first time since the opening minute. Syracuse dug in. Miami missed its next six shots and trailed 58-50 before making another basket, and by then the game was in the final minute. Tyler Ennis driving layup put Syracuse ahead to stay, 51-49, with 4:45 left. The Orange shot only 17 for 27 from the free throw line but made them all in the last minute. Miamis James Kelly was helped to the locker room with 3 1/2 minutes to go after he hurt his left leg, an injury which seemed to deflate the Hurricanes. They fell to 4-6 at home this season. Ennis had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists. C.J. Fair added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Trevor Cooney made three three-pointers and scored 11 points for Syracuse