MILWAUKEE — Even in a season where he has argued with umpires to continue playing during a rainstorm, and blamed an eight-run loss on a lost fly in the sun, Mike Quade’s sanity seldom has been challenged.

But after contending Tuesday the Cubs still can be contenders in the National League Central, it may be time to get out the straitjacket.

“I’m not a lunatic,” Quade insisted. “I understand there’s a lot of work to do ahead of us. But we’re playing the right clubs and let’s see if we can’t put something together.”

After the vote of confidence from Quade, the Cubs went lost 3-2 to the Brewers at Miller Park, ending their season-high three-game winning streak.

Ryan Dempster’s six-game winning streak against the Brewers was snapped after he gave up three first-inning runs following Aramis Ramirez’s two-run homer. The Cubs failed to score on a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the sixth and the Brewers bullpen limited them to two hits over four innings.

“You really have to give credit to them, and the moves (manager Ron Roenicke) made,” Marlon Byrd said.

Dempster (7-8) said he was “outpitched,” though he threw shutout ball from the second through the sixth.

But the exuberance of Quade beforehand, maintaining the Cubs were a hot streak away from contending, may have been the head-scratcher of the year.

“If we stay in games, and keep ourselves in games with a good start, then I think we have an excellent chance,” he said. “Just look around. The game is about pitching.”

Yet the Cubs were second-to-last in National League pitching on Tuesday with a 4.61 ERA, and their starters ranked dead last in the majors.

“It’s a funny game,” Quade said. “We might come out of this road trip in real good shape as far as how we play here. And if we do (well), there’s still a lot of baseball left. I take nothing for granted and put nothing past these guys. We won three in a row against Houston, so let’s see if we can’t win tonight and go from there.”

The Cubs are 42-61 record, 13 games out of first-place.

Asked if he really was suggesting the Cubs could get back into the race, Quade replied: “Why not? What are we — 11 back? What if you win 10 out of 12? Who the hell knows?”

It was pointed out that even if the Cubs won 10 of their next 12, they still would be 10 games below .500. But Quade pointed out the division leaders weren’t far above .500.

“It’s an interesting division to be in that situation,” he said. “What is there, 60 games left? Let’s play them and see. I concede nothing. We’re going to play, and we’ll see what happens. Daunting task. Four teams in front of you. We haven’t played well. But why not?”

So the Cubs actually might add on at the trade deadline?

“Oh, that’s not my business,” Quade said.

Rest assured the Cubs are highly unlikely to be buyers on Sunday’s trade deadline. A respectable finish in August and September is all that anyone in the front office is hoping for.

psullivan@tribune.com

Twitter @PWSullivan

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MILWAUKEE — Even in a season where he has argued with umpires to continue playing during a rainstorm, and blamed an eight-run loss on a lost fly in the sun, Mike Quade’s sanity seldom has been challenged.

But after contending Tuesday the Cubs still can be contenders in the National League Central, it may be time to get out the straitjacket.

“I’m not a lunatic,” Quade insisted. “I understand there’s a lot of work to do ahead of us. But we’re playing the right clubs and let’s see if we can’t put something together.”

After the vote of confidence from Quade, the Cubs went lost 3-2 to the Brewers at Miller Park, ending their season-high three-game winning streak.

Ryan Dempster’s six-game winning streak against the Brewers was snapped after he gave up three first-inning runs following Aramis Ramirez’s two-run homer. The Cubs failed to score on a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the sixth and the Brewers bullpen limited them to two hits over four innings.

“You really have to give credit to them, and the moves (manager Ron Roenicke) made,” Marlon Byrd said.

Dempster (7-8) said he was “outpitched,” though he threw shutout ball from the second through the sixth.

But the exuberance of Quade beforehand, maintaining the Cubs were a hot streak away from contending, may have been the head-scratcher of the year.

“If we stay in games, and keep ourselves in games with a good start, then I think we have an excellent chance,” he said. “Just look around. The game is about pitching.”

Yet the Cubs were second-to-last in National League pitching on Tuesday with a 4.61 ERA, and their starters ranked dead last in the majors.

“It’s a funny game,” Quade said. “We might come out of this road trip in real good shape as far as how we play here. And if we do (well), there’s still a lot of baseball left. I take nothing for granted and put nothing past these guys. We won three in a row against Houston, so let’s see if we can’t win tonight and go from there.”

The Cubs are 42-61 record, 13 games out of first-place.

Asked if he really was suggesting the Cubs could get back into the race, Quade replied: “Why not? What are we — 11 back? What if you win 10 out of 12? Who the hell knows?”

It was pointed out that even if the Cubs won 10 of their next 12, they still would be 10 games below .500. But Quade pointed out the division leaders weren’t far above .500.

“It’s an interesting division to be in that situation,” he said. “What is there, 60 games left? Let’s play them and see. I concede nothing. We’re going to play, and we’ll see what happens. Daunting task. Four teams in front of you. We haven’t played well. But why not?”

So the Cubs actually might add on at the trade deadline?

“Oh, that’s not my business,” Quade said.

Rest assured the Cubs are highly unlikely to be buyers on Sunday’s trade deadline. A respectable finish in August and September is all that anyone in the front office is hoping for.

psullivan@tribune.com

Twitter @PWSullivan

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The Chicago Bears landed one of the prizes of the undrafted free agent class Tuesday morning when Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher agreed to terms with the team.

Sanzenbacher was one of the most pursued undrafted free agents.  His agent Joe Flanagan said Sanzenbacher had been sought by 25 of the 32 NFL teams, and he received phone calls from team owners and quarterbacks offering sales pitches to his client.

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Flanagan said Sanzenbacher turned down a $20,000 signing bonus from one team and accepted much less from the Bears because he thought they offered a good opportunity to make the team and he considered himself a good fit for Mike Martz’ offense.

“He envisioned himself a Bear,” Flanagan said.

Sanzenbacher’s stock may have been helped by Jon Gruden, who mentioned Sanzenbacher repeatedly while watching tape with Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the ESPN special QB Camp with Terrelle Pryor.

Gruden called Sanzenbacher “reliable,” “tough,” and “a football player.”  He also wondered how Sanzenbacher did not get drafted.

At 5-11, 182, Sanzenbacher is not exceptionally big, and he ran a 4.56 40 yard dash, so he’s not exceptionally fast. But he was voted a team captain and team MVP and was first team all Big Ten.

He started 27 games at Ohio State.

General manager Ken Williams senses that several competitors have a rooting interest in the Chicago White Sox’s series against American League Central leader Detroit.

“General managers out there are like sharks in the water,” said Williams, referring to the shopping before Sunday’s 3 p.m. trading deadline. “There are a lot of them that are pulling for Detroit this week, I know that for a fact. They won’t say it to my face, but they’re saying it behind my back.”

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In order to keep the Sox’s core intact, they’ll need at least a strong performance Monday night from left-handed ace Mark Buehrle, who is 6-2 with a 2.62 ERA in his past 13 starts. Buehrle is 6-1 with a 3.21 ERA in his past 10 starts against the Tigers.

Since allowing a home run to Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer on July 4, Buehrle hasn’t allowed a hit to a left-handed batter in 24 at-bats.

Buehrle will oppose rookie rookie left-hander Duane Below.

“I don’t know,” Guillen replied when asked what he knew about Below. “They (the Sox’s hitters) should know. I’m not the type of manager that goes to the scouting report and reads who it is. When I was playing, yes I knew who he was. I’m not playing, they should know who they going to face.”

The Sox overcame a 2-0 deficit to pull away to a 6-3 win and cut their deficit to 3 1/2 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central. Carlos Quentin hit a two-run double in the fifth off Chance Ruffin, who was facing Quentin in his major league debut in relief of Below. Alexei Ramirez tied the game earlier in the inning on a single.

A.J. Pierzysnki hit a solo home run in the sixth to expand the Sox’s lead to 5-2. It was the first home run hit by a Sox player other than Quentin in 356 at-bats. After the Tigers scored a run in the top of the seventh, Paul Konerko ripped a home run down the left field line in the bottom of the inning for his first home run since July 5.

Konerko’s sacrifice fly in the third cut the Sox deficit to 2-1.

The biggest obstacle early in the game was the Sox’s defense. Second baseman Gordon Beckham dropped a two-out pop in shallow center field that led to two Detroit runs in third inning. Detroit took a 1-0 lead on Victor Martinez’s single.

Jhonny Peralta hit a pop to shallow left center. Ramirez backpeddled from shortstop but twice looked at center fielder Alex Rios, whose sprint was too late to catch the ball and resulted in another run.
Mark Buehrle (8-5) survived the shoddy defense to hurl six innings and earn the win. Buehrle, who wasn’t charged with an earned run, has made 15 consecutive starts allowing three earned runs or fewer.

“Why not four?” seems to be the Cubs’ slogan as they take their season’s first three-game winning streak to Milwaukee for the start of a trip through the top of the NL Central standings.

But four, or then five, will not be an easy chore, considering the Brewers have a winning percentage of .702 at Miller Park. In fact, the Brewers have lost back-to-back home games only once all season.

And the Cubs? They have won only 17 of 46 road games, fourth fewest in baseball.

After sweeping the Astros at Wrigley Field, the Cubs go to Milwaukee, St. Louis and Pittsburgh, who are in a musical-chairs race for first in the NL Central.

“We’re not where we want to be, but we’re going to make it difficult on (other teams) all year long,” center fielder Marlon Byrd said. “Playing tough teams in the division, we owe it to the rest of the division to battle.”

Manager Mike Quade said “not right now” when asked if he views his team as a spoiler.

“The whole road trip is a challenge and an emotional lift,” he said. “I love this. I can’t wait to get to Milwaukee and St. Louis and Pittsburgh. I enjoy the challenge of playing those guys.”

The Cubs are 4-3 against the Brewers, 1-5 against the Cardinals and 3-6 against the Pirates this season.

He’s hot: Byrd has been among the hottest Cubs since coming off the disabled list July 2, able to overcome the beaning incident that cost him six weeks.

“Getting better,” he said of his hitting. “I’ve been working hard all year long. You’re always working to get better.”

Byrd has hit safely in 13 of 17 games since July 4, batting .359 with 10 runs, four doubles and four RBIs.

Extra innings: The Cubs have 35 road games and 25 home games left. … During the 10-game homestand, Cubs starters recorded a 1.37 ERA in their seven quality starts. … Rookie Darwin Barney is hitting .318 in July with eight runs and eight RBIs while batting eighth.

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After a sloppy 2 1/2 innings Monday night that made the White Sox look like sellers before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, they provided hope that they can maintain their contender status in the American League Central.

Hours after general manager Ken Williams expressed scenarios that included “maybe turning over the entire roster,” the Sox overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat the first-place Tigers 6-3 and cut their deficit to 3 1/2 games.

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Carlos Quentin snapped a 2-2 tie with a two-run double in the fifth inning, and A.J. Pierzynski hit a home run — the first by a Sox player other than Quentin in 356 at-bats — in the sixth. Paul Konerko added insurance with a homer in the seventh, his first since July 5.

The Sox (50-51), who haven’t been in a selling mode before the July deadline since 2007, must show improvement against division leaders Detroit and Boston.

“We’re going to try and win with what we got,” Mark Buehrle (8-5) said after pitching six innings without allowing an earned run. “As far as pieces out there that we might need to make us better, I think we’re comfortable with the guys we have in this clubhouse.”

Williams recognized the Sox’s improvement since their 11-22 start but has been baffled by their struggles against teams with losing records and other lapses.

Examples of the latter occurred in the third when second baseman Gordon Beckham dropped a pop-up in shallow center that led to a two-run rally, punctuated by Jhonny Peralta’s RBI single that fell between shortstop Alexei Ramirez and center fielder Alex Rios — who later exchanged words with a fan near the Sox dugout.

“At the end of the day, I’m the one that puts everyone in uniform, and I will fall on the sword,” Williams said.

Turning over the entire roster would be a stretch, since Buehrle, Konerko, Pierzynski, Jake Peavy and Adam Dunn have full no-trade rights, and Rios has no-trade rights limited to six West Coast teams.

That leaves soon-to-be free agent Edwin Jackson, Quentin, Matt Thornton and John Danks as attractive trade candidates.

“There are some very interesting deals,” Williams said. “We have some very popular players.”

Williams went as far to say, “General managers out there are like sharks in the water. There are a lot of them that are pulling for Detroit this week. I know that for a fact.”

Williams added that a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report stating the Sox were interested in outfielder Colby Rasmus in exchange for Jackson or Thornton and a minor league player “is incorrect.”

A major league source said the Cardinals remain interested in Jackson, and Rasmus is receiving interest from two American League East teams.

mgonzales@tribune.com

Twitter @MDGonzales

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The Bears finally began to reconstruct their roster in preparation for the 2011 season, and let go a well-respected veteran in the process.

Monday, hours after a new collective bargaining agreement was reached to end the lockout, Bears coach Lovie Smith told punter Brad Maynard he was no longer in the team’s plans. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub also called and left a message thanking Maynard.

“He didn’t have to do that, so that means a lot to me,” Maynard said of Smith’s call. “But I guess I wanted him to say something different.”

Maynard, 37, spent 10 seasons with the Bears and is regarded as one of the finest directional punters around. He stands second all time with 407 punts inside the 20 in 14 seasons, behind the retired Jeff Feagles.

“People asked this offseason if they were going to bring me in for a workout,” Maynard said. “And I said, ‘Really? Is that what it comes to that I have to work out for a team I’ve been with for 10 years? If what I did in the last 10 years isn’t enough for you to want me anymore, then do I really want to be here? Probably not.’ “

Maynard was not pleased with his performance last season as he finished 35th in the league in punt average (40.1 yards) and 30th in net average (35.2). His recovery from right hip surgery affected his punting, plus weather and field conditions, along with some pooch punts, didn’t help his cause.

The Bears went younger by signing 28-year-old Richmond McGee to a two-year contract before the lockout. But Maynard’s replacement might end up being veteran and former Illinois punter Steve Weatherford, 28, who last played with the Jets.

Target area: It remains unclear which free agents the Bears plan to pursue, but wide receiver could be a targeted position. Free-agent receiver Mike Sims-Walker from the Jaguars encouraged the Bears to give him a serious look.

“Chicago would be one of the ideal spots for me,” Sims-Walker told the Tribune on Monday. “With the offensive coordinator (Mike Martz) and Jay Cutler, the speedy receivers, the monster defense and Matt Forte in the backfield, I think I can be the missing piece.”

Shift for Harris: In a move that signals the Bears are not likely to pursue Danieal Manning in free agency, expect veteran Chris Harris to be moved to strong safety, his natural position.

That will clear an opening for Major Wright, the club’s third-round pick a year ago, to slide into the starting lineup at free safety.

The Bears have been high on Wright, who excelled in training camp last summer before injuries derailed him until the second half of the season.

Extra points: The Bears probably won’t have to pursue a quarterback on the free-agent market. Caleb Hanie is expected to sign his restricted free-agent tender because the interest in restricted free-agent quarterbacks at this late stage is expected to be low, a league source said.

Tribune reporter Brad Biggs contributed.

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Twitter @ @vxmcclure23

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The NFL lockout is almost over … and so too, apparently, is Jay Cutler’s engagement.

People.com reported that Cutler and Kristin Cavallari have called off their engagement after just 10 months together.

“She got dumped,” said another source to people.com. “She’s absolutely devastated. She can’t believe this is happening.”

A source told E! News: “Jay got cold feet. Kristin is stunned.” The source added the couple had been disagreeing over how Cavallari would balance her career while living in Chicago with Cutler during the football season.

Entertainment reporter Billy Bush sent out a tweet late Saturday night stating: “Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler engagement is off. Source super tight.”

Seeming to confirm the reports, Cavallari tweeted on Sunday night: “Thanks for the support. Love u guys”

NBCChicago.com first reported Monday that a Facebook page purportedly belonging to Cutler appeared to confirm the breakup, but the website later reported that the page was a fake.

The Bears QB and the reality TV star started dating last August and were engaged by April, planning a wedding for July 7, 2012. Last week, the duo’s wedding registry was revealed.

They were recently spotted at Wrigley Field for the Cubs-White Sox game on July 2.

With the Chicago White Sox 4 1/2 games out of first place in the American League Central, general manager Ken Williams expressed the need to win the three-game series against Detroit to avoid what could be a sell-off before Sunday’s 3 p.m. trading deadline.

“Certainly we need to wait and get on the other side of this Detroit series,” Williams told reporters Monday.

This marks the first time since 2007 that the Sox at least faced the possibility of trading experienced players at the deadline. Asked about a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report stating that the Sox were interested in acquring outfielder Colby Rasmus in a deal involving Edwin Jackson or Matt Thornton and a minor league player, Williams said the story, “as reported, is incorrect.”

Nevertheless, “there are some very interesting deals,” Williams said. “We have some very popular players.’’ Williams said the players, not the front office, ultimately will dictate the direction the Sox turn before Sunday’s deadline.

Williams said this Sox team has been the most difficult to read because of their unfulfilled potential, yet the Sox are 38-30 since May 5.

“I’m not going to try and pretend with you guys that I have any answers,” Williams said. “You guys have been watching this team all year. Anybody got any answers? If you do, speak up.’’

Williams added that he has no answers, just: 

“A lot of questions. A lot of questions for me, a lot of questions for them. It is what it is. At the end of the day, I’m the one that puts everyone in uniform, and I will fall on the sword.

“Again, at least we’re sitting here in this position and saying if we play near our capabilities we can win this thing because we have that kind of talent. That’s better than sitting here four out and saying, ‘We just don’t have the horses.”

Williams said that he and manager Ozzie Guillen held one of their most unique meetings because on the various directions the Sox could take in the next six days with AL East leader Boston visiting the Sox this weekend.

“I don’t want anyone to feel as though anything imminent is coming because I’d like the focus to be on these next number of games here, so we can put ourselves in a position to maybe add rather than subtract,” Williams said.

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“I would much rather continue to fight the fight, but we need to see a little bit more consistency out of these guys. And this would be a good week to start showing it.”

Williams wouldn’t have much difficulty parting with some of his core players if he elected to deal them.

“It’s been 11 years and I’ve had to say goodbye to a lot of guys that I have an affinity for,” Williams said. “That’s the worst part of the job. But we’ve got a bunch of professionals, they know the deal and they know what’s at stake. Let’s hope we don’t have to do that.”

General manager Ken Williams senses that several competitors have a rooting interest in the Chicago White Sox’s series against American League Central leader Detroit.

“General managers out there are like sharks in the water,” said Williams, referring to the shopping before Sunday’s 3 p.m. trading deadline. “There are a lot of them that are pulling for Detroit this week, I know that for a fact. They won’t say it to my face, but they’re saying it behind my back.”

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In order to keep the Sox’s core intact, they’ll need at least a strong performance Monday night from left-handed ace Mark Buehrle, who is 6-2 with a 2.62 ERA in his past 13 starts. Buehrle is 6-1 with a 3.21 ERA in his past 10 starts against the Tigers.

Since allowing a home run to Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer on July 4, Buehrle hasn’t allowed a hit to a left-handed batter in 24 at-bats.

Buehrle will oppose rookie rookie left-hander Duane Below.

“I don’t know,” Guillen replied when asked what he knew about Below. “They (the Sox’s hitters) should know. I’m not the type of manager that goes to the scouting report and reads who it is. When I was playing, yes I knew who he was. I’m not playing, they should know who they going to face.”

The biggest obstacle, however, was the Sox’s defense. Second baseman Gordon Beckham dropped a two-out pop in shallow center field that led to two Detroit runs in third inning. Detroit took a 1-0 lead on Victor Martinez’s single.

Jhonny Peralta hit a pop to shallow left center. Shortstop Alexei Ramirez retreated but twice looked at center fielder Alex Rios, whose sprint was too late to catch the ball and resulted in another run.

WASHINGTON — Now it can be said with certainty: Get ready for some football!

NFL players voted to OK a final deal Monday, days after the owners approved a tentative agreement, and the sides finally managed to put an end to the 4 1/2-month lockout, the longest work stoppage in league history.

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“This is a long time coming, and football’s back,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “and that’s the great news for everybody.”

The labor dispute comes to a close after claiming one exhibition: the Hall of Fame game between the Bears and Rams, scheduled for Aug. 7 in Canton, Ohio. Otherwise, the entire preseason and regular-season schedules remain intact. Club facilities will open to players Tuesday, when 2011 draft picks and rookie free agents can be signed.

At a joint appearance outside the NFL Players Association headquarters, Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith shook hands, surrounded by some of the owners and players who were involved in the talks. They spoke shortly after the NFLPA executive board and 32 team reps voted unanimously to approve the terms of a 10-year deal.

“We didn’t get everything that either side wanted … but we did arrive at a deal that we think is fair and balanced,” Smith said.

Owners can point to victories, such as gaining a higher percentage of the more than $9 billion in annual league revenues, one of the key issues throughout. Players persuaded teams to commit to spending nearly all of their salary cap space in cash and won changes to offseason and in-season practice rules that should make the game safer.

If there was one unexpected moment during the press conference it was certainly Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday’s eloquent tribute to New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft, who was lauded as instrumental in helping forge the deal. Kraft’s wife, Myra, died Wednesday after a battle with cancer.

“A special thanks to Myra Kraft, who even in her weakest moment allowed Mr. Kraft to come and fight this out,” Saturday said. “Without him, this deal does not get done. … He’s a man who helped us save football.”

With that, Saturday wrapped Kraft in a hug — a gesture that symbolized how the lockout ended more than anyone’s words.

Owners overwhelmingly approved a proposal to end the dispute on Thursday, but some unresolved issues needed to be reviewed to satisfy players. The sides worked through the weekend and wrapped up nearly every detail by about 3 a.m. Monday on a final pact that runs through the 2020 season and can’t be terminated before then.

That’s significant because the old collective bargaining agreement contained an opt-out clause, and owners exercised it in 2008. That led to the contract expiring when talks broke down March 11; hours later, owners locked out the players, creating the NFL’s first work stoppage since 1987.

“I know it has been a very long process since the day we stood here that night in March,” Smith said in a brief appearance about 20 minutes before being joined by Goodell and the owners. “But our guys stood together when nobody thought we would. And football is back because of it.”

As he spoke, Smith was flanked by NFLPA president Kevin Mawae and other key members of the players’ negotiating team, including Saturday, Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Ravens defensive back Domonique Foxworth.

Brees was one of 10 plaintiffs in the antitrust lawsuit that players filed against the league March 11. They approved the settlement deal Monday, after two unanimous NFLPA leadership votes: to recommend to the plaintiffs that they accept the settlement, then to recommend to all 1,900 players that they re-establish the union.

All players now will take a vote to re-certify the union — it was dissolved March 11, turning the NFLPA into a trade association — and then one more vote to approve the final CBA. That all needs to be wrapped up by Aug. 4 to make everything official, something everyone involved believes will happen without a hitch.

Only once it is back to being a union can the NFLPA finish the contract, covering remaining items such as player discipline, drug testing, disability programs and pensions.

“I believe it’s important that we talk about the future of football as a partnership,” Smith said.

Later, standing shoulder to shoulder with Goodell, Smith said: “If we don’t have a good relationship, it hurts the game and the business of football. I’m not sure any two people have ever come together in a more compressed, public, interesting time than Roger and I. I’m proud to say our relationship has grown.”

In addition to Kraft, John Mara of the Giants and Jerry Richardson of the Panthers — all members of the owners’ labor committee — were present, too.

“I’d like, on behalf of both sides, to apologize to the fans: For the last five, six months we’ve been talking about the business of football and not what goes on on the field and building the teams in each market,” Kraft said. “But the end result is we’ve been able to have an agreement that I think is going to allow this sport to flourish over the next decade.”

Then, taking a verbal jab at the nearby White House and Congress, Kraft added: “I hope we gave a little lesson to the people in Washington, because the debt crisis is a lot easier to fix than this deal was.”

Now comes frenzied football activity, starting immediately.

On Tuesday, clubs can begin talking to veteran free agents, who can sign as soon as Friday. On Wednesday, training camps will start to open.

Both sides set up informational conference calls for Monday afternoon to go over the details of the agreement. The NFLPA told player agents they would be coached in particular on the guidelines and schedule for signing free agents and rookies; the NFL alerted general managers and coaches they would be briefed in separate calls.

The major economic framework for the deal was worked out more than a week ago.

That included dividing revenue (about 53 percent to owners and 47 percent to players over the next decade; the old CBA resulted in nearly a 50-50 split); a per-club cap of about $120 million for salary and bonuses in 2011 — and at least that in 2012 and 2013 — plus about $22 million for benefits; a salary system to rein in spending on first-round draft picks; and unrestricted free agency for most players after four seasons.

“We know what we did to frustrate our fans over the last several months,” Goodell said. “They want football, and our job is to give them football.”

The Chicago Bears have informed veteran punter Brad Maynard that they intend to move on without him rather than signing the free agent to a new deal, according to a source close to the player.

Maynard, 37, spent 10 seasons with the Bears after starting his career with the New York Giants. He received the call from the team late Monday afternoon.

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  New York Giants
  

Apparently, the Bears are prepared for a youth movement at the position after signing 28-year-old Richmond McGee to a two-year contract this offseason. The Bears apparently are also eyeing veteran Steve Weatherford, 28, as Maynard’s replacement.

Maynard wasn’t satisfied with his performance last season — his 10th with the Bears — as he finished 32nd in the league in punt average (40.1 yards) and 29th in net average (35.2). His recovery from right hip surgery affected his punting, and weather and field conditions late in the season, along with some pooch punts at the start, didn’t help his statistics.

But Maynard still is regarded as one of the finest directional punters around, and he stands second-best all time with 407 punts inside the 20 in 14 seasons, behind the retired Jeff Feagles (554).
 
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It took extra innings with baseball’s worst team and an assist from the sun, but the Cubs finally won a third straight game Sunday.

“We were joking around, trying to loosen guys up, saying there’s no way we win three. Just go out and have fun,” Jeff Baker said.

And, thanks to Baker, they did have fun, because it was his bases-loaded single in the 10th inning that produced the elusive third straight win on the 10th try, 5-4 over the hapless Astros.

“It’s big,” Baker said. “It’s frustrating, obviously, the year hasn’t gone the way we wanted. To finally get three together and it’s in our division, hopefully we can get rolling, and why not four?”

Sunday’s victory was one that almost wasn’t. The Cubs squandered a superb seven innings from Matt Garza, then started their winning rally when Marlon Byrd’s fly ball to right was lost in the sun by Hunter Pence.

Byrd wound up on third base as he never quit running once he knew the ball was in the air and deep.

“Later in the evening … any ball that goes out there goes right in the sun,” Byrd said.

The Astros then walked Tony Campana and Darwin Barney intentionally to load the bases. Baker pinch hit for eventual winner John Grabow (2-0) and ran the count to 3-2 against David Carpenter before lining a single over third base.

“I was just looking for something up (in the strike zone),” Baker said. “Not trying to do too much. I just wanted to put the ball in play.”

Garza, again, deserved a better fate after leaving with a 3-2 lead. It was the sixth time this season and third start in a row that Garza has left with a lead but wound up without the victory.

“He’s got plenty to show for it,” manager Mike Quade said. “We won the ballgame because he gave us seven good innings.”

“Every time you contribute it’s a plus,” Garza said. “It’s fun, it always is.”

It wasn’t fun in the eighth inning when reliever Jeff Samardzija gave up two go-ahead runs on Carlos Lee’s 21st home run at Wrigley Field. But the Cubs came back with a run in the eighth inning on a bloop single by Alfonso Soriano, and reliever Carlos Marmol left the bases loaded in the ninth inning to set up the heroics.

Three in a row finally happened in the 102nd game of the season.

“What a way to do it,” Quade said. “You knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”

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CLEVELAND — After helping the White Sox complete a 5-3 trip Sunday, Edwin Jackson wasn’t surprised when he was informed the Cardinals were interested in acquiring him before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

“My name is in trade rumors every year,” Jackson said after pitching six innings of five-hit ball to lead the Sox to a 4-2 victory at Cleveland. “It’s been like this for the last five years. It’s definitely nothing I worry about. I can’t control it. I just want to play wherever I’m wanted to play at.”

Jackson (7-7) proved he might be as valuable to the Sox as he would be to any playoff contender. He is 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his last five starts.

Nevertheless, he’s a free agent after this season, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Cardinals and Sox were engaged in talks, with the Sox interested in center fielder Colby Rasmus and the Cardinals seeking Jackson or left-handed reliever Matt Thornton and a minor-leaguer.

St. Louis scout Bruce Benedict watched Jackson throw a shutout at Detroit on July 15. The Sox have been interested in Rasmus, 24, since 2008 when he excelled at Triple-A Memphis, and he won’t become arbitration-eligible until next year.

In addition to Jackson’s pitching, the Sox were the beneficiaries of three errors. A dropped fly by center fielder Ezequiel Carrera with two out in the sixth scored two runs and snapped a 1-1 tie.

In the seventh, a fielding error by Asdrubal Cabrera and a throwing miscue by catcher Carlos Santana enabled Alex Rios to reach third, and Rios scored on Mark Teahen’s single.

“I think that happened to us in the past,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “The ball is bouncing our way, and hopefully every time somebody makes a mistake we take advantage of that.”

The Sox (49-51) trail the Indians by 2 1/2 games as they head home to open a challenging 10-game homestand against the American League Central-leading Tigers.

“I know with all the stuff swirling around, I know people are iffy if we’re going to go one way or the other (with trade talks),” Juan Pierre said. “But as players, we just try to win one game at a time and not look too far ahead.”

After the Tigers, the Sox will play host to the Red Sox and Yankees, with the trade deadline arriving during the final game with Boston.

“If we’re still in it at the end of this, it will be pretty telling,” Gordon Beckham said. “We’ve still got some good teams coming in, and we have to play well. If we don’t, we’ll be hurting in a hurry.”

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WASHINGTON — With two people familiar with the negotiations confirming to The Associated Press that the NFL and players have reached a deal to end the lockout, ESPN.com reports that teams could begin signing their own free agents as early as today.

The NFL Players Association’s executive committee is meeting Monday and is expected to begin the voting process. Owners overwhelmingly approved a proposal last week, but some unresolved issues still needed to be figured out to satisfy players. The sides worked through the weekend, finally finishing the deal Monday morning, one of the people told the AP.

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According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, a projected timeline would have the new league year beginning on Aug. 2. But teams could start signing their own free agents and talking with unrestricted free agents today, and begin signing unrestricted free agents Tuesday. Those signings wouldn’t become official unitl Aug. 2. Trade talks also could begin today.

“We have every reason to believe it’s going to be a good day,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an email to the AP.

According to an AP report, if players sign off on the agreement Monday, clubs would be able to start signing 2011 draft picks and rookie free agents on Tuesday. Conversations with veteran free agents also could start Tuesday, and signings could begin Friday.

Under that tentative schedule, training camps would open for 10 of the 32 teams on Wednesday, 10 teams on Thursday, another 10 teams on Friday, and the last two teams on Sunday. It was unclear when the Bears, who open the preseason Aug. 13 vs. the Bills, would report.

The major economic framework for the deal was worked out more than a week ago.

That included how the more than $9 billion in annual league revenues will be divided (about 53 percent to owners and 47 percent to players over the next decade; the old CBA resulted in nearly a 50-50 split); a per-club cap of about $120 million for salary and bonuses in 2011 — and at least that in 2012 and 2013 — plus about $22 million for benefits; a salary system to rein in spending on first-round draft picks; and unrestricted free agency for most players after four seasons.

Should the players’ executive committee vote to accept the deal, it then would go to the 32 team representatives to approve, perhaps later Monday. After that, the total membership would need to vote, with a simple majority required for passage.

The 10 named plaintiffs in the players’ lawsuit against the league — including Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees — must officially inform the court in Minneapolis of their approval of the pact, too.

Even after that, while training camps would be opened, a true CBA can’t be agreed upon until the NFLPA re-establishes itself as a union. Players will need to vote to do so even as the sides put the finishing touches on a deal; only after the NFLPA is again a union can it negotiate such items as the league’s personal conduct policy and drug testing.

For the NFL labor fight, the end is near.

The NFL and its players have bridged their differences on a 10-year labor agreement, and the wheels are in motion to begin free agency and training camps by this weekend, according to an individual involved in the negotiations.

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The executive committee of the NFL Players Association is expected to vote no later than Monday to recommend the deal. Player representatives from all 32 teams then will vote. Assuming those groups vote to approve — and indications are that they will — the rest of the players will get their chance. Beginning Wednesday, those players will vote at their team headquarters, both on whether to reconstitute their union and approve the collective bargaining agreement.

Assuming those hurdles are cleared, free agency and the start of training camps would begin Saturday, less than two weeks before the first round of exhibition games.

Guard Steve Hutchinson, player rep for the Vikings, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Sunday that he’s encouraged resolution is around the corner.

“I think there will be some good news coming out tomorrow,” he said.

Thursday, by a 31-0 vote (with the Raiders abstaining), owners voted to approve a new CBA that gives them an average of 53 percent of total revenues and the players 47 percent.

The NFL lockout almost over … and so too is Jay Cutler’s engagement?

People.com reports Cutler and Kristin Cavallari have called off their engagement after just 10 months together.

“She got dumped,” says another source to people.com. “She’s absolutely devastated. She can’t believe this is happening.”

A source told E! News: “Jay got cold feet. Kristin is stunned.”

Entertainment reporter Billy Bush sent out a tweet late Saturday night stating: “Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler engagement is off. Source super tight.”

Seeming to confirm the reports, Cavallari tweeted on Sunday night: “Thanks for the support. Love u guys”

The Bears QB and the reality TV star started dating last August and were engaged by April, planning a wedding for July 7, 2012. Last week, the duo’s wedding registry was revealed.

They were recently spotted at Wrigley Field for the Cubs-White Sox game on July 2.

CLEVELAND — After helping the White Sox complete a 5-3 trip Sunday, Edwin Jackson wasn’t surprised when he was informed the Cardinals were interested in acquiring him before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

“My name is in trade rumors every year,” Jackson said after pitching six innings of five-hit ball to lead the Sox to a 4-2 victory at Cleveland. “It’s been like this for the last five years. It’s definitely nothing I worry about. I can’t control it. I just want to play wherever I’m wanted to play at.”

Jackson (7-7) proved he might be as valuable to the Sox as he would be to any playoff contender. He is 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his last five starts.

Nevertheless, he’s a free agent after this season, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Cardinals and Sox were engaged in talks, with the Sox interested in center fielder Colby Rasmus and the Cardinals seeking Jackson or left-handed reliever Matt Thornton and a minor-leaguer.

St. Louis scout Bruce Benedict watched Jackson throw a shutout at Detroit on July 15. The Sox have been interested in Rasmus, 24, since 2008 when he excelled at Triple-A Memphis, and he won’t become arbitration-eligible until next year.

In addition to Jackson’s pitching, the Sox were the beneficiaries of three errors. A dropped fly by center fielder Ezequiel Carrera with two out in the sixth scored two runs and snapped a 1-1 tie.

In the seventh, a fielding error by Asdrubal Cabrera and a throwing miscue by catcher Carlos Santana enabled Alex Rios to reach third, and Rios scored on Mark Teahen’s single.

“I think that happened to us in the past,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “The ball is bouncing our way, and hopefully every time somebody makes a mistake we take advantage of that.”

The Sox (49-51) trail the Indians by 2 1/2 games as they head home to open a challenging 10-game homestand against the American League Central-leading Tigers.

“I know with all the stuff swirling around, I know people are iffy if we’re going to go one way or the other (with trade talks),” Juan Pierre said. “But as players, we just try to win one game at a time and not look too far ahead.”

After the Tigers, the Sox will play host to the Red Sox and Yankees, with the trade deadline arriving during the final game with Boston.

“If we’re still in it at the end of this, it will be pretty telling,” Gordon Beckham said. “We’ve still got some good teams coming in, and we have to play well. If we don’t, we’ll be hurting in a hurry.”

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It took extra innings with baseball’s worst team and an assist from the sun, but the Cubs finally won a third straight game Sunday.

“We were joking around, trying to loosen guys up, saying there’s no way we win three. Just go out and have fun,” Jeff Baker said.

And, thanks to Baker, they did have fun, because it was his bases-loaded single in the 10th inning that produced the elusive third straight win on the 10th try, 5-4 over the hapless Astros.

“It’s big,” Baker said. “It’s frustrating, obviously, the year hasn’t gone the way we wanted. To finally get three together and it’s in our division, hopefully we can get rolling, and why not four?”

Sunday’s victory was one that almost wasn’t. The Cubs squandered a superb seven innings from Matt Garza, then started their winning rally when Marlon Byrd’s fly ball to right was lost in the sun by Hunter Pence.

Byrd wound up on third base as he never quit running once he knew the ball was in the air and deep.

“Later in the evening … any ball that goes out there goes right in the sun,” Byrd said.

The Astros then walked Tony Campana and Darwin Barney intentionally to load the bases. Baker pinch hit for eventual winner John Grabow (2-0) and ran the count to 3-2 against David Carpenter before lining a single over third base.

“I was just looking for something up (in the strike zone),” Baker said. “Not trying to do too much. I just wanted to put the ball in play.”

Garza, again, deserved a better fate after leaving with a 3-2 lead. It was the sixth time this season and third start in a row that Garza has left with a lead but wound up without the victory.

“He’s got plenty to show for it,” manager Mike Quade said. “We won the ballgame because he gave us seven good innings.”

“Every time you contribute it’s a plus,” Garza said. “It’s fun, it always is.”

It wasn’t fun in the eighth inning when reliever Jeff Samardzija gave up two go-ahead runs on Carlos Lee’s 21st home run at Wrigley Field. But the Cubs came back with a run in the eighth inning on a bloop single by Alfonso Soriano, and reliever Carlos Marmol left the bases loaded in the ninth inning to set up the heroics.

Three in a row finally happened in the 102nd game of the season.

“What a way to do it,” Quade said. “You knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”

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Matt Forte doesn’t have to sell himself. His numbers provide proof of his worth.

The Bears running back is ranked fifth in the league in yards from scrimmage (4,731) since 2008, joined Walter Payton as the only Bears to notch 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in the same season and accumulated 1,400-plus yards from scrimmage in each of his first three seasons, the only player in franchise history to accomplish such a feat. Not to mention Forte’s 294 yards from scrimmage in last year’s playoffs.

No one should fault Forte for holding his hand out for a contract extension.

“Any time a player has been producing very well,” Forte said, “they’re going to come back and say, ‘Hey, throw me a bone here.’ “

But he isn’t paid like a top dog yet. And if he’s not during training camp, it might become an issue.

One could argue the fourth-year pro from Tulane is the most underpaid back in the league. Forte, who is due a base salary of $550,000 in the final year of his rookie contract, isn’t even the highest-paid running back on the team. Backup Chester Taylor is scheduled to make $1.25 million after pulling in $7 million last season while averaging 2.4 yards per carry. Forte finished at 4.5.

Forte had wanted to sign an extension before the start of practice in Bourbonnais, tentatively scheduled for later this week.

“I think we’re going about it the right way,” he said. “My agent, Adisa Bakari, talked to (general manager) Jerry Angelo and Cliff Stein last season, just letting them know that we’ve been producing.

“And now that it’s close to training camp, we don’t have much time to negotiate.”

Forte’s message was subtle and clear. But with 14 players set to hit the open market once the new collective bargaining agreement is approved, the Bears have a full plate of transactions on their table. They are projected to be $37 million below the newly proposed $120 million salary cap.

Forte might nudge the Bears a bit without becoming a distraction.

“It never benefits anybody — a player or organization — to hold out or miss practices,” Forte said. “That’s obviously something I wouldn’t want to do.”

Bakari imagines the Bears are on the same page.

“We hope the Bears recognize the performance Matt has given to date and that they value that performance,” the agent said.

Forte, 25, declined to talk financial terms that obviously would include substantial guaranteed money, yet he had no qualms discussing its duration.

“A long-term deal would be, I guess, five years,” he said. “That’s a long time for a running back to play. “Five years? That’s beating the odds.”

He has been doing that since Day 1.

Forte, sitting alongside wife Danielle, whom he married July 16, laughed when asked if he was surprised about his NFL success.

“Honestly, no,” he said. “I know God has blessed me with the talent to play football, so I have to use it to the best of my ability. I always expected to be the best or one of the best.

CLEVELAND — If the White Sox remain in contention for the American League Central title through August, their task will become more challenging in September.

That’s because Saturday night’s game against the Indians was postponed because of rain, and manager Ozzie Guillen indicated it will be rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader during the Sox’s final visit to Progressive Field on Sept. 20-22.

The makeup date needs approval from Major League Baseball, but the Sox already will have played one rescheduled game on Sept. 5 in Minnesota as part of a day-night doubleheader.

And when a reporter quipped right field slugger Dayan Viciedo would be in the Sox lineup for the makeup game in Cleveland, Guillen responded angrily.

“Well if Viciedo is going to be in the White Sox’s savior, we’re in deep (bleep). And you can call me on that,” Guillen said before repeating it.

“We can’t count on a Triple-A kid to be the savior. Can he help? Yes. Is he going to be the savior? I like the talent we have here.”

Viciedo is batting .307 with 16 home runs and 65 RBIs at Triple-A Charlotte.

Meanwhile, pitching coach Don Cooper indicated that the Sox’s rotation might be adjusted after Sunday’s series finale against the Indians, with Edwin Jackson facing sinkerball maven Justin Masterson, who was moved ahead of left-hander David Huff.

Phil Humber, who was scheduled to pitch Sunday, Mark Buehrle and Jake Peavy are scheduled to face the Tigers Monday through Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field. As of now, John Danks is scheduled to pitch Friday against the Red Sox on eight days’ rest.

The upside for the Sox rotation is that the extra rest would come in handy in September because of the two doubleheaders and only two days off in September.

“We’ll do what we have to do,” said Cooper, who planned to assess the Sox’s options with Guillen on Sunday morning. “We haven’t skipped a beat so far. I don’t know what the record is or all the other numbers, but it has been good. We’ll just have to deal with another day. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

The Sox (48-51), who are 4 1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central, have 41 of their remaining 63 games in their division.

But Guillen cited the advantage of playing those rescheduled games in September, after 25-man rosters can be expanded Sept. 1.

“That’s the reason we did it with Minnesota, too,” Guillen said. “Those games in September are a little easier for everyone, at least for the pitchers.”

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It’s a goal Cory Gibbs one day may tell his grandkids about.

The Fire defender’s memorable tally against mighty Manchester United gave his team a lead in the 13th minute Saturday and was the lone Fire score in a 3-1 exhibition loss before a sellout crowd at Soldier Field.

The 31-year-old veteran’s header came off a perfect feed from Marco Pappa right in front of the net.

“Pappa served an excellent ball,” Gibbs said. “When I made a run I took one look at the goalie and he didn’t come out. I went full charge on it and gave it everything I had.”

Gibbs’ shot past United goalie David De Gea broke a scoreless tie and gave the Fire a lead it would hold until the 66th minute.

“The goal feels great, but I’m disappointed we didn’t win,” Gibbs said. “We had a lot of chances.”

Fire goalie Sean Johnson had one official save during 45 minutes of play. It came on striker Dimitar Berbatov’s early try on a one-on-one that Johnson knocked away.

The Red Devils finally caught the hosts early in the second half on Wayne Rooney’s score — the first of three in a 16-minute span.

“We don’t like being behind,” Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. “We don’t panic, just play our game and hope for the chance to get back in.”

Rooney, the Red Devils’ star who had a hat trick Wednesday night in Seattle, was a second half substitute.

He skipped in a shot over backup goalie Jon Conway who rushed out and tried for a block. Instead, Rooney’s high, looping effort sailed over the goalkeeper’s reach.

Defender Rafael gave the Red Devils their first lead in the 75th minute, lining a tight shot down the goal line past Conway, a second half sub for Johnson.

Six minutes later, second half substitute Nani made it 3-1 when Conway was caught off guard after the Red Devils’ midfielder picked up a loose ball for an unassisted goal.

Manchester United is now 3-0 on its five-stop summer U.S. tour, part of its preseason training for the upcoming English Premier League campaign.

There were plenty of positives for the Fire, who came into the game struggling with a 2-6 won-loss record and 12 ties in MLS play.

“We put up a very good challenge,” Fire coach Frank Klopas said. “For us, more than anything, we made the game competitive. … I was very, very happy, very pleased with the performance of all my players.”

The game drew a sellout crowd of 61,308, the largest ever witness a Fire game and the most to view international soccer since new Soldier Field opened in 2003.

Every healthy Fire player save for backup goalie Alec Dufty had minutes, including rookie Pari Pantazopoulos.

“It was awesome to be in front of 60,000 fans,” said Pantazopoulos, who won the Fire’s open tryout earlier this year and entered in the 88th minute. “Dreams really do come true. It was fun, a good experience.”

CLEVELAND — Rookie third baseman Brent Morel hopes to have the same success that some of his Chicago White Sox’s teammates have enjoyed against Cleveland’s David Huff.

Morel is starting Saturday night primarily because Huff is a left-hander. A.J. Pierzynski is 4-for-6 with two home runs against Huff, and Alexei Ramirez is 5-for-9 with two homers against Huff.

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As expected, Adam Dunn is in the lineup. Dunn is 2-for-2 with a double and home run against Huff.

Here is the Sox’s lineup:

Pierre – LF

Ramirez – SS

Konerko – 1B

Dunn – DH

Quentin – RF

Rios – CF

Pierzynski – C

Beckham - 2B

Morel - 3B

Jackson – P

Three days after flying to the Philippines, Derrick Rose and his fellow locked out NBA players defeated a team called the PBA stars 131-105 on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila.

According to media reports, Washington Wizards big man Javale McGee led the NBA team, which played under the banner of SMART All-Star team, with 25 points. Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans, James Harden, Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul also scored in double figures in the exhibition, which is one of two games during what is being billed as the Ultimate All-Star weekend.

An article published in The Philippine Star said the sellout crowd “went wild as Rose was called to the floor and the fans went wilder as (Bryant) took his turn — the last being the main man — to enter the court.” Bryant served as player-coach and started himself, Durant, Paul, Rose and McGee, the newspaper reported.

A second exhibition will be played on Sunday against a team called Smart Gilas Pilipinas. The games are being staged in the same arena that housed the famous Thrilla in Manila heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in October 1975.

National Basketball Players Association president Derek Fisher also played in the event. A source said the exhibition agreement calls for a return trip to the Philippines in August for at least one more game.

A source close to Rose said the league’s reigning most valuable player welcomed the chance to join the game and continue marketing his shoe endorsement with adidas. Rose flew to The Philippines on a private jet from Los Angeles, the source said. Rose makes his offseason training base in Santa Monica, Calif.

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CLEVELAND – Saturday night’s game between the White Sox and the Indians was postponed because of rain.

The game likely will be rescheduled during the Sox’s final visit to Cleveland on the Sox’s final trip to Progressive Field on Sept. 20-22.

Edwin Jackson will oppose Justin Masterson in Sunday’s series finale. The Sox could change their rotation for the Detroit series starting Monday, pitching coach Don Cooper said.

The Cubs are on the brink of history, at least by the 2011 yardstick.

Having inched along in the “W” column for more than 100 games, the Cubs actually could claim their first three-game winning streak of this season Sunday.

This one appears to be a no-brainer compared to the other nine times the Cubs have tried because the Astros are the foe, the worst team in all of baseball. Moreover, their pitcher is Matt Garza, who has compiled a 0.78 ERA in his last three home starts.

Yes, Sunday’s game is at Wrigley Field and the Cubs already have clinched their first series triumph since mid-June with Saturday’s 5-1 putdown of the lowly Astros.

Even the Astros have accumulated one four-game winning streak, so three shouldn’t be out of the Cubs’ reach. Their last two-gamer came at the end of June.

“I’d love it, it’s about that time,” manager Mike Quade said. “One day at a time.”

The streak — or actually, lack of a streak — has been more mental than anything, a gnawing presence of how this team has been measured.

“Yeah, it’d be great,” Saturday’s winning pitcher Randy Wells said, “but I don’t think anybody’s really thinking of that as our immediate goal.

“It’s kind of a weird stat that we haven’t done it yet. We have a great chance with (Garza) and we’re swinging the bats and playing great defense, so I think it’s our best shot so far.”

Wells helped the Cubs get to the brink again as he allowed one run on five hits and two walks over six innings. It was his first victory since his first start on April 4 after nine so-so starts following a long stint on the disabled list.

Wells did allow a leadoff single and a walk in the first inning but ended it with back-to-back strikeouts of Carlos Lee and Chris Johnson.

“I thought ‘Here we go again,’” he said, “but I tried to stay calm and make good pitches. (Surviving) got me fired up.”

Wells got some breathing room in the second on Marlon Byrd’s homer, then a little more in the fifth on Geovany Soto’s homer.

After allowing a run in the sixth inning, Wells turned the game over to the bullpen of Jeff Samardzija, Jeff Russell, Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol, who did not get a save because the Cubs scored three big insurance runs in the eighth inning.

Starlin Castro and Soto had RBI infield singles and the other run scored on an error.

“For me, I was trying to get together a couple of good at-bats,” said Soto, who’s now batting .238.

And now comes the task of getting over a mental hurdle to win three in a row.

“We don’t look at it (as an obstacle),” Soto said. “We just want … to get in a rhythm and have everything click and everything go our way for a while.”

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It’s a goal Cory Gibbs one day may tell his grandkids about.

The Fire defender’s memorable tally against mighty Manchester United gave his team a lead in the 13th minute Saturday and was the lone Fire score in a 3-1 exhibition loss before a sellout crowd at Soldier Field.

The 31-year-old veteran’s header came off a perfect feed from Marco Pappa right in front of the net.

“Pappa served an excellent ball,” Gibbs said. “When I made a run I took one look at the goalie and he didn’t come out. I went full charge on it and gave it everything I had.”

Gibbs’ shot past United goalie David De Gea broke a scoreless tie and gave the Fire a lead it would hold until the 66th minute.

“The goal feels great, but I’m disappointed we didn’t win,” Gibbs said. “We had a lot of chances.”

Fire goalie Sean Johnson had one official save during 45 minutes of play. It came on striker Dimitar Berbatov’s early try on a one-on-one that Johnson knocked away.

The Red Devils finally caught the hosts early in the second half on Wayne Rooney’s score — the first of three in a 16-minute span.

“We don’t like being behind,” Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. “We don’t panic, just play our game and hope for the chance to get back in.”

Rooney, the Red Devils’ star who had a hat trick Wednesday night in Seattle, was a second half substitute.

He skipped in a shot over backup goalie Jon Conway who rushed out and tried for a block. Instead, Rooney’s high, looping effort sailed over the goalkeeper’s reach.

Defender Rafael gave the Red Devils their first lead in the 75th minute, lining a tight shot down the goal line past Conway, a second half sub for Johnson.

Six minutes later, second half substitute Nani made it 3-1 when Conway was caught off guard after the Red Devils’ midfielder picked up a loose ball for an unassisted goal.

Manchester United is now 3-0 on its five-stop summer U.S. tour, part of its preseason training for the upcoming English Premier League campaign.

There were plenty of positives for the Fire, who came into the game struggling with a 2-6 won-loss record and 12 ties in MLS play.

“We put up a very good challenge,” Fire coach Frank Klopas said. “For us, more than anything, we made the game competitive. … I was very, very happy, very pleased with the performance of all my players.”

The game drew a sellout crowd of 61,308, the largest ever witness a Fire game and the most to view international soccer since new Soldier Field opened in 2003.

Every healthy Fire player save for backup goalie Alec Dufty had minutes, including rookie Pari Pantazopoulos.

“It was awesome to be in front of 60,000 fans,” said Pantazopoulos, who won the Fire’s open tryout earlier this year and entered in the 88th minute. “Dreams really do come true. It was fun, a good experience.”

NFL owners were hoping a new collective bargaining agreement would swoop in for a landing this week.

Instead, it’s locked in a frustrating holding pattern, endlessly circling the airport.

There was no vote from the players Friday on a proposed CBA they got from owners Thursday night and no guarantee there would be one before the Tuesday deadline set by owners for the players to re-form as a union and ratify the deal.

Kevin Mawae, president of the NFL Players Association, said Friday the players are “discussing” the latest offer — one that assumes a global settlement of all unresolved litigation — but there would be no further statements for the day out of respect for the mourning Kraft family.

Myra Kraft, wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, died of cancer-related complications this week. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and several owners attended Kraft’s funeral Friday in Newton, Mass.

For the players, approving a deal is a multistep process.

There’s the issue of reconstituting as a union, which owners say can be done almost instantaneously but players say could take up to two weeks.

There’s resolving the Tom Brady antitrust lawsuit — 10 players are name plaintiffs — and the so-called lockout-insurance case that has to do with TV revenues, and whether those should be folded into the CBA.

Then there’s voting on whether to accept the other terms of the labor agreement.

The NFL believes there is ample time for the players to do those things before Tuesday’s deadline and the scheduled beginning of free agency Wednesday.

“We believe they could do so,” said Jeff Pash, the league’s top lawyer. “That process is within their control and the timing is largely within their control, but we believe that they could do so.”

sfarmer@tribune.com

Before Friday’s game, Cubs’ manager Mike Quade said he would “love to get back to normal” with Carlos Marmol as his bullpen closer.

Somewhere between then and the final out of the 4-2 victory over the Astros, Quade changed his mind, instead using Marmol for the final two outs in the eighth inning before letting Sean Marshall wrap up the ninth.

“Marmol was sharp, maybe he’s ready to finish the game (Saturday),” Quade said afterward.

“I thought he was going to put me in (Friday),” Marmol said. “He’s the boss. I appreciate what he did and the way he talked to me.”

Marmol has been on a “timeout” as he rediscovers his slider. He, Kerry Wood and Marshall all blew games in the last week-plus.

“My confidence is back,” Marmol declared after back-to-back strikeouts while throwing seven of nine pitches for strikes.

“He’s a closer and he pitched like it (Friday),” Quade said.

“He’s a great closer, but he’s human, too,” said starter Carlos Zambrano, who was the beneficiary of the five straight outs Marmol and Marshall obtained. “The most important thing is he has to keep his head up.”

Marmol, who had allowed eight runs in his previous three innings and has blown seven saves for the season, said he is again ready for a ninth inning.

“I feel very good right now,” he said. “I have my confidence back. My head is up.”

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CLEVELAND — This wasn’t a win-or-else situation, but the White Sox responded positively Friday night to the “dangerous situation” manager Ozzie Guillen wants to avoid through at least next Wednesday.

Thanks to Gavin Floyd’s 7 2/3 shutout innings and Carlos Quentin’s three-run homer, the Sox gained a game on the second-place Indians with a 3-0 victory at Progressive Field.

Two days after blasting a lackluster offense and warning that their schedule wasn’t going to get any easier, Guillen watched his offense chip away until Quentin ripped a 409-foot home run off Carlos Carrasco in the fifth inning.

Quentin’s 20th homer of the season came after the Sox had stranded runners in scoring position in three of the first four innings and seemed headed toward another frustrating night.

“I’d rather have people on base than nobody on base,” Guillen said. “That means you have a chance to score runs when you wait for one big hit.”

Quentin has hit all three of the Sox’s home runs in the second half, and this one marked the fourth consecutive season he has hit at least 20. He is 12-for-27 (.444) with nine RBIs in the second half.

The Sox also received a lift from Adam Dunn, who had two singles to celebrate his return after missing two games with a sore left knee.

Dunn foiled the Indians’ strategy by poking a single to the unoccupied left side before Quentin’s homer. Dunn, who raised his batting average from .158 to .163, is now 6-for-15 (.400) at Progressive Field this season.

“I remember coming here with Cincinnati and hating it because I felt crooked in the box,” said Dunn, who will stay in the Sox lineup Saturday night against left-hander David Huff. “I think it’s just a fluke, maybe.”

Quentin and Dunn picked up the slack as Juan Pierre’s hitting streak ended at 12 games.

The importance of this series and a three-game home series against the first-place Tigers starting Monday wasn’t lost on Guillen, especially because the Sox trail both teams and need to show they can contend in the American League Central with the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline approaching.

“(But for Friday,) the story is Gavin,” Quentin said. “He was unbelievable.”

Since the All-Star break, Floyd (8-9) has allowed one earned run in his 15 1/3 innings. He retired the first nine batters and allowed one hit through the first 5 2/3 innings.

“We need a good run from somebody,” Guillen said. “Right now we have (63) games left, we go with the best we can and as hard as we can and see what happens. But we have to go the right way.”

mgonzales@tribune.com

Twitter @MDGonzales

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Hall of Famers generally speak of the past, not the future. But not Pat Gillick.

Gillick’s next move is just as intriguing as his last four, each of which led to a previously stagnant team reaching the World Series or, at the very least, the league championship series.

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He will pay tribute Sunday to his great runs with the Blue Jays, Orioles, Mariners and Phillies when he is inducted into the Hall of Fame, but he also will do what he does best. He will be gathering intelligence.

In this case, the 73-year-old executive will be asking questions about the Cubs and their owners, the Ricketts family. Unless Ricketts is truly naïve, it will be Gillick’s feelings about the potential of the organization that will determine if he becomes involved, more so than anything Ricketts can say or do.

Long ago, when Tribune Co. ran the Cubs, Gillick was sounded out about leaving the Blue Jays to jump to Chicago. He said thanks but no thanks because he wasn’t convinced he would have the necessary resources and autonomy to succeed.

If Gillick doesn’t leave his special adviser’s role with the Phillies to join the Cubs at some point in the next few months, it will be a sign that things haven’t really changed that much under Tom Ricketts and his siblings.

The timing couldn’t be better for the Cubs, who better realize the chance they have.

Speaking on a conference call with reporters this week, Gillick was asked about his future and speculated he “would certainly consider (taking a job) if it was the right situation. …”

A spokesman for Ricketts denied a WSCR report that Ricketts recently had talked to Gillick, but he didn’t say Ricketts wouldn’t talk to Gillick. He would be foolish if he did anything without seeing if Gillick is ready to leave Philadelphia and take on baseball’s ultimate challenge.

When Gillick was voted into the Hall of Fame last December, I wrote that the Cubs intrigue him and he would be the perfect guy to run the baseball side of the organization. The only thing that has changed since then is the need for an overhaul with the precipitous unraveling of the team under first-year manager Mike Quade.

Gillick is the right guy for the Cubs, and everybody Ricketts talks to tells him — even general manager Jim Hendry probably would, if Ricketts engaged him in such an awkward conversation. Gillick’s the guy you would fire your own mother to hire if you had a chance to get him.

But what does he think about the Cubs? That’s the big question.

It’s funny that Gillick used the phrase “the right situation” the other day. That’s the one that always comes up when he talks about his future.

Here’s what he’s saying when he uses that expression.

He wants to know that he will have authority without interference from ownership. He wants to know he will have money to spend — he has spent everywhere he has been, but it’s often the moves for supporting players like Jamie Moyer, Mark McLemore and Tom Henke that have made the difference — and control of his staff.

If the Cubs are going to entertain adding Gillick seriously, they have to do it before other decisions have been made, in particular Hendry’s fate and the naming of his successor. He’s not coming if Chairman Ricketts and President Crane Kenney make those calls, then offer Gillick a job to tutor their choice. That would not be “the right situation.”

Maybe the Cubs never would be “the right situation” for Gillick. If that’s the case, then they move on without him. But with apologies to everyone else, he’s too experienced, too enthusiastic, too wise not to pursue.

Gillick would bring some of his own guys if he came to the Cubs. He always does. But he works very well with other people, so scouting director Tim Wilken (with whom Gillick worked alongside in Toronto) hardly would be the only holdover he would value.

The ideal situation would be for Gillick to blend his trusted assistants, including Gordon Lakey and Charlie Kerfeld, with the Cubs’ current assets, guys like scout Gary Hughes and special advisor Greg Maddux. He might go outside to hire a GM, with White Sox assistant Rick Hahn expected to be on the short list.

One thing to keep in mind. Gillick was part of the process that led the Phillies to hiring Ryne Sandberg for their Triple-A manager’s job. He might reverse the process that left Quade in charge and Sandberg in Allentown, Pa.

Only Gillick knows if the Cubs can be “the right situation” for him. But Ricketts should be doing everything in his power to put out the welcome mat.

progers@tribune.com

Twitter @ChiTribRogers

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In this year’s America’s Favorite Cities survey, Travel and Leisure magazine readers ranked 35 cities on things like great restaurants and lively bar scenes, which naturally begets the top beer-quaffing towns. Let’s face it, microbrews–made in relatively small batches, and often emphasizing quirky flavors–are becoming more mainstream, according to the Brewers Association.

When the lockout finally ends, Chris Harris perhaps can work on persuading the Chicago Bears to make a move he already has discussed with Steve Smith.

There is a belief the Carolina Panthers will look to trade the 32-year-old wide receiver when player movement can begin. One report earlier this summer indicated he could be available for a third-round draft pick, something Harris no doubt would like Jerry Angelo and the Bears to consider.

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“If the opportunity is there, why not?” Harris said during a visit on “The Waddle Silvy Show” on WMVP-AM 1000. “You can never have enough big-time playmakers on your team.”

Harris has worked out with Smith during the offseason and says he is “looking just as good as he’s been.” He joked that he could show the newcomer the city. They were teammates with the Panthers for three seasons and Smith could be looking to escape the rebuilding situation in Carolina and seek a competitive team.

Reports have indicated Smith’s preferences would be to play for the San Diego Chargers or Baltimore Ravens. Of course, that’s not his call. It’s up to Panthers general manager Marty Hurney and coach Ron Rivera if Smith is traded. Perhaps they would desire to trade him to an AFC club.

“I think we have great receivers in the system we have,” Harris said. “They made the thing work last year. I’ve heard the rumors, Santana Moss, I’ve heard all those rumors.

“(Smith) is an excellent guy. He’s  a guy that wants to win at all cost. He’s a competitor. He’s one of those scrappy kind of players you love to have on your team.”

The Bears went after a Panthers wide receiver when they signed Muhsin Muhammad in 2005 after Smith had replaced him as the No. 1 target for the Panthers. It would be interesting if the team went down that road again. His last 1,000-yard season came in 2008. Smith has two years remaining on his current contract with a total of nearly $15 million owed to him.

bmbiggs@tribune.com

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CLEVELAND — The start of Friday night’s Chicago White Sox’s game at Cleveland was delayed by rain by 47 minutes.

Manager Ozzie Guillen knows the importance of the next six games with Cleveland and Detroit but didn’t want to place a greater emphasis on Friday night’s game.

“I’m not going to say this is the biggest game of the year right here because we have a few more against them, but this is a very important game,” Guillen said. “I think we play against the teams that are in first place. The next six games are against the teams we are chasing. It’s very important to stay with them, stay close to them and not create a very dangerous gap.

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“Hopefully we do that. Hopefully, we are aware about our situation. Hopefully we’re aware that those games will create a lot of things. We can stay on it or we can, I don’t want to say we’ll tear it apart, but get behind them too far and create a dangerous situation for us.”

After stranding runners in scoring position in three of the first four innings, the Sox surged to a 3-0 lead in the fifth on Carlos Quentin’s 409-foot home run off Carlos Carrasco.

Quentin has hit all three of the Sox’s home runs in the second half. Adam Dunn and Quentin have four of the Sox’s seven hits.

Quentin’s home run, his 20th, also gave Gavin Floyd some well-deserved support. Floyd has allowed two hits through the first five innings. Ezequiel Carrera led off the fourth with a single but was erased on a double play.

Rookie Lonnie Chisenhall hit a double with two out in the fifth but was left stranded.

It had been more than a month since Alfonso Soriano had homered when he connected for the Cubs’ first run in Friday’s 4-2 victory over the Astros.

And he knew the length without even being told, just like he knew he hadn’t had a hit in 18 straight at-bats. But, he said, the long drought was not because he was pressing too much.

“I think too much,” he said. “It’s more like mental. My body feels good but sometimes it’s mental. We have (two-plus) months left. I have to play hard for the team.”

Of course, Soriano is one of those mentioned in possible trade talks as well, so he might be playing hard for someone else come August.

No change: Even with a day off to think about it and hear the criticism, Cubs’ manager Mike Quade defended making a big deal of the first-inning botched popup by shortstop Starlin Castro with second baseman Darwin Barney contributing.

Castro dropped the ball near second base after losing it in the sun and said Friday that “I lost it. Everybody makes a mistake.”

“I’ll bet these two have it worked out next time it happens,” Quade said. “That’s all that really matters. There’s a premium that goes on defense at those two positions.

“It’s just another learning experience for those guys. I really believe they are going to be here together for a long time. And don’t want to see a mistake like that happen again. And I don’t believe it will.”

Extra innings: Quade declined to name a starter for Tuesday’s first game in Milwaukee, saying “let’s get through this (Astros) series and see where we’re at.” Rodrigo Lopez is a possibility but he is pitching in the bullpen this weekend because off off-days last Thursday and this coming Monday. … The Cubs broke their nine-game streak of errors Friday. … In the first eight games after his promotion to Triple-A, 2009 first-round pick Brett Jackson was hitting .172 with 13 strikeouts in 29 at-bats.

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The NFL owners voted to approve a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement following several hours of meetings in Atlanta, but the player representatives decided not to vote on the proposal following a conference call Thursday night.

The players reportedly chose not to vote due to lingering issues and the belief that the proposal included terms the sides had not agreed to.

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In an email to the player reps, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith wrote: “In addition to depriving the players of the time needed to consider forming a union and making needed changes to the old Agreement, this proposed procedure would in my view also violate federal labor laws.”

Even after all acceptable terms are established, a deal would lead to a collective bargaining agreement only if NFL Players Association team reps recommend re-establishing the group as a union, which must be approved by a majority vote of the 1,900 players.

Things seemed positive, though, earlier in the day when the owners finished their vote.

“First and foremost I think a lot of credit should go to DeMaurice Smith and the executive committee of the players for all of their hard work,” Bears Chairman George McCaskey said. “Once people got into a spirit of compromise on what was good for the game, then everybody wins.”

Added Bears CEO Ted Phillips: “Even in difficult circumstances, I think both sides have worked together to come to a long-term agreement, and the goal of having an agreement that works for the clubs, the fans and the players has been reached. I think both sides gave a little bit. It was a tough negotiation but I think one that will serve all sides really well in the long term.”

Following the league’s announcement of the owners’ vote, Smith sent a letter to player representatives that read:

“As you know the Owners have ratified their proposal to settle our differences. It is my understanding that they are forwarding it to us. As you may have heard, they apparently approved a supplemental revenue sharing proposal. Obviously, we have not been a part of those discussions.

“As you know from yesterday, issues that need to be collectively bargained remain open, other issues such as workers compensation, economic issues and end of deal terms remain unresolved. There is no agreement between the NFL and the Players at this time. I look forward to our call tonight.”

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said the news of the owners’ vote was not being received well by some player leaders.

“We are not happy here. We had to honor to not vote on an agreement that was not final (Wednesday),” one high-ranking NFLPA official told Mortensen. “This is not over. This actually takes away incentives from players to vote yes tonight.”

In March, when talks broke down and the old CBA expired, the NFLPA said it was dissolving itself as a union and instead becoming a trade association, a move that allowed Tom Brady and other players to sue the league under antitrust law. Only a union can sign off on a CBA.

“I certainly remember comments from some of the owners about how we might not even be like a real union. Well, guess what? The decision to decertify was important, because at the time we were a real union,” NFL Players Association head DeMaurice Smith said during a brief appearance outside NFLPA headquarters in Washington. “And the decision for our players, as men, to come back as a union is going to be an equally serious and very sober one that they have to make.”

The owners, who locked out players March 12, met behind closed doors at a hotel conference room near Atlanta’s airport, occasionally stepping within sight — but not earshot — of reporters to speak 1-on-1 with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He chatted first with Jerry Jones of the Cowboys, then with Arthur Blank of the Falcons.

“I’m optimistic that we’ll get approval,” Blank said Thursday morning on his way into the session. “My understanding is that the owners will have the opportunity to ratify the agreement today, even if the players do not approve it today.”

All 32 teams were represented, although not each one by an owner. The Patriots, for example, sent team president Jonathan Kraft. His father, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, missed the meeting because his wife, Myra, died Wednesday from cancer.

Remaining issues left to settle were believed to include how to set aside three pending court cases: The players’ antitrust lawsuit against the NFL in federal court in Minnesota; the TV networks case, in which players accused owners of setting up $4 billion in “lockout insurance,” money that the league would receive even if there were no games played in 2011; and a collusion case, in which players said owners conspired to restrict salaries last offseason.

Ten players — including quarterbacks Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson and Patriots guard Logan Mankins — filed their antitrust suit March 11. That was the day the country’s most popular sports league was thrown into limbo, and the owners locked out players hours later.

Also under discussion are how workman’s compensation claims will be resolved and the players’ demand that the NFL turn over $320 million in unpaid benefits from the 2010 season. Because there was no salary cap that season, the old CBA said NFL teams were not required to pay those benefits.

If the four-month lockout — the NFL’s first work stoppage since 1987 — is going to end in time to keep the preseason completely intact, the players and owners almost certainly must ratify the deal this week. The St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears are scheduled to open the preseason Aug. 7 in the Hall of Fame game.

Asked Wednesday night whether that exhibition game will be played, NFL general counsel Jeff Pash replied: “It would be pretty challenging.”

CLEVELAND — Manager Ozzie Guillen tweeted Thursday that his right eye is fine, one day after getting nailed with a foul ball that caromed off the backstop.

Now if he could only find a cure for the White Sox’s woes that run deeper than designated-hitter Adam Dunn’s frigid bat.

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After missing his second game Wednesday because of a sore knee, Dunn is expected to return to the lineup Friday night for the start of an important American League Central showdown in Cleveland — where the Sox offense has sputtered since scoring 23 runs in the first two games here April 1-2.

Dunn — who is batting .158 with 124 strikeouts — played catch and shagged flies during batting practice Wednesday, so a trip to the 15-day disabled list would seem suspicious.

But at the same time, the Sox desperately need a spark for an offense that has scored three runs in its last two losses against the Royals and remain 4 1/2 games behind the Indians with 64 games left, prompting Guillen to embark on a two-minute rant late Wednesday night in which he declared that watching his listless offense hurt more than his swollen cheek and that he no longer will protect his underachieving hitters.

The eyes of hitting coach Greg Walker must be tired, too. After spending hours on videotape and scouting reports on Royals rookie Danny Duffy and Bruce Chen, he watched that preparation translate to more misery for his hitters.

Unfortunately for the Sox, the popular cure of promoting right field slugger Dayan Viciedo from Triple-A hasn’t included a clear-cut solution to making room for him. He was in Charlotte’s lineup Thursday night.

Right fielder Carlos Quentin can become a free agent after 2012, but Quentin has hit the Sox’s only two home runs of the second half.

Left fielder Juan Pierre is batting .385 during his current 12-game hitting streak and is the Sox’s only true leadoff candidate. Alex Rios is batting .212, but he is owed $38 million from 2012-14 and has limited no-trade rights.

And dealing Brent Lillibridge to make room for Viciedo wouldn’t guarantee that each of the remaining outfielders would start on a daily basis, thus causing the same concerns that surfaced in August of 2009 after Rios was claimed on waivers from the Blue Jays.

As long as the offense struggles to score runs, they can’t continue to duplicate the baserunning mistakes that have persisted throughout the season. Wednesday’s loss provided the latest examples, as Brent Morel didn’t tag up from second on a deep fly to center field, and Omar Vizquel was caught off second on a line drive to first base that killed a late-inning rally.

Despite staying at or around first place the entire season, the Indians haven’t been afraid to make changes. They fired hitting coach Jon Nunnally and promoted third base prospect Lonnie Chisenhall in June and Thursday brought up Jason Kipnis, who can play second base or the outfield.

As for the Sox, barring any drastic moves before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, any improvements must be made from within. But the first 98 games haven’t provided any sustained hope.

mgonzales@tribune.com

Twitter @MDGonzales

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ATLANTA — In a move that caused more confusion than clarity, NFL owners voted Thursday to approve a proposed labor agreement, putting a conditional end to the four-month lockout.

Less than an hour later, the notion that a deal had been struck was denied by DeMaurice Smith, head of the decertified players union. In an email to the player representatives from the 32 teams preceding their conference call, he wrote: “There is no agreement between the NFL and the players at this time.”

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By a 31-0 vote — with the Raiders abstaining — owners ratified a 10-year collective bargaining agreement that hinges on the players by Tuesday re-establishing their union and agreeing to a labor accord that wipes out all existing litigation.

“There’s a sense of urgency to this,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We want to have a full 2011 season that includes four preseason games.”

Under terms of the deal, players could return to team facilities Saturday, and free agency would begin Wednesday.

In essence, the owners have unlocked the door and are holding it open, waiting for the players to walk through.

The proposed deal, which would run through the 2020 season, would feature a new compensation system for rookies that would pay top picks significantly less and would assure players of an average of 47 percent of total revenue over the life of the agreement.

The regular season would be kept at 16 games, and several measures would be put in place to limit offseason workouts and the number of in-season practices in helmets and pads. Players with expired contracts would be eligible for unrestricted free agency after four seasons, as opposed to the six required last year.

“We have not drawn a line in the sand here,” said Jeff Pash, the league’s top lawyer. “We think that the incentives are very strong for everybody for that process to proceed expeditiously.”

Not every team agreed with the NFL’s decision on the deal or how revenues should be divided among the franchises. Amy Trask, Raiders chief executive, said her club abstained from the vote because of “profound philosophical differences on a number of issues — both of a football and an economic nature.”

It was widely anticipated that players would vote on the proposal Wednesday, but they did not do so because of unresolved issues, including how long it would take to re-form as a union. That vote didn’t come Thursday, either, despite a conference call involving player representatives from the 32 teams.

Some players were even more pointed than Smith’s email was in their critiques of how things transpired Thursday. Saints running back Heath Evans tweeted: “The owners tried 2 slip many things n2 the CBA ‘they’ voted on that were NEVER agreed 2!”

Owners and executives looked more exhausted than exhilarated leaving their all-day meetings at an Atlanta hotel.

“These things, by their very nature, aren’t supposed to make you necessarily happy when you walk out the door,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “I don’t mean to sound negative, but it isn’t exactly like Christmas has come along.”

Although the sides are believed to agree on the major economic components of a deal, the players say they need as much as two weeks to complete the process of re-forming as a union.

One theory for the players’ deliberate approach is that if they instantly re-unionize, it would buttress the league’s argument that their decertification was a sham done merely to gain leverage in the courtroom. That could make it difficult to use the decertification strategy when the next labor deal comes up in 10 years.

There are other unresolved issues. Players are seeking $320 million in benefits they were not paid in 2010, although that was the deal for an uncapped year negotiated by their union. Also, the players’ lawyers reportedly want compensation for two of the named plaintiffs in the antitrust suit — Patriots guard Logan Mankins and Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson — in the form of free agency or a large cash settlement.

sfarmer@tribune.com

If NFL players can agree to a deal the owners ratified Thursday in Atlanta, the Bears will report to training camp Wednesday in Bourbonnais, Ill.

Otherwise, the 4-month-old lockout will continue as negotiations wage on and time ticks away on the 2011 season.

Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the league has called off the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 7 in Canton, Ohio, between the Bears and Rams. That means the Bears will play only four exhibition games, beginning Aug. 13 at Soldier Field against the Bills.

The focus is now on the players, who have yet to sign off on a deal that would open doors to NFL facilities and allow teams to begin negotiating contracts Saturday.

According to Sports Business Journal, NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith told players in an email: “Issues that need to be collectively bargained remain open.” Goodell and Smith reportedly worked on issues for an hour on the telephone Thursday, but players did not vote on the deal in a teleconference and are viewing the owners’ move as a power play.

“Personally, I think (the) deal will be approved by players,” Bears tight end Greg Olsen wrote on his Twitter account. “But don’t forget owners approved (their) own proposal.”

Said Bears President Ted Phillips: “We believe it turned into a very fair agreement for everyone. We’re very hopeful that the players will ratify the deal in short order.”

Camps need to open by the final days of July for the first week of exhibition games to be played. If those games are canceled, money will come off the table for both sides. The NFL said a deal needs to be in place by Aug. 1 for the Bears-Buccaneers regular-season game to be played Oct. 23 in London, but there’s believed to be some wiggle room with that deadline.

A Bears spokesman told the Tribune the team will hold training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, but that’s going by the timeline the NFL released after the owners ratified the collective bargaining agreement. A lengthy delay could put that in jeopardy.

The cancellation of the Hall of Fame Game is no surprise. The Bears and Rams were supposed to report to camp Friday. Now they’ll be showing up at least five days late, which would have given them at most 10 days to prepare for the game and made player safety a significant issue.

“It’s a preseason game,” linebacker Brian Urlacher said. “It doesn’t mean anything. So that’s one less chance we have to get people hurt.

“I definitely respect the Hall of Fame and all that stuff, but again, it doesn’t mean anything. I’m not mad one bit about it being canceled.”

The timeline the NFL created puts the season on a fast track. Teams would be permitted to begin negotiating contracts and sign draft picks Saturday and start signing undrafted college free agents Sunday. Free agents could begin signing Wednesday, the day teams could report to camp.

That means the Bears could head to Bourbonnais with as few as 47 veteran players. Rosters would expand to 90 players Wednesday, and the salary cap would be $120.375 million.

It all sounds good, but it means nothing until the players agree to the deal.

bmbiggs@tribune.com

Twitter @BradBiggs

Talking baseball while wondering if Manchester United will be able to stand the heat: 1. The White Sox talk a lot about solving their troubles. Other teams in the AL Central take steps to try to change their problems.

Way back on May 3, the Twins arrived at US Cellular Field with a 9-18 record, having dropped 10 games behind Cleveland. At 2 in the afternoon, about a dozen players showed up for early hitting, in surprisingly high spirits. This wasn’t a huge deal, but it was the kind of thing a good team does, and the Twins won a two-game series against the White Sox, and now hold a 7-1 edge in the season series.

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Now the Tigers have set an example for the White Sox.

Third baseman Brandon Inge has been almost as bad as Adam Dunn. A 4-for-54 slump, including no hits in his last 24 at-bats, dropped his batting average to .177.

Signed to a two-year, $11.5 million contract last winter, he has been killing the Tigers. But on Wednesday the Tigers worked out a two-fold attempt at a solution.

They traded two minor-leaguers to Kansas City for infielder Wilson Betemit, who will become the primary third baseman, and they worked out a remarkably amicable deal to try to help Inge get himself turned around. The 34-year-old veteran agreed to go to Triple-A Toledo, where he can play on a daily basis without the accountability he faces in Detroit.

Inge could have refused an assignment, but he seemed to welcome it. The Tigers will have to put him through waivers to get him to Toledo, but it seems unlikely that anyone will claim him.

There’s no reason the White Sox couldn’t do the same thing with Dunn, but the situation is complicated by the size of his contract and the expectations he carries. Regular playing time hasn’t gotten him turned around, and it seems unlikely that he’ll do much better as a platoon player. He has been in a fog for a month, with his confidence seeping away a week at a time. The only way to get things right is to beat up some pitchers, no matter who those pitchers are.

With Dunn’s blessing, the Sox could get him 25 at-bats a week in Triple-A. I think there’s a pretty good chance that his four-year, $54 million contract would stop any team from putting in a waiver claim on him. And it would be manna from heaven if someone did claim Dunn — sort of like the Blue Jays experienced when the White Sox took on a $62 million commitment to Alex Rios in 2009.

2. Huge win for the Angels on Wednesday night. They were down 8-3 after a five-run Texas inning but came back to win 9-8, ending a Rangers’ winning streak that had gone to 12. As a result they wake up this morning four behind Texas, not six.

This could be a good thing for the baseball landscape in September, as the lack of competitive races is becoming an issue. The wild-card races are more one-sided than they have ever been, with the Yankees 6 1-2 games ahead of the Rays and the Braves five in front of the Diamondbacks. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of question that the Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers, Phillies, Braves and Giants will be in the playoffs. Those teams are on track to win 93-102 games, respectively.

That leaves the two Central divisions as the only unsettled ground, as seven teams are within 4 1-2 games of first.  Not exactly the spicy stew that Bud Selig hopes for every season.

3. Endy Chavez, one of my favorite players since his unbelievable catch in the electrifying Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS for the Mets (going over the Shea Stadium fence to bring back a home run and position the Mets for the World Series before Yadier Molina delivered a late homer), is doing a good job filing in for Julio Borbon as the Rangers’ center fielder. But Cuban Leonys Martin, signed earlier this season, is in line for a promotion in the near-future and could add flavor to the Rangers in the postseason.

But in terms of Cuban center fielders, the big fish is about to hit the market. Yoennis Cespedes has defected and is reportedly in the Dominican Republic, beginning the process of establishing residency. He has been one of Cuba’s top players in the last decade, and in the 90-game season that ended last spring set a record with 33 home runs. Assuming the eligibility process can be expedited, he will be one of the more interesting names on the free-agent market this winter.