PHILADELPHIA -- A federal judge is slowing down the proposed US$765 million settlement of NFL concussion claims, questioning if theres enough money to cover 20,000 retired players. U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody denied preliminary approval of the plan on Tuesday because shes worried the money could run out sooner than expected. She also raised concerns that anyone who gets concussion damages from the NFL would be barred from suing the NCAA or other amateur football leagues. "I am primarily concerned that not all retired NFL football players who ultimately receive a qualifying diagnosis or their (families) ... will be paid," the judge wrote. The proposed settlement, negotiated over several months, is designed to last at least 65 years. The awards would vary based on an ex-players age and diagnosis. A younger retiree with Lou Gehrigs disease would get $5 million, those with serious dementia cases would get $3 million and an 80-year-old with early dementia would get $25,000. Retirees without symptoms would get baseline screening and follow-up care if needed. "Even if only 10 per cent of retired NFL football players eventually receive a qualifying diagnosis," the judge wrote, "it is difficult to see how the Monetary Award Fund would have the funds available over its lifespan to pay all claimants at these significant award levels." She asked for more raw financial data before scheduling a fairness hearing this year, when objectors can question the plan. The objectors could later decide to opt out of it. Law professor Gabe Feldman, who directs the sports law program at the Tulane University Law School, called the ruling a setback but said "theres no reason to panic." "The question remains whether this gives pause to some of the retired players and makes them question whether this is a settlement they want to be a part of," he said. Some critics said the NFL, with more than $9 billion in annual revenue, was getting away lightly. But the players lawyers said they would face huge challenges just to get the case to trial. They would have to prove the injuries were linked to the players NFL service and should not be handled through league arbitration. They could end up with nothing. Sol Weiss, a lead lawyer for the ex-players, remained confident the class action settlement will ultimately be approved. He said he was confident "that there will be enough money to cover these claims for 65 years." NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said league officials were "confident that the settlement is fair and adequate and look forward to demonstrating that to the court." More than 4,500 former players have filed suit, some accusing the league of fraud for its handling of concussions. They include former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett and Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, who suffers from dementia. The judges hand-picked mediator, former federal judge Layn R. Phillips, led several months of negotiations last year and has called the deal fair to both sides. The settlement would include $675 million for compensatory claims for players with neurological symptoms, $75 million for baseline testing for asymptomatic men and $10 million for medical research and education. The NFL also would pay an additional $112 million to the players lawyers for their fees and expenses, for a total payout of nearly $900 million. The NCAA clause is apparently designed to prevent plaintiffs from double dipping. Feldman said he was unsure why the NFL would insist on that. Given the judges ruling, the two sides could offer more evidence the fund would be stable, change the payout formula or perhaps have the NFL add more money to the pot. Otherwise, they may be left to start over. "I think its a pretty efficient way of doing things, rather than bring it up for the first time at the fairness hearing," Matt Mitten, who directs the National Sports Law Institute at the Marquette University Law School, said of the judges opinion. "Some of these guys need the money right now." Melvin Gordon III Youth Jersey .com) - Sporting Kansas City announced Thursday that club has signed former on-loan midfielder Jimmy Medranda to a permanent contract from Colombian side Deportivo Pereira. Dan Fouts Chargers Jersey .Y. - Urijah Faber walked out on a Madison Square Garden stage in a Wes Welker jersey, the UFCs fun nod to that other "super" show this weekend. http://www.chargersauthenticofficialonline.com/authentic-easton-stick-jersey.html . -- Darrelle Revis says at least 26 teams called after he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jerry Tillery Chargers Jersey . - Aroldis Chapman, with two black eyes, has returned to the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse four days after being hit in the face by a line drive. LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers Jersey . - Considering where Jeff Gordon was after Richmond, left out of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in part due to some late-race shenanigans, he couldnt have been happier on Sunday.In 2013, the Detroit Lions passing offence had one main focus: Calvin Johnson. Now, under the direction of new head coach Jim Caldwell, the Lions seek to find balance and take some pressure off the superstar wide receiver. The Lions once promising 2013 season was derailed by four straight losses to end the season at 7-9. Following the season, head coach Jim Schwartz was fired, Caldwell was hired, and the Lions looked to free agency and the draft to help their franchiser quarterback Matthew Stafford. In free agency, the Lions signed wide receiver Golden Tate, who led the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in both receptions and yards last season. Then, the Lions used the 10th overall pick in Mays draft to take the top tight end available; North Carolina product Eric Ebron. Tate will open the season opposite Johnson on the starting offence, replacing the committee of Nate Burelson, Kris Durham and Kevin Ogletree, who all saw time at the position last season. Despite missing seven games with a broken arm, Burelson led the group with 39 catches. Johnsons 84 catches for 1492 yards more than tripled the 490 yards of the next best receiver Durham. Ebron faces stiffer competition at the tight end spot. Brandon Pettigrew is entering his sixth season with the Lions and will likely hold on to his starting spot, while Joseph Fauria will also hold a spot on the offence after he excelled in the red zone last season; hauling in seven touchdowns. Where Ebron may benefit, is the lack of depth of the Lions receiving core. Ebron may lineup in a similar spot to that of Jimmy Graham of the Saints, seeing snaps in the slot receiver position. Ebron will have to beat out Ogletree for snaps in that role. No matter where Ebron lines up, Stafford is glad to new weapons to throw to in the Lions new offensive system. "Learning a new offence and learning new coaches, just getting to know them on both sides of the football. Learning new teammates. That part of it is fun," Stafford told the teams website in training camp. "Its a challenge, but were excited about it." A position of strength for the Lions last year, the team will again look to have their running backs heavily involved in the offence in 2014.dddddddddddd Reggie Bush rushed for 1,006 yards last year and had 506 receiving yards on 54 catches, the second-most on the team. Bushs change-of-pace back Joique Bell rushed for 650 yards and caught 53 passes for 547 yards, second-most on the team. The tandem combined for 15 offensive touchdowns. If the Lions can reignite the tandem of Bush and Bell on the ground and use their offseason additions to balance their passing attack, the teams offence will be worth fearing in 2014. Notes: Questions at Corner: The Lions were widely expected to use their first-round draft pick on a cornerback after cutting starter Chris Houston, instead the Lions added to their offence with Ebron. Houston was released after undergoing a toe surgery the Lions believed to be career-ending. He has yet to sign with a new team. At corner, second-year player Darius Slay is expected to start on one side, with veteran Rashean Mathis starting on the other. Slay started four games last season as a rookie, after being selected in the second round of the 2013 draft. Mathis, a 12-year NFL veteran, started 13 games for the Lions last season. Bill Bentley, who started five games last season, and free-agent signee Cassius Vaughn could also push for starts. Last line of defence: Veteran safety Louis Delmas signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency, breaking up the Lions safety duo, which played together in all 16 games last season. Now, incumbent starter Glover Quin will be paired with free-agent signee James Ihedigo, who started all 16 games with the Ravens last season. Fairely disappointing: 2011 first-round pick Nick Fairley is slated to open the season on the bench after reporting to training camp overweight and performing poorly in the preseason. Fairley started 15 games in 2013, notching 35 tackles, six sacks and one safety. Veteran defensive tackle C.J. Mosley is set start beside All-Pro Ndamukong Suh on the Lions defensive line. ' ' '