the pairing will be sternly tested in the weeks ahead. I dont

CINCINNATI - The Bengals and Vontaze Burfict agreed to a three-year contract extension that will pay the Pro Bowl linebacker a maximum of $20.05 million through 2017, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. Burfict is making $570,000 in the final year of his original deal with Cincinnati, which took a minimal risk when it signed him as an undrafted free agent from Arizona State in 2012. Under his extension, hell make $10 million through next summer, said the person speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal hasnt been announced by the team or signed by the linebacker. Burfict was sent home after he became ill on Wednesday. He could sign the deal when hes feeling better. Burfict has quickly emerged as the Bengals top defensive player. His extension comes two weeks after the Bengals got quarterback Andy Dalton — also entering the final year on his original deal — under contract through 2020 for up to $115 million. Although Burficts original three-year deal was ending, the Bengals could have kept him as a restricted free agent next year for $3.8 million. The extension gives them some certainty with his contract over the next four seasons. The linebacker has gotten beyond the issues that made every team wary of drafting him. He let his emotions get in the way at Arizona State, where he was repeatedly penalized and disciplined for personal fouls. A low point was a 2010 game when Burfict head-butted Oregon State quarterback Ryan Katz. Later, he was benched during a game for getting two personal fouls in the first half. After a poor showing at the 2012 combine, nobody was willing to draft him — not even in the seventh round. The Bengals signed him for a minimal contract and he was a starter by the end of his rookie season. Last year, he led the team in tackles 12 times, was honoured as the AFCs defensive player of the week for a 15-tackle performance against Cleveland that included a fumble return for a touchdown, and made his first Pro Bowl. Seattle Mariners Pro Shop . Vargas (8-3) allowed four singles and two walks while striking out five, allowing only two runners from a diluted Twins lineup to reach second base. Mike Moustakas and Jarrod Dyson hit RBI singles in the second inning against Kevin Correia (4-10), and that was all Vargas needed. Seattle Mariners Shirts . Neither side would publicly confirm or deny any discussions were taking place, until the near unexpected happened. On Saturday night sources confirmed to TSN, the league and players agreed to terms on a new, tentative CBA, pending ratification by the unions players. A league source confirmed the CFLs board of governors must also ratify any potential agreement. https://www.cheapmariners.com/ . -- Nelson Cruz has only two hits in 15 at-bats against the Kansas City Royals this season. Wholesale Mariners Jerseys . Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes, the bandleader of the beard brigade during Bostons run to the 2013 World Series title, said he will be shaving his off before spring training so that he can file it "in the archive" with his memories of the teams improbable championship. Mariners Jerseys China . Fielder has been out with a herniated disk in his neck, and surgery was recommended after a follow-up exam and another scan Thursday with Dr.​​​​​​​Ander Herrera has impressed in Manchester Uniteds midfield and he looks set to start against Liverpool on Monday Night Football. The Spaniard already looks like Jose Mourinhos best partner for Paul Pogba in the middle, writes Nick Wright. Herrera has had to be patient at United. It is more than two years since he first set foot in Carrington, but the former Athletic Bilbao midfielder has featured sporadically for the most part, struggling to nail down a place in the team and frequently finding himself on the fringes.Herrera started just 36 out of 76 Premier League games in his first two seasons at Old Trafford under Louis van Gaal, and history seemed to be repeating itself when he was relegated to the bench by Mourinho after playing in Uniteds 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on the opening day of the new campaign. Herrera was sacrificed for world-record signing Pogba, with Marouane Fellaini keeping his place instead. The decision seemed to pay off as United beat Southampton and Hull, but they soon faltered, and Herrera caught Mourinhos eye as a second-half substitute in their galling 2-1 defeat by Pep Guardiolas Manchester City at Old Trafford. Ander Herrera has impressed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho in recent weeks Ander came on in the second half and he was the one who allowed us to recover the ball fast, to press higher, to bring the team higher, to recover the ball, to build a new wave of attack, to put another long ball into the last line, said Mourinho. Ander was phenomenal in his attitude.The 27-year-old was back on the bench for the 3-1 defeat by Watford despite Mourinhos praise, but he returned to the starting XI for the 4-1 thrashing of Leicester, and he remained there for their 1-1 draw with Stoke - a performance Mourinho described as Uniteds best of the season so far, despite the frustrating result. With Fellaini back on the bench and the ageing Michael Carrick overlooked, its now Herrera who looks like the best foil for Pogba in an unfamiliar holding role. Indeed, its no coincidence that his return to the side coincided with Pogbas best performance in a United shirt against Leicester, or that Mourinhos men have created more clear-cut chances in the last two games (eight) than in the previous five combined.For while its not always Herrera who plays the final pass, his dynamism from deep injects speed into Uniteds attack. Juan Matas selection ahead of Wayne Rooney has also contributed in that regard, but Herreras underlying importance was highlighted by his absence against Zorya Luhansk, as United mustered just two shots on target in a laboured 1-0 win at Old Trafford. Ander Herrera (21) provided the platform for Paul Pogba (6) to shine against Leicester United missed his quick, accurate distribution. Fellaini brings physical and aerial strengths to the table, but the Belgian does not possess Herreras ability to intelligently recycle possession at speed, nor can he match his urgency off the ball. Premier League tracking data shows Herrera has made 49 sprints per start this season. Fellaini has made just 37. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contracct.dddddddddddd Herreras impressive form was recognised with his first call-up to the senior Spain squad last week, and he puts it down to the change of position. Its going well, he said. I know I have to keep working to earn Mourinhos confidence even more, but its true that I feel good in the new position and its also true that maybe that little change of position was what has allowed me to receive a Spain call-up. Ander Herrera impressed in a defensive midfield position against Leicester As well as adding speed and incisiveness to Uniteds general play, his defensive output has given Pogba greater licence to attack. Paul is a very strong, very physical player who shoots with both feet, said Herrera. He can dribble, he can defend. He has it all. I can then stay back to steal the ball, to keep the position, and from there initiate attacks.Herrera is excelling in that regard. The midfielder made more interceptions than any of his team-mates in Uniteds games against Leicester and Stoke (11), and his combination of front-foot defending and smart distribution has helped Mourinhos side turn defence into attack with greater fluency. VOTE: Liverpool v Man Utd top 50 Who is the greatest Liverpool or Manchester United player in Premier League history? Its had a knock-on effect on his midfield partner. Pogba scored his first goal and produced a man-of-the-match display in the win over Leicester and the Frenchman has created more scoring chances (seven) and had more shots on target (three) in his last two Premier League appearances than in his previous four alongside Fellaini.They are encouraging signs for Mourinho, but Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has urged caution over Herrera and Pogbas good start, and the pairing will be sternly tested in the weeks ahead. I dont think Mourinho will look at that performance against Leicester and think Pogba and Herrera are his midfield two, said Neville. Ander Herrera brought the best out of Paul Pogba against Leicester United have got three games in the next six that are against Chelsea, Liverpool and City, and they still have to build up that trust to him, to us, the crowd, that they are good enough to play in these big matches. Can they then go and deliver in the bigger games and against the better opposition? Thats when the ultimate test will come.It starts at Anfield on Monday night. Jurgen Klopps side rank top for chances created and goals scored this season, and the speed and fluidity of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho will test Herrera like never before. This, though, is the opportunity the Spaniard has been waiting for. How he comes through it could prove decisive.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Carra on Man Utd title hopes Man Utds rivalry run VOTE: Liverpool v Man Utd Top 50 WATCH: Ready for Red Monday? ' ' '