Howard to the Lakers

Associated Press

Dwight Howard is finally no longer a Orlando Magic.  The superstar Center as been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade that involved four teams.

The four team trade sent Howard to the Lakers and was completed late Thursday night according to sources.  Howard still stands firm on not signing an extension and becoming a free agent at the end of this upcoming season.  But the Lakers are not worried about that.  Lakers were willing to sign Howard without an extension believing that once Howard gets an experience of a championship culture he would be willing to stay longer.

Richardson Scheduled to Have Surgery

Trent Richardson is tentatively scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery today to remove a "hang nail particle" of loose cartilage that's causing irritation on his left knee.  Richardson could go without the surgery but the team and Richardson decided it was best to take care of the situation early in the preseason.  The small particle has caused swelling in his knee and was detected by an MRI that was conducted on his knee.  Richardson had arthroscopic surgery February 3rd after suffering a torn meniscus during the BCS Championship gave against LSU.

"Trent Richardson is traveling to Pensacola, Florida, where he will have his left knee further evaluated by Dr. James Andrews tomorrow." -Statement released by Cleveland Browns yesterday

Richardson is expected to be back ready to play before the regular season opener and his recovery time is scheduled to be approximately two weeks.  

Son of Andy Reid Found Dead

TIM SHAFFER/REUTERS

In just the past 2 weeks the NFL community has been hit by back to back deaths that has been a shock to everyone.  The oldest son of Andy Reid, Garrett Reid, was found dead Sunday morning in his room at the Eagles' training camp at Lehigh University.  The 29 year old Reid had struggled with drug abuse for years and was imprisoned in 2007 but had since made a turn around in his life.  Garrett Reid was assisting the Eagles' strength coaches at camp and no foul play has been associated with his death.

The entire NFL community was saddened by the news of Reid's passing and more than 900 people gathered for Garrett's funeral Tuesday morning.  Among those that were present for the funeral included NFl commissioner Roger Goodell, Browns President Mike Holmgren, and Patriots coach Bill Belichick.  The Eagles players and team employees were brought to the funeral together by bus and among them there was also other players and coaches present including former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb.  Garrett Reid's service was held at a Mormon church in Broomall, PA.

"Today is one of life's tough days.  Andy is a rock-solid man.  I think what makes him a great coach is his combination of compassion, feeling and strength.  We've all suffered--most of us have suffered tragedy in our lives.  Losing a son is unimaginable.  Losing a child is unimaginable--the pain.  Again, he is rock solid." -Jeffery Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles Owner

My condolences go out to the Reid family and friends.

Former Penn State Players set to Appeal Sanctions

A group of former Penn State players have come together and notified the NCAA of their intention to appeal the sanctions set on the football program due to the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

The group of players consist of former quarterback Michael Robinson (2001-2005), Anwar Phillips (2001-2005), Josh Gaines (2004-2008), Shamar Finney (1998-2002), Richard Gardner (1999-2003), Gerald Cadogan (2004-2008), Anthony Adams (1998-2002), Just Kiurpeikis (1996-2000), and ex-assistant coach Bill Kenney.

The group is represented by Attorney Paul V. Kelly, who sent in an intent to appeal letter to the NCAA dated August 7, 2012.  According to the governing body for college sports has said that the sanctions brought are not subject to appeal.  This is not the first intent to appeal letter that the NCAA has received on behalf of Penn State, a PSU trustee has also sent in an intent to appeal letter.

History: First Woman Set to Officiate in NFL

NFL.com

The National Football League confirmed Monday that the first time that a woman will officiate in a NFL game will take place this Thursday during the Packers vs. Chargers preseason game.  Shannon Eastin has 16 years of experience as an referee and has been a referee for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.  The news of this historic moment was first announced by the LA Times early Monday.  The NFL are currently using replacement referees after locking out permanent officials due to contract disputes.  The first woman to officiate any major United States professional sport occurred in the NBA in 1997.

"I want to encourage women: Don't be afraid.  Pursue and have dreams. This is my dream. With every step, I hope to show it really doesn't matter if you are male and female." -Eastin told the Associated Press

Eastin will serve as the line judge during Thursday night's game.

Terrell Owens Sign With Seahawks

AP

Look like things may be looking up for 38 year old Terrell Owens.  The Seattle Seahawks announced Monday night that they had agreed to a one year deal with free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens.  A source told ESPN's Ed Werder that Owen's received a one year deal worth approximately $1 million.  The Seahawks was impressed with Owens who worked out with the team Monday where he ran the 40 in 4.45 seconds.

Owens has had a rough time in the last few years.  Owens hasn't played in the NFL since the 2010 season and underwent knee surgery after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in April of 2011.  After several attempts of returning to the NFL, including a public workout in which he invited teams to come watch him workout, Owens received no interest from any NFL team this past season, which led him to playing in the IFL for the Allen Wranglers.  Owens was then removed from the Wranglers and loss his ownership percentage in the team after issues with the team.

Owens last season in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, he had 72 catches for 983 yards and 9 touchdown.  Last year with the Wranglers Owens had 35 catches for 420 yards and 10 touchdowns in 8 of 11 games.

"God is good. Thankful. Grateful. To ALL my new teammates and the "12th Man"... Lets Do This" -TO on Twitter

Team USA Basketball Point Proven

Photo Credit: AP

Well the world has been so caught up in comparing the current Team USA basketball team to the '92 Dream Team that they haven't really paid attention to their play until this game.  If Team USA was trying to prove a point to the world, it was proven against Nigeria today.  The United States team beat Nigeria by more points than the Nigeria team even scored in the entire game.  Team USA broke the record for the most points scored in an Olympic contest, which was formerly held by the 1988 Brazil team with 138 points, scoring 156 points.  Not only did the team break a record, Carmelo Anthony broke a Team USA individual record for most points scored by a player in an Olympic game with 37 points in only 14 minutes.

To say that Team USA went off on Nigeria is an understatement.  Carmelo and company beat Nigeria by 83 points with the final score being 156-73.  The team went on a shooting rampage from the tip off of the game going a 13-0 run in the first three minutes of the game and scoring 49 points, which included 11 3-pointers, in the first quarter alone.  The team ended of the game shooting 71.1% from the floor and shooting 63% from 3 point range making 29 of 46 3 pointers.  Doc Rivers stated after the game that it this game may have been the best shooting performance in history.  Lebron James only had 6 points in the entire game and Kobe Bryant scored only 16 points in only 11 minutes of play.  Russell Westbrook had an exciting game as well exploding to add 21 points.  Sad thing is though is without Camelo's 37 points and Westbrook's 21 points the United States still would have beat Nigeria by 25 points.

I don't know what point Team USA Basketball was trying to make but point proven and the world heard you loud and clear.