A MUST SEE VIDEO.....................

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Andrei Kirilenko blocked Kobe Bryant twice in overtime and converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining as the Utah Jazz beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-115 on Sunday, tying the Western Conference semifinals at 2-2.

The Jazz went 9-for-9 from the foul line in overtime and outscored the Lakers 15-7 in the extra 5 minutes.

Deron Williams had 29 points and 14 assists, while Carlos Boozer scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half and grabbed 12 rebounds. Mehmet Okur added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Kirilenko finished with 15 points and five blocks -- stuffing Bryant twice as the Lakers tried to rally in overtime.

Bryant finished with 33 points and 10 assists.

Game 5 is Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Utah was 40-for-76 (53 percent) and had a huge advantage at the foul line, making 37 of 45 free throws. The Lakers got only 25 attempts from the line and missed 11 of them. The Jazz reserves also dominated the Lakers', outscoring them 39-16.

Los Angeles rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final four minutes to force overtime. Derek Fisher scored 10 straight for the Lakers and blocked a shot by Williams just before the end of regulation with the score tied at 108.

The Lakers struggled in overtime and didn't score until a layup by Bryant with 1:10 remaining cut Utah's lead to 112-110. Los Angeles almost forced the Jazz into a shot clock violation before Kyle Korver got off a shot from the corner just in time. The ball bounced off the rim right to Okur, who passed it back outside to Williams, and Utah was able to burn some time before Williams slipped a pass to Kirilenko, who dunked it while getting fouled by Lamar Odom.

Kirilenko made the free throw to put Utah up by five and the Jazz hit the rest of their free throws to clinch it.

Odom had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Pau Gasol scored 23 and pulled down 10 boards. Fisher finished with 15 points, but no assists and got in early foul trouble.

Utah backup guard Ronnie Price also had a big game, despite finishing with four points and two assists. Price had to get four stitches for a cut over his right eye after he was flagrantly fouled early in the second quarter by Ronny Turiaf, who was ejected.

Turiaf came down hard with his left arm and Price went straight down and his head bounced on the court. Price leaped right up as his teammates swarmed the officials and pushed for the flagrant call. He got stitches in the locker room and came back in the second half with one of the plays of the game.

Luke Walton had a clear path for a layup or dunk after a missed 3-pointer by Price, who caught him from behind and blocked the shot midway through the fourth to keep Utah's lead at 92-84.

As rumors still circulate regarding the Cowboys' potential interest in Lions receiver Roy Williams, there's a chance that, if they land him via trade, they won't need to add his middle initial to the back of his jersey. The other Roy Williams, the one who plays safety for the Cowboys, could be on the outs in Dallas. During a Thursday appearance on Sirius NFL Radio (via the Dallas Morning News), Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis said that Williams doesn't fit within the defensive scheme employed by coach Wade Phillips. Ellis claims that Williams first raised his concerns during training camp last season. "He said, 'Greg, this defense does not fit me. I don't fit in well with this defense at all. So when he told me that, I was like, 'Well, man, it's still new. Get used to it and it'll probably be fine for you.' And obviously I think it came to be true. Just like he said, he doesn't fit what's going on here in Dallas right now. "Now maybe this year, if they decide to keep him for this season, Wade and them will kind of adjust some things to fit him better." It's highly unlikely that the Cowboys would simply cut him. After June 1, any trade of Williams could divide the cap acceleration over two seasons, reducing the current year's cap hit but pushing plenty of dead money into 2009.

Here is a look at arguably the top 10 players poised for free agency this winter.

1. Julius Peppers, Panthers defensive end –- Coming off a down year, but teams pay premium for pass rushers.

2. Steven Jackson, Rams running back –- Hard to imagine St. Louis parting ways with its most popular player.

3. Tommie Harris, Bears defensive tackle -– Talks on a long-term contract hit a standstill last month.

4. Marion Barber, Cowboys running back –- Last season, one NFC coach said Barber is an elite back in the same class as LaDainian Tomlinson or Adrian Peterson. Now he wants to be paid that way.

5. Chris Snee, Giants guard –- At a time when interior offensive linemen are cashing in, the son-in-law of Giants coach Tom Coughlin is going to cash in.

6. Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders cornerback –- Oakland plans to franchise him again if he remains unsigned, which is a distinct possibility.

7. Albert Haynesworth, Titans defensive tackle –- Tennessee wouldn't let Haynesworth leave this offseason, and its stance is unlikely to change.

8. Terrell Owens, Cowboys wide receiver -– At the age of 34, T.O. is performing like he were 24.

9. Will Smith, Saints defensive end -– New Orleans defensive end Charles Grant got his money and Smith intends to do the same.

10. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals wide receiver –- Still waiting for his first big-money deal.

Of course, the list hardly stops there. It goes on and on, like the money that could be spent on some of these players.

The free-agent class of 2009 also is scheduled to include Lions wide receiver Roy Williams, Bills wide receiver Lee Evans, Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman, Cowboys safety Ken Hamlin, Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking, Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson, Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia and Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer.

2005 had its share of stars in the 1st round but also had a handful of busts check to see where your teams pick did.............

1. Alex Smith, quarterback, 49ers: When the first overall pick is competing three years later with Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan for the starting job, that's by definition a BUST.

2. Ronnie Brown, running back, Dolphins: After a so-so first year, Brown has been solid. A torn ACL derailed his opportunity to have a strong third year. Though he hasn't lived up to the billing of the No. 2 overall pick, we're not yet ready to call him a bust. (But we could be after 2008.)

3. Braylon Edwards, receiver, Browns: Edward is becoming one of the best receivers in the league. Clearly, not a bust.

4. Cedric Benson, running back, Bears: He's been a disappointment on the field, and his arrest conjures memories of past incidents in college. Without question, he's a BUST.

5. Cadillac Williams, running back, Buccaneers: Williams made a huge splash as a rookie, but can't stay healthy. After rupturing a patellar tendon in 2007, he might not play again. If he does, he might never be the same. Based on his top-five selection, he's a BUST.

6. Pacman Jones, cornerback, Titans: BUST

7. Troy Williamson, receiver, Vikings: We once tried to throw Williamson a compliment, but he dropped that, too. BUST.

8. Antrel Rolle, cornerback, Cardinals: When a cornerback might be shifted to safety at only age 25, it's not because he's a great cornerback. BUST.

9. Carlos Rogers, cornerback, Redskins: He's on the path to being declared a bust. We'll give him one more year.

10. Mike Williams, receiver, Lions: Maybe he wouldn't have been a BUST if the Lions had made him an offensive lineman.

11. DeMarcus Ware, linebacker, Cowboys: A 2006 Pro Bowl + a 2007 Pro Bowl = not a bust.

12. Shawne Merriman, linebacker, Chargers: He could still be a bust if he gets suspended again for steroids (or blown up on a regular basis by a pint-sized running back); for now, though, Merriman is clearly not a bust.

13. Jammal Brown, tackle, Saints: The Pro Bowler in 2006 slipped a bit last year, and the Saints were rumored to be shopping him. Still, he's not a bust.

14. Thomas Davis, safety/linebacker, Panthers: He's not spectacular, but he started 16 games in 2007. Not a bust.

15. Derrick Johnson, linebacker, Chiefs: Johnson made a splash as a rookie and hasn't taken it quite to the next level in two years since, but he's not a bust.

16. Travis Johnson, defensive tackle, Texans: When the biggest hit of your career is one that you unknowingly put on a quarterback's head with your knee, you might be a redneck. And a BUST.

17. David Pollack, linebacker, Bengals: Though he was on his way to becoming a great player, a neck injury ended his career early in his second season. Unfortunately, he must be declared a BUST.

18. Erasmus James, defensive end, Vikings: Knee problems have slowed his development, but barring injury to Jared Allen and Ray Edwards (and maybe Brian Robison), James won't be a starter in his fourth season. BUST.

19. Alex Barron, offensive tackle, Rams: The Rams wouldn't have been dreaming of Jake Long sliding to No. 2 if they thought that Barron was the long-term solution on the left side, or the right. BUST.

20. Marcus Spears, defensive end, Cowboys: Yeah, he has been a three-year starter. But he was rumored to be on the trading block earlier this year, and his impact hasn't reflected his stature as one of the top 20 players in the draft. BUST.

21. Matt Jones, receiver, Jaguars: This much-hyped quarterback-turned-receiver isn't very good, and doesn't seem to care. The Jags would have been wise to let him play quarterback — for another team. BUST.

22. Mark Clayton, receiver, Ravens: The thinking in NFL circles is that a player destined to be a high-end receiver performs like one by his third NFL season. For his third season, Clayton had 49 catches for 531 yards, and no touchdowns. BUST.

23. Fabian Washington, cornerback, Raiders: Being traded for a fourth-round pick after only three seasons automatically qualifies him for BUST status.

24. Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, Packers: He has looked good when he's gotten a chance to play, but the jury is out on whether he's a bust. Get back to us in a year.

25. Jason Campbell, quarterback, Redskins: Campbell is on his way to becoming a solid starter, and could evolve into one of the better signal-callers in the conference. Not a bust.

26. Chris Spencer, center, Seahawks: If he'd been taken higher, Spencer might qualify for strong consideration as a bust. But he started every game in 2005, and the Seahawks have gotten decent value out of him. Close, but not a bust.

27. Roddy White, receiver, Falcons: White was on his way to being a bust after his first two years. He broke out in 2007, which coincidentally was his first season without catching one-hoppers from Mike Vick. Not a bust.

28. Luis Castillo, defensive tackle, Chargers: Solid defensive linemen despite some injuries. Not a bust.

29. Marlin Jackson, defensive back, Colts: Steady but unspectacular Tampa Two corner. He might be another Jason David in a defense that requires him to cover wideouts down the field. But his performance allowed the Colts let guys like David walk away. Not a bust.

30. Heath Miller, tight end, Virginia: The Steelers arguably reached on a guy who wasn't healthy in the months leading up to the draft. They ended up with a solid tight end. Not a bust.

31. Mike Patterson, defensive tackle, Eagles: The Philly chapter of PFT Planet will revolt if we were to call Patterson a bust. Not a bust.

32. Logan Mankins, offensive lineman, Patriots: Solid contributor on the offensive line. Besides, we can't call anyone who paid $7,500 for the privilege of punching a guy in the crotch a bust.

The guy who started the month of February 2007 earning (but not winning) the Super Bowl MVP award and ended it peeing his pants in the back seat of a police cruiser is heading back to the Colts.

Per the Indianapolis Star, running back Dominic Rhodes is returning to the team after a one-year detour in Oakland.

He'll sign a one-year deal, apparently for the veteran minimum.

With rookie Mike Hart also in the fold and Joseph Addai the entrenched starter, Kenton Keith might want to pack his bags.

Garrett Reid is back in a Montgomery County court this morning.

The 25-year-old son of Eagles coach Andy Reid is awaiting trial on charges he smuggled drugs into prison.

In Jan. 2007 Reid, of Villanova, ran a red light in Plymouth Township and seriously injured a woman from Mount Carmel, Northumberland County. He told police that he had used heroin before the crash.

He pleaded guilty on Nov. 1 in connection with the traffic accident and was sentenced to two to 23 months.

On the same day he was sentenced, drugs were discovered in Reid's jail cell. He had allegedly smuggled the drugs into prison in his rectum.

If found guilty in the smuggling case, Reid could face up to two more years in jail and jeopardize his chances for parole to a drug-treatment court.

His younger brother, Britt Reid, 23, served about six months in jail from a January 2007 road-rage confrontation in which he brandished a gun at another motorist. In February, he was paroled directly into the county's drug treatment court to finish his sentence.

CHICAGO (AP) - Another near miss for Gavin Floyd. Toying with a no-hitter for the second time in a month, the Chicago White Sox's right-hander watched his latest effort sail away with one out in the ninth.

Joe Mauer hit a high drive into the gap in left-center for a double, ending Floyd's no-hit bid and his outing Tuesday night.

What was he thinking as the ball left Mauer's bat?

"I hoped that it was an out," Floyd said calmly after ended a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 victory.

"I wasn't really looking at the ball and then I turned back and I saw Swish and Carlos coming after it. Swish made a great effort - you know, Superman."

But the ball was too far between left fielder Carlos Quentin and center fielder Nick Swisher, who made a diving attempt but didn't really get close to the ball.

"Not close enough. I didn't make the catch, but you knew I was going for it," Swisher said.

"Unfortunately for Gavin, Mauer hit a ball that was just in a perfect spot," White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski said.

Floyd (3-1) was taken out to a standing ovation after Mauer's double, and Bobby Jenks came on to get the final two outs.

"It motivated me to keep making pitches and just attack," Floyd said of the crowd support. "Hopefully throw a no-hitter. It didn't happen today, but we got a win."

Floyd, who held Detroit hitless for 7 1-3 innings on April 12 before Edgar Renteria singled, walked three and struck out four. The only run the Twins could muster was aided by an error on Chicago left fielder Carlos Quentin in the fourth inning.

With the spirited crowd of 23,480 at U.S. Cellular Field cheering loudly, Brendan Harris struck out looking at a curveball to start the ninth inning. As the tension built, Mauer put an end to the suspense.

Manager Ozzie Guillen then popped out of the dugout and went to get Floyd, his 25-year-old right-hander, who threw 105 pitches.

"I was just trying to get on base and get a hit," Mauer said. "I got a pitch that was up a little bit up and tried to drive it to the gap. ... His ball was moving, his slider was cutting."

After Floyd walked Mauer to lead off the fourth, Justin Morneau hit a slicing liner to left that Quentin got his glove on but couldn't hold for an error. One out later, Jason Kubel's sacrifice fly gave the Twins a run without a hit and cut Chicago's lead to 3-1.

After Morneau reached on the error, the 6-foot-5 Floyd got stronger and appeared on his way to pitching the second-no hitter at U.S. Cellular Field in just more than a year. Mark Buehrle pitched the 16th no-hitter in White Sox's history on April 18, 2007 against Texas.

Asked if he was destined to throw a no-hitter, Floyd said: "Who knows? It's out of your control."

Pierzynski, who caught Buehrle's no-hitter and has been behind the plate for both of Floyd's flirtations, said it's so rare and so difficult to retire 27 men without giving up a hit.

"So many things can go wrong. He came close tonight. He had a great shot," Pierzynski said.

Floyd is a former first-round pick of the Phillies whose career never took off in Philadelphia where he was 7-5 with a 6.96 ERA from 2004-06 when he made 19 starts. He joined the White Sox along with Gio Gonzalez in a trade for Freddy Garcia in December, 2006.

He was 1-5 a year ago when he made 10 starts for the White Sox while splitting time between the majors and Triple-A. But he has found his confidence and his stuff this season as the White Sox's No. 5 starter.

Floyd took his first loss of the season in his previous outing against the Twins in the Metrodome on April 29 when he gave up five hits and three runs in six innings.

He survived a shaky first Tuesday night, walking two of the first three batters before escaping the threat.

And on a comfortable 70-degree night, he kept the Twins in check for most of the night. His only career complete game was a five-inning win over the Mets almost two year ago on May 11, 2006.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire missed his fourth straight game following the death of his brother last Thursday. He is expected to rejoin the team Wednesday.

Jermaine Dye hit his fourth homer of the season leading off the bottom of the sixth off Nick Blackburn (2-2), who gave up six hits and four runs in six innings. That put the White Sox and Floyd up 4-1. Quentin added a two-run single off Jesse Crain in the bottom of the seventh.

and to think Gavin Floyd was a Phil not so long ago!

The Saints will bring in free-agent tailback Shaun Alexander for a visit this week, a sign that they're still in the market for some insurance in case Deuce McAllister is unable to return to form.

Alexander, 30, was released by the Seattle Seahawks last month after two disappointing, injury-plagued seasons. The former league MVP and three-time Pro Bowl player was scheduled to make his first free-agent visit with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis confirmed Alexander's visit, but he declined further comment. McAllister said he wouldn't be surprised or opposed if the Saints add another tailback before training camp.

"I anticipate they'll continue to look at veteran running backs," McAllister said. "They have to have some protection just in case there are any setbacks with my rehab, even though there haven't been any. It never hurts to have a Plan B."

McAllister, who is coming back from surgeries on his knees last September, said he feels good about his recovery timetable. He has been running and doing some cutting and planting for about three weeks, and he was able to run full-speed pass routes with teammates for the first time Monday. He expects to participate in a limited capacity when the team begins its organized team activities this month.

The Saints have not made the tailback position a huge priority this offseason, with McAllister, Reggie Bush, Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas on the roster.

Alexander averaged 1,501 yards rushing and 19.6 touchdowns per season between 2001 and '05. He was the MVP in 2005 when he scored 28 touchdowns, then an NFL record, and led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.

Alexander's downfall came swiftly after that, though. He missed nine games in 2006 with a cracked bone in his foot. Last season he played through a broken wrist but missed three games with a sprained knee. He also lost two of his most valuable blockers when All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson signed with Minnesota in 2006 and fullback Mack Strong retired the next season.

Alexander ran for 716 yards and scored five touchdowns in 13 games last season both his lowest totals since his rookie season. The home fans had turned on him by Week 6, when they booed repeatedly as he ran for 35 yards on 14 carries against the Saints.

He was released with six years remaining on a $62 million contract extension he signed after his MVP season. The Seahawks replaced him with free agents Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett.

McAllister said Alexander has something left in the tank, though, and something to prove. The two have known each other since their days together in the SEC (McAllister starred at Ole Miss, Alexander at Alabama).

"I will be playing for another NFL team this fall, and doing everything I can to contribute," Alexander said after his release. "I am healthy, energized and looking forward to beginning the next chapter of my NFL career."

Ouch then what happens to duece?

The Chicago Bears announced today that they have released safety Adam Archuleta after one year with the team.

Last March the Bears traded their 2007 sixth-round draft pick to the Redskins in exchange for Archuleta, who had just finished a disappointing season in Washington. He played in 15 games for the Bears, starting 10. (The Redskins used the pick to draft quarterback Jordan Palmer.)

Archuleta had his best seasons with the Rams from 2001 to 2005, with Lovie Smith, now the Bears' head coach, as his defensive coordinator. When Archuleta signed with Chicago, it looked like reuniting with Smith would make it the right fit.

But the Bears apparently felt that Archuleta was expendable because they like the other safeties on the roster, including Mike Brown, Brandon McGowan, Danieal Manning, Kevin Payne and rookie fourth-round draft choice Craig Steltz.

The 30-year-old Archuleta will now be an unrestricted free agent.

It was just a simple play during the final day of minicamp: A screen pass to running back Clinton Portis. But when Portis reversed field and starting safety LaRon Landry ran him down, the friendly jawing started.

The trash talk continued in the locker room after practice and bets started being placed, so the two stars headed back outside for a 40-yard dash to end any speculation.

"I didn't want him to think . . . you know, I was running sideways and he ran me down and 'ooohhh,' you know what I'm saying," Portis said. "Don't think you got it, bro."

With teammates gathered on a nearby hill to watch and Zorn still being interviewed near the main building, the two raced on a practice field. Portis jumped to an early lead, but Landry had a late kick and seemed to take the 40-yard race in a photo finish.

"You know the defensive backfield, we knew we were going to win, that's why I put out my money there," cornerback Fred Smoot said. "Clinton got the burst but [Landry is] a defensive back and we used to chasing people. He had to go get him and that's what he did."

The race didn't stop the trash-talking though.

"About the 25-yard line I came straight up looking at the sky cause I knew I was gonna win, you still down trucking. Come on, man," Landry said to Portis, who stood by laughing.

"If he want to feel like he won, he can feel like he won," Portis said. "We gonna keep running until it's just hands down [that] I won it."

As he walked inside, Portis joked he hoped the sprint would count as an organized team activity. When told, Zorn laughed and said that wouldn't happen.

"Nope," Zorn said. "He was on his own, that was strictly voluntary."

During a Monday press conference, Eagles coach Andy Reid was asked about whether the situation involving cornerback Lito Sheppard is any closer to being resolved.

Reid refused to address it. "I'm not going to get into all of that," he said.

But the issue continues to hover over the team, like the scent from the byproducts of a beans-and-bananas brunch. Will Sheppard be traded? Or will he spend another year with the team that clearly wanted to trade him? If so, will he be happy with a base salary for 2008 that equates to less than ten percent of Asante Samuel's guaranteed pay?

Our guess is that Sheppard eventually will be traded, and that the Eagles are acting like they'd be willing to keep him in the hopes of not getting fleeced by a team that thinks it's shopping at a Philly fire sale.

Reid also addressed a few other topics of interest on Monday.

On rookie receiver DeSean Jackson, Reid said this: "He came in here and we all heard he was fast and he can catch the football, but until you get here, you don't know that. He looked like he had good quickness, good speed and he caught the ball okay. Those were all things that we were looking for. Again, there's a lot of work ahead, this is just [in] shorts."

Reid talked about the offseason shoulder surgery to linebacker Rocky Boiman: "[It was his] shoulder. It was a fairly major [operation]. I can get you the information on it. He's back now; it happened a while back. He'll be ready for contact once he gets to training camp. Until then, we'll limit him."

Another Eagles player had a different procedure — something was lanced from the forehead of tackle Tra Thomas: "It could be a pimple," Reid said. "I don't know exactly what [it] is, right now. We'll find out when he gets back."

PHILADELPHIA -- A stubborn cold front hovered over South Philadelphia Saturday as the Eagles opened the 10th season of the Andy Reid era -- a slate gray overcast sky delaying the promise of spring.

Reid had already promised that his team -- as it is currently constituted -- would rise out of last winter's fallow disappointment and flower into a title contender. He said that right after making his final pick of the draft.

"The guns are fully loaded, and we can go right now and compete for a championship," he said.

He repeated it on Saturday, saying with "the players I have in the room," the Eagles can be in contention this season -- after finishing in the basement of the NFC East last year. "It's that simple," he said.

But like the unseasonably cool wind beating across the practice field, there was a distinct air of uncertainty surrounding an Eagles team that had an offseason filled with unfinished business, which now spilled over into minicamp.

Donovan McNabb chortled that this was nothing new: "Ever since I've been here, it's never been resolved until training camp."

This spring, however, Philadelphia's unresolved issues have been particularly stubborn and, at minicamp, readily apparent.

Exhibit A was the crowded field at cornerback. How odd it must have been for Asante Samuel, who was named to the 2007 All-Pro team and the most coveted defensive player in free agency, to sign a $57 million contract ($20 million guaranteed) with the Eagles, only to be sharing the starting left cornerback duties with Lito Sheppard, a two-time Pro Bowler himself who has said he wants out of Philly.

For months, Reid tried desperately to trade Sheppard, but deal after deal fell through -- first with the Rams, then the Saints, then the Bucs and, finally, the Jaguars. Sheppard's agent was asking for too much in a renegotiated contract, or Reid was asking too much for a player who has missed 14 games because of injury in the past three seasons.

So there was Sheppard, being a good soldier, showing up for minicamp, forcing defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to give him time with the first team -- even shuttling him to the right side to share duties with the other starting corner, Sheldon Brown.

"It was definitely awkward," running back Brian Westbrook said.

"We'll see how this thing, everything plays out," safety Brian Dawkins said.

For five years in New England, winning three Super Bowl rings, Samuel watched head coach Bill Belichick manipulate players and the press in a way that never allowed team dysfunction to bubble to the surface. In fact, taking a page right out of the Belichick public relations manual, Samuel brushed off the controversy.

"That ain't got nothing to do with me," he said. "I just do what my coach tells me to do." And then he looked at the media throng assembled in front of his locker. "I don't know why you all are here anyway," he added. "You know I don't talk to the media."

Samuel is wearing midnight green because Belichick would not acquiesce to his contract demands, and because Reid was desperate to improve his team's woeful turnover production last season. In 2007, the Eagles had just 19 takeaways, ranking last in the league. They finished with just 11 interceptions, ranking last in the NFC. In the past two years, Samuel had 16 picks, the most in the league.

But even though the Eagles finished last in the NFC East, they finished first in the division in points allowed. Why the obvious contradiction there? Again and again, Philadelphia couldn't find a way to get into the end zone, finishing 24th in the league in red-zone offense.

The Eagles, 8-8 last season, always seemed to be just a play away. In fact, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Eagles played in more close games last season than any other team in the league. For 78 percent of the playing time, Philadelphia was within eight points (or one possession) of its opponents -- either leading or trailing. That was the highest percentage for any team in the league in 2007.

Thus, Reid made a long, unsuccessful tour around the league this offseason, searching for one more veteran big-play receiver. When New England's quest to re-sign wide receiver Randy Moss was stalled, Reid picked up the phone and called one of Moss' representatives to gauge his interest in leaving the Patriots. Moss said thanks, but no thanks.

Then there was the call Reid made to Detroit Lions general manager Matt Millen two weeks before the owners meeting in Florida. His inquiry: wide receiver Roy Williams. Was Millen, in fact, listening to offers for Williams? Nope.

The Eagles' front office also nosed around Larry Fitzgerald, but the Arizona Cardinals restructured his deal.

All this happened after Reid publicly admonished McNabb, who suggested on his Web site (yardbarker.com) that the team needed more "playmakers." Be careful, the coach said, or your teammates might take that the wrong way.

Well, now everyone is changing his tune. Repeating something he said when he was Disney's host at ESPN the Weekend in Orlando, Fla., in early March, McNabb said Saturday that he wasn't necessarily focused on getting another wide receiver.

"I said playmakers," he said. "I didn't say receivers. I said guys that can come in and make plays for us. We brought in Asante, who led the league interceptions two years ago."

How many quarterbacks have you heard clamoring for another cover corner? Later, McNabb was asked if he thought the Eagles had been aggressive enough in the offseason. He laughed, then said rather insincerely, "I think they did a great job." Then he laughed again.

There is still one possible trade hanging out there -- the one Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis says he won't make, the one that would secure the mercurial, disgruntled Chad Johnson. So far, Reid and team president Joe Banner have been putting out the word to their media mouthpieces that they have no interest in Johnson. (Talking about him publicly would be tampering.) You could understand their reluctance to go down that road again, given how things ended with Terrell Owens.

But when Owens was in an Eagles uniform, McNabb drove the team to a Super Bowl. And by virtue of a draft day trade, the Eagles have two first-round picks in 2009. Given that they have traded out of the first round the past two years, it's not unreasonable to conclude the Eagles would seriously consider trading one of those first-rounders in '09 for Johnson -- if and when Lewis and the Bengals change their minds about trading him.

Acquiring Johnson would also keep him out of a Dallas Cowboys uniform. Remember, the Cowboys' stated pre-draft goals were a running back, a wide receiver and a cornerback. They didn't get a receiver.

As for McNabb, whether he's being facetious or not, he is realistic enough to know this could be his last year in Philadelphia. Second-year quarterback Kevin Kolb is waiting in the wings.

McNabb is also well aware of what his team's problems were last season, beginning with him. He had another season in which he didn't play all 16 games, missing 2½ with an ankle sprain and swollen thumb. The Eagles lost both of his missed starts: at New England and at home against Seattle.

The Eagles finished sixth in the league in total offense, eighth in rushing and 12th in passing.

"Statistically, we did well," he said. "But we knew our flaws in the red zone. That was important for us, and are just the thing that we have to correct."

Tight end L.J. Smith, returning from offseason groin surgery, will help because the Eagles' top wide receiver last season, Kevin Curtis, often got lost in the tight confine s of the red zone. He finished the year with just six touchdown catches.

And opponents learned to bunch up on Westbrook on third down. He led the team with 90 catches, but had just 8.6 yards a catch.

Recognizing this, Reid traded a fourth-round pick to Miami for swing back Lorenzo Booker, who was quickly discarded by Bill Parcells because film study showed Booker wasn't much of a pass-blocker and a poor special-teams player. Reid has said he envisions Booker and Westbrook in the same backfield on passing downs -- a concept that Westbrook did not totally embrace.

"It'll be my job to keep him off the field," he said.

Reid also hopes his second-round pick out of California, the diminutive DeSean Jackson, can add some downfield firepower. Jackson runs the 40 in 4.4 seconds, but he's listed at just 5-foot-9, 169 pounds -- not exactly a player expected to solve your red-zone problem.

Right now, Jackson's primary responsibility is fielding punts adequately and returning them spectacularly. Philadelphia finished 28th in the league in punt return average last season.

"I think it will be big for us to get some good field position and start the offense in the right position," McNabb said, "where we can just drive and score. Again, you can't put that much pressure on these young guys. … At this point, it's hard to say what could possibly happen."

Here is a list of the top 10 worst sports franchises currently in operation.

10. Los Angeles Clippers

Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, is a man of many adjectives. We'll start with thrifty. Not only does he have a multi-page resume of skimping on talent, but he also once asked head coach Paul Silas to film the players himself to cut video expenses. Most of the Clippers' struggles can be traced to Sterling. Their .365 franchise winning percentage is the third-worst in the NBA and the Clippers have only had two winning seasons since Sterling bought the team in 1981.

Puzzling personnel plays: Drafting Michael Olowokandi, Lamond Murray, Darius Miles, Melvin Ely and failing to re-sign Lamar Odom

Remember ... 1986-87: The Clippers posted one of the ugliest NBA seasons in 1986-87 when they finished 12-70, which was the second-lowest winning record in NBA history. All-Star Norm Nixon missed the entire season after being injured in a celebrity softball game. His team started the season 3-3, but went on a 9-67 run to make them one of the worst sports franchises.

9. Vancouver/ Memphis Grizzlies

The Vancouver Grizzlies were embarrassing in Canada and they haven't been much better since the move to Memphis. Vancouver compiled 56 wins throughout its first four seasons — a total that serious contenders top annually — and the team's downfall has been nightmarish draft days. From drafting role players and busts instead of superstars to drafting franchise players who don't want to play for your team, the Grizzlies have done exactly what's needed to become one of the worst sports franchises. Vancouver's draft-day trade of Steve Francis netted the team several players of no significance. Thankfully, drafting has improved since moving to Memphis.

Puzzling personnel plays: Trading Pau Gasol, Mike Bibby and Steve Francis, and drafting Bryant Reeves, Antonio Daniels and Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

Remember ... 1998-99: The thrill of reeling in Mike Bibby quickly died down, especially after Bryant Reeves suffered a season-ending knee injury 25 games in. A lockout shortened the season and the Grizzlies finished with eight wins.

8. Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks, averaging 28 wins per season between 1999-00 and 2007-08, were the Eastern Conference's whipping boy until the Charlotte Bobcats entered the league. The good news is that the Hawks are chock-full of upside since they've been selecting at the top of virtually every draft over the last decade. On paper, the Hawks have more potential than most teams, but they haven't learned to win or remove themselves from the worst sports franchises list.

Puzzling personnel plays: Passing on Chris Paul and Deron Williams while trading for Antoine Walker, J.R. Rider and Pau Gasol.

Remember ... 2005: The Hawks, desperate for a point guard, spent their second-pick overall on Marvin Williams. The good news: Williams was filled with upside. The bad news: he played the same position as the Hawks last two first-round picks, Josh Smith and Josh Childress. The worst news was that the Hawks passed on Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Raymond Felton, two of whom will be All-Star point guards for the next 10 years

7. Minnesota Twins

"Moneyball" is to baseball what frugal is to cheap; it's a creative way of saying, "we're not going to pay for our stars or reward our veterans who have earned their keep." Sabermetrics and scientific stats are used to evaluate players and give a better indication of their worth, but teams like the Minnesota Twins use this strategy to kiss their superstars goodbye at the trade deadline or the first day of free agency. The Twins constantly sell proven veterans for prospects and draft picks, but when those youngsters finally develop, they get shipped away to start the cycle again. The Twins incessantly look to the future and winning now is not a priority. Translation: the Twins care more about the dollars than about winning.

Puzzling personnel plays: Trading Johan Santana and failing to re-sign Torrii Hunter.

Remember ... 2002: A year removed from a contraction battle, the Minnesota Twins (under first-year manager Ron Gardenhire) make it to the American League Championship Series. With a solid roster and a light payroll, 2002 would have been the perfect season to sacrifice some future players to add some veteran players at the trade deadline and make a serious run. Instead, the Twins entered the playoffs with the youngest roster in the league and never stood a chance in the ALCS after beating fellow cheapskates, the Oakland Athletics, in the first round.

6. Boston Bruins

To be blunt, owner Jeremy Jacobs seems to be stingy and only cares about profits. The Bruins are an Original Six team in one of the biggest American markets, but ownership only allows the front office to make enough moves to tease the fans into believing there is hope. Up until 1997, the Bruins made the playoffs in 30 consecutive seasons, but have zero Stanley Cups since Jacobs took over 33 years ago. That might be because Jacobs is more focused on making money outside of hockey: He owns the TD Banknorth Garden, running the concession stands and charging rent to the Boston Celtics (among others).

Puzzling personnel plays: Signing Martin Lapointe and failing to re-sign or trade Joe Thornton, Jason Allison and Bill Guerin.

Remember ... 2000: The Boston Bruins trade the heart and soul of the franchise, Ray Bourque, at his request. On March 6, Bourque was sent to Cup-contender Colorado, which suddenly inherited a slew of Boston fans who wanted to see Bourque hoist the Cup.

5. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are perpetually in a three-to-five year rebuilding plan, but they rarely get out of year one. The Lions have never played in the Super Bowl and have had just one playoff win since 1957. Part of the problem has been thrifty ownership, but don't discount their ability to make some of the worst personnel decisions in the NFL.

Puzzling personnel plays: Drafting Reggie Rogers, Andre Ware, Aaron Gibson, Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers, and Mike Williams.

Remember ... 2001: Head Coach Marty Mornhinweg benched starting quarterback Charlie Batch after he was sacked seven times in the season opener. Mornhinweg then put in Ty Detmer, who proceeded to throw seven interceptions against the team from which he was acquired, the Cleveland Browns — and Mornhinweg stuck with Detmer the next game. The Lions finished the season with only two wins.

4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Expansion teams are typically a laughingstock for a few years, but in the Devil Rays' case it's been permanent. In fact, a perennial assumption is that the Devil Rays will finish fifth in their division. The D-Rays' best finish was in 2004, when they climbed to fourth in the American League East. They have finished fifth every other season and have never won more than 70 games.

Puzzling personnel plays: Signing Jose Canseco and Hideo Nomo, and acquiring Vinny Castilla and Greg Vaughn.

Remember ... 2002: The Devil Rays were going to have Jason Tyner bobble-head doll night on June 2, but there was one problem: the outfielder was demoted to the Triple-A team. On Sept. 8, it was supposed to be Toby Hall bobble-head night, but he was also sent down. Good thing his weren't fully built and the heads were reconfigured in time for Steve Cox bobble-head night.

3. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals logo appears next to "loser" in the NFL dictionary. The Cardinals have made just four playoff appearances in 45 years since Bill Bidwill got his hands on the team. Bidwill is known as a cheapo, which explains why the Cardinals are always short on star power and talent. The closest they've come to success was when Cuba Gooding, Jr. as Rod Tidwell, in the movie "Jerry McGuire," wore a Cardinals jersey.

Puzzling personnel plays: Signing Emmitt Smith, and drafting Andre Wadsworth and Kelly Stouffer (when the team was in St. Louis).

Remember ... 2003: The Arizona Cardinals were abysmal, and it was head coach Dave McGinnis' second and last season. At 3-12, the Cardinals had the first pick overall in sight, but instead decided to play spoiler in Week 17 to the Minnesota Vikings. Cardinals' quarterback Josh McCown found Nathan Poole falling out of the end zone on the last play of the game to ruin the Vikings' playoff hopes and keep the Cardinals out of the first slot in the draft, which was Super Bowl XLII MVP Eli Manning.

2. Kansas City Royals

Having a cheap owner is a shortcut to getting on this list. Royals owner David Glass plays the small-market victim card as frequently as possible, but he's always first in line to receive revenue sharing or any other type of financial aid that MLB is happy to toss into his beggar's cap. And if Glass plays the role, his team's roster looks like a charity case. They never re-sign their stars, opting to use unproven youngsters and expired veterans to compose a team. Under Glass, the Royals have averaged 96 losses per season.

Puzzling personnel plays: Trading Johnny Damon, Carlos Beltran and Jermaine Dye; and signing Juan Gonzalez.

Remember ... 2004: The Royals were fresh off an 83-79 season, which was their first winning season since 1994, and finally entered a season with high expectations. After notching 17 wins in 31 games, it was time to blow it up. It seemed like the Royals might become respectable again, but then a quick fire sale in a span of about a week, which included the trade of Beltran, sent the Royals back to the AL Central cellar. 2004 marked the first of three consecutive 100-loss seasons.

1. Pittsburgh Pirates

Never mind championships, pennants or division titles, the Pittsburgh Pirates haven't even had a winning season in 15 years. One more losing season and the Pirates will tie the record for most consecutive losing seasons among the four major sports. They continually field one of the youngest and most inexperienced rosters in the league and are always rebuilding. The black and yellow team colors fit their plan of constantly being under construction.

Puzzling personnel plays: Signing Derek Bell, Jeromy Burnitz and Tony Armas, Jr.; and trading Aramis Ramirez.

Remember ... 1997: The closest the Pirates have come to 83 wins (otherwise known as a winning season) was in 1997. They were expected to push 90 to 100 losses, but ended up as one of the league's irrelevant surprises when they finished with 79 wins. The entire team salary was $9 million, which was less than what Albert Belle made that season.

Here's a look at the Eagles' minicamp, in One-Liner fashion . . . .

Having CB Lito Sheppard practice alongside the man who essentially took his job, Asante Samuel, was described as "awkward at best."

When reporters tried to talk to Sheppard, he said, "I'm not gonna talk to y'all; you can stand there all you want. I'll answer a couple questions on Monday."

Asked if he envisioned the Eagles keeping Samuel, Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, coach Andy Reid answered, "Yes."

Reserve offensive linemen Nick Cole, Mike McGlynn and Mike Gibson are all taking snaps at center.

Asked whether the Eagles have enough talent this year, RB Brian Westbrook said, "I think last year we had enough."

Westbrook added, "At this point, you have to go to war with the guys that you have, unless you get somebody else."

The Eagles know they have to win the turnover battle more this year than they did last year.
<