Bayern Trupp » (broken right pinky finger)

WASHINGTON -- The contrast couldnt have been greater for DeSean Jackson. In a matter of days, he went from unwanted to wanted, from fired to hired, from discarded by the Philadelphia Eagles with reputation tarnished to rock star treatment and a new fat contract from the Washington Redskins. Concerns about work ethic, attitude and reports about gang activity seemed miles away when he was being wooed by Robert Griffin III or enjoying his recruiting-style evening out with cornerback DeAngelo Hall, receiver Pierre Garcon and rapper Wale. On Wednesday, Jackson closed the deal, signing a three-year, $24 million contract that includes $16 million guaranteed. The terms were disclosed by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Redskins did not announce the financial details. "I feel they embraced me," Jackson said. "RG3, DeAngelo Hall reached out to me and made it feel like it was home. After everything that was going on the past couple of days, and the last week, thats a big step. ... I think the biggest thing about this move is finding a place where I can be happy and go out there and just be myself." Adding Jackson to an offence that includes Griffin, Garcon, Andre Roberts, Jordan Reed and Alfred Morris should make the Redskins fun to watch again. Adding him to a locker room culture undergoing yet another overhaul might be the greater challenge. The Redskins are getting a three-time Pro Bowl receiver with speed, someone who singlehandedly can change a defences approach. He set career highs with 82 catches for 1,332 yards last year for the NFC East champion Eagles. And Jackson, who led the NFL in punt return average in 2009, can give a badly needed boost to Washingtons special teams, although his production in the return game has waned over the last three years. "Its an exciting time to be a Redskins fan and a part of this team because of the firepower that we have," Griffin said in a statement to reporters. "Everyone needs to understand that we havent won anything yet, and these next few months will be about building those bonds and chemistry so that we can." The Redskins are also getting a player not afraid to speak his mind who isnt shy about his talents. He had a history of off-the-field issues in his six seasons with the Eagles. Among the lowlights: In 2011, he was deactivated for a game for being late for a team meeting and dropped more passes than usual, part of a season-long spillover from his unfulfilled desire for a new contract that led to an 11-day training camp holdout. Last year, in Chip Kellys first season, Jackson fumed at members of the coaching staff on the sideline during a game and had to be restrained by two teammates, upset because he didnt get the ball when he was wide open. He later lobbied for yet another new contract -- just two years after getting a five-year, $48.2 million deal that included a $10 million signing bonus. The Eagles decided enough was enough and tried unsuccessfully to trade Jackson. They released him last week, which Jackson called "a humbling experience." Regarding his reputation in the locker room, he said: "Im not really here to address that. I feel the people that really know me and know what type of player I am, they respect me and know Im a team guy." The day the Eagles let him go, Jackson issued a statement quashing another off-the-field report, denying involvement in gang activity near his hometown in Southern California. "I just felt that was the right thing to do at the right time, and eventually I think people will understand and see the real DeSean Jackson and not see the painted picture that was put out on me," Jackson said Wednesday. On his conference call with reporters, Jackson went out of his way to point out some of his positive endeavours. He cited his foundation that raises money for research into pancreatic cancer, which claimed his fathers life in 2009. He also mentioned his book, "No Bullies in the Huddle." One serious matter to resolve -- at least in the eyes of the fans -- is whether Jackson will wear No. 10, as he did with the Eagles. Griffin already has that number in Washington, and Jackson suggested that perhaps "RG3 will wear No. 3" from now on. Griffin responded later in the day via Twitter, saying: "Fans everywhere please calm down." Griffin said he wouldnt be changing his number and that Jackson "will kick off his new beginning with us in a new one." The Redskins are coming off a 3-13 season overwhelmed by bad chemistry between coach Mike Shanahan and franchise player Griffin. Shanahan was fired and replaced by Jay Gruden, who will be trying to set a new tone in the locker room. The Redskins have weighed the risk-reward of talent-with-baggage before, with mixed results. Hall was known as much for his temperament as his talent when he arrived midseason in 2008, but hes emerged as a team leader, made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and was re-signed last month. But there was also Albert Haynesworth, who signed a massive contract in 2009 and gave the team one headache after another over two seasons. The Redskins are losing one of their veteran leaders, linebacker London Fletcher, who has announced plans to retire. Fletchers replacement, leadership-wise, might be safety Ryan Clark, who agreed to terms earlier this week and signed his deal Wednesday. Chris Webber Kings Jersey . With the union re-formed, negotiations with owners will resume Friday on the remaining issues that would be in the collective bargaining agreement, according to a person familiar with the plans. Vlade Divac Kings Jersey . -- Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo is going to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks. http://www.nbakingsonline.com/Authentic-...c-Kings-Jersey/. The 49ers announced the deal Thursday. San Francisco selected Kilgore in the fifth round of the 2011 draft out of Appalachian State. He has played in 33 regular-season games, plus all six playoff games the last two seasons. Custom Sacramento Kings Jerseys .com) - Rakeem Christmas scored 21 points, B. Yogi Ferrell Jersey . According to a report from ESPN, Lynch wants a new contract from the Seahawks, and will likely skip all off-season workouts until he can renegotiate his deal with the Seahawks. TORONTO -- The details of James van Riemsdyks vague injury got a little bit clearer, thanks to Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle. Van Riemsdyk is dealing with back spasms that are likely to cause the forward to miss his second straight game Thursday when the Carolina Hurricanes visit Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Hes considered day-to-day but theres no specific recovery time. "He did skate (Wednesday), and we felt that was an improvement," Carlyle said. "But hes kind of plateaued or flattened out here, and were not going to put him on the ice in a situation where we think were going to possibly have him have any setback." Carlyle had previously said he was "surprised" that the injury occurred and called it upper-body. He said van Riemsdyk did not suffer the injury in a game. "He got up the other morning, got to the rink, he had back spasms," Carlyle said. "Thats why it wasnt a hockey-related injury. We all know that skaters get skaters back. Its one of the things that hockey players have to deal with over the course of the season." Van Riemsdyk has five goals and an assist in his first six games of the season. He took Monday off as a so-called maintenance day and did not play Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 24-year-old left Wednesdays practice early because he was "pretty stiff," according to Carlyle. Carlyle does not believe vaan Riemsdyk has a history of this kind of problem.dddddddddddd "I just think this is one-off for him, specifically," he said. "Because he has back spasms one day, is that a history? I dont know that. I dont think we can predict that yet. Its not something thats been noted in his medical file. But I would guarantee you there isnt a player in there that hasnt come to the rink with a bad back." Dealing with players being out of the lineup is nothing new for the Leafs. Theyre already without wingers Nikolai Kulemin (bone chip in right ankle) and David Clarkson (10-game suspension), enforcer Frazer McLaren (broken right pinky finger) and defenceman Mark Fraser (knee). That has meant calling up players like Josh Leivo, Trevor Smith and David Broll from the AHLs Marlies and plugging them into the lineup. Van Riemsdyks injury earlier this week just opened up another spot. "With us, weve been constantly having to make adjustments to our roster based upon the availability," Carlyle said. "Weve been dealt a few of those situations that we call adversity, but thats to be expected early in the season and every team in the league has their fair share of injuries. "For us, we have some young kids now that are stepping into the lineup who are getting an opportunity to show us what they have, and theyre trying to earn the trust of the coaching staff." ' ' '