ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A concussion that has kept quarterback Kevin Kolb sidelined since August, cost him his job with the Buffalo Bills. Without going into detail, general manager Doug Whaley announced Tuesday the team released Kolb after he failed a physical. The move came shortly after the start of the NFLs free agency period and a few days before Kolb was due a bonus as part of the two-year contract he signed with Buffalo in April. Now there are questions whether Kolbs career might be over after he sustained what was at least his third concussion in seven seasons. The latest occurred during the first quarter of a 30-7 preseason loss at Washington on Aug. 24, when Kolb was kneed in the back of the head at the end of a scramble. Diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms, Kolb was placed on injured reserve a week later and spent much of the season recovering at his home in Texas. The Bills were Kolbs third team since being selected in the second round of the 2007 draft by Philadelphia. A concussion in 2009 resulted in Kolb losing the starting job to Michael Vick in Philadelphia. He then spent two seasons in Arizona, where he failed to secure the starting job because of an assortment of injuries. Buffalo signed Kolb to provide veteran experience and leadership behind rookie starter EJ Manuel. The Bills made two moves in free agency by re-signing veteran kicker Dan Carpenter, who signed a four-year contract, and tight end Mike Caussin. Carpenter returns to Buffalo after what proved to be a successful one-year tryout as an injury replacement after rookie sixth-round draft pick Dustin Hopkins hurt his groin six days before the season opener. The sixth-year player proceeded to enjoy a career year. Carpenters 33 field goals were a career high and tied the Bills single-season record set by Steve Christie in 1998. Carpenters return leaves Hopkins future uncertain. Carpenter was so eager to re-sign with the Bills that he, his wife Kaela and son Colby arrived at the teams headquarters to complete negotiations after travelling from his home in Florida on Tuesday. Under NFL rules, Carpenter was not allowed to re-sign with Buffalo before free agency began because he had signed a one-year deal at the league veteran minimum. "I dont think we would have got on the plane if we didnt think there was a future here in Buffalo," Carpenter said. "For us, it was a no-brainer to come back to Buffalo. We were comfortable and loved it here last year." The signing ends what was a tumultuous stretch for Carpenter, who took a circuitous route to Buffalo after spending his first five seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Carpenters contract was terminated by the Dolphins in mid-August, and he failed to land a job in two brief stints with Arizona and the New York Jets. Carpenter was on his way for a tryout with Cleveland before making a detour to Buffalo. "To be able to go back somewhere and be wanted is where you would like to go," he said. "Youre very fortunate in this league for that to happen." A 2009 Pro Bowl selection, Carpenter provided Buffalo a veteran and dependable presence. He hit 33 of 36 field-goal attempts, including 29 of 30 from inside 50 yards last season. With a 91.67 per cent success rate, Carpenter fell just short of breaking Rian Lindells single-season record of 92 per cent (23 of 25) set in 2006. And Carpenters 131 points ranked third on the Bills single-season list. Overall, his 160 field goals since 2008 rank fourth among kickers during that span. Caussin returns after he was eligible to become a restricted free agent, and despite missing the past two seasons because of injuries. He was sidelined last season with a hip injury sustained early in training camp, and missed 2012 because of a knee injury. Caussin had five catches for 41 yards in six games, including two starts, with Buffalo in 2011 after being promoted off the teams practice squad. He broke into the NFL with Jacksonville in 2010 as an undrafted free agent, but did not play a game with the Jaguars. The Bills have a need at tight end, with starter Scott Chandler becoming a free agent. . -- Louisville backup quarterback Reggie Bonnafon ran for two touchdowns and passed for another and the No. . Listen to the Raptors vs. Jazz live tonight on TSN Radio 1050 at 9pm et/6pm pt. The Raptors are 1-1 so far on the five-game junket after defeating Denver and losing to Portland.
http://www.texansrookiestore.com/Texans ... ersey/.com) - Jenny Boucek is the new head coach of the Seattle Storm. . -- Syracuse was dangerously close to letting another less talented opponent pull off the upset when C. . The best round belonged to Pat Perez. Tiger Woods didnt come close to claiming either Thursday in the Farmers Insurance Open, where the seven-time champion failed to break par in the opening round for first time in his career.WASHINGTON - Randy Wittman learned long ago to focus on what he can control. Thats what he did over the past 2 1/2 years with the Washington Wizards. Wittmans approach helped turn the Wizards from pushover to playoff winners. Now hell have a chance to stick around following a 44-38 season, a 15-win improvement from last year, after the Wizards gave him a contract extension. "I think over the last couple of years what weve begun to establish here, continuity I think is important," Wittman said Wednesday in the hallway near the practice court at the Verizon Center. "Im appreciative of the opportunity to continue on." The Wizards reached the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and won their first post-season series since 2005. They accomplished it in the final year of Wittmans contract and under a preseason mandate to make the playoffs from owner Ted Leonsis. "I was here when it was not pretty. When you see it change, when you see the things that youve implemented begin to work, you want to continue on," the 54-year-old Wittman said. Wittman guided the Wizards to a first-round win over the Chicago Bulls before losing in six games to the top-seeded Indiana Pacers in their Eastern Conference semifinal. "Over the last 2 1/2 years really, Randy has established a great culture, a hard-working culture, a defensive-oriented team," Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said. "Weve been a top-10 defensive team in the league the last two years. Weve made good progress. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but were headded in the right direction.ddddddddddddquot; Asked if retaining Wittman was an easy decision," Grunfeld stated," Yes, it was." Having already coached rebuilding squads with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves, Wittman took over as head coach when Flip Saunders was fired in January 2012. As was the case in those other spots, losses starting piling up in Washington. Wittman has the worst regular-season record of anyone who has coached at least 400 NBA games — 191-329, a .367 winning percentage — since the league started in 1946. "Job security is fleeting, as we all know in this business," said Wittman, who played in the NBA for nine seasons. "If you worry about it, youre not going to do your job well." With John Wall sidelined, the Wizards opened the 2012-13 season with a 4-28 record. When their point guard returned, Washington finished 24-25. With Wall healthy and turning into a first-time All-Star alongside backcourt partner Bradley Beal, Washington ended the 2013-14 season fifth in the Eastern Conference. Washington has plenty of decisions remaining. Two starters — centre Marcin Gortat and forward Trevor Ariza — are unrestricted free agents. Overall, 10 players are entering some level of free agency or the organization must decide whether to exercise a team option. Though Wittman and Grunfeld have stated a desire to the keep the core intact, the roster could certainly look different next season. But the man on the sideline will be familiar. ' ' '
