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EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Eskimos released veteran quarterback Kerry Joseph on Thursday. That paves the way for Joseph to sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, then announce his retirement after 11 CFL seasons. Joseph enjoyed his best campaign with the Riders in 07, being named the leagues outstanding player before leading the team to a Grey Cup victory in Toronto. "I will speak to media about my future plans once I am officially released by the ESKS," Joseph said via Twitter on Wednesday. "I have ask for my release because I would like to retire as a member of the ROUGHRIDERS in the near future. "Please be patient with me over the next few days and then I will give a detailed statement of why I came to this decision. I know mentally and physically I can still play this game but other factors have pushed me away as a player! I will truly miss football as a player but I have so much to give as a coach!" Joseph spent four seasons in Edmonton, completing 189-of-319 passes (59 per cent) for 2,660 yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also ran for 384 yards and scored 13 TDs. "Kerry and I had several conversations throughout the week about the future direction of the club," Eskimos GM Ed Hervey said in a statement. "At that time, he asked for and was granted a release. "Kerry is a consummate professional. We value his contributions to the team, on and off the field, and wish him the very best in his future endeavours." . The 33-year-old defender has spent his entire career at Chelsea, scoring 57 goals in 621 appearances. He regained his regular starting place under Jose Mourinho in the season that ended at the weekend without Chelsea winning a trophy. . The Brazilian heads into Saturday afternoons race coming off a close runner-up finish to Ryan Hunter-Reay in the Indianapolis 500. . The agreement comes a little more than one week after the video game manufacturer agreed to a $40 million settlement in a similar but separate case, bringing the total payout planned for athletes to $60 million, said Steve Berman, an attorney for the plaintiffs, and the NCAA. .com) - Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies withstood 18 Dallas 3-pointers, as Memphis took control in the third quarter and fended off a Mavericks rally en route to a 114-105 win in a Southwest Division showdown. . He was attracted by the punishing defence, the strong running game and a coaching staff he trusted. The 49ers announced Thursday that Manningham had signed a two-year deal to join the team he helped knock out in the NFC championship game two months ago in their latest offensive upgrade at wide receiver. LONDON, Ont. -- Opportunity brought Mason Raymond and the Toronto Maple Leafs together. The free-agent left-winger will attend Maple Leafs training camp on a professional tryout contract, something that came together recently as the team recognized there might be room on the roster. "Obviously were getting pretty close to camp and we have some opportunities, and hes looking for a chance to prove himself, so its a pretty good fit," general manager Dave Nonis said Sunday night after the Maple Leafs final rookie tournament game in London. Raymond, 27, spent the last five-plus seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. He has 80 goals and 98 assists in 374 career NHL games. Nonis drafted Raymond in the second round of the 2005 draft while with Vancouver. "I know Mason very well," Nonis said. "Hes another option. Hes an NHL forward, hes scored 25 goals in this league. Hes only 27 years old. Hes got great foot speed, which is something that will give Randy ((Carlyle) some more options.dddddddddddd" Raymond could fill a need for the Maple Leafs on the third line, where they have a hole after trading Matt Frattin to the Los Angeles Kings in the trade that sent goaltender Jonathan Bernier to Toronto. But going to camp on a tryout is far from a guarantee. "Well see if hes a fit," Nonis said. "Hes a quality person and hes a pretty good player, and he gives us some options." Not having restricted-free-agent centre Nazem Kadri signed didnt seem to directly play into the decision. Nonis contacted Raymonds agent, J.P. Barry, about a month ago to express interest depending on developments during the off-season. Kadri and RFA defenceman Cody Franson still do not have new contracts, and Nonis said there was no progress on those fronts "at this point." Raymond counted US$2.275 million against the Canucks salary cap last season, in which he had 10 goals and 12 assists. ' ' '
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