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The Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday declined Ryan Howards option for the 2017 season and almost certainly closed the door on his time with the franchise.The club paid Howard a $10 million buyout instead of picking up the option, which was worth $23 million.He tied for the club lead in 2016 with 25 home runs, but also hit a career-worst .196.Howard, who turns 37 on Nov. 19, has played all 13 of his major league seasons in Philadelphia. He was named the National League MVP in 2006 when he set career bests in home runs (58), RBIs (149) and batting average (.313).The slugging first baseman helped the Phillies win the World Series in 2008, when he hit three home runs and had six RBIs in Philadelphias five-game victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. He was named the 2009 National League Championship Series MVP in the Phillies five-game victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers after batting .333 with two home runs and eight RBIs in the series.His 382 home runs rank second on the Phillies all-time list, behind Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, while his 1,294 RBIs rank third.When he was honored in a ceremony during the Phillies final regular-season game this season, Howard said he planned to continue playing.I know theres more in the tank, he said. Ill know when its time.The Phillies on Thursday also declined the 2017 option on right-hander Charlie Morton.Morton started four games in his only season with the Phillies before tearing a hamstring. His mutual option called for $9.5 million, and instead he receives a $1 million buyout.? Cheap Adidas Oilers Jerseys . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Cheap Oilers Jerseys Authentic .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. http://www.cheapedmontonoilersjerseys.com/ . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. Cheap Oilers Jerseys . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. Cheap Edmonton Oilers Jerseys . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. ANDERSON, Ind. -- Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly will miss Tuesday nights practice with an injured left shoulder.The Colts No. 1 draft pick sat out the final 90 minutes of practice Sunday and was back on the sideline Monday. Kelly is the biggest piece Indy has added to protect Andrew Luck.Coach Chuck Pagano says he is considered day to day.Indy also signed safety LLee Hightower to the roster.dddddddddddd The undrafted rookie worked out with the Houston Texans at their rookie minicamp but did not get a contract.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '