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PHILADELPHIA - DeSean Jackson went from the trading block to the chopping block. Jackson is out in Philly — just as Mark Sanchez was on his way into town. Unable to find a taker on the trade market, the Eagles released him, ending the Pro Bowl wide receivers six-year stint with the team. His playmaking days are over in Philly, and the tailspin from key cog to unexpected free agent comes with a hint that off-field issues are at the root of the split. Jackson thanked the Eagles organization and fans in a statement Friday, and also denied "unfounded reports" that he was released for any reason related to his lifestyle. "I would like to make it very clear that I am not and never have been part of any gang," Jackson said. "I am not a gang member and to speculate and assume that I am involved in such activity off the field is reckless and irresponsible. I work very hard on and off the field and I am a good person with good values. "I am proud of the accomplishments that I have made both on and off the field. I have worked tirelessly to give back to my community and have a positive impact on those in need. It is unfortunate that I now have to defend myself and my intentions. These reports are irresponsible and just not true." Before releasing Jackson, the Eagles announced they had signed Sanchez. Bounced out of New York after the Jets signed Michael Vick last week, Sanchez moved down turnpike to Philadelphia in what essentially was a swap with Vick. "I think we passed each other on the train," Sanchez said, laughing. Sanchez can wave goodbye to Jackson, too. Jackson was coming off a career-best season in Philadelphia, leading the team with 82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns. He had a $10.25 million contract for the 2014 season and was signed through 2016. "After careful consideration over this off-season, the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to part ways with DeSean Jackson," the Eagles said in a statement. The Eagles had no other comment. Jacksons agent, Joel Segal, did not immediately return a request for comment. Jackson has 356 career receptions for 6,117 yards and 32 touchdowns. Hes a dangerous returner who went to the Pro Bowl in 2009 after taking two punts the distance. Jackson has four career scores on punt returns, including the memorable 65-yard game-ending return to cap a comeback win over the New York Giants in 2010. The 27-year-old receiver is entering his seventh NFL season. The Eagles had been put out feelers that Jackson was available. Coach Chip Kelly refused to commit on Jacksons return at this weeks NFL meetings. But other teams could be quick to sign one of the NFLs top receivers. Speaking at the NFL meetings, Jets owner Woody Johnson expressed interest in Jackson, saying: "Were looking at a number of players, including DeSean." Jackson could be a showboat — memorably dropping the ball in celebration before the goal line after an apparent long touchdown — and upset the Eagles this season when he lobbied for a new contact shortly after they were eliminated in the playoffs. His departure leaves the Eagles with Riley Cooper, who survived a video scandal that showed him using the N-word at a concert, and Jeremy Maclin as the starting wide receivers. "We just made an extremely unpopular decision, but I couldnt be more excited and happy with where this organization is going!! #FlyEaglesFly," offensive lineman Jason Kelce tweeted. Theres no locker room divide at quarterback. Sanchez, in his sixth year in the league, will be added to a mix of quarterbacks that includes Nick Foles, Matt Barkley and G.J. Kinne. In college, Barkley succeeded Sanchez at Southern California. "Im not stirring up a controversy," Sanchez said at a news conference. "Im here to help this team win." While Vick will compete with Smith for the starting job in New York, Sanchez comes to Philadelphia as insurance. Foles had a breakout sophomore season and led the Eagles to the NFC East title after replacing an injured Vick in Week 5. Foles threw 29 touchdowns and only two interceptions in 11 starts, including a playoff loss to New Orleans. The Eagles still have plenty of offensive playmakers, trading for running back Darren Sproles to go along with NFL rushing champion LeSean McCoy. The options were part of what made Philadelphia so appealing to Sanchez. "This team, this coach, the kind of offensive firepower they have," Sanchez said, "its just an exciting element to being here in Philadelphia." Pittsburgh Pirates Gear . Horford is out 3-to-4 months with a torn pectoral muscle for the Hawks, who have won two straight and five of six games. Atlanta improved to 2-0 on the residency with Saturdays 93-91 triumph over Minnesota, as Ivan Johnson scored his teams final four points, including the game-winning free throw with 4. Pittsburgh Pirates Shirts . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Keeping The Captain? Brian Giontas agent Steve Bartlett told La Presse on Tuesday that the Montreal Canadiens want to keep their captain - an unrestricted free agent on July 1 - in the fold, while sources tell the paper that the two sides will start talks this week. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/ . The 36-year-old said a few months ago he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, but has since changed his mind. "Its a pity the season is ending now, as I am in good physical shape and enjoying myself," Di Natale said. Pirates Jerseys 2019 . The Packers, Lions and Bears were a combined 35-15 and as long as Jay Cutler can say healthy, all three could make the playoffs in 2012. Cheap Pirates Jerseys .J. -- The New York Jets have promoted Tony Sparano Jr.VANCOUVER - Last seasons anaemic power play was one of the big reasons why the Vancouver Canucks missed the playoffs for the first time in six years.Its early, but the man-advantage unit is showing signs of life with the 2014-15 campaign just around the corner.Radim Vrbata scored on the Canucks only power-play chance in Mondays 4-2 pre-season loss to the Arizona Coyotes, giving Vancouver a 4 for 8 success rate over its last two exhibition games.The free-agent signing is starting to mesh with Henrik and Daniel Sedin on the top line, and ripped a shot that got through Arizona goalie Mike Smith midway through the third period to briefly give the Canucks life.I think the more we practice together, the more we play together you learn the tendencies and you feel more comfortable, said Vrbata, who also scored with the man advantage against the Calgary Flames on Friday. I think offensively, it can always be better but its going pretty well.(Points) is whats expected from that line. If were doing that were giving our team a chance to win.Vancouvers power play finished 26th last season but has provided some new looks under rookie head coach Willie Dejardins, and new talent in the form of Vrbata and rookie forward Linden Vey.I think its just the options we have. Every time I get the puck it feels like theres two or three guys open and ready to take pucks to the net, said Henrik Sedin. It feels like every time we step on the ice something is going to happen. Its a good feeling.However that feeling didnt last long Monday as Joe Vitale had a goal and an assist and Smith made 23 saves for Arizona.Brandon McMillan, Shane Doan and David Moss also scored for the Coyotes, who improved to 4-0-2 in exhibition play. Oliver Ekman-Larsson added two assists.Derek Dorsett had the other goal for Vancouver (3-2-0), which got 31 saves from Ryan Miller.They outworked us, and thats a concern, said Desjardins. We have to look at that. We need a better effort if were going to win. Thats what training camps for. Weve got to be ready when the season starts.Tied 1-1 after the first period, the Coyotes struck twice in the second to put the game out of reach. MacMillan made it 2-1 at 10:55 when his shot was stopped by Miller and rebounded in off Vancouver defenceman Luca Sbisa.Doan then stretched the lead to two on the power play with 1:15 left, deflecting home Mikkel Boedkers shot from the point.A lot was made before the game about Desjardins putting former first-round picks Bo Horvat, Hunter Shinkaruk and Nicklas Jensen together on a line. The trio made their first real impact with the score still tied 1-1 early in the second, buzzing around the Coyotes zone but failing to find the mark.Daniel Sedin then had a great chance off a feed from brother Henrik that SSmith handled, before Alexandre Burrows ripped another shot wide of the Arizona goal from the slot.dddddddddddd.Arizonas Martin Erat almost made it 4-1 four minutes into the third period, firing a shot off the post that stayed out.Horvat, Shinkaruk and Jensen then had another energetic shift but again couldnt get anything past Smith before heading off to a big cheer from the crowd at Rogers Arena.We knew that we were the young guys and we looked to create energy, use our feet, finish checks a€” and I thought we did that, said Shinkaruk. Theres things in our game that could have been better, but I thought all in all it wasnt a bad game.Vrbata, who signed with Vancouver in the summer after five years with the Coyotes, gave the Canucks some hope with nine minutes to go, but Moss sealed it off a big rebound in front of Miller with 1:41 remaining.The Sedin line was really good early. I thought they had lots of good plays a€” theyre dangerous on the power play, said Desjardins. Its just a process of Vrbata finding his spot in that line and working in.Both teams dressed lineups similar to the ones they will go with once the regular season gets going. Missing out for the Canucks were defencemen Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa, and forwards Zack Kassian, Brad Richardson and Jannick Hansen. Notable absences for the Coyotes included forwards Sam Gagner and Lauri Korpikoski.Vancouver opened the scoring at 4:43 of the first period when Chris Higgins one-timed a shot from the faceoff dot off the rush that Smith only got a piece of. The puck dribbled towards the goal-line and the hard-charging Dorsett poked it home.Arizona tied things at 12:02 on a play Miller might want to have back. The Coyotes flipped the puck out of their zone and the Vancouver goalie decided to stay in his net instead of going out to play it, allowing Vitale to move in and beat him through the pads.I just didnt think I could make it there, said Miller. I didnt want to race out in pre-season and extend myself and tried to play the breakaway.It was the first goal allowed by Miller a€” who also signed as free agent a€” in pre-season after he faced a mere seven shots against in just over 30 minutes of action against the Calgary Flames on Friday.I felt pretty good. A couple tough bounces in the second period (or) its a little tighter game, said Miller. Still a few things to chip off and dial in, but I was happy overall with my awareness in the game.Notes: Canucks defenceman Frank Corrado suffered an upper-body injury in the second and did not return. Dejardins said the team will know more on Tuesday. ... The Canucks play their next pre-season game in Edmonton on Thursday before wrapping up the exhibition schedule on Saturday at home, again against the Oilers. ' ' '