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METAIRIE, La. -- Saints quarterback Drew Brees decided against holding out for the lengthy contract extension he coveted and took one for the team.Brees agreed to new contract that keeps him in New Orleans through the 2017 season, and a person familiar with the deal says it guarantees the record-setting QB $44.3 million the next two years.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Wednesday because financial details of the extension had not been announced.The deal also provides the Saints with nearly $13 million in additional spending flexibility under the 2016 salary cap as the team continues to shuffle the roster in advance of Sundays regular season opener at home against Oakland.Earlier this summer, Brees had stated that he believes he can play at an elite level at least another five years.I wanted the contract to reflect that, naturally, and have it be the last contract that I signed, Brees said. But it was in the best interest of the team to make it a little bit shorter. And I think that just made everyone a bit more comfortable and it still put us in a very good position to go out and do the things we need to do to continue to build the team and put us in the best position to succeed.And that to me was the most important thing.The contract runs for five years, starting this season, and includes a $30 million bonus that, for now, can be prorated over that period, reducing the $30 million that Brees old contract would have counted against the Saints salary cap this season down to a little more than $17 million. The deal also has a no-trade clause, but the final three seasons are voidable, meaning the Saints and Brees, who turns 38 in January, will have to revisit the possibility of another extension next year.This allows me to be around here for a bit longer, and Ill be here as long as theyll have me, Brees said. My mindset is always everything happens for a reason and everything will happen the way its supposed to.The Saints should have more flexibility to make moves with Brees extension.Last week, the Saints brought in defensive end Paul Kruger, a pass rushing specialist who was recently released by Cleveland.Then on Wednesday, the Saints agreed to bring back veteran right guard Jahri Evans, who had been released by the Saints last winter and signed with Seattle, but did not make the Seahawks final cut.On Tuesday, the Saints cut kicker Kai Forbath and brought in rookie Wil Lutz.Brees owns Saints franchise records in virtually every passing category, having thrown for 48,555 yards and 348 touchdowns in 10 seasons with the club, which signed him as a free agent after San Diego decided not to offer Brees an extension and elevate Philip Rivers to starter. He also was named Super Bowl MVP when the Saints 2009 squad won New Orleans only NFL championship.His yards passing total with New Orleans is the most by any NFL quarterback in a 10-year span in league history.Brees had stated this summer that, in an effort to prevent his contract talks from becoming a distraction, that he would break off negotiations before the first game of the regular season. That meant the Saints had to reach an agreement with their star quarterback by this week to lock down Brees beyond this season while gaining the financial flexibility they sought.Brees was about to enter the final season of a five-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2012, one season after setting a then NFL-record with 5,476 yards passing. He also threw for 46 touchdowns in 2011, when the offense he ran piled up an NFL-record 7,474 yards.The Saints prolific QB again led the league in passing last season, but ultimately did not hold out for a contract that would pay him like the NFLs younger, top-tier QBs. In June, for example, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck agreed to an extension worth up to $140 million for the next six seasons, which averages out to about $23.3 million per year.Brees deal comes about six months after coach Sean Payton, who designed the offense that Brees has run, agreed to an extension in New Orleans through 2020. Now the coach and QB tandem will try to make a run at another Super Bowl.Game notes The Saints released third-string QB Garrett Grayson, a 2015 third-round draft choice, but could potentially bring him back as a practice squad player if he clears waivers.---Online: AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Spud Webb Jersey . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Cheap DeAndre Bembry Jersey . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. http://www.cheaphawksjerseys.com/ . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Cheap Hawks Jerseys . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Cheap Kevin Huerter Jersey . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent.NEW YORK - The Blue Jays lost two games and two players in a long, costly Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. After 8-4 and 3-2 losses, the latter in walk off fashion, Jose Bautista was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a bone bruise in his left hip. The slugger said he was injured on a scoring play, in a home game a couple of weeks ago, and the pain continued to build to the point he removed himself in the fourth inning on Tuesday afternoon. "It just kept getting worse and worse and worse," said Bautista. "It got to the point, (Tuesday) after a day off and taking anti-inflammatories it just got to enough pain that I got a little worried. Decided to go check it out and it was no surprise from the doctor that I was in some pain." Bautista will remain with the ball club has takes to rest and treatment for the injury. One week from now, Bautista will begin to ride the exercise bike. Toward the end of his stint on the disabled list, Bautista is eligible to return for the September 6 game in Minnesota, hell be reevaluated and if given the green light by doctors, will begin baseball activity. "Im not expecting to be shut down," said Bautista. "From what the doctor said, I have full trust in his diagnosis, from what he said after the two weeks he expects the bone bruise to be somewhat healed, if not completely. After that a couple of days of baseball action and Ill be ready to go." In 118 games this season Bautista has a slash line of .259/.358/.498 with 28 home runs. "I dont think Im doing this team any favours being out there and not being ready to play," he said. Meantime, Maicer Izturis sprained his left ankle running out a ground ball in the fifth inning of Tuesday nights game. Hes listed as day to day and neither Izturis or manager John Gibbons could confirm Izturis availability for Wednesday. Moises Sierra is the only outfielder remaining in the minor leagues on the Blue Jays 40-man roster. Expect Sierra to be recalled on Wednesday. In 100 games with Triple-A Buffalo, Sierra has a slash line of .261/.309/.422 with 11 home rruns and 106 strike outs.dddddddddddd REYES LIKES LAWRIE AT THIRD BASE Jose Reyes left ankle, which was badly sprained on April 12 and cost him 66 games, wont be fully healthy until next spring. Reyes likes the look of the left side of the infield, provided he and Brett Lawrie can avoid injury. "Hes one of the best third basemen, defensive wise, I mean hes very good out there," said Reyes. "I dont know what the team was doing when they tried to make him a second baseman. I dont know where that idea came from because if you see him playing third base hes good there, very good. You know, thats good to see." Reyes was at short, Lawrie at third in the first game of Tuesdays doubleheader with the Yankees. Thanks to injuries and a brief attempt to play Lawrie at second base, the Jays have lined up with Reyes and short and Lawrie at third only 25 times this season. SATURDAYS STARTER UP IN THE AIR With Esmil Rogers and Mark Buehrle both making Tuesday starts, the Blue Jays need a pitcher for Saturday. "Im not sure which direction were going to go, you know, to be honest with you," said manager John Gibbons. "Weve got enough front office guys in town for this series we ought to be able to figure it out." The Blue Jays have off days on August 29 and three in early September (5, 9, 16,) which will afford Gibbons the luxury of juggling his rotation. He says he intends to keep R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle on schedule, pitching every fifth day. KAWASAKIS CANADIAN SON Munenori Kawasaki is back with the Blue Jays after the birth of his first child, a son, Issho Airc Kawasaki. "Hes a Canuck, eh," said Kawasaki, whose wife gave birth in Toronto. Less than three days after the big moment on Friday, Kawasaki knows his life has changed. "Itll be tiring," said Kawasaki. "No sleeping but very happy." Kawasaki was activated from the paternity list on the off day Monday. Thad Weber was optioned to Buffalo but then recalled for Tuesdays games. Teams are allowed to carry a 26th player on doubleheader days. ' ' '