Bledsoe signs with Cowboys

Quarterback Vinny Testaverde’s brief reign as the Dallas Cowboys’ starter is over. Drew Bledsoe, formerly of the Buffalo Bills, will write his own chapter this year as he is reunited with ex-coach Bill Parcells. Exactly one day after being released by the Bills, Bledsoe signed for a three-year, $14 million contract with the Cowboys.

In addition to Bledsoe, several other big names were taken off of the free agent market. Wide receiver Jerry Porter (Raiders, five years), offensive tackle Ryan Diem (Colts, seven years, $36 million), quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (Seahawks, six years, $47 million) and offensive tackle Walter Jones (Seahawks, seven years, $52.5 million) all re-signed with their respective teams. Cornerback Charles Woodson (Raiders) and running back Shaun Alexander (Seahawks) were tagged as franchise players.

Bills and Cardinals swap players

The Buffalo Bills have agreed to trade running back Travis Henry to the Arizona Cardinals for offensive tackle L.J. Shelton. The trade is pending on physicals and possibly a new contract for Henry. Trades cannot be officially completed until March 2.

Schreiner wins for the first time in 84 games

The women’s basketball team of Schreiner University ended its 83 game losing streak last Saturday, defeating Sul Ross State 75-69. The losing streak dates back to Jan. 17, 2002, when they also beat Sul Ross.

Schreiner is a division III team who now holds a 1-24 record for the season.

A slimmed down Pudge reports to spring training

One year ago, Detroit Tigers catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez reported to spring training weighing 215 pounds. After a year, a magnified look at steroid usage and an accusation in Jose Canseco’s new book, Pudge showed up this season at 193 pounds.

Rodriguez denied any connections to steroids. “I don’t need to use any other stuff. I’ve been in baseball for 14 years not using that,” he said. “I felt a little heavy last year behind the plate; I just want to feel light.”

Shaq injures knee

Last Tuesday, Miami Heat center Shaquille O’Neal injured his left knee against the Chicago Bulls. O’Neal went up for an ally-oop from Dwyane Wade and landed awkwardly after falling on Bulls forward Othella Harrington.

Initial reports were that O’Neal would miss the season. An MRI on Thursday showed only a mildly sprained knee, listing O’Neal as day-to-day.

NBA Trade Deadline hits

Many big moves were made as the NBA trade deadline passed on Thursday:

New Orleans traded Baron Davis to Golden State for Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis.

Chris Webber, Matt Barnes and Michael Bradley will trade in their Sacramento Kings jersey to play for the Philadelphia 76ers. In exchange, the Kings will receive Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner.

The Boston Celtics traded Gary Payton, Tom Gugliotta, Michael Stewart and a first-round pick to reaquire Antoine Walker from the Atlanta Hawks.

Former number one overall pick Glenn Robinson was shipped from the 76ers to the Hornets for Jamal Mashburn and Rodney Rogers.

The Dallas Mavericks traded Alan Henderson, Calvin Booth and cash to the Milwaukee Bucks for Keith Van Horn. The Bucks also traded Mike James to the Houston Rockets for Reese Gaines and two second-round picks.

The New York Knicks Sent Nazr Mohammed and Jamison Brewer to the San Antonio Spurs for Malik Rose and two first-round picks. Then the Knicks traded Vin Baker and Moochie Norris to the Houston Rockets for Maurice Taylor.

The Golden State Warriors traded Eduardo Najera and a number one pick to the Denver Nuggets for Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Rodney White.

Jiri Welsch was sent from the Boston Celtics to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for a 2007 first-round pick..