Professional Sports

ATLANTA -- No matter how hard they tried to focus only on the future Monday, the Atlanta Falcons couldn't celebrate the additions of running back Michael Turner and three other free agents without paying due tribute to departed star Warrick Dunn.

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona right-hander Micah Owings skipped a scheduled start Monday because of a sore shoulder. "Right now I'm just nipping it so I'll be ready to go here shortly," said the Gainesville High graduate after he was scratched from his start against Colorado.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The Atlanta Braves renewed outfielder Jeff Francoeur's contract for the second year in a row Monday after failing to agree on terms. With less than three full years in the big leagues, Francoeur is not eligible for arbitration until 2009.

ATLANTA -- Shaquille O'Neal is no longer around, but Mike Bibby and Shawn Marion will be able to suit up for the NBA's first replay since 1982. The league set guidelines for Saturday's do-over between the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat, who must complete the final 51.9 seconds of their Dec. 19 overtime game.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Mike Pelfrey hopes a good spring training will earn him a job in the New York Mets' rotation. ``If there's a spot open, then I'm going to try for it,'' Pelfrey said after pitching three scoreless innings in Monday's 3-2, 10-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves. ``If there's not, I can make their decision difficult.''

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans agreed to a two-year contract with former Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler, one of many veterans released last month by the Falcons.

Blanked! Gladiators netminder Craig Kowalski notched the first shutout of the season for the Gladiators making 26 saves in a 2-0 win over Columbia on February 29th.

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons released running back Warrick Dunn on Monday, one day after signing free agent Michael Turner.

LAS VEGAS -- The celebration of Carl Edwards' second consecutive victory was short-lived: His winning Ford Fusion failed a post-race inspection at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that could lead to severe penalties for his team.

Michael Turner, considered perhaps the top running back available in free agency, has agreed to a six-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.