Die Macht » After a dynamic start last season

Dwight Howard has agreed to a three-year, $70.5 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, Howards agent, Perry Rogers, told ESPNs Chris Broussard.The deal is totally guaranteed with no option.The agreement was first reported by The Vertical.Howard had a productive meeting with the Hawks on Friday, a source previously said. It was the Atlanta natives first meeting of the free-agency period.It was a really, really, really good meeting, the source said. Very impressive. Dwights going to look at all his options. But it went very, very well.Howard, who had also drawn interest from the Boston Celtics, had been scheduled to speak with other teams by phone Friday, the source said.A source previously told ESPNs Calvin Watkins that Howard was looking for a contract beginning at $24 million per year.It remains unknown whether Howard will play with Al Horford or replace him.Combined with Atlantas agreement with Kent Bazemore on a four-year deal worth $70 million Friday, the Hawks have nearly exhausted their available salary-cap space, while All-Star free agent and nine-year team veteran Horford has yet to pick a team.However, the Hawks were engaged in trade talks Friday that potentially would allow them to open more cap space in the event Horford decided to re-sign. Horford is one of the most coveted free agents on the market, with several teams interested in him, including the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards.The Hawks have yet to offer the full five-year max to Horford, a source said.Horford met with the Celtics, Rockets, Wizards and an unknown team Friday in Atlanta and expects to make a decision this weekend, sources said.Howard, 30, returns to his hometown after three seasons in Houston, where he battled injuries and wasnt the force he was earlier in his career. He managed just 13.7 points and 8.5 field goal attempts per game last season, his lowest numbers since his rookie season with Orlando in 2004-05.He had an opportunity to remain with Houston but declined a player option that would have paid him $23.2 million.If Horford leaves, the Hawks would need Howard to play better than he did in Houston. After averaging 18.3 points in his first season, he tailed off to 15.8 while missing half of the 2014-15 season, before dropping off further last season while the Rockets barely made the playoffs.Even if his offense isnt there, Howard can at times be a dominant rebounder and shot-blocker, although not quite at the level that won him three straight defensive player of the year awards from 2009 to 2011.Howard, who has averaged at least 10 points and 10 rebounds per game in each of his 12 NBA seasons, averaged fewer points per game last season than Horford (13.7 to 15.2) but was the much better rebounder (11.8 to 7.3).ESPNs Brian Windhorst, Calvin Watkins and Ramona Shelburne and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Paul Molitor Twins Jersey . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. 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The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Soon after Derek Carr and Khalil Mack were drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2014, they got together and vowed to change the culture of a franchise that had only known losing for more than a decade.With the franchise quarterback and pass rusher entering their third season as pros, that has been accomplished. Now the Raiders have their sights set on larger goals of getting back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.I feel like were in the midst of a great turnaround, especially when you think of the leadership, Mack said. Both of us are coming up on our third year, a lot of new faces, a lot of great guys and a lot of guys that want to come in and work hard. Thats what you need.With a core led by perhaps the most talented 25-and-under trio in the league with Carr, Mack and big-play receiver Amari Cooper; key free agent acquisitions Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson in the secondary; Super Bowl champion linebacker Bruce Irvin and imposing offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele; and several other key young contributors, the Raiders have put together a roster with no glaring holes.That has led to heightened expectations for a team that has spent more than a decade at the bottom of the AFC West, with no playoff berths or winning records for 13 straight seasons.Oakland took a big step last year, more than doubling the win total from three to seven. Now the task is to get over that next major hump.Last year when I got here, I really thought it was important to re-establish expectations, high expectations, second-year coach Jack Del Rio said. We didnt back down from that. Were always going to make winning our division the first goal; it has to be.Here are some other things to watch this season from the Raiders:LOOKING FOR LEADERS: With veterans Charles Woodson and Justin Tuck retired, the leadership role has shifted to younger players such as Carr and Mack. The incoming veterans Irvin, Nelson and Smith have also filled that void.We have a really good core of guys that are assuming leadership positions within their respected groups and I feel really good about that, Del Rio said. In fact, I think weve taken a significant step forward overall with leadership abilities.STEPPING UP: Carr took a major step forwarrd in Year 2 as a starter, throwing for 32 TDs and 3,987 yards last season.dddddddddddd But with a second year in coordinator Bill Musgraves system and nearly all of his key skill position players back, Carr expects even better results this season.Its crazy the jump thats its been each year, he said. I say it all the time, but `C-Wood always told me, from Year 1 to Year 2 is the biggest jump, and then when you hit Year 3, youre just playing ball again. You know, it takes time. It really does.RUN SUPPORT: After a dynamic start last season, the Raiders offense slumped in the second half. A big reason was a drop in production from running back Latavius Murray, whose yards per carry fell from 4.8 yards in the first eight games to 3.3 in the final eight. Murray had no help last year as Oakland never found a second back to share the load. The hope this season is rookies DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard can do that to give the Raiders a more balanced offense.Going into the offseason we were hoping we could develop a running back that could be a really good backup for us and it looks like we have a shot at having one of those guys help us, potentially both, Del Rio said.SOLID SECONDARY: Ever since GM Reggie McKenzie took over the team in 2012, cornerback has been a major problem. He brought in a new pair of starters in each of his first three years without ever finding an answer, and 2013 first-round pick DJ Hayden has struggled. Now the Raiders might have found their answer on the outside. David Amerson went from a waiver-wire pickup early last season to an established starter by the end, and the signing of Smith, one of the top available options on the free-agent market this offseason.HOME SWEET HOME: The Raiders once again enter the season with uncertainty about their long-term future. With no plans for a new stadium in Oakland, owner Mark Davis is trying to get a stadium built in Las Vegas for a possible move. The players and coaching staff tuned out the relocation talk last year and are trying to do the same this season.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '