ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders were dealt a setback on Wednesday in their plans to rebuild the struggling franchise when offensive lineman Rodger Saffold failed a physical one day after agreeing to a $42.5 million, five-year contract. The two sides had agreed to the deal shortly after the start of free agency on Tuesday but the contract was never signed after team doctors would not give Saffold a clean bill of health after a physical on Wednesday. The Raiders did not give a reason why Saffold failed the physical. Saffold was set to be paid $16 million in 2014 and $27.6 million over the first three years as the Raiders viewed him as a building block in a rebuilding plan after 11 straight years without a playoff berth. But Saffold had durability problems in his four years with St. Louis, missing 17 games with a variety of injuries. He missed time with a knee injury last season and has also had problems with his neck, shoulder and pectoral muscle in his career. Despite those issues, the Raiders valued Saffold higher than homegrown tackle Jared Veldheer, who was allowed to leave as a free agent for Arizona on Tuesday. The Raiders did sign one offensive lineman, finalizing a five-year, $30 million deal with former New York Jets tackle Austin Howard on Wednesday. But with about $60 million in salary cap room heading into free agency and numerous holes to fill following two straight four-win seasons, Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie needs to find more help soon. The Raiders did host a number of free agent defenders on Wednesday in hopes of upgrading that side of the ball. Former Pittsburgh linebacker LaMarr Woodley tweeted that he was headed for a visit to Oakland and Dallas defensive tackle Jason Hatcher also tweeted his plans to visit. ESPN reported that former New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck and cornerback Terrell Thomas are also set to visit the Raiders. The Raiders need help on their pass rush after losing last years leading sacker and most consistent defender LaMarr Houston to Chicago in free agency. The other three starting defensive linemen - Pat Sims, Vance Walker and Jason Hunter - are also free agents. Oakland also has holes in the secondary with starting cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins and free safety Charles Woodson also free agents. After showing some promise early in the season, the Raiders defence wilted late and allowed the second-most points per game (28.3) in franchise history. Oakland has had two of the three highest scoring seasons allowed in coach Dennis Allens first two years with the franchise. Tuck, Woodley and Hatcher all have proven themselves as accomplished pass rushers in the NFL, a trait the Raiders have been lacking in recent years. They have not had a player reach double figures in sacks since Derrick Burgess and Warren Sapp both did it in 2006. Tuck was rated as the ninth best pass rushing defensive end by Pro Football Focus last season when he had 11 sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 44 hurries. Woodley struggled with injuries the past three seasons but was still an effective rusher when healthy. He ended last season on injured reserve with a calf injury and the Steelers released him because of his high salary. After averaging 11 sacks per season from 2008-11, Woodley has only nine sacks in 24 games the past two years. He did have eight quarterback hits and 24 hurries last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Hatcher was one of the most productive inside pass rushers last season with Dallas, when he had 11 sacks to lead all defensive tackles. Thomas, who missed the 2011 and 12 seasons with a pair of ACL tears, struggled in his return last season in coverage for the Giants. He allowed 52 catches on 79 balls thrown his way for 550 yards and six touchdowns for a 106.0 passer rating against, according to game-charting by Pro Football Focus. His one interception came against Oakland. Thairo Estrada Yankees Jersey . -- Kevin Harvick pulled away on a restart with 47 laps to go and ended Chase Elliotts two-race winning streak in NASCARs Nationwide Series with a dominating victory early Saturday at Richmond International Raceway. Paul ONeill Jersey . -- A 25-year-old freelance journalist from British Columbia was formally charged on Thursday with a felony, five days after she was arrested in the United States over allegations she threatened to kill her hockey player boyfriend. https://www.cheapyankees.com/2271g-domin...ankees.html.com) - Jenny Boucek is the new head coach of the Seattle Storm. Gary Sanchez Yankees Jersey . On Saturday night, Winnipegs strong offense was again accompanied by some fantastic pitching which gave the Fish a commanding victory. Adam Ottavino Yankees Jersey . LUCIE, Fla.ANAHEIM, Calif. - Teemu Selanne managed to make a stir on the first day of the Anaheim Ducks training camp even after his retirement. Coach Bruce Boudreau and Selannes former teammates reacted with disappointment and chuckles Thursday after hearing about Selannes fierce criticism of Boudreau in a new biography published in Finland. Selanne retired at 43 years old last summer following a 21-season NHL career spent mostly in Anaheim. His disagreements with Boudreau about his playing time and role last season were hardly secrets, but Selannes decision to air them in public surprised the Ducks. "Nobody likes hearing anything negative about themselves, so in that sense Im a little disappointed," Boudreau said. "But I understand the frustration." Several media outlets obtained copies of the Finnish book and translated the passages criticizing Boudreaus decisions regarding Selanne, who felt betrayed by his dwindling role in his final season. Selanne, who flirted with retirement for seven consecutive summers, even said he might have played another year if Boudreau wasnt the Ducks coach. Ducks general manager Bob Murray and captain Ryan Getzlaf backed Boudreaus handling of Selannes final season Thursday, saying they were aware of the Finnish Flashs disappointments. "He is such a competitor, and he was frustrated his last year didnt go quite the way he wanted to go, and he was frustrated at the end of the year," Murray said. "Its Teemu being Teemu." Selanne issued a reconciliatory comment through the Ducks on Thursday after his book became a topic of discussion. He apparently worked on the book immediately after the Ducks were eliminated from the second round of the post-season by Los Angeles. "In the book, I tried to explain honestly what happened last year," Selanne said. "In frustration, I made several comments following our Game 7 loss to the Kings that I shouldnt have said. As Ive said many times, Bruce is a nice guy, but we simply had a different view on my role with the Ducks. Im sorry if I hurt Bruce or anyone else. That was not my intent." Boudreau acknowledged he was caught between the wildly popular Selannes opinion of his skills and his own desire to maximize the Ducks scoring in a successful season. Anaheim finished atop the Western Conference before its second-round playoff exit to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Kings. Selanne scored a career-low nine goals in 64 games during his final season, but said he was promised more playing time on the second line and on the power play. His skills still appeared sharpp at the Sochi Olympics, where he was named the tournament MVP while winning a bronze medal as Finlands captain in his sixth games.dddddddddddd Selanne is the 11th-leading goal-scorer in NHL history with 684 goals, and his 1,457 points are 15th. "I was always very cognizant of who he was, what he meant to hockey in California, what hes meant to the Ducks, and he was a great player," Boudreau said. Selanne wrote that he was furious after Boudreau scratched him for Game 4 of the Ducks first-round playoff series against Dallas, leading to a post-practice confrontation on the ice. Boudreau downplayed the incident. "He raised his voice a bit, and all I did was tell him, OK, not so loud," Boudreau said. "Lets talk like men. And then he stopped and he caught himself, because hes an emotional guy." Selannes healthy scratch was extremely unpopular with Ducks fans, but Boudreau said he consulted with Anaheims scouts and other front-office personnel before making the move. Boudreau told Selanne about the scratch a day before the game, leading to the argument. "It was a really tough thing," Boudreau said. "I dont think any coach wants to sit out a superstar." Selanne had two goals and four assists in 12 playoff games. Getzlaf said he was disappointed to hear Selanne had hoped the captain would stick up for him in meetings with Boudreau and the Ducks brass. Getzlaf and Corey Perry frequently teamed with Selanne on the Ducks top power play unit, but not frequently enough for Selannes taste. "Im going to have to talk to him about it as friends," Getzlaf said. "But Teemu had numerous discussions with me last season, and the season before. As a captain, its my job to weed through things that I can go to the coach with, and things that I cant. Teemu doesnt know all the discussions that Ive had about him in the last two years, and theres been many times when Ive went to bat for him, and there are some times when I have to step away and just let the coach and GM make their decision." Selanne and his family still live in Orange County, and the Ducks will retire Selannes No. 8 jersey before a game against the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 11. Boudreau, Murray and Getzlaf are confident Selannes gripes wont turn him away from the franchise that made him into a hockey icon. "Im sure Im going to see him again," Boudreau said. "And listen, he was one of my favourite guys. Ive always liked him and admired him. I dont think anyone here has ever heard me say a bad word about him, ever. And that will continue." ' ' '