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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers have signed former St. Louis Rams starting safety Quintin Mikell and placed backup safety Haruki Nakamura on injured reserve with a concussion. The deal was announced Monday. Contract terms were not released. Mikell, a 10-year NFL veteran, will compete for the starting spot with strong safety Mike Mitchell, who was held out of practice Monday with an unspecified injury. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Mikell started all 32 games the last two seasons with the Rams and had 214 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and forced nine fumbles. Mikell went to the Pro Bowl in 2009. The 32-year-old Mikell previously played for Panthers coach Ron Rivera when Rivera was an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003. Mikell has played in 155 career games with 91 starts. . Thats exactly what happened. And they enjoyed every moment. Durant remained sizzling with 33 points, Serge Ibaka added 22 and the Thunder roared back from an abysmal start -- they trailed 22-4 early -- to embarrass the Miami Heat 112-95 on Wednesday night, erasing that big deficit out of the gate by outscoring the two-time defending champions by 43 points over a 33-minute span. . CHAUNCEY BILLUPS (Pistons): Yes they got Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings in the off-season and Andre Drummond is a beast (teams are kicking themselves for passing on him - he rebounds and block shots every game - thats two more discernable and significant skills than most guys in his draft class), but dont for a second discount the impact of having a savvy veteran like Billups on your team. http://www.italysoccerauthority.com/mat ... ly-jersey/. It was considered unlikely that Rielly would be loaned to Canada for the tournament, which begins Dec. 26 in Malmo, Sweden, though a stretch of three straight games in the press box made it something of a debate. . As the schedule flipped from November to December, they would go on to drop five straight, falling six games below the .500 mark before a franchise-altering trade turned them into an unrecognizable team. . - The Clippers have signed guard Dahntay Jones to a second 10-day contract.In celebration of the clubs 40th anniversary, Vancouver Whitecaps FC have launched a new Ring of Honour to acknowledge exemplary players and figures who have embodied "Our all. Our honour." and who represent the clubs three core values: Unity, Winning, and Honour. Based on input from a selection of alumni, the first four inductees will be Bob Lenarduzzi, Carl Valentine, Domenic Mobilio, and Andrea Neil. "When we decided to launch our Ring of Honour, we were looking for people who have left a lasting legacy," said Rachel Lewis, Whitecaps FC chief operating officer. "Bobby, Carl, Domenic, and Andrea represent exactly what this club has always stood for and each of them have made remarkable contributions to our club and community. Theyre exceptionally deserving of being the first four inductees." Lenarduzzi will be the first to be inducted during the next home match on Saturday, May 3, as he joins the rest of his teammates from the inaugural 1974 Whitecaps team. This match will celebrate the first game in Whitecaps history, played on May 5, 1974, against San Jose Earthquakes – nearly 40 years to the day. "Im humbled to be inducted into the Ring of Honour," said Lenarduzzi. "There have been amazing soccer moments in this city over the years and Im very grateful to have been a part of many of those. Throughout it all Ive had incredible teammates, so it will be fantastic to have several of them with me on May 3." Neil will be inducted on August 10 at BC Place, 10 years after she captained Whitecaps FC to their first United Soccer Leagues W-League championship on August 8, 2004. Two years later, Neil was again captain as the Caps won a second W-League championship on August 6, 2006, at Swangard Stadium. Valentine will be honoured at the September 10 match. On September 9, 1979, a 21-year old Valentine joined his teammates in front of 100,000 people at the championship parade in downtown Vancouver to celebrate the clubs Soccer Bowl triumph. Finally, on October 4, members of the Mobilio family will be at BC Place for the induction of the late striker. After setting a league scoring record and winning league MVP, Mobilio led Vancouver 86ers to their fourth consecutive Canadian Soccer League title on October 6, 1991. Who should be inducted next into the Ring of Honour? Four nominees have been put forth based on voting received from alumni thus far, with a write-in option also available. Fan voting for the next inductee begins today and will run until the end of May at whitecapsfc.com/since1974. Ring of Honour Inductees Bob Lenarduzzi A product of Grandview Legion minor soccer and member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, Bob Lenarduzzi has been a part of the Whitecaps since the inaugural season in 1974. Lenarduzzi is the all-time leader in games played in the North American Soccer League with 312 and ranks first all-time for Whitecaps FC in games started with 356 and second all-time in games played with 3622.dddddddddddd Primarily a left back, Lenarduzzi also sits 13th all-time in club scoring with 34 career goals. In 1978, he was voted as the only Canadian ever to win NASL Player of the Year and in 1979 he helped the club win the NASL Soccer Bowl title. As a player/coach, he led Vancouver 86ers to the CSL title in 1988, and after retiring as a player, he coached the team to another three championships for an unprecedented four straight CSL titles. Internationally, the native of Vancouver, BC, played with Canada at the countrys only FIFA World Cup appearance in 1986. Today, after 40 years, Lenarduzzi remains with Vancouver Whitecaps FC as club president. Carl Valentine One of the all-time fan favourites in Vancouver professional sports and a member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, Carl Valentine is the clubs all-time leader in appearances with 409 and fourth all-time in goals scored with 65. The English-born talent arrived in Vancouver for the start of the historic 1979 season and became a key contributor to the clubs run to the NASL Soccer Bowl. Valentine would stay in Vancouver until the NASL folded following the 1984 season and would go on to join West Bromwich Albion back in England. The winger represented Canada in the 1986 FIFA World Cup and in 1987 he returned to Vancouver to become a key member of the 86ers team that went on to win a remarkable four straight CSL championships from 1988 to 1991. Valentine played 19 memorable seasons in Vancouver and remains with Whitecaps FC today as club ambassador and Residency staff coach. Domenic Mobilio The all-time leading scorer in Canadian Soccer League history and the most prolific goalscorer in club history, Domenic Mobilio sits alone atop the charts with 170 career goals – nearly 100 more than any other player. A member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, the Vancouver, BC-born striker, who is also fifth all-time with 286 appearances, was a member of Vancouver 86ers for each of the teams four consecutive CSL championships from 1988 to 1991. A six-time CSL all-star and league MVP in 1990, Mobilio played a total of 15 seasons in Vancouver. In 2004, Mobilio tragically passed away from a sudden heart attack. Andrea Neil The first female soccer player ever inducted into Canadas Sports Hall of Fame, Andrea Neil had an 18-year career with the Canadian womens national team program, and six years with Whitecaps FC women. From 2001 to 2006, Neil played for the Caps (originally known as the Breakers). She was the clubs captain for the first six years of the franchises existence and was a player/assistant coach for the last three seasons. In 2004 and 2006, she led the club to two United Soccer Leagues W-League championship titles. She ended her Whitecaps FC career as the teams all-time leader in assists with 22 and games with 69, as well as third all-time with 24 goals. Internationally, the native of Vancouver, BC, represented her country in four consecutive FIFA Womens World Cup tournaments. ' ' '