RENTON, Wash. - The Seattle Seahawks released defensive end Chris Clemons on Wednesday, a move that saves significant salary cap room but takes away one of their top pass rushers the past four seasons. The move, first reported by NFL.com and confirmed by Clemons representatives, was not unexpected as Seattle tries to clear the right amount of financial space to make moves in free agency while also trying to work on extensions for safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman. Clemons was set to make $7.5 million in base salary in 2014, the final year of an extension he signed with the Seahawks before the start of the 2012 season. Clemons turned around his career when he arrived in Seattle via trade before the 2010 season and will be regarded as one of the top moves made by general manager John Schneider. After failing to find success in Oakland and Philadelphia, Clemons thrived in Seattle. Placed into the LEO position on the defensive line, Clemons became Seattles top pass rusher for his first three seasons with the Seahawks with a combined 33 1/2 sacks from 2010 to 2012 and at least 11 sacks in each of those seasons. Last season, Clemons had only 4 1/2 sacks as the emergence of Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett and a deeper rotation on the defensive line took away some of Clemons opportunities. Clemons suffered a torn ACL in the 2012 playoffs but worked his way back to where he was on the field by Week 3 of the regular season. He had 3 1/2 sacks his first five games, but had just one sack the final nine games of the regular season. Clemons did have Seattles only sack of Peyton Manning in its Super Bowl blowout victory. With Seattles re-signing of Bennett earlier this week, it seemed only a matter of time before Clemons was released. Clemons, 32, is the fourth defensive player to either be released by the Seahawks or sign with another club in free agency. Fellow defensive end Red Bryant was released last week and signed with Jacksonville. Free agent Clinton McDonald signed with Tampa Bay on Tuesday and reserve safety Chris Maragos agreed to a deal with Philadelphia on Wednesday morning. Niles Scott Jersey . Howard had 17 points and a career-high-tying 26 rebounds in his Houston debut, James Harden added 21 points and the Rockets cruised to a 96-83 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. Trey Hopkins Jersey . Louis Blues brought in the premier unrestricted free agent centre, and did it without breaking the bank. http://www.cheapbengalsjerseyselite.com/...ohringer-jersey. The biggest collapse in franchise history was a long time ago, and he was too busy trying to make sure it didnt happen again. Anthony Chesley Jersey .I get texts: Do you know Drake? Have you met Drake? He sits there every night, he hears me cuss out the referees every night, Casey said, laughing. Tyler Boyd Jersey . The 31-year-old, a two-time CFL lineman of the year, was among the most coveted free agents on the market. The Windsor, Ont., native will be especially important to a team that has lost veteran quarterback Anthony Calvillo to retirement and is expected to go with the less experienced Troy Smith and Tanner Marsh this season.The San Antonio Spurs refusal to lose has finally landed them in top spot in the TSN.ca NBA Power Rankings. Winners of 15 straight, with a healthy roster, the Spurs have overtaken the Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder for the number one ranking. Among teams gaining ground, the Chicago Bulls are up, from 11 to eight, and they have gone 16-6 in their past 22 games, going from a fringe playoff team to a team in line for homecourt advantage in the first round. The Phoenix Suns looked like they had coughed up their playoff spot, only to reel off seven wins in eight games to scramble back into the eighth seed in the West.dddddddddddd With a healthy Eric Bledsoe, the Suns are up, from 14 to nine. An up-and-down few weeks, during which they have gone 5-5 in their past 10 games, knocks the Toronto Raptors from nine to 12, their lowest ranking in months. More injuries contributed to the Denver Nuggets falling, from 18 to 21.