Pau Gasol takes latest rumor in stride

MINNEAPOLIS -- Another day, another trade rumor for Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol to deal with.
This time Gasol was supposedly on his way out of town. Deal had been done. Destination unknown.

But Gasol never got a call from either his agent, Arn Tellem, or Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak telling him that anything serious was happening, so he brushed off the thousands of tweets flooding his inbox and took an hour an a half nap before the Lakers 105-102 win over the Timberwolves.
That's right, with the trade winds swirling again, Gasol managed to take a nap.
"I slept a good hour and 15. I'm that kind of guy. What can I say? It was impressive," a clearly bemused Gasol said.
"I said to myself: 'If anything serious was about to happen, I would get a call from a significant person,' and I didn't get that. And I also said to myself that anybody can start out rumors. They start out small and then they come out big. With me it's been like that several times this season.
"I can't control certain things. I'm just going to continue to do my job as best as I can this season. Obviously, the less I hear about it the better. But March 15 is around the corner, so one way or another I'll be here or I'll be, who knows?"
While the rumor of his imminent departure was obviously overblown this time around, there was some substance behind it. According to multiple league sources, the Lakers have continued to field calls and listen to offers for the talented Spaniard. While there were talks with the Houston Rockets in recent days, nothing became serious because the Lakers aren't inclined to move Gasol unless they can get an All-Star-caliber player in return, most likely a point guard.
"Nothing surprises me anymore," said Gasol, who had 12 points, 11 rebounds and made a game-saving block in Friday's win. "It's never pleasant because it kind of puts you on edge, but it's going to be like this I think for the rest of these next six days."
While Gasol is getting used to the constant distraction, his teammates say they still feel for him.
"I love, I adore Pau," Kobe Bryant said. "It's tough to see him go through this crap. I wish that I could do something. It's tough, it's tough.
"It upsets me because the one-on-one relationship we've had since he's got here. We met in the hotel soon as he got off the plane [from Memphis in 2008]. The 2 a.m. meetings in my room in Boston during the Finals. All of that stuff, it's not going anywhere." 


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Robert Griffin III May Be The Last Hope For Redskins Fans

Jerry Larson - AP More photos »

This might be pre-mature, but welcome to the Nation's Capital, Robert. Don't screw up.

 Redskins fans are torn. There are two sides to the reported deal done with the Rams to acquire the 2nd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. One side is overjoyed and can't wait to see RGIII in Redskins Burgundy and Gold, while the other is riddled with fear that the Redskins may have overpaid for him.

Robert Griffin III will cost the Redskins their 2012, 2013, and 2014 first round draft choices, as well as their 2012 second round pick. That is a lot to lay on the line for one player. But is it too much?
The Redskins haven't had a signature franchise quarterback since the days of Sonny Jurgensen or Sammy Baugh, and deserve another. The fans deserve another. One of the questions to ask now is:
If RGIII doesn't pan out to be 'that guy' for the Redskins, will the fans understand?

The Washington Redskins thrive on their overwhelmingly loyal fanbase. Of late, however, the loyalty has been laid on the line with statements like, "If the Redskins don't ______ I am done with them", and "I swear that I will _______ if the Redskins don't ______".
If Robert Griffin does what he is expected -which is a lot- this trade will likely be forgotten by 2015 (Or earlier depending on how the Redskins front office decides to handle future offseasons). If he doesn't, the fanbase that has been so loyal and understanding these past 20 years, may decide that enough is enough. Only then will the RGIII supporters (Like myself) begin to understand what was just given away.
This, of course, doesn't apply to everyone. No matter what, I will still be attending Redskins games, wearing my Redskins jersey to Eagles games in Philadelphia, and force-feeding my future daughter Redskins history. In case you're wondering, my wife is an Eagles fan. Born and raised in Philly. It makes for some interesting Sundays.
This isn't the first time the Redskins have been in this type of slump, and it won't be the last. Hopefully, though, this is the beginning of the end of this iteration of Redskins-ism. 


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Out of touch on Colorado pot policy

We're happy to see that Barbra Roach, who took over as head of the Denver division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration this year, is committed to focusing on the "top echelon" of criminal organizations given the agency's limited resources. "I want to see the cases we work are quality," she told The Denver Post's Felisa Cardona. "I want to continue to strive for the large drug trafficking organizations -- not just domestically, but internationally."
That seems like the right priority, since those groups not only traffic in large quantities of dangerous drugs but are ruthless and violent, too.
Meanwhile, we suppose, any DEA official coming to Colorado will feel obliged to reiterate the federal government's opposition to medical marijuana, as Roach did, but we were nonetheless surprised at the extent of her indictment.
"By federal law, marijuana is illegal," Roach said. "There is no medical proof it has any benefit. People are not taking into account what can happen to those who are growing it. There are homes with mold and water damage in the hundreds of thousands and there are children in there, too."
For that matter, Cardona wrote, "she is choosing a city for her husband and two children to live in where no marijuana dispensaries are allowed."
Yet surely Roach is aware that prescription Marinol contains synthetic THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana. Indeed, the DEA contends Marinol is an appropriate legal substitute for marijuana. So if there is an unsettled scientific question, it's whether marijuana provides relief to some that Marinol does not. Unfortunately, the research appears inconclusive even if personal anecdotes suggest the answer is "yes."
As for choosing a city where marijuana dispensaries are barred, Democratic Congressman Jared Polis said it best in reacting on Facebook to the article. "Why should it matter if there is a dispensary across town?" Polis asked. "I mean, by all means don't get a place next to a dispensary if you dislike them so intensely, but who cares if there is one somewhere else in town? Personally, as a father, I would much rather have a well-regulated dispensary as a neighbor than a seedy liquor store, but neither one would absolutely disqualify an otherwise perfect place to live with good schools and a safe neighborhood."
Meanwhile, he noted, "the fact that an opponent of medical marijuana uses arguments like 'it causes water damage to homes' shows how bankrupt that side is of facts."
And even if an opponent of medical marijuana settles in a city without dispensaries, it doesn't mean she won't be next door to someone with state permission to use medical marijuana or to function as a caregiver assisting such patients.
Like it not, Colorado voters defied federal law a dozen years ago when a majority chose to legalize the use of marijuana to provide pain relief. And the entire state is implicated in the decision, not just dispensary-friendly cities such as Denver and Boulder.
-- The Denver Post 


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W.F. anti-litter campaign gets new focus

ST. FRANCISVILLE — West Feliciana Parish Sheriff J. Austin Daniel said he and 20th Judicial District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla plan a renewed focus on littering in the parish in advance of the annual Audubon Pilgrimage, scheduled March 16-18.
During the week of March 12, extra litter patrol crews will be operating throughout the parish in an effort to clean up the roadsides, and residents are asked to help clean up the areas around their homes, Daniel said.
Educational literature will be distributed in the schools for children to take home and share with their parents, he said.
“Hopefully, an awareness process will start at home, and all residents will be encouraged to dispose of trash properly. The local judges also are on board with this effort and have agreed to take a firm stand on litter bugs,” Daniel said.
Forward any questions or suggestions to the Sheriff’s Office by calling (225) 784-3109 or the District Attorney’s Office at (225) 635-4612, he said.


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Colts release Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark

First it was Peyton Manning. Now the Colts have continued their offseason house cleaning with the release Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark, Gary Brackett, Melvin Bullitt and Curtis Painter. The biggest fantasy names, of course, are Addai and Clark — both were once No. 1 options at their respective positions, at least up until recent seasons. Unfortunately, injuries and the loss and Manning might have put a nail in their respective fantasy coffins in 2011.
Neither player will warrant a ton of attention on the open market or in fantasy land, though a potential Manning and Clark reunion somewhere around the league could put the tight end back on the radar. In their absence, the fantasy value of Donald Brown, Delone Carter and Jacob Tamme (assuming he re-signs) will increase in Indianapolis, at least for now.
Brown, who showed flashes of potential last season, looks like the favorite to start at the current time. But I’d keep expectations low, as he’s not a tough runner between the tackles and won’t be a true featured back for coach Chuck Pagano. As for Tamme, he could turn into a popular option for the Colts’ new quarterback (Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III?) if he returns to the team.
With so many players gone and more moves on the horizon, the Colts aren’t going to be a cornucopia of fantasy production like they were in the past with Manning at the helm.
Times, they are changing … 


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