Texans begin exploring options on how to replace Andre Johnson

How will the Texans replace veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson, the greatest player in franchise history?

The normal ways: Free agency and the draft.

Green Bays Randall Cobb tops the potential 2015 free-agent class and could command a contract of at least $10 million annually. Cobb collected 91 catches for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for the Packers, who came a couple minutes away from advancing to the Super Bowl.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) Cooper was Alabamas biggest offensive weapon by far, and one of the nations most prolific receivers. (AP Photo / Jonathan Bachman, File)

Philadelphias Jeremy Maclin (85 catches, 1,318 yards, 10 TDs in 2014) had a career season in 2014 and is entering the prime of his career after recovering from ACL surgery.

San Franciscos Michael Crabtree, Baltimores Torrey Smith and Jacksonvilles Cecil Shorts are among top receivers who could also be available on the open market.

With Johnson set to make $10.5 million in guaranteed money and count $16.1 million against the Texans 2015 salary cap, the Texans could add a comparable receiver at less cost in the short and long term. By releasing Johnson, they would enter free agency with almost $22 million in cap space.

The 2015 draft class is again deep at receiver, initially appearing to match an especially strong 2014 group that included the New York Giants Odell Beckham, Buffalos Sammy Watkins and Tampa Bays Mike Evans. Kevin White (West Virginia) and Amari Cooper (Alabama) are expected to be off the board when the Texans make the No. 16 overall pick this year. But Louisvilles DeVante Parker, Arizona States Jaelen Strong and Missouris Dorial Green-Beckham should be available, with premier talent remaining in rounds 2-3.

Last December, Johnson proudly linked his football future with the only team hes ever played for.

Thats the dream. Thats what I hope for, Johnson said. When youve spent a lot of time somewhere, you hope that you can finish your career there and walk off into the sunset in that one place.

The longtime Texan, who is already building his retirement house in Houston, will now seek a new team while the Texans explore how to best replace No. 80 in 2015.

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Source: http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2015/03/texans-begin-exploring-options-on-how-to-replace-andre-johnson/

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After '60 Minutes' report, Lumber Liquidators shares do not open

Shares of Lumber Liquidators did not open for trading Monday morning following a report on 60 Minutes Sunday night that the companys laminate flooring made in China may not meet Californias health and safety standards.

The shares had been down 25 percent in pre-market trading. The shares were halted and the New York Stock Exchange said there was news pending.

The 60 Minutes report said that Lumber Liquidators laminate flooring made in China contains high levels of formaldehyde, a carcinogen.

Denny Larson, executive director of nonprofit group Global Community Monitor, and environmental lawyer Richard Drury purchased boxes of laminate flooring from several retailers with Californiastores, including Lumber Liquidators, and had them sent to three certified labs for testing and found that Lumber Liquidators US-made laminate flooring had acceptable levels of formaldehyde, but every sample of its Chinese-made laminate flooring failed to meet California formaldehyde emissions standards, according to the report.

In addition, 60 Minutes bought 31 boxes of Lumber Liquidators Chinese-made laminate flooring at stores in Virginia, Florida, Texas, Illinois and New York to see how those tested. Samples were sent for testing at two certified labs. The report said that only one of the 31 samples of Chinese-made laminate flooring was compliant with California formaldehyde emissions standards.While flooring is legally allowed to contain formaldehyde, the 60 Minutes report said that California has strict standards for how much of the chemical the core boards in laminate flooring can emit.

Lumber Liquidators founder and Chairman Tom Sullivan said in an interview with 60 Minutes that the company is not required by law to test its finished products like 60 Minutes did.

Lumber Liquidators complies with applicable regulations for its products, including California standards for formaldehyde emissions for composite wood products, it said in a statement.These attacks are driven by a small group of short-selling investors who are working together for the sole purpose of making money by lowering our stock price, the company said. Lumber Liquidators said that it would fight these false attacks on all fronts.

We stand by every single plank of wood and laminate we sell all around the country, the company added.

On Feb. 25 Lumber Liquidators stock declined 26.4 percent, to $50.63, after President and CEO Robert Lynch said during a conference call that the company believed 60 Minutes was going to feature our company in an unfavorable light with regard to our sourcing and product quality, specifically related to laminates. Lynch said that Lumber Liquidators would vigorously challenge any false allegations or factual incorrect presentations.

Lumber Liquidators also disclosed in a regulatory filing on Feb. 25 that the Department of Justice may seek criminal charges against it under the Lacey Act, a US law that includes a ban on illegally sourced wood products and in many cases requires businesses to provide a lot of details about their wood shipments.

Lumber Liquidators said in the filing that it will continue to communicate with the Justice Department regarding its intentions and possible courses of action in this matter.

Last month Lumber Liquidators announced that it invested in a wood products quality testing lab that is housed within its new distribution center outside Richmond, Vir. A press release the company put out stated that the lab has two temperature- and humidity-controlled conditioning rooms, and two formaldehyde emission chambers that mirror the capabilities of the California AirResources Board and other emission testing facilities.

Shares of Toano, Vir.-based Lumber Liquidators closed Friday at $51.86 and had dipped to $38.91 a new 52-week low in pre-market trading.

Source: http://nypost.com/2015/03/02/after-60-minutes-report-lumber-liquidators-shares-do-not-open/

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Faith leaders, friends, family gather for vigil in support of Kelly Gissendaner

More than 100 people gathered Sunday night at a chapel on the campus of Emory University to participate in a vigil for death row inmate Kelly Gissendaner, who is scheduled to be executed Monday night. (Staff Photo: Tyler Estep)

ATLANTA Kelly Gissendaner was, is and always will be responsible for her husbands murder. No one gathered at Emory Universitys Cannon Chapel on Sunday night 23 hours before her scheduled execution posited otherwise.

The vigil drew in well over 100 people, including religious leaders, former prisoners and two of Gissendaners children. Their goal was simply to bring attention to a different side of Gissendaner and to make a last-minute plea to save her life.

Prisoners can be rehabilitated, Rev. Cathy Zappa said. People can do horrible things in their past and change. It does not undo what theyve done, but I just think that thats something that people need to know. It gives us all hope.

Gissendaner, 46, is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 7 p.m. Monday at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson. The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles denied her clemency application last week, meaning that, barring a miracle, the execution will go on as planned.

On Sunday night, though, prayers were prayed and songs were sung, Bible verses recited. Stories were told about Gissendaner a woman described not as a cold-blooded murderer but a person overflowing with remorse, love and a willingness to help others.

People like Zappa, who counseled Gissendaner for years, and Nikki Rogers, a former prisoner who credits Gissendaner with preventing her suicide, spoke.

Rogers broke down in tears after delivering a spoken word-style poem.

Youre gonna live, you told me that day, she said. Your words cut away my rope. Well Kelly, today I shout those same words back at you. Youre going to live today! For sure! I believe it! Its not over!

Gissendaner is convicted of plotting the Feb. 7, 1997, murder of her husband, Doug. With her advice and guidance and with murder weapons she provided Gissendaners boyfriend abducted, beat and stabbed the victim in the woods near Dacula.

Gissendaner received the death penalty, but those gathered on a quiet Atlanta campus Sunday night argued that the world is better off with her in it.

She has lived her life in a way that is doing everything she can to make up for it, knowing good and well shell never make up for it, Zappa said. She has no illusion that she could ever make up for it. But killing her is not going to bring anyone back.

As of Sunday night, 381 faith leaders from the state of Georgia had signed a petition asking for Gissendaners sentence to be commuted to life in prison. Another 119 leaders from outside the state had signed it as well.

Nearly 14,000 laypeople had signed a separate petition.

Zappa visited Gissendaner in prison Sunday afternoon. When asked what message could be delivered to the outside world, the inmate told Zappa to share the following words.

Im walking in the light, she said, and Im holding onto my hope, faith and dignity to the very end of this.

Source: http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2015/mar/01/faith-leaders-friends-family-gather-for-vigil-in/

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Miesha Tate finds inspiration in dominant performances of UFC champ Ronda ...

Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey

Miesha Tatesaysshes inspired, not jealous, when Ronda Rouseyflips the sport on its head with her spectacular performances.

Tate and the UFC womens bantamweight champion have a long history. Theyve fought twice before once in the UFC and once in Strikeforce with Rousey winning both titlefights with her trademark armbar.

Both fighters have moved forward fromtheir most recent collision, at UFC 168 in December 2013. Tate (16-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is currently riding a three-fight UFC winning streak, and Rousey (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) just made history with a 14-second title defenseagainst Cat Zingano at UFC 184 this pastSaturday.

Rouseys three fights since the latest Tate fight have lasted a combined 96 seconds. That level of dominance would force some to shy away from another encounter, but Tate saidshe draws motivation from Rouseys unmatched efforts.

Im not only impressed, Im inspired, Tate said on UFC 184s post-fight show on FOX Sports 1. Every time I watch her fight, I realize shes on such a different level, and I want to get on that level. Thats what I want. I want to get on that level. I want to figure out what it is whether I have to train 12 hours a day I want to figure out how to catch up. Shes a phenomenal athlete, shes a phenomenal fighter, and I want to get on that level.

Tate has made it no secret her goal is to eventually earn a third fight with Rousey. She wants to hand the Olympic medalist her first MMA defeat. Rousey already had an aura of invincibility prior to UFC 184, and while the shockingly quick submission of Zingano only added to it, Tate still doesnt see her longtime rival as unbeatable.

I love fighting Ronda Rousey because I think she pulls the best fighter out of me, Tate said. Thats what its really about. For me, I want to be the best fighter I can be and the best person I can be. She motivates me to do both, and I love it. I love the challenge, I love everything shes been able to do for the sport, and I love being part of that.

Although Tate has suffered two definitive losses to Rowdy, shes performed more competitively than most. Tate had some advantageous positions in both fights, and in the second contest, she lasted longer than all of Rouseys other opponents combined.

While Rousey submittedZingano so quickly, Tate said the fight ended exactly how she predicted just much quicker.

I predicted she would win with a first-round armbar, but I didnt think it was going to go quite so fast, Tate said. Cat Zingano wanted to make a statement and wanted to come out with a fast start. Everyone was criticizing the slow start and it led to her demise. She ended up getting that great throw then made some mistakes from there.

Despite Tates desire for a third fight with Rousey,fellow fighters such as Beth Correia, Jessica Eye, Cristiane Justino and Holly Holmare also queued up.

Despite wins in her past three bouts, the most recent of which was an upset of Sara McMann at UFC 183, Tate said shes perfectly content taking the slow climb back.

I definitely want all the fans to feel like Ive earned that (third fight), Tate said. I know that Im on a three-fight win streak. I know that Ive fought Ronda twice, but the first one was way back in Strikeforce. I showed improvement in the second fight, took her to the third round.

No one else has been able to do that, but at the same time, I dont want anyone to say, Oh, theyre just giving it to her. I want to prove myself, I want to earn it, and I will fight off all the other No. 1 contenders until they have no other option to let us fight.

For more on UFC 184, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

Miesha Tate, Ronda Rousey, UFC 184, News, UFC

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Source: http://mmajunkie.com/2015/03/miesha-tate-finds-inspiration-in-dominant-performances-of-ufc-champ-ronda-rousey

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12 'Once Upon A Time' Characters We Want to See More Of

When Once Upon a Time returns to ABC on March 1, it promises the true introduction to characters that have only previously been briefly shown: The Queens of Darkness.

Fans of the show may be excited to see what troubles Cruella de Vil, Maleficent and Ursula can cause for their favorite characters, but there are always a few favorites whove had limited roles that many are still hoping will reappear during the fairy-tale shows run.

Here are a few of our picks of which Storybrooke or Enchanted Forest characters or potential residents we hope grace the screen this season.

Whatever happened to

Anton: The now-friendly giant seemed extremely helpful during the growing-magic-beans plotline, but then seemed to disappear from the town. His existence has barely been mentioned recently and itd be nice to know if hes living a somewhat normal life or if things have changed for him since the beans were stolen.

King George: While Prince Charmings father was never a character anyone enjoyed seeing, his status is a bit of a question mark after he tried to pull a stunt that would have him ruling Storybrooke instead of his son. From what we saw, he was defeated, not killed. Is he skulking somewhere and plotting his next takeover?

Gaston: Yes, he was turned into a rose. But someone who was a mouse in one world became a human in Storybrooke. Belle is such a prominent character its surprising more members of her original story havent turned up, including her jilted ex-fiance, especially considering the current status of her relationship with Rumplestiltskin.

August: The smooth-talking, typewriter-hauling, motorcycle-driving Pinocchio had a less-than-satisfying turn of events, with a curse reverting him to his childhood. His flirtatious and snarky comments wouldnt quite sound right coming out of a cherub-faced child, and many people have clamored for the return of August rather than his storybook self. (Rumor has it that his adult form will actually appear this month!)

Can we see some more of.

Jefferson: The Mad Hatters storyline wrapped up pretty wonderfully and he had easily one of the best results from the original curse being broken. However, the rarely-seen Jefferson was oddly entertaining and audiences were cheated out of seeing how he and his daughter are handling their post-curse lives. Storybrooke could always use a bit of madness.

Rapunzel: As the star of a familiar fairy tale, she certainly could use a bit more screentime. The princess made one appearance in the fairy tale realm, but it would have been interesting to discover her Storybrooke counterpart. It is hard to believe she hasnt crossed paths with other members of the town before.

Ruby: Requests for seeing the gorgeous waitress/werewolf were answered with a few appearances in season three, but she hasnt been seen much recently. With her closeness to so many other characters, her absence has definitely been noticed.

Mulan: She too had a rather well-defined ending to her story arc, but her take-charge attitude really added something to the group of powerful women on the show. While Aurora may have (unintentionally) broken Mulans heart early on, their friendship was a different kind of partnership that is missing from the show.

Can we puh-leeez see

Flynn Rider: There are enough princes already. Flynn could easily turn out to be a before-unintroduced member of Robin Hoods Merry Men, being such a clever thief as he is. Throw him into the mix of characters, and suddenly Captain Hook has a competitor for being the dreamiest man in all of Storybrooke.

Merlin: There is an unnamed sorcerer in middle of the season four plot so theres a chance this could actually come true. With mentions of Camelot as well as multiple appearances of Lancelot, throwing in the wizard wouldnt be a stretch. It will be interesting to see if the sorcerer angle will follow this trail or go the Disney route, proving to be Yensid.

Pocahontas: The shows set in Maine, so this one isnt too big of a stretch either. She could easily help ground the group a little bit or teach them to paint with all the colors of the wind. A little diversity wouldnt hurt either, as most of the tales being told are of European origin. Plus, if there is a chance of Pocahontas, theres a possibility of John Smith or Grandmother Willow, too.

Tiana: Admittedly, there are already quite a few princesses, but if Ruby isnt coming back, Tiana could be helping Granny out in her diner. A little Creole flavor in the show could add a bit of a change, as well as her no-nonsense attitude. If Elsa is officially staying in Arendale, there is one less princess in Storybrooke

What character do you want to see more of in season 4?

Source: http://parade.com/379871/hthompson/12-once-upon-a-time-characters-we-want-to-see-more-of/

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When Is Daylight Saving Time 2015?

(Getty)

When is daylight saving time 2015? The clock will spring forward an hour in March for most of the United States, but what day and what time?

Daylight saving time is always the second Sunday in March, so for 2015 Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday March 8 at 2 a.m. When the clock strikes 2 a.m., it is moved forward to to 3 a.m. for a majority of the United States.

States and regions that abstain from daylight saving time include Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation, which does it), Hawaii, and the overseas territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands. This is done for various reasons and has as much to do with politics as it does with location.

Lastly, while it is officially called daylight saving time, it is colloquially known as daylight savings time. What do you say?

When is the First Day of Spring 2015?

What day is the first spring 2015? Find out all the information on about when the March spring equinox will be here and what we can expect after a long winter.

Click here to read more

Source: http://heavy.com/social/2015/02/when-what-date-daylight-savings-saving-time-march-2015/

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Bill to keep Daylight Savings Time year-round advances in New Mexico ...

SANTA FE >> A Senate committee has passed a bill to keep New Mexicans from springing forward and falling back every year when it's time to adjust clocks.

The Senate Public Affairs Committee voted 5-1 Thursday to advance Sen. Cliff Pirtle's bill that would keep the state on Daylight Savings Time year-round.

The Republican farmer from Roswell says changing the clock twice a year is an unnecessary inconvenience. He says farmers and ranchers work from sunrise to sundown no matter what the clock says.

Pirtle's bill now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee. If it becomes law, New Mexico time would remain unchanged after it springs forward on March 8.

The federal government allows states to exempt themselves from time changes. Currently, Arizona and Hawaii do not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Source: http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_27607027/bill-keep-daylight-savings-time-year-round-advances

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