Report: Charges to be dismissed against Duke lax players (ABC News)

Great news — The office of Attorney General Roy Cooper will announce that he is dismissing all charges against three Duke Lacrosse players, ABC News has learned from sources close to the case.

Impressive ‘09 launch set for MLB channel (USA Today)  Media writer Michael Hiestand comments on the aggressive timetable for MLB’s planned network and the shenanigans by ESPN’s Colin Cowherd last week in crashing TheBigLead.com.

Duke lacrosse players await attorney general’s decision (AP/USA Today)

The three men indicted in the Duke lacrosse sexual assault case could learn this week whether state prosecutors plan to bring them to trial or drop the charges, a person close to the case said Tuesday.

Reports: Hansbrough, Lawson to return to UNC (ESPN News Services)

According to the team’s website, Carolina players Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson will return to school.

Cabrera a maverick on, off the field (Miami Herald)

Miguel Cabrera, the talented third baseman for the Florida Marlins, apparently has a thing for skeleton’s in his locker.

Inside his cubbyhole is a small figure of a skeleton, what looks like two shrunken heads, strings of beads, and four white candles next to what appears to be a collection plate containing several folded dollar bills.

They say that eccentricity often rides shotgun with brilliance in the drive of accomplished people.

They might have been thinking of Cabrera.

No word if Jobu has been offered cigars and rum yet.

Family of deceased narrator sues NFL (Indy Star/Bloomberg News)

The family of late NFL Films narrator John Facenda is suing the league due to the family’s claim that his voice was misused in an informercial about the making of Madden 2006 video game.

Report: Texas’ Durant to enter NBA Draft (AP/ESPN)

According to a report citing two unnamed sources in The Dallas Morning News, Texas freshman Kevin Durant will forego his remaining years of eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft.

***UPDATED 4:18PM CDT***

It’s now official — Durant is going to the NBA.

Padres, Young agree to $14.5 million deal (AP/Yahoo! Sports)

The San Diego Padres and pitcher Chris Young agreed to a four-year, $14.5 million deal on Tuesday.

Blackhawks ‘win’ NHL draft lottery (TSN.ca)

The NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, with only an 8.1 percentage of winning the lottery, pulled the lucky combination and will select first overall in the NHL’s Entry Draft.  The draft is scheduled for June 22 and 23 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Pacman gets the gate for 2007; Henry gets eight games (NFL.com)

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wasted little time in telling the league’s players what won’t be tolerated — he suspended Pacman Jones of the Tennessee Titans for the entire 2007 season and Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals for eight games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

You have been warned, NFLers.

Irvin accused of assaulting disabled contractor (Cowboys Plus)

Hall of Fame inductee Michael Irvin has been accused of assaulting a disabled contractor at his home in Plano, Tex.

Warren Moon gets DUI in Kirkland (AP/SI.com)

Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon was arrested and charged with DUI after troopers were called to administer tests to the Seattle Seahawks analyst.

Packers sign linebacker Barnett to extension (ESPN)

From Len Pasquarelli –

Standout middle linebacker Nick Barnett, the Green Bay Packers’ leading tackler in three of his four seasons with the club, on Tuesday morning agreed to a six-year contract extension, a deal that will keep him off the free agent market next spring.

News and notes while you roll out of bed…

Cleveland Indians support 650 lbs. of food to local foodbank (BizofBaseball)  With recent snowouts, club gives unused food to those in need.

Texas A&M to name Turgeon men’s basketball coach (ESPN.com) Sources tell ESPN’s Andy Katz that A&M will tab the current coach for Wichita State.

Dodgers lose Schmidt, Kemp to injuries in home opener (AP/ESPN) Schimdt injuries hamstring, Kemp shoulder.

Padres set to sign pitcher Young to extension (FOX Sports)  After signing Adrian Gonzalez to extension, the Friars add another into the fold for the long-term.

Racial remark gets radio host Imus suspended (AP/SI.com)  Two week suspension from both CBS-owned radio show and simulcasted MSNBC program begins next Monday.

NFL to unveil new discipline policy within days (USA Today)  We can only guess that “The Cincinnati Nine” must not be sitting comfortably right now.

Sprinter Montgomery pleads guilty in fraud scheme (AP/USA Today)  Montgomery continues to add on to his legal woes with latest admission.