R.I.P. my beloved Denver Broncos. Another year down the drain…full of promise never quite realized.

After they way they’ve played over the last month plus I’m not sure I wanted to watch another game in the playoffs (OK, I lie…I wanted to see it). Like everyone else, I am sickened and confused by the Bronco’s end-of-year meltdowns, this time with almost an entirely new cast of characters.

But now that it’s over, this is the team we thought we might get at the start of the year. In fact, few people gave them a chance to be this “good”. Most thought my prediction at the beginning of the year (read it here) of an 8-8 season was a fantasy…most thought they’d be lucky to get 4-5 wins. That 6-0 start got us all excited and hopeful that a miracle had occurred.

But the bubble was burst.

Reality set in.

These Broncos are who we thought they were…mediocre.

It was still fun to watch most weeks (setting aside losing to the stinkin’ Raiders and Chiefs!!). And the Defense was better, although I’m not sure how it could have been any worse, and has room to continue to improve. I was a little surprised by the offensive line play at times during the year. The running game never got the traction it needed. And there was too much off-field drama (blame both sides there).

Here’s hoping for a better off-season, a great draft, and a better 2010…we gotta keep the faith Bronco Nation!

Last night I finished The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (of The Davinci Code fame…or is that infamy?). My overall assessment is that the story is actually very good…for a work of fiction. As long as you remember that this is a novel, and not a scholastic work, it’s easy to enjoy. It has a good story, great plot twists, it captures your attention and keeps you involved in the evolving story. The riddle(s) that is unraveling keeps you guessing and you actually get engaged in trying to solve the riddle yourself. For a story I give it an A+.

I just wish that Dan Brown had left it alone when the story was over. The last few chapters have nothing to do with the story (they even occur after the riddles have been solved and everyone else has gone home except for two of the main characters). The last few chapters (chapter 133 in particular) is simply Mr. Brown’s way of getting in his secular humanism…it reads as page-after-page of secular humanism lecture. In the last pages he manages to proof-text Scripture (when he isn’t outright mis-quoting or mis-interpreting it), lump all religions into one basket, and declares that all religion simply points us to ourselves as gods.

Here are a two examples (two of many):

The Bible, like many ancient texts, is a detailed exposition of the most sophisticated machine ever made…the human mind.” (chapter 133).

Um….no it isn’t! The Bible is an exposition of God’s search for relationship with mankind. It’s the story of God’s redemptive love…from start to finish. It’s exactly the opposite of an exposition of the human mind.

Langdon had never understood why the very first passages of the Bible referred to God as a plural being. Elohim. The Almighty God in Genesis was described not as One…but as many.

“God is plural,” Katherine whispered, “because the minds of man are plural.” (chapter 133)

Again…wrong! God is plural because God is Trinity…not because the minds of man are plural. This is basic theology and Mr. Brown does his best to explain the Trinity away withing the confines of secular humanism (and does a poor job if you ask me).

As I said, these are only two example. The litany of secular humanistic “teaching” in this chapter alone is too long and detailed to get into here…but it is obvious. Mr. Brown believes that humans are becoming like their Creator (at least he admits we have one)…gods that can accomplish great things. I agree that we can accomplish great things, but not apart from God…rather with God. There is a big difference.

If you haven’t read this book…please do. It is a good book, but think about skipping chapter 133 (it doesn’t help the book at all). And if you have read it…or if you choose to read chapter 133 (I know I would…especially if someone told me not to)…let’s keep this final quote form the book in mind…

This book is a work of fiction. (Copyright page)

Football is officially back (great game last night…gonna see both of those teams in the playoffs). Yesterday, Grant beat me to the punch by posting his 2009 Broncos prediction. The schedule this year is not kind to my beloved Donkeys…not exactly what McD and Company needs, but you play the cards you’re dealt. I think they will be a better team than their records indicates at the end of the year…but you never really know this early (I’ve never been right so this entire blog is an effort in futility…but it makes me feel better). So here goes…

1. @ Cincinnati – W: I put the W here, but I’m not sure I believe it. This team is still learning, but Cincy sucks so I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt.
2. Cleveland – W: If you can’t beat this team…
3. @ Oakland – W: See Cleveland above
4. Dallas – W: I know most are predicting a Dallas win here, but it’s at home, the Broncs will be riding a winning streak and I just don’t think Dallas is that good (which is why Shanny will be coaching there next year).
5. New England – L: I want to put the W here, but just can’t do it. I have to give the edge to the Master. I will say the NE doesn’t usually play well here…so the Broncos might be able to steal this one.
6. @ San Diego – L: I’m not as high on SD as some are (read…Norv Turner), but I’m not naive either.
7. @ Baltimore – L: The schedule just keeps getting worse.
8. Pittsburgh – L: And worse.
9. @ Washington – L: I want to put the W here to help stop the November slide, but it’s hard to win on the road after four straight loses.
10. San Diego – W: I think we split with San Diego, but what do I know??
11. NY Giants – L: This team is good.
12. @ Kansas City – W: This is more an indictment on KC than anything else. It’s tough to win at Arrowhead, but I think we get it done this year (they may have a new coach by then).
13. @ Indianapolis – L: This one could be ugly, you might not want to let the little ones watch it…but can it get much worse than it was under Shanny?
14. Oakland – W: Oakland, the perfect cure for what ails you.
15. @ Philadelphia – L: I don’t think it will be a blow-out, but tough to win here.
16. Kansas City – W: Come on…this one could be ugly in a good way.

After totaling up the W’s and the L’s…my prediction for 2009 is that the Broncos will go: 8-8.

There is a lot of unknown here and I think there are a few games that can make this number go up a little or way down: Cincinnati, Dallas, San Diego, and Washington specifically. Can they steal one more win? Will they lose a few more? I can’t see anything more than 9-7 (and that would be a miracle) and could see them slide to 5-11 if they don’t get their act together at the start of the year.

Gonna be fun to watch! I think the DEF is much improved over last year…meaning they will be average with some upside for the future. The schedule is brutal in November…so buckle up. Football is back!

Listening and reading about the QB comparison between Orton and Cutler this past weekend made me wonder how the two compared in their respective games. Mainly because Broncos fans have a “the sky is falling” attitude about Orton while the Bears fans have a “second coming of Montana” attitude about Cutler. I know that the circumstances over the off-season are leading to the comparisons…but wanted to take a look at the actual stats from the last game.

Here they are:

It’s not hard to figure out which player is which just based on the passing attempts, but take a look at some of the others numbers and they aren’t that different. The completion percentage is very close and they both threw one TD. Yes, Orton threw the interception but it was bogus…and should have been a TD on the play before (which would make the numbers look that much better for Orton).

Am I saying Orton is better than Cutler? No. I’m just saying the numbers are not really that much different and Orton is playing in a different kind of offense. Also, the Giants had over half of their DEF players out of the game…so it wasn’t exactly like Cutler was playing the SB Champs of last year.And Orton plays in a style of offense that is going to yield lower passing averages than Cutler will…not better or worse, just different.

Just an interesting observation on the perspectives for each of these two players. Similar numbers with two VERY different reactions. I for one am not freaking out yet…and I’m looking forward to the game on Sunday.

This past week, Logan and I spent two and half days at Magness Adventure Camp for Cub Scouts. We had an absolute blast! Logan is now a Webelo…so we even got to sleep up on the Mesa in a tent with the other Webelos. The night hike they had planned was called on account of rain and wind but it was still fun.

Every day was full of activities perfect for keeping a young boy from getting bored (and keeping his Dad sore). o fewer than either times, Logan declared: “This is the best day of my life!” We had fun…and we did it together. I am looking forward to next year’s camp.

Here are all the pics…

We’re Ready to Roll!

The Entrance to the Camp

Catching Some Sleep Before We Get Started

The Morning Flag Ceremony

The Ice Cream Social

Our Tent for the First Night

Campfire Skits at the end of the first day

The Compass Course on Day 2

Looks fierce…doesn’t he?

Testing The Catapult…it works great!

My Favorite Pic!

He’s Out for the Count

The Mesa Camp Ground (Day 3)

He Looks Official

Archery…stay behind that line!

He loves shooting BB Guns

Swimming at the Lake. We also took the boats out earlier in the day.

A Chance to Cool Off from the Hot Weather

The view from the Mesa of Magness Adventure Camp

I have had a few people ask me what my take is on the whole “Cutler situation” here in Denver. I haven’t blogged on it because I keep hoping it goes away, but that just isn’t going to happen. My initial reaction over the trade rumors was, “WHAT?!?” I don’t have an issue with McDaniels listening to trades, but I think it was a little more active than that. But he’s the coach and it’s his job to do everything he thinks is right to make this team the best it can be…whether I agree with it or not. Stupid? Yes. Handled poorly? You bet. My biggest issue? Nope.

Which leads me to my biggest issue with this whole thing: Cutler’s Attitude. I can see getting upset. Heck, I would be upset. I might even whine about it a little. But when I first heard Jay’s reaction, it rubbed me the wrong way. He’s supposed to be the team leader but he doesn’t always act like it (on and off the field…last year and now). He needs to grow up, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen here. I would have even forgiven his initial reaction but he just won’t let it go—and I am sick of him running to the media when something doesn’t go exactly like he wants it to. Sit your butt down with the coach and work it out. Be the leader. Quit yer cryin’ or take your blankie and pacifier and go home. Enough already dude…get over it and get back to work!

Here’s my final take. I am a Bronco fan…period. I love Cutler and wish he would work this out, but I don’t see that happening. The jury is still out on McDaniels, but overall I like what he’s been doing. The drama must come to an end and I am afraid that means Jay C will be in another uniform next year (which upsets me because I JUST bought his jersey). I wish he would man up and be a leader, but that doesn’t look likely. I think he will be a Cleveland Brown next year (maybe Detroit)..and he will find out that things weren’t so bad here after all. Will McD be the coach we needed? Only time will tell but I am hopeful. I bleed orange and blue and I hate this drama—please make it stop! Here’s looking to the draft and a brutal schedule in 2009!!

As the end of school draws near (May 24…YES!), I have been thinking about writing again. Outside of homework and blogging I simply have not had any time to write for pleasure and finish that “great American novel”, but I love to write. There is something about the art and craft of writing that works for me (I know, I’m sick!).

So I was walking through the bookstore earlier this week and saw this book: Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss, sitting on the shelf. I have been wanting to read it for awhile now, but never had the opportunity to buy it. This time I did.

It’s a book about the proper use of punctuation. I know…really sick! But it really is a good read. Truss is British and she brings the best of British humour (notice the spelling?) to a fairly dry topic. She makes it fun through her witty commentary and by poking fun at herself and all those grammatical “sticklers” (guilty).

If you want to improve your use of commas, apostrophes, semi-colons, colons, and the like then I highly recommend this book. Even if the mere thought makes you break out in a cold sweat, this book is for you. There are times you will simply forget that you are reading, and learning, about punctuation. It is a quick read full of good, readily applicable information. I highly recommend it to all you fellow sickos out there.

A few people have ask me what my take is on the whole Mike Shanahan firing. Of course, my initial reaction was one of shock and awe because I seriously thought he was Bowlen’s “Coach for Life”…but this just proves that nothing is really forever (except maybe diamonds?).

I refrained from posting right when it happened because I wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about letting Shanny go. On the one hand, the man simply has not gotten the job done in the past few years. He has had some terribledrafts in the past and has only made one serious playoff run since Elway left (that loss to the Steelers a few years ago still hurts!). On the other hand, is there a better coach out there right now? Can we really replace The Mastermind with something better? And the last two draft classes have been fantastic.

After some reflection I think the time was right for a change. Is there a better coach out there? Probably not. Is there a better GM/Coaching combination? Absolutely! I think this firing was all about Shanny as GM, not Shanny as Coach. He had taken off more than he could chew (can anyone do both jobs effectively?). And it was becoming obvious that the time had come for a change…hopefully the change will be for the better.

If there was anything outside of the GM role that got Shanny in hot water it just might have been the terrible defense the Broncos have put together since…well…the Superbowl years (and even that defense was just above average). Shanny was an offensive genius that I think we will miss. But he proved that offense alone does NOT get it done…you need at least a passable defense.

So what’s next?

For Shanny, I wish him the best of luck as long as he coaches outside of the AFC West (and preferably the AFC altogether). My guess is that he is back coaching soon…he will have his pick. Maybe he even heads to the college ranks as has so often been rumored lately? My nightmare scenario? Dungy retires and Shanny takes the helm in Indy. Shudder to think it!

For the Broncos, I am putting my money on Steve Spagnuolo. I highly doubt we will be getting a head coach with experience (i.e. Cowher) and I would bet the ranch that the next coach s defensively minded. Keep the offense in Bates’ hands and let the new guy focus on building a tough defense…that’s what I’m talking about!

I have one dark-horse pick for the job that would be both ironic and intriguing. I haven’t heard his name mentioned yet so it’s probably not likely, but how about Marty Shottenheimer? You know how the old saying goes…if you can’t bet ‘em join ‘em. Now that would be irony of irony (and he would be motivated to beat my much hated Chargers!).

One thing is for sure…my predictions don’t mean a thing. Only one guy’s opinion matters and that’s Mr. Bowlen. But it can’t get much worse than we’ve had it the past few years…can it??

A few weeks ago I got a brand new “gadget” after doing a little online research. It’s an electronic book reader—The Sony PRS-505 (pictured to the left). I started my research with the Amazon Kindle since it’s currently the most popular (thanks to Amazon’s popularity). I even got to see one up close and personal when a guy at work bought one and brought it in to show off.

However, during my research I came across the Sony version. After reading the reviews of both devices and comparing the feature and price I decided on the Sony Reader. I chose the Sony mainly because of the price (especially since I got mine on eBay for much less than even the discounted retail price. The Kindle does have a wireless connection for downloading books, magazines, and newspapers but I didn’t need that functionality for the additional price. The Kindle is also 13 weeks behind in delivery and Amazon is about to come out with a newer version in the beginning of 2009 (that will make some people really happy…nothing like shelling out $400 on a device that is already outdated). There were also several reviews on the Kindle that indicated the design was not exactly up-to-par yet (many who owned it said to wait for the next version…or two).

The more I read about the Sony Reader the more I liked it. It requires a PC connection (USB) to download books, but the interface is very familiar…I swear it was made by the same people who developed iTunes because it is almost identical. The controls are easy to access, the device does not have a keyboard (since you wouldn’t use it anyway) and it has the typical “Sony Style”. The reviews I read on this device were much better than the Kindle (especially since the 505 is Sony’s second generation). The screen on both devices is made by the same company so there is no difference there…and it is nothing short of amazing! It looks just like a printed page…black text on a white background. The eInk technology has come a long way! The device doesn’t use any power while the text is displayed…it only uses power to paint the screen. I purchased and charged mine three weeks ago and it still has half of the battery life left after reading two full-sized novels.

Sony also has a touch screen version of their device (PRS-700) but it is much more expensive and the touchscreen overlay does affect the screen’s image a tad (but only a tad). I expect that the eInk folks are working on the next version of their screen to include both touchscreen and a back-light, but that’s only a guess.

All in all…I absolutely LOVE this device! Is it for everyone? Nope! If you read paperbacks or only read a little bit then this device is certainly overkill and not worth the price. But if you read a lot or are a book-snob like I am (I hate paperbacks…hardbacks all the way) then this is worth every penny (or if you are a gadget hog too). Amazon’s book selection for the Kindle is a little bigger (as you would expect), but Sony’s collection is growing and they have all of the latest stuff (Amazon has some more obscure titles I don’t really care about much anyway).

If you are looking for the “net cool thing” or you read a lot I highly recommend the Sony Reader. You will not be disappointed!

I haven’t talked much football yet this season, so here are a few musings and thoughts that have been rolling around my brain…feel free to comment on any and all that you like…

1. Will the real Peyton Manning/LaDanian Tomlinson/Terrell Owens please stand up!
   
   Seriously, would you have bet anything that these guys would perform so poorly this year?  In the meantime we have guys like Trent Edwards playing lights out? Something just isn’t quite right with universe right now.
2. How exactly do these guys still have jobs: Romeo Crennel, Marvin Lewis, and Herm Edwards?
   
   This is especially questionable given that the 49ers just fired Mike Nolan. These coaches have had plenty of opportunity with plenty of talent to make stuff happen and they are not getting done.
3. The Denver Defense should be forced to wear pink jerseys until they man-up and start playing “big boy” football. 

   It’s getting downright embarrassing! How many years do we have to put up with this garbage? They have talent (as much as most other NFL teams) so is it coaching or is it simply desire?

4. Jay Cutler needs to shut his mouth about John Elway and Philip Rivers and FOCUS on football. 

   Hopefully he got a little slice of humble pie last night once again and he decides to screw his head back on and do what we’ve seen him do…tear defenses apart. It seems like once he started getting some attention it went straight to his head and then his head exploded.

There ya go…I feel much better now!