I’m not much of a golfer, and I watch even less of it, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of shot. Of course, it only happens to the best of players…can’t see me getting this kind of luck!

Golf Shot

Happy Friday!

This video stands on its own…there are no words. I put it here in celebration of the Nuggets (and a slight protest to my beloved Broncos). At worst this video will make you shake your head…

Jazz Dancer

Happy Friday!

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!!

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??

Today my beloved Broncos hold their playoff destiny in their own hands. The announcers have said it more times than I can count, but if they win they are in and if they lose they are out. It is unbelievable that they have put themselves in this position since they were up three games on the Chargers just two weeks ago!

As an avid fan, I, of course, want them to win the game. But here’s the thing…I’m not so sure I want them to get into the playoffs. They just aren’t ready. The offense is close—very close. All they need is a little more time together. The defense on the other hand? Where to begin?!? They need help at so many positions it’s almost impossible to know where to start, but I do know that they are not a playoff caliber defense. Pick anyone who actually earned the right to be there and this defense will be picked apart by that team.

My prediction for today? I actually think they might be able to pull this one off…I think it’s going to be a close one. In the end, I think they will lose the game. The Chargers are playing their best ball right now (not great, but their best so far) and the Broncos are on a slide they can’t seem to control. I also kind of hope they lose and miss the playoffs. Whichever team makes it in will likely play the Colts at home and I’ve seen the Broncos lose to them quite enough already. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Chargers dealt the same fate!

The one wild-card today that could change the outcome of the game is Mr. Jay Cutler. If he has a great game and manages to protect the football…he might just avenge the loss to the Chargers last year and wipe this stupid look off of Mr. Rivers face…

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!

This is horrible news, but safety John Lynch is leaving the Denver Broncos (I almost swallowed my own tongue when I read this the first time)! You can read the full article in the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. All I can say is that he will be sorely missed…and that this is another veteran player I wish was staying around (ala Jason Elam).

I understand the move on both sides. For Lynch, he wasn’t likely to start and I’m guessing he will end up somewhere else (and I wish him all the best as long as it is outside of the AFC West). Lynch is a class act!

For the Broncos, they have a lot of talent at the safety position and enough class to recognize this early and they are letting a class act look for the best opportunity for him (not all organizations would do that). I hope this move doesn’t come back to bite them at some point during the year, but it will certainly provide plenty of talk-show fodder.

It’s an odd year for my beloved Broncos!
Good luck John…you will be missed!

Tonight I was doing some catching up on news (specifically sports news) so I start browsing the Denver Post and I see this picture on the front page (and within the article itself)…

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, right? I’m not sure what this picture is trying to say…but it cracks me up!! Is this really the best picture the Denver Post could find? I doubt it, which means they are either cruel or thought it was funny too (or both). I know it makes me a bad person, but this picture is funny…I can’t help it, consider it a character flaw!  And of course I had to share. Don’t worry if you think it’s a little funny too…just as long as you can laugh at yourself.

Denver Broncos Training Camp 2008 officially start today!! I heard yesterday that this is the last weekend of the year without a broadcast football game (I know, it’s preseason, but it’s something!).  I love this time of year because the season is full of just one thing…PROMISE. I plan on making it to at least one training camp session this year and am excited about the Bronco’s possibilities. Am I expecting the Super Bowl? Uh…no. Am I expecting the playoffs? Yes. I am also expecting a lot of young players to start making some contributions on both sides of the ball. I am expecting Mr. Cutler to make some significant strides in his game. My biggest question mark…the defensive line of course?!?!? Win or lose…the season is upon us!

BTW, my preseason prediction? 10-6

In addition to training camp starting, fantasy football is coming too! Our draft starts on August 16th and I am looking forward to a much better year than last year (3-10! ). We have some new teams in the league which is always fun and we expanded it from 10 to 12 players. We are also turning it into a Keeper League which should add a little more interest.

Sigh…football is here…all seems right with the world!

P.S.: Heading to Jackson Lake for the weekend with family and friends so no posts for the next couple of days (sorry Nick). Will have pics and stories to share when I get back. Peace out!

Opening Day 2008
A foot long bratwurst. A cold beer. Peanuts (no Cracker Jacks). Good friends.
 It doesn’t get any better than this!

This is where I spent my afternoon today…thanks to a good friend (Rowland Smith) who invited me to enjoy a beautiful Colorado day at the ballpark (it was 65 degrees at game time) with him and my Pastor. The Rockies lost the game 8-1 to the Diamondbacks, but it’s early in the season and you just can’t argue with a day at the park instead of at work.

Thanks Rowland!!