Preseason Game #3

1st Downs 22 18

Passing 1st downs 12 8

Rushing 1st downs 7 6

1st downsPenalties 3 4

3rd down Efficiency 2-9 4-12

4th down Efficiency 0-1 0-0

Total Plays 63 56

Total Yards 355 268

Passing 180 140

Comp-Att 16-30 15-26

Yards per pass 6.0 5.4

Rushing 175 128

Rushing Attempts 30 28

Yards per Rush 5.8 4.6

Red Zone 2-6 2-5

Penalties 11-93 8-67

Turnovers 3 2

Interceptions Thrown 3 2

Possession 31:24 28:36

Solely from these stats which do you think the Broncos are and which ones do you think the Steelers are?

And if you guessed that the ones on the left were the Denver Broncos you are completely WRONG! They are the better statistics of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And while everyone is giving the Broncos praise of their great great great win last night, I say ‘Not so fast?’ The Steelers really didn’t do anything they usually do. Roethlisburger took 11 snaps, the #2 guy on the depth charts (Bryon Leftwich) played a little at the end of the third quarter and Charlie Batch is the Steelers equivalent of our very own Bubby Brister played quite a bit. Dwyer and Mendenhall were unstoppable on their 18 combined carries. Given a steady dose of their 6.8 and 5.6 ypc, and the Broncos would be more battered than a one legged rodeo clown.

The offense wasn’t much better. They got their one first half first team offensive touchdown with the help of 2 ridiculously easy to call 15 yard unnecessary roughness calls.

I'm expecting quite a bit of this this year.

But I’m not all negative this morning. There is one positive. (Its not the sure fire connection that Tebow and Decker established that will be the Elway-to-McCaffery, Young-to-Rice, Pops-to-ME (That’s right Matt, you could never stop the button hook. Nor the button hook and go) of the Broncos future.) It is Lance Ball. He played within himself and when he saw a hole he made the cut that got him there. He was little flash, but over the years reading the zone right and making a cut will make you vastly successful in this offense. He is a solid #2 or 3 back in this system.

Overall the Broncos didn’t play that well and 6 wins could be a success this year, but I like the improvement and the direct McDaniels is taking the Broncos.

[Food for thought... If the Broncos start out 1-6 and loss to Oakland at home. Tebow could start his first game on another continent against the 49ers. It is a legitimate possibility.]

WHY SENECA WALLACE IS MY BOY

After nearly a month of blood, sweat and tears some players are sent packing without a second thought and nary a blip on the media’s radar. But most of those players are undrafted and unknown. You never thought that this kind of thing would happen to the winningest quarterback in the history of college football and 3^rd round draft pick, Colt McCoy.

And it’s sad to see him go, but that brings me to my point… SENECA WALLACE IS MY BOY.

He is the 2^nd string QB behind Jake Delhomme and, must I add, a great off season pick up that could make the Browns a decent competitor in a ridiculously competitive division. (Okay, I was talking about Wallace, but that statement makes sense if you thought I was talking about Delhomme too. So to each his own. May I continue?) He, Wallace, never got his shot in Seattle with Matt Hasselback in front of him. But if someone ever gave him the chance he will be good.

I was never able to witness Michael Vick; there are only a select few who have witness the playmaking ability of such a football player in his prime. But I think I saw the closest thing to it when Seneca Wallace and Iowa State, and its clearly not Iowa St with Seneca Wallace, came to play the Colorado Buffaloes.

We were sitting in the low in the North End zone, and I got to witness a superior athlete, like none I’ve ever seen before take the field. Seneca single handedly almost won the game. He threw for 265 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 102 yards and another score. If only they put him in at linebacker would the Cyclones have got the W. (Chris Brown and, another one of my boys, Bobby Purify went crazy on the Ames defense scorching them for 127 and 174 yards respectively)

He was the best player on the field and I could have legitimately made an argument for him being the best player in the country, as a 12 year old. And Red Raider fans would agree with me because a play that is historically known as “The Run”.

His play on that chilly November night turned me into a Seneca Wallace fan FOREVER!

There are no baseball fans in Texas.

I like keeping up on the baseball standings throughout the year, and this year the race that has caught my attention is the AL Central. It’s the most intriguing. Joe Mauer redefining the position of the catcher much like Johnny Bench did it in the 80’s. And outspoken manager Ozzie Guillen and his White Sox who just never seem to go away. Minnesota made a run, then Chicago, and now Minnesota.

The most surprising though is the AL West. A rejuvenated Vlad, and a potential MVP that has no more demons to beat down, Hamilton, is crushing the rest of the division when the LA Angels looked (on paper) as the team that was going to win this division easily…. Again.

And much to my pleasure they played a 4 game series in Arlington. Like an AL Pennant preview, the 2 goliaths battled it out. And last night when Cliff Lee, the Moses Malone of the modern MLB, and Francisco Liriano, Minnesota’s best pitcher without handlebars on his face, went at it.

And 24,738 people came to see it. That is a staggering 50.3% of a stadium that’s capacity is 49,115.

The largest division lead in all of baseball and nobody in the entire state of Texas seems to care. I’m gonna jump on the bandwagon just cause nobody else has. Go Rangers.

I guess things aren't ALWAYS bigger in Texas,
definitely not the fan base.

All About Feinstein

I’m not much of a reader, but I can get after a book or writer if I really set my mind to it.

Last year it was Rick Reilly. His articles in Sports Illustrated made me flip the back cover before I flipped the front. His semi-weekly articles were fun, had some meaning and, of course, he was a Golden Buffalo so I had to support him. He left SI for ESPN, the website and magazine and regrettably television. His appearances on ESPN through ‘Homecoming’ and other odd spots made me leave him. His material should only be read, not heard. Although our separation had to happen, he still holds a special place with me. GO BUFFS!

Next came, Bill Simmons. He constructed these 1300 word masterpieces that just never really seemed to remain on point. He was able to ridicule people, and those people would hate him, but in the end they would inevitably come back to him. He went on tangents that we all, the lay sports fan, could relate to. (I would go off on a tangent at this point to show the complexities of our similarities, but I think that would be almost too much. That will suffice.) But again, it became too much, and I just couldn’t stand his bias toward the Celtics.

Sprinkled in between these guys were some others who I am forced to mention. Mike Greenberg, whose metro-sexuality far surpasses my own. He is a regular family guy who’s rational when it comes to sports and life is remarkable. Also the various blogs of David Larose, Deadspin and the Bleacher Report have been on my radar.

But now today, I feel like I have been living under a rock for the last 20 years of my storied life. All I can say is 2 words, JOHN FEINSTEIN.

Doesn't this guy just look sports smart??

He has written over 30 sports books that come highly acclaimed and writing that I wish I could emulate. He describes the actions of sports poetically and simple, no joking around, just sports and I absolutely love it.

Check it out, cause I’m hooked…. http://www.feinsteinonthebrink.com/index.php

USA #2

Should we be worried about Argentina taking over as the most powerful sports country in the world? Or have they already accomplished that feat?

USA=#2??

Soccer: FIFA ranked the Argentineans #5, which is a shocker in and of itself. But the USA is a major 13 spots behind dropping to #18 on the list, after a relatively good World Cup appearance.

Golf: Although there is only a single player within the top 50 of the World Golf Rankings the Argentineans have the same number of major wins in the last 5 major championships (1).

Basketball: FIBA, as of 2009, ranked the Red, White and Blue second. 2^nd? Number 2? And none other than the Argentineans are numero uno.

Maybe I’m arrogant, or ignorant… or just AMERICAN. Cause man, that’s messed up.

What'd I Miss?

The golf world is, in one word, in turmoil.

Tiger Woods, the name/face and the only reason anyone turns the golf channel on, sucks. Phil Mickelson, the loveable loser who although not many of us remember because of that Woods guy, won the Masters, has arthritis and is in no shape to compete. And Tim Tebow, ‘The Savior’ but why in the world are you diving head first into end zone, down 13, as time expires, in a preseason game. (Maybe we should be talking about his head rather than his throwing mechanics.)

And as CBS inexplicably changes the PGA Championship as the leader and final group comes down 18 to watch the opening kickoff of an NFL preseason game.

Dustin Johnson, splash landing, in the end.

But the real problem, nobody cared.

Nearly the entire Mountain Time Zone region missed probably the biggest event to happen to the PGA Tour this year. [And in case you missed it…. Dustin Johnson, the guy who shot a 64 on Saturday at the US Open at Pebble Beach and couldn’t miss a shot on the back nine coming in, then proceeded to collapse faster than Pee Wee Herman under still unconditioned Albert Haynesworth. He, DJ, struggled on the final round of the PGA Championship but came back with such resilience that Heath Ledger in the ‘A Knights Tale’ would be proud. Fast forward to the 18^th hole, DJ has a one shot lead and only needs a par to secure his first major and only the 4^th American to win a major in their 20’s. His tee shot is slightly askew but gets out of a tough situation and makes a bogey that lands him in a three-way playoff. But much to his chagrin and everyone watching, and at this point Kyle Orton had been extremely accurate hitting his dump off receivers, he was awarded a 2 stroke penalty for ‘grounding his club’ in one of the course 1,200 bunkers. The bunkers in which the onlookers were standing, the bunker where PGA rules officials used cameras to see if he actual grounded his club. Bubba Waston and Martin Kaymer go on to battle in a three hole playoff where Waston almost sinks a chip, US Open Tom Watsonesque, but Kaymer almost anticlimactically comes out on top.]

These types of things only happen so often. And you missed it.

Calm down UNC Beeears; I haven’t gotten the test results back yet but the diagnosis IS coming.

Which Is Worse??

Pete Rose is banned from baseball because ‘he bet on baseball’. Okay gambling on the game, having inside information is just wrong. People aren’t allowed to have advanced information and gain profit from it. Just like the stock market, aka Martha Stewart.

But Rose bet upwards of tens of thousands of dollars on his team to win. TO FREAKING WIN. As a manager of a major league ballclub what is your goal on a day-to-day basis? Win. So is having money on YOUR team to win going to change your managerial techniques? No. And if you have, $10,000 worth of confidence in your team to win isn’t that a good thing too?

Is it wrong he bet… Probably. Should he be banned from baseball, any front office position, coaching role or playing…. Probably.

But, what is what Pete Rose did as a manager any worse than what Lou Piniella and Bobby Cox are doing right now?

Not a thing.

Exactly, What is he smokin'?

Piniella and Cox both announced their retirements after the season, during the season. So technically they are holding their respective team’s hostage for the next 3 months.

But they have earned it. Piniella has 1800 wins and Cox has 2400, they can call it quits whenever.

No, they can’t. Nobody is above the game, not even two 60 something year old managers. They have been around the game of baseball, they know what it takes to make it through an entire season, and they know the ups and downs of the game. So they should well enough know if they are going to make it through the season before it starts.

And what’s wrong with retiring mid-season? Ken Griffey did it, he felt he was hurting the team by not being fully committed so he opened a roster spot and moved on. Classy move.

Instead these 2 managers are eating sunflower seeds on the team’s dime; leaving his family at home to go on cross country trips. Who really wins here??? A manager whose motives can be misconstrued, and players doubting his will to continue and even win. His family counting down the days till their beloved dad, grandpa, or uncle comes home.

When the passion ceases to exist anymore, just get out.

[Okay, I have 2 tangents to continue here.

One, is the passion. All players have it one way or another, just in different levels. And this may be the only time, ever, I give props to Brett Favre. HHathhe

He wants to play, he wants to get after it, he wants to go in Monday mornings at 6:30 after a loss and revisit all his mistakes. His passion is undeniable, he just needs to make up his freaking mind sooner.

Another player is Pete Rose. His passion to win is bigger than anyone out there. And that lack of passion in the game today is hurting the sport and the fans. He was willing to do whatever it took to win, ie 1970 All-Star Game. He did whatever it took on an individual basis to win. 4256 hits, Derek Jeter has 1400 fewer to put it in perspective. And him not being in the HOF is a crying shame. He may be considered the best player to ever lace up turf shoes and/or cleats. So as is, the MLB Hall of Fame is a sham for not allowing such a great player in. Might as well vote Barry Bonds in, can’t have one unjustified act without another.]

There you have it, you’ve been diagnosed.

Take a Tiger by the Toe

Statistics are like bikinis; they show you a lot, just not everything.

Tiger Tiger Woods y'all in trouble. Trust me.

And what perfect analogy way to start off a blog about Tiger Woods. His miraculously terrible 74, in which only 8 players in a selective field finished behind him, just furthered my belief that he will no longer go down as the greatest player to ever hold a golf club in his hand.

This 74 and 72 does not have one single implication on why I’m feeling this way. But it does in fact give me, finally, a platform to convey my thoughts on the once touted superhuman.

Prior to his actions on November 29, 2009 everyone, including the current record holder, had no doubts that he was going to surpass the 18 major championships. But not only surpass them, but fly by them with reckless abandon, much like he did against the rest of the competition when he first turned pro.

And now, with his once Wizard the Oz actions (behind the curtain) people have come to resent Tiger. And it has hurt his game.

Long story short, he will not surpass Jack Nicklaus as the greatest, check that, most accomplished golfer of all time. It just will not be done.

And here’s why…. Golf isn’t like any other sport. It takes so much mental stability to stay in the moment but remember what you got in the bag. You might be able to slide by in any other sport as a head case, but not golf. It’s so mentally draining for the lay player that any of us to realize what it takes to be a pro is kidding them.

So Tiger, the biggest, most popular player on tour has ten times the amount of pressure on him than any other player. Now with the transgressions, ratchet that number up 1000 fold. Add the fact that he fired his coach so now all he has on his side is his New Zealand anger management pal. His limited outbursts and change in personality to maintain his image and brand. The young talent on tour waiting to pounce (haha) as the old Tiger turns gray.

And what do you have? Maybe one or 2 more majors but that’s it.

[END NOTE: Kenny Perry looks extremely slim. The last time we saw him he was falling apart at the Masters, but unlike his M.O. in the past he must have really hit the gym and committed to his health and his game. And I know he is getting old, turns 50 in 4 days, but after the year he had last year I expect him to make a run at a couple majors and get some memorabilia for his trophy case before he hits the Senior Tour.]

I'll Draft Tarvaris Jackson

I was only kinda joking when I tweeted this morning that taking Tarvaris Jackson at QB in fantasy football. And as many people, 3 total, have responded that this is absurd. But let’s take a look see.

Tarvaris can throw TDs too!

The Vikings have the #1 running back in the league, Adrian Peterson, the #6 and #22 Sports Illustrated receivers with Sydney Rice and Percy Harvin and the #8 tight end in Visanthe Shiancoe. So all Tarvaris has to do is get the ball in the hands of these incredible players and let them do all the work.

Okay, if you have a top 8 pick in the draft I wouldn’t take T. Jackson either. But if you fall below that, go to the second round without a solid quarterback at the helm you would be stupid not to take him. And you can still wear your lucky Lee Dungarees on Sunday.

Gator Week

The opening of the 2010 Broncos Training Camp commenced on the first day of August and there was a sole focus by all people in attendance. That one captivating figure is Tim Tebow.

Tebow, Quinn and Orton all can't fit in Elway's shoes at once? Or can they?

There were signs, Gator chops and the occasional cheer when Tebow glanced in the packed hillsides direction. 3,100 plus people crammed into the small Dove Valley facility to witness the best day of the Broncos 2010 campaign.

There is a buzz that, I have been told, is as big as or bigger than Rockotber or a Broncos Super Bowl win. And what better week to have it on; Shark Week…. More like GATOR WEEK.

[SIDE NOTE: The Broncos may have 3 potential starting quarterbacks vying for a single spot that too many doesn’t even seem up for grabs. Unfortunately, or possibly, fortunately for the 2 sidekicks they aren’t getting very much attention while the rook is demanding an all-eyes on him mentality. But from my football expertise Tebow didn’t look all that outstanding. In 11 on 11 he rarely threw the ball and when he did it was on check downs. And earlier in practice when Orton and Quinn were taking snaps with 7 on 7 Tebow was on the other field handing the ball off in all-run scenarios, full contact. Orton and Quinn were the ones that impressed me. Orton had cannon and as many faithful complain he doesn’t throw it down the field enough he has more than enough arm to do so when need be. Quinn had an arm too, not overwhelming though. But the one thing that made me double take at him was his size. He is at least 6’5” and makes Orton and Tebow look like his little brothers when standing next to him. And although Notre Dame is going down it is still a football school and there is a reason Quinn was a 4-year starter for the golden domers. And although the entire buzz is about Tebow the job is still Orton’s to lose, and watch out for Quinn who could just turn out to be the Broncos quarterback of the future.]