Raiders back to basics; Celtics win and lose

Daunte Culpepper and the Raiders is an excellent match. Culpepper, remember this, is the best fit as Oakland QB the team has had since Rich Gannon. Culpepper is big and strong, talented, productive and loves throwing the downfield ball. The only question for him is health. If he has it, his mind will be right. If the top overall draft pick in April, JaMarcus Russell, holds out for an extended period of time, he very well might become the next Philip Rivers, the San Diego Chargers QB, sidelining it for the first season of his career.

Just so you know -- Minnesota won the trade with Boston that sent "The Big Ticket" Kevin Garnett to the Celtics for five players and two draft picks. Garnett is a player of great skill, passion and pride, a Hall of Famer, but the word here is that Al Jefferson is becoming one of the better young forwards in the game, Ryan Gomes is underrated, Gerald Green has high-scoring ability, and then the Wolves also get two first-round draft selections. Especially considering Garnett wanted out, this was a treasure chest of booty for Minnesota. Boston, though, is not crying. Garnett will help them win more games and create more buzz for the team. Win-Win.

Rockies nap; Buff gets break; Outlaws

Colorado Warrior

The trading deadline came and the Rockies took a nap. Maybe that's not a bad thing. If a quality deal was not available then why make a move just to say you did? This isn't Colorado's year anyway. The time to improve will be this offseason. Mark Teixeira was a name of interest that could have infused some explosives to the lineup but there is no way Todd Helton can be moved anymore. His value is minimal and his contract is an albatross.

Former CU star guard Jay Humphries is back stateside after the Suns brought him back to Phoenix as an assistant coach. The ex-Buff played with the Suns for three of his 11 NBA seasons. He's been coaching overseas for the last six seasons. Many CU fans wanted Humphries on new coach Jeff Bzdelik's staff but working under Mike D'Antoni in the desert will be a higher profile position to aid his future dreams.

CSU reserve defensive lineman Devin McWilliams is trying to get kicked off the team and out of school, in essence packing his own bags for a return home to his family's home in Los Angeles. McWilliams can give thanks that he was only arrested for disorderly conduct after bringing a pellet gun to a large house party. Now what would the dude need that for at a party. Nothing good could come out of such a decision. Rams coach Sonny Lubick has to be scratching his head wondering what to say to someone so dense. How do you reason with a player who is so obviously foolish. Like you would trust that cat to do the right thing on or off the field?

And Lubick isn't alone with his grief as basketball coach Tim Miles has to handle the negative publicity and talent hit he's going to take with incoming freshman Stephen Franklin having an arrest warrant with his name on it for identity theft, according to a report by KCNC-Channel 4. You earn a scholarship to get an education and play your favorite sport and then you go do something to risk it all and go to jail. Franklin isn't smart enough to go to college and isn't good enough to be a part of Miles' program. Maybe the long road will refine Franklin's arrogance and character.

Local writers are gushing over Rockies reliever Manny Corpas as if he's the answer as the team's closer. He's not. Corpas is a an intriguing talent with high-level potential, as an eighth-inning guy. He's been shutdown this season but his numbers haven't yet shown the ability to dominate. Remember, a year ago it was Ramon Ramirez who looked like like all that. This season, he got rocked early and ended up back in Colorado Springs until a recent call-up. That said, Corpas is indeed a key piece to the Rockies puzzzle to create a winner.

As Kyle Ringo of the Daily Camera reports, CU is getting that much needed makeover to its' sickly facilities, which will help the program now and become a point to sell not hide for future recruits. AD Mike Bohn is doing his job with positive tangible results to show doubters. With an improved product on the field in the next few seasons, the Buffs could have the rebirth they desire in the Big 12.

Walsh falls; Quinn losing; Bower a loser

Bill Walsh (pictured with Joe Paterno), dead at 75. Leukemia wins, as it often does. Walsh was every bit the champion that Vince Lombardi or Chuck Noll was and as a trailblazer and one that transferred his greatness to coaches and players he was a diamond.

Speaking of Paterno, he had his chances to coach the pro game but said "no." In the right city, say Pittsburgh or Philly, with a quality general manager and talent procurer, Paterno would have stacked wins.

Browns rookie quarterback Brady Quinn holding out is dumb. Here's a guy who dropped like an anchor in the NFL draft to a city who is eager to love him and now he's going to wait around to sign a contract, thus risking the possibility of falling behind learning the system? Look, if you're a top 5 pick and you want to hold out, maybe it's tolerable but not when you are a selection in the later part of the draft and when the job is all yours if you just show up and play like you are capable. Guess a Notre Dame education isn't what it used to be.

Jeff Bower, Southern Mississippi football coach and Hall-of-Fame loser. Check the track record and decide for yourself. Bringing in player after player that mega-powers reject due to serious criminal charges says it all -- sell your soul at the crossroads to eat the leftovers off the master's table. Disgusting.

The Braves score and score big getting Mark Teixeira from the Rangers. If, and that's a big IF, Atlanta can re-sign agent Scott Boras, um, I mean Teixeira, the the Braves will have pulled off a trade that will keep their lineup loaded with power and production. The Rangers had to make the deal but in the end, truly, they got fleeced. Some value, just not enough. And way too much projection on the part of young players to get excited down Arlington way. Another example of why Texas is always Texas and Atlanta keeps winning.

Kevin Garnett will juice the crowd in Boston but with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen also wanting the ball, who becomes the no. 1 option, then no. 2 and 3? None of these guys seem likely to step into the shadows, do they? Some are already predicting the Celtics to be an Eastern power. Guess what? Don't see it. Give me team play, ala the Spurs, with one star and several quality players around him.

Look in the mirror, mom and dad

Look next to you in the stands for fanatical parents.

Check out this little tennis phenom, Jan Kristian Silva, and you can predict where he's going to go.

Being a Tiger Woods-type success or Andre Agassi-like talent is the longest of longshots. Todd Marinovich might be more like it.

What is most humorous is how delusional the parents are that they are doing it all for their child.

They sense a potential gravy train when they see one, don't they?

They gave up their home and two cars to move to France for their 5-year old. Think about that. That's not necessarily love. That's being blinded by selfishness and the hopes of future riches.

Garnett moving; Pro's pros; TD no go

Could Kevin Garnett become a Celtic after rumors past that KG wants no part of Boston? Yes, says a FoxSports.com report which says Al Jefferson and likely draft picks being the Celtics booty going to the Wolves. Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen make Boston a player out East (if defense doesn't matter to you) but only if the team can pass chemistry class (ask the Nuggets). Minnesota getting Jefferson and picks makes this a shrewd move on their part. Jefferson is younger, highly skilled and marketable if he doesn't work out in Minny. Getting picks sets them up for the future.

Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn...Hall of Famers. Rare talents, even better professionals. Both were and are perfect ambassadors to the game, as they were committed to their craft and carried themselves with pride. The warm fuzzies for all inductees is not the same. Neither Ripken nor Gwynn are Ty Cobb, Pete Rose or other like chumps that are on the assistant principal's after-school detention roll call.

Ripken was the all-time grinder who mixed that resolve with talent to create the predecessor to the big and offensively-productive shortstop.

Gwynn never tried to be anything more than God made him, which was a premier base-hit machine. No attempts to go muscle bound and try to hit 30, 40 homers. Knowing who you are and being the best at that you can is success in of itself.

Word from the Sporting News is that Mark McGwire belongs in the Hall too. The publication asked 25 players their opinion and a whopping 23 said Big Mac did too much on the field and for the game off it and for too long to be ignored as honors worthy. Hey, the man was an unbelievable sight as a power bat, no argument here, but if he was in that gray area in getting an unfair advantage with his body then there have to be consequences, don't there? What kind of message do we send aspiring athletes ifMcGwire and eventually Sammy Sosa, Raffy Palmeiro and Big Head Bonds get enshrined despite their unsavory methods?

A reporter asked Bonds if there was a better hitter than himself in his high school lineup. Can you wrap that? Bonds, and no wonder he hates the media, said no one outhit him at Serra High School in Southern California and no one has been better than him at any level. How would you like to be the writer who asked that rookie-caliber question in front of your peers? Could you ever live it down? It's like the guy in office meetings who tries to hard to show off. Know that guy?

Jose Canseco says he has some goods on Alex Rodriguez. While Canseco is the ultimate stool pigeon he has shared truth before so A-Rod might want to be a little worried right now as Canseco doesn't mind selling out anyone and everyone.

Pig

Former OU star Adrian Peterson now has his contract, for $ 40.5 million, from the Vikings. That's the easy part of the equation. Him staying healthy enough to earn that money love is the challenge. With is history, the odds are against that happening.

Oklahoma and Notre Dame are talking about getting tangled up on the football field in a home-and-home series beginning in 2012. Progressive idea on behalf of the schools if it goes down. Those are the games fans want to see. Make it reality.

Other series the WSN would like to see would be Michigan and/or Ohio State against Texas and/or Oklahoma; Colorado against Penn State and/or Iowa; a rebirth of Colorado against both Oregon and Washington and a new series with Cal; Colorado State against second-tier or lower tier Pac 10 schools Oregon State, Arizona and Stanford. The Buffs finding an SEC dancing partner or two would also be attractive while hooking up the Rams with mid-to-low-level Big 10 schools, if agreeable, would be a good move.

One more series -- Notre Dame and it's network and money power against any NFL team. If you're going to act like a pro team, you might as well play one.

Tim Couch, back in the NFL, signing with Jacksonville. A flop as a number one overall pick of the Browns but capable if healthy and in the right offense. Is Jacksonville that place? Maybe. Couch is not Ryan Leaf-type arrogant or lazy so the WSN is in his corner hoping he can stick on the roster.

Hoops

Washington State did what it had to do -- reward excellence. It coughed up $ 800,000 a year to basketball coach Tony Bennett after he led the Cougars to a 26-8 record last season. WSU just doesn't have seasons like that and when Bennett made it happen he became a hot national commodity. Now, as good as Bennett is, he is going to be hard pressed to live up to that deal and make big things happen again. Recruiting to Pullman is not easy. If he can get enough athletes there and just get to the NCAA Tournament a couple more times, he'll be gone for a much more high profile program in say, three seasons. See Jeff Bzdelik, Air Force, for your evidence.

Colorado Warrior

Kiszla off the mark -- Terrell Davis is NFL Hall of Fame worthy, the columnist writes. We see it differently. Davis' dominance in his career was undeniable but too short-lived, both for Broncos fans and Hall of Fame consideration. If he would have been healthy and as amazing for 2-4 more seasons, then "yes," he would have been deserving and a lock to be inducted. Think of T.D. and you think of rugged, slashing, big plays and durability; a champion. He was the prototypical back and the standard for Broncos runners. Clinton Portis was more flashy, explosive and could have been a superstar had he kept his ego and money hunger in check here but he has not proven to be as mentally tough or as productive as Davis. Davis won't be elected as an all-time great but here in Denver he was and will always be remembered as such. It's a shame the Hall is not in the cards but injuries make this decision easy, even if painful.

The Broncos are giddy right now with hope of playoff success in 2007 and they should hold on to those good feelings. The reasons for the optimism start with Jay Cutler, work their way through the skill talent on offense, the return of Matt Lepsis at tackle and the recently stocked pond on the defensive front for new defensive coordinator Jim Bates, who is coach Mike Shanahan's latest roll of the dice to get an advantage on that side of the ball. Denver has big time potential to score and prevent scoring but too much has to go right for the Broncos to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl and the likelihood of all that lining up in some Cinderella story is nothing more than fantasy.

Denver needs help at wide receiver and Randy Moss was available at draft time. The powerful Patriots, of all teams, snagged him. The Broncos, however, did the smart thing. Terrell Owens was supposed to be a good soldier when he landed in Philly with Donovan McNabb and coach Andy Reid. Owens played well but was a cancer. Moss isn't Owens as a person but he's not a true professional either. Never was and never will be. The Broncos were wise in not upsetting team chemistry with the former Vikings superstar.

Former Broncos running back Tatum Bell is talking up his talent in Detroit, saying it doesn't matter when Kevin Jones returns, that the starter's job is his, not Jones. Bell is no longer a Bronco for a reason -- he couldn't stay healthy or prove himself the man beyond the shadow of a doubt. What makes him think things will be different in Detroit?

Boulder Fairview graduated quarterback T.C. McCartney going to LSU just doesn't seem right until you hear the Les Miles connection and the fact that the Tigers' talent base allows for a walk-on of McCartney's risky potential, while at CU, Dan Hawkins just can't take as many chances because his margin for error on the field is so much smaller.

As written here before, Forsberg ain't Forsberg anymore. The Avalanche might be interested in bringing back Pete but now word on the street is that the Red Wings, of all franchises, might be a destination for Forsberg. That might be too much to stomach for die-hard Avs fans. Of course, all this is worthless talk if Forsberg is not healthy. That said, him in Detroit is distasteful.

Former Rockies pitcher Jason Jennings is not marketing himself well for a big free agent payday by giving up 11 runs in two-thirds of an inning, as he did Sunday against San Diego. Maybe he should try fake being hurt, so as to not expose his shoddy work.

Last year I heard someone refer to Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba as Horrealba. Wonder if they know the guy, over the course of two seasons, has hit 12 homers and driven in 73 runs as a catcher in just 132 games? How many backstops have hit as well in a Colorado uniform?

Jeff Francis is living up to his contract, a rarity for a Rockies pitcher.

Ubaldo Jimenez, who the WSN is predicting to bomb out because of control and command issues, is embarrassing me right now with his highly competitive pitching. He's tough to hit, keeping the ball in the park and his strikeouts are overcoming the walks he issues. It's a good start. He has scoreboard on us for now.

Final Salvo

Clint Hurdle turns 50 years old today and Arnold Scharzenegger is 60.

Gulbis finally wins a golf tournament

Natalie Gulbis can now be known for more than just her face and body. Winning means she is now more than just a desirable piece of cake in the minds of many.

Friday getaway

Marcus Allen scored touchdowns with great regularity. That made him special. He was, however, not a great back. He, however, was loved for his, um, gifts by former O.J. Simpson honey and now corpse Nicole Brown Simpson (til' death do us part). Allen still believes he's got All Pro game but maybe he should realize his behavior he doesn't and he has some similarities to his former friend, the Juice.

More strange for you -- can't help myself, Kim Kardashian (pictured) is just wonderfully sexy but she ruins it all by also being SAD (stupid, arrogant and dangerous). I thought only men were so clueless about etiquette and judgment. This action deserved a Cat fight-tough woman-all-out brawl with profanity. To show up some place so inappropriately should be worthy of getting whacked or at least, getting your ass whupped!

Wonder if new NFL commissioner Roger Goodell knew he would be part administrator, part warden when he succeeded Paul Tagliabue. Yet, still it seems as if he is scaring anyone straight by tossing them into the hole. Maybe the deviants are too dumb to be frightened.

Colorado Warrior

Keep up, will you! Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla asks if Broncos pass catcher Rod Smith is done. We've been over this, haven't we? Smith is toast, cooked, over. That body is wrecked. Great production, strong leader, respected, tremendous success story but the final lines of the final chapter are being written as we speak.

CU defensive back Terrence Wheatley has been named to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation's best defensive back (see Deon Figures and Chris Hudson). Wheatley won't win it because the guys in front of him aren't good enough to make him look brilliant but T-Wheat is about character, resolve and playmaking. He's someone to respect and admire for sticking it out and overcoming injury to excel. He's not as big as Figures or as talented as Hudson but at OU or UT he would be a future high draft pick. As a Buff, he will be good, just not an award winner.

Birthdays

Former Nugget Mack Calvin is 59, former Bronco Haven Moses turns 61 and former Rockies outfielder Tom Goodwin is 39.

Final Salvo

No Saturday or Sunday post this weekend. Look for a Monday shot.

Bonus Thursday Post

Let's be honest with one another, o.k.? Michael Vick, for all his poor choices, is not going to jail. He will be suspended, eventually, for say, half a season and maybe more depending on how his court case goes but Vick is too famous, too rich, too much of an entertainer to go to the joint.

Skip Prosser's death while jogging a tough pill to take for Wake Forest and its' basketball program. The Demon Deacons will be an emotional mess this season because its' coach was reportedly well respected and liked.

The Army, like the police, protects its' own at all costs, morals and values be damned. So news that a retired three-star general might get demoted for issuing misleading information, aka a lie, in the death of former Arizona Cardinals player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman is jaw dropping shocking. This shows what a story that gets outed, picks up momentum in the media and turns into a forest fire can produce, on occasion -- justice.

Broadcaster Bob Costas takes the high road in response to Barry Bonds calling him a "midget man" while also questioning his knowledge of baseball. Costas only further shamed Bonds with that classy move. Of course, the question that should be asked is can you shame the shameless?

Mike Piazza was hit in the head with a half-full water bottle on an accurate throw from a fan. That fan was either smart or lucky that he didn't hit someone like Elijah Dukes or Kenny Rogers or a villain from the past -- Albert Belle. Piazza merely plans to file charges. Those other dudes would have literally killed the perpetrator.

A Villanova co-ed has declined to press charges against three incoming football players she says raped her. Take from that what you will but the strong probability is that this demands a hard investigation regarding intimidation or fear of the legal system shredding the girl's soul.

That said, the former prosecutor in the famed Duke rape scandal has admitted more in the event that rocked the school, community and earned national attention. Mike Nifong says there was no credible evidence against the three lacrosse players who's lives where turned upside down, inside out and trashed. Said it before -- Nifong deserves the prison sentence the players would have received if convicted. Contrary to popular belief, the justice system does have an element of being corrupt and abusing its' power and all parties exposed in it should be punished as any other liar and arrogant, Felonious Frank.

Schilling throwing rocks; Backs in the news

Curt Schilling ain't never been shy. That's refreshing to see a player not afraid of speaking the truth. His latest rip job is on baseball cheaters and it is a masterpiece. Far better than just Schilling's Greatest Hits. In it, the Red Sox pitcher accurately says that if a cheater isn't denying then he's lying (about the truth) and that is an admittance of guilt. Barry Bonds is the prime, but not the only, target of Schilling's rampage and it is revealing yet again to hear Bonds rip broadcaster Bob Costas as "a midget" who is clueless about baseball. Classy as usual and inaccurate to boot but then again no one ever complimented the Giants slugger on being intelligent outside of identifying a pitch in his wheelhouse. Maybe we should have a test and see who knows more about baseball (Bonds or Schilling and Costas) and then also see if the future home run king can walk the walk over his mouth and apologize sincerely. Let's see the file, please -- Bonds -- cheater, liar, punk ass.

Priest Holmes is coming to Chiefs camp. Nice. A lot of fans will be there too. Neither Holmes or the people in shorts will end up on the roster come late August. Once the former Pro Bowl running back starts getting hit again, his body will scream "no mas" and he'll turn in his cleats and go home.

Nice to see the good people of Idaho representing themselves so well by racially threatening Boise State star running back Ian Johnson over his desire and plans to marry cheerleader Chrissy Popadics. Johnson is black, Popadics is white and I guess there is a law against such unions in some people's minds. Of course, that state is also known for racial and anti-governmental radicals, aka loose screws, so such a story is not much of a surprise. Maybe Idaho is the new ignorant, backwoods South.

I want to give Terry Frei of the Denver Post a big ol' hug after he called Michael Vick "a scumbag." Why? Because the more heat the NFL receives from the media and public the more it will not be able to avoid crushing Vick under its' power for his stupidity and inhumane involvement in dog fighting. People who hurt animals, as in torture, have issues, as that's where, we hear, serial killers get started often. Not calling Vick a future killer but his actions are not defensible if you live in or wish to live in a civilized world.

This season is one of the most memorable in baseball history. Not so much for what the teams are doing but for all the career milestones being approached or achieved by pitchers and hitters. The two latest -- Tom Glavine, win no. 299 and red-hot Alex Rodriguez, home run numero 499. The key point to all this goodness is the number of media chunks that theorized that with the money in sports these days players would not be motivated to stick around long enough, be hungry long enough to achieve hallowed numbers. Yet, there are old or old and hurt players still grinding and making history. Yeah, they love the money and attention but they also are passionate about the game and their place in it.

A UCLA assistant football coach -- Eric Scott -- has been arrested on burglary charges. Maybe he was just checking up on a recruit. Or forgot where he lived.

Steve Spurrier is back talkin' smack. The South Carolina football coach believes the Gamecocks now have "the groceries" to be top cock in the SEC. He is still facing the odds against the perennial powerhouses of the conference but with Spurrier nothing is impossible. Him fielding a top-10 team again could well happen. A national title contender might be too much to expect.

So, tell me if you will -- who cares one bit about the Tour de France? Most of us hardly noticed even when Greg Lemond and Lance Armstrong owned the race. Now that they tired of winning so much it becomes the same as the annual hot dog eating contest back East -- a novelty worth a blurb in the news.

Colorado Warrior

CSU AD Paul Kowalczyk is going to make CSU special. Count on it. The man just gets it. He thinks outside the box. He has a track record of success and he is bold.

Rams coach Sonny Lubick is speaking confidently these days about his team. Not loud and proud but self assured. You get the feeling he sees signs he's seen in the past when he had quality seasons.

"Realistic is what you tell your mind is realistic," CU coach Dan Hawkins said in a B.G. Brooks story in the Rocky Mountain News. If we were talking about anything but Hawkins' bowl game expectations for 2007 I'd think that was a great line. The reality is this though -- being significantly deficient in talent to most Big 12 schools is not something you can hide with philosophy.

Hawkins wants to find and name a starting quarterback as soon as possible. Look across the dinner table, coach.

Take a bow, P.T. Gates -- you're the only Buffs recruit who didn't cut it in the classroom. Learn the lesson. But to be fair -- I, um, had some "issues" at one time with acceptable academic standards too so we're brothers on that front. Hey, want to go play Madden?

The Broncos just signed rookie offensive lineman Ryan Harris, the dude who will be the best draftee from the 2007 class.

Aaron Cook was masterful in beating the Padres. It was a fluke. As was just written here, Cook has trade value and the Rockies should use it. Dealing him for the sake of dealing him would be foolish but to get help at the all-to-many holes the team has would be Warrior smart.

Word on the streets is Boston might again be kicking the tires on Todd Helton, considering a trade for the Rockies has-been. O.K., let's try to believe this ridiculous rumor for a moment while we sit on the throne and are a captive audience. Maybe the Red Sox are thinking Helton might be a fall-back guy for them if they can't make the big score on the trade market but come on, realistically, because of Helton's increasing appetite for money and decreased desire to actually earn it, neither Boston or anyone else is going to seriously want to date him and in the end, this is just worthless drivel to ponder.

BaseballAmerica.com is all over two Rockies prospects -- outfielder Seth Smith and pitcher Franklin Morales -- as hotties. Smith started slowly in 2007 but is scorching right now, showing his ability as a potential high-average stick. Morales is, as written here before, nothin' but a tease. Big arm but no star. At least as the starter he is now. As a reliever he could become a hammer if he can learn those two little things called control and command.

Stern humbled; NASCAR dope; Local dirt

Maybe it's just me but it was nice, very nice, to see the pompous David Stern humbled as NBA commissioner with the outing of referee Tim Donaghy as a gambling addicted and also possibly doctoring on-court calls. Stern has worked hard to make the Association successful but his schoolmaster conceit over most matters rubs more than some fans the wrong way. He is heavy-handed and uncompromising and you have to wonder if he doesn't deserve the humiliation coming his way right now. Stern learned the hard way (join the club, brother) that he doesn't know it all, doesn't have total control and that a weasel as small as Donaghy can shoot a big giant hole in the side of the luxury liner known as the NBA.

Guaranteed all other sports are now taking a stronger look at how to even more closely monitor the officials and players who bet on and jack with their games. How this happened to the NBA is still a mystery. Doesn't the code require other officials to rat out co-workers who violate it, aren't there signs to those who gamble? Doesn't the league review game tapes, don't they see patterns, don't they wonder out loud at marginal calls?

The next revelation we need is to find which athletes are doing the same thing Donaghy is doing. How you prove that is a little more difficult but much more interesting and shocking. And is the relative lower-paid scrub with meaningful minutes or the star more likely to be on the take?

How much money is the NBA making if most officials are making six figures, as in as much as $ 300,000? Since when did that become a career in which you can live the life? Guess you can be a ref, get rich and be just as sleazy as a being a politician. That's a tough call for young bucks, isn't it?

NASCAR just might have to toughen up those drug testing rules after Craftsman Truck Series driver Aaron Fike was charged with heroin possession. Not alcohol, not pot, not cocaine. Heroin. Wow, that's the new "in drug" of the NASCAR crowd? Nothing like drivers going real fast while real high or playing with some fun that is real illegal. Fike has to be banned for life. Any pro racer should be kicked out of the sport for one offense, even if off the track, simply for poor discretion and poor public relations for a driving sport. How can you spin any impairment offense at the public and more importantly, children?

Poor David Beckham. The leading man of soccer is reportedly wetting panties of Hollywood starlets everywhere, including our favorite drunk easy, Lindsay Lohan, so much so that Lohan and her buddies have a big-money bet she can bend it like Beckham on David, taking him away, if only for a night, from his wife. What, Robert Downey Jr. wasn't available? What about Dennis Rodman? If Lohan survives another year of Girls Gone Wild it will be a miracle. She seemingly wants to kill herself with either an overdose or a car crash. She's crying for help. Where is her posse?

So, after Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's all-time record for home runs will he retain the same drive to pile on that number until he reaches 800 or more or will he concede to his aching body and slack off, desiring more to ride off into the sunset than remain a major player in the long-drive contest?

Alex Rodriguez is Ken Griffey Jr. in his prime, before the injuries.

Griffey will surprise and remain moderately healthy the rest of his career and pass Willie Mays on the all-time homer list.

Brad Hawpe will not.

You don't think college coaches earn their money? Iowa State star guard Mike Taylor, who averaged 16 points and 4.5 assists per game last season, has been deleted from the team by coach Greg McDermott for the trifecta of stupidity -- stealing cough medicine, a vehicle registration violation and vandalism. Now, I feel for a guy who can't afford medicine but the other two brain cramps get no mercy. Losing Taylor is huge for the Cyclones and the coach shouldn't be punished for the on-the-court result unless Taylor came to town with a prior rap sheet.

Colorado Warrior

Bad news when Allen Iverson is trying to be the voice of reason. Yet there he is crying about athletes being picked on while defending Michael Vick to some degree. Yo, A.I., you don't get taken down for being rich and famous. You get chased for immature idiocy or felonious deeds. You learned the hard way and Vick is traveling that same rocky road now. You and Emmitt Smith should really steer clear of Vick. Yeah, he's a brother and all but he makes you two look Stephen Hawking smart.

Matt Holliday has stopped hitting, Kaz Matsui has done the same, Garrett Atkins has leveled off after a hot run and the Rockies offense is in first gear again. Ramon Ramirez, just called back up from the minors, apparently can no longer get big league hitters out. Colorado is a dysfunctional family right now.

The WSN has loved Matsui since he got to town but his lack of run production makes him a target for replacement. Aaron Cook could be moved out of town in a year when the used pitchers are mostly lemons. Cook has as much value as a lot of those stiffs. Pitcher Josh Fogg could be another surprise departure due to his moderate effectiveness.

If this space gets to play Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd, here are the pieces it is trying to move before the trade deadline.

• Aaron Cook
• Brad Hawpe
• Josh Fogg
• Rodrigo Lopez
• Kaz Matsui
• Seth Smith, if necessary
• Joe Koshansky
• Todd Helton (please!)

The no-trade list (names that could be brought up).

1. Matt Holliday
2. Garrett Atkins
3. Brian Fuentes

Despite many moves the Broncos didn't do enough in the offseason to be a playoff force. Denver will not be a pushover but this is no powerhouse team capable of winter wonderment.

Veteran safety Sam Brandon is going to be at the bus stop soon after the Broncos cut him due to his physical unavailability this season. Brandon never became the big-time popper the team hoped he would become after being drafted out of Vegas but he was a solid backup. If healed he could make a run at a comeback but the severity of his wrecked knee could spell T-H-E E-N-D.

Air Force will have a losing season under first year coach Troy Calhoun but in three years he will have the Falcons dirt tough and winning again.

CSU has a strong shot at going to a minor bowl game. Sufficient talent is there, coach Sonny Lubick is reportedly re-energized and there are potential playmakers on both sides of the ball. As said here before, good health and defense will be the key.

CU will be more rugged and successful this fall but will still get run over frequently. If the Buffs can still sell the dream on the recruiting trail with any sort of magic then next season could be the breakout the program needs to return to a bowl game.

Throw Bonds from the train; cancer victory

Kimberly Bell (pictured), the former mistress of Barry Bonds, scored the biggest hit of her life with a Playboy interview and pictorial. She bashes Bonds in it, which is such a sweetheart thing to do, even if he is rogue, to someone she'd be nothing without. She wasn't complaining about him when he was with her for 10 years but now, after all that special attention and gifts, he is worthy, in her mind, as is typical in breakups for women, an all-out assault. For athletes and rich, powerful men, every woman should come with a Surgeon General's warning label. Not all of them prove cancerous but everyone of them has that potential of being financial and emotional dynamite.

Jon Lester, Boston's young left-hander is better known for being a cancer survivor but his rebounding to return to the major leagues and pitch and pitch well Monday is more than inspiring, it is amazing that he could look so good so early after returning to the game. Stories like Lester or Lance Armstrong are ones that get a national stage and hopefully show all of us that cancer doesn't have to be a death sentence. Yes, the wealthy can get superior care and don't have to worry about going bankrupt but victory over death is the point.

Michael Vick gets kicked out of training camp by the NFL while it does some digging on his dog fighting involvement exploits. This is not, um, how do we say this, going to end well. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback has to be made an example of by the league or risk a revolt when other players go loco. Vick will be hammered shortly. The players' union will protest. The league will win.

It's Wednesday. Do you know where Lindsay Lohan is? Adult or not, her parents need to leash that girl before she ends up dead or before she kills someone else. Lohan needs to learn the party doesn't always have to start with her.

Roger Clemens, victory no. 351. Funny, how all I heard was that The Rocket was just a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher at age 44. Dude is not invincible but he is not just another guy on the street corner either. He is still a quality arm, a no. 2 pitcher at worst who is capable of dominating a game any day. Forget calling him The Rocket. He's The Legend.

Greg Maddux lost an opportunity for victory no. 341 but 350 will be achieved and that, for a smallish, control pitcher is something else. He has to be one of the smartest, most aloof pitchers of all time.

Spotted: Sergio Garcia and Tim Donaghy having drinks, discussing going into hiding for a few weeks.

Colorado Warrior

CSU linebacker Ricky Brewer has been forecast to be the Mountain West Conference freshman of the year. Maybe Brewer is the next big thing on defense in Fort Collins. The Rams need another star to develop on that side of the ball. Brewer was a big pickup in recruiting for coach Sonny Lubick and if the hitter is focused and healthy he could prove to be as good as advertised.

Lubick also is hot for senior defensive end Jessie Nading and honestly, Lubick does need to be pumping him up as CSU could change their season dramatically with a little defense. The coaching staff is beggin' Nading to be special. Health and defense will be the biggest factor for this team in 2007.

Rams safety Zach Donaldson, son of the former Buff, Jeff, is impressing and with Klint Kubiak hurting, could see the field early. Donaldson is similar to Brewer in that he was a top-level CSU recruit, even if a lower-level everyone else recruit, who could pop big in Fort Collins.

Carmelo Anthony is professing "no more drama" in a Marc Spears interview in the Denver Post. Let's just say, as much as we love Melo that we're taking a wait and wait and wait and see attitude on that one. The Nuggets have talent, no doubt amigos, but the injury curse on that franchise and questionable chemistry are potential land mines.

WSN Big Bang Sunday Truth

Sergio Garcia has the setup but can he keep his cool and ride it to victory at the British Open. History says it's a tossup with him. Yes, he's played at a high level at Carnoustie and has a three-shot lead over Steve Stricker and yes, Tiger Woods is far back in the rear-view mirror but there is this undercurrent that this famed tournament is not over, that Garcia will be challenged. That said, not only does he hold the lead he has been the most consistent player through three rounds. The question will be can he handle Stricker, Woods or another rushing him hard on Sunday?

Should Michael Vick be suspended for his Big Daddy dog-fighting involvement? PETA and others certainly see precedent for doing just that after the Pac Man Jones soap NFL jailing for conduct unbecoming a pro football player in commissioner Roger Goodell's kingdom. If a player's union couldn't stop Jones from getting pinched, Vick could also get detention. Jones was a stellar player but the Falcons marketing centerpiece going down would be even more huge, getting players' attention in every city, more so for the position he plays than his mega-watt name. Does the NFL have the guts to do the right thing? The WSN believes the league is thinking about it seriously. It just doesn't want the public telling it what to do. The NFL wants it to be its' own idea so it can look like it is running the asylum of bad actors in its' game.

Pity Virginia Tech. Hasn't that school suffered enough? The killing field that school became after the mass execution by some disenfranchised freak without an off button, Vick's association with the football program and his brother, Marcus' equally atrocious behavior while on campus. Proud family, those Vick's. The Hokies paid the price for recruiting those wonderful talents.

Lance Armstrong is widely respected, not only for being a dominant bicycling champion but for his victory over cancer. The man could live in the light of celebrity for the rest of his life and do nothing but collect paychecks but he has instead decided to take the clout he carries to government, asking, selling, pleading with presidential candidates that cancer research becomes as big a priority in this country as "war or terror or taxes." You don't do what he has done in life without being bold and determined. He will be taken more seriously than entertainers because of his story that people can relate to.

NBA referees playing with point spreads? How does that happen? Really, how does that happen? Wouldn't his co-workers or the Association see a pattern of highly deviant calls that would have an official called into the league office, and quickly, and likely reprimanded harshly? That it has taken this long to unearth or prove is shocking, embarrassing and inexcusable. Some heads at the top are going to be roll, in time, over this one. Hey, why don't we just let the players call their own fouls?

There it is, plain to see, for all, a chink in the armor of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts. With left tackle Tarik Glenn's abrupt retirement decision, the Colts have a big hole in the ship. You don't replace a talented, proven player like Glenn at a premium position and not feel the effects. It's not like you can go to Lowes or Home Depot and just slap down the credit card for a quality tackle. Peyton Manning and all the Colts players and officials will be stalking Glenn, trying to get him to reconsider, you can take it to the bank.

Steroids in the mail

A letter from Dan who comments on the WSN assertion that golfers are not using steroids, at least not in great number.

"Now it is time for quick correction. One of my closest friends was an Olympic caliber shot putter that was put on a steroid program by the US Olympic Training Program in the early '80s. He has taught me much about steroids as have other athletes over the years.

"You media types are making a big mistake when assuming that only the "big" guys use steroids. I have a friend that was prescribed low doses for depression and another that uses low doses to recover more quickly from triathalon workouts. Ever try golfing 6 rounds per week, 40 weeks per year? I'm 100% certain that many golfers are looking for that extra edge in order to hit the ball a bit farther and recover a bit faster from soreness.

"Call your physician and tell him that you'd like to be prescribed a low or medium dose of anabolic steroidal creme. Wait a few weeks to experience the results and then tell me that golfers aren't using steroids.

"My neighbor is the founder/president of KiloSports, a supplement company. He opened my eyes with his discussion of testosterone a few years ago.

"Low-grade supplements reduce estrogen counts in a man and stimulate testosterone. Low levels of anabolics do the same. He believes that low levels of testosterone cause: depression, decreased sex drive, weight gain, inflammation, mood swings, and joint pain. Small doses of anabolic steroids could stimulate testosterone levels and simply take an older guy with naturally low levels back to his levels in his 20's.

"Nothing illegal from a dosage standpoint, simply a small boost. Are golfers using low levels of steroids? Absolutely. Are they abusing them and achieving testosterone levels that would be illegal in a testing environment? I doubt it.

"I am absolutely stunned how poorly informed the media and general public are when it comes to steroids."

WSN: Dan, consider me corrected that steroids could help heal but the golfing demographic does not seem, at least to these eyes, the type to take steroids with the stigma attached to them and if they are doing so I would assume they are doing so very rarely.

Colorado Warrior

Piggin' out

Lendale White, aka Rashaan Salaam, is likely more Ron Dayne than a Larry Johnson tackle buster and elite back. White played behind a dominating line at USC with other great skill players which allowed his talent to look more pro caliber than it is. White also has the same off-the-field type, um, how do we say this -- career crippling issues that the former CU Heisman Trophy winner had. Maybe LC is not Up in Smoke as Salaam but his attitude, which goes all the way back to his prep days, is red-light flashing "questionable."

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is going to win games if the key pieces he needs (offensive line, running back) are put around him and if he can remain healthy. Read Mike Klis' story on Cutler in the Denver Post today and see that Cutler has the family support system behind him to be successful. Rod Smith reminds Broncos fans that Cutler is going to look horrible on some days, that all players endure that, even Saint Elway and he's right but Cutler should eventually iron out those lows. And the guess here is that the Santa Claus, Ind. (an outpost like Kiln, Miss.) native won't be caught with his pants down running a dogfighting ring on his way to success.

Why Cutler should eventually succeed

1. He has the necessary size, strength and arm
2. He is smart and composed
3. He has shown, at Vanderbilt, toughness, confidence and daring
4. He is a competitor

Bernard Jackson, deposed CU quarterback, has to have an award named after him at CU. The man, despite the doubts on his ability to master a position often being questioned, is one of the best acts of being a teammate I've heard of. All last season through today he is constantly showing himself malleable and eager to please and contribute in any way. His talent has never been questioned. The perfect fit has. Now, B-Jack is offering to go play defense. The Black and Gold Truth is this -- Jackson would make a great safety but it's too late to expect much out of him at that position now. If he would have played that spot last year, then sometime this season he would have put it all together and become an NFL-caliber playmaker.

Former CSU standout Joey Porter just got tagged for a $ 141,176 fine by the NFL for fighting another pro player at a casino in Vegas. At that price he should have put on gloves and marketed his talent for a bout. Porter is a blockhead but he still has gas left in his tank as a playwrecker of NFL offenses.

Porter's college coach, Sonny Lubick, is 70 and hearing the catcalls -- he's old and should retire. "Garbage," thinks school athletic director Paul Kowalczyk, who sees more run in his coach. Lubick has not forgot how to teach. His recruiting needs to prove itself more, though, for him to roll out another stout team.

Chad Hennings (Air Force) and Bobby Anderson (CU) both new members of the College Football Hall of Fame. Going in with Emmit Smith, Bruce Smith, Bobby Bowden, Mike Rozier and Charlie Ward amongst others is one special party. Hennings was a fluke talent at the Academy, he was so good. Anderson's name is still revered in Boulder.

Diamonds

Anyone thinking the Rockies are going to be much more than a flaky summer companion worth anymore than some good times here and there is inexperienced. This team has some interesting pieces but still is trying to crash a party without the necessary goods to get in. Smoke and mirrors pitching and an offense that strangely takes days off at times make the Rockies a bad date.

Look for Colorado to actively pursue deals at the winter meetings due to a solid roster of positional players and quality minor league prospects. More pop is needed in the lineup and more pitching is needed like this country needs alternative fuel sources.

Trade chips

Seth Smith, OF, Colorado Springs
Joe Koshansky, 1B, Colorado Springs
Christian Colonel, 3B, Tulsa

Future LoDo stars

Ian Stewart, 3B, Colorado Springs

Thoughts

President Bush, fresh out of his colonoscopy. Man, I can hardly wait for that party invitation. There's got to be a better way to save yourself than that, doesn't there? One day, maybe. Think the doctor's office should buy one a drink before that procedure.

Final Salvo

Minka Kelly, WSN cheap use of an attractive face and eyes for the day.

What club is he using -- driver, iron, or putter

Records; British set-up; Pig previews

Legitimacy, soul brothers and lack of appreciation...

Barry Bonds, well, any drop in to this site knows how the homering honcho is viewed here but with his two blasts Thursday, even I was juiced at the inevitable breaking of Hank Aaron's career mark for powdered baseballs. Regardless of the man's legitimacy as a record breaker, he is going to do it, and regardless of his pitiful attitude off the field, he is one of the most amazing talents ever in any sport. History is upon us and soon to change.

The most talked about challenger to Bonds' mark will be another fantastic player not universally loved -- Alex Rodriguez. His feats are almost taken for granted. It will be a story on how excited people are when he approaches Bonds' soon-to-be record.

Bonds feels hounded, disrespected and hurt. He wonders why his hard work and rare ability to see, hit and destroy pitches is being overlooked and why additives to his training are getting all the news, especially when they were not declared illegal at the time of use. Bonds' personality has always been disgraceful but his focus has always been on playing at the highest level; he's been committed to his craft and excelled. He's earned every penny of his paychecks. It says here that his greatest sin is not the doping questions but how he's conducted himself towards others. If he took steroids, then he's wrong and should be punished...by Hall of Fame voters. If he merely took questionable supplements, he is owed one big, nationwide apology.

Garcia grabs positioning at Carnoustie

Sergio Garcia has first glory at the British Open after posting a sparkling 66 in the tournament's opening round.

Tiger Woods is four shots back and where he can still be dangerous.

The scores may not remain so low but a good initial showing has given the top of the field confidence on a notoriously difficult course and with confidence, comes daring play and potential for great moments.

Hoopin'

Stephon Marbury is talking Italy when his contract with the Knicks ends, supposedly because his wife loved the country on a visit they took. Now why would an inner city guy all about flash want to leave the country to play, other than the facts that the Italians wouldn't require him to play defense or be unselfish with the ball either? Marbury is just letting his mouth run without a leash. Maybe he sees himself as the American Beckham.

Do Yi Jianlian's handlers know they are killing him in the press. Before the draft, fans were intrigued by his talent, wondering if he would be as successful as countryman Yao Ming. Now, once he finally hits the court, for Milwaukee or any other outpost, he is going to be seen as selfish and arrogant and the Chinese will be wondering, "why are youhatin' on our boy?" Smart? Shortsighted? Dumb? Instead of cheers he will be met by boos. Nice diplomacy.

Culpepper in Tampa

Daunte Culpepper, a Florida boy just curbed by the Dolphins, met with the Buccaneers to talk money and opportunity. The WSN mentioned KC and Detroit as good spots for the jumbo-sized quarterback but Tampa Bay would also be a good fit. He can still be a starter, and a good one, in the NFL.

Loco for local

On the courts

Louis Amundson, a former Colorado prep, who balled collegiately at UNLV is playing some aggressive, productive basketball in the summer league and showing strong signs he could stick in the NBA as an end-of-the bench energy player.

Jason Smith is playing with zest and displaying his athleticism and scoring talents but on the boards, he is looking overmatched, as a 7-footer. Maybe no one told him he's not in Fort Collins anymore. Now word that he has an ankle sprain. In time, Smith has the looks of a player who will become someone but he is not ready made. He has a lot to learn and his confidence and work ethic will be key to his future.

CU's Richard Roby's stock is dead. From one-time first-round potential his name is now not seen on the 2008 forecast by DraftExpress.com. That will change. Roby doesn't lack ability or skills and new coach Jeff Bzdelik will make the swing man tougher and more determined and that combination will have Roby in the first round next June.

CU is going to play Denver, Air Force, Wyoming and CSU and it doesn't matter one bit what the records of those schools might be, this is the way it should be, annually. It's great for local basketball and the games the fans can relate to.

More Buffs...CU gets a commitment from 6-foot-9 Trey Eckloff from Cherry Creek, who has underwhelming numbers despite overwhelming size for the prep level, but apparently the guy can hit the perimeter shot consistently and the Buffs see potential and their style of player in the Bruin.

Want to know how to make the Nuggets better without making a trade? Find a new coach. George Karl is a proven winner who has done good things in Denver but his approach to defense is minimal and he can be pushed around by the players. Find a Pat Riley, Greg Popovich-type of disciplinarian for this group a mile high and watch the Nuggets, health permitting, win 55 games and a playoff series or two. Book it.

General manager wanna-be Chauncey Billups lauds the Nuggets for picking up his amigo, guard Chucky Atkins, and letting Steve Blake split for Portland. While the WSN disagrees with that move entirely, Billups says Atkins is the gamer and shooter Blake, well, ain't.

Courage anyone

Who would have guessed Colorado would be playing competitive baseball this late into July. You? Me? Anyone? Despite the poor start the Rockies have proven to be a decent club. Not great, not good, but decent. The question is does general manager Dan O'Dowd do nothing and hope next season the team becomes a playoff contender or does he make a move, costing him minor league jewels? Difficult decision to consider but the move should be to always grab proven talent if health, pricing and attitude line up on the object of your desire.

That bullpen needs first-round pick Casey Weathers to develop and pronto. It is too often prone to breakdown, despite Brian Fuentes' resume and Manny Corpas' talent.

Buff won't ride off into sunset yet

Former CU star 'backer Chad Brown says "no" to retirement, signing a contract with the Patriots. His game is in the past, and he'll have difficulty making the team but if he does, what he provides, experience and leadership, is what makes good teams better. If he can see adequate playing time, Brown will even make a few big plays, like all smart veterans do.

Big 12 Preview

Texas is still the cream of the crop in the Big 12 but Missouri will be the North division kingpin according to The College Football News.

The Tigers have the quarterback in Chase Daniel and multiple offensive weapons. The talent level, no doubt, is up. But the question for MU is this -- will they play defense? Make the pick here Nebraska to win the North.

Colorado is picked to be better but still not a winner, which was already written here (4-8 prediction).

CFN picked Oklahoma State as the team to watch and surprise and the WSN can't agree more. The Cowboys are overflowing with power on offense -- fast, skilled players everywhere, and defensively are coming around. The Pokes will not only excel in conference play but if they don't trip over themselves they will make a real push up the rankings.

Three Buffs earned preseason attention from the publication -- linebacker Jordan Dizon, DB Terrence Wheatley and defensive tackle George Hypolite.

The Black and Gold Truth is this -- Dizon is a grinder that coaches love, knowing he is all about working, producing and winning. Wheatley, if healthy, and supported by any sort of pass rush up front is a quality collegiate corner who can make plays. Hypolite, book it, can become the highest drafted CU defensive lineman since one-year wonder Tyler Brayton. And once he gets to the NFL, he can have an impact.

CSU gets little respect, expected to be a punching bag by CFN. Could happen as the program has fallen but the WSN is picking the Rams to rebound and have a winning record and be in the mix for a bowl game. It won't come easy but it should happen if running back Kyle Bell is healthy and the defense proves itself moderately capable.

Bell, tight end Kory Sperry, defensive back Klint Kubiak and defensive lineman Blake Smith get noticed by the publication. Bell, if his body is sound, needs no explanation. He is high impact. Sperry will make money on Sundays one day, Kubiak is smart, as you expect him to be, and makes plays and Smith gives the Rams some size and potential up front on "D."

Air Force is expected to start slow and finish fast but still have a losing record. Coach Troy Calhoun even told me in the past he has a lot of work to do with the Falcons.

Linebacker Drew Fowler and quarterback Shaun Carney were selected as some of the top players in the conference by CFN. Fowler, the program's most valuable player in 2006, is just a defender that the Academy doesn't generate often (think Chris Gizzi). He's a machine. Carney is the key to Calhoun's offense this season. He's a capable talent who should put up quality numbers.

Toughman competition, unsanctioned

CU defensive lineman Taj Kaynor and Chris Perri will get taken to the woodshed for fighting. On a team with so little margin for error, this was foolish, no matter the college culture and their youth. Perri is considered a potential pass rusher of influence and Kaynor is a developing talent with size who needs to show the goods on the field, not off of it.

Thursday morning quickie

Jake Plummer insists he's done quarterbacking in the NFL and yet no one believes him. Maybe they should, at least for now. Plummer won't play in 2007 and probably ever again. Let's reveal a dirty little secret right now, open up some classified information on the former Broncos QB, o.k.? Are you ready? The Snake was burned out before getting traded to Tampa Bay. Think about it -- going to play for Jon Gruden, like Mike Shanahan, good with quarterbacks, and a guy who helped Rich Gannon excel, and yet Plummer wanted none of it. Plummer played the game because he was reasonably good at it not because he loved it. No crying because he had to give up the game, like many greats, because he didn't need football to be happy.

David Beckham...watch for this cat to be more style than substance in the United States. You can just tell he loves being loved and parading himself and his wife around in Hollywood style. He likes playing Big Shot. His game will suffer.

Golfers on steroids? Come on, now, that hardly seems possible with but a few exceptions. Golfers like to be loose and elastic when playing, not tight and muscle bound. And besides, look at most of those guys. Do any of them remind you of Mark McGwire or Barry "Fat Head" Bonds? This is a non-story no matter how much Gary Player tries to make it one. As Tiger Woods says, being hung over is likely a bigger problem.

Michael Vick is traveling down the Pac Man Jones Highway of self destruction. Don Banks of CNNSI.com had quotes detailing Vick's selfishness (ouch) and worse, his extreme lack of intelligence. His supernatural gifts have allowed him to survive but those days might be ending. Vick is still scary on the field but off it, he is pathetic. He is going to pull a Mike Tyson and destroy his career.

The Rockies are hot again but doesn't it seem like they don't even know why when they are going to play well consistently or tank it for a week or two?

Jeff Francis can get lit up on certain days and isn't a no. 1 starter but he has the best stuff of any Rockies starter ever. If only Colorado had two more just like him, what this franchise could be.

Brad Hawpe is a hunk. That's right, he's become a stud. In the past, he was all hot and heavy out of the gate to start the season but then showed no staying power. This season he was into all the foreplay early on and when it got it going he has maintained it. He's legit.

And a comment from Nick over at The Nugg Doctor, on CSU football, talking about the Rams and the Buffs come fall.

"This really isn't about anything included in this post, but I have a feeling... that George Hill, #27 for the CSU Rams, is going to tear up the CU secondary. He is way too fast (4.32 40-time) for the huge DB's of CU to run with and if they try to switch a smaller guy onto him all 200 lbs of Hill will be sure to punish.

"Trust."

WSN: If Hill surprises and shreds the Buffs secondary, Nick will have an immediate job offer to be a college football analyst here because Hill, to this point, has done little in a CSU uniform.

Going British; Vick dogged; Broncos heat

The British Open is back, so is Tiger Woods. Fact is the drama is more attractive, more fun and just plain better when Woods is rollin'. Maybe not everyone agrees with that assessment but here, the rooting interest is in Woods gettin' off at Carnoustie. His presence always looms large and when he's on his game it brings back memories of what golf used to be with Jack Nicklaus.

Jackass, the movie

Michael Vick...idiot, criminal, athlete, quarterback wanna-be, seriously lacking character (a family flaw) and leadership. If Vick is the answer to any question for the Falcons then they will be no better than a carny act regardless of the strong coaching acumen of Bobby Petrino.

Three cheers for Mizzou basketball, which kicked hoopa' and gangsta' Kalen Grimes to the curb after he used the butt end of a shotgun on another man's face. Many schools, especially in the SEC or even Big 12, would have found a way to bury that little story or soft sell it away as just boys being boys. Second-year Tigers coach Mike Anderson showed some character by doing Grimes like he needed to be done.

Florida ain't paradise for everyone

Daunte Culpepper...free at last from a place that was never meant to be. Miami was one bad, short, trippy experience. DC may never duplicate his Viking pyrotechnics but he could still be a winner with better health and some top-level skill players around him. Put him in KC with Tony Gonzalez, Larry Johnson and now, Dwayne Bowe and he would be something again. Deposit him in Detroit with Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams, as well as a Tatum Bell and Kevin Jones on his "6" and watch him pile up numbers.

Jacked up

Dead wrestler Chris Benoit used drugs, a report said. Act surprised. I guess now we can excuse the double homicide of his wife and young son. After all, it's the Twinkie defense -- the drugs killed those people, not Benoit. Let's keep downplaying the violence aspect of the bloodshed and blame it on the drugs that were forced into Benoit's system.

Also interesting that the whole family was saturated with dope. His wife, with Xanax, hydrocodone and the painkiller hydromorphone and his son with Xanak. Sad, sick, odd.

The future

Marrrrrrrrrrco Bel-i-nellllllll-i. Just can't say it enough. So pretty to speak. The guy will be a scoring star in the NBA. The Italian Reggie Miller.

You heard it here first -- a surprise team this NFL season will be Oakland under new coach Lane Kiffin, all of 32-years old. The Raiders have a Jon Gruden-type hire in the former USC wonder boy. Playoffs won't show up overnight but owner Al Davis will bite his nails off in an effort to be patient and will ultimately be rewarded. The Raiders will soon be a bully again.

Loco Local

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Clint Hurdle really could have been fired earlier this season without much objection but look here and Colorado has a winning record after the All-Star game. It says here the Rockies are still philosophy challenged when it comes to building a playoff team but the big dog's patience has, in all fairness, produced better baseball and, as of today, a winner. Guess that deserves a kiss, right?

ProFootballWeekly.com says short stack Elvis Dumervil of the Broncos is not a good fit for new defensive coordinator Jim Bates' defense because of his size. If that were true, that is bad news as Dumervil is by far the most natural and talented pass rusher on the roster even if he is compact in height (under 6 feet). The word here is that an assumption that Dumervil can't play is dumb. Bates, I would like to think, is too smart to waste a quarterback hungry defender.

Photo opp

The picture in this post is just for no good reason, a random diversion, an imagined publicist for this space for the day. Not sure she's right for the job but to keep from getting sued, she had to at least get the interview. You understand.

Junk in the closet

The Chinese are apparently snobs. Seems Yi Jianlian's team of handlers want to block him from playing in Milwaukee, which selected him in last month's NBA draft. Seems the money men for Yi want him to play for the Yankees for the love or in some little China town. Yi and his boys keep acting up like this and they can be officially be adopted and sworn into the ugly American club. What's up with these guys? Are they French?

Ken Griffey Jr.'s resurgence this season has not been his game, which was never MIA, but his health. When the man is not in the shop, he can flat out ball. Now he's passed Frank Robinson on the all-time home run list. Injuries and age are part of the Griffey equation but Jr. is not done yet climbing in the record books. He's a joy to watch.

Curious, what do Greg Oden and Kevin Durant wear to bed, eat for breakfast and how do they get dressed each morning? I think those are the only questions the media is not interested in about those two this summer.

Season ticket sales are up at Colorado and yet there has been no word that beer and hot dog prices have gone down. Yes, the schedule is attractive with Florida State, Oklahoma and Nebraska coming to Boulder but only half-baked fans would come to watch those schools put the pain on the Buffaloes. The majority of butts in the seats will be there because they also believe that CU can compete, at least for a play or two, with those programs.

Just because. Considering that golfers get rattled by everything on the course it makes one wonder how they don't just fold up shop for the day after something like this.

What was that tearing sound? Call the ambulance.

Know Yao Ming is getting married to his long-time honey but why not fellow tree Lisa Leslie? The children could become the New York skyline.

Would you rather see Junior do this?

Maria Sharapova -- disinterested or stoned?

No need for Foppa; campfire talk

Woody Paige loves Peter Forsberg.

So much so that he wants "Foppa" back for an encore.

Sweet, isn't it?

Thing is Forsberg ain't Forsberg anymore.

Yes, it would be all romantic and such to have St. Pete back to finish his career and lead a good but not great Avalanche team but I'd prefer to remember Forsberg for how he was, not how he is, and go with other talent.

Paige is sentimental. So am I. This just is more love than reason on his part.

Indian tale

The legend of Von Wafer is growing.

By fall, he'll be considered a future All Star.

The free-agent sharpshooter has been lauded by the Nuggets as the answer to its' backcourt shooting woes and then made the organization look good by torching the summer league but as we all know those heroes are often kickin' it at the end of the bench or pumping gas come the regular season.

Wafer is not the next Ray Allen but if he can stick it better than the bricklayers Denver has employed recently while still playing a modicum of defense, then sign me up as impressed.

WSN Big Bang Sunday Truth

So who is Gary Sheffield trying to be these days -- Malcom X or Martin Luther King Jr.? Jessie Jackson? Man, dude rips everybody for everything, all with racial connotations. How 'bout just shuttin' the pie hole and ripping the ball. Speaking out about social ills, yeah, all for that Sheff but spoutin' off like some disillusioned drunk at the end of the bar every month, about the mistreatment of blacks (where do I sign the contract to play?) well, just catch a cab and go home, will ya?

So what do Machiavelli and Lindsay Lohan have in common? They're traveling buds these days, if you can believe that little morsel, as Lohan, the sorority-style party chick, is carrying around and reading The Prince. Now, in the hands of a troubled diva, that spells trouble, don't you think? No worries about her ascending to power in Hollywood but making people's lives hell, yeah, maybe. All I know is if she starts pulling the philosophy of that book on me (I've read the book) then she's getting the bus ticket out of town.

Gordon Gee, no stranger to University of Colorado athletics, is the new president at the Ohio State University and he comes to town pitching reform like a politician. Thing is, the man leaves a trail of success wherever he goes. He should be listened to. We need more like him in sports. Now if pro owners would just follow his lead. At least NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is trying to play schoolmaster.

It's Sunday golf and all I want to know are where are Tiger Woods and John Daly? The WSN would just like to see those two talk golf and life. How awkward a situation might that be?

Oklahoma football fans should be feeling good right now. After punching the NCAA in the mouth, scaring the ruling organization from hammering the Sooners' program over violations, coach Bob Stoops is now set up to do what he did last season -- put a high-quality product on the field when people are doubting the stability of his leadership. Look for OU to find the quarterback it needs and jack up opponents all the way to a New Year Days' bowl.

There is talk that the Boston Red Sox might put on the best makeup show they can as well as short, revealing clothes and throw themselves at Alex Rodriguez. If that doesn't make the Yankees cringe, nothing will. But one thing has been proven and it's this -- the Sox no longer pee on themselves in the presence of the Yankees. The tide has changed over recent years and Boston loves to throw down with the New Yorkers. Boston is the new bully on the block.

What's surprising is that A-Rod's agent, Scott Boras, Italian-style muscle that he is without the preferred heritage, hasn't created a contract demand that makes his players, especially the Yankees third baseman an owner-manager-player. One day, that's what it will come to. Just give credit where credit's due and say you read it here first or leave a tip and steal the idea.

Dwight Freeney just sacked $ 72 million over six years to punish quarterbacks. That's a lot of dough for the NFL but is great motivation for future supreme pass rushers, Pop Warner to pros. Supply and demand, amigos, that's what this is and if you find a QB crusher, you pay him. The Broncos letting Bert Berry, Reggie Hayward and Trevor Pryce go was arrogance. None of them are Freeney but they were superior to what the team now employs.

Media and fans alike can get overheated all they want this summer about how strong the Denver Broncos will be in 2007 but the high-elevation boys are going to be judged by what they do in the playoffs. Winning a lot of games in the regular season is a nice appetizer but the main course, thanks to John Elway's final years, determines how satisfied that everyone goes home as in 2007-08. No pass rush, no more points on the board, no more clutch play = flame out.

Remember Ryan Leaf's monumental bust of a career? Vinny Testaverde may not have turned into a Hall of Fame quarterback either but the guy is about ready to announce he is coming back for his 21st season in the NFL. Not bad considering he was awful in his early years. Goes to show what hanging tough through adversity and criticism and working to get better can accomplish. Think what Leaf could have become with Testaverde's professionalism.

Is it me? No, really, tell me, I want to know. Or does it seem now that the NFL instituted this great behavioral test for the players that significantly more incidents are showing up in police blotters and drug tests?

Tom Glavine just won his 298th career game Saturday and won't stop until he's blown past 300. The young lefty that resembles Glavine's smart-but-soft tossing-style is Colorado's Jeff Francis. If only the young Canadian could play for years for a dominant franchise like the Braves, like Glavine did before relocating to New York. Francis has but 39 career victories but could, if he's on a winner, win 200. He has that sort of ability.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post makes a point that has been made here too -- the Rockies need to make a deal for pitching, starting pitching, if it is going to be competitive in the second half of the season and the cost for quality is going to be the cream of the minor-league crop. Renck said it, and it was said here before that cost must be accepted. The glaring problem with Renck's article is this -- the names he's mentioning are terrible. Dontrelle Willis' game is wrecked right now, Jon Garland is not what he used to be either. Both are no. 3 pitchers at best and Colorado won't cough up Ian Stewart, Greg Reynolds and others for them. Roy Oswalt is a top-of-the-rotation starter and would be worth the price.

The Nets sign Jamal Magloire. This is an under-the-radar-move that will pay big dividends. Magloire runs the floor and defends and would have been a big step forward for a lot of teams.

Wealth building; Cuban Cubs; Dealmaking

Alex Rodriguez is a lock to soon start earning in excess of $ 30 million annually. And, just on skills and drawing power alone, he's worth it, no matter how many haters he might have surrounding him. He doesn't own the team trophies or sell the amount of merchandise that Michael Jordan did, which made MJ a bargain no matter what he was paid, but A-Rod, if he can avoid the Ken Griffey Jr. injury curse, will have all-around numbers like the game has never seen. He is dedicated to his profession, maximizing his talent and that alone should be respected. So, he's not a natural leader, who cares. Honestly now, in all fairness, does the man really have to sell hot dogs and popcorn too? Can't some other inferior-talented player be the leader or in New York's case, isn't Derek Jeter enough?

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has applied to buy the Chicago Cubs. Regardless of his frat boy behavior, any franchise in any sport that has Cuban for an owner should do all it can to support his team. The man is what any fan wants -- someone who cares as much about winning as they do. Cuban wants to make money but like George Steinbrenner, he wants to win more. Much more. The Cubs should be so fortunate to have Cuban as their boss and I promise you the overwhelming majority of their fans would love to see this go down. Ah, and imagine the fun of Cuban in Major League Baseball with it's golf-like, old-conservatism mentality amongst owners.

Wondering, what would the Rockies look like with Pat Bowlen running the show?

More Mumbles, basketball

So who's going to win the stare down -- Kobe Bryant or the Lakers? L.A. can bust Bryant's cajones if they desire but this is a no-win situation for it. In the end, as painful as it is, the best move for the Lakers is to concede to an angry Bryant and dish him for the biggest bounty available. However, if the organization will reconsider its' previous stance and cough, cough up Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum, which it hasn't shown it is willing to do, then Bryant would likely be receptive to staying, as such a move would bring a star-quality talent to tandem with Mr. Congeniality.

The Nuggets have been strangely silent in the offseason. Who knows, maybe they're accurate in assuming a healthy roster, given time to develop chemistry, can be a Western Conference power. The WSN doesn't really see any defensive magic on that team, or sufficient perimeter ability on offense. Please accept my condolences but, as of now, Denver, with all the breaks imaginable, wins one series in the playoffs, no more.

Oh, I stand naked and corrected -- Chucky Atkins is coming, Chucky Atkins is coming. Hey, wake up! Did you hear the news! Atkins is coming and Steve Blake is going. Atkins is older, smaller and not the passer or ball handler that Blake is. Atkins will be a better long-range shooter and slightly better scorer but does Denver really need another guy like that? This decision, maybe a money one, gets a D. The Nuggets are not better for it.

Orlando doesn't get it. Signing scoring forward Rashard Lewis away from Seattle will create more offense and make the Magic prettier but it doesn't help them win. Does Lewis rebound, pass or defend? That was one expensive cosmetic surgery in O-town.

Mumbling football

The Chargers scored in the supplemental draft getting cornerback Paul Oliver, who can, at best, be a solid starter, and at worst, a play-making nickel back. The Chargers blew it by firing Marty Schottenheimer without a proven replacement but their personnel decisions are rock solid.

The Ravens picked offensive tackle Jared Gaither as a supplemental pick and if general manager Ozzie Newsome thinks Gaither can be a force, then if I'm Baltimore fan I'm feeling pretty smug right now.

Is it just me or are the Broncos having more off-the-field problems this offseason? Brandon Marshall, David Kircus, Kenny Peterson and Sam Brandon. Think the team needs an assistant principal to start handing out discipline. The police aren't a deterrent. The NFL is doing it's part but what about coach Mike Shanahan?

Hook baited or not

Rumors are Houston could throw a line into the water to gauge interest in starting pitcher Roy Oswalt, fellow hurler and former Rockies arm Jason Jennings and reliever and Cherry Creek graduate Brad Lidge.

All are long shots to be be traded. Oswalt and Lidge will demand a premium price and Jennings just isn't good enough to get a quality offer.

So why is this news?

If the Rockies truly want to prove their love to their honeys (the fans) they would grip hard, and dish prospects from the top shelf for Oswalt, first and Lidge, second.

Oswalt is a horse who could anchor the staff, coupling with Jeff Francis for a solid 1-2 punch, also saving the bullpen as well as win, guaranteed, 15-16 games annually and Lidge, with his power stuff, a lot of it in the dirt, could be the closer Colorado desperately needs.

If all this requires giving up star prospects Greg Reynolds and Ian Stewart, and possibly big leaguers Aaron Cook and Brian Fuentes, then (lightning please), it should be done.

Farm hands get recognized

Earlier this season, Rockies minor league pitcher Brandon Hynick looked like a Greg Maddux-knockoff. Then he blended back into the crowd for a while but his last start re-lit his lamp as Baseball America listed him no. 11 on its' hottest prospect chart. Further down the ladder is pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, who dominated Double-A last season but struggled in Denver and has done the same at Triple-A Colorado Springs this season. A recent turnaround, however, has earned him the no. 20 spot for Baseball America.

Gettin' dirty -- Jimenez will never make it in Colorado. He's proven that with a terrible year at Colorado Springs. Throwing hard is not enough to be successful in The Show. He's been slow to make adjustments and shows no signs, even subtle ones, of figuring out his challenges.

Hynick has been sterling since drafted but he still has a long ride to the majors. Time will tell. He's proving to be too hittable, even if runs are hard to come by off him, to be a star. He does look like a solid prospect but a lower-level two man or a high-level three in the rotation.

Final Salvo

I have to come clean, step out of the closet (again) to confess -- I'm unmoved by the hysteria regarding David and Victoria Beckham. No squeals or shrieks or hosannas in me.

Forgive me but I think I will pass on the made-for-America publicity and wait for college and pro football.

Color me boring.

Hope Beckham lights it up on the field and proves to be more than movie star-false important.

Smith cooked; Sooners win; Pujols ticked

Forget all the heroic talk coming from Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith about working to come back to play.

His hip is a disaster area, worse than originally thought after the surgeons found a mess.

Rod Smith is done as a pro football player.

Oh, he'll kill himself trying to make it back, as the man is a warrior, evidenced by his climb from nobody to star pass catcher and rugged blocker, but Smith is still human and his body is cooked.

Game over.

Smith is one of the amazing Broncos stories of all time and also a tremendous success period. In the end, father time or injury gets every player. This is Smith's sunset.

Sooners intimidate NCAA

When is OU going to rename the ground it plays on Rhett Bomar Field? Interesting announcement by the NCAA Wednesday, which loves to go dictator on member schools, making the Sooners cough up eight victories from the 2005 season for rules violations.

Like how does that truly affect a school for the worse?

Does a recruit in 2007 say, "man, no way I'm going there now!"

How you man up and punish a lawbreaker is hit him where it hurts -- you make OU sit home for three bowl seasons, even if they win big each year, or yank five scholarships for two years.

What the big, bad, fire-breathing NCAA did to OU was lose it's nerve when it came time to stand up and be taken seriously or not even show up.

Maybe the NCAA got weak in the knees in the moment because it realized it was picking on someone bigger than it. Easier to punk Outpost U. but not so easy to knock out a blue blood school.

Bad dreams

Would the Rockies dip into the pail of lessons unlearned and trade for Marlins lefty Dontrelle Willis, a 22-game winner in 2005 but now no better than a no. 3 pitcher (19-19 in his last 38 decisions)?

Sure, Colorado would beg to have an arm of that caliber but the question is -- at what cost?

Willis is expensive at the bank and the prospects that would leave the organization as payment would be too steep.

Bad idea all the way around.

Nixed!

Pujols has legitimate beef

St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols was shocked he never played in the All-Star Game, especially considering the man who made that decision was Pujols' regular manager, Tony La Russa.

La Russa tried to play it off as strategy in the event the game went into extra innings

The dirt is Pujols is Pujols -- he should have played and he prepared himself to play. That he didn't was wrong but anyone who knows the Cardinals skipper knows that while he is a big-time winner he is also not adverse to running over people.

It seems stupid, it says here, to hack off your superstar player heading into the second half of the season.

Pujols was embarrassed. La Russa is the one who should be.

Playing king

Super agent Scott Boras is living his second childhood or either he believes Bud Selig died and made him commissioner.

First, Boras shares his idea on a best-of-nine World Series and now he is all amped up for how the Home Run Derby should be -- a neutral site in the off-season for prize money.

When it comes to squeezing every last dollar out of an owner for one of his players, Boras is tops but he's letting the perception of his power go to his head. He's delusional. Not saying he can't throw out ideas but to Major League Baseball's front office, Boras is just like you and me -- a fan who's vote doesn't count.

Boras just makes a little more lettuce than us and has a bigger imagination on the playground.

Smith getting bagged

Former CSU standout big man Jason Smith, drafted by Miami and traded to Philadelphia, apparently already has his pro critics, and it's only summer.

Apparently, it looks like Smith believes summer is for vacationing, not playing ball.

The assertion that Smith looks disinterested is inaccurate. He's trying to find his way with new teammates and against better competition. He'll be o.k.. To judge him as not caring is merely jumping to conclusions based on a small sample of evidence.

No fast forward necessary

Air Force is going to run a lot of no huddle this season. Now if we can only get some more teams to adopt that strategy. Yes, it takes direction to coordinate something good but how about doing that at the line of scrimmage and thus, create more plays too.

Mumbles

Alex Rodriguez should dump the Yankees. They want him, they want him not, now they want him again. Take the money and run, A-Rod, all the way to history.

Darko Milicic is reportedly getting $ 21 million for three years -- for being a draft bust. How much you make, amigos?

Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes were the Rockies All-Star Game selections this season. How many more of those affairs will each play in and for what team?

Get ESPN's Insider? Check out this insightful article on the true top sackers in the NFL. Promise, it's good, good stuff.

Buff influence; Nuggets sleeper; Italiano

Oakland Raiders offensive lineman and perceived bust Robert Gallery might be ready to shake the ugly judgment that is currently on his head. The former Iowa Hawkeye, once the second overall pick in the draft, has a new positional coach in former CU assistant Tom Cable, who later went on to become a college head coach. The good news for Gallery and the Raiders is that Cable did his best work as an assistant and if those two generate any chemistry the on-field result could be very pleasing to the team's "O."

Sam Amico, who produces The Amico Report, says that former Iowa State Cyclone and Detroit Pistons draftee (2006) Will Blalock could surprise and make the Denver Nuggets roster based on toughness and skill. Blalock is small but was a productive collegian. If Steve Blake dumps the Nuggets, maybe Blalock slides on to the roster.

Amico also is high on Golden State draftee Marco Belinelli, as is the WSN, but maybe that's just because he's an Italian who likes to jack up shots. If Belinelli hits the gym, he is going to be an offensive force in the Warriors system. Would have loved him a mile high.

Cutler love; Chiefs denial; Buffs look

Hear the shrieks of love for Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler?

Those aren't just are the voices of girls, they're of grown men and media alike.

And the guy hasn't even done much yet.

Imagine if he, you know, plays well over the course of a season or gasp, wins a playoff game.

He'll own the town, become mayor, governor and have his statue outside Invesco Field.

The WSN loves his physical talents, think the kid is smart as a whip, driven and possessing winning intangibles, which include leadership but is far from anointing him the chosen one.

There are still oddities to his game too -- like a strange throwing motion, locking into receivers, limited mobility in a day when defenders are bigger, faster and meaner than ever, and a strangely stiff presence in the pocket.

Cutler has potential, like Ashley Lelie or Tatum Bell had a high ceiling, but we're just not ready to clear the shelf for MVP and Super Bowl trophies yet.

Deja Vu in BBQ country

Pity the Kansas City fans, just like the Broncos fans before them. Seems the followers of the Chiefs are having a difficult time realizing tailback supreme Priest Holmes has already left the building just as Denver had trouble accepting Terrell Davis' wrecked knee meant his playing future was in the rear-view mirror.

Of course, Kansas City has little reason to cry. Having Larry Johnson replace Holmes is like a wealthy dude wrecking the luxury car and being able to drive another one out of the garage the next day.

Holmes was an unbelievably productive player who's time regrettably was up too soon due to too many fender benders but that's the life as a running back in the NFL. Johnson, if he can remain healthy and pleased financially, could easily carry the Chiefs running load at a high level for a few more years.

Flamethrower

Looked at the CU football schedule and tried to break it down by worst and best case scenario. Obviously, the Buffs could, theoretically, lose all their games but if they couldn't do that last season it certainly won't happen in 2007. But the number arrived at for this exercise wasn't as high as the fanatics (check the definition) dream of at night.

The best case formula was 4 wins, which, before you go rageaholic, is still improvement for a program coming off two successes in 2006 with questions still dotting the team like measles. Coach Dan Hawkins isn't being commanded to win this season anyway. If he fails in 2008, then there is going to be a certain faction of fans verbally rioting and planning a coup.

* The victories

Miami, Oh., Baylor, Kansas and Iowa State
---KU and ISU will not come easy.

* The losses

CSU, ASU, FSU, OU, K-State, Texas Tech, Mizzou and Nebraska.
---The Rams are more experienced, the rest are simply better.

Mumbles

Allen Iverson and his bodyguard got plugged for $ 260,000 Monday after a jury sided, sort of, with Marlin Godfrey's claim Iverson's entourage pulped him when Godfrey refused to vacate a part of a bar that was VIP'd for A.I. Yes, Godfrey was trying to win the lottery against the Bank of Iverson but that A.I. got off relatively cheap for the thugging by his bodyguard shows again money talks and the rest of the world is left slack jawed at the power of it all.

Bears linebacker stud Brian Urlacher is in the news for agitating the mother of his child. Seems Urlacher made a very rookie mistake in sexing a stripper, and we all know what a noble profession stripping is and what the objective is for all the "nice" girls in it. The Bears cruncher would have been better served asking first, before sacking her, how much she wanted for the next 18-22 years.

Rickey Henderson wants to come back and play Major League Baseball. Who's next, Satchell Paige? Oh, scratch that, he's dead. Rickey might as well be. Dude's game was one I admired when I and he played and let's just say that wasn't just yesterday.

Hearing Kevin Garnett now wants to stay in Minnesota. Really? Guessing the truth is he is frustrated with a deal getting done to send him someplace desirable so he has decided to ball hard until some point in the season when he hopes there is a more favorable and likely relocation scenario.

Al Franken disciple

I see Barry Bonds is taking heat for not participating in the All Star home run contest in his home park. Since when did Bonds ever care about anything not Bonds? Face it, Bonds "homered" his way into the game, getting preferential treatment as always, as all divas expect, demand and receive. And because he wishes to prove himself worthy -- to himself, of course -- he likely is skipping the mad bomber contest to save his energy and long ball attempts for the game.

The WSN truly believes there is some Michael Jordan in Bonds in the way that he motivates himself from criticism.

In the courts

Thought we lived in a country where we didn't believe in cruel and unusual punishment? Sounds like Fresno State got done by the courts just that way. If the school did lie (imagine that) in its' stated reason for the dismissal of the volleyball coach, shame on it but if there was evidence to the contrary, then this is, as usual, corrupt power on the bench. And it ain't even Iraq.

Rub your eyes

Monumental Nuggets bust Nikoloz Tskitishvili is back in Denver, at least on the summer league roster, and his game still seems lost.

He continues to shoot from Colorado Springs city limits even though his perimeter game resembles that of Ben Wallace. He doesn't rebound and has little court awareness. All of which could have been the scouting report on me back in the day. One difference -- I'm not 7-feet tall.

Self indulgence

Not sports related but anytime a politician or person in the public eye who's hand has been caught in the cookie jar on anything can sac up and take responsibility and accountability, no matter the consequences, well, that deserves a salute. Maybe not always forgiveness but a salute for doing the right thing, especially for a leader.

Holliday about over

Man, how obvious was it in a local paper Sunday that Rockies bat master Matt Holliday is planning on playing elsewhere soon, as in the next two years. He sounded frustrated with the organization, a little pissed and resigned to moving out of Coors Field.

If that's the case, it is what it is. The key then becomes getting talent for talent. General manager Dan O'Dowd would need to receive in trade a proven veteran or two and/or read closely, TOP PROSPECTS, as in elite level, not scrubs as usual, in return. Colorado would have to deal only with organizations that have those sorts resources.

WSN Classified Files

Franklin Morales' left arm has made the Rockies organization dream of big things. The problem to this point is Morales has insufficient control and command despite throwing cheddar in the minor leagues.

The word here has always been he is more valuable as a trade chip than future star in Denver. Guys without control usually go nowhere.

BaseballProspectus.com just wrote of Morales and believes his future is likely to come out of the bullpen, and the Rockies desperately need a hammer there, saying he could develop into a B.J. Ryan type.

Bottom line? Morales is a long shot to "hit" but if he does, he could be a major piece to the winning puzzle.

That said, the WSN would package him in a trade for a star-like talent this offseason.

Where are my tickets

A fantastic breakdown of a dream match-up on the court between Wimbledon kings Roger Federer and Bjorn Borg, men who each hold a handful of the grass court titles, in succession. Tennis was worth watching back in the day of a young WSN writer with all the great personalities and talents. Now, here in this space, it is considered no more exciting than horseshoes.

But Federer-Borg would would resemble when a heavyweight fight was highly anticipated.

Even broadcasters are bad boys

Ex-NFL player and current broadcaster meat-head Bill Maas was just having some fun with a younger woman. You know, some guns, pot, coke, Ecstasy and sex. Just a weekend getaway to recharge his battery. To the victors go the spoils.

Of course, that's all exciting until you, you know, get pulled over by the state police. See, the cops love busts like these because they create great public relations and are fun to hold over the heads of their peers as in "hey, look at me! Look what I did!"

Maas, I'm sure, will go the athlete route, even though he isn't one anymore and spin that none of that stuff, including the girl, were his.

The silver lining in the story is this -- Maas can field phone calls of support from many ex-athletes who have also had a rendezvous with the smokies.

In the end, he'll get nothing more than a fine and a relative legal slap on the wrist.

Shower off

After the Maas story, how about something that lifts the soul. Caught a piece on ESPN last night titled Called to Serve about former tennis player Andrea Jaeger, told by Tom Rinaldi, which was brilliant.

Jaeger moved on from her sport at age 19 and achieved far more away from tennis than she every could have on the court once an injured shoulder would have healed.

If ESPN rebroadcast it today, catch it. Moving.

Catch the story on Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton in ESPN the Magazine. Another story of victory in life. The honesty, the power of a strong wife believing in you and the rebirth of a soul.

Worth the read.

Stein said it

It was written here before that Portland rookie center to be Greg Oden is not a lock to be a star because of his injury history and his apparent lack of passion.

Marc Stein of ESPN just wrote that the Blazers coaches are telling Oden that he needs "a sense of urgency" but guess what, amigos? Ever manage or know someone who had motivation problems? Did anything anyone tell them ever work to inspire them?

Those personalities just don't change.

So here's the skinny for years down the road when I'm long gone from writing this blog. Oden will have a successful career, maybe a long one if his body holds up and I think he will be a multiple-time all star but it would not shock me at all for him to end up his career ring-less unless he ends up gets his Tim Duncan like David Robinson did to lead.

WSN Big Bang Sunday Truth

USC got blasted by the national media for offering an eighth grader a basketball scholarship for when the current middle schooler is ready for college.

Oh, the outrage!

Hey, if the lil' dude is a prodigy, who cares. Think the parents are complaining? The kid?

Hey, the NBA didn't like high schoolers at one time and everyone got their panties in a bunch over that "shortsighted" move, until Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James and others LIT...IT...UP. It's just a new way of thinking.

Yes, it's all about a system out of control but is it as bad as cheating academically or with steroids? Is it as sick as the AAU circuit or recruiting improprieties? So please, all you indignant national voices, look in the rear-view mirror.

And maybe if someone offered those media slugs' child a college scholarship, paying for school, they'd feel, oh, I don't know -- differently.

In the Mail

From Matthew Pucak, who talks about the assertion here that three games will go a long way towards determining CSU's bowl hopes -- Wyoming, Air Force and San Diego State, all winnable but challenging dates for different reasons.

"I will taunt you about CSU. I do think those games will do a lot for CSU. I bet they come in at 4-1, then lead Air Force 21-3 at halftime before losing and going down the drain with 7 straight losses...because it happened last year.

"This year I think the three-game stretch of Utah, at BYU and at New Mexico will show what CSU is about. Win two of three and they are bowling somewhere warm, and maybe in the (conference) championship hunt. Lose two or three, and Sonny's chair will be getting warmer than he has ever dealt with before.

"And don't think I'm hating on you too hard, just giving you a little grief for messing up. This is a great blog and I get disappointed when you don't update. Keep up the good work."

WSN: Matt, Sonny Lubick hasn't forgot to coach but, as you point out, if the wins and bowl berths don't start showing up consistently again, the heat is going to burn him out of the gopher hole in the near future. CSU doesn't have the talent it used to so the margin for error is slimmer. If the Rams play a tight game every week they could and should be bowl bound. No BCS fun but a holiday treat, nonetheless.

The Underground Word on Broncos pig

John Elway and Denver were pretenders until Terrell Davis showed up, until Gary Zimmerman became that rock at tackle.

Quarterback of the present Jay Cutler has a solid, eager if unspectacular runner to help in Travis Henry, two quality tight ends, a top-notch wide receiver in Javon Walker but also a questionable line. And we all know that holes up front make for happy defenders.

What the Broncos need as much as anything on that side of the ball is a Zimmerman quality bodyguard to protect Cutler's "6" and a bunch of other guys who take great pride in their work, easily offended at the skill position players being ineffective due to the defense.

Maybe a healthy Matt Lepsis is that leader on the edge to go with the inside guts of center Tom Nalen and feisty Ben Hamilton but the feeling here on Lepsis is that coming off of surgery and aging as well that we're going to see slipping in his play. Add that to the fact he is a dependable but hardly dominant tackle and there are issues.

The wild card? Rookie and reported former steroid user Ryan Harris.

How good will he be and become?

The WSN is optimistic about him. His smarts will determine how much he contributes this season.

Slamma Jamma

Raiders defensive lineman Bryant McNeal, next stop -- jail. The former Broncos draft pick and bust, I might add, was planning for life after football, selling cars. Ones that weren't his. Guess that matters to the police in South Carolina, where McNeal "Motors" got busted. Who knows, maybe that move was in the Oakland playbook.

Current Bronco defensive end Kenny Peterson is also going to jail. NFL jail. Sitting on the sideline for four games for partying with steroids. Guess taking the junk helped him earn a big paycheck but how come he still can't make plays on the field? If you take 'roids and still suck, what does that say?

Funny, isn't it, how some of these guys just don't get it? They words of the league's conduct policy sound like the teacher in Charlie Brown to these chumps --- wa, wa, wa, wa, wa. They just blindly keep acting like fools, keep taking the punishment and embarrassing themselves. No control over their propensity to look and act stupid. Rules don't change most people. If you don't have character, then nothing will save you from yourself.

The NET (National Entitlement League)

The WSN sees that Eric Dickerson is the latest to stand up and throw darts at the NFL, saying the league needs to mama it's former players with a better pension. Does this grandstanding ever end?

Does it look like most of us in this country are moved by the pleas, considering millions of Americans who don't make big pro salaries, sometimes millions, are without any health care for themselves and sometimes their families?

My question is this -- if I pay you hundreds of thousands a dollars a year or even better, funneling nine or 10 zeroes into your bank account, do you think you can try and find a way to save a few bucks for retirement and future health concerns?

In all fairness, how can you make me the bad guy if you are pulling down more paper than most people could ever dream of?

How can you logically be angry when you decided to spend your cheese on bling, women, more women, exotic trips, sports cars and dream mansions?

Soldiers, yes, pay their health care, on the house, but former pro athletes, even with a union that served you well while you played, well sit down Joe, you're making a fool of yourself.

Net Effects

Rumors on the NBA trails say that Nuggets free agent point guard Steve Blake is desired by the Heat but that Miami is laughing at Blake's agent who sees his client as a $ 6 million asset. We're laughing here too. Something positive could come down, even if it remains a long shot, for Denver. Word is the Nuggets like Raptors shooter Morris Peterson, who would be a great fit due to his size (6-foot-7) and long-range marksmanship (37 percent), an area where Denver is weak. I'd call the possibility of such an acquisition slim at this point but you know the mile high front office is aggressive. We just have to see how creative it can be to improve the team with a player like Mo-Pete.

Back in the saddle

Venus Williams ain't done yet. Digging deep into the well for some of that past dominance, she wiped out Frenchy Marion Bartoli to claim her fourth Wimbledon title. Winners never really forget how to win. They might lose the hunger or get injured but if they're right in the head and the body, then they are always dangerous. Williams is just the latest example.

Rockies Rap

Former Colorado Rockies second baseman Eric Young's offspring, E.Y. Jr. is holding his own in the Rockies farm system at High-A ball, hitting .272. Where he is most impressing is 42 steals. But if that average doesn't come up, then the dream of the bright lights go out. Still, keep an eye on him. If he comes around with the bat, he could make NOISE. He might even, one day, make up for the glaring Chone Figgins' mistake (watch that little Angel excel).

Matt Holliday, National League MVP. So says Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. For the first half of the season. Holliday has become a star after a mediocre minor league career, which helps the Rockies remain patient with some names you'll read of below. Holliday is special but him ending up with the MVP is going to be a tough sell over names like Cecil Fielder of the Brewers or someone from the Mets. Voters love winners. If Holliday revs up the engine even more in the second of the season, keeps Colorado close in the West, wins the batting title, hits 30 homers and drives in 130-plus runs, then yeah, anything is possible.

Trade bait for the Rockies if they decide to part out the team later this summer? Try on these names for size:

Jeremy Affeldt...been stellar in relief but he's a fluke. Sell high.
Brian Fuentes...if the quality offer comes around, Fed-Ex him.
Brad Hawpe...discussed earlier this week.
Kaz Matsui...ditto.
Rodrigo Lopez...dangling for prospects or power bat.
Aaron Cook...trust this -- he's available, for high-level prospects.
Yorvit Torrealba...if a surprise offer of prospects is made.

Here they are, the latest WSN Elite Picks for the Colorado farm system. Not who the scouts or experts salivate over but who looks good from this seat.

Pitchers

Greg Reynolds...hurt but was dealing before going down
Brandon Hynick...human again but great body of work

Hitters

Michael McHenry...pop and a good eye, remember him
Daniel Mayora...middle infielder with juice

Usual Suspects

Ian Stewart, Joe Koshansky and Seth Smith are all so close to being ready for the step to Coors Field. If any of them would just find that little extra to get over the hump, they'd be in Denver, but none of them have been able to kick it into that higher gear.

Holding on to the dream

Perseverance is a trait we're all told matters and yet sometimes forget or decide is too difficult. For Cory Sullivan of the Rockies and Jeff Salazar of the Diamondbacks, that's how they live their lives. They are irrepressible.

They likely have Triple-A or the dreaded Four-A talent, that nasty notion that you are better than the best of minor leaguers but can't hack it in the pros, yet because they refuse to take "no" for an answer and keep the pedal to the metal, they are back in the major leagues.

Sullivan flopped last season after having promise because he shows little ability with the bat. He struck out too much, didn't drive the ball and didn't create offensive havoc.

Salazar, a one-time star prospect for the Rockies, is now gone but re-emerged as a major leaguer this week with Arizona.

One other name with Colorado ties that is back in the bigs this season, and crushing, is Jack Cust of the A's, who despite his immense power, once looked like a lost cause; more weekend softball hack than a major league power plant.

This fall look for similar driven souls on the football teams, prep or college, you follow. These guys become great stories.

Who says I don't how to love!

Now there's the some good news to start the week.

Let's hug.

Just because you want to know

Eva Longoria's attractiveness is growing on me.

Of course, how could it not considering her picture and name are flashed all over the internet daily.

Spurs star and NBA Finals MVP Tony Parker better enjoy it all while he can because this Hollywood marriage is doomsday coming.

Dead Man Walking.

Parker's contract likely will last longer than his marital union.

The "U" education; 'Nut breaks record

Be careful what you wish for, right?

Former Broncos star running back Clinton Portis is reportedly going to be ready to roll come training camp despite being one dinged-up ride. The sad thing here, once you discount the king's ransom Portis makes with the Redskins is that the flashy and mouthy product of the University of Miami blew it. If he wouldn't have been so insatiable for money he'd still be in Denver and on his way to the hall of fame. Now, he plays for a chump franchise led by a little control freak (Dan Snyder) and will retire one day as a merely good and forgettable back in the history books.

Champ Bailey, meanwhile, the goods the Broncos received in return, along with a second-round pick (Tatum Bell, we hardly knew you), is headed for the Hall.

I'm not sitting next to him on the drive home

So I see some fool named Joey Chesnut just consumed 66 hot dogs -- in one sitting -- in the annual gorge orgy of wieners in New York City.

Not that he hadn't eaten like, well, forever. No, you see, Chesnut did all this for fun and he says, honestly, patriotism, knocking off the Japanese legend who had owned this contest.

I tried to duplicate that feat of 66 on the fourth of July but came up short. Stalled out at two.

I'm ashamed that I let everyone down.

Of course I wasn't in the bathroom all night either screaming in pain, bargaining with God.

And what does the call to the plumber go like?

I also can get girls. I don't need to eat 66 dogs to impress. Not that I wouldn't hot dog-up and do that if necessary.

And one more thing -- how would you like to jam so much meat down your throat and finish in second place?

Then, you're not a winner, you're just a circus act.

Or medical journal write-up.

Rockies Rap

Remember earlier this season when Colorado flat out could not score runs?

Yesterday they laid 17 on the Mets.

Hitting is not much of a problem anymore. If the pitching wasn't so foul, the Rockies would actually be somebody, like, you know, Paris Hilton.

Time for drug testing -- Todd Helton drove in five runs in that victory.

O.K., you like dirt or otherwise, I hear, you wouldn't be here. Garrett Atkins is not the star he was last year (29 homers, 12o RBI) and likely won't be again. But he is likely a 20- homer, 100-RBI guy, consistently. Keep him.

Brad Hawpe is having his best season but is close to maxed out regarding potential. Great arm in right field, capable bat but trade him in a package deal, possibly with a guy named below for a no. 3 starter or higher-end prospects.

Helton? Watch him age as a slap-hitting, low production lovable guy.

Kaz Matsui? Love the spark he provides for the offense. When he was hurt, the Rockies "O" was terrible. Thing is, Matsui, outside of being a .300 hitter with 25-30 steal potential just doesn't have much pop in his stick. Trade him. Maybe even pair him with Hawpe in a deal. Tell general manager Dan O'Dowd you heard it here first.

Big Man on Campus

Taunt me if you wish, wondering out loud about my heritage but looking at the CSU football schedule I just think that those back-to-back October road games against Air Force and Wyoming are going to go a long way towards determining if the Rams end up in a bowl game. Throw in the contest at San Diego State in early December and you have the difference, possibly, between either a 4-or-7-win season.

Keep heckling the WSN, Oklahoma fans, but the word out of this alley is this -- ex-Sooners' great and Minnesota Vikings no. 1 pick Adrian Peterson is not the second coming and not a future hall of fame back. Oh, we'll give it to you that "All Day" will have his moments but his career is going to be relatively short.

Nuggets Noise

Free-agent guard Steve Blake is reportedly still within the grasp of the Nuggets.

Quit fooling around! Both parties need each other. The Denver system makes Blake look like a quality player while the former Maryland Terrapin is exactly what the Nuggets need more of -- an unselfish, skilled passer.

Crystal ball

Lakers first round pick Javaris Crittenton has the skills to eventually be the best point guard that franchise has had, sorry Nick Van Exel, since that Michigan State import -- Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

Goodbye

Turn out the lights on hockey's Jeremy Roenick, who is done with playing after 18 years. A fine player who recorded 495 career goals, the third highest total amongst American born players.

What Roenick is remembered here most for is his verbal brawling with retired Avalanche goalie supreme Patrick Roy.

"Tell Jeremy I can't hear what he's saying because I have these (championship) rings in my ears."

Billups in limbo; Sakic confident; who's gay

Pretend to be shocked for this "surprise," will you? Come on, just play along when you hear the news that Chauncey Billups big foray into the free agent market ended up with him staying in Detroit with the Pistons for heavy lettuce. Good for him, that's where he is respected and loved and where his zenith took place. You don't ditch something like that for the abyss of the great unknown.

By the way, Billups' agent says the news above is a "vicious rumor." Whatever! Billups will be a Piston. That is just stupid agent crap to shake some more money from the tree.

Joe Sakic is feeeeeeling goooood these days, thinking out loud that the Avalanche can compete for the Stanley Cup again. If I felt I knew more about hockey I'd completely disagree but I'll stop short of writing that today, saying only that Colorado has improved itself and should be better defensively and thus, more consistently competitive.

Barry Bonds, home run number 751. Just a matter of time before Public Enemy no. 1 breaks Hammerin' Hank Aaron's career mark. Celebrate now. For years after, Bonds will be treated like Pete Rose. Watch. Ironically, what is interesting about Bonds is this -- without the aid of who knows what substances he used in his body, I still think he would be first in homers amongst active players. And isn't it surprising that if he was a user that he never was chronically hurt like Mark McGwire or a early flame-out like Jose Canseco?

Hey, Terrell Owens, I thought one-time teammate and quarterback Jeff Garcia was flaming gay as say, Richard Simmons? Hate to be a defense attorney but this, right here, doesn't look gay to me. I think if Garcia is supposed to be gay then he didn't get the manual as to the rules. And if that's being gay, then sign me up the hell up today.

And for the politically correct posse out there -- be cool. It's a joke. Poking fun at Owens, not you. There are far greater offenses in this world.

No, there's no good-old boy network in sports. P.J. "Freakin'" Carlesimo just got hired by the Seattle SuperSonics -- that's the progressive nature of the NBA for you. Forget young blood. Let's just be real conservative, find an ancient white man. Sure that will excite the ticket-buying public. No wonder Rashard Lewis fled the coop and why Ray Allen was stoked to be in Boston. Bet rookie Kevin Durant is ready to suit it up, score 30 and suck. Guess Del Harris, Gene Shue and James Naismith weren't available.

Rockies Rap

Tell me again why Colorado outfielder Ryan Spilborghs was sent to the minors to begin the season while washed up John Mabry was kept around to do nothing? No, really, Rockies, we're listening. Don't be shy now. Speak up, you have the floor.

And just like Brandi Griffin of Purple Row told us, Garrett Atkins was going to heat up and likely produce big, especially in the second half of the season. O.K., the All Star game hasn't hit yet but Atkins is finally looking like the real thing again. As sickening as his bat has been he could still push 100 RBI in 2007. Not bad for a down year.

The truth is Rockies reliever Brian Fuentes isn't the hack he has looked like lately, blowing saves left and right. He simply fell out of that comfortable groove. He is still a talented arm who will be back. Manny Corpas is the guy to watch. He may not have the goods to close but he should be tested to see if he can surprise.

Do the right thing

Derek Fisher is leaving the NBA, at least temporarily, to care for his infant daughter with cancer.

It's easy to leave work when you're fat loaded, don't have a mortgage or other big financial burdens but that Fisher isn't trying to juggle basketball and family, especially when he is getting older, with limited time left in the Association, earns an ovation and salute from this space. Highly admirable, Fish. You're definitely manning up.

Happy Birthday

Former Rockies fastball-crushing beast Vinny Castilla turns 40 today, George Steinbrenner, who should buy the Rockies after selling the Yankees, just to show he can win here, is 77, former Broncos running back legend Floyd Little turns 55 and Raiders owner Al Davis is 78.

Rockies star, Avs kick up ice, Helton in love

Matt Holliday got what he deserved -- being named to the National League All-Star team by his peers. Brian Fuentes, despite a recent meltdown of epic proportions, was chosen too in spite of it all. Maybe Barry Bonds "homered" Holliday because the game is in San Francisco but the players, managers and coaches know who's better these days. Fuentes may be a rollercoaster ride but no Rockies pitcher has been to the game more than him. "Scoreboard," Fuentes says.

The Avalanche looks like it wants to play with the big boys again, signing free agents Scott Hannan and Ryan Smyth. Hannan is here to shore up the Colorado ole' defensive effort while Smyth is in town to be the gutty winger who can make things happen around the net. The Avs always had the public's attention with bold power plays off the ice. Maybe these moves aren't Patrick Roy or Ray Bourque but they are signs of competitiveness. No Chris Drury but it's still hope. Colorado got off the couch and did something again.

Maybe today Kobe Bryant was able to poop again, the stress all gone. After all, the Lakers did just extend Luke Walton for six years. O.K., maybe Bryant is still planning an escape from his own private Alcatraz.

Todd Helton is offering up kisses for former manager Don Baylor in a Troy Renck column, and you can just see the subtle backhanded slap, despite any future denials, at current manager Clint Hurdle and his, um, cough, cough -- flaws. Shhhhhhhh...let's keep it between us.

CU graduate John Douma played some pinball golf in winning the Colorado Open, bouncing a ball off the fence on the 18th, making par and going home with the biggest check of the day. Just not sure if he called bank shot to get it close for the putt.

By the way, think it's time for Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd to realize that with no moves his pitching staff is going to continue to resemble a forest fire this summer and Colorado is going to have some long losing streaks in the second half of the season. No excuses, just do something. Anything.

Nuggets Noise

Denver did nada in this year's NBA draft thanks to previous trades depleting their selections.

So, the question now is are there patchwork players out there who can help repair the holes on this team?

CNNSI.com thinks there might be.

The publication lists journeyman scorer Jerry Stackhouse as a possibility as well as long-range shooters Matt Barnes, Matt Carroll and DeShawn Stevenson.

Stackhouse would not bring the intangibles to town the Nuggets need. He's a runner and a scorer and not much else at this stage of his career. Barnes and Carroll could help as they would be outstanding limited minute players. Stevenson, a former Kansas Jayhawk commit who bypassed college to become the top draft pick of the Jazz, has never blossomed as expected yet is improving his game. He could provide size and athleticism and more predictability than wild horse J.R. Smith. Stevenson's shooting is also improving.

The WSN dirty lowdown? Here are two players of interest that could breathe some playoff life into the Nuggets, both of which would require some sign-and-trade wizardry -- Milwaukee point guard Maurice Williams and Charlotte scoring swingman Gerald Wallace.

The Nuggets need playmaking and backcourt point production balance and those two could provide it. Problem is that antiquated salary cap. Some massaging of the numbers would be necessary to bring either of those two cats a mile high.

Try to believe this if you will

Here we go again.

Someone trying to blame head injuries or steroids or just a fat, easy life for criminal, deviant, ugly behavior.

This time, the father of a former Purdue football player says concussions likely were the reason for his son twice putting on a homemade mask and then attempting to rape women.

The facts, after all the lying has been stripped down is this -- Kyle Williams, 21, a former elite recruit, simply chose to be a sexual opportunist and predator.

Case closed.

Just because I'm a man

Caught a feature on ESPN on Miami Dolphins star defensive end Jason Taylor, last season's NFL defensive player of the year and just have to say, his wife, Katina, well, that may have been his most impressive sack.

If I remember correctly she is the sister of teammate Zach Thomas.

But all that glitters is not gold.

Upon further review, the Taylor's marriage was on the rocks in the last year and the penalty for upsetting the Mrs. was going to be severe. So, for now, all is o.k., but subject to change. Fame doesn't protect one from very real human problems.

On the outside looking in, Taylor has a beautiful life full of career success, an attractive wife, healthy children, and charitable purpose but on the innnnnnnnside...it's reality and skeletons, just like the rest of us.

Happy Birthday

Celebrating today are Richard Petty (70), Billy Wagner (36), Jose Canseco (43), Karl Malone (44) and Joe Thornton (28).

WSN Big Bang Sunday Truth

Early prognosis for the Broncos in 2007? Not good. They'll lose games they shouldn't on the road (the opener at Buffalo and at Kansas City) and at home (Jacksonville and Tennessee) and games they should (at Indy and Chicago and swept by San Diego) but to temper the shock the WSN initially is picking Denver to sweep the Raiders, top Pittsburgh, Green Bay and Minnesota at home, Detroit on the road, rough up Gary Kubiak's boys down Houston way and cross the finish line even-steven on the season at 8-8. The offense still lacks enough receivers, a surefire line, has a young quarterback who is going to make mistakes and the jury is still out on the pass rush.

As written here Friday, the Nuggets will be the medicine for that Broncos pain, winning the championship with D-League hero Von Wafer the shooting star to take pressure off Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and Nene. At least that's what the Nuggets front office is selling right now. You buying?

The Rockies? They don't pretend to care about winning, only fielding a team that will "surprise."

Big Man on Campus

CU talent evaluators, beat writers and fans all know it's been a while since the Buffs have had an elite quarterback. Despite the gold being there for the taking no prep star has been interested. It's been even longer since Moses Moreno or Kelly Stouffer suited up for the Rams.

So what gives?

The answer to that question might lie in Tallahassee, where Florida State just got a verbal commitment from uber-prospect E.J. Manual.

One key in a recruit's mind might be the requisite proof that a school has actually produced a NFL first rounder or collegiate star of some magnitude, recently.

O.K., you respond to my query this way -- the Seminoles had Charlie Ward, who won the Heisman, but he played pro basketball, you fool! Chris Weinke was a star but stunk in the pros, you add. So how does slipping Florida State get Manual when all they currently have on the roster is Drew "Who?" Weatherford?

FSU scored Manuel with the Louisiana Purchase, thanks to top dog Bobby Bowden hiring Jimbo Fisher away from LSU to be his offensive coordinator. Fisher, you see, coached up JaMarcus Russell, the top overall pick in the draft.

Next up...basketball musings

So who is the next Jason Smith or Nick Fazekas from this state -- the next Colorado tree that can and will make it big? Makes me also wonder that if CSU could have found a way to sign Fazekas too, what the Rams could have been and what Fazekas would have done in Fort Fun alongside Smith.

By the way, remember the name Matt Bouldin. Not a frontcourt force but a crafty guard playing in a system suited for his skills at Gonzaga.

Want some dirt? CU's Richard Roby would have been drafted by the NBA on Thursday if he had decided to turn pro after Ricardo Patton sunk the ship last season but it would have been deep into the second round. Back for another taste of college basketball, with better coaching, if Roby will work on Jeff Bzdelik's chain gang, believe and regain the magic he's shown at times in Boulder, he will prove better than, count 'em, eight guards who went in round 1 in the 2007 draft. Looking for a comparison for Roby? Try Nick Young of USC, who went 16th to the Wizards. Young is more polished and consistent but Roby has greater potential because of his size and rebounding.

Nbadraft.net has compared former Texas A & M highlight show and Atlanta Hawk first rounder Acie Law IV to...Chauncey Billups. While the WSN has a definite appreciation for the clutch play of Law, he ain't no Billups.

That same publication likens Jason Smith to former Illinois standout and current Laker Brian Cook. Owwwwww, that hurt! Hey, it's all good -- Smith's going to turn out better due to his athleticism and ability to take the ball to the hole with more skill.

CU sophomore-to-be hoopster Jeremy Williams, a talented forward from Memphis, is ineligible for the fall semester. Do the Buffs even have five guys to suit up anymore? Williams just shot himself in the foot. His talent, a new coach who could bring out the best in him, a need for his very-visible skills on the floor and he will now be nothing more than a fan, an outcast until the spring semester.

Report card, Jeremy Williams

Decision Making, 101: F

Professor's comments: Should have gone to Nebraska, where he would have passed.

Now, before the baby coddlers bum rush me on that grading, let me admit I flunked Decision Making 101 in college, too. Numerous times. Not sure I ever passed that freakin' course. Daydreamed at the candy store with all those pretty girls, girls and more girls as well as indulging in the the occasional recreational idiocy. Thing is, I had zero talent, Williams does.

The Incorrigible

Ah, Isaiah Thomas back in the news, as always, borrowing from the Madonna and Dennis Rodman business model that the only bad publicity is no publicity. In the NBA draft, Thomas trades for thug Zack Randolph for talent reasons and now a former employee of the Knicks, Zanucha Browne Sanders, who is already suing Zeke's "6," as a former Marine friend of mine used to say, for sexual harassment is found to also be upset that Thomas asked a cheerleader to, at least, flirt with officials and not discipline star guard Stephon Marbury for cursing at Sanders. Here's the skinny, amigos -- Thomas thinks he's running a frat house and that he is an untouchable like his mentor -- the lovable, huggable Bobby Knight. That Thomas would find dirty little tricks to influence the game is nothing new. He was always known for being shady on the floor because of his great competitiveness. Using a cheerleader, well, that just makes Thomas the Knicks Pimp Daddy. Good thing he's one of the best players ever or he'd get dusted like Bill Hanzlik or Mike Evans did by the Nuggets.

Only in America

What's this I hear -- ESPN broadcaster Dan Patrick being contacted by CBS to audition to replace Bob Barker as host of The Price is Right? Why, because he's white, looks conservative and like a young Barker? What that show really needs is some flavor, like grocery store muzak, a new set not from the stone age and maybe even some price scanners for the contestants. How about Survival elements being mixed in too, like making people navigate aisles while in a hurry or cleaning up broken glass and spilled product to even play one of those foolish child-like games the show is known for. And as a host, what about some personality, say big boy comedian Ralphie May -- now that might even make that morning dreck worth watching.

Lightin' the cake

Pugilist Mike Tyson turned 41 Saturday, one of his greatest accomplishments. That he emerged alive from his upbringing and stayed alive with his lifestyle is amazing.

Today, former track and field star Carl Lewis showed up at the party 46 years old.