Keyshawn; Melo; Elway; Billups

So, Keyshawn Johnson in Denver?

That's what Woody Paige of the Denver Post is stirring up.

You know, when Johnson was released in Carolina, I thought for about a moment that he would be a good fit in Denver before I came out of my fog and reality set in.

Why it won't work is simple -- Johnson might accept Javon Walker as the alpha male amongst receivers but he's not going to respect Brandon Marshall at no. 2 and his personality wouldn't jive with Rod Smith's.

Then you add the fact that Johnson, while still productive, reminds me of all the other over-the-hill receivers coach Mike Shanahan has brought to town in search of a dependable third receiver.

So I'll answer the Johnson-in-Denver question using the words of Randy Holtz of the Rocky Mountain News, when I asked for an interview recently.

"I'll pass."

Just not to Johnson in a Broncos uniform.

If Denver truly wants a veteran pass catcher to push Marshall and replace Smith, here's a better option, if only one idea, if the money can be worked out and the compensation to acquire him is reasonable. Honestly, he should come cheap based on performance.

More Back Yard

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle knows if you aren't part of the solution then you're a part of the problem. Maybe Hurdle's idea of instant replay doesn't work in baseball but why not flesh it out first to see? Yes, baseball is sometimes tediously long and slowing it down further is not desirable but if winning matters then you can't sweep issues under the rug either. We love technology in this country so let's find a way to make it work in areas where we come up short as human beings. If we use technology to market the sport, to run stadiums, and more, then let's use it in the game too.

Last I checked basketball is a team sport but with Dwyane Wade winning a championship and LeBron James winning in the playoffs, Carmelo Anthony, scoring phenom or not, continues to lose ground and stature to his draft classmates. Playoff victories are the only way to get into the country club, Melo.

Paul Forrester waited until the fifth page of his playoff loser analysis (not good) on the Nuggets and then reveals the "dreaded mantra." Denver is going to have to realize its' dead broke and must make something happen with the parts already in house. The WSN thinks only a creative front-office approach will improve this team. Stay pat, even with Kenyon Martin coming back, and the Nuggets don't have enough to get past the second round.

Love how we, as a society, or at least those journalists, assume drugs are the cause of death until proven otherwise and then these journalists act surprised when an athlete like deceased Broncos running back Damien Nash is clean. Seems a guy just can't die unless he overdoses, I guess.

The National Sweep

Steve Nash is John Stockton if Stockton could only score. He is also, as stated here yesterday, one tough hombre. He shredded the Spurs Tuesday to help Phoenix even that playoff series at a game each. Still amazes me Dallas thought Nash was close to being washed up once. The Mavericks are an elite team but what would they be with Nash?

Here's one reason why Houston center Yao Ming continues to become more and more dominant. His head isn't fat like many young stars. His heart is to be great. When he first arrived, his height was as big a pull as his skills but he was no where near the player he is now. Yao has worked to become one of the best bigs in the game. And with his attitude he's not done improving. With a leader like that on the team, the Rockets have a chance each season to be a winner.

So Donovan McNabb was "shocked" that the Philadelphia Eagles used a second-round pick in the NFL draft on quarterback Kevin Kolb? Yeah, while a lot of us were, Donovan. And if you need a therapist for it all, maybe give John Elway a call. Denver did the same to him once, drafting some boy wonder from UCLA when Elway needed someone other than a clipboard holder for his offense. Thing is, Donovan, it all worked out in the end out this way.

Sorry, but while I will acknowledge some dude out West hit another homer and is closing in on Hank Aaron's all-time record for parking balls I'd prefer to talk about Ken Griffey Jr.'s 568 career homer and Alex Rodriguez's 15th of the season. You know how it goes -- sometimes it's good to be the king.

I saw this and wondered what in the world Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson was thinking. Thing was, he wasn't thinking. No discretion. And in the current climate, and on the heels of a pro athlete dying in an alcohol-related accident and you come to a press conference with beer? I'm shocked that commissioner David Stern, as big a control freak as there is in sports, didn't pop Nelson with a fine.

Georgia Bulldogs coach Mark Richt likely couldn't coach at Nebraska. His character is too strong. He prefers character over allowing bad behavior out on the field. Here, he athletically whacked one of his own. Imagine the Huskers doing the same. No, try imagining. Try harder. Once saw an interview with Richt and was mesmerized at who he was -- he left me impressed.

So Patriots quarterback and chick magnet Tom Brady takes a night off and his talent, Gisele Bundchen, parties like mom and dad are out of town? Maybe it's an open relationship. When you win Super Bowls, you can do that, you know. So wonder if I'm her type?

Scoreboard Grumblings

So is this the way the Rockies are going to be all season long? Punchless? They look like the CU offense of 2006, the Broncos offense of 2006 -- just no juice. Losing 4-1 in St. Louis isn't a crime but this is an ongoing pattern of disappointment. Taylor Buchholz throws six shutout innings, and that's not going to happen often, and his teammates reward him by scoring once. At least Matt Holliday (homered, doubled twice) and Todd Helton (two more hits) are succeeding but where was everyone else? Were they even at the ball park?

The front office has to make a move or show the fans it is willing to accept an 85-90 loss season.

Getting Kaz Matsui healthy would be nice, moving Garrett Atkins up in the batting order might help and sitting Brad Hawpe might be starts. A trade should also be explored.

Post Office

A letter railing against my Chauncy Billups/Denver Nuggets comments of Monday.

"Come on, my man. You know that Billups was not that great while in Denver, so to call that trade horrible is misinformed and a simpleton statement. It took Larry Brown's coaching to turn Billups into the NBA player he is today. Before that, he was struggling. If had stayed in Denver, his career would have never reached these heights."

WSN: I'll give you Billups was not the star in Denver he is in Detroit nor the player we became in Minnesota to earn the big paycheck and transfer to the Motor City. That said, when Smooth was with the Nuggets the team was hardly well run, from top to bottom.

While he moved around often before finding a home and while Brown did have a powerful effect on his career Billups always had the talent. It was just a matter of sculpting it.

It could have happened here.

It didn't but it could have.

Signed,

Simpleton

Tuesday Truth

Looking in the backyard and, um, it appears there is a commotion going on.

No intruders, no grill fire but I think I see lawyers and that's normally not a good thing.

At the great risk of getting punched out, I venture out to investigate.

Think we've been here before. Smells like scandal related.

The WSN wonders if any of the women involved in past cases at CU truly received what they deserved, which at the very least, should have been the belief that something terrible could have happened, that what they were saying might really have gone down.

Yes, I know all about the Duke case, know all about lying people (trust me), know all about the burden of proof but would people work so hard to pursue this if there wasn't at least some fire with that smoke? Would we see such determination? Winners don't quit, losers do.

Hey, maybe it's just me, maybe I'm a bleeding heart, maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about but I do feel one thing strongly -- something wrong occurred, something Lisa Simpson and other women are driven by to prove, one day, no matter the stone walls they've run into, no matter the heckling hey have received to this point.

More Backyard

Former CSU offensive lineman Clint Oldenburg may have landed in New England with the Patriots because his brother planted a seed in the organization's brain. Far-fetched? O.K., a little, I suppose. It could be just that everything aligned right for Oldenburg to end up in Foxboro but regardless, this will be the story announcers will be telling as long as Oldenburg is being discussed. Even if he didn't end up on the team because of the email, it's a legend that works for me.

George Washington High School and CU's Chauncy Billups had 14 points and 10 assists as Detroit lowered the boom on upstart Chicago...again, 108-87 Monday. The Pistons now lead that best-of-seven NBA playoff series, 2-o. Allen Iverson is fantastic. Billups remaining in Denver would have been better as he is more of what this team needs because of his long-range shooting, more controlled play and ability to get his within the framework of the offense.

Maybe it couldn't work, financially, and I'm not smart enough or interested in trying to figure it out but if Detroit doesn't win the NBA championship, Mr. WSN GM would work the phones and try to make a Iverson-for-Billups trade for the Nuggets.

Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo is upset at how Houston flamed out in its' series loss to Utah and isn't sure now about returning for one more season. How 'bout this Deke -- you give your farewell tour to the Association -- in a Denver jersey? The Nuggets need a force behind Marcus Camby, it provides the team with another shotblocker and rebounder, a little class and makes for a great story. No need to thank me. Just tell the Nuggets you heard it here first.

Former CU center Mark Fenton signs a free-agent deal with Denver and Fenton, if he can get right physically, could make some noise. His best bet would be to get stashed by the team for a season until he is healthy and can learn the system. As an undraftable, he is a long shot to make the team but he does have ability.

Dave Krieger writing about a favorite topic of mine -- horrible trades. A worthy read. The Drury deal has been written about at WSN, Billups has been discussed as have the numerous Rockies and Broncos blunders. Would be nice not to have anything to talk about.

If you read this space on Sunday's you know all about Rockies pitching prospect Brandon Hynick. Seems Baseball America has noticed his production, too, and they like. Look for no. 8 on their list of hot young talents.

The National Sweep

So Boomer Wells is toasting Roger Clemens for not traveling with the team. Greg Maddux chimes in. Hmm. Hey, I agree but you know something? Clemens doesn't have to play ball anymore. He ain't chasin' the game, the game is chasin' him, right? So if they want his services, he can draw up the conditions of the deal. Simple. And know something else? I'm guessing most of his teammates, especially the ones that matter most, like Derek Jeter, will put up with Clemens' absence on the road for the opportunity to win a lot more games when he pitches.

You think the Iverson-for-Billups trade above was lunacy? Well, it's no worse than a headline I saw where Dallas might think, at least for a moment, of sending Dirk Nowitzki to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett. Love KG's game but if the world thinks Nowitzki is soft come playoff time, what will it think of high-volume finesse-playing Garnett in a Mavs' uni.

For CU fans...don't be too hard on this Husker. Don't doormen know you don't pull on Superman's cape? Standing up to a Nebraska football player is not smart obviously. But I'm sure we'll eventually find out from coach Bill Callahan that the facts are different than what is being reported. After all, there is also the precedent of Larry Phillips going caveman on a woman while in Lincoln so punching a woman is accepted practice, just doing business. Don't expect any serious suspension coming out of this act.

How about this trip...the blond girl with the big boobs and then Kid Rock and his posse of, am I reading this right? Can't be. That's one group of people you just don't imagine getting together, sort of like me, Randy Moss, Ben Affleck, 50 Cent and Snoop Dog.

Mitch Albom gets it. Many athletes don't. And that's sad. That's why the beat goes on.

Looking at Steve Nash's nose makes me hurt. The man is, well, a warrior.

Not much into hockey. Ah, think I just came out of the closet on that one, didn't I? But caught Barry Melrose on ESPN and that cat is something. 40-50 years old, still the long hockey hair, the beard, the light-shaded purple pinstripe suit. Brother, is the man married? If so, I can't see her letting him out of the house that way. I mean, my ex, used to throw my favorite clothes in the trash, "hey Roxann, what's my shirt doing in the here" and make me get approval before I could walk outside, "you're not going to wear that, are you?"

Scoreboard Grumblings

Jeff Francis finally looked like a major league pitcher again, a fine one, as she shackled St. Louis Monday, holding the Cardinals to two runs in seven innings in a 3-2 Rockies win. Now, that's what he's capable of, not the drinking slow-pitch softballer he's been up to now.

Other encouraging new is that Todd Helton (homered) continues to look healthy and ready for a big season. The power will come. Maybe not 40-homers, maybe not 30, but a .330 average, 20-plus homers and 100 RBI is possible. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki keeps raising his average and is a player to watch. Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe, and especially Atkins, remain mysteries. What's wrong with those two? They have too much talent to stink this bad.

Random Ramblings

I only share this because its' a health concern that we all should know about, especially certain types of readers who are like....me. Guilty. I hope you're not.

Just saw the David Hasselhoff video and man, that's just cold. Yes, the dude's a mess but to have such a personal tape played, when you are at your weakest, all across the country, being humiliated, just isn't right. And if his ex-wife leaked the tape (Kim Basinger set the stage), then she's disgraceful. Take him to court if you feel your children are endangered. Call the police but to rub your high heels into his crotch, well, should make you look like a witch but the media gives her a pass.

Final Salvo

Up late, as always, and caught Comics Unleashed and I'm dyin' if I'm lyin' when I tell you some great, clean comedy is out there from one Kenny Johnson. Also on that show was Bobby Miyamoto, a dry delivery but definitely a player and Erik Passoja, a freak that you'd stay away from work but high-intensity funny.

Miyamoto and Passoja showed strong but Johnson was the star of this episode. Look for his work, especially if you might be in the 20-40 year-old demographic.

Monday Heat

Let's start out in the backyard...

CU has scored a pair of talented receivers for its' 2008 recruiting class, according to BuffStampede.com, as Texas high schooler Chance Blackmon joins JC standout Corey Surrency as big-play talents verbally committed to the Buffs.

But in the world of recruiting, it ain't ever over and if those players bust out any more in 2007, the wolves will come into camp, looking to eat and CU, unless it strings some wins together this fall is going to be mighty insecure come signing day.

The Buffs have to find a way to become greater than the sum of their parts, become resourceful on game day with cheap parts on the machine and emerge victorious in any way possible, if it wants to truly keep the interest of top talents.

Checked Nbadraft.net to see where I was projected to go come June so I could start planning how to spend my riches and what to tell the honeys when they ask "how much you got?" For some reason, still didn't see my name listed but did see CSU's Jason Smith at no. 28, where he could go hang with Tony Parker Longoria and Tim Duncan down San Antonio way. Know what? That would be a great fit for Smith and a place the WSN could see him succeeding.

Did Mark Kiszla really propose the idea of shipping Marcus Camby out of town? Maybe I'm one of the rare birds who likes Kiszla but that is madness. Camby might be a breakdown waiting to happen but how many guys can you find out there who can rip down 10-12 boards and block 2.5-3.5 shots per game? And if Camby goes, who replaces him? Nene? He's brittle too and anyone who knows his game is aware he scores better at center but can't rebound a lick there. He found his home this season at power forward, finally. Yeah, trade Camby if you can score a decent big in return and a star-quality off-guard. Like that's gonna happen.

You know, Terry Frei, I really don't want to read about Chris Drury anymore. When the Avalanche traded him, anyone who knew anything knew that was one stupid deal. Colorado didn't make many of them under the previous management regime but that certainly was one of them. Why? Because Drury was young, skilled, driven and exciting. That's the kind of package you don't give up unless you get paid in return with a real impressive booty. That didn't happen.

The National Sweep

Hey, don't get me wrong -- I love Roger Clemens. Always have. The man is all about work, dedication and excellence. He is a joy to watch. But this hired mercenary show, jumping from one team to another every few years is a little much. Yes, teams are acting as groupies and hounding him but truth is, I think Clemens enjoys it too, being fawned all over. That poke aside, I may not see another like him or even a Randy Johnson in my lifetime, power arms still going strong into their 40s. As much as I appreciate Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, and I do, seeing the big arms is more of a rush.

Is Clemens worth $ 28 million for one year? Yes. Just as Michael Jordan was pulling down some heavy jack at the end of his career, Clemens is doing now, not only for their legendary feats but for what they do for ticket sales and because with heroic personalities we always believe they can be great one more time, even at an age when most of their peers have long been retired and playing some silly game with a little white ball.

Pete Rose broke the all-time hits mark and isn't in baseball's Hall of Fame so does Barry Bonds, who many think cheated with steroids to enhance his already great numbers, get in? Your opinion, your call, but it says here that regardless of what was permissible with supplements or drugs, Bonds stepped out of the white into the gray, at the very least, with his actions to gain a competitive advantage. It says here that he, along with Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco should all join Rose on the outside looking in at Cooperstown. The sad thing is that Bonds and McGwire would have been Hall of Famers without help from a bottle or syringe.

Interesting, isn't it, how many experts said this was the Dallas Mavericks or Phoenix Suns year in the Western Conference and likely NBA Finals yet that old goat, San Antonio, is starting to loom large again. The turk is proving to be tough to get rid of because it understands team play, defense and oh yeah, has some stiff named Tim Duncan who plays his best in the biggest games. Just ask the Suns. They'll testify.

New England Patriots superstar quarterback Tom Brady and Playboy Playmates, together? Fox in the hen house. Yeah, that's a good idea I'm sure his publicist signed off on.

I know he's retired but to see the name Pete Sampras and seniors tour in the same sentence made me, well...feel old. Very old. Ancient. If you're going to put "seniors" on something, make the qualifying age 60-plus, will you? Not 35, as in Sampras' age.

So what do you think-- was this concocted as a drinking game at some college by some nerds? Had to be. Who knows, maybe I once participated but just don't remember it. Or was that Go Fish/Ultimate Fighting Championship?

Ex-wife...own agenda? Noooooooooo. Nice though, that your own child, has to be your intervention.

Scoreboard Grumblings

Cincinnati pounded visiting Colorado pitching for a 9-3 win Sunday. The Reds piled up eight extra-base hits setting up starter Bronson Arroyo for the victory. Left-for-dead Todd Helton had two more hits to raise his average to .394. He also drove in a pair of runs. The pitching is not as strong as it was last season and the offense has gone into hiding. Manager Clint Hurdle has no answers, general manager Dan O'Dowd is likely off taking a nap, trying to sleep games offs and the fans are bored.

OfficeMania

Path to advancement is often rocky and some executives who have advanced likely shouldn't be there...

A young executive was leaving the office late one evening when he found the CEO standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand.

"Listen," said the CEO, "this is a very sensitive and important document here, and my secretary has gone for the night. Can you make this thing work for me?"

"Certainly," said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button.

"Excellent, excellent!" said the CEO, as his paper disappeared inside the machine.

"I just need one copy."

Random Ramblings

Not joking when I write...at least it wasn't a gun, which seems to be the "in" thing these days. Yes, it was disrespectful and wrong but if I'm the target of this assault then I'm happy as can be, dropping and praying right now over the weapon of choice. Bring it on!

Still having great difficulty understanding how married sportscaster Rich Eisen caught this Philadelphia anchor's attention? Yes, I'm obsessive in thought, even a week later, but such things don't even happen in Hollywood. Getting bikini pics? The girl's explanation of it was all in friendship, well, a little faulty, don't you think but pretty people get big breaks -- I should know -- and Miss Lane will too. This woman is going to see her career get an unexpected boost now and Eisen will be forever be kidded about this in his profession.

By the way, told her she could dress me up, I was game but I lost out to these five mutts. No justice. Even promised I wouldn't lick myself but I couldn't guarantee I wouldn't roll over on my back.

Sunday Truth

An all-out press today with Nuggets, Air Force, Broncos, the Rockies and much more. If you're warmed up and ready to play, let's go.

The Nuggets are deceiving themselves.

O.K., maybe Kiki Vandeweghe doesn't work in Denver anymore but that fact hardly makes him a fool now. For his failed moves (see Kenyon Martin) he did drag the Nuggets out of the gutter, cleaned them up and made them respectable and relevant again.

So when the man says Denver's opportunity for a championship has a window, he shouldn't be discounted so quickly.

Fact no. 1 is guard Allen Iverson is old because of the high mileage on his thin frame. Iverson, like all of us, is mortal and despite his level of play does not have the same body he did five years ago. He can still score and dish but he won't be ripping up opponents in three-to-four years from now.

Center Marcus Camby is the same. It's a joke that anyone could doubt his future when the man is always hurt. Sure, this season, in a huge surprise, he avoided being in the shop as much as normal but the words dependable and Camby don't go hand-in-hand.

If Iverson and Camby were luxury cars, their owners would have noticed that they don't quite drive the way they once did, that the maintenance costs are becoming too much and they both would be, sorry, sold.

Denver can't do that so those two talented but tread-wearing-thin athletes are question marks for the future.

The WSN says this team, should it remain intact, has about two seasons to get to the top.

DeBerry insists he made the call

Former Air Force football coach Fisher DeBerry says it was him, not the Academy, who decided the program needed a change of leadership, leading to his retirement.

Whatever it was, a fantastic coach and ambassador for the Falcons is gone.

In one man's humble opinion, the Falcons scored big in getting Troy Calhoun to the Springs to replace DeBerry but DeBerry didn't go out as he should have after the magnitude of his contribution to the Air Force and Colorado Springs.

It doesn't take a genius to determine something didn't sit right with the former coach when he left his post. Of course, him being who he is, he has decided to keep it quiet.

Not as juicy as I would prefer but guess I can respect his approach.

Broncos can have more of a good thing

Denver snagged a pass rusher in the NFL draft, grabbing Florida's Jarvis Moss. That, however, won't be enough to adequately amp up the team's bum rush on opposing quarterbacks. If coach Mike Shanahan and new defensive coordinator Jim Bates want more heat for Sundays, rumor has it the Chicago Bears are looking to sell off defensive end Alex Brown.

Brown could start, Moss could develop and the Broncos would be better off for it.

The question then becomes cost as in what would the price tag be to get Brown? He's not worth a first or second-rounder and Denver traded away its' third round selection for next season.

That's the story problem for Shanahan to solve, one he should try to figure out as the Broncos should go get Brown.

Sweeping the Nation

Boxing really doesn't matter anymore to most but for a night, the action between winner Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya almost matched the hype. Almost. But more so in the effort, the skill, the endurance than the amazing hits and courage.

Now here's how baseball used to be. If only kids knew what was tolerated of major leaguers during the game. Wonder if I could get someone at work to be my clubhouse guy? See that cutie over there? Bring me back her phone number...and get me a beer while you're at it, would you.

Potential star hits the mound for San Francisco today. Not predicting his future but he's going to be something to watch because of his power arm. He was the no. 11 on Baseball America's preseason top 100 list of prospects. Two other names in the top 10, Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays system and Andrew Miller of the Detroit Tigers organization were people the Rockies, surprise, passed on to take Stanford pitcher Greg Reynolds last June.

Regardless of the type of person he is, the type of morals the man has or doesn't have, Barry Bonds does possess rare-gem talent and has worked to become a player for the ages. Even at his age (42), he amazes with the type of dominant stretches he goes on crushing balls, where all pitchers seem to struggle keeping the ball in the yard.

Former CU back Chris Brown might be a fit in New England, as a backup, according to Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com. Brown, I would imagine, still has visions of starting somewhere but he might have to settle for a reserve role where he might be able to overtake someone in time. While that would unlikely happen in Foxboro unless Laurence Maroney gets hurt, playing for a winner is usually a good thing because everything positive you do gets magnified.

What's the line go like again? Thank God for unanswered prayers? Maybe Houston and former Broncos player and coach Gary Kubiak will be giving thanks down the road for prayers not being answered. Seems that Pasquarelli heard the Texans really wanted Ohio State star return man Ted Ginn in the first round of the NFL draft, only to see him reeled in by Miami. The man Houston did get -- defensive tackle Amobi Okoye -- is a better pro prospect at a more premium position.

Someone wasn't paying attention in class. The NFL is not putting up with this type of behavior anymore. The trip to the Principal's office is not going to be pretty. Dude deserves all he's about to receive for being so arrogant...and stupid.

For Bruce Feldman's (ESPN.com) new hot book on the recruiting process, from start to finish, here's the link. He covers Ole Miss' program for a year, learning all that goes into winning and losing out on recruits. He had a prior work relationship with coach Ed Orgeron when Orgeron was a USC assistant so partnering up, while unique for such access, was greased by their friendship.

Checked out Todd McShay's (ESPN.com, subscription) to look at the 2008 NFL draft and all you need to know is there isn't a CU Buff on the list. You don't expect players from CSU or Air Force to land on preseason charts but if Buffs aren't on there, you realize the hole they start from each season compared to that long-lost past.

Fruitless effort coming up right here. Playing wide receiver in the NFL is more than world-class speed. It's running crisp routes, understanding the defense and how to get open and then, oh yeah, catching the ball. You'd think teams would have learned that lesson by now.

WSN Rockies Prospect Report

AAA-Colorado Springs -- Third baseman Ian Stewart remains a disappointment (2 HR, 4 RBI) and first baseman Joe Koshansky's average is too low (.287) for the Pacific Coast League but he is producing (4 HR, 19 RBI). This team isn't offering up much hope for the parent club right now.

AA-Tulsa -- shortstop Jon Hererra has a potent bat (.333) but he's also a slap hitter with little pop.

Starter Greg Reynolds, the team's top draft pick last June, is rolling (2-1, 1.91 ERA in 33 innings) and Jarrett Grube continues his excellent work (2-0, 0.59 ERA in 15 frames).

Premium prospect, lefty starter Franklin Morales is still figuring things out (0-2, 3.67 ERA).

A-Modesto -- Outfielder Travis Bechtel is hitting (.304, 3 HR, 15 RBI) and Brandon Hynick is dominating (3-0, 0.00 ERA in 32 innings).

A-Asheville -- First baseman Michael Paulk looks like a prospect (.412, 17 BB, 15 SO) even if he has little home-run punch (1). Shortstop Dan Mayora is also raking (.327).

Lefty Keith Weiser, a third-round draft choice last season, is the standout pitcher (5-0, 2.65 ERA in 37 innings).

Here's the WSN Prospect Book on the field workers:

Hitters

1. Koshansky, 1b, C-Springs...major-league quality; needs to raise average
   
2. Stewart, 3B, C-Springs...immense talent who is not making adjustments
   
3. Hererra, SS, Tulsa...some power needs to emerge from his bat
   

Pitchers

1. Reynolds, Tulsa...future no. 3 or no. 4 starter
   
2. Hynick, Modesto...the most dominant pitcher in the organization
   
3. Weiser, Asheville...picked over Morales for his superior control
   

Scoreboard Grumblings

It wasn't the Rockies bullpen which gave away a game for a change. Cincinnati served up a late-inning buffet for Colorado hitters and the Rockies ate in a 9-7 road win Saturday. Chris Iannetta and Matt Holliday homered and Brad Hawpe showed up with some timely hitting. Face it, the Rockies pitching is always going to be, well, the Rockies pitching so those with bats in their hands, mostly very capable men, have to start making that wood work.

Random Ramblings

Amazing isn't it -- that a person's life is reduced to what he's worth in his wallet. For what I imagine was most likely less than $ 20 and a cell phone, maybe not even a credit card, someone was viewed as disposable. The perpetrator doesn't have an ounce of remorse, doesn't feel anything about stealing life or devastating a family for years. Of course, society views this as just another day at the office -- a killing here, a few there, lots over there, whatcha' gonna do about it?

Ah, the smack talk continues. The man should look in the mirror and ask what kind of human being he is, talking such ugly, evil junk. Disgraceful that he attaches himself in any way to a god of any sort. Call it like it is -- liar. Maybe he can come slay me now, too. Out of principle and, yeah, love too.

So the rich and powerful do go to jail, occasionally? While her accommodations may not be as posh as she's used to I seriously doubt she will be flop-housing it either. Doesn't help her future prospects that mama is an enabler, either.

Look into the eyes, read this story and see and know evil. Former law enforcement guy who probably is backed by his former co-workers, too, only because of the uniform they once shared. First, try to grasp the crime against someone so vulnerable, then add that it is your own family, add the whip cream by feeling so arrogant and turned on by it all that you film it. Now, for the cherry on top, distribute it world wide, for other chumps to get off on, to humiliate a child. Is any punishment enough? Of course the courts always flex their muscle more for the perpetrators than for the victims, which in this case, will be likely scarred forever. Imagine every guy who desires to date her. The girl was robbed of more than can be expressed.

Sweet honey. Who says I can't share some good news. Read all the way through and see the powerful comments near the end. And the best angle -- no drug company involvement necessary.

Friday Jam

Let's start out in the backyard today...

The Nuggets' future prospects just don't look good and that's not just the WSN writing it. The budgetary and on-court limitations are obvious. It should be remembered though just how short a time ago how disgraceful Denver's franchise was and for how long that was the reality. This is an organization that is now a consistent playoff team. Winning once it gets there remains the daunting challenge. Next season, this group, if no changes are made is capable of winning a first and yes, second-round series, but that is at best.

If Kenyon Martin can indeed be productive again and everyone else remains healthy, then a key to improvement might be trading someone's ridiculous contract for some financial flexibility and and a chance to find someone who can cover up defensive and perimeter shot-making deficiencies. And here's a new philosophy, however revolutionary it might be, for the Nuggets -- quit trading bushels of first-round draft picks!

The Broncos are saying all the right things but mingling with players with previous character, um, issues, has not played out well before. They can try to make everyone feel good now but the odds are a Marcus Thomas is going to fail again, no matter how "great" a guy they they think he is. Jarvis Moss, despite his past transgressions, may not be the risk that Thomas is but he brings the injury questions to the table.

All in all, a risky and high-cost draft.

We all know the problems but where are the solutions for the Rockies. Right now this team has it on cruise control.

It needs more than to just let the players working themselves out of their poor play. Some sort of early-season move, either in the dugout, even though Clint Hurdle just got extended or on the field might be the answer. Trading for a strong veteran presence, even if a bench player, could help. Ignoring the issues, which are evident in the standings, is not the solution.

Great fit for former CU center Mark Fenton. It likely won't work out this season but maybe he gets stashed in the weeds some how and gets another shot next year. If he's healthy, he's an NFL player, even if as a reserve.

National Notes

The Warriors beat the Mavericks in the NBA playoffs, knocking out the 67-game winners, sending them home? Hey, there are times when teams just match up well with other teams, no matter the discrepancy between their records. Golden State simply knew how to bust Dallas and because of that, they had extreme confidence. And when the results kept proving themselves on the court, it only made the Warriors play harder. Stephen Jackson and Baron Davis were unguardable and coach Don Nelson had to feel real good about beating Mavs' owner Mark Cuban.

By the way, San Antonio and Phoenix are real happy today.

Rip Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki if you must but he doesn't all of a sudden stink because his team got ambushed by a lesser foe. Basketball is either a team sport or it isn't and if it is, then one player doesn't decide a series. Bam!

It's common knowledge that those crazy Tennessee Volunteers' football players have a personal relationship with police. Here's proof that doesn't end once Phillip Fulmer's boys use up their eligibility. Like the Bible says, winning covers a multitude of sins. It does say that, right? At least in Knoxville?

Do you believe this -- administration bowing to the student's desires and doing the right thing? Very smart move, indeed, not only for student relations but for the good of the Saturday atmosphere.

It's a start, a good one. Anything that discourages the long-range jacking up of shots and encourages truer basketball, as in passing, screener, cutting, posting is what the game needs. It is also good role modeling for lesser levels.

The breakdown -- prep recruiting analysis to NFL draft. Like we know, the star system does matter, does have validity but it isn't the end-all.

How's this for a season-end celebration -- the coach and the star player aren't there. What a lot of fun that had to be for both the team and the fans in attendance.

Crazy Canadians. Interesting visual.

Last words

Another assault on the Nuggets, primarily the man court side.

Nuggets punches; Holliday talk

She done sang.

You heard it too, didn't you?

Them Nuggets -- done.

After competing hard for four games they just showed up flat and got kicked out of the playoffs by San Antonio, 93-78, in Game 5 of the team's series.

Once again, Denver's backcourt was atrocious defensively (offseason reclamation project numero uno) as Michael Finley and Tony Parker combined for 42 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists. And, of course, Tim Duncan got his with 23 points and 12 boards.

The Nuggets shot a pitiful 38 percent from the floor, with Allen Iverson (6-for-22) and Carmelo Anthony (8-for-20) clanking the worst. Marcus Camby did rope 19 boards and blocked five shots but it wasn't enough.

Bottom line from WSN, this team won't be markedly better next year, even if Kenyon Martin comes back as Superman. Honestly, a difficult personal season for coach George Karl, both with his team and his son's cancer, his own health issues, suspensions, injuries, well, wow, it never ended. That said, Karl didn't really have his team's ear. And Denver needs defensive help in the backcourt and more accountability in that area everywhere.

How to accomplish that is the great riddle that needs to be solved.

Colorado brew about to go bad

We all can see how the Rockies, despite some talent, haven't put it together and look to be another summer slug but what can't be said enough is this -- Matt Holliday, once a struggling minor leaguer who couldn't hit for either average or power, is one of the game's better hitters and likely soon-to-be an ex-Colorado player.

One thing that is money in the bank is that Rockies' management, with that huge thorn in its' foot over the Todd Helton mega-contract blowing up in its' face is the reality the organization will not be too interested in stacking up piles of money for Holliday over an extended period of time, possibly repeating a mistake.

Colorado is still dealing with that pain and the guess here is that unless Holliday is on course to win a batting title, hit 40 homers and drive in 130 runs that it will entertain trade offers for him during the season.

General manager Dan O'Dowd, however, cannot take less quality than he will give up in return. Otherwise, he will be vilified in the media, rightly so, and will, despite his contract extension, be on borrowed time.

A player of Holliday's caliber must bring a no. 1 starter back this way or two solid, established hitters or at very least, a pair of elite prospects.

No selling him off as pre-foreclosure property.

Backyard

Been said, I hear, that I'm negative. Check out this outside voice, on the Broncos' draft. Warning -- not pretty. Must be 18 to view (bottom of page).

Coloradoan in another 2008 draft list, the highest I've seen him projected to go yet. Presenting Miami Hurricane defensive end Calais Campbell.

Maybe you've seen this CU fans, maybe not...road trippin' your way.

National Notes

Barry Bonds hit career home run no. 743. Is it wrong to feel so sick that he's going to pass Hank Aaron, a real man, someone who had to go through so much and did so, with dignity on the verge of losing a hallowed record to a chump on par with Ty Cobb? Bonds will hold the record one day, no doubt, at least until Alex Rodriguez erases it but that doesn't mean many have to like it or celebrate the feat. Prediction -- watch Bonds' personality warm with age, trying to say it was just business, working us all in Bonds, Act II.

Who's more overexposed as an owner -- George Steinbrenner of the Yankees or Mark Cuban of the Mavericks? Who's more obnoxious? Of course, anytime those men want to buy a Colorado professional franchise, any of them, I'll repent.

A scathing column on the cover-up in St. Louis regarding deceased Cardinals' pitcher Josh Hancock. If true, what's new? People of influence and power always get passes. Now, we hear the police in incident no. 1 didn't know who he was so Hancock didn't get guided around the system but really, what else are the police going to say -- that they let a drunk driver go and then he kills himself when he also could have done the same to someone else?

How juicy is this story -- a sports anchor getting groupies in the form of others in the media. Just one thing -- this sort of thing usually causes problems for your wife. Here's the bold chick's pic.

The man is 69 years old. 69. What is he doing? Been running with Denver Broncos' draft choices?

What a creative idea...love it. The aesthetics are great and I imagine, as a spectator, it had to be interesting. The players having different adjustments, I'm sure, was challenging.

Random Ramblings

A forecast to remember.

Karl fuming; Williams needs love

A look in the backyard to start things off this morning....

To what degree is Nuggets' coach George Karl aggravated? He just went Vesuvius on J.R. Smith, a player noted as much for playing without a conscience as he is his remarkable athleticism and skills. Smith doesn't seem like a bad guy but when you show up for work every day going your own way and not listening to the boss, well, you're going to have days like this. So what do you think -- is the front office working on relocation plans for Smith now or what? Gotta think this is a relationship who's divorce is coming soon.

Call me a little surprised at the mention of a CU lineman being named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List. Not that junior guard/center Daniel Sanders is a stiff but the Buffs' offense hardly wowed anyone last season, did it, when it thought scoring was like golf -- low score wins.

This would have been a smart, power move for either of the new basketball coaches at CU or CSU. Why? Because he is defensive minded and can do a little something called recruiting, very well.

About time. Maybe he struggled as a practice player or just didn't have a place to play in the eyes of the coaches but it says here D.J. Williams is too good of an athlete, to much of a potential playmaker not to be playing a lot, which he didn't last season, at linebacker for the Broncos. You take a guy in the first round, you find a way to maximize his skills. That's on the team. If he doesn't make it all come about now with a new defensive coordinator (Jim Bates) and Al Wilson gone, something is really wrong and it's time for an investigation.

I'm sure KOA radio loves one of its' employees (Stefan Tubbs) basically expressing his price for doing the right thing and coughing up a baseball to Rockies' shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Yeah, the team will do it but not a cool thing for anyone with the station to be doing. Actually, it's wrong and Tubbs should know better.

The revolving door that is Denver running back U. continued with the release of Cedric Cobbs, who shined last postseason only to disappear come the regular season, and the signing of free agent Selvin Young out of some big school in Texas. Young was a star prep, had his moments in college with the Longhorns but is too soft, you heard it here first, to make the Broncos' final roster.

Sign of a team grasping for answers, trying everything. Like this move is going to work out either. It says here Colorado should have ridden it out longer with Barmes, who clearly has more talent than Quintanilla.

National Notes

Sorry, no Buffs, Rams or Falcons but an ex-Colorado prep could be one season away from becoming a millionaire. Look for a huge year in 2007 from him and new Miami coach Randy Shannon.

I guess this kind of rowdiness is frowned upon. Just wonder if these half-wits knew the rules beforehand. Maybe in NASCAR, they should print the code of conduct on the tickets. Can you imagine these monkeys driving home afterwards? And these people wonder why stereotypes exist.

This is sticky and about ready to get worse. Pilot error or airplane defect? At stake? What's always at stake -- $$$, lots of it. Raw emotions, money, not going to be pretty.

Post Office

Richard talks hair and weed.

"I like your assessment of the Broncos' draft. But it should be pointed out that Mel Kiper - yes, the hair apparent - gave the Broncos the highest grade (B) in the AFC West for their draft. The other teams all got C's. And while we are discussing the topic of marajuana use among Denver draft picks, Neill Woelk had the best line today: "In Boulder, that qualifies you for the City Council."

WSN: Richard, maybe Kiper has it right, based on potential, as Jarvis Moss, Ryan Harris and Marcus Thomas all have ability to be solid contributors and Tim Crowder should provide depth but with injury concerns, drug issues and size problems, there is a lot that can go wrong, too. Just hope "the hair apparent" knows those facts.

As for Woelk's comment, well, typically good stuff from him. And truth is if we punished everyone who loved the sticky, pungent herb, we would likely be surprised at how many leaders and successful people we would be lacking in our world. Not condoning it, just sharing what I read, see in the news and amongst people I've known.

Random Ramblings

Sorry, anyone convicted of hurting children, well, you gotta go to far worse places than the big house. And are all attorneys whores or does it just seem that way? For money, they'll say and do anything?

What to say, what to say -- how 'bout she's no gold digger? Wow, is it unacceptable to say this woman had, um, cajones? Girl was fearless. Such a proposal would have caused me to soil myself.