I will get right to the point today.

If the Denver Broncos had a very good chance of winning the Super Bowl, John Lynch would still be here.

Through his 15 (possibly 16) years in the NFL, the guy has proven to be the quintessential teammate. Yes, he has almost always been a starter but when you get to the stage Lynch is at now, you have to ask yourself a question: Would I rather take my skills to a struggling team team that could give me more reps or go to a contender, which would result in playing less but winning more? Most veterans, trying to quench the thirst of success, as they see their career head into its twilight, would take the latter.

John Lynch has already won a Super Bowl and that more anything drives this decision to leave. If he only has a few seasons (if even that much) left, he is going to a place where winning at the highest level, is not only paramount but feasible. There may be no owner in sports more passionate about winning than Pat Bowlen, but it seems like a stretch that the Broncos can somehow represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this season. Therefore, if Lynch does play this season, it is unlikely it would be for anybody but a contender.

Trying to earn significant playing time on a elite roster after 15 years in the NFL seems like a stretch. He would most likely have to take a supporting role-----which I think, despite his comments, would be fine with him. I know this contradicts exactly what Lynch said on Thursday, but look at it like this: If the Colts or Chargers, two teams with very good secondaries (as well as Super Bowl aspirations), made him an offer to come and earn a spot, would he say no? Would he rather get a chance for another ring with one of those teams or more playing time with a rebuilding team?

Lynch is a man of his word so it remains tough to doubt his comments from yesterday. That being said, this is the same guy who embraced his lesser role early in camp. Situations change and I think if Lynch had his same situation as he had in Denver (reduced reps), but with a different team (AFC Title Contender), he continues to play.

If that was indeed the case here this season, Lynch would be on the roster. Sure, Marlon McCree may have gotten many of his snaps but Lynch's presence in the locker room------especially after last season chemistry problems------ would have been valued just as much.

Lynch says he wants to play but I just can't shake the feeling he doesn't feel privately as confident about the Broncos as he does when he speaks publicly. After all, most players are trying to come----not leave-----an organization that wants to raise the Lombardi Trophy.

See you on Monday. Have a great weekend everybody.

-"z"

On Saturday, the Broncos put just one player in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame and by doing that, they doubled the total of orange and blue representation in the hallowed Canton, Ohio building.

You think that sounds a bit strange? You are not alone. The Broncos have played in six Super Bowls and have won twice-----yet, all they have to show for it are the enshrinements of John Elway and Gary Zimmerman. Who may be the next to join them? Let's take a look.

Note: I am considering players who may have played for more than one team but would most likely choose to go in with a Denver uniform on. Example: Zimmerman, played 12 years in the NFL, only five (1993-1997) here but chose to be inducted by Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.

Randy Gradishar
Linebacker, 1974-1983, All with Broncos
The statistical case for him seems to be an easy one to make. In his ten seasons, he.was an eight time All Pro selection and a seven time Pro Bowl pick. He was the 1978 Defensive Player Of The Year. He ended his career with 2,049 tackles, 20.5 sacks, and 20 picks.
Prognosis: The numbers say he should be in. However, he has only made it as close as the
final ten, which he accomplished in 2003. I think, fair or not, his chances seem
to diminish each and every year. Who outside of this area puts him in a list of
the greatest linebackers ever? Almost nobody. Is he? Sure seems like it but
you need somebody to carry that message loud and proud and as each year that
goes by, the chances appear to be getting smaller.

Terrell Davis
Running Back, 1995-2001, All With Broncos
The player who will generate the most amount of heated arguments is Davis. Much like Gradishar, in this area, the overwhelming choice is to put him in Canton with the other running back greats. The local population will argue he ran for 7,067 yards, not a huge number, but when you consider his career was cut short by injury after only seven years, that figure does seem rather stout in nature. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry and rushed for over 1,000 yards in four of his seven seasons. In 1998, he ran for 2,008 yards with 23 touchdowns and that was just the beginning of a magical year for T.D. In that same season, he earned NFL MVP honors, his first NFL rushing title, his third consecutive AFC rushing title, and he ran for 102 yards in a Super Bow XXXIII win.
Prognosis: To me, much like Gradishar, should not be fighting this much for
acceptance. I look at this case much like that of Sandy Koufax. A short, yet
truly tremedous career. Koufax got in the Baseball Hall Of Fame. Will Davis
be able to one day crack Canton?

Shannon Sharpe
Tight End, 1990-2001 (1990-1999 and 2002-2003 with Broncos, 2000-2001 with Ravens)
Of the first three players we have listed, he has to have the best chance. A total of 815
catches for 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns. Made the All Decade team for the 1990s as well. Made eight Pro Bowls and was All-Pro six times. If winning is most important, Shannon has that going for him as well. He is a three time Super Bowl champion.
Prognosis: Hard to see how he is not getting at some point.

Rod Smith
Wide Receiver, 1994-2007, All With Broncos
He has more catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns than any undrafted wide receiver in NFL history. He had eight seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving. Two Super Bowl titles. He was All-Pro in 2000 and 2001 and was picked for the Pro Bowl in 2000, 2001, and 2005. He has had two seasons of at least 100 catches. In 2000, he caught 1000 and subsequently had 113 catches in 2001, the top total in the League. Retired in July.
Prognosis: If he is not inducted on his first chance, in 2013, there is something wrong with
the system the Hall Of Fame Committee has in place, in my estimation.

Mike Shanahan
Head Coach, 1995-Present With Broncos, 1988-Part of 1989 With Raiders
The record will judge him based on his performance in Denver. There are many coaches
who did not thrive in their initial head coaching job (Bill Belichick and Shanahan) that went onto great heights. Shanahan has won two Super Bowls and has collected 138 regular season victories in 13 years. In total, he has been on the staff of six Super Bowl teams, five of them with the Broncos. Do you think that is impressive? Just wait until you see what's next. He joins Chuck Noll, Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, and Belichick as the only coaches to win consecutive Super Bowl titles. He had the most amount of wins of any coach in a three year span, winning 46 games from 1996-1998 and won the most postseason games over a two year window, with seven wins in 1996-1997. So much more, though you get the picture here.
Prognosis: Once he retires, he should have to wait as long as Smith, which is to say, the
minimum five years.

Note: I think Johnn Lynch may go in, though, to me he will choose to be inducted as a member of the Bucs. He spent 11 seasons there and won a Super Bowl with the team.

-"z"

The Rockies are currently in third place in the National League West and they are very fortunate to be where they are.

They have a 51-63 record, yet only are eight games out of the division lead. Clearly, that doesn't say much for the Rockies and the two teams ahead of them, The Diamondbacks and the Dodgers. It really speaks badly of The Padres and the Giants, the two teams looking up at Colorado. Let's face it, this division is one of the worst Major League Baseball has had in years.

Today, due to their geographical place in baseball alignment, the Rockies have an outside shot at winning the division. If their compass was pointed anywhere but the National League West, that would not be feasible.

If the Rockies were in the National League East, they would be in fifth place and would be twelve games out of first place.

If the Rockies were in the National League Central,it would even worse. They would be in last place, behind such baseball stalwarts as the 2008 Pirates and Reds and a mind-boggling sixteen-and-ahalf games out of the top spot.

However, there is really no point playing hypothetical games like this (other than it shows you, even if the Rockies have been dealt a tough hand with poor pitching and injuries, it could be a lot worse).

The Rockies have got to be upset with the way they have played, nobody, including them, will probably dispute that. Sure, if they hadn't suffered injuries to Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki, Matt Holliday, and Jeff Francis, they would be in a better spot. Then again, if Arizona didn't cool off as much as they did after their torrid April start, they would be running away with the division. Bottom line, neither issue can be changed and therefore, neither team has been eliminated from contention.

The issue that makes this all the more frustrating for the Rockies is that they know that no matter how weak the division winner may be, once you get into the postseason, it really doesn't matter. The Rockies were the last of eight teams to make the postseason in 2007 and were feared by nobody. They were seen as a team on a roll that would eventually be cooled off----and they were-----though, only after they advanced to the World Series. They know that it can happen again and their inability to keep pace with teams that sportall not so gaudy over records of 58-54 (Diamondbacks) and 56-55 (Dodgers) is not only embarrassing, it's frustrating, and causing them to lose ground in the Matt Holliday sweepstakes.

After all of the adversity they have gone through and the criticism they have taken, after all of the underachieving they have partaken in, the goal of winning the division.....is still...possible.
How? The Rockies have 48 games to play. They have 27 games at home where they have been pretty solid. Of their final 48 games, only sixteen are against teams with wining records. Who might all of those sixteen be against? Yeah, you got it. Nine with the Diamondbacks and six with the Dodgers. No better way to catch the leaders than to beat them. The Rockies will get their chance, the question now becomes, will they make the most of that chance?

-"z"

There are varying degrees of thought on this but the fundamental question remains, is it fair to group Brandon Marshall into a fraternity that includes Terry "Tank" Johnson, Chris Henry, Adam (No Longer Pacman) Jones, and Michael Vick.

Yes and no.

The players above have all been suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell under the Code of Conduct policy. The major difference is that Marshall, while probably guilty of bad behavior and questionable judgment, has not been convicted of any crimes. He has been arrested three times in three different states, but short of conviction, does he deserve a suspension? Should he at least be convicted of a crime before Goodell hands down a suspension? I say no.

The NFL takes its players and their conduct----on and off the field---pretty seriously. It seems that that stance has been strengthened greatly since Goodell replaced Paul Tagliabue. The respected Tagliabue may have done more for the growth of the NFL as anyone since Pete Rozelle, but his almost dismissive attitude towards matters not pertaining to football---i.e.---offseason behavior, were disappointing.

To me, Goodell is doing what is in the best interest of the NFL and that is the bottom line. Does it have the propensity to look weird, if by some measure, Marshall is cleared of all of the charges he is facing, yet still was made to serve a suspension? Once again, yes and no. I can see both sides.

To Goodell, if you put the NFL in disrepute, you will suffer the consequences, regardless of the consequences you may face. The point has been made loud and clear and the above examples show that leniency is not Goodell's favorite word.

I think what really sets him apart from his peers is his intolerance for repeat offenders----though, in a different sense of the word. I do not mean getting caught perpetrating the same type of crime, I mean, the hubris of always making the wrong decision and thinking since you are a professional athlete, you are above reproach.

After all, you tell me what made Goodell more privately angry? That Vick was taking part in dogfighting or that he constantly denied those allegations to Goodell? I think both have a strong argument.

Was it more troubling that Jones was involved in an altercation at a strip club that left one man paralyzed or that just prior to meeting with Goodell, he had visited---hard to imagine, a strip club? Once again, is Goodell more infuriated at Jones or agry that their meeting was apparently was not a top of mind issue for Jones?

The same logic applies to Marshall. Too may run-ins, too many wrong place wrong time issues. Nobody is fooled, least of all Goodell. Marshall is an exceptional talent that the Broncos will go to the wall to save. After all, David Kircus was a wide receiver too....and he was involved with the police only once, not ten times like Marshall.......and how did it work out for him?

-"z"

A short entry today, as I, like many of you, have been fixated on watching the coverage of the Brett Favre drama reach its crescendo late last night. It's late and I have to go to sleep (sadly, this is the truth, I used to be able to handle all-nighters).

Today, that will be the topic of discussion (Favre, not my sleep pattern), though, we are going to be focused not just on pro football but the college game as well. The Broncos will be back out at Dove Valley and somebody should ask about the Favre situation. We'll have the reaction from the Broncos tonight at 9:00 P.M. The Broncos will travel to face Broadway Brett on November 30th, should be fun.

Today is also Media Day for the Colorado football team. Dan Hawkins meets the press at 1:30 P.M. at the Dal Ward Center in Boulder. I will be there and look forward to asking Dan Hawkins about beginning his third year on the sideline and perhaps facing one of the toughest schedules in the country. For example, they play West Virginia and Florida State in a nine-day span next month. Hey, whatever happened to the easy non-conference warmup? Oh, that's right.....Montana State.....on second thought, scratch that. If they win eight games this year, call it a major success.

We hope to see you at 9:00 P.M. Enjoy your day.

-"z"

We all know, including you Jake Plummer, that Bucs head coach Jon Gruden likes collecting quarterbacks the way Tiger Woods likes to accumulate golf majors.

I think Jake may have learned that crossing Gruden can be an expensive proposition, but when you are at the point of no return----a seemingly literal translation in Jake's case-----you got nothing to lose-----except $3.5 million.

The current dilemma involving Chris Simms isn't going to put him out that much cash, he simply wants out of Tampa, like, you know, yesterday. The mess that has developed between the the son of Phil Simms and the franchise is convoluted, however, after close examintaion, many seem to be siding with Simms.

The short version goes like this. Simms takes the Bucs to the postseason and the following year suffers an injury which requires a spleenectomy. He has not played since, though Tampa is paying him his entire salary. Seems noble on the part of the Bucs, but consider, that they have almost no intention of really playing Simms and just want him on the roster as an insurance policy and you begin to see his side of this.

All teams need that insurance policy at the quarterback spot and having someone like Simms seems like a benefit. However, on this current team, Simms is no better than the sixth quarterback. Jeff Garcia starts, Brian Griese is the backup, Bruce Gradkowksi and Luke McCown are in a battle, and rookie Josh Johnson is apparently a project for the future. Simms comes after all of them. Which is the last team to carry six quarterbacks on their roster? The Bucs have no need for Simms and seemingly are holding his career in unececeassry limbo.

The correct course of action would be to release him.

Should that occur, I think a few teams would show interest. Dallas and Chicago could covet him. So could Denver, in my opinion.

In Dallas, he would probably be the third string quarterback this season behind starter Tony Romo and Brad Johnson. Although, in 2009, he could be the backup. In chicago, he could vie for a starting position.

Here the situation is a little different. Jay Cutler is the man. His backup spot, though, should be wide open. Yes, the team is working on a contract extension for backup Patrick Ramsey, though can I ask one question? Why are they? He has not looked very solid in training camp and for the most part has been a disappointment throughout his career in the NFL. Simms may not be much better at this point, considering it has been almost two full years since he has played, but I think he is worth the risk. Ramsey is limited, Simms, on the other hand, while not the player many envisioned him becoming when he entered college at Texas, has done appreciably more in the League than Ramsey, in a much shorter span.

He may be worth the gamble. However,until he is given a chance, we will never really know. Your move, Gruden.

-"z"

That sounds a little crazy and thankfully for Cowboys fans, did not actually come to fruition. Though, it could have.

Back in 2003, when Romo was anonymous instead of ubiquitous, the quarterback of America's team was deciding what part of America to start his football career.

There were two likely choices: Denver or Dallas.

We should mention, that knowing what we know now, chances are a few other teams may have wished they were in the mix as well.

Both Denver and Dallas wooed Tony with the same pitch and it had to do with his college of choice, Eastern Illinois. Yeah, not your typical NFL goldmine by any means. Throw in that Romo wasn't even drafted coming out school and you wonder why there was such hoopla over a free agent quarterback from a obscure university in the Midwest.

Turns out that Shanahan went to Eastern Illinois. So did then Cowboys offensive coordinator Sean Payton. The connection was made. Who would win over Tony and tug at his alma mater heartstrings more?

Well, anyone who doubts Broncos head Mike Shanahan's personnel evaluation skills, needs to fess up and give him credit on this one. The Broncos did not end up signing Romo, but Shanahan saw something in Romo that nearly nobody else did......except Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

The two teams made offers. The tale goes that Denver even offered more money. However, Tony felt his best chance to play was in Dallas. He was right.

The Cowboys thank him for making that choice. They probably, in their minds, never expected Tony would be this spectacular. Then again, Tony did, which is probably the reason he'll come to Denver today as the biggest star on either team. Not bad for a kid who wasn't even drafted, don't you think?

Yesterday when America's team came to Colorado, you want to take a guess at who drew the biggest crowd and attention?

Maybe the golden boy quarterback with the Hollywood better half? Not so much.

Maybe the polarizing and eclectic wide receiver with a penchant for always finding headlines? No.

Maybe the player who was kicked off the Tennessee Titans and short of Michael Vick, the NFL player that made you cringe more than any other. Sorry, try once more.

Maybe a guy named ""Tank"? No, instead think of the guy that signs the paychecks of Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Adam Jones, and Terry "Tank" Johnson.

Jerry Jones, a star among stars for the team that wears a star on their helmets.

More press around him than any player. Welcome to life with the Cowboys. Should be fun up and through the game on Saturday night at Invesco Field At Mile High.

In this area, from an athletic standpoint, there is no team that can bring fans together like the Broncos. However, yesterday, the most popular team in Colorado was not even the biggest story on their own Englewood practice facility. Not a surprise, after all, America's team should be big everywhere in America, right?

As we mentioned in the blog here last week, the chances John Lynch would sign with a non-contender was a non-issue. He is 36 and at that age, you are looking to play for a winner, end of story.

The end of the Lynch story may just have been written. He signed with the Patriots on Thursday. Surprising? Hardly. Envious? Not really? Disappointed. A little.

Lynch played in every Broncos game for the last four years. He was a prominent member of the team's on field makeup and was without question the team leader in the community. A player with so much skill on the field and such graciousness off of it are hard to find. When those rare breeds are unearthed, you tend to want to believe in all they do and say. In Lynch's case, that was easy to accept-----until the day he asked for his release.

That he asked for it was a little jarring considering he knew exactly what his role would be when he signed a contract in the offseason with a drastically reduced salary. To this day, I contend paying the 16-year veteran a sum of $2 million to be a backup was someting Lynch should have been happy about. Where else is he going to get that? Sure, the Pats signed him, but it would be hard to imagine they will pay him that kind of money, especially when Lynch biggest trait-----leadership, is not a problem for New England.

Yeah, he can still pop somebody as hard as the next player, though, his coverage skills have slipped and the team more or less acknowledged that when they demoted him.

He said he wants to be a starting safety in the NFL and that is a reason he gave for his departure out of Denver. If he goes somewhere and is told he is going to be a reserve player, then, as hard as it is to admit, his glorious and pristine legacy in town takes a gigantic hit-----one as big as those he is used to delivering.

The player he is set to replace with the Patriots is Tank Williams, a guy who was scheduled to be on the field for 10-25 plays a game. That doesn't sound like the snaps a starter would be taking each game to you, does it? To each his own, but today a little luster is coming off an otherwise bright beacon of light that was Lynch in orange and blue.

-"z"

A few notes from NFL Preseason action so far, spotlighting some players you may have heard of.

Peter King of SI.com on former Denver Broncos safety John Lynch

I think John Lynch is a natural for the Patriots. I also think there's a good back-story to this one-year, $1.5 million deal. I like how Lynch, unlike a lot of veterans, eschewed more money and more playing opportunity to go to New England. (The Jets cleared mucho cap room to make room for Lynch, then got jilted at the final hour by a guy who views his time in the game as short and wanted to go where he had the best chance to win.)

With the Patriots, I expect the 37-year-old Lynch to fill the kind of role Tank Williams was going to fill for New England before he went down for the year in training camp with a right knee injury. Lynch will be a kind of hybrid safety-linebacker who can play tight ends and slower receivers physically and cover well. How many plays a game? Fifteen, 20. The Patriots would probably sign for that right now, Lynch playing quality football for 15 snaps a game and staying healthy for 16 weeks. Or 19.

The back-story, to me, is what an honorable and well-respected player Lynch is ... and how interesting it is that of the three teams that pursued him most seriously when he left Denver, the Patriots had the worst offer in terms of money and playing opportunity. Lynch saw two things: the best chance to win a Super Bowl (his primary motivation in signing in New England, by far) and the chance to play for Bill Belichick, the kind of defensive innovator Lynch wanted to play for before he retired.

Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin on former Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon
Walker after a 17-16 loss to the Tennesee Titans on Saturday

"There's a couple of balls there that we would have liked him to come up with," Kiffin said during the opening statement of his teleconference Saturday.

"That's discouraging because he was paid an awful lot of money, paid like one of the top five receivers in the NFL. We need him to make those plays."

Rick Morrissey of The Chicago Tribune on former CSU star Caleb Hanie

I'm thinking Caleb Hanie should get a shot. At quarterback. For the Bears.

I know this is crazy talk. I know he's a rookie. I know he has played against third-string defenses in his two NFL exhibition games. I know he doesn't know much of the playbook.

I know every reason why this is insanity.

But ...

I also know he seems to have more athletic ability and field presence than Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton.

I know the prospect of another NFL season with either Grossman or Orton playing quarterback for the Bears is enough to make a man take up journaling, antiquing or competitive canning on Sundays.

I know it would look like surrender for the Bears' coaching and personnel staff to use an unproven rookie in that spot.

On the other hand, why not?

What's wrong with surrendering to the idea that what you have at quarterback doesn't work and hasn't worked for a long time? What's wrong with saying that you might have stumbled upon a real, live quarterback?

What's wrong with at least trying the kid against San Francisco's second unit Thursday at Soldier Field? If for no other reason than to rub your eyes and convince yourself he's a mirage?

Give him playing time with some teammates who actually will see action this season. Give him more responsibility. See if those flashes in the first two exhibition games have the chance of translating into long-term heat and light.

Yes, you would risk having two insulted quarterbacks on your hands, but of late no one has mistaken Grossman and Orton for the Manning brothers. So insult at will, people.

I can make a case for Hanie, perhaps not a compelling case, but a case nonetheless. Much of it would center on the notion that he couldn't be much more inconsistent than what Chicago has had to put up with the last few years.

If the Bears are basing this season on what they hope will be a healthy, revitalized defense, why not give the kid from Colorado State an opportunity and see if he can make the offense respectable?

Hope to see you tomorrow.

-"z"

Let me first start by saying, I have enjoyed my time interviewing Fernando Clavijo more than any other coach in Colorado sports today.

The man is honest, refreshing, rather upbeat, seems to laugh off criticism, and has a genuine passion for the game of soccer.

The background on Clavijo makes it difficult to not root for him. He came to the United States from Uruguay. He is a very proud American citizen and has a very strong affection for this country and the basic rights that many of us take for granted. His ties to his home country are strong, as evidenced by his leaving the team to return there last week. That being said, his ties to the United States are just as strong. On two occasions, he has told me it would be the realization of a dream if he could one day coach the United States National Team. He has the energy and the skill, not to mention the background.

Clavijo played every minute for National Team in their historic 2-1 win over Colombia in the 1994 World Cup, an event he recalls fondly. He told me recently he gets "goose bumps" to this day----- 14 years after the epic contest-------just thinking about that game.

The past is full of great memories that he can hold onto. That said, his present with the Rapids apparently is no more. Clavijo resigned on Wednesday, not citing a specific reason, leaving many to speculate about what just happened in Commerce City.

It is clear that the team, this season, has been rather underwhelming. On Saturday night, they defeated Kansas City 2-1 in Commerce City, for their first win in three contests. It snapped a two-game shut out streak, it was a much needed win, and maybe, more telling, it happened without Clavijo on the bench.

Prior to the victory at home against the Wizards, the Rapids, under Clavijo, had won only one of their previous nine games. The season's low point came in a loss at home to Toronto about two weeks ago. The opposition was missing five starters and had struggled on the road, though somehow manhandled the Rapids. The feeling after the game was frustration and it was evoked in a more fervent tone than at any point this season.

The real issue in this has been Clavijo's desire to build a team with players he wants and feel fit his style of coaching. That is fair enough, though, with that power comes accountability. He received Christian Gomez this offseason, he got a healthy Conor Casey, he had some pieces. He had a good amount of control and authority. Once you are granted that, everyone has a right to ask for results.

Though, for whatever starnge reason, the pieces did not fit. This is a talented team, Herculez Gomez and Pablo Mastreoni are two of the better players in MLS, yet despite a roster full of skilled soccer stars brought in to try and add to Stan Kroenke's Colorado title contenders, it went south and in a hurry.

He took the team to the Western Conference Finals twice but still was never really able to shake off those who predicted a coaching change was always in the works. He was rumored to be possibly on the outs weeks ago, then received a vote of confidence. The nature of this resignation-----immediately after practice yesterday-----really only makes this situation that much more murky and unsettled to those on the outside.

If Mastreoni leaves, that will be a major hole to fill. Right now, though, it appears, there is a larger vacancy than that at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

-"z"

Spent Thursday up in Fort Collins with the CSU football team.

The first thing you notice is that there is not much to notice. New head coach Steve Fairchild has closed practices for the remainder of the week as his Rams prepare for the Rocky Mountain Showdown game with Colorado on Sunday, August 31st. So I spent day peering through an iron fence with the hope of catching a glimpse.

Once practice was over, things opened up a bit and I got more out of talking to the players than I probably could ever have by just watching them-----even if what I was watching, I wasn't supposed to be watching, and if by any reason, I was watching, what I was watching, was top secret stuff. Can I fit in the word "watching" once more in there?

Just watch me. Sorry, I'l move on.

Speaking of watching, one of the reasons, CSU lost nine games last season is because too many of their players spent the season watching. This year this team is healthy and hungry. Kory Sperry is back, so is Kyle Bell, and Klint Kubiak. If this team had a healthy Sperry and a fully confident Bell a season ago, do they struggle the way they did? Is Sonny Lubick still here? Is Steve Fairchild in Buffalo? Hard to say, but Fairchild is way better with those three than without them.

The quarterback spot is a big question with this team. The offensive background of Fairchild will help whoever is under center. For now, it is Billy Farris. The return of Sperry and Bell should make the adjustment for Farris a bit easier, but Fairchild himself has said the job is open. Farris has won it-----for now. Win at Invesco later this month and I think his grip on the position will get a little tighter. His main competition, though, was a redshirt freshman and a guy that emerged this summer.

That can lead to some fair questions. Did Farris merely being on the roster and his familiarity with the college game give him the edge? Did he win the spot or merely get it because nobody else could claim it? How tough was his competition? Is he the best fit to start the season at the quarterback position but not the guy the coaches want to end the season there? How tough could the position be to win if the number two quarterback wasn't even in the conversation in the spring and now is now one snap away from playing? Many questions there and in year one of any new coach's tenure, there are bound to plenty more as well.

-"z"

Spent Thursday up in Fort Collins with the CSU football team.

The first thing you notice is that there is not much to notice. New head coach Steve Fairchild has closed practices for the remainder of the week as his Rams prepare for the Rocky Mountain Showdown game with Colorado on Sunday, August 31st. So I spent day peering through an iron fence with the hope of catching a glimpse.

Once practice was over, things opened up a bit and I got more out of talking to the players than I probably could ever have by just watching them-----even if what I was watching, I wasn't supposed to be watching, and if by any reason, I was watching, what I was watching, was top secret stuff. Can I fit in the word "watching" once more in there?

Just watch me. Sorry, I'll move on.

Speaking of watching, one of the reasons CSU lost nine games last season is because too many of their players spent the season watching instead of playing. This year, the team is healthy and hungry. Kory Sperry is back, so is Kyle Bell, and Klint Kubiak. If this team had a healthy Sperry and a fully confident Bell a season ago, do they struggle the way they did? Is Sonny Lubick still here? Does Steve Fairchild stay in Buffalo? Hard to say, but Fairchild is indeed here and way better with off those three than without them.

The quarterback spot is a big question with this team. The offensive background of Fairchild will help whoever is under center. For now, it is Billy Farris. The return of Sperry and Bell should make the adjustment for Farris a bit easier, but Fairchild himself has said the job is open. Farris has won it-----for now. Win at Invesco later this month and I think his grip on the position will get a little tighter. His main competition, though, was a redshirt freshman and a guy that emerged this summer.

That can lead to some fair questions. Did Farris merely being on the roster and his familiarity with the college game give him the spot? Did he win the spot or merely get it because nobody else could claim it? How tough was his competition? Is he the best fit to start the season at the quarterback position but not the guy the coaches want to end the season there? How tough could the position be to win if the number two quarterback wasn't even in the conversation in the spring and now is now one snap away from playing? Many questions there and in year one of any new coach's tenure, there are bound to plenty more as well.

-"z"

Spent Thursday up in Fort Collins with the CSU football team.

The first thing you notice is that there is not much to notice. New head coach Steve Fairchild has closed practices for the remainder of the week as his Rams prepare for the Rocky Mountain Showdown game with Colorado on Sunday, August 31st. So I spent day peering through an iron fence with the hope of catching a glimpse.

Once practice was over, things opened up a bit and I got more out of talking to the players than I probably could ever have by just watching them-----even if what I was watching, I wasn't supposed to be watching, and if by any reason, I was watching, what I was watching, was top secret stuff. Can I fit in the word "watching" once more in there?

Just watch me. Sorry, I'll move on.

Speaking of watching, one of the reasons CSU lost nine games last season is because too many of their players spent the season watching instead of playing. This year, the team is healthy and hungry. Kory Sperry is back, so is Kyle Bell, and Klint Kubiak. If this team had a healthy Sperry and a fully confident Bell a season ago, do they struggle the way they did? Is Sonny Lubick still here? Does Steve Fairchild stay in Buffalo? Hard to say, but Fairchild is indeed here and way better with off those three than without them.

The quarterback spot is a big question with this team. The offensive background of Fairchild will help whoever is under center. For now, it is Billy Farris. The return of Sperry and Bell should make the adjustment for Farris a bit easier, but Fairchild himself has said the job is open. Farris has won it-----for now. Win at Invesco later this month and I think his grip on the position will get a little tighter. His main competition, though, was a redshirt freshman and a guy that emerged this summer.

That can lead to some fair questions. Did Farris merely being on the roster and his familiarity with the college game give him the spot? Did he win the spot or merely get it because nobody else could claim it? How tough was his competition? Is he the best fit to start the season at the quarterback position but not the guy the coaches want to end the season there? How tough could the position be to win if the number two quarterback wasn't even in the conversation in the spring and now is now one snap away from playing? Many questions there and in year one of any new coach's tenure, there are bound to plenty more as well.

-"z"