Notes from Broncos camp …
So much for the mere formality of the day. Everyone knew Steve Atwater would be voted into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame on Monday. Here’s what inquiring minds – well, mine anyway – wanted to know: Are the Broncos ever going to retire Shannon Sharpe‘s number?
The answer, from the sounds of things, is no. That would leave John Elway as the only Bronco to have his number retired.
For the record, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen tried to be diplomatic when asked the question.
Said Bowlen: “That’s obviously a possibility, but when you retire numbers, pretty soon you start running out of them. John sort of set the standard pretty high. I would never say that wouldn’t happen, but John is the only number I’ve retired, and that’s about where we want to be.” …
For the record, Rick Upchurch‘s name never came up among the four Ring of Fame selection-committee members. Officially, the door isn’t closed on Upchurch, but the only players getting serious consideration these days are the ones who played during the Bowlen era. …
A personal thank you to the Broncos’ P.R. department for that 704-page media guide. Even a sportswriter can get in shape lifting that thing. …
So Rafael Palmeiro says he didn’t knowingly use steroids. Kind of like I won’t knowingly leave him off my Hall of Fame ballot. …
Surprised that no leaks are coming out of the Avs’ front office regarding the team’s plans in free agency? Don’t be. When you work for Pierre Lacroix, your motto is loose lips earn pink slips. …
As promised, ex-Red Wing Darren McCarty isn’t headed for the Avs. Look for him to land in Ottawa. …
Got a spare 20 burning a hole in your pocket? The Broncos are 35-1 in some Las Vegas and Internet sports books to win the Big One. …
If you’ve watched Todd Sauerbrun kick during his early days in Dove Valley, you want to know, so here goes: The NFL record for average yards per punt is 51.4, set by Sammy Baugh in 1940. …
What, you thought I was kidding when I said Ricky Williams, at 213 pounds, is smaller than half the punters in the league? Sauerbrun is listed at 215, leaving him 10 pounds lighter than Raiders punter Shane Lechler and 21 behind the Chargers’ Mike Scifres. …
True, but sad: Al Wilson, in his seventh Broncos training camp, never has felt the thrill of victory in the postseason. …
Terrell Owens‘ contract spat is the least of the Eagles’ problems. None of the four Super Bowl runners-up from 2000-03 made the playoffs the next season. …
Early leader in the clubhouse for weirdest baseball stat of the season: Jeff Francis‘ 5.16 ERA – 6.94 on the road, 3.59 at Coors Canaveral. …
Sure, Francis has been nothing short of amazing at Coors Field, but if you’re a Rockies pitcher you need tons of runs to be successful. To wit: Jason Jennings, when he won the rookie of the year award in 2002, ranked second in the National League in average run support at 6.51 a game. Francis is second this year at 6.71, behind only Matt Morris at 7.34. …
Best of luck to Brendan McNicholas, the Rockies’ manager of communications and public relations, who is leaving the organization to become director of media services for the Avs. …
Just wondering: If the Rockies wouldn’t pay Shawn Chacon $3 million next season, what are they going to do if they get the top pick in the June draft? …
Don’t ask me how, but your American League on-base-percentage leader is none other than Jason Giambi at .445. …
John Daly, when asked by BBC Sport if he would consider a weight-training program: “They don’t let you smoke or drink in gyms, so you know I’m not going to have any fun doing that.”
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 AM and Thursday on Fox Sports Net’s “Insider Edition.” He can be reached at 303-820-5452 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
