Two bits, four bits, six bits, a note …
The biggest story of Broncos training camp? Bradlee Van Pelt.
The most controversial story of Broncos training camp? Maurice Clarett.
The story no one is talking about, but should? Darrent Williams.
Forget that stuff about Williams contributing as a kick returner as a rookie. He’s going to do a lot more than that. Williams has all but locked up the nickel-back job, which means he’ll be on the field for almost half the plays – more than half, with his kick-return duties.
For a scouting report on Williams, let’s go to Champ Bailey, the Broncos’ best corner.
“All I know is he’s a player,” Bailey said. “I love his competitiveness. He plays with a lot of confidence. He’s going to have a lot on his plate returning kicks and playing corner, but he can handle it. The guy has definitely exceeded what you would expect from a rookie. I expect him to get better and better.” …
The NFL team carrying the longest winning streak on opening day? That would be none other than your Denver Broncos, at four and counting. The Bronx also have the best opening-day winning percentage (29-15-1, .659) in the AFC, not counting relative newcomers Houston and Jacksonville. …
Somewhere out there, a handful of surprise teams are lurking in NFL training camps. To wit: The league has experienced eight consecutive seasons in which at least five new teams have made the playoffs. …
How much are the rules rigged to facilitate passing in today’s NFL? Consider this: Last season NFL quarterbacks had a combined passer rating of 82.8, higher than John Elway‘s career rating of 79.8. …
But then, passer ratings don’t always tell the tale. How do we know? Because Brian Griese, at 85.3, has the 11th-highest rating in NFL history. …
Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis tells The Associated Press why he always wears one of his Patriots Super Bowl rings with him on recruiting trips: “Like I tell my wife, ‘If I can get them to look at my hand instead of my face, I’ve got a chance.”‘ …
Just so you know: 49ers rookie Alex Smith wears No. 11 because he couldn’t get No. 7 at Utah. He wore No. 7 in high school as a tribute to his favorite player, Elway. …
The league office, by the way, counts 24 Hispanic players on NFL rosters. The biggest names in the bunch? Tony Gonzalez, Adam Archuleta, Jeff Garcia and J.P. Losman. …
Random thought du jour: He hits like his dad, but it’s nice to see that Dante Bichette Jr., tearing it up at the Li’l League World Series, looks like his mom. …
Turns out the Royals did more than lose 19 consecutive games. They also blew a great note. One more loss and K.C. outfielder Terrence Long would have become the first player to play for a team that won 20 in a row (the 2002 A’s) and lost 20 in a row. …
Football may be the national pastime, but it’s going to have to wait its turn. Why? Because the wild card in baseball has turned August and September into compelling theater. And we owe it all to Bud Selig, a Ford dealer from Milwaukee who pushed the new system through in the mid-1990s amid heavy criticism. …
Itemized: According to the London tabs, Maria Sharapova is dating Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine. …
And finally, happy birthday to Julio Franco, still going strong at age … I’ll have to get back to you on that one. According to this baseball fact book of mine, he’s 44, but he admits to 47.
Hey, don’t ask me. I thought he sailed with Christopher Columbus.
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 AM, and tonight on Fox Sports Net’s “Insider Edition.” He can be reached at 303-820-5452 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
