Notes in a snow bank …
Winter has arrived around here. Will the Broncos’ offense follow?
No one is complaining because the Broncos are in first place. Question is, can they stay there without any big plays from their passing game?
The answer, says Jake Plummer, is no.
“They’ve told us not to worry about it when you don’t get a first down,” Plummer said. “Move on, let (Todd Sauerbrun) punt and let the defense take over. But we’re not going to be able to hang our hats on that all year. We’re going to have to get after it. Next week, we’ve got to make big plays.
“We can’t make a big deal out of it. Sure, I’d like to have 10 touchdown passes, six of them to Ashley (Lelie) for 30 or 40 yards, but that’s not the way it’s gone.”
On the flip side, the Broncos have made four interceptions, one more than Plummer has thrown. During Plummer’s first two seasons in Our Town, Denver quarterbacks threw 38 interceptions – 27 by Jake the Snake – compared with 21 for opposing QBs. And you wonder why the Boys of Plummer haven’t been winning any playoff games lately. …
Lost in the shuffle of Plummer’s season: He has played for the most part with the lead, keeping the pressure off him and providing the luxury of not having to force the ball into coverage. Sure enough, Plummer threw two of his three interceptions at Miami, the only one among their five games in which the Broncos trailed throughout the day. …
Colts tailback Edgerrin James, to The Indianapolis Star, after the team’s lethargic performance in a 28-3 win over the hapless 49ers: “Some people are going to be happy. We covered the spread.” …
The number, by the way, is 29. That’s how many points the Colts’ D has allowed in five games, two more than Indy allowed in its 2004 season opener at New England. …
Must be the flaxseed oil: Roger Clemens, 43, throwing in the mid-90s on Sunday on two days’ rest. …
Surprised that the White Sox beat the Red Sox? Chicago had vastly superior pitching. It’s called Fundamentals of Baseball 101. Let me guess. Half of Ohio State’s roster is taking the course this semester. …
By the numbers: CU is 11-0 since 1987 when allowing no sacks and committing no turnovers. It has happened three times during the Gary Barnett regime, most recently in Saturday night’s 41-20 victory over Texas A&M. The other games came in 2001 – 51-15 over San Jose State and 62-36 over Nebraska. …
CSU is every bit as good as the Rams’ 3-2 record. How do we know? Because CU’s first-string defense has allowed six touchdowns in five games – two to Miami, four to CSU. …
Which reminds me. CU defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz is the leader in the clubhouse for Front Range assistant coach of the year. …
You don’t need Joe Paterno‘s glasses to see that Penn State is back. Not that the Nittany Lions are going anywhere. Or are you really going to try to tell me they’re better than any of the seven teams ranked above them? …
Had a flashback to the ’80s on Sunday night. At least I thought it was a flashback. Then I realized I really was watching Clemens face 47-year-old Julio Franco. …
Pedro Martinez gave Mets beat writers his business card – “Pedro Martinez, Pitcher” – before heading off for the Dominican Republic. The card included his cellphone number, with one restriction: Only call in case of emergencies. Said Pedro, “Call me when we get Manny (Ramirez).”
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 AM. He can be reached at 303-820-5452 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
