Life’s a notes column, then you die. …
Javon Walker and Jay Cutler grabbed most of the headlines, but they weren’t necessarily the Broncos’ biggest offseason additions. According to no less an authority than Rod Smith, Mike Heimerdinger‘s return to spruce up the team’s passing game is a more important development than most people realize.
“Tennessee had Steve McNair as the MVP of the league when Mike was his quarterbacks coach,” Smith said. “That’s for a reason. The guy knows what he’s doing. He can take our talent and put our guys in spots where they can win. That’s the only way he knows how to do it. That’s why he won two Super Bowls, because he’s very good at what he does.” …
Smith, when asked about the sprinkling of gray hair adorning his temples: “I’ll cut it out later on today.” Said Smith, when a 40-something sportswriter said he couldn’t do that anymore, “Yeah, you’re a little past that point.” …
And which 40-something sportswriter are we talking about? I won’t mention any names, but his initials are Mark Kiszla. You’re not getting older, Kiz, you’re getting more distinguished looking.
Trust me, I know. My daughter reminded me just before asking if I could double her allowance. …
By the way, welcome to the slowest day of the year on the sports calendar. No football, no basketball, no baseball, no nothing. Why, even O.J. is taking the day off from his dogged pursuit of the real killer. …
Since Matt Holliday is having a remarkable season and all, let’s go ahead and comment on it. Dude is on pace for 209 hits. Larry Walker had 208 during his MVP season in 1997. …
Todd Helton before getting sick: .347. Helton since returning: .289. …
News – OK, a mild rumor – from Trading Deadline Central: Our State’s Own Brandon McCarthy to the Giants from the White Sox in a package for great-stuff, no-record-to-show-for-it Jason Schmidt. …
An e-mailer, responding to a recent column mentioning that all five Nebraska national championship rings would be on display Sept. 2 at the Big Red of the Rockies kickoff party in Estes Park: “I’d like to throw up, but I already have.” …
The Bulls traded for Tyrus Thomas on draft day and signed Ben Wallace a few days later. Now if they could go back in the day and un-do that ridiculous trade that sent Elton Brand to the Clippers. …
NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, gesturing toward Channel 4 sportscaster and former Broncos special-teamer Reggie Rivers during an appearance in Denver: “I modeled my game after Reggie. He taught me everything I know.” …
Alexander, on the balance of power in the NFL: “I’d definitely say it’s tipped toward the AFC. Look at the running backs. You’ve got LaDainian (Tomlinson), you’ve got Larry (Johnson). … I’ve always looked at the running backs over in the AFC and been like, ‘Wow, there are so many others there.’ With quarterbacks, it was, ‘Wow, there are so many strong names.’ That goes hand in hand with why the AFC is stronger right now.” …
Can you believe the nerve of that guy suing Michael Jordan for $416 million because people keep mistaking him for His Airness? I mean, people mistake me for Brad Pitt all the time, but do you see me complaining? …
If Allen Iverson is The Answer, then this must be the question: If the Nuggets unloaded Marcus Camby and Andre Miller to get him, who would play beside Iverson in the backcourt? A mid-level exception to be named later isn’t exactly my idea of a difference maker. …
On the other hand, Nuggets games, with Iverson in their lineup, would immediately ascend to the rarified realm of must-viewing, whether at the Pepsi Center or Couch Commando Central.
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.
