There is an easy way to pinpoint the Broncos superfan. Any schmo can watch a game on TV. And if you happen to get tickets to a game at Invesco Field at Mile High, you’re still just one of nearly 80,000 fans.
The true superfans are those who drag themselves to preseason camp, another round of which begins today at the team’s Dove Valley headquarters in Englewood (13655 Broncos Parkway, 3 miles east of Interstate 25 on Arapahoe Road).
Although, keep in mind, back in the good ol’ days, the true superfan had to trek to fields at Northern Colorado in Greeley. Today’s so-called superfans have it easy at the posh team headquarters.
Camp should offer plenty of answers to these crucial questions: Is Jay Cutler’s spiral as good as they say? Which defensive end has the inside edge on that coveted third spot on the depth chart? Will the team keep three punters? Will the coaching staff take suggestions on which of the 11 wide receivers make the team?
And here are a few more details to follow at camp:
There’s the “can’t miss” – tackle George Foster, the largest of the Broncos at 338 pounds.
The jersey-hog – Patrice Majondo-Mwamba, the longest name on the roster.
The Cowboys – Wyoming’s Patrick Chukwurah and Oklahoma State’s Darrent Williams and Keith Burns.
Reformed Rainbows – Hawaii’s Ashley Lelie and Jason Elam.
Locals – Colorado State’s Bradlee Van Pelt, Cecil Sapp, Erik Pears and Bryan Save; and Colorado’s Matt Lepsis.
And the kid – wide receiver Domenik Hixon, who’s all of 21 years old.
Camp runs through Aug. 17. Check www.denverbroncos.com for more information.
WEAK IN REVIEW
As reigning Nextel Cup champion, Tony Stewart put the spotlight on safety throughout the NASCAR ranks. He issued a warning at Daytona earlier this year that someone would be killed if aggressive drivers weren’t stopped. Then Sunday at Pocono, Stewart took out two drivers with an intentional crash like he was on the demolition derby circuit instead of the top stock car series. If Stewart doesn’t get wise, he may fulfill his prophecy.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE …
The Rockies make up some serious ground as the team continues a four-game home series with NL West division-leading San Diego today through Sunday. Even a dog could figure out the Rockies’ season is teetering precariously on the brink. And with Monday’s Paws at the Park, a promotion that allows fans to bring their dogs to Coors Field for the Rockies’ 7 p.m. game against the Brewers, those dogs will get to bark their displeasure if things haven’t turned around.
THE COUCH
ON: Your charge this weekend, if you are tough enough to try, will be to find a bookie willing to take action on the U.S. women’s national soccer team meeting with Canada in Cary, N.C., on Sunday. It’s a preparation game for the regional qualifying tournament for the 2007 Women’s World Cup. The game, at 11 a.m. on ESPN2, is a virtual lock for the U.S., which is 29-3-3 against the Canadians and has a 7-1 record in the past eight meetings.
OFF: This weekend is tailor-made for exploring the state outside the all-too-familiar metro area. Saturday, the Laramie Enduro, starting at Happy Jack Recreation Area, will offer a challenging 111K course (8,600-foot elevation gain) for mountain bikers along the Laramie Range beginning at 7 a.m. Check laramieenduro.org for more information. Then Sunday, the 24th Wray Elks citizen bike road races, with 14- and 34-mile rides, will start at 7:30 a.m. More info, e-mail kudokiddo@hotmail.com.
AROUND TOWN
Most of us take advantage of them so much – they might be the best reason to live in Colorado – that eventually this state’s parks get that worn-down look about them. But Colorado Cares Day will celebrate the Centennial State’s birthday Saturday with celebrations to encourage service and volunteerism that will benefit, among other things, state parks. All of this should work out well because – with seven participating parks, including Cherry Creek, Boyd Lake, Trinidad Lake and Castlewood Canyon – it’s likely you would be hiking the parks anyway. Might as well plant some trees and pull some weeds while you’re at it. Check www.colorado.gov/coloradocares for more information.
