Spanning the notes …
At 36, Rod Smith doesn’t know the drill. He invented it.
Smith knew the media and fans would be infatuated with Jay Cutler in the aftermath of Cutler’s startling performance in the Broncos’ preseason opener. He even knew some misguided souls would want Cutler to become the starting quarterback at the first sign of trouble.
Smith’s advice to those people? Give it a rest.
“If Jake Plummer plays the way Jake Plummer played last year, it would be ridiculous for us to think of anything else,” Smith said. “If that guy doesn’t take the snaps he takes, doesn’t get up after every hit, then we don’t play the way we’ve played the last couple of years. It’s up to us to make him great. He could be good by himself. The rest of us, the skill-position guys, have to make life easier for him. We need to take the short ones and make them long ones.” …
Those minor injuries suffered by Smith and Javon Walker? Strange as it sounds, they could be a blessing in disguise. They have given the backup wideouts tons of extra first-team reps. Good thing, says Smith.
“I’m not going to take every snap during the season, I can promise you that,” he said. “Somehow, some way, I’m going to come out. So the guys next in line have to be just as good as the first guys.” …
One of these years, Smith is going to leave Dove Valley. What then? He has no interest in broadcasting. And, as much as he loves teaching, he doesn’t want to put in the 14-hour days of a coach. Said Smith, “I’ll give them 14 a week, maybe.” …
Is it just me or are you, too, wondering whether the Rockies will ever again get this kind of starting pitching? Opposing leadoff hitters were hitting .241, with a .288 on-base percentage, entering Tuesday. …
Al Davis, on new Hall of Famer John Madden: “One of the great characteristics of John, besides his coaching ability, was he saw no color. … The Raiders have done more than any organization in fermenting and helping diversity, and John Madden was in the battle from Day One. Those players, (Gene) Upshaw and (Art) Shell, didn’t get where they got based on just having ability. They had to have someone who believed in them.” …
Ex-CU linebacker Brian Iwuh, who went undrafted because a bad hamstring kept him from working out for scouts, is the talk of the Jacksonville camp. Jags ‘backers coach Mark Duffner, when asked by Jaguars.com if it was ludicrous to ask whether Iwuh was pushing for more than simply making the roster: “That’s not ludicrous, that’s a fact. He’s competing for more than a roster spot. He’s flashed enough to make that statement.” …
Just wondering: How many undrafted free agents have uttered the words “I plan on being a starter someday” during their first NFL camp, as Iwuh did the other day? …
You’ve got your death, you’ve got your taxes and you’ve got Tiger Woods from 6 feet and in. According to Golf Digest, Tiger is the PGA Tour’s most accurate putter in the Six-Foot-and-Under League. Not only that, he hasn’t missed all year from 4 feet and in. …
Mike Bell, when asked what it felt like to be discovered by every fantasy league geek in America in the past week: “I hope that’s a good thing. I’m looking at winning some games or money or whatever they need. I’m going to go out there and kick some butt.” …
So when will Bell be able to relax, secure in the knowledge that he’s the No. 1 tailback to stay? “I think never, man,” he said. “You can never be complacent on this team with the competition. I’m never going to be relaxed. Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne are some great running backs, so they’re going to keep pushing me as long as I’m here and as long as they’re here.”
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.
