Otis Day & the Notes …
Slowly but surely, barriers continue to fall on the NFL coaching front.
Four African-Americans relieved of duty from their first head coaching jobs – Art Shell, Tony Dungy, Dennis Green and Herm Edwards – have rejoined the fraternity this season, a record number.
Recycling coaches has long been a way of life in the NFL, but not for minorities. The only other African-American head coach to get a second chance was Ray Rhodes, who lasted one year in Green Bay after leaving his first job in Philadelphia.
“That’s encouraging because it means it’s not one shot and you’re out,” Shell said. “It bodes well for the NFL. Any progress there is a step in the right direction.” …
Ron Dayne on the bubble? Only if coach Mike Shanahan has misplaced the video from last year’s Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas. …
Yes, yes, a thousand times and a thousand yards yes. Mike Bell still is the Broncos’ No. 1 tailback. And Shanahan still is Shanahan, which is all you have to know about who’ll open the season atop the depth chart. Two words, sports fans: Stay tuned. …
For the record, it has happened five times in Shanahan’s 11 seasons. The tailback who was No. 1 early in camp didn’t finish the season there. …
By the way, that thud you felt the other day was Eagles coach Andy Reid falling out of his chair after hearing about what’s going down in Dallas. …
Bumper sticker on T.O.’s wheels, courtesy of an ESPN radio listener: “My Other Car is a Stationary Bike.” …
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown 30 passes in two NFL seasons, 22 against the Broncos in last year’s season finale. Said Rivers: “That game really helped me. I gained more than a half-game of experience. It was an eye-opener. I did some good things, and I did some poor things, but when I walked out to my car, I said to myself, ‘I can play. I can be a winning performer in this league. I can get it done.”‘ …
This just in. Astronomers have downgraded Pluto to a “dwarf planet,” leaving us with eight planets in the solar system. Well, nine, counting Barry Bonds‘ head. …
On second thought, getting old isn’t so bad after all. Or maybe you haven’t seen those 1980s big-hair pictures of Andre Agassi making the rounds as he approaches retirement. I haven’t seen lettuce that bad since Miss Kitty on “Gunsmoke.” …
Turns out it’s not just Tiger’s world. His caddie, Steve Williams, isn’t doing so bad, either. Tiger has won $7,651,563 this year. At 10 percent, Williams’ take would amount to $765,156. That’s more than double Jack Nicklaus‘ biggest year, when he won a record $320,542 in 1972. …
Good morning, Stewart Cink. Since you apparently missed the memo, the golf gods have decreed that Tiger will never lose to somebody wearing a white belt. …
It’s August. How do we know? Because the Raiders, 4-12 last season, are 4-0. And for the record, I hope they keep it up. The world is a better place when the Raiduhs lead the league in something other than penalties. …
Congrats to 19-year-old Marco Andretti for winning Sunday’s Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma (Calif). Though, I have to say, I’d rather finish second and be married to Ashley Judd. …
The Performer Formerly Known as A-Rod came out of the weekend in a 4-for-28, 16-strikeout funk. Could be worse. He could be playing for the Red Sox, proud owners of the worst record in baseball (8-18) in August. …
First Lou Brock, then Bruce Sutter, now the immortal Gary Bennett. Speaking for suffering Cub fans everywhere, do they have to make a star out of every Cardinal that ever lived?
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 AM. He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
