Notes in a snow bank. …
Enough already with the speculation about Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson co-existing in the same offense. If you’ve watched the Nuggets, you know their real issue is defense. If Marcus Camby goes down, things could get ugly at the Pepsi Center. But any way you slice it, George Karl has one of his greatest coaching challenges ahead of him. …
Just wondering: Does Karl count Yakhouba Diawara bricks in his sleep? Bless your heart, kid. We all know you’re trying to step up in Melo’s absence. But give up the rock once in a while, huh? …
Make no doubt, more changes are coming at Dove Valley. For one thing, something has to give on special teams. If you don’t think so, you obviously didn’t hear punter Paul Ernster and special-teams coach Ronnie Bradford having it out on the sideline during the San Francisco game. …
The most amazing aspect of the Mike Shanahan era? All those wins, first and foremost, followed by the Broncos’ dominance in the running game. But somewhere on that list has to be the personnel department’s inability to find a competent punter. If I’m Shanahan and I’m armed with that extra pick from the Redskins, I’m using a fifth- or sixth-rounder on a punter. …
Just so you know, Shanny loves those “If I’m Shanahan …” notes. Just trying to do my part for the local 11. Rome isn’t exactly in flames, but it could use a little renovating here and there. …
Once again, no Goose Gossage in the Hall of Fame. But then, I gave up trying to figure out the Hall voters a long time ago. When Ozzie Smith and Bill Mazeroski are in and Jim Rice is sitting out there for more than a decade, something is wrong with the system. …
Number of general managers who would have traded Rice for Ozzie during their primes? That would be none. …
Just so you know, if I acknowledged that soccer existed, this is the point in the column where I’d mention David Beckham signing with the L.A. Galaxy. …
The most versatile player in the NFL? Lions wideout Mike Furrey would have to get some votes. Furrey led the NFC with 98 catches. Not bad considering he played safety with the Rams in 2005, intercepting four passes.
Add Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman to the list of NFL players shaken by Darrent Williams’ death. He wore a No. 27 decal on his helmet during Dallas’ playoff loss at Seattle. …
Five all-pros on the same team? With free agency and a salary cap to contend with? Even Marty Schottenheimer, he of the 5-12 career playoff record, may not be able to screw this up. …
Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman likes to be called “Lights Out,” a phrase he had cut into his hair earlier in the season. And so it was that after Miami’s Jason Taylor won the NFL defensive player of the year award, Merriman sent him a care package.
Said Merriman, “I sent him a ‘Lights Out’ T-shirt and ‘Lights Out’ hat and some popcorn so he could watch us in the playoffs.” …
So much for the Chargers lacking confidence because of Schottenheimer’s lousy track record in January. …
Talk about a guy whose teams bring it every year. Schottenheimer has been an NFL head coach for 20 full seasons. During that time, his teams have finished first or second in their division 16 times. …
By the way, before I go any farther, mamas, let your babies grow up to be holders. …
From the good-things-happen-to-good-people dept.: Trevor Pryce tearin’ it up for the Ravens. I admit it, I thought his days of double-figure sacks were behind him. And I had a lot of company at Dove Valley. …
You’ve heard of playing for the love of the game. Then there’s Bills tailback Willis McGahee. With three paternity suits in two years, he’s playing for the game of love. …
Add game of love: Dan Hawkins’ daughter, Brittany, is engaged to Boise State linebacker Tim Brady. …
Why are they all over QB Rex Grossman’s case in Chicago? According to the Chicago Sun-Times, here are his passer ratings from the season opener to the finale: 148.0, 137.4, 114.4, 105.7, 104.3, 101.2, 100.5, 98.6, 81.4, 80.4, 64.9, 36.8, 23.7, 10.7, 1.3 and 0.0. …
Now that, sports fans, is a trend.
Jim Armstrong can be reached at 303-954-1269 or at jarmstrong@denverpost.com.
